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A miniseries is a form of television serial in which there is only planned to be one season. This differs from typical one-season shows because the latter are often cancelled early, despite having future plans. Miniseries, however, are open-and-shut forms of media that come with definitive conclusions. They can be as short as two episodes, and aren’t restricted only to one genre.
Miniseries have always been a popular form of television; moreso now with the rise of streaming services. However, they have existed for a very long time, producing some pretty remarkable results. They’ve also heavily contributed to the fantasy genre. If you happen to be a fan of fantasy, there are several miniseries that you simply have to check out. In fact, these miniseries belong on every fantasy fan’s bucket list.
10
‘The 10th Kingdom’ (2000)
The 10th Kingdom might be only five episodes, but these episodes are feature-length, each approximately 90 minutes long. Needless to say, this one can be a bit much to binge all at once, and is best spread out over multiple days. In any event, this Emmy Award-winning miniseries is just awesome, and serves as a callback to classic childhood fairytales.
The story is about a father and daughter living in New York City who fall through a magic mirror into a land where fairytales exist. Not only is it an adventure story, it also serves as a comedy, loaded with punchlines and physical gags. Perhaps what stands out the most about is how big of an undertaking it really is, which is surprising considering it was an original idea with no source material to fall back on. A staple of the early 2000s, this miniseries has to be seen to be believed.
9
‘The Mists of Avalon’ (2001)
The Mists of Avalon is based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Marion Zimmer Bradley. As the name suggests, this story takes place in Arthurian legend, yet it doesn’t really feature a whole lot of King Arthur in it. The focus is instead shifted to all of the women listed in the mythology. Each of the two episodes is split into three parts, each roughly 30 minutes long.
The primary perspectives are of the witch Morgan le Fay (Julianne Margulies), who is known as “Morgaine” in the show, and the Lady of the Lake (Anjelica Huston). The women in Arthurian legend rarely get a chance to shine, so this miniseries is a welcome departure from the age-old mythology. The series attracted millions of viewers and was received very well. If you like King Arthur, this is a wonderful prequel and side story.
8
‘Agatha All Along’ (2024)
Movies and TV shows in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are generally considered science fiction rather than fantasy, especially since they involve genetic mutations, robots, aliens, and advanced technology. Agatha All Along, however, fits neatly into the fantasy genre, since it’s less about robots and more about witchcraft and black magic. The show is a spin-off of another MCU miniseries, WandaVision.
The focal point of the series is the titular Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn), a morally grey witch who was previously trapped under the spell of the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) in WandaVision. Breaking free of the spell, Agatha hopes to form a new coven of witches with the aid of an unexpected ally and face the series of trials known as the Witches’ Road. Since this is, at the end of the day, a superhero miniseries, it’s not exactly high art. However, it’s action-packed and perfect for non-superhero fans.
7
‘Onimusha’ (2023)
Onimusha is a Japanese anime miniseries based on the video game series of the same name. Normally, video game adaptations are seen as quick cash-grabs with little regard for the actual source material. Onimusha proves that this doesn’t always have to be the case — they really knocked it out of the park with this one. The series might consist of only eight episodes of approximately 30 minutes each, yet it managed to effectively capture the spirit of the original games.
The story is set in the Edo Period, a 200-year period in Japanese history marked by constant rebellion, political upheaval, civil war, and societal unrest. In Onimusha, as if all of that weren’t bad enough, demons from Japanese mythology and folklore are also lurking in the shadows, prompting an independent hunter to put a stop to them. If you love mythology, Feudal Japan, or the original video games, Onimusha is a superior pick for a quick weekend binge.
6
‘The Odyssey’ (1997)
Before Christopher Nolan‘s 2026 epic The Odyssey, there was the 1997 two-part miniseries. Both are, of course, based on the epic poem written by Homer nearly 3,000 years ago. The miniseries follows the poem pretty closely, focusing on a Greek warrior named Odysseus (Armand Assante) who is returning home to Greece after years of fighting in the Trojan War. However, returning home is no small feat, as he encounters numerous mythological creatures and deities along the way.
Admittedly, the show isn’t quite as good as the recently released movie. However, it is still pretty incredible, and was good enough to win showrunner Andrei Konchalovsky the Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or Special. If you like Greek myth, this is a great way to experience it, divided evenly into two bite-sized episodes rather than one long film, making it easier to get through.
5
‘The Colour of Magic’ (2008)
The Colour of Magic is a two-part miniseries based on the novel of the same name, which is the very first novel in the 40+ saga known as Discworld. Written by Terry Pratchett, Discworld is set on a flat planet that sits on the back of four enormous elephants. Those elephants stand on the back of an even bigger sea turtle that flies through space. If it sounds ridiculous, that’s because it’s supposed to, as the series is a parody of fantasy tropes and is intentionally comedic.
This miniseries very much captures the spirit of Pratchett’s novel, taking common fantasy tropes and exaggerating them to absurdist levels. Much of the miniseries is about wizards, only they’re not very good at their job, especially since magic is needlessly complicated and is almost never used. If you’re a fan of fantasy, this series is sure to make you laugh with how it plays upon all the worst clichés for comedic effect.
4
‘Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell’ (2015)
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is a historical fantasy set in a world similar to, but somewhat different from, that of our own. It takes place in England during the onset of the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th Century. The difference is, in this version of Earth, magic is not a farce or a pseudo-science — it is a real, verifiable thing that people study. The public knows that magic is very real, yet it is still treated like a taboo subject that only a few people dare to dabble in.
Based on the novel of the same name by Susanna Clarke, the series follows two magicians who have very different approaches to magic. One treats it as an exact science that must be handled carefully, while the other believes it is to be experimented with, and that without risk, there can be no reward. They use their power to aid England in her time of need. This miniseries is so underrated, and isn’t hard to finish either, at only seven episodes. It’s such a unique fantasy story based on a legendary novel that simply cannot be missed.
3
‘Lost Ollie’ (2022)
Lost Ollie is an endearing four-part miniseries that is both animated and live-action. The story follows a stuffed rabbit named Ollie (Jonathan Groff) who is accidentally left behind by his owner one day. Desperate to get back home, Ollie comes to life and begins to trek across the land in search of his owner. It sounds pretty innocent, and it is family-friendly, but don’t be deceived: this one is a real tear-jerker.
The miniseries is a heartbreaking story of redemption, growing up, moving on, and youth, as well as the particularly special kind of bond that exists between a child and their favourite toy. It’s a profound bit of life advice for younger viewers, and a nostalgic reminder of childhood for adults. This miniseries is quick to finish and particularly special for how much heart went into it.
2
‘Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities’ (2022)
Mexican film director Guillermo del Toro is known for his dark fantasy flicks, including Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water. In 2022, Netflix approached the director with a deal to produce an eight-part anthology miniseries, which he accepted. The result is Cabinet of Curiosities, an underrated yet incredible binge. Because this is an anthology series, each episode features its own distinct plot, cast, and themes, with a definitive beginning and ending to the story.
Each episode is carefully curated by the man himself and is executed with his signature flair and a distinct style that no other film director could have pulled off. Cabinet of Curiosities is not just a fantasy miniseries; it is a masterpiece of storytelling, as well as a playground for the imagination of Guillermo del Toro, where all of his most inventive ideas come to life.
1
‘Over the Garden Wall’ (2014)
Over the Garden Wall is a Cartoon Network original miniseries that functions as something of a passion project for showrunner Patrick McHale. The family-friendly story follows two brothers who become lost in a dark forest known simply as the Unknown. Desperate to get home, they try everything in their power to get through the Unknown, encountering many strange and mysterious figures, not all of which are friendly.
There isn’t a single wasted frame of animation or line of dialogue in this miniseries. Every single millisecond was crafted with such care and passion that it’s hard not to fall in love with the world. It also comes with a really bittersweet ending and a highly unexpected plot twist that hits like a truck. Reminiscent of classic fairy tales, Over the Garden Wall is arguably one of the best fantasy miniseries ever created.
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Dawson Nyffenegger
Almontather Rassoul
