Streaming Sci Fi TV: Tracking down sci fi and fantasy shows of interest available on the streaming services.
Amazon got started with streaming originals on its Prime Video service (previously known as Instant Video) in 2014 with the comedy/drama Transparent, and its first genre entry was The Man in the High Castle which came out the following year. Since then, Prime Video has continued to crank out some notable sci fi TV shows and they were the ones that saved The Expanse when Syfy cancelled it after three seasons. But in addition to sci fi, this service has put out some notable fantasy entries, seemingly trying to take the lead in the market for that genre. Probably the best known among these is the Lord of the Rings prequel series, but there is also The Wheel of Time (which wraps up its third season this week), as well as one of the best fantasy shows people don’t know about The Legend of Vox Machina. Below are seven shows on Prime Video that should be of interest to fantasy fans and that are certainly binge-worthy.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2 Seasons Completed and Renewed for a 3rd Season): Set thousands of years before The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, this epic fantasy series explores the forging of the Rings of Power, the rise of Sauron, and the last alliance of Elves and Men. It weaves together the fates of familiar and new characters across Middle-earth during a mythic Second Age.
This show has received a mixed reception so far, but it has lavish production values and fans of the Peter Jackson movies should certainly enjoy it.
The Wheel of Time (3 Seasons Completed with a 4th Pending): In a world where only women can safely wield magic, Moiraine, a member of the powerful Aes Sedai, seeks the prophesied Dragon Reborn who could either save or destroy the world. The sprawling series follows her and a group of villagers swept into an age-old battle between Light and Shadow.
This is an ambitious series considering the scope of the books it is based on, but it has done a good job with the source material so far and looks like it will stick around for a few more years.
The Legend of Vox Machina (3 Seasons Completed and Renewed for a 4th Season): Based on the Critical Role Dungeons & Dragons campaign, this animated fantasy adventure follows a ragtag band of mercenaries as they take on dark magic, monstrous foes, and their own chaotic impulses.
This series is just good fun, especially for D&D fans. If you didn’t know it was streaming–it has not received much promotion–I highly recommend checking it out.
Carnival Row (Cancelled after 2 Seasons): In a neo-noir fantasy world filled with mythological immigrant creatures, tensions rise between them and humans as a series of gruesome murders threatens the uneasy peace. A human detective and a fae refugee rekindle a forbidden love while uncovering conspiracies that could upend their society.
This intriguing dark fantasy with some political overtones was sadly cut short, but it was at least given the opportunity to wrap up many of its storylines.
Good Omens (2 Seasons Completed with the Series Finale in the Works): An angel and a demon who’ve grown fond of Earth team up to prevent the apocalypse in this whimsical, irreverent adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s beloved novel. With the Antichrist missing and Heaven and Hell eager for war, the pair must bend the rules to save humanity.
The performances of Michael Sheen and David Tennant in the lead roles alone make this one worth watching. The planned third season was cut short to a 90-minute episode, but at least it will get a chance to wrap up its storylines.
Britannia (Cancelled after 3 Seasons): Set during the Roman conquest of Britain in 43 A.D., this psychedelic historical fantasy follows warring Celtic tribes, mystics, and Roman invaders clashing over power, prophecy, and pagan gods. With eerie druidic visions and brutal political intrigue, the show paints a surreal picture of a land caught between myth and empire.
This underrated Celtic Game of Thrones never got much promotion, and it was sadly cancelled before wrapping up all of its storylines, but it is certainly worth a look. Note that this one switched to MGM+ with its second season. I believe the first season is included with Prime Video and then you will have to get the MGM+ add-on after that.
Blade of the Immortal (1 Season): In feudal Japan, the cursed immortal samurai Manji seeks redemption by vowing to kill 1,000 evil men to lift his curse. His path intertwines with Rin Asano, a young woman seeking vengeance against the sword school that destroyed her family, leading them both on a harrowing journey of bloodshed and moral reckoning.
Prime Video even has an Anime fantasy series to offer, based on the Manga of the same name.
You can see the pricing plans for Amazon Prime and Prime Video at this link.
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Follow our Sci Fi TV Schedule for all the currently airing and upcoming sci fi and fantasy television shows, and you can see the premieres for all the upcoming genre entries at this link.
I would also highly recommend “The Man in the High Castle “.