5 Forgotten Netflix Fantasy TV Shows That Still Hold Up Today
Netflix has given the world a lot of good things. The streamer famously saved "Breaking Bad" from an early cancellation due to its huge rise in viewership the moment it debuted on the platform. Meanwhile, shows like "Lucifer" and "Manifest" outright came back from the dead thanks to Netflix giving them new seasons.
That being said, these days, Netflix has just so many original series and movies that the vast majority tend to, at worst, quickly disappear into the ether or, at best, enjoy some popularity for a few weeks before vanishing from our collective memory. For every "Stranger Things," there is a "Hemlock Grove." Indeed, there are plenty of very good but mostly forgotten Netflix TV shows, from comedies to documentaries and animated series.
When it comes to fantasy, however, there was a time when no other network or platform was spending as much money or doing as much to make terrific fantasy television as Netflix (much like what Apple TV is doing for sci-fi). So, if you're tired of waiting for the next and final season of "House of the Dragon" and want more fantasy on TV, you should check out one of these shows that Netflix spent an obscene amount of money making before we collectively moved on and left them in the dust.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
One of the most ambitious Netflix productions ever, "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance" is a prequel to the 1982 Jim Henson dark fantasy cult film "The Dark Crystal," telling the story of three young Gelflings as they journey on a quest to unite their clans against the tyranny of the Skeksis. Though the show earned rave reviews and even won an Emmy, it only lasted for one season. That's a shame, too, as this series is high fantasy at its very best, with a deep and complex yet still accessible lore, memorable characters on classic fantasy quests you want to root for, scheming villains that are easy to hate, and stunning visuals that make the world of Thra come alive.
More than anything, "Age of Resistance" is simply an impeccably made show. It has massive sets with astonishing production design that feel like the closest TV has got to Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" films in terms of scope, scale, and attention to detail. And that's not to mention its state-of-the-art puppetry, which is arguably the full realization of what Henson spent decades trying to do. It's a show that proves you don't need CGI or even human actors to star in your production. Between the meticulous puppetry and the surprisingly good voice acting by the show's A-list cast (really, everyone from Jason Isaacs to Taron Egerton, Lena Headey, and Andy Samberg), the series' characters all feel like fully fleshed-out and real beings.
We only got "Age of Resistance" for a single season, yet it remains one of the best things Netflix has ever done.
Maya and the Three
Netflix
Jorge R. Gutiérrez is one of our finest animators working today, with a visual style that's instantly recognizable and a distinct sense of storytelling. Just look at "Maya and the Three." This beautifully animated series follows a young Maya on a quest to rescue her three brothers from the gods above. It's a classic coming-of-age story wrapped up in a richly imagined fantasy world that's as vibrant and lively as any you'll find in a video game or a Disney animated feature.
The series is packed with humor, adventure, and action, making it a thrilling ride from start to finish. It's a shame it was canceled after two seasons, but the legacy of "Maya and the Three" lives on as a testament to Netflix's commitment to high-quality, imaginative storytelling.
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