What to
watch, what to watch hmmmmm…. The Netflix ponder. It’s always a toughie. If
you’ve got a bunch of time on your hands then you might want to check out
something where you’re going to be tuned in for 6 hours straight, glued to the
edge of your seat, unable to take a break between episodes… a full binge upon
you. Fantasy is our favorite genre, whether it’s TV series, movies, or games,
the creative essence still remains.
In today’s
article we check out 10 of the most bingeable fantasy shows, ranging from 80s
titles right through until today. You’re sure to find something new to have you
stuck on the couch in our list – check em out!
1. Buffy the Vampire
Slayer
When it
comes to the blueprint for bingeable urban fantasy, it has got to be Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The vehicle that rocketed Joss
Whedon to the top of everyone’s fantasy-writer wishlists, Buffy is the story of
Buffy, a high school student with a bad-ass secret – by night she’s a demon
kicking, vampire slaying “chosen one”. The show packs a punch with its quick
quips and high energy action sequences that don’t get bogged down in gruesome
details. Do yourself a favor with this one and - if you haven’t already had a
watch - make sure to tee it up on your Netflix. There’s 7 whole seasons to keep
you going for weeks on end.
2. Misfits
Don’t just look
to the US for your fantasy TV cravings – head across the shores to the UK and
check out their quirky offerings, too. Misfits oozes style and substance. The show kicks off with a bunch of young “misfits”,
offenders who’ve been put together to do community service. However, it then
soon comes to light that many of these outcasts have a unique magical or
special talent. Queue them teaming up for the use of their powers both for good
and also to get up to no good too – they are delinquents after all! Check out
all 5 seasons.
3. The Magicians
An off the
radar series, The Magicians is relatively new to the Syfy
channel and is one that draws heavily on the quirky, witty wordplay of Buffy,
but is way less G rated in its delivery. The Magicians is kind of like Harry
Potter – where our cast are attending a magic school – however in this one
they’re all grown up and in college, with plenty of swearing, innuendo, adult
themes, and even steamy sex scenes. Featuring a hot young cast, the show now
has three seasons under its belt and a fourth is slated for 2018.
Cult
status beckons for this crossover show.
4. Supernatural
The boys
are back in town! Sam and Dean, the Winchester brothers are the hunters who
seek to address and banish all the supernatural bad guys that they come across.
Each episode is a good old fashioned ghost story in itself, with the show
maintaining enough presence across seasons for viewers to remain interested –
and even on the edge of their seats! It doesn’t hurt that the two stars are
major babe material. In terms of bingeability this show may not have you
hanging from episode to episode, however with no less than 13 seasons at your
fingertips (and more to come), it’ll be a long time before you run out of eps
to watch.
11
Seasons of pure entertainment
5. The Ghost Whisperer
Here’s
another one that is more on the supernatural side of things – and more with a
soft touch than a spooky one. The Ghost Whisperer, starring Jennifer Love
Hewitt, is a series that ran from 20005 to 2010, and is set in a gorgeous
little town, with the other J Lo as a woman who discovers she can speak to
ghosts, and to help them transition to “the other side” once they’ve resolved
what’s necessary in the physical world. It’s a bit soap opera-ish, a little
daytime TV, but to be honest, that’s what we like about it. A great show to
binge watch when you’re home from work sick and feeling a little self
indulgent.
6. The OA
A bizarre
and compelling series, with just one season so far (and another to be released
in 2018), the OA follows the story of Prairie – a woman discovered wandering
who turns out to have been missing for 7 years. But something very strange has
happened – she can now see, when once she was blind. Where has she been? Is it
really her? How did she become cured? You’ll be on the edge of your seat
wanting to find out her whole story in this highly original show. Be sure to
tune back in next year for the follow up in season 2. Stars Brit Marling and
Phyllis Smith.
7. Orphan Black
Another
British offering on our list comes in the form of Orphan Black. Orphan Black is
now in its fifth season, after a slow but steady start. If you like thrillers
and strong female leads, then Orphan Black makes for great watching. The show
starts off when Sarah, after witnessing the suicide of girl (who looks just like
her) then assumes her identity, but she then finds out there is still more to
the strange coincidence than there seems – she was actually a clone! And there
are more where that came from! Actress Tatiana Maslany crafts such delightfully
different characters for each of Sarah’s clones that you would think they are
all separate actors playing different parts. Binge this one with abandon.
Truly
stellar performance by Tatiana Maslany
8. Stranger Things
Haven’t
gotten around to watching Stranger Things just yet? Well you must. Even if you
think you won’t like it just because everyone else does, and maybe you’re into
quirky things usually – you’ll like it anyway, just trust us. It’s the series
that has been gripping the world with its “totally nailed it” 80s adventure
vibe. Think The Goonies but less cheesy and more adult. With the second season
released recently, it even has Goonies alum Sean Astin starring, as well as
everyone’s favorite 80s babe Winona Ryder. It’s cool, it’s highly bingeable,
and its available now. Can’t wait to see what happens in 2018!
9. The Twilight Zone
The remake
of The Twilight Zone series ran from 1985 to 1989 – and if you can get your hands
on a copy of this binge-worthy show you’ll be grateful you did. The series has
standalone episodes, each featuring a very strange tale (or tales) with a
twist. They’re creepy, they’re kooky, they’re altogether ooky – but they’re
nothing like the Adams Family. The Twilight Zone has been referenced in pop
culture since the dawn of time, so check this series out to make sure you know
just what everyone is talking about.
10. The Stand
Rounding
out our list is the TV adaption of Stephen King’s The Stand, a treasure from
1994. It’s technically not a series – but was a made for TV miniseries so has a
super bingeable runtime of 6 hours – perfect for a Saturday or Sunday in. For
those not familiar with the novel of the same name, it is one of those creepy
“end of days” type scenarios – this time it comes about from a plague wiping
out the majority of the human race. From the survivors, two different factions
form, one good and one evil it seems. A thoroughly creepy and enjoyable ride,
The Stand stars Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald, Laura San Giacomo, Rob Lowe, and
more.