We discuss 10 TV Shows like Willow you must watch. Add these recommendations to your watch list.
In 1988, Ron Howard and George Lucas teamed up to make one of the most underrated fantasy films. Willow was about a young farmer chosen to undertake a perilous journey to protect a special baby from an evil queen, as per the synopsis on IMDB.
Val Kilmer was at the top of his game in the 80s, so to have him as a romantic leading man in a fantasy film was perfect casting. Joanne Whalley and Warwick Davis made it worth watching because of their characters.
Now, decades later, Howard’s small, beloved film has been turned into a Disney Plus series. Since world-building was done a bit differently in previous eras, television shows can build the foundation of the world in a more detailed manner.
Fantasy shows have been all the rage in 2022 because many viewers want to be transported to another world. It’s almost as if we’ve been deprived of different escapes.
10 TV Shows like Willow you must watch
The Mandalorian (2019)
The world of Star Wars has been argued to be more sci-fi than fantasy, but it’s still one of the largest franchises to take us into another world. The Mandalorian was created by Jon Favreau to give us a glimpse of bounty hunters in a new light. Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) goes on a quest through the galaxy after he meets a young Grogu and tries to protect him.
Shadow and Bone (2021)
Book adaptations can always be a bit tricky, but once the decision is made to turn it into a television series, it’s always better than a movie. Shadow and Bone is one of the biggest Netflix series to hit the platform and book readers have appreciated how detailed the world is for their beloved novel. There is a battle between light and dark, and who has the ultimate power to overpower the darkness surrounding them? Even though there are only eight episodes in the first season, it was paced incredibly well and brought you into the realm.
The Sandman (2022)
Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman is filled with such rich and complex characters that each episode of the series felt like it was a movie. They were able to bring his world to life and it was incredibly meticulous. The world-building was so strong and there was enough screen time for each character to actually have audiences connect with them. It is one of the best fantasy shows on the Netflix platform.
Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022)
J.R.R. Tolkien’s world of Middle-Earth has been expanding for decades, and now there is a prequel series that shows the beginning of Galadriel and Elrond. The Rings of Power is a visual spectacle for Amazon Prime and its cinematic feel is unmatched this year. The characters from each category of fantastical beings that we know and love have been reimagined and nostalgia is present. It’s a gorgeous world with familiar characters and a compelling story.
House of the Dragon (2022)
Game of Thrones is one of the most successful HBO series that lasted a decade on the platform. Now, with the prequel series centering on House Targaryen, it adds even more depth to the world created. It’s a bit more graphic and bloody, and it shows the intricate relationships between the houses. The series has crafted an interesting game within the family and those outside trying to get a seat on the Iron Throne.
The Wheel of Time (2021)
Set in a high fantasy world where magic exists, but only some can access it, a woman named Moiraine crosses paths with five young men and women. This sparks a dangerous, world-spinning journey. Based on the book series by Robert Jordan, as per the synopsis on IMDB. Rosamund Pike returns to the screen in this Amazon Prime fantasy series that did extremely well. There weren’t many fantasy shows running at the same time, so this one stood out among the rest.
1899 (2022)
This series has surprised many fantasy fans and has gained an audience on Netflix. Multinational immigrants traveling from the old continent to the new encounter a nightmarish riddle aboard a second ship adrift on the open sea, as per the synopsis on IMDB. The open water is a scary place and this series makes sure you feel lost at sea with the characters.
Interview with the Vampire (2022)
Based on Anne Rice’s iconic novel, follow Louis de Point’s epic story of love, blood, and the perils of immortality, as told to the journalist Daniel Molloy, as per the synopsis on IMDB. Rice’s novel is so intriguing and the conversations about immortality, love, and relationships are the most interesting aspect of this series. Apart from the attractive actors who take on the vampiric roles.
The Witcher (2019)
The Witcher is based on the popular video game franchise that Henry Cavill actually enjoyed playing. So when he was cast as Geralt of Rivia, it was a dream come true. After being on the show for two seasons, he knew his character inside and out, to the point that he would even correct the producers and writers about the lore that they would include in the series. The world-building was detailed, but some of the character choices didn’t make sense based on the video game.
The Umbrella Academy (2019)
After three seasons, The Umbrella Academy feels like a sleeper hit. It has a wonderful family of characters who come together after years of being apart to fight for the greater good. Netflix adapted the comics quite well and the special effects for their powers are what really carry the show. The banter between characters creates a fun family dynamic that is so rare among superhero shows.
Do you have any other recommendations for TV Shows like Willow? Let us know!
