20 Best Shows Like The Witcher Every Fantasy Fan Needs To See
Netflix hit it big with fans of the video game and the fantasy genre alike when it decided to adapt The Witcher into a series. The immense popularity of the game allowed the series to become just as popular for different people, regardless of whether they may be fans of the game or the books. But, when they finish watching the show, people are looking for other similar shows like The Witcher, and here is where our article will help with a bit list of similar series to the Witcher.
Now that the second season of The Witcher has finished, you may want to binge-watch some of the other shows that give you that fantasy vibe and action that is similar to what The Witcher offers. That is why we have compiled a big list of the 20 best shows that are quite similar to The Witcher but are still as unique as they need to be.
Best TV Shows Like The Witcher
You may have played the video games in the past or have read the books, but there is still something special about The Witcher’s live-action adaptation, as the popularity of the games and the star power of Henry Cavill made it one of the biggest fantasy shows available for streaming today. And now, if you have finished watching the second season of The Witcher, and you just need something similar to it, we are bringing you below the best shows like The Witcher to scratch that fantasy itch.
1. Game of Thrones (2011 – 2019)
Let’s be real when we say that there are plenty of similarities between Game of Thrones and The Witcher. Both of these shows are great in their own right and are set in a fantasy world that might be similar to ours in a lot of ways but are still unique in their own right. And the most similar thing between these two shows is that they are both immensely popular.
Game of Thrones is set in the fictional continent of Westeros, which is ruled by several lords that all follow one king. There are plenty of side stories and themes covered by the show, but the main premise here is that different lords are fighting for power, all while a horde of zombies grows even larger in preparation for an attack on the realms of men. Of course, let’s not forget about the fact that the show has dragons.
2. The Wheel of Time (2021 –)
The Wheel of Time is an ongoing Amazon original that is based on the book by the late Robert Jordan. This series is similar to The Witcher in a lot of ways because of how they both happen in a fantasy world where magic exists. However, The Wheel of Time is actually very unique in the sense that it can stand on its own in terms of how original a lot of its themes are.
Happening in what is seemingly a post-apocalyptic world where reincarnation exists, The Wheel of Time focuses on a woman mage in search of a person called the Dragon Reborn because of how this person is supposed to be able to wield power so immense that it could either destroy the world or save it. Her search brings her to five individuals who all possess the potential to become the next Dragon.
3. Castlevania (2017 – 2021)
Castlevania is probably the series that is most similar to The Witcher because it is also based on one of the most popular game franchises of all time. Of course, it is similar to The Witcher as well in the sense that it follows a slayer of evil creatures, which is basically what a Witcher does for a living. The only difference is that it is animated.
The thing about Castlevania is that it follows three central characters Trevor, Sypha, and Alucard. Trevor comes from a long line of demon and undead hunters, Sypha comes from a long line of mages, and Alucard comes from Dracula’s long line but is half-human. All three characters are on a quest to stop Dracula’s rampage on the world.
4. Cursed (2020)
Despite the fact that Netflix decided to pull the plug on Cursed just after one season, it was actually a pretty popular series that trended number one during its release. And it is actually similar to The Witcher in the sense that it dwells on fantasy and magic but is set in our current world.
Cursed follows the usual Arthurian formula, but the main character we have here is actually a woman and is supposed to be the Lady of the Lake. Despite that, it still has a lot of different Arthurian elements, such as the Knights of the Round Table (or a few of them, at the least) and the legendary sword of Excalibur. Of course, it also has Merlin, but in a package that is quite unique. Despite its cancellation, it still is worth watching the first season of Cursed if you want to scratch that fantasy itch.
5. Arcane (2021-)
Arcane is another one of those TV series that Netflix adapted from a video game franchise. It is based on the League of Legends game, which is one of the most popular multiplayer games we have in the world today. And like The Witcher, it is set in a fantasy world full of magic and mythical creatures.
What sets Arcane apart from a lot of different fantasy stories is that this CGI-animated series seems to showcase a good mix of storytelling, action, and fanservice. Focused on the sisters Vi and Powder (Jinx), Arcane is a smorgasbord of different themes such as evil vs. good, sister vs. sister, rich vs. poor, and tradition vs. progress. You will love how it was able to mix superb animation with voice acting and music.
6. The Mandalorian (2019-)
Disney did not waste time in delivering different Star Wars-themed shows and movies that allow fantasy and Star Wars fans to scratch their itch. One of their best shows is The Mandalorian, which may be based on the Star Wars universe but is every bit of a fantasy story that The Witcher is.
The Mandalorian follows the story of a Mandalorian warrior who is on a quest to find a child that resembles the same race as the legendary Jedi, Yoda. Like Yoda, the child also has a strong connection to The Force and is actually being hunted by remnants of the same Empire that was destroyed during the events of Star Wars Episode 6.
7. Hellbound (2021-)
The unique part about Hellbound is that it is actually based on the present time and in the same world we live in today. However, what makes it similar to The Witcher is that it has elements of fantasy and demonic entities. This South Korean Netflix original is surely going to rock your world and your faith.
Hellbound happens in the real world and is set mainly in South Korea. What happens in this series is that supernatural and demonic entities are seemingly hunting down “sinners” by warning them when they will be taken to hell. After that, hellish creatures will begin to hunt down the so-called sinners and burn them to death in what is seemingly a way for them to send the souls of the damned to hell. The story revolves around a lawyer who is on a quest to find out the truth behind what is happening and about the church that monopolized the truth for its own benefit.
8. Demon Slayer (2019-)
We move from South Korea to Japan, as we feature another animated TV series that is quite similar to The Witcher. Like The Witcher, Demon Slayer focuses on slaying demonic entities that are quite similar to vampires.
Demon Slayer revolves around a young boy whose family was massacred by demons and whose sister was turned into a demon. This prompts him to join a group of demon slayers in the hopes of finding a way to cure his sister and bring justice to the demons that were responsible for killing his entire family.
9. Spartacus (2010 – 2013)
The thing about Spartacus is that this is actually a historical series that is based on the gladiators that were enslaved by the Roman empire hundreds of years ago. In that sense, it does not have any elements of magic, but that doesn’t mean that it is anything different from The Witcher. All of the action that you can see in this series makes it quite similar to the action-packed Witcher series.
Spartacus follows the story of the titular character Spartacus, who is historically known as one of the greatest gladiators of all time. While making a name for himself in the fighting pits, he somehow musters enough strength to rally all of the other gladiators to his cause and wage a rebellion against the Roman empire.
10. Trese (2021-)
We have another Asian original on this list. Produced by Netflix, Trese is an animated series based on a Filipino comics series. The fact that this is a story that revolves around mythical creatures originating in the Philippines is what makes it very similar to The Witcher.
Trese follows the story of the titular character Trese, who is actually the bridge between the humans and the mythical creatures that live among the people in the metropolis of Manila. The series revolves around the struggles of Trese in trying to keep the peace between the humans and the mythical creatures, and she has to do it by force if there is a need for her to do so.
11. DOTA: Dragon’s Blood (2021-)
Another animated show, DOTA: Dragon’s Blood is very similar to The Witcher and even Arcane in the sense that this is a story that originated from the multiplayer game DOTA, which stands as one of the most popular multiplayer games of all time.
DOTA: Dragon’s Blood mainly follows the story of a popular DOTA character named Davion, who became one with a dragon and is struggling between his human and dragon sides. He eventually goes on a quest to stop the demonic creature named Terrorblade, who is on a quest to kill off the dragons and harvest their souls for his own to get stronger.
12. His Dark Materials (2019-)
His Dark Materials is another series that was adapted from the novels written by Philip Pullman. You may have seen this story in The Golden Compass film several years ago, but that didn’t truly give the books justice. However, His Dark Materials is a complete adaptation of the books and is quite similar to The Witcher in terms of its overall fantastic world building.
The story of this series follows a girl named Lyra, who lives in a place that humans and daemons share, as daemons usually manifest as the alter egos of their human counterparts. However, Lyra finds herself in a quest to find her friend, who was snatched up by Gobblers. And what seemed to be a simple mission turned into a much larger story involving the fate of the entire world.
13. Vikings (2013 – 2019)
Vikings is similar to The Witcher because of the over-the-top manly action that you see in this series. Nevertheless, there is no element of magic or fantasy in this action-packed series, but you are going to see plenty of drama and political wars between different factions.
This series follows the legendary real-life Viking named Ragnar, who went on to conquer some western territories and plundered parts of England and France, along with his wife and best friend. Vikings is actually a historical drama that spans decades, as we also see Ragnar’s children growing up to become legendary Vikings.
14. Merlin (2008 – 2012)
Merlin is another Arthurian story that follows a central character not named Arthur. As the title of the series implies, Merlin is all about the legendary wizard Merlin and his journey as Arthur’s future adviser. So, as the title already implies (again), Merlin is a series that is full of fantasy, magic, and everything in between.
What you are going to love about Merlin is that this is already a done story that you can binge as you are waiting for the next season of The Witcher. And you will love how the boys and other central characters in the series grow up from boys to men. There are also different themes, such as loyalty, that are tested in this series.
15. The Shannara Chronicles (2016 – 2017)
The Shannara Chronicles is what you would call the Game of Thrones or The Witcher version that is best for teens. It doesn’t have the same kind of blood and gore that you can find in The Witcher, but it does well in terms of its world building and how it handles the story of the young central characters that teenagers can certainly relate to.
This series follows the story of three central characters, who are on a quest to save the Ellcrys, an ancient tree that prevents the demon world from opening. And despite its popularity, The Shannara Chronicles only has two seasons as of now, as the producers are looking for a studio willing to take it in following its cancelation.
16. Carnival Row (2019-)
Carnival Row is an Amazon original that combines a lot of different elements, such as fantasy and mythological creatures that live alongside humans in society. It is actually based on a more modern world compared to The Witcher, but you will be able to see the similarities in the way the show handles fantasy and magic.
The story follows Detective Rycroft Philostrate, who is given the task to investigate the murders involving magical creatures as the tensions between the creatures and humans begin to rise. He eventually uncovers clues that are connected to the murderers, as the story steadily builds a world that is fantastic and just as full of suspense as any other series out there.
17. Penny Dreadful (2014 – 2016)
Penny Dreadful is set in the Victorian era of our world but follows a team of experts that are tasked to hunt down different supernatural creatures that live secretly in human society. In that sense, it is similar to The Witcher in terms of how it tackles the supernatural and how the protagonists are tasked with hunting creatures that are not of humankind.
The story starts out as a quest to hunt the daughter of a certain Sir Malcolm. However, the story further delves into different conflicts about some of the most popular creatures like Count Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and even Dorian Gray. It is a promising series that will allow you to scratch your mythological creature itch.
18. Xena: Warrior Princess (1995 – 2001)
Xena: Warrior Princess is a classic that only those who lived during the 90s would remember fondly. Now, you have to understand that this show aired at a time when fantasy series was not yet as big as they are now. However, Xena is as popular as it can be because it was a trailblazer and has allowed shows like The Witcher to thrive in today’s world.
The story follows Xena, a Greek warrior princess, on a quest around the land. What starts out as a comedy action series eventually becomes a darker story that involves magic and romance. Of course, we also see cameo appearances of one of the most favorite 90s fantasy series characters of all time.
19. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995 – 1999)
You probably already know that this was coming when we included Xena on this list. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys is just as iconic as Xena is. In that sense, it is also a trailblazer that opened the path for The Witcher and all of the other fantasy series to thrive today. And the best part is that Hercules is set in the same time and universe as Xena.
Based on the Greek hero Hercules, the series follows the journey of the titular character, as he is fighting all sorts of monsters and evil-doers all over the land, much like how the Greek hero Hercules did in the stories. Of course, we also see Hercules meeting all sorts of different characters, such as Xena herself.
20. The Last Kingdom (2015-)
The Last Kingdom has a similar story to Vikings but in a less brutal manner. It is also a historical drama that was set during the time when Vikings were terrorizing England and France. And because you already know that this is a historical drama, it doesn’t have magical themes like The Witcher but still promises to be full of action.
This series follows the story of Uhtred, who was orphaned as a boy after the Danes butchered his father. The story follows his journey into manhood, as he was actually raised by Earl Ragnar himself to become the man he was destined to become. But when Ragnar is slaughtered, he vows revenge against the people responsible for it, as he goes on a quest to save his country and regain his ancestral homeland.