It’s important for a fantasy TV show to have a perfect ending, as the magic and mystery of the narrative set the stage for an explosive series finale. Like the fantasy TV shows with legendary final scenes, these series all take their stories to the next level in the last moments of the show. This makes them endlessly rewatchable and satisfying every time we revisit these narratives.
The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017)
The romance, intrigue, and magic of The Vampire Diaries is what kept us coming back for more over the years, but the series finale, “I Was Feeling Epic,” understood that it was Stefan and Damon’s arc as brothers that became the show’s most important element. There are a few tragic deaths and emotional reunions throughout the episode, but nothing hits harder than Stefan and Damon’s goodbye.
The Vampire Diaries songs that defined the show all lean into the most emotionally wrought scenes, and “I Was Feeling Epic,” as the episode covers a lot of ground. Spanning years and exploring the full lives of all the beloved characters on the show, The Vampire Diaries isn’t afraid to provide a little bit of fan service while maintaining its central themes.
The Dragon Prince (2018–2024)
Unlike many kids’ animated fantasy shows, The Dragon Prince ran for a long time, only coming to an end in season 7, with the episode “Nova,” which brings the series to its explosive conclusion. One of the best parts of The Dragon Prince is the fact that we get to spend so much time with the characters and see them grow into the people in the finale.
The Dragon Prince finale wraps up most of its loose ends while maintaining the mysteries of the story’s world. The world-building in The Dragon Prince takes the show to the next level, so it makes sense that the series would leave the door open for more adventures in the future, but not without giving the audience the full-circle character moments we were waiting for.
What We Do In The Shadows (2019–2024)
Saying goodbye to the hilarious satirical fantasy series What We Do in the Shadows wasn’t easy for the fans or characters in the series. However, the sting of the show’s conclusion was lessened by the emotional moments in “The Finale,” and the metatextual moments as Guillermo attempts to create a perfect ending for the in-world documentary.
Of course, it doesn’t take long for Guillermo to realize that there is no perfect ending, and the series balances the silly tone with some scenes with genuine emotional weight. Guillermo was the heart and soul of What We Do in the Shadows, so spending time with him and seeing his development in the series finale was the right way to end the show, even if nothing really changes.
Lucifer (2016–2021)
The Lucifer series finale, “Partners ‘Til The End,” Lucifer finds a way to give its beloved characters a happy ending without sacrificing its dedication to Lucifer’s development as a character. By the end of the show, the Devil has learned a lot, and accepting that his purpose is more important than his immediate happiness is what ultimately gets him the ending he always wanted.
Lucifer is a fantasy show with a perfect ending on Netflix, and it quickly became clear that being picked up by the streaming service after season 3 was the best thing that could’ve happened to the show. Through Netflix, Lucifer was able to dig into the mythology of its story and give Tom Ellis the opportunity to take the character of Lucifer to new heights, especially in the finale.
Arcane (2021–2024)
Netflix’s best fantasy show, Arcane, instantly captured the attention of viewers and critics, and not just because it’s adapted from the acclaimed video game series, League of Legends. If anything, Arcane transcends the video game genre, appealing to fans of all kinds because it digs into the rich lore of its magic and the interpersonal connections of its characters.
While there’s a large ensemble cast of characters, Arcane is entrenched in the lives of the sisters, Vi and Jinx, and it’s their lives that take center stage as Arcane ends. Not everyone gets a happy ending in “The Dirt Under Your Nails,” but each character finds some semblance of peace, even if it might bring a tear to your eye.
The Sandman (2022–2025)
Though The Sandman was cut short, ending after just two seasons, the sweeping fantasy series will always have a place in the hearts of fans. Visually stunning and ambitious in both scale and storytelling, The Sandman‘s ending is tragic, yet fitting, and audiences would expect nothing less from the show that always walked the line between hope and despair, and fate and choice.
Unsurprisingly, viewers had become attached to Dream (Tom Sturridge), but there was only ever one way that his story was going to end. However, The Sandman eases the transition into the new reality by acknowledging that change is scary, but it’s part of life, and there was no ending more fitting than the one Dream received.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008)
Throughout the three perfectly paced seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender, everything leads to Aang’s final face-off with Fire Lord Ozai, forcing Aang to answer deep questions about his moral lines and ideological boundaries. In each installment of the show, Aang learns more about the different bending types and forms a concrete belief system about violence and doing what’s right.
This means that when faced with the possibility of killing Ozai, he must reckon with his beliefs and do what the world needs. Though Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s series finale, “Sozin’s Comet – Part 4: Avatar Aang,” does have a few plot devices that are a little convenient, this doesn’t diminish the impact of watching Aang reach his full power as Avatar and discover what that means to him.
Largely considered one of the best anime series to come out in the 21st century, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a brilliantly planned show that vividly adapts the manga by Hiromu Arakawa. For all its humor and visual gags, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood tells a dark, emotionally intense story of loss, sacrifice, and the lengths people will go to in order to gain power.
All of this revolves around the brothers Edward and Alphonse, who become State Alchemists in order to restore their bodies and eventually stop alchemy from being used to destroy the world. A lot happens throughout the show, but by the time the series concludes in the episode “Journey’s End,” Ed has learned that alchemy is worth giving up to make the most selfless possible sacrifice, cementing the show’s themes.
His Dark Materials (2019–2022)
Based on Philip Pullman’s beloved fantasy trilogy of the same name, HBO’s adaptation of His Dark Materials is the best addition to the franchise yet, as it fully explores each book, bringing the iconic and heartbreaking ending to life. In “The Botanic Garden,” Lyra, our hero, assumes her destined role to save the universe, but it comes at a high cost.
His Dark Materials is perfect for sci-fi and fantasy fans, but the heart and soul of the series come from its emotional core and the character relationships. The end of “The Botanic Garden” sees Lyra accept her coming-of-age and feelings of romantic love, but she willingly puts this aside for the good of all, providing a bittersweet conclusion that’s fitting for His Dark Materials.
Angel (1999–2004)
The spinoff of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, followed the darker, more intense adventures of Angel (David Boreanaz) after he left Sunnydale behind and tried to redeem himself in Los Angeles. Well known for its ups and downs and being even more edgy than Buffy, Angel cemented its legacy in the final season, concluding the series with one of the best finales of all time.
Like all fantasy shows, Angel grappled with the supernatural and magic, and saw its characters saving the world at the end of almost every season. In “Not Fade Away,” Angel sees its characters gear up for their final battle with Wolfram & Hart, say goodbye to the world in their own unique ways, and end on a full-circle emotional note that perfectly encapsulates the tone and themes of Angel.
