After the unexpected success with the iconic manga/anime A piece adaptation, it’s back to earth with a bump for Netflix in the live-action remake space.
Netflix’s indeed Avatar: The last airbender – the streaming giant’s latest take on a beloved animated series – has divided fans and critics alike. At the time of writing, critical reviews for the show are mixed, with Netflix’s retelling scoring a 59% score on the popular review aggregator Rotten tomatoes (RT). However, general viewers enjoyed it much more Avatar is quite at a more positive rating of 75%.
Like many critics, we weren’t particularly impressed with Netflix’s Avatar: The last airbender. In our review we called it a “brave but frustrating remake that blows hot and cold,” so we can’t say it’s an essential piece of television. The following similarly positioned shows are all must-sees, though, so stick one of these five fantasy series on Netflix instead of the streamer’s latest big-budget offering.
Avatar: The last airbender
Seasons: 3
RT score: 100% (critics); 98% (public)
Widely regarded as one of the best anime of all time, Avatar: The last airbender‘s original series, which initially aired on Nickelodeon, is a stunningly animated and emotional rollercoaster of a TV series.
The TV show from Michael Dante DiMartino and Brian Konietzko tells the same story as the Netflix remake: Aang, the 12-year-old sole survivor of the Air Nomads and the latest reincarnation of the all-powerful Avatar, must reluctantly accept his fate and face the tyrannical stop fire A nation that does not rule its fellow nations.
However, that short summary of the story does not do justice to how epic the film is Avatar animated series. It’s funny, heartbreaking, action-packed, and filled with compelling characters that evolve as the series progresses. It also tackles difficult themes (genocide, imperialism and death, to name just three) that are often overlooked in programs aimed at children. A rare breed of anime-style show that’s just as great now as it was in 2005.
Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender is also available on Paramount Plus (US, UK and Australia) and Prime Video (US & UK) and Sky (UK).
Castlevania
Seasons: 4
RT score: 94% (critics); 89% (public)
Based on Konami’s beloved 2D side-scrolling dark fantasy horror games of the same name, Castlevania is an R-rated animated series that deserves far more attention than it received during its four seasons on the world’s top streaming service.
Trevor Belmont, the last living member of a once feared and legendary family of monster hunters, joins forces with sorcerer Sypha Belnades and Alucard – the son of Dracula – to battle the iconic vampire lord and his undead army and liberate the nation of Wallachia from Dracula’s dictatorial rule.
The one from Netflix Castlevania mostly plays fast and loose with the source material Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse And Castlevania: Curse of Darkness – but it weaves together the stories in Konami’s games into a highly entertaining, gory package that’s devilishly delightful to watch. The spin-off series Castlevania: Nocturne is also equally brilliant.
A piece
Seasons: 1
RT score: 85% (critics); 95% (public)
The only one of Netflix’s three live-action remakes of iconic anime – the others are Cowboy Bebop and the above Avatar – A piece is a largely faithful adaptation that captures the charming essence of its animated and manga namesakes.
It tells the story of Monkey D. Luffy, an enthusiastic pirate with a big heart who dreams of becoming King of the Pirates. Together with his eclectic team (collectively known as the Straw Hats), Monkey embarks on a journey across the world to find the titular One Piece, a legendary treasure that would help him achieve his goal.
The one from Netflix A piece was the king of streaming on the high seas after its first season sailed to the number one spot on the streamer’s TV charts in August 2023. Given its unprecedented success, it didn’t take long before Netflix also gave the green light for a second season of One Piece. You can read everything we know about it in our A piece season 2 guide. You know, once you’ve seen the eight-part first part.
Six seasons of the One Piece anime series are also available to stream on Netflix (US and Australia). Various other seasons can be viewed at Hulu and Pluto TV (US), and Crispy roll (US, UK and Australia).
The sandman
Seasons: 1
RT score: 88% (critics); 80% (public)
It took 35 years for Neil Gaiman’s legendary, mind-bending and creatively curated graphic novel series to finally get a live-action adaptation that matched the source material. However, that is exactly what happened in mid-2022, with the arrival of The sandman season 1 on Netflix.
Gaiman’s seminal works follow Morpheus (aka Dream), one of seven immortal beings collectively known as the Endless, whose kingdom falls into disrepair when he is unexpectedly captured by a cult in 1916. When he finally breaks out over a century later, he begins rebuilding his empire, but many obstacles stand in his path before he can fulfill his *ahem* dream.
In our review of The sandman Season 1 we called it a “remarkably authentic adaptation that’s oh-so-almost brilliant.” It’s packed with big ideas and philosophical conundrums that can be a little off-putting and confusing. Mostly though The sandman is a fantastic fantasy series that deserves a spot on our list of the best Netflix shows. Read what we know The sandman season 2 as soon as you stream it.
Shadow and bone
Seasons: 2
RT score: 84% (critics and audience)
Despite its unceremonious cancellation after two seasons – an ongoing fan campaign is not pure fantasy, even four months after the show was dumped – Shadow and bone is a fun fantasy for young adults that is less high-brow than The sandman.
In the first season, audiences were introduced to Alina Starkov, a seemingly ordinary cartographer who is unearthed as the new Sun Summoner of the Grishaverse, a rare breed of Grisha (this universe’s word for mages) who can create light and command dark forces can fight the whole world. Basically, she’s something like that The last airbender‘s Aang, aka a character who reluctantly accepts the thankless task of being the savior of her world.
In our season 1 review of Shadow and bonewe suggested it was “a faithful fantasy TV adaptation to compete.” The witcher“. Unfortunately, Shadow and bone Season 2 failed to live up to the high expectations of its predecessor – we even called it “a magic-powered mixed bag” – which undoubtedly led to Netflix pulling the plug rather than renewing it for a third outing. Still, based on the RT scores, it’s worth a look.
Read our guides to Netflix TV show coverage Arcane season 2, Stranger things season 5, Wednesday season 2, and Cobra Kai season 6.