A lot of people don’t know it, but the 1980s actually saw a plethora of fantasy TV series released, both in animated and live-action formats. The problem is, streaming services didn’t exist at the time, so many of them weren’t as accessible as TV shows are now. Moreover, there wasn’t some massive boom of fantasy television, like there has been in recent years. However, it was a time of experimentation for the genre, meaning many of these shows tried a lot of new and different things.
From sitcoms to romances to anthology series, these fantasy series received decent or even great reviews, but unfortunately, have since been forgotten by the sands of time. They never really saw a resurgence with the rise of on-demand viewing, either, which is even more depressing. If you’re a fantasy fan, this list is for you, because these are the best 80s fantasy series that were forgotten, but that demand another look.
10
‘The Charmings’ (1987–1988)
The Charmings is a fantasy sitcom about Snow White (Caitlin O’Heaney and Carol Huston) and her husband, Prince Charming (Christopher Rich), who are abruptly transported from their fairy tale world into the mundanity of the real world. Settling in a bland suburb in Burbank, California, the Charming family struggles with recurring problems involving wicked witches and stepmothers, all while trying to fit in with the real world.
The show only lasted 20 episodes plus an additional, unaired episode, before it was unceremoniously axed due to having low ratings. To be fair, this is not a series that everyone will enjoy due to its absurd premise. However, many viewers did find it to be pretty… well, charming. It’s funny in an awkward way at times, though it’s nothing outrageously hilarious. Still, if you’re into fantasy or fairy tales, or if you’ve ever wondered how the characters from your favorite storybook would fare in the real world, it might be worth checking out.
9
‘Thundarr the Barbarian’ (1980–1981)
Thundarr the Barbarian has a really enthralling premise, taking place in a post-apocalyptic Earth 2,000 years in the future. Many popular landmarks and recognizable skylines appear in the series, albeit ruined and abandoned. This makes for quite an interesting backdrop for all the magic, monsters, and wizards that also exist in this new, exciting world.
The main character, Thundarr (Robert Ridgely), is a warrior who rides around the world on horseback, along with his two companions, seeking evil to defeat and people to save. The plot is surprisingly complex for a kids’ show, and the series went on to sell a bunch of action figures, as expected. However, it doesn’t feel like a disingenuous cash grab at all, and is a surprisingly engrossing and entertaining story that fans of ’80s fantasy will love.
8
‘Galtar and the Golden Lance’ (1985–1986)
Galtar and the Golden Lance is a Hanna-Barbera series that aired in syndication with the company’s weekly programming block known as “The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera.” Many of the shows in this block were much more popular, such as The Jetsons and spin-offs of Yogi Bear and The Flintstones. Galtar never really took off as much as these heavy-hitters, but it’s actually really entertaining in its own right.
The story is simplistic, focusing on a band of warriors who combat an evil ruler intent on conquering the world, often using magical artifacts and weapons to aid their quest. Unlike most Hanna-Barbera TV shows, there’s actual continuity between the episodes, meaning there is a distinct, beginning-to-end story that must be watched in chronological order. Sadly, it was cancelled before the story could properly conclude. In any event, it’s a pretty fun and unique show that really does need some more attention.
7
‘She-Ra: Princess of Power’ (1985–1987)
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is widely seen as one of the defining animated series of the 1980s, which garnered excellent reviews and still has a sizable fanbase even to this day. Unfortunately, its spin-off series, She-Ra: Princess of Power, didn’t get nearly the same level of treatment. Sure, it’s not as good as He-Man, but it’s still very enjoyable in its own right.
It’s great that it celebrates female empowerment and tries to market the He-Man line of action figures to girls, too, but the show really needed that extra special something that made the original series so good. The series received a reboot in 2017, but this flew pretty far under the radar, too. If you’re a fan of the original He-Man series, She-Ra definitely deserves your time, too.
6
‘Highway to Heaven’ (1984–1989)
Highway to Heaven follows Jonathan Smith (Michael Landon), an angel sent to Earth by God Himself to help those in need. During one of his run-of-the-mill assignments, he meets a police officer named Mark Gordon (Victor French), who discovers Jonathan’s true nature and wants to join him on his quest to help people who need it. God approves, and the two form an unlikely tag team that brings goodwill to others.
The chemistry between the main actors is phenomenal, especially considering the fact that the two previously worked together on previous TV shows. In fact, Landon personally picked French for the role, which is why their friendship in the show feels so genuine—because it is. This fantasy drama is wholesome and pure in all the right ways, but it also feels ahead of its time. This definitely feels like it could have been made in the ’90s or early 00s, as many fantasy shows from that era have similar angelic themes. Still, this series never got that popular, which is a shabby treatment that it didn’t deserve.
5
‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1987–1990)
It should go without saying that Beauty and the Beast is based on the original fairy tale written by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, which has seen countless adaptations. Though these adaptations are mostly in film format—a TV series is certainly atypical, it worked surprisingly well. The twist on this series is that it is set in modern New York rather than in 18th-Century France, and has a subplot about a hidden, underground world where monsters live.
The Beast, named Vincent, is played by Ron Perlman, who honestly fits the role super well. Unlike the original fairy tale, however, Vincent is not an ordinary human transformed into a monster—he really is a monster, and he never turns into a human. This means that the show chooses to focus on his inner beauty, which is a really wholesome message. This series was an exciting twist on a classic fairy tale that definitely deserved more love. Fans of romantasy TV shows will absolutely love this one, no question about it.
4
‘Dungeons & Dragons’ (1983–1985)
If it weren’t immediately obvious, Dungeons & Dragons is based on the tabletop role-playing game, which was exploding in popularity at the time of the show’s release. This animated fantasy series is a bit campy and loaded with ’80s cheese, but it’s also become a bit of a cult classic in the D&D community. The story is a little different, focusing on a group of friends who are transported into the game world via a magical rollercoaster. Bit of a strange approach, but what can you do?
The show does, overall, carry the feel of the real-life character having fantasy equivalents; each member of the party having their own distinct personality, class, and unique set of abilities. The show was catered more towards kids, but many adults found themselves enjoying it, too. In the end, it’s one of the most underrated TV shows of the 1980s, even with only 27 episodes.
3
‘Robin of Sherwood’ (1984–1986)
Robin of Sherwood is, obviously, one of the hundreds of adaptations of Robin Hood that exist in the world of media. This ’80s series stars Michael Praed in the titular role, working as the world’s greatest archer who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. The difference is that this series serves as a sort of origin story, establishing Robin as a character before sending him on his great adventures.
Audiences did enjoy this series, especially with how it included so many familiar faces from Robin Hood’s band of outlaws, with the actors delivering exceptional performances. ITV really outdid itself with this one, though it does feel a bit dated with it being from the ’80s and all. Still, it has an impressive production value for an ’80s live-action series, and it’s really enjoyable despite its short run. It really never got the attention it so dearly deserves.
2
‘Faerie Tale Theatre’ (1982–1987)
Faerie Tale Theatre is an anthology series created by actress Shelley Duvall, which ran for six seasons, but only 27 episodes. Each of these episodes is, as the title implies, a recreation or adaptation of a popular fairy tale. This includes many of the classics from the Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault, and Hans Christian Andersen, among a few others.
The artwork, set, and costume design for this series are absolutely stunning, making each shot of the show pleasing to the eye and easy to get lost in. It really does bring these classic stories to life in a whole new way, which plays into the nostalgia of childhood and the sense of imagination that is often lost as one grows older. It’s the perfect show for fans of fairy tales or of fantasy in general.
1
‘Amazing Stories’ (1985–1987)
Amazing Stories was created by Steven Spielberg and features some of Hollywood’s finest in an anthology series that covers a wide variety of genres. From horror to sci-fi, and yes, even to fantasy, this series lets filmmakers play around with ideas and techniques, with the episodes functioning as a sort of playground for the imagination.
This series features the talent of Michael Moore, Burt Reynolds, Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Danny DeVito, and many, many more. Despite being critically acclaimed, the name doesn’t really cross people’s lips much anymore. It’s a shame because the show really does feel like a love letter to cinema itself, and is full of passion and plot twists. It definitely needs some more love.
- Release Date
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1985 – 2019
- Directors
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Chris Long, Mark Mylod, Michael Dinner, Sylvain White
- Writers
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Don Handfield, Jessica Sharzer, Peter Ackerman, Richard Rayner, Leah Fong
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Tom Willett
Funeral Director
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