15 Favorite Sci-fi/Fantasy Series of 2024: Interview with the Vampire, Outlander, and More

2024 has been an excellent year for sci-fi/fantasy television, with a lineup of shows that transported viewers to thrilling new worlds and reimagined familiar ones.

Vampires and superheroes kept us glued to the screen, while other shows took us on journeys with time travel and the supernatural.

In no particular order, here are our favorite sci-fi/fantasy TV series of 2024:

1. Interview with the Vampire

Anne Rice’s Interview with The Vampire continued to prove itself to be an incredible adaptation of the source material this year while making changes that only made the story more captivating.

Interview with the Vampire Season 2 continued telling Louis’s story, but also included the perspective of Armand and toyed with the notion that our memories can’t always be trusted.

The story also delved deeper into the complexities of Louis and Lestat’s relationship, explored their connections with Armand, tackled the theme of grief even further with the demise of Claudia.

The actors all stood out even more this season as well, with a new actor, DeLainey Hayles, playing the role of Claudia and yet doing so in a way that felt seamless, with Assad Zaman leaning into his role as Armand, and with Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid, and Eric Bogosian all showcasing their characters in even more complex ways. 

2. Outlander

Outlander has stood the test of time, delivering swoon-worthy romances and wonderfully Scottish hijinks throughout its seven-season run.

As the multifaceted drama nears the end, it continues to hold this skilled ensemble to a high caliber of storytelling as it explores history through the enthralling lens of a time-traveling love story.

Jamie and Claire’s harrowing journey has aged like fine wine, pulling lively new characters into their orbit while revisiting the relics of Scotland that put this show on the map.

3. Agatha All Along

Agatha All Along was hardly a series anyone was looking forward to. Agatha Harkness was a simple D-list supporting character in the Marvel comics, and hardly anyone knew who she was before WandaVision.

But the series embraces the absurdity of its character and world, giving Marvel fans a rarity among this long-lasting franchise — a confident show with its own voice that isn’t like anything being released.

4. Doctor Who

While many were hoping the latest iteration of The Doctor would reach the lofty heights from 2007 and 2008, the latest season of Doctor Who still successfully brought back the series after a string of misses under showrunner Chris Chibnall.

The Doctor is now openly emotional and feels like he has finally grown from millennia of living. The series remains campy yet still has enough darkness to make it mature for people of all ages to enjoy. The Doctor is back, and we couldn’t be happier.

5. Superman & Lois

Superman & Lois is one of the most underrated takes on the Man of Steel. What really makes it stand out is how committed it is to good storytelling, taking some bold risks that hit home for both long-time fans and newcomers.

With its stunning visuals and deeper character stories, the show really changes the game for superhero series. Plus, it dives into themes like family, legacy, and the struggle of being Superman, proving that even the most iconic heroes can still surprise us.

6. Fallout

This year video game fans were gifted ONE of the best video game adaptations with Fallout. This series masterfully captured the spirit of the iconic video game series, blending post-apocalyptic chaos with compelling storytelling and complex characters.

The intricate world-building immerses viewers in a dystopian landscape that introduces complex yet loveable characters, many mutated creatures, and the haunting remnants of a shattered civilization. Fallout is not just an adaptation—it’s an epic journey through a universe where every choice has consequences.

7. The Boys

If there’s one show that’ll never be known for subtlety and subtext, it’s The Boys. However, don’t mistake its lack of the aforementioned as a weakness. This show doesn’t pull its punches and keeps its finger on the pulse of the zeitgeist.

Sure, there’s a surfeit of gore and explicit content. Still, when you peel that away, you have a series that cleverly satirizes superhero franchises and the American political landscape in one fell swoop. With its final season on the horizon, there’s no doubt The Boys will stick the landing.

8. Dead Boy Detectives

Dead Boy Detectives is a hilarious and spooky show that has amassed a massive fan following in just one season. This show, with its cast of endearing characters, is unapologetically queer in a refreshing and fun way.

It explores important themes, such as the process of figuring out your sexuality and complicated relationships with parents, all while showcasing a lovable, found family. While there won’t be a second season, Dead Boy Detectives’ afterlife resides in the impact that it’s had on the queer community that’s been craving a new fantasy fix this past year.

9. The Acolyte

The Acolyte is one of Star Wars’ most unique and interesting new additions, making its swift cancellation even more tragic. The show brought an all-star cast with the likes of Amandla Stenberg, Manny Jacinto, Lee Jung-Jae, and Jodie Turner-Smith to the expansive Star Wars universe to tell a surprisingly grounded story about the connection between twins Osha and Mae.

The story drew on existing Star Wars myths, but it also challenged the often unquestioned purity of the Jedi, going where other Star Wars projects have rarely dared to venture.

The show even gave us a (kind of) Jedi/Sith romance! And witches! And one of the best saber fights in live-action so far in Episode 5! Alas, creator Leslye Headland’s role in the Star Wars universe has ended all too soon, but The Acolyte gave us a taste of incredible potential.

10. Evil

Evil Season 4 marked the end of what has been an illustrious series from start to finish. In this final season, we see Kristen deal with the result of Leland using her egg to create the antichrist.

On top of that, Leland messes with the sanity of Kristen’s husband, Andy, by pumping him with drugs, starting him on a drug habit. This leads Andy to check himself into rehab before ultimately leaving his family behind for his mistress.

When it comes to the rest of the team, Ben contends with his belief that he’s being haunted by a Djinn and David contemplates his future with the church and his feelings for Kristen. In the end, David and Kristen relocate to the Vatican, and Ben stays in the United States. It leaves the show on a hopeful front with where these characters end up.

11. Silo

Juliette Lives. Season 2 of Apple TV+’s dystopian sci-fi hit Silo sees our protagonist uncover the truth about the outside world as a rebellion brews in the Down Deep.

This show never fails to deliver compelling performances, notably Rebecca Ferguson as Juliette Nichols, with series newcomer Steve Zahn offering awe-inspiring work as the traumatized Solo.

Silo Season 2 presents a realistic future for us if we don’t heed its warnings while reminding us that much of what still plagues society today — class warfare, poverty, and less emphasis on education — might be our downfall. It’s a riveting and entertaining watch.

12. Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

70 years after the publication of his original series and more than 20 since it was adapted into an epic film trilogy, the fantasy world created by J.R.R. Tolkien lives on. A full series stemming from the author’s writings on the series of Middle Earth premiered in 2022 and was followed by Season 2 earlier this year.

Featuring a large and talented cast, sweeping visuals, and extensive special effects, the show continues to captivate an audience that has existed for part of a century.

13. House of the Dragon

House of the Dragon Season 2 heated up the plot with more dragon battles than ever. With the Dance of the Dragons fully in motion, the stakes to each battle felt higher for Team Green and Team Black.

That didn’t stop each character from going through a personal crisis or two, though, giving the cast, particularly Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, plenty of material to work with. Rhaenyra and Alicent are more than just the matriarchs of their families, they’re the heart of the show with their relationship dictating the outcome of the kingdom for better or worse.

On a technical note, better lighting in Season 2 improved the viewing experience (the costumes are really nice when you can see them!). The real winners of this fantasy civil war are the fans who get to tune in every Sunday night to watch House of the Dragon.

14. My Lady Jane

Prime Video’s My Lady Jane is historical drama the way you’ve never seen it before. An irreverent, fantasy-tinged reimagining of the reign of Lady Jane Grey, England’s infamous Nine Days Queen, the series features everything from a foul-mouthed fourth wall-breaking narrator and animal shapeshifters to a delightfully diverse cast and a complete disregard for any sort of historical accuracy.

It also happens to feature one of the best love stories we saw on any series this year — between Lady Jane (Emily Bader) and her arranged husband Guilford Dudley (Edward Bluemel), who also happens to be a being known as an Eðian and is cursed to transform into a horse each night.

On paper, this Hot Tudor Era Horse Guy Romance seems it should ridiculous, but the relationship that slowly blooms between Jane and Guildford is the definition of swoon-worthy — achingly romantic and something that helps both characters become the best versions of themselves as they grow closer together.

That Prime Video canceled this series after just a single season is a travesty, but at least it ends on a relatively positive and hopeful note.

15. Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 1 defies our highest expectations with its loyal introduction to Rick Riordan’s mythology series. It perfectly taps into that intoxicating feeling of devouring his beloved middle-grade novels for the first time.

This giddy adaptation has many offerings, from Adam Copeland’s glorious portrayal of Ares to Sally and Poseidon’s scene-stealing chemistry to an ensemble of young actors who come off as seasoned professionals. Percy Jackson gives kids the big-budget adventure they deserve.

However, the series also doesn’t forget the children who grew up with Percy and need Camp Half-Blood now more than ever.

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Contributions by: Ashley Bissette Sumerel, Alicia Gilstorf, Mads Misasi, Lacy Baugher, Caitlin Wyneken, Melody McCune, Breeze Riley, Sam Huang, Misael Duran, Gracie Lowes, Maryam Ahman, and Sean Tajipour.

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