Who doesn’t love fantasy, right? It’s still one of the most popular genres. But what about urban fantasy? Sometimes it’s fun to watch stories that don’t take place in worlds completely removed from our own. However, mixing supernatural, magical, or fantastical elements with a contemporary setting is no easy task for a TV show — it’s a tricky combo. Everything has to make sense, keep a good pace, and still entertain viewers. Some series have tried their hand at urban fantasy, but a few started strong and quickly stumbled with weak plots or underdeveloped characters. There are even ones that shifted tone halfway through.
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But everyone wants recommendations for shows that actually deliver from start to finish, right? That’s why we picked 7 urban fantasy series that are total masterpieces from the very first episode to the last. Not every single one is flawless in every way, but when it comes to delivering on what they promised, these shows absolutely earned their spot on this list.
7) Grimm
Even today, Grimm is still really beloved by fans, and that’s because, compared to more recent shows, it manages to stay solid across all its seasons. Sure, there are a few storylines that don’t land perfectly, but overall, the show is surprisingly consistent. In the story, Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli) is a police detective who discovers he’s a Grimm — basically, someone tasked with keeping the world safe from folkloric creatures hiding among humans. That sets up a structure with “monster-of-the-week” episodes alongside bigger arcs involving Wesen families. And that’s what keeps the narrative running without going off the rails.
Making a perfect TV series is incredibly tough, and the truth is that Grimm was never considered an absolute classic, but it also never completely fell apart: the mythology is solid, the tone stays consistent, and even when the writing slips a bit, you know what you’re getting tension, action, and that dark supernatural edge in a modern world. In short, it ends up being a masterpiece because it delivers what it promises from start to finish. That was never the problem. It keeps entertaining, even if in different ways.
6) Lucifer
Not everyone might agree that Lucifer belongs on this list, but that’s probably because it’s not a show for everyone. Its biggest win is that it doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel; it takes angels, demons, and the classic crime procedural format and turns it into pure charisma. The titular character (Tom Ellis) is literally the Devil, living in Los Angeles, helping the police, and dealing with his own existential crises — and honestly, that alone makes half the show work.
Between weekly cases and ongoing drama, the series stays light, blending humor with a near-sitcom vibe in the middle of the supernatural chaos. On top of that, longer arcs involving celestial family drama, romance, and redemption come together surprisingly well. Overall, Lucifer knows when to be funny, when to be dramatic, and when to mess with the rules of its own universe. It’s not trying to be 100% serious, so a lot depends on the vibe you’re looking for. But generally, the cast consistency and narrative chemistry make it a genuinely fun ride from the first episode to the last.
5) Penny Dreadful
One of the most underrated and overlooked shows of all time, Penny Dreadful is basically the gold standard for anyone who loves horror with depth. It’s urban fantasy, but set in the Victorian era. In London, vampires, Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and other classic literary characters collide — which already grabs your attention, right? And yes, it could have gone completely wrong, but somehow, it works. The story basically revolves around medium Vanessa Ives (Eva Green) helping Sir Malcolm (Timothy Dalton) search for his daughter, while dealing with both internal and supernatural demons.
Penny Dreadful is a masterclass in balancing tension and complex characters, each carrying their own traumas and desires in ways that make sense within the universe. At no point does the show lose its grip on horror, the psychology of its characters, or its dark atmosphere. Everything stays intact from start to finish. It’s an intelligent, consistent show, and it’s really hard to find flaws that take away from the overall impact of the experience.
4) Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer isn’t on this list by accident — it’s a must-watch when it comes to fantasy and a series that can hook audiences from Season 1. In the story (which is even getting a reboot soon), Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is the Chosen One, hunting vampires in Sunnydale. At the same time, she’s just a teenager dealing with school, friendships, and romance. Basic? Sure. But the brilliance of the show lies in how it turns supernatural challenges into metaphors for real-life problems, all while keeping the narrative coherent. So it’s easy to relate to and impossible not to keep watching.
But is the show really a masterpiece of the genre, considering it spans so many seasons without faltering? Buffy the Vampire Slayer naturally has some lower points, but the production never loses grip on its characters (which is one of its strongest points) or its mythology. It teaches how to balance standalone episodes with season-long arcs while still delivering natural character growth. By the end, you can see that Buffy’s entire journey is carefully thought out, and everything around her contributes to the main story without ever leaving you lost.
3) Good Omens
If you compare Good Omens to the original material it’s based on, there’s a gap that can bother some people. Other than that, we’re talking about a show that ended up being pretty short. Still, if you look at it as its own production, without any prior knowledge, it’s flawless in what it sets out to do: it nails urban fantasy that entertains without ever missing the tone. The story follows the angel Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and the demon Crowley (David Tennant) teaming up to basically stop the Apocalypse, and it’s a joy to watch thanks to its mix of humor and social commentary.
The story isn’t overly complicated or full of details, and that’s the point — it’s meant to be simple (even if bizarre and absurd). What sets it apart is how brilliantly it’s executed. Every episode delivers smart jokes, meaningful character development, and a flow that keeps you hooked without even noticing it. Good Omens is the definition of a light, enjoyable series that knows exactly what it’s doing and still maintains cohesion and quality. It’s a complete package.
2) Pushing Daisies
If you browse the internet today, you’ll still find people frustrated about Pushing Daisies getting canceled, and it’s easy to see why. The show is so wildly creative that you can’t help but wonder how someone came up with such a crazy, bold idea and actually made it work across the few seasons it had. The premise follows Ned (Lee Pace), a pie-maker who can bring the dead back to life with a touch, but with tricky rules: touch them again, and they die for good. He teams up with a private investigator, and one day, manages to bring back his childhood love, Chuck (Anna Friel). You can probably guess where this is going: mystery, romance, and episodes that feel like modern fairy tales.
In Pushing Daisies, the visuals, storytelling, and characters work so perfectly that you rarely feel the show slipping. Across its two seasons, everything maintains the same energy, creativity, and cohesion, which is why it became a cult favorite. It’s light, fun, has perfect comedic timing, and most importantly, respects the audience. A story this crazy could easily make you accept things that don’t make sense just to enjoy it, right? But here, everything that happens fits perfectly within the rules of its universe. It’s one of those shows that’s totally worth your time.
1) What We Do in the Shadows
What We Do in the Shadows is basically everything a fan of comedy, fantasy, or mockumentary could ever want — it appeals to all three. The story follows three vampires living in Staten Island, trying to cope with humans and other creatures. It might sound absurd, or even a bit overdone, but it’s the perfect mix that makes you laugh from the very first episode and keeps going. It’s rare to see something this consistent and genuinely funny on TV. And it’s real entertainment because you get these very different types of vampires trying to make sense of the modern world, like literally arguing over household chores.
The best part? You never worry about the show falling into that old trap of repeating jokes or losing its edge, since there’s always something fresh and hilarious happening. And don’t assume that just because it leans comedic, it’s shallow, because each season of What We Do in the Shadows builds perfectly on the last, expanding characters and scenarios without losing its core. The dialogue is the real highlight, and just that makes it worth watching. It’s practically impossible not to start watching, become a fan, and binge it all in one go.
Do you like any of these shows? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
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Image Courtesy of Netflix
