This article contains mentions of incest.
SeveralfantasyTV shows have excellent premiere episodes that make it impossible to turn away. Fantasy TV has many rich narratives across various subgenres, tropes, and circumstances. Somefantasy TV shows are incredible with just one season, and otherfantasy TV shows have flawed narratives but are still amazing watches. Unfortunately, fantasy TV’s diversity also means a narrative can quickly turn sour. Somefantasy shows fall off after one season, and otherfantasy TV shows have terrible endingsdespite their incredible runs.
Given the wide range of fantasy, it is only natural that some shows take longer to accumulate an audience or become hooked to the story. However, some fantasy TV shows are just excellent right off the bat. Their premieres are so good that it is impossible to stop watching. There are various reasons why a fantasy TV show’s first episode is compelling, including strong dialogue, riveting storylines, excellent world-building, and fascinating characters. Regardless of the reason, these shows provide exceptional examples of high-quality premieres that every fantasy TV show should follow.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
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Avatar: The Last Airbender, released in 2005, follows a young boy in a war-torn world of elemental magic as he reawakens to embark on a challenging mystical quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar and restore peace to the world.
Avatar: The Last Airbenderaired for three seasons. The show was so popular that it kickstarted a franchise that includesAvatar: The Last Airbendercomics, a spinoff, video games, novels, and more. However,Avatar: The Last Airbenderbegan with its first episode, “The Boy in the Iceberg.” The premiere featuresSokka and Katara accidentally freeing Aang from an iceberg, only to discover that Aang is an airbender and the Avatar that has been missing for a century.
“The Boy in the Iceberg” does not unlock the entire premise ofAvatar: The Last Airbender, but it reveals just enough to keep coming back for more.
From the beginning,Avatar: The Last Airbenderis mesmerizing. The characters are fun and easily lovable, while the dynamics the episode establishes are already captivating. “The Boy in the Iceberg” does not unlock the entire premise ofAvatar: The Last Airbender, but it reveals just enough to keep coming back for more. The episode providesan air of mystery surrounding the fantastical elements that ignite excitement for future episodes.
The Vampire Diaries
Based on the novels by L.J. Smith, The Vampire Diaries is a story about the developing love triangle between Elena Gilbert and two vampiric brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore. Set in the town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, the show follows the trio from high school through college as they battle for one another’s affection.
The Vampire Diariesis a cultural phenomenon and one ofthe best supernatural teen drama TV shows. There was justsomething about Stefan, Elena, and Damon’s iconic love triangle worth watching week after weekin the early 2010s. The drama that Elena Gilbert and her friends endured during their high school and college years in a fantastical setting makes it impossible to turn away from. Although there is not much action in the first episode ofThe Vampire Diaries, it still achieves a significantly high quality that hooks its audiences moving forward.
InThe Vampire Diariesby L.J. Smith, Elena Gilbert has blond hair and blue eyes, a younger sister instead of a younger brother and her best friends are Bonnie and Meredith Sulez. Bonnie Bennett is named Bonnie McCullough, Katherine Pierce is Katherine von Swartzschild, and Matt Donovan is Matt Honeycutt.
Damon and Stefan’s meeting after over a decade toward the end of the episode is unforgettable, especially Damon’s iconic “Hello, brother” greeting.Stefan’s introductory voiceover is also intriguing, as well as the shocking physical similarities between Elena Gilbert and the mysterious Katherine. Elena might not be the most compelling protagonist yet, but the episode marks a clear before and after in her life, prompting renewed interest to see what will happen to Elena next.
Game Of Thrones
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
“Winter is Coming” is not just House Stark’s famous words; this phrase is the title of the first episode of HBO’sGame of Thrones. DespiteGame of Thrones' controversial season 8, the show ignited a legacy based on George R.R. Martin’sA Song of Ice & Firebooks. The show’s first episode, “Winter is Coming,” is the beginning of an epic fantasy story that lasts several years. There areseveral aspects introduced inGame of Thronesseason 1, episode 1, “Winter is Coming,” that make the show’s premiere one of the bestin fantasy television.
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The Game of Thrones franchise had some big moments throughout 2024, with some taking place in House of the Dragon and some happening off-screen.
The mystery surrounding Jon Arryn’s death is alluring, especially since the narrative suggests the Lannisters might somehow be involved. Daenerys Targaryen’s introduction is one of the most iconic character introductions in fantasy television. However,what really rounds off this episode’s excellence is the daring cliffhanger. “Winter is Coming” ends with Bran catching the Lannister siblings committing incest, resulting in Jaime pushing Bran out the window. These shocking themes introduced immediately establishGame of Thronesas a show unlike any other, leaving audiences desperate for more.
Once Upon A Time
Once Upon a Time is an adventure fantasy-drama series created for ABC that features fairy tale characters and their Disney incarnations in a modern setting. When Emma Swan and her son Henry accidentally drive into the town of Storybrooke, they soon discover the inhabitants are those from fairy tales, and they have no knowledge of the modern world inhabited by Emma and Henry. Robbed of their pasts and given new identities by the Evil Queen known as Regina, the hope of the town’s residents lie solely in the hands of Emma, who has stronger connections to the town than she knows.
One ofOnce Upon a Time’s biggest strengths has always been its first episode.Once Upon a Time’s premiere makes iteasy to determine whether this show is worth watching. The episode begins with a classic montage similar to a Disney film, but the show quickly establishes that it is unlike Disney.Once Upon a Timeillustrates what happens after true love’s kiss, especially with the villain alive and thriving. The show’s premiere gets right into its premise, featuring the grown child of Snow White and Prince Charming contrasting against flashbacks to how she ended up in the real world.
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Sleeping Beauty,The Little Mermaid,The Hundred and One Dalmatians
July 30, 2025 – July 19, 2025
The Evil Queen
Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs,Aladdin,Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Beauty & the BeastVariants
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Mother Gothel, Wish Rumplestiltskin
Cinderella,Rapunzel,Alice in Wonderland,The Princess & the Frog
Once Upon a Timehas many rich fairy tale backstoriesdistributed across several seasons. However,its initial storyline between Snow White, Prince Charming, their daughter, and the Evil Queen is the strongestand most compelling. Furthermore, Snow White and Prince Charming’s daughter, Emma Swan, has a son that she gave up for adoption—and the Evil Queen happens to be his adoptive mother, further establishing a fascinating premise and spin on a classic fairy tale.
Outlander
Outlander follows Claire Randall, a married nurse from 1945, who is transported back to 1743 Scotland. Amidst political intrigue and danger, she navigates life in the past and becomes torn between loyalty to her husband and the love for a dashing young warrior.
Outlanderis based on the book seriesby Diana Gabaldon, and while the show has strayed from the books in later seasons, the first season—including the first episode—is pretty accurate. There are many positive aspects ofOutlanderseason 1, episode 1, “Sassenach,” from Claire Randall’s extensive character interiority to the compelling dialogue to the shocking time travel plot twist. Although it takes some time before Claire is sent back to 1743, the episode is compelling from start to finish.Claire’s hauntingly beautiful narration about choices and destiny is pullingbefore the fantastical elements are even introduced.
Once Claire travels back in time, the narrative really picks up, especially as she refuses to believe that time travel exists. However, as the remainder of “Sassenach” unfolds,Claire’s predicament lands her among rebellious Highlanders, forcing her to reconcile with her new reality.Outlander’s first episode ends with Claire realizing her life truly has just begun, prompting viewers to keep watching and effectively hooking them.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
She-Ra and the Princess of Power is an animated fantasy series created for Netflix, which follows the adventures of princess Adora, who battles an evil army trying to consume the world. Adora is a young teen who has the power to transform into a legendary warrior known as She-ra and stands against the evil Hordak, who seeks to control the entirety of Etheria. The show also shares the spotlight with Catra, a girl who establishes herself as a high-ranking official in Hordak’s army and tries to contrast their war against the rebellion’s efforts.
She-Ra & the Princesses of Powermakes a bold move in its pilot episode, “The Sword,” that pays off immensely.The show’s premiere relies heavily on a plot twistthat sets up Adora as the central protagonist and her former best friend turned enemy, Catra, as the primary antagonist. Adora learns that everything the Horde taught her is a lie, prompting her to reevaluate her beliefs and values. It can be risky to begin a show with a significant plot twist, butShe-Ra & the Princesses of Powerexecutes it perfectly.
By the end of “The Sword,” Adora realizes the right thing to do is join the rebellion in Bright Moon, while Catra reaffirms her belief in the Horde. Much ofShe-Ra & the Princesses of Powerrevolves around Adora and Catra’s dynamic, and"The Sword" provides the perfect backstory and turning point for these two childhood friends.
The Witcher
The Witcher, released in 2019, follows Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster hunter navigating a turbulent world where humanity’s darker nature often eclipses the monstrous.
From the get-go,The Witcheris a thrilling show.Geralt of Rivia is a mysterious and enthralling antihero, and the political storyline surrounding Cintra completes the narrative portion of the episode.The Witcherseason 1, episode 1, “The End’s Beginning,” has a significant strength with its world-building. In just a few minutes,Geralt’s powers as a witcherare easily comprehensible, and his moral code complicates his character.
In Cintra, the narrative does not reveal much about Ciri because it focuses on Cintra’s downfall and Ciri’s escape to survival. However,the brief introduction of her magical powers is highly captivating, especially given the strength she possesses. “The End’s Beginning” also suggests that Geralt and Ciri’s fates are entwined, prompting a level of curiosity to see how their lives will merge and affect each other and their destinies.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
House of the Dragon’s first episode firmly establishes its place as aGame of Thronesspinoff loosely based onFire & Bloodwhile still maintaining a level of creativity and originality.House of the Dragontakes place almost two centuries before Daenerys Targaryen, at the height of the Targaryen dynasty and the power they have with their dragons.House of the Dragondoes an excellent job of establishing this setting while introducing the issue of succession—the primary factor behindthe Dance of Dragons, the Targaryen Civil War.
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House of the Dragonalso clearly establishes key narrative changes fromFire & Blood, primarily surrounding Alicent and Rhaenyra’s rivalry and how it was born. Although this change was controversial, itgavea new perspective regarding the Targaryen Civil War and how their friendship-turned-rivalry affected the stakes. Overall, “The Heirs of the Dragon” is a promising first episode that perfectly sets up one of the most significant wars in Targaryen history.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Poweris largely based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s extensive world-building while providing a creative spin on Middle-earth lore.The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerintroduces original characterswhile including some of the most iconic characters from the movie franchise, such as Galadriel.The Rings of Powerseason 1, episode 1, “A Shadow of the Past,” has many strengths, including exciting backstories and riveting new characters, butits biggest strength lies in its foreshadowing.
Throughout “A Shadow of the Past,” Galadriel is convinced Sauron is not defeated, whereas her fellow elves believe the worst is over. Knowing about the darkness that has yet to come in futureLord of the Ringsinstallments,the false hope that “A Shadow of the Past” spreads piques interest in how Middle-earth will fall to Sauron, especially because Galadriel is the only person who firmly believes Sauron is still a threat.
My Lady Jane
My Lady Jane is a Prime Video original series created by Gemma Burgess. The story is a “what if” style story of English royal history where King Henry VIII’s son Edward, Lady Jane Grey, and her husband Guildford all survive their real-life deaths. In the retelling of history, Jane Grey takes center stage, becoming queen and immediately finding herself facing nefarious villains.
My Lady Janeonly has one season, but it is still worth watching—a fact easily determined in the show’s first episode. “Who’ll Be The Next In Line?” illustrates a potential British succession crisis because of King Edward’s failing health.My Lady Jane’s startling historical changesmight seem controversial, but they help establish the fantastical setting and the primaryconflict between Ethians and Verities. Jane’s chemistry with Guilford is also remarkable.
The plot twist of the handsome devil Jane meets in a bar being her future husband only makes the show more exciting and romantic. Furthermore,My Lady Jane’s premiere also includes a witty narratorthat sets the tone for the show. There is a lot that occurs in the remaining episodes, but “Who’ll Be The Next In Line?” provides an excellentfantasybeginning with high stakes, thrilling romance, and hilarious characters.
