Fantasy is such a fascinating genre, one that sells a story out of the ordinary to a sea of viewers who are hungry to escape the chaos of reality. Over the years, we have been treated to some of the best fantasy shows television has produced, with most standing the test of time and the changing tastes of its audience. However, those are not the shows we want to focus on; instead, we want to look at the fantasy shows that have aged like curdled milk.
Whether it’s the clunky, dated CGI of the early 2000s, or certain plot tropes that felt more “cringy” than innovative over the years, not every journey into a fantastical world has aged gracefully. Thanks to the wonderful world of streaming, we’re able to look back at fantasy shows that were once thought of as pioneers of the genre, only to slowly realize that these shows don’t retain the same magic as the modern fantasy shows. These past series helped pave the path for. So, without further ado, let’s look at the seven fantasy shows that, despite their charm, have drastically shown their age, and not in a good way.
‘Cursed’ (2020)
Nimue (Katherine Langford) in CursedImage via Netflix
For a show that’s only six years old (as of this publication), you wouldn’t think that a modern fantasy series such as Cursed would age so quickly and so poorly. However, the Netflix high fantasy show is a cautionary tale of what happens when you try to reach for the stars on a shoestring budget. Created by Frank Miller and Tom Wheeler, Cursed was adapted from the graphic novel written by Miller and Wheeler, and is a re-imagination of Arthurian legend. While the concept behind the show was good, it was basically “cursed” from the start.
For a Netflix series, the aesthetics of Cursed simply don’t achieve the high fantasy concept the show was going for. The visuals looked drab and cheap, coming off as a show made for syndication in the ’90s rather than a modern fantasy show.
But fantasy fans could have forgiven the low-budget effects if the writing and pacing of Cursed was clunky. The plot was incredibly predictable, and the tone of the show was all over the place. While re-watching the series, even we, as TV savants, had a hard time trying to depict if this show wanted to be a serious fantasy drama, or a young adult melodrama. It weirdly tried to be both, and the entire product ended up falling flat. With much better high fantasy shows out there, like Game of Thrones (the first four seasons) and The Witcher, Cursed was a low-budget fantasy that sat in the sun for way too long.
‘Once Upon a Time’ (2011–2018)
There was a time when ABC’s fantasy adventure Once Upon a Time was a must-watch event every week. Created by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, the show felt like a series that was ahead of its time, with its central plot of a seaside town being populated by fairy tale characters who were transported there by the Evil Queen (Lana Parrilla). The first season was a hit among audiences, who latched on to the unique fairy tale angle. However, as the show went along, it quickly became apparent that this show had an expiration date.
The central story of Once Upon a Time relied heavily on these fairy tale characters being wiped of their memory, unaware of who they are. This mainly worked in the first season, but once the plot kept reverting to the same memory wipes/curses angle, the plot became extremely repetitive, and it kept the show stagnated, something that no one wants in a good fantasy series. Then there were the visuals, which were stunning in 2011, but now, the CGI used in the show looks very outdated, with the CGI very much noticeable on repeat viewings. To put a sour lemon on the sundae, the show, out of nowhere, pivoted away from its modern re-telling of classic fairy tales to shoving in popular Disney characters. For those not in the know, ABC is owned by Disney, and the show substituted those fairy tale characters for the likes of Elsa (Georgina Haig), which threw the entire show off and dated it even more.
‘Heroes’ (2006–2010)
Ali Larter as Niki Sanders with a sinister look glancing to the side in ‘Heroes’.Image via NBC
Speaking of shows that were once seen as groundbreaking examples of how fantasy shows could become in the modern age, we have NBC’s Heroes. Created by Tim Kring, the superhero fantasy drama was water cooler talk during its first two seasons, easily becoming one of NBC’s highest rated dramas during this time and earning a slew of award nominations. The show follows a group of ordinary people who discover that they have superhuman abilities, and they all eventually team up to prevent disastrous futures.
The first two seasons of Heroes were a masterclass in superhero storytelling, but the 2007 writer’s strike had a profound impact on the series. The strike cut Season 2 incredibly short, and once the strike ended, Season 3 felt rushed, with poor storylines that the series would never seem to recover from. The screeching halt to Season 2 also killed the show’s original vision, as Heroes was actually planned to be an anthology series, in the same vein as American Horror Story. However, NBC, who didn’t want to alter the hit they had on their hands, threw cold water on the anthology idea, and forced the showrunners to keep Heroes as it was, leaving it with a bloated cast that resulted in repetitive character arcs that didn’t grow as the series went along; and, with repetitive characters came a repetitive, formulaic storyline that lost the interest of its fans. Instead of Heroes being championed as a high-water mark for modern fantasy shows, the series has become curdled milk, and practically unwatchable on repeat viewings.
‘Charmed’ (1998–2006)
Shannen Doherty, Alyssa Milano, and Holly Marie Combs looking at a map in the attic in Charmed.Image via The WB
For eight seasons, viewers were enchanted by three very powerful witches in The WB fantasy series Charmed. Created by Constance M. Burge, the show followed a trio of sisters known as “The Charmed Ones” who use their powers to protect the innocent from evil, malevolent beings such as demons and warlocks. On a network that, at the time, was primarily known for its sitcoms and family dramas, Charmed busted on to the scene and became a ratings hit for the network, and has since grown a huge cult following. However, the popularity of Charmed doesn’t paper over the numerous flaws that have made it age quite poorly over the years.
While the show initially focused on the sisterly bond between the Halliwell sisters, after Season 4, the show shifted its focus from the sisters’ bond to one that put a heavy emphasis on the sisters’ individual lives and romance. While this wouldn’t have been an issue if the writing was still strong, the weakening nature of the show’s plot and continuity made this a sore spot. Speaking of continuity, the show’s constant changing of the rules with regard to each magical being within the universe led to the show creating enormous plot holes that even diehard fans are still trying to fill. Add in the outdated social dynamics of the series, a lack of LGBTQ+ representation and shallow treatment of minority characters, and you have a show that, while still good on the surface, has aged rather poorly from a modern lens.
Collider Exclusive · Middle-earth Quiz
Which Lord of the Rings
Race Do You Belong To?
Hobbit · Elf · Dwarf · Man · Orc
Middle-earth is home to many peoples — the courageous, the ancient, the stubborn, the ambitious, and the wretched. Ten questions will determine which race truly claims your soul. The answer may surprise you. Or it may confirm what you already suspected.
🌿Hobbit
🌟Elf
⚒️Dwarf
⚔️Man
💀Orc
FIND YOUR RACE →
01
What does your ideal day look like?
How we rest reveals as much as how we fight.
AA long meal with good company, a pipe, and absolutely no unexpected adventures.
BWalking through ancient forests, composing verse, watching the stars emerge.
CDeep underground, the clang of hammer on anvil, crafting something that will outlast me.
DTraining, planning, preparing — there’s always something that needs defending.
ETaking what I want and making sure nobody tries to take it back.
NEXT QUESTION →
02
How do you feel about the passing of time?
Our relationship with mortality shapes everything we value.
AI have watched ages come and go. Time is a river I observe, not chase.
BThe days blur pleasantly. I don’t think about it much — there’s always second breakfast.
CLife is short. I want to leave something behind — a name, a legacy, a deed worth singing.
DTime means little underground. What matters is the work, and the work is never done.
ETime is something stronger things take from weaker ones. I intend to be the stronger one.
NEXT QUESTION →
03
Danger is approaching. Your first instinct is to:
Fight, flight, or something in between — it’s more revealing than you’d think.
AHide, and hope it passes. I’m no hero — and I’m fine with that.
BStand your ground. Someone has to, and it might as well be me.
CFade into the background and observe. Knowledge before action.
DCharge straight at it. Hesitation is just fear wearing a sensible hat.
EDig in, fortify, and wait. Ground is everything — never cede ground.
NEXT QUESTION →
04
You stumble upon a great treasure. What do you feel?
What we desire — and what we do about it — is the true test.
AMy heart swells — this is the work of my kin, and it belongs in my hands.
BExcited, but nervous. I’d rather it not cause trouble. Can I just leave it?
CMine. Obviously mine. Why is this even a question?
DBeautiful. Something this ancient deserves to be preserved and admired, not hoarded.
EA resource — and resources should serve those with the vision to use them.
NEXT QUESTION →
05
How important is community and belonging to you?
No race of Middle-earth is truly alone — but some prefer it that way.
AEverything. My neighbours, my village, my people — they are the point of it all.
BI cherish my kin deeply, but I feel connected to all living things, not just my own kind.
CI’ll protect my people with everything I have — but I don’t need anyone else’s approval.
DI prefer a tight-knit clan bound by loyalty and shared toil over any grand fellowship.
ECommunity is a pack. You’re either dominant or you’re used. I know which I prefer.
NEXT QUESTION →
06
How ambitious are you, honestly?
Ambition is neither virtue nor vice — it depends entirely on what you want.
ADeeply. I want to build something great, reclaim something lost, or leave a mark on history.
BI seek mastery and perfection — not power over others, but excellence in all I do.
CHonestly? I mostly just want a quiet life and for things to not go wrong.
DCompletely. I want to dominate, and I don’t see any point in pretending otherwise.
EAmbitious within my craft. I want to make the finest thing ever made by my people’s hands.
NEXT QUESTION →
07
Where do you feel most at home in the natural world?
Middle-earth is vast — and every race has its place within it.
AAncient forests, still pools, places where the world feels oldest and wisest.
BRolling green hills, good soil, somewhere you can grow things and watch them thrive.
CUnderground — caves, mines, tunnels. The dark doesn’t bother me. It’s where things are made.
DOpen plains, mountains, the kind of landscape that makes you feel the weight of history.
EBlasted wastelands, smoke, ash. Somewhere harsh enough to keep soft things away.
NEXT QUESTION →
08
What kind of strength do you most respect?
Every race defines strength differently — and they’re all at least a little right.
AThe strength to carry on when everything is telling you to stop.
BThe strength of stone — immovable, reliable, tested by pressure and time.
CThe strength to lead others and bear the cost of that responsibility.
DGrace under pressure — calm, precise, and lethal when it needs to be.
EBrute force. Everything else is just philosophy for those who lost.
NEXT QUESTION →
09
What do you want to leave behind when you’re gone?
Legacy is the story we tell ourselves about why any of this matters.
ASongs, poetry, beauty — something that outlasts the memory of who made it.
BThe knowledge that my corner of the world was a little safer and kinder because of me.
CFear. A reputation that means nobody ever dares come for mine.
DA name remembered. A deed that made a difference at a moment that mattered.
EA masterwork — something crafted so perfectly it becomes the standard all others are judged by.
NEXT QUESTION →
10
Be honest — what do you actually want most out of life?
The truest question always comes last.
APeace. Safety. Good food, good friends, and no one asking me to save anything.
BTo matter. To be part of something larger than myself, even at great cost.
CEternity — to witness all ages, to remember everything, and never be forgotten.
DDominance. To never again be at the mercy of anyone or anything.
EMastery of my craft and the respect of those who know the difference between good work and great work.
REVEAL MY RACE →
Middle-earth Has Spoken
You Belong To…
The race that claimed the most of your answers is your true kin. If two tied, both are shown — you walk between worlds.
◆ A TIE — YOU WALK BETWEEN TWO RACES ◆
🌿
Your Race
The Hobbits
You are, at your core, a creature of comfort, community, and quiet joy — and there is nothing small about that. Hobbits are proof that heroism does not require ambition, that the bravest heart can beat inside the most unassuming chest. You value good food, warm hearths, close friends, and a world that stays largely untroubled by dark lords and quests. When adventure does find you — and it will — you rise to it not because you sought it, but because the people you love needed you to. That is not ordinary. That is the rarest kind of courage in all of Middle-earth.
🌟
Your Race
The Elves
Ancient, graceful, and carrying a weight of memory most mortals cannot fathom, you are one of the Elves. You see the world in its fullness — its beauty, its impermanence, the unbearable ache of watching everything you love eventually fade. You pursue perfection not from pride, but because excellence is how you honour the time you have been given. Others may see you as remote or melancholy. They are not wrong, exactly. But they mistake depth for distance. You feel everything — which is precisely why you have learned to carry it so quietly.
⚒️
Your Race
The Dwarves
Stubborn, proud, fiercely loyal, and possessed of a work ethic that would exhaust most other races before breakfast — you are Dwarf-kind through and through. You do not ask for approval and you do not offer it cheaply. Your loyalty, once given, is given for life. Your grudges last longer. You love deeply and defend ferociously, and the things you build — with your hands, with your sweat, with generations of accumulated craft — are made to last. Not for glory. Because anything worth doing is worth doing properly, and you have never once done anything by half measures.
⚔️
Your Race
The Race of Men
Mortal, ambitious, flawed, and magnificent — you belong to the most complicated race in Middle-earth, and that complexity is your greatest strength. Men are capable of cowardice and extraordinary bravery, of cruelty and breathtaking sacrifice, sometimes within the same breath. You feel the urgency of your finite years, and it drives you. You want to matter. You want to leave something behind. You fall, and you rise, and the rising is what defines you. Tolkien called mortality the Gift of Men — not a curse, but a fire that burns bright precisely because it does not burn forever. That fire is you.
💀
Your Race
The Orcs
Brutal, survivalist, and contemptuous of anything that can’t defend itself — you answered with the instincts of an Orc, and there is a certain savage honesty in that. You do not dress up your desires in polite language or pretend you want things you don’t. You want power, survival, and to never be at the bottom of any hierarchy ever again. Orcs are not evil by nature — they were made from something that was once good, and broken into this shape by forces they did not choose. What remains is fierce, territorial, and deeply aware that the world is not kind. You’ve made your peace with that. The question is what you do with it.
↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ
‘Legend of the Seeker’ (2008–2010)
Craig Horner as Richard Cypher in Legend of the SeekerImage via ABC Studios
Before the turn of the new millennium, fantasy shows thrived on the “monster-of-the-week” format that offered something different for the viewers. But the downside to this form of storytelling is that it makes a show age much faster than intended, as there is little continuity when it comes to the plot to make fans stick around long after a show has ended. That was just one of the problems that befell Legend of the Seeker, the syndicated fantasy series created by the legendary Sam Raimi and adapted from The Sword of Truth novel series written by Terry Goodkind.
The series follows a “Seeker of Truth” who defends the people of their home realm from tyranny and destruction; but while the show is based on a popular novel series, when you take a look at it from the surface, you’ll find a show that threw out everything that made the book series so popular. Legend of the Seeker was a massive departure from the book series, throwing out plot continuity in exchange for the “monster-of-the-week” format that was quickly losing flavor with a lot of fantasy viewers at the time. By discarding the storyline of the books, it made the characters weaker and shallower, and we haven’t even gotten into the overall tone of the series, which was a real problem. The Sword of Truth novel series was quite dark, and fans of the books thought that the TV adaptation would follow along that same path. Alas, when it premiered in 2008, they found a series that strived very hard to be “family friendly,” and it simply did not work. While some may call this series underrated, it’s also a show that has failed to withstand the test of time.
‘Hercules: The Legendary Journeys’ (1995–1999)
Kevin Sorbo and Michael Hurst in ‘Hercules: The Legendary Journeys’Image via Universal Television
In the mid-’90s, historical heroes were having a grand time in syndication, and it all started with Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Premiering in 1995 and running for six seasons, the show follows Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) as he goes around Ancient Greece saving villagers from monsters, warlords and other so-called “selfish whims of the Gods.” Hercules: The Legendary Journeys wasn’t all fantasy, as it mixed in comedy as well, and “insider jokes” on modern themes that most millennials who grew up with the show would get.
But that’s one of the main issues as to why Hercules has aged so poorly. While the writing (for the most part) was pretty solid, it was also a product of its time, a product that was destined to never age well. The campy tone of the series was compounded by extremely formulaic storytelling. Yes, Hercules followed the “monster-of-the-week” format that, while popular in its day, has since become stale, especially among modern fantasy fans who favor high prestige and continuity within their storytelling, along with great special effects, another area the show falls short. While the CGI of the 1990s was groundbreaking, especially for a syndicated show like Hercules, looking at the series from a modern standpoint, it looks downright cheesy and campy, which, ironically, matches the aesthetics of the show as a whole.
‘I Dream of Jeannie’ (1965–1970)
Barbara Eden talks at Larry Hagman who looks ahead with a plain background in I Dream of Jeannie.Image via NBC
What would you do if a bottle washed up on the beach containing a 2,000-year-old genie? Well, of course you would get your three wishes, but that was far from the main plotline of the hit fantasy sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. Created by Sidney Sheldon, the NBC series follows Captan Anthony “Tony” Nelson (Larry Hagman), an astronaut who finds a bottle on the beach that contains Jeannie (Barbara Eden), a powerful, but mischievous genie who becomes Tony’s servant. While it was sweet to watch these two fall in love, and one can’t argue that the show helped pave the way for fantasy series to have a viable future on television, you can’t ignore the numerous problematic tropes of I Dream of Jeannie that would certainly get the series cancelled today.
The main issue, aside from the formulaic storylines, was the dynamic that is at the root of the series. Jeannie is a powerful being, but throughout the series, she is completely submissive to Tony, even calling him “Master” and basically existing to serve his needs. Some would say that this is the whole point of the show, and that she’s a genie and exists to serve the needs of anyone who opens her bottle, fair enough. However, the storyline doesn’t allow Jeannie to grow into her own person, even after they fall in love. She is the embodiment of the subservient housewife, a trope that has aged very poorly. This is on top of the stereotypical depictions of Middle Eastern and Asian culture, which, from today’s view, are extremely problematic, and you have a show that, while beloved, is a shining example of a fantasy series that has aged like milk.