There are many great fantasy and sci-fi shows, but unfortunately, some of them don’t last long because they get canceled. A canceled show doesn’t mean the series was bad; it may have just fallen upon unfortunate circumstances. Here’s a list of canceled fantasy and sci-fi shows that are still worth watching now:
The Shannara Chronicles (2016-2017)
The Shannara Chronicles is definitely a series that was canceled way too soon. It follows three heroes as they journey to protect an ancient tree (the Ellcrys) from dying and releasing banished demons back to their lands.
The series has a good story, interesting characters, and nice visual effects. There are many fantasy elements such as magic, druids, elves, and other things you often see in the fantasy genre. There are also some fight scenes, romance, and friendship.
Unfortunately, The Shannara Chronicles was canceled after two seasons. While the series got off to a strong start (and in fact, became one of MTV’s most popular series), ratings dropped when it transferred to another network (Spike TV, now Paramount Network).
Even though it was canceled, The Shannara Chronicles still remains a great fantasy show. In fact, it’s based on a best-selling novel series by Terry Brooks. Once you’re finished watching, you will realize why fans, until now, are still hoping for a Season 3. You may find yourself wanting to read the books too.
Elvis actor Austin Butler, Poppy Drayton, Ivana Baquero, Arrow’s Manu Bennett, Aaron Jakubenko, Marcus Vanco, Malese Jow, Riverdale’s Vanessa Morgan, and Gentry White star in The Shannara Chronicles.
The Secret Circle (2011-2012)
The Secret Circle is a fantasy teen drama that follows 16-year-old Cassie Blake. She moves to Chance Harbor after her mother mysteriously dies. There, she discovers that she’s a witch. Five of her classmates invite her to join their coven – the Circle.
The series is based on a book written by The Vampire Diaries author, L.J. Smith. So, it does give a similar vibe to the popular the CW series. Unfortunately, it was canceled after one season. After its cancellation, fans launched campaigns and petitions. But sadly, the show never got a Season 2.
The Secret Circle is a good show to watch if you’re a fan of The Vampire Diaries and teen dramas in general. It stars Britt Robertson, Thomas Dekker, The Originals star Phoebe Tonkin, Teen Wolf’s Shelley Hennig, The Flash’s Jessica Parker Kennedy, Louis Hunter, and Chris Zylka.
Legacies (2018-2022)
Legacies is the third series in The Vampire Diaries Universe. It follows Hope Mikaelson, Klaus and Hayley’s daughter, and the first Tribid – a vampire, wolf, and witch.
Hope attends the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted, a school where supernatural beings can learn how to control their powers. Along the way, she and her friends (which include Josie and Lizzie Saltzman, Alaric and Caroline’s twin daughters) fight against Malivore.
Unfortunately, Legacies was canceled after four seasons, which marked the end of a universe. But even though it was canceled, the series finale was able to wrap things up.
So, it’s not one of those canceled series that didn’t get a proper ending. Although it would have been nice to see a Season 5 considering that there were already plans around it.
Legacies stars Danielle Rose Russell, Aria Shahghasemi, Kaylee Bryant, Jenny Boyd, Quincy Fouse, Peyton Alex Smith, and The Vampire Diaries star Matt Davis. There are many cast members from The Vampire Diaries and The Originals who make special appearances as well.
Shadowhunters (2016-2019)
Shadowhunters is a TV show that’s based on the popular young adult fantasy series The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. It follows the story of Clary Fray, who meets a group of Nephilim called Shadowhunters and discovers her own heritage.
The success of The Mortal Instruments book series led to the creation of more novel series set in the same universe, such as The Infernal Devices and The Dark Artifices. Unfortunately, the TV show didn’t meet the same kind of success because it got canceled after three seasons.
However, its network, Freeform, ordered two extra episodes for a proper conclusion of the series. So, like Legacies, Shadowhunters was able to give a proper ending. But considering that there was still much story to tell, fans (especially the book readers) would have wanted more seasons.
Shadowhunters stars Katherine McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, Alberto Rosende, Matthew Daddario, Emeraude Toubia, Isaiah Mustafa, Harry Shum Jr., and Alisha Wainwright.
Fate: The Winx Saga (2021-2022)
Fate: The Winx Saga is a teen drama based on, of course, the popular animated series, Winx Club. This dark, live-action version of Winx Club became one of Netflix’s most-watched series, but unfortunately, it still got canceled after two seasons.
Sadly, the series ends on an unresolved cliffhanger, which is one of the reasons why it was canceled too soon. However, it still remains a series worth watching for fans of the animated series and teen dramas.
Abigail Cowen, Hannah van der Westhuysen, Precious Mustapha, Eliot Salt, Elisha Applebaum, Danny Griffin, Sadie Soverall, Freddie Thorp, Robert James-Collier, House of the Dragon’s Eve Best, Theo Graham, Paulina Chávez, and Jacob Dudman star in Fate: The Winx Saga.
The Peripheral (2022)
The Peripheral is a sci-fi thriller based on a book of the same name by William Gibson. It follows Flynne Fisher, a VR gamer who discovers a secret connection to an alternate reality as well as a dark future of her own.
When the series premiered, it became one of Amazon Prime Video’s most-watched shows. In February 2023, the series was renewed for a second season. But unfortunately, in August 2023, The Peripheral was canceled due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Despite such, The Peripheral remains a good watch for sci-fi enthusiasts.
Chloë Grace Moretz, Gary Carr, Jack Reynor, JJ Feild, T'Nia Miller, Louis Herthum, Katie Leung, and more star in The Peripheral.
Lockwood & Co. (2023)
Lockwood & Co. is a supernatural detective series based on a book series of the same name by Jonathan Stroud. Teenage ghost hunter Lucy Carlyle joins Anthony Lockwood and George Karim at the ghost-hunting agency Lockwood & Co. to fight ghosts in London. If the ghosts touch you, you die.
Despite its positive reviews and the fact that it earned 79.91 million hours of viewing in its first three weeks, Netflix canceled the series after just one season. But because the series is so good, it’s something that’s still worth watching now despite its cancellation.
Ruby Stokes, Cameron Chapman, and Ali Hadji-Heshmati star as the main characters in Lockwood & Co.
Cursed (2020)
Cursed is another retelling of the Arthurian legend, but this time, “the sword chose a queen”, with Nimue as the main character. After the Red Paladins slaughtered her village, Nimue, the “Wolf-Blood Witch”, sets out on a journey to save her people from a war.
Unfortunately, Netflix canceled the series after one season, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good show. It’s a fresh take on the Arthurian legend, and its plot and characters are interesting. So, you may want to check this out.
Cursed stars 13 Reasons Why actress Katherine Langford, Devon Terrell, Gustaf Skarsgård, Teen Wolf’s Daniel Sharman, Sebastian Armesto, Shalom Brune-Franklin, and Matt Stokoe.
The Order (2019-2020)
The Order is a horror fantasy series that follows a college student named Jack Morton as he joins the Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose – a secret society that practices magic. He lands in a war between werewolves and practitioners of dark magic.
While The Order received positive reviews and had a dedicated fan base, it was canceled after two seasons. However, considering that it is a good series, it’s still something worth your time.
The Order stars Jake Manley, Sarah Grey, Matt Frewer, Max Martini, Louriza Tronco, Sam Trammell, Adam DiMarco, and more.
The Tomorrow People (2013-2014)
The Tomorrow People is a sci-fi series that’s a remake of the original 1973 British series of the same name created by Roger Price. The show follows a group of evolved humans with abilities (such as teleportation, telekinesis, and telepathy) who are being hunted down.
Unfortunately, The Tomorrow People was canceled after one season and ended on a cliffhanger. But this doesn’t mean the series is not an entertaining watch, especially for fans of sci-fi.
Robbie Amell, Peyton List, Luke Mitchell, Aaron Yoo, Madeleine Mantock, Mark Pellegrino, and Alexa Vega star in The Tomorrow People.
Titans (2018-2023)
DC’s Titans is a superhero series based on the DC Comics team, the Teen Titans (although notably, the show is very dark compared to what it is based on). Titans has interesting storylines and characters, lots of action, and impressive fight scenes.
Sadly, it was canceled after four seasons, but the show did have a proper ending, as opposed to other DC shows that got canceled. While its second to fourth seasons are not as good as its first, Titans, overall, is a series that will entertain you.
Brenton Thwaites, Anna Diop, Teagan Croft, Ryan Potter, Curran Walters, Conor Leslie, Minka Kelly, Alan Ritchson, Joshua Orpin, Jay Lycurgo, Esai Morales, and The Originals' Joseph Morgan star in Titans.
Legends of Tomorrow (2016-2022)
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow is an Arrowverse series that, unfortunately, didn’t have a proper ending. The series got canceled after seven seasons, and sadly, it ended on an unresolved cliffhanger.
In the first season, the show follows a group of “misfits” trying to stop an immortal tyrant. Later on, it’s more about the team protecting the timeline from aberrations.
Notably, in the latter seasons, the show heavily leans on comedy rather than the serious superhero stuff. If you want a superhero show with a lighter tone, you can watch Legends of Tomorrow.
Caity Lotz, Brandon Routh, Victor Garber, Arthur Darvill, Franz Drameh, Amy Pemberton, Dominic Purcell, Wentworth Miller, Matt Letscher, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Tala Ashe, Nick Zano, Matt Ryan, Jes Macallan, and many more star in Legends of Tomorrow.
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