10 Best TV Shows Inspired By Fairy Tales

Listening to or reading fairy tales is a quintessential part of growing up. After all, stories are how humans have made sense of the world since the dawn of time, and for many, that begins in childhood. Fairy tales tend to feature a common structure and recurring tropes, many of which have become so famous that they've left their mark on all the stories to have come after. It's no surprise, then, that many TV shows draw inspiration from fairy tales, either basing their entire premise around this whimsical storytelling or taking more specific elements from them.

Plenty of films and shows attempt to replicate the magic — and sometimes darkness — of fairy tales, with Disney's classic animated movies being the most obvious examples. It's no secret that films like Cinderella or Snow White are modeled after fairy tales, even if they put new spins on the classic narratives. And comedies like Shrek base many of their characters and tropes on these traditional types of stories, poking fun at them and offering fresh takes. The continued use of fairy tales to shape modern stories proves how enduring and timeless their charm really is.

9 Shadowhunters (2016-2019)

Faerie Folklore Is Prominent

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! Shadowhunters Shadowhunters is a television series based on the book series by Cassandra Clare. Premiering in 2016, it follows Clary Fray, who discovers her lineage and joins a group of demon hunters called Shadowhunters. As she navigates her new reality, she embarks on a mission to rescue her kidnapped mother. Release Date January 12, 2016 Network Freeform Seasons 3

Shadowhunters is the second live-action adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter Chronicles after The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie. The story follows New York teenager Clary Fray as she realizes that she is one of the Shadowhunters: half-human, half-angel warriors tasked with keeping the world safe from demons. The fantasy show unravels from there, and its main lore relies heavily on religious traditions. However, there are other creatures that populate this world, including faeries.

The faeries in Shadowhunters are inspired by Western folklore, with their hidden underground courts, love of trickery and wordplay, and inability to lie all stemming from fairy tales.

And the faeries in Shadowhunters are inspired by Western folklore, with their hidden underground courts, love of trickery and wordplay, and inability to lie all stemming from fairy tales to some extent. All of these things make Shadowhunters' world feel rich, though their smaller influence on the show ranks it lower than other fairy tale-inspired series.

8 Merlin (2008-2012)

The Arthurian Cycle

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 8.8/10 Merlin In this reimagining of Arthurian legend, young Merlin saves the life of young Prince Arthur, and realizes that the reason for his magical gift is to protect the future king. However, because magic is illegal, Merlin must hide his gift, even as he and Arthur become friends over their adventure. Release Date September 20, 2008 Network BBC Cast Colin Morgan , Bradley James , Katie McGrath , Anthony Head , Richard Wilson , John Hurt , Nathaniel Parker Seasons 5 Streaming Service(s) Peacock , AppleTV+ , Prime Video Expand

All five seasons of Merlin aired on the BBC, reimagining the legends of the Arthurian cycle, which are perfectly poised to infuse fairy tale elements into their narratives. While the stories of King Arthur, his knights, and his magical advisor Merlin are not proper fairy tales, the characters and adventures of the Arthurian cycle feel comparable in many ways. The details of Arthurian lore feel just as ever-present in Western literature and culture as fairy tales, and certain themes and archetypes even overlap.

Related BBC's Merlin: 10 Memes That Perfectly Sum Up Merlin And Arthur's Relationship Merlin is still talked about today, mainly thanks to the relationship between Arthur and Merlin, which remains one of the most memed on social media.

That's why it feels like Merlin pulls from fairy tales to tell the story of a young warlock arriving in Camelot and meeting Prince Arthur. From that first encounter, the story moves through the years and the events most people are familiar with: Arthur becoming King of Camelot, his marriage to Guinevere, and the threat posed to the kingdom by Morgan Le Fay. These events make Merlin feel familiar, even as the show throws surprises our way. It's a great series, if only loosely connected to fairy tales.

7 The Legend Of The Blue Sea (2016-2017)

Based On A Korean Legend About Mermaids

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! The Legend Of The Blue Sea The Legend Of The Blue Sea is a South Korean television series starring Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Min-ho. The story follows a mermaid named Shim Cheong who navigates the modern world after coming ashore and encounters Heo Joon-jae, a genius scam artist. Their lives intertwine as they uncover a deep connection rooted in their past during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty. The series blends fantasy, romance, and action with a historical backdrop. Release Date November 11, 2016 Main Genre Fantasy Cast Jun Ji-hyun , Lee Min-ho , Lee Hee-joon , Shin Won-ho , Christina Sherman , Shin Rin-ah , Shin Hye-sun , Na Young-hee Seasons 1

Popular K-Drama The Legend of the Blue Sea follows main characters Shim Cheong and Heo Joon-jae — respectively, a mermaid and a con artist — who mysteriously meet in Spain before their paths cross again in Seoul. They are bound together by fate and have already been lovers once before during the Joseon era, something that is gradually revealed over the course of the drama.

The Joseon era is the period of Korean history that goes from the end of the 14th century to the end of the 18th century, when the Korean peninsula was ruled by a monarchy.

The K-Drama's story is based on an old Korean legend, one of the very first to be documented in a collection of such tales. This particular narrative centers on a fisherman who captures and then releases a mermaid. This story is, of course, reworked for The Legend of the Blue Sea. The K-Drama does an impressive job of bringing this narrative to life, honoring Korean folklore and putting an intriguing spin on it. It's one of the shows to tackle a more original fairy tale, even if it isn't as well-known or loved as some of the bigger series to do so.

6 Willow (2022)

A Feast For Fairy Tale Lovers

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 9/10 Willow Based on the 1988 film of the same name, Willow follows a Nelwyn magician and an infant girl who are destined to unite their realms. Set over twenty years after the film's events; Willow sees a ragtag crew of heroes led by the titular Willow Ufgood as they journey to stop the Gales, an evil group set on conquering the world. Release Date November 30, 2022 Cast Tony Revolori , Dempsey Bryk , Amer Chadha-Patel , Erin Kellyman , Ellie Bamber , Ruby Cruz , Warwick Davis Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Disney+ Writers Jonathan Kasdan Directors Philippa Lowthorpe , Debs Paterson , Stephen Woolfenden , Jamie Childs Showrunner Jonathan Kasdan Expand

Disney's sadly short-lived Willow series is a sequel to the 1988 classic fantasy movie of the same name, where would-be sorcerer Willow Ulfgood embarks on a journey to save the newborn Elora Danan from the wicked machinations of Queen Bavmorda. Now a teenager, Elora Danan has no idea of what power she truly holds. But like many Chosen Ones in fantasy stories, she finds out as she embarks on an adventure under Willow's guidance.

Fantasy movies from the '80s might not be for everyone, but they owe everything to Western fairy tales and folklore, from their esthetics to their story structures and tropes. Disney's Willow utilizes many fairy tale stapes as well, including magic, enchanted forests, evil fortresses, brave princesses disguised as kitchen maids, and knights eager to prove their worth. It's an absolute feast for fairy tale lovers, and it's a shame Willow won't see season 2. Its shorter run lands it lower among fairy tale-inspired series, but it's still worth watching.

5 The Magicians (2015-2020)

A Darker & More Mature Take On Narnia

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 8/10 7.8/10 The Magicians Based on the novel of the same name by Lev Grossman, The Magicians follows Quentin Coldwater, a brilliant young man who is given a place at a magical college named Brakebills. There, he learns magic alongside his friends Alice, Eliot, Margo, and Penny, and unlocks magical secrets far beyond his wildest imaginings that see him travel to various fantastical locations, including the world of Fillory. Where to Watch stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date December 16, 2015 Network NBC , SyFy Seasons 5 Cast Olivia Taylor Dudley , Arjun Gupta , Jade Tailor , Stella Maeve , Summer Bishil , Jason Ralph , Hale Appleman Writers John McNamara Directors Sera Gamble Showrunner Sera Gamble Expand

The Magicians is based on Lev Grossman’s book trilogy of the same name, which focuses on a group of young magic users who attend the prestigious Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy. The show's premise is heavily reminiscent of The Chronicles of Narnia, and that's because it draws inspiration from C.S. Lewis' books, as well as stories like Harry Potter. These obviously pull elements of their narratives from fairy tales, but The Magicians also puts a dark spin on common fantasy motifs, giving it a tone that almost feels more in line with certain fairy tales.

The Magicians feels like a more "adult" take on The Chronicles of Narnia, and its fantasy elements draw from fairy tales and folklore in intriguing ways. This is best seen in Fillory, but it goes beyond the fantastical world and its creatures and encompasses the lessons the characters learn and the dark turns the story takes. All of these things make The Magicians one of the best TV shows to pull from fairy tales and folklore, though its more subtle use of its inspirations lands it in the middle of the list.

4 Galavant (2015-2016)

A Musical Spin On Classic Fairy Tales

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! Galavant Galavant is a musical comedy television series that follows the adventures of the eponymous knight as he attempts to reclaim his reputation and his love, Madalena, from the villainous King Richard. Created by Dan Fogelman, the show combines elements of fantasy and musical theater, featuring a blend of humor, romance, and catchy songs by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. Release Date January 4, 2015 Main Genre Adventure Finale Year November 30, 2015 Cast Joshua Sasse , Timothy Omundson , Vinnie Jones , Mallory Jansen , Karen David Luke Youngblood , Ben Presley , Darren Evans Seasons 2

Galavant is what would happen if The Princess Diaries was a musical that also subverted all its predictable tropes. When Galavant, a dashing knight, storms into the evil King Richard’s castle to rescue his beloved Madalena, he finds out that she prefers marrying the King and having access to his money and power. From there, Galavant embarks on a hilarious and musical quest to win back his happily ever after. The premise alone is reminiscent of classic fairy tales, but that isn't all.

Hilarious and filled with songs that will worm their way into anyone’s ears — starting with the opening number, “Galavant" — Galavant has all the esthetics and charm of the most classic fairy tales, and it features all the archetypes — from knights and princesses to kings and sorcerers. But while it recycles these elements of fairy tales, it puts a unique spin on them, resulting in a compelling show that should have continued beyond two seasons. It's not as well-known as other shows based on fairy tales, but it's still easily among the top five.

3 Grimm (2011-2017)

Fairy Tale Meets Police Procedural

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! Grimm Detective Nick Burkhardt discovers he's a Grimm, a guardian tasked with keeping the balance between humanity and mythological creatures. As he navigates his new role, he battles dangerous Wesen while uncovering secrets about his ancestors. With the help of allies, Nick confronts dark forces threatening both worlds. Release Date October 28, 2011 Main Genre Crime Cast David Giuntoli , Russell Hornsby , Silas Weir Mitchell , Sasha Roiz , Reggie Lee , Elizabeth Tulloch , Bree Turner Seasons 6

NBC's Grimm is the perfect example of reworking fairy tale conventions for modern audiences, as the show combines this category of storytelling with a police procedural format. Grimm’s story follows detective Nick Burkhardt, who is a Grimm, a guardian tasked with keeping the human world safe from the creatures of legend and folklore known as Wesen. He battles a great number of them over the course of Grimm's six seasons, working alongside his partner, Detective Hank Griffin, who is initially unaware of Nick’s supernatural nature.

Grimm’s dark fantasy undertones reflect the original works well.

As the title suggests, Grimm takes its inspiration from the work of the Brothers Grimm, who collected the most popular German fairy tales of their time in the book Grimms’ Fairy Tales, published in 1812. Most of their fairy tales, even those that have become popular thanks to adaptations, are dark and bloody in nature. Grimm’s dark fantasy undertones reflect the original works well. This elevates it to be one of the best fairy tale TV shows of all time, though there are a couple that capture their essence even better (even if they're not as dark).

2 Over The Garden Wall (2014)

A Dark & Whimsical Animated Fairy Tale

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 8.7/10 Over the Garden Wall Over the Garden Wall is a fantasy-adventure series created for Cartoon Network by Patrick McHale. Two brothers named Wirt and Greg become lost in a winding wooded realm known as the Unknown and must work with various forest-dwelling people and creatures within to find their way home. The series was continued in a comic book run to expand the world further. Release Date November 3, 2014 Network Cartoon Network Seasons 1

The critically acclaimed Over the Garden Wall is an animated show that follows two half-brothers as they travel together and get lost in a mysterious and enchanted forest. The forest itself is reminiscent of common fairy tale settings, with even its name — the Unknown — alluding to the mysterious whimsy of these sorts of stories. In the Unknown, the brothers meet an array of people and creatures as they try to find their way back home. All the while, they must elude the terrible Beast, who traps lost souls who have abandoned all hope.

While not inspired by one specific fairy tale, Over the Garden Wall undoubtedly draws inspiration from the genre. The dark forest is just the tip of the iceberg; there are also magical helpers who aren't what they seem, a looming evil threatening the protagonists, and two brothers willing to sacrifice themselves for one another. There's a reason Over the Garden Wall continues to be discussed a decade after its release, and it's because it embodies everything we love about fairy tales. There is one show that does this on an even wider scale, however.

1 Once Upon A Time (2011-2018)

The Biggest & Best Fairy Tale Mash-Up

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 7/10 15 8.7/10 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. Release Date October 3, 2011 Network ABC Seasons 7 Streaming Service(s) Netflix

Once Upon a Time is perhaps the most famous piece of media inspired by fairy tales, since a huge number of them are adapted over the course of its seven seasons. All the fairy tale characters one might think of make appearances in Once Upon a Time, and they’re all connected to one another. It makes for quite a complicated family tree in Once Upon a Time, but it's also the perfect setup for a shocking number of twists and turns.

Related 10 Saddest Once Upon A Time Scenes Over its seven-season run, Once Upon a Time has had many heart-breaking moments from character deaths to great romances seemingly ending.

The story starts when Emma Swan arrives in the fictional town of Storybrooke, whose residents are all fairy tale characters transported to the real world by a spell of the Evil Queen. The spell robs them of their memories, and they believe the identities the Evil Queen crafts for them. Emma uncovers this and tries to save them with the help of her son, leading to an emotional and gripping run. It's undoubtedly one of the best TV shows to take on fairy tales because it covers such a wide range of them in a fresh way.