Television series

Willow

Other titles called Willow: the 1988 film.

A fantasy adventure series set decades after the original 1988 film, welcoming back Warwick Davis as Willow Ufgood to mentor a new generation of heroes. It's brightly coloured, earnest, and full of magical quests and monster encounters. For fantasy fans who want comfort-watch adventure without cynicism.

TVMaze rating3.2

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you loved the 1988 film's bright, scrappy fairy-tale charm and want a sequel that keeps its mischief, costumes and cheerfully old-fashioned sword-and-sorcery adventure going.

Skip it if you need a fully original story, since this is a follow-up that leans on returning characters and a fairly familiar quest-and-monster formula.

What it asks of you: Eight episodes of roughly fifty minutes each, so it is a light, unhurried commitment that takes its time settling into a loose, episodic quest rather than a tight plot.

If you liked this

The Wheel of Time2021

Epic fantasy worldbuilding with a young ensemble discovering their powers and purpose. Multiple storylines, high stakes, genuinely stunning set design and magic system that rewards investment.

But Slow pacing in places, and the first season takes time establishing a massive cast before the plot truly accelerates.

The Wheel of Time poster

The Witcher2019

Dark fantasy adventure with monster-hunting, magic, political intrigue, and a charismatic lead. Episodic enough to enjoy standalone but serialised enough to keep you hooked across seasons.

But Visibly cheaper in some episodes, and the timeline structure in season one confuses viewers. Some tonal whiplash between comedy and brutality.

The Witcher poster

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves2023

A heist-adventure film that loves its own fantasy world without taking itself too seriously. Genuine humour, creative magic use, and a cast having obvious fun together.

But Feels more like a fun D&D session than a tightly plotted film. If you want emotional stakes, this isn't it.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves poster

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Willow

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

The NeverEnding Story1984

Both are stories about champions answering calls larger than themselves in fully-realized magical worlds. Willow echoes Neverending Story's earnest belief in the weight of small heroisms.

A fantasy film about a boy reading a fantasy book, featuring practical puppetry, baroque monster design, and genuine peril for child characters. It's visually stunning and emotionally sincere in ways modern fantasy often isn't.

But Some creature effects are intentionally unsettling rather than cool, which can disturb younger viewers. The pacing is meandering; this isn't an action film.

The NeverEnding Story poster
More like this (6)

The Legend of Vox Machina2022

Adult fantasy that's both genuinely funny and surprisingly heartfelt. Stunning animation, a found-family ensemble, and magic combat that's actually inventive and exciting to watch.

But Animated, which puts some off. Also assumes no familiarity with its source material, so the first arc is pure setup before the characters truly shine.

The Legend of Vox Machina poster

Merlin2008

Five seasons of magic-of-the-week adventure with an ensemble cast and a much larger legend building underneath. Warm, witty, and surprisingly emotional when it needs to be.

But The production values are notably cheaper than modern fantasy. Later seasons lean harder on emotional beats, so early fun gets displaced by plot.

Merlin poster

Shadow and Bone2021

Dark fantasy with clear antagonists, impressive action, and a magic system that feels tactile. Strong performances from the ensemble, especially the villain dynamics.

But Season one is dense with world-building and doesn't always clarify it. The second season shifts tone significantly, which divides viewers.

Shadow and Bone poster

Stardust2007

A fantasy quest film that's charming, romantic, and visually inventive. It loves its own adventure and doesn't apologize for whimsy. Perfect comfort-watch fantasy.

But Some effects feel dated now. It prioritizes charm over plot complexity, so there's no real darkness or genuine peril.

Stardust poster

Xena: Warrior Princess1995

A cult classic that mixed adventure, action, humour, and genuine emotional storytelling. Lucy Lawless is magnetic, and the show's willingness to be ridiculous frees it to be brilliant.

But Filmed on a micro-budget with very obvious green screen and stunt doubling. The episodic nature means quality varies wildly across seasons.

Xena: Warrior Princess poster

Arcane: League of Legends2021

Both structure their stories around mentorship and generational change—old powers, new champions. Arcane is a darker reimagining of that dynamic, where legacy carries the weight of systemic harm.

An animated series based on a video game that transcends its source entirely. Stunning animation, complex character arcs across two social classes, and a refusal to make any character simply good or evil.

But Animated, which deters some viewers. The first act is slow character work, and season two's finale is divisive among fans.

Arcane: League of Legends poster

People

Cast

Production

Recommended by