5 Fantasy TV Shows That Fell Off After One Season

Fortunately, plenty of shows garner so much goodwill because of the incredible story and performances in season 1 that they aren't canceled for many years. While some fantasy TV shows only have one season, these series have maintained their success well enough to warrant their renewal for a long time. It's largely thanks to the strength of the characters that viewers keep watching shows after they've peaked. Additionally, even if season 1 is the strongest, there are often enough bright spots in the remaining installments to buoy the audience to the end.

5 Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (2018–2020)

A darker reboot of the classic fantasy teen genre

Kiernan Shipka led the cast of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina as a darker and edgier iteration of the first Sabrina, played by Melissa Joan Hart. While the original series, Sabrina The Teenage Witch​​​​​, is a famous addition to the magical sitcom genre, Netflix's Chilling Adventures of Sabrina attempted to lean further into the mystical and demonic energy of Sabrina's background as a witch. While this was surprisingly engaging and effective in season 1, it didn't take long for the show to lose its footing.

In Chilling Adventures of Sabrina season 1, the central story mirrors Sabrina's internal conflict of the witch and human sides of herself battling each other. She's uncertain about leaving behind her human life and friends to fully immerse herself in a world of magic. This is an inherently compelling narrative, as it's relatable to viewers and balances the two sides of the story effectively. However, the next few seasons lacked this tonal and thematic equilibrium, resulting in a show that didn't quite know itself by the end.

4 Heroes (2006–2010)

This superhero series had a lot of potential

The TV show Heroes has become notorious for its incredible debut and unfortunate decline in quality in the years following its premiere. Starring Milo Ventimiglia, Hayden Panettiere, and Zachary Quinto, Heroes had an amazing premise and was an early example of a narrative that explored the superhero genre. Though many of the issues Heroes faced were out of the control of the writers and showrunners, like the WGA strike of 2007-2008, this negatively impacted the show's trajectory.

After being heralded as one of the best shows of the year for season 1, Heroes saw a steady decline in ratings and interest in the following seasons. It's clear that Heroes still has a hold in the cultural conversation, as there have been attempted revivals. There's even a Heroes: Eclipsed​​​​​ reboot in development. It's too bad that Heroes lost steam after season 1, and the series had set itself up for success in many ways. Despite its strong ensemble cast and balance of the fantastical and realistic, Heroes never achieved the legacy it could have established.

3 Stranger Things (2016–Present)

It will be interesting to see if the final installment can top season 1

As one of the most popular fantasy TV shows of the past decade, it might be controversial to say that Stranger Things has declined in quality since season 1. While each installment has brought something new and exciting to the table, this doesn't change the fact that Stranger Things season 1 is still by far the strongest. It tells a tight story with clear stakes, compelling characters, and a strong mystery element. Unfortunately, there's a lot about Stranger Things season 1 that was lost as the series progressed.

When looking at the Stranger Things seasons ranked, season 1 consistently is rated the highest by fans and critics, as like many shows of its genre, Stranger Things has become too metatextual with each passing season. However, there's reason to be hopeful that season 5, the series' final installment, will be a thrilling return to form. Though it looks like the Stranger Things season 5 release date might get pushed to 2026, it will be worth the wait if it reaches the heights of season 1 (via MovieWeb).

2 The Witcher (2019–Present)

This adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski's novels has been polarizing

For three seasons, Henry Cavill faithfully brought Geralt of Rivia, the intense and heroic protagonist of The Witcher, to life. Though fans of Andrzej Sapkowski's novel series of the same name have consistently taken issue with how Netflix's hit fantasy show brings the literary stories to life, Cavill's performance has always been a strong point. Even though The Witcher season 2 was more of a hit with critics, it's been difficult to accept how many liberties the series is taking with the source material.

Audience reception has consistently been more negative than the critical response to The Witcher, with season 1 generally considered one of the more faithful iterations of the show. While The Witcher has two more seasons to expand upon its world and stories, the series has a lot of changes in story. Liam Hemsworth will be taking over for Cavill as Geralt in the upcoming season, and this will likely make or break the series' legacy. How The Witcher navigates this change and brings the next books to life could redeem the show, but it has a long way to go.

1 American Gods (2017–2021)

American Gods had a lot of potential as a fantasy TV show, as the series already had a significant following from the book it was based on. Ricky Whittle led the cast as Shadow, the protagonist, alongside a strong ensemble cast that draws the audience into the intricate world of American Gods. While the series ran for three seasons, it's based on a standalone book, which automatically presented problems for the series after season 1.

American Gods lends itself to a TV adaptation since there are so many different quests and side stories that Shadow encounters on his journeys. While season 1 seemed to understand the style of the written work and received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, the series never recaptured this magic. The over-arching story within the novel is pieced together slowly and subtly, which doesn't always work in an onscreen narrative. Watching every season of American Gods is still enjoyable, but season 1 tells the highest story by far.