Sometimes you just need to escape reality and open the door to a fairy tale — even one with shadows and monsters. Here are 8 series where magic meets fear, and the story grips you so tightly you can’t look away. A true portal back to childhood.
The 10th Kingdom – IMDb 8.2
The 10th Kingdom is like a big cozy box of fairy tales. An ordinary waitress named Virginia rescues an enchanted prince and is drawn into a battle for magical kingdoms. Snow White is now a grandmother, and 'happily ever after' is hard to find. Early 2000s charm and sincere, naive magic work their spell without fail.
Penny Dreadful – IMDb 8.2
Victorian London, where Dorian Gray, Frankenstein, and Van Helsing’s descendants argue in the same room. Penny Dreadful is not just horror, but a soulful symphony of fear and love. With the magnificent Eva Green, stylish gothic visuals, and dialogue that deserves a standing ovation.
Merlin – IMDb 7.9
A young wizard Merlin protects future king Arthur while hiding his powers in a world where magic means death. Merlin is a bright, energetic take on the legend, akin to Smallville, but with dragons and ancient prophecies instead of aliens.
Once Upon a Time – IMDb 7.8
Familiar characters who have forgotten who they are. Once Upon a Time skillfully blends flashbacks from a fairy tale world with intrigue in the small town of Storybrooke. A series about how sometimes a second chance matters more than the first victory.
Grimm – IMDb 7.8
In everyday Portland, detective Nick suddenly starts seeing ancient monsters in people. Grimm is like Supernatural, but leaning more into old myths and legends. A darkly cozy show with a great balance between monster-of-the-week plots and personal drama.
Shadow and Bone – IMDb 7.6
A magical Ravka, Russian-inspired architecture, ballads in the soundtrack, and a battle against evil shaped by inner fears. Shadow and Bone is a beautiful, slightly tragic world where light and darkness have more in common than you’d think.
Locke & Key – IMDb 7.3
In an old house, the Locke children discover magical keys that open doors to other worlds — and to the darkest corners of their own fears. Locke & Key is a fantasy where wonder lives right next to fear, with the feel of the best ‘90s teen stories.
Tell Me a Story – IMDb 7.1
Fairy tales for adults: the Three Little Pigs become gangsters, Red Riding Hood is a schoolgirl with a dangerous romance. Tell Me a Story turns childhood classics into dark thrillers, where real life is scarier than any fantasy.
In these worlds, the laws of physics give way to the laws of the heart, and every story reminds us: a fairy tale never truly ends for those who still believe.
