5 Fantasy Book Series That Deserve Their Own Streaming Shows
Have you read any of them?
Hollywood's latest trends reveal a particular penchant for reimagining cherished classics. Disney's Star Wars projects, HBO's Harry Potter series and House of the Dragon, Prime Video's Rings of Power, Summit Entertainment's Twilight all prove that major studios are sticking with fan-favorite IPs and avoiding any risks.
In the meantime, history shows that you can’t win without taking risks. There was a time when neither Star Wars nor Harry Potter existed. So perhaps producers should pay attention to lesser-known fantasy stories that are just waiting to be brought to the small screen. Here are five novel series that have all the potential to become as big as old, beloved franchises.
The Dark Is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper
This five-novel fantasy series was published between 1965 and 1977, but continues to captivate readers today. The rich universe, where the forces of good (The Light) and evil (The Dark) clash, centers on several children, both human and magical, belonging to the ancient race of wizards.
In 2007, 20th Century Fox and Walden Media tried to adapt this beloved series into a live-action film titled The Seeker. Unfortunately, the adaptation veered too far from the original books and flopped at the box office.
The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander
Released from 1964 to 1969, this five-book teen fantasy series draws inspiration from Welsh folklore and mythology, weaving a tapestry of unique races and fantastic creatures. At its heart is a boy of mysterious origins who dreams of becoming a legendary hero.
Disney once set its sights on the series, even making the 1985 animated film The Black Cauldron, loosely based on one of the novels. Yet, the cartoon failed at the box office.
The Culture Series by Iain M. Banks
This 1987-2012 series consisting of ten novels could provide an amazing material for a long and exciting TV show. The epic saga unfolds in a utopian space society where humanoid aliens inhabit vast artificial habitats scattered across the Milky Way galaxy. The society depicted in the books is on a mission to civilize the galaxy, creating countless moral dilemmas that are explored through a diverse cast of protagonists and their unique challenges.
Back in 2018, Amazon secured the rights to adapt the first Culture novel, but the project's sudden cancellation left fans disappointed.
The Revelation Space series by Alastair Reynolds
Bringing this series to streaming would require a skilled team of writers, given its extensive collection of over 20 novellas and short stories published since the 1990s. But it is well worth it. Set in a technologically advanced future where society hasn't become utopia or dystopia, but is still very relatable to today's readers, the series tells a believable story of humanity exploring the Milky Way galaxy.
Despite its rich potential, the series has never been adapted for television, likely due to its complexity and the substantial budgets necessary to do it justice.
Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne
The extensive children's book series following two American siblings who journey through time and space with the help of magical books from a mystical tree house could make for a thrilling Disney+ series. This adventure-packed concept holds appeal for both kids and adults alike.
While a 2012 Japanese animated film explored some of the main characters' adventures, there's plenty of opportunity for magical live-action adaptations.