13 Movies and TV Shows to Feed Your Romantasy Obsession Between Book Releases
Romantasy books have taken the book publishing world by storm, striking a chord with those of us who want the escapism of a fantasy world with our spice. As is often the case in the literary world, the immense popularity of these books has sparked talk of screen adaptations. After all, sometimes you need a break from binge-reading to binge-watch something instead.
While there are a few direct romantasy adaptations in the works, there’s still plenty of romantasy-esque stories we can enjoy right now. Stories with romance central to the plot and fantastical elements, whether it’s supernatural beings, mythical kingdoms, or time travel. It doesn’t hurt if there are also some of the classic tropes we love in the mix, too, like love triangles, enemies to lovers, fated mates, or “shadow daddies.” So, I took the liberty of rounding up 13 TV shows and movies for fans of romantasy books. They’re a mix of personal favorites and stuff still in my queue—all with enough romance, fantasy, and world-building to satisfy your addiction between book releases.
1. Outlander
Although it’s light on the fantasy element of romantasy, Outlander has one of the most epic romances in modern fiction. Thankfully, the TV show does justice to Diana Gabaldon’s Scottish time travel romance. The slow burn of Jamie and Claire’s relationship is just Chef’s kiss. While you won’t find dragons and magical powers, the inclusion of Scottish folklore elements like Druid ceremonies and mystical standing stones is enough to scratch that itch. Plus, it has some of the spiciest sex scenes on modern television (at least it does in the first few seasons). There’s nothing better than a period piece that’s a bit smutty.
2. A Discovery of Witches
Based on the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness, A Discovery of Witches is a true romantasy TV show. Diana, a reluctant witch, discovers her power with the help of Matthew, a mysterious yet protective vampire with a dark past. Although a covenant exists that forbids inter-species relationships, I bet you can guess how that ends up. Not only is there a forbidden love, but a prophecy suggests they may even be fated mates, and ultimately, the key to all creatures’ futures. While many romantasy lovers may have read the book series, or tried to, the show has quicker pacing, taking you swiftly from the world of academia into the world of creatures and magic. This may be one instance where the TV show adaptation is better than the book.
3. Shadow and Bone
I just recently started watching Shadow and Bone and quickly got swept up in the enticing magical system, mythology, and complex world-building. It’s like Harry Potter meets Avatar: The Last Airbender. But, of course, there’s a love triangle in Shadow and Bone, too, as is often the case with YA series. Main character Alina discovers she is the long-awaited Sun Summoner, the literal yang to a Shadow Summoner’s yin, and becomes torn between him (an actual shadow daddy) and her childhood love, Mal. However, with some witchy mentoring, Alina comes into her own as a formidable magic wielder who may be the one to unite the kingdoms and destroy the Shadow Fold that separates them. The show packs in a lot and, unfortunately, only lasted for two seasons, but it’s worth a watch for the romance, character development, and fantasy elements.
4. The Witcher
At first glance, The Witcher may look like something out of a Renaissance faire—there are monsters, elves, fighters, sorceresses, and even a bard—but it’s the perfect show for romantasy fans. While romance isn’t the central plot, it’s a major part of the TV show’s appeal, thanks in no small part to Henry Cavill (and now Liam Hemsworth) as Geralt of Rivia: the brooding, gravel-voiced monster hunter with superhuman strength and supernatural power. His love interest, Yennefer of Vengerberg, matches him in power and intensity, thanks to her own morally gray past and ruthless magical ambition. Their dynamic starts as enemies-to-lovers, but evolves into something deeper.
5. Interview with the Vampire
Although many readers of the Interview with the Vampire book (and viewers of the 1994 film) shipped Louie and Lestat, it was mainly through homoerotic subtext. But that’s all changed with the most recent iteration—an AMC-produced Interview with the Vampire TV series. The show leans into the relationship between the two men, establishing it as a queer romance set in Edwardian New Orleans and Paris. There’s a maturity to this version, not only because it’s an LGBTQ+ story, but because it also explores race and trauma. While in Anne Rice’s novel, Louis is a white plantation owner with slaves, in the TV show, Louis is a black man grappling with his place in society. The story is told through a series of flashbacks from Louis, recounted to a journalist about his life as a vampire. While the fantasy element mainly surrounds the vampiric lore, the time period, costumes, and locations all lend to a perfect dark romantasy setting.
6. Penny Dreadful
One of my favorite TV shows of all time, Penny Dreadful, is kind of like The Conjuring Universe if all the spookies were from books. It’s more gothic horror than romance, but when sparks do fly, the chemistry is powerful enough to wake the dead. In particular, the brooding sexuality of Dorian Gray (Reeve Carney) and his romantic entanglements may require a cold shower with some holy water after watching. BookTok girlies will love the literary references throughout, with characters from The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dracula, Frankenstein, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde rounding out the cast. If you love dark romance or Victorian gothic atmospheres, Penny Dreadful is right up your poorly lit alley.
7. True Blood
If your ideal romantasy vibe is “horny supernatural chaos in the Deep South,” True Blood is the show for you. Based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries book series, this Louisiana-set fantasy horror TV show follows Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress who falls for a 174-year-old vampire after the undead reveal themselves to humans. Thanks to a synthetic blood substitute called “Tru Blood,” vampires can now (in theory) coexist with mortals—but not everyone’s on board. (The town also plays host to a slew of other supernatural creatures like werewolves, shapeshifters, and witches.) Between steamy sex scenes, blood and gore, and small-town drama, this show is basically a sexy supernatural soap opera in the best way.
8. Carnival Row
If you love stories that blend swoony, forbidden love with rich, moody world-building, add Carnival Row to your queue right now. The show is set in a Victorian-inspired steampunk city where fae and other mythical creatures are displaced by war, oppressed, and often exploited. Multiple storylines weave together, centering around two main romances: Philo and Vignette, a tragic, war-torn couple with intense chemistry, and Imogen and Agreus, an aristocrat–faun pairing with major forbidden-love, enemies-to-lovers energy. Add in some political intrigue, fae rebellion, and a touch of dark magic, and Carnival Row is the perfect show for fans of fae romantasy books like Whispers Among Thorns.
9. The Vampire Diaries
Want a steamy love triangle with a supernatural twist ( honestly, who doesn’t)? Then The Vampire Diaries is essential viewing. It’s basically the YA, dark fantasy blueprint for every “one girl, two hot immortal men” novel you’ve ever devoured. Elena, an orphan still grieving her parents, suddenly finds herself caught between two vampire brothers: Stefan (Paul Wesley), the sensitive do-gooder, and Damon (Ian Somerhalder), the smirking bad boy who just can’t stay away. Their obsession with her gets even messier when a woman from their past shows up to stir the pot. Mystic Falls may look like a quiet, small town on the outside, but it has more skeletons in its closets than Dracula’s castle. Prepare yourself for the drama.
10. Stardust
There’s nothing better than happily ever after, especially when it’s the kind only a fallen star could grant. Stardust is a quirky fantasy film from 2007 that stars a whimsical Claire Danes as a literal star from the heavens and Charlie Cox as the man who tries to kidnap her in order to marry his love. As you might guess, things go awry, and the result is a fairy tale adventure filled with magical kingdoms, flamboyant pirates, and murderous witches. The film has a stacked cast, including Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, and Ricky Gervais, among other recognizable faces. It’s definitely a classic romantasy that’s more Disney-cute than spicy-hot. But if you want to revel in a story that reminds you that love conquers all, give it a stream.
11. The Twilight Saga
For an OG paranormal romantasy, you can’t go wrong with the Twilight films. If you were a teenager in the late 2000s, it was hard not to have Twilight fever. But even if you didn’t, by the end of the last film, you’ll pledge your devotion to Team Edward or Team Jacob. Although there are five films in the saga, the first film, in particular, really explores Bella and Edward’s budding romance. It has all the classic romantasy tropes: miscommunication, forbidden love, fated love, and a vampire-human-werewolf love triangle. Even though its place in pop culture has almost made it into a parody of itself at this point, it’s still an engaging romance. You can’t deny Bella and Edward’s deep, unconditional love for one another. Plus, their soulmate dynamic is enticing, even if it does become a bit self-destructive. Hey, we’ve all been there, right?
12. Jupiter Ascending
While it may not seem like it at first glance, Jupiter Ascending is essentially a romantasy wrapped in a space opera package. Described as The Matrix meets Star Wars by actor Douglas Booth (who plays Titus Abrasax), the film’s technofantasy atmosphere lends itself well to a futuristic romance. Jupiter (Mila Kunis) is just an ordinary cleaning girl until her world gets turned upside down when she’s nearly killed by alien assassins. Thankfully, a genetically engineered former soldier, Caine Wise (Channing Tatum), saves her. Caine is the classic romantasy love interest: a moody but moral warrior with superhuman abilities. Essentially, he’s a werewolf knight—in space. The film also has many other elements of romantasy like rituals, thrones, secret heritages, a chosen one, and, of course, fated mates. It’s a wild ride filled with sci-fi eye candy that’s the perfect blend of adventurous escapism.
13. The Lovers (2015)
In the same vein as Outlander, The Lovers is a historical time-travel romance set in both modern times and 18th-century colonial India. Two parallel love stories are told, one of a man who falls into a coma after trying to save his wife, and the other of a colonial British officer who falls in love with an Indian warrior. Across space and time, what unites these two stories is a magical ring forged of eternal love: two rings that make one. Josh Hartnett plays both men, a hunky hearthrob in any century or setting. What I like most about this film, aside from the historical tie-in, is the theme of reincarnation and the notion of a transcendent love. If you enjoy books like The Emperor and the Endless Palace, you’ll appreciate The Lovers’ blend of sweeping destiny, intertwined timelines, and love that refuses to die.
Liana Minassian, Contributing Entertainment Writer
Liana is an LA-based writer, editor, and photographer with over 12 years of experience in digital content creation. She specializes in entertainment and lifestyle content and especially loves it when the two subjects overlap. Aside from The EveryGirl, her work has been published with ScreenRant, TheThings, Thought Catalog, The Mary Sue, Food Revolution Network, Travel-Wise, and the Daily Meal, among others.
The post 13 Movies and TV Shows to Feed Your Romantasy Obsession Between Book Releases appeared first on The Everygirl.
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