With ABC’s Once Upon a Time all wrapped up after the final season aired last year, it’s left a gap in the television networks much like Game of Thrones has. So while the next big thing is being cooked up, this leaves Once Upon a Time fans wanting more.
Fortunately, there are many shows with similar premises out there that got started following Once Upon a Time’s success and even beforehand. Though some were short-lived, others managed to last quite a few seasons. Among these, here are arguably the best ones for Once Upon a Time fans to watch.
Updated April 16th, 2020 by Mariana Fernandes: Even though Once Upon A Time is over, that doesn't mean out childlike sense o wonder is. Everybody loves to feel a little bit younger every now and then, and revisit those wonderful realms where everything is a possibility and magic doesn't seem out of reach. Reality can be quite disappointing at times but finding solace in art that makes us believe in beauty again is a good balm for the soul. Take a look at this updated list that includes more shows that allow you to escape the real world just for a little bit - and come back even happier.
Shadowhunters (2016 - 2019)
This three-season long series is based on the novels by Cassandra Clare, who created a fantastical world where fairies, vampires, werewolves, and the mysterious shadowhunters co-exist in their own realm, away from the human eye. There's action, drama, and all sorts of magic - along with your typical romances.
Whether you fall in love with the relationship between Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood or can't get enough of the incredible action sequences, Shadowhunters will hook you from the get-go.
Tin Man (2007)
Everyone and their dog is familiar with L. Frank Baum's classic "The Wizard of Oz". And where classics are concerned, there are endless re-tellings and versions to appease audiences all over the world.
This 2007 miniseries is a fresh new take on the age-old story of Dorothy, played by Zooey Deschanel, and all the wonderful little creatures she finds along the way. The cast includes names like Alan Cumming and Richard Dreyfuss, and it's the perfect little three-episode treat for fans of the fantastical and adventure.
Neverland (2011)
Much like "The Wizard of Oz", Peter Pan is one of those timeless classics that has seen more takes and adaptations than one can count. But when you create a world like Neverland, where children don't grow old and sirens swim alongside pirate ships, it's no wonder people can't get enough.
Neverland is one of such adaptations, looking at the classic through a fresh pair of lenses, and taking the audience on an expected journey that includes magic and Keira Knightley as Tinkerbell. All in all, there's plenty to love here!
The Vampire Diaries (2009 - 2017)
In the midst of the Twilight fever that was sweeping the world, The Vampire Diaries premiered, offering lovers of the vampire genre even more content to revel in. But unlike the series of movies inspired by Stephanie Meyer's books, The Vampire Diaries expands beyond the realm of blood-sucking creatures.
Witches, werewolves, and demons are all part of the world that makes up The Vampire Diaries, where love, hate, and friendship are often at the forefront of the characters' motivations.
Teen Wolf (2011 - 2017)
And speaking of werewolves, a list like this simply couldn't refrain itself from including MTV's fantasy series Teen Wolf. But don't let the name fool you - even though the first season centers around the world of people who become beasts once the full moon strikes, there are plenty of other fantastical creatures thrown in the mix.
Banshees, demons, hunters, and other mythological figures are also featured on the hit show that brought Dylan O'Brien fame. With a few sprinkles of comedy, Teen Wolf has a lot to offer fans of fantasy and adventure.
Emerald City (2017)
Those who liked Once Upon a Time’s interpretations of the Wizard of Oz characters might enjoy NBC’s ambitious 2017 show Emerald City. Essentially a Game of Thrones take on L. Frank Baum’s Oz books, it follows the story of a twenty year-old Dorothy ending up in the Land of Oz.
However, her presence triggers a terrible prophecy while the Land of Oz itself is under the tight grip of the Wizard who has outlawed the use of magic making the resident witches unhappy. After one season, though, Emerald City was canceled. Fortunately, it can be watched on NBC.com for free or streamed on Amazon Prime.
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (2013 - 2014)
When a show becomes incredibly popular, a spinoff usually follows. Such was the case with Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, which takes place in the Once Upon a Time universe. As the title implies, its main focus is Alice in Wonderland but with elements from Disney’s Aladdin.
Like the Tim Burton films, the show has an adult Alice returning to Wonderland. Only in this case, it’s to find her genie lover Cyrus while being targeted by the Red Queen and Jafar. Though Once Upon a Time in Wonderland was ultimately canceled, some of its characters showed up in the main series.
Siren (2018 - )
Among the magical creatures that didn’t get much focus in Once Upon a Time were the mermaids, despite having the ability to create portals to other worlds. Luckily, there is an ongoing show on Freeform that’s dedicated to the mythos of mermaids simply titled Siren.
Set in a fictional seaside town in the state of Washington, the show follows a couple of marine biologists who happen to discover a real mermaid who’s come to land. From there, they delve into the town’s hidden history in relation to the mermaids as well as a government conspiracy. Currently, Siren has two seasons with a third in development.
Midnight, Texas (2017 - 2018)
Because the residents of Storybrooke and other similar places in Once Upon a Time were trapped, they were essentially outcasts. They could not return to their true homes nor truly be a part of the real world outside the cursed towns.
Now the titular town of NBC’s Midnight, Texas is where outcasts come to, regardless if the person is supernatural in nature or not. Based on a book series by Charlaine Harris, who wrote the books that inspired True Blood, Midnight is about a psychic who moves into the town. There, he meets a diverse group of characters while helping them deal with outside threats.
Sleepy Hollow (2013 - 2017)
From a young age, many Americans learned “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” story featuring Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. Since then, there have been various adaptations of the story from the animated Disney short to the live-action Tim Burton film. This even includes the tv series Sleepy Hollow, which ran four seasons long on Fox.
Set in the real Sleepy Hollow village in the state of New York, except for the fourth season which took place in Washington, D.C., the series is about Ichabod Crane waking up in modern times. But the Headless Horseman also shows up, forcing him to confront it alongside a female cop.