The live-action Dungeons & Dragons TV show has been looking for a home for a long time. Now that it has found this in the streaming service Netflix, it presents an array of new problems. There’s a lot of pressure on The Forgotten Realms, the new series, to succeed when many other takes on the DND universe have failed. While it makes sense that audiences would have high expectations and that the studio would want a return on their investment, this means things won’t be easy for The Forgotten Realms as it enters development.

It’s no secret that Netflix has leaned into the fantasy genre in recent years, but the fact that the streamer will be the one to bring the live-action DND show to life has pros and cons. Shawn Levy and Drew Crevello will partner to bring The Forgotten Realms to life onscreen, and it’s paramount that they get the story right (via ᴅᴇᴀᴅline). When Netflix develops the Dungeons & Dragons TV show, the streamer should draw inspiration from other fantasy projects. They should also learn from the mistakes that have prevented the franchise from taking off in the past.

10

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)

This movie was a great first step in the expansion of DND in film and TV

Despite its positive critical reception and eventual streaming success, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was a box office failure. This was a major disappointment for the studio, Paramount, and crushed the additional content that might have taken off in the wake of the movie’s success. However, this doesn’t mean that Honor Among Thieves isn’t a worthy take on the game and the world of DND; it just overstretched its resources and wasn’t the right format.

If a live-action TV show can succeed where Honor Among Thieves failed, it could be a sign that wider audiences are ready to dive into the DND universe. However, since Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves received no sequel, this mounts the pressure on The Forgotten Realms and Netflix to make the show work. Fortunately, the style and plot of the film are strong, paving the way for future works. The Forgotten Realms won’t have as large a budget and should attempt to streamline its visual and practical effects.

9

Stranger Things (2016–Present)

This smash hit series has deep roots within the DND franchise

Netflix has had enormous success with Stranger Things, one of the streamer’s breakout original series that cemented Netflix as more than just a host website for other projects. Deeply entwined with DND, fantasy, and science fiction, Stranger Things has enjoyed a fantastic legacy, launching cultural conversation and momentum every time a new season drops. If The Forgotten Realms can achieve half the popularity of Stranger Things, it will be primed for a long and beloved run.

The connection between Stranger Things and DND can’t be ignored, as the series is set in the 1980s when the tabletop game was taking off and getting popular with young players. This sense of nostalgia and relevance is what has sustained Stranger Things in the years since it premiered. While The Forgotten Realms won’t be able to play on the same ᴀssociate with the game as Stranger Things, it shouldn’t overlook the power of tying to the source material and its aesthetics.

8

The Legend Of Vox Machina (2022–Present)

DND is brought to mainstream audiences with ease and wit

It’s impossible to talk about screen adaptations of DND without bringing up Prime Video’s critically acclaimed hit, The Legend of Vox Machina. Based on the DND web series Critical Role, The Legend of Vox Machina is the most successful and adept iteration of DND ever brought to life onscreen. While The Forgotten Realms will be live-action, not animated, there’s still a lot that the show can take from The Legend of Vox Machina​​​​​​.

The Legend of Vox Machina demonstrates an understanding of character development and skill for world-building that never diminishes the thrill of the action.

The new series must differentiate itself from The Legend of Vox Machina from the start, which will be a challenge since the show has become such a distinct part of the cultural conversation. However, this doesn’t mean that The Forgotten Realms shouldn’t look at what works for the series and learn from it. The Legend of Vox Machina demonstrates an understanding of character development and skill for world-building that never diminishes the thrill of the action.

7

The Witcher (2019–Present)

One of Netflix’s biggest fantasy projects draws comparisons to DND

The Witcher‘s Geralt of Rivia is a fantasy hero just like Drizzt, a beloved character who will more than likely appear in The Forgotten Realms. These archetypal fantasy characters appear in DND and most TV shows of the genre, and while they’re all different, bringing Drizzt to life with accuracy and attention to detail will be critical for The Forgotten Realms​​​​​​. The next season of The Witcher will be interesting, as Henry Cavill is being replaced by Liam Hemsworth. How the show navigates this will be a strong example for The Forgotten Realms.

No matter where The Forgotten Realms story goes, it will have to learn to introduce new characters and actors quickly and efficiently. One of the most consistent complaints lodged against The Witcher is how different it is from the source material by Andrzej Sapkowski. Bringing to life beloved IP is always a risk, but The Forgotten Realms should risk criticism if it’s going to make an impact on viewers. The Witcher might stir up controversy, but it’s always memorable.

6

Excalibur (1981)

This classic fantasy film has been highly influential

The particular aesthetic of 1980s medieval filmmaking sets Excalibur apart from modern works of fantasy, and since DND shares these roots, it would be fun for The Forgotten Realms to lean into this. With a star-studded cast and story as old as the genre itself, Excalibur was the definitive take on the legends of King Arthur for a long time. The director, John Boorman, is known for his contributions to fantasy, with his stylistic choices inspiring contemporary works.

Excalibur wasn’t the same as every other work of fantasy, and it is still remembered because of its ambition.

Though Excalibur is imperfect, it doesn’t hold back in the depth of its adaptation, unafraid to lean into the most distinct and vivid parts of its world. The Forgotten Realms must be just as committed to embodying the world of DND, taking chances both visually and narratively. Excalibur wasn’t the same as every other work of fantasy, and it is still remembered because of its ambition. Seeing The Forgotten Realms fail after just one season would be as disappointing as getting no adaption at all.

5

Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)

The MCU’s unforgettable adventure is similar to a game of DND

The first Guardians of the Galaxy movie was unlike anything else Marvel had put out, and it’s undeniable that the film drew inspiration from similar sources to DND. One of the biggest connections between Guardians of the Galaxy and DND is the ᴀssembly of a team of different powerful individuals to embark on a quest. Though the movie is set in space, the characters still have to set aside their differences and travel far and wide to hit the necessary checkpoints in their adventure.

While the film follows a formula, it’s never boring and keeps the audience guessing so that the ending is as satisfying as possible. Many viewers will be well aware of how a game of DND unfolds, and the series must stay true to this while incorporating interesting additions to the format of these narratives. In terms of story and tone, the tongue-in-cheek style of Guardians of the Galaxy is a good baseline for The Forgotten Realms to be funny without alienating the audience.

4

Arcane (2021–2024)

Despite running for only two seasons, Arcane made an impact

In terms of visuals and action, Arcane paves the way for the fantasy genre, showcasing how to blend the dynamic excitement of video games into an emotionally gripping narrative. Though DND isn’t a video game, the fight sequences and thrilling conflict that players imagine are just as intricately designed as any piece of media, if not more so. Even though Arcane is set in a more futuristic steampunk world than traditional DND, this doesn’t mean the design can’t inspire The Forgotten Realms​​​​​​.

It was disappointing that Arcane only ran for two seasons, as most fans and critics could’ve stayed within the world of Piltover forever. However, Netflix has a plan to expand the League of Legends world, creating spinoffs of Arcane with new characters and settings within the same fantasy universe. If The Forgotten Realms is successful enough, there’s no reason why additional DND series can’t be part of the Netflix catalog in the years to come.

3

The Princess Bride (1987)

A romantic fantasy adventure that has stood the test of time

Hilarious, heartfelt, and gorgeously imagined, The Princess Bride is considered mandatory viewing within the fantasy genre. Since it’s easily one of the most-watched additions to the genre from the 1980s, The Princess Bride has established a firm foothold in the cultural conversation. This makes it a great work for The Forgotten Realms to reference, and also something from which the series can take its cues.

The Princess Bride is a movie that perfectly blends romance and adventure, and these are factors that appeal to a wide array of audiences. The sense of humor that’s so inherent to the tone and idenтιтy of The Princess Bride is also an element that The Forgotten Realms should keep in mind. Many contemporary TV shows are tonally confused, unable to balance dark moments with levity. The Princess Bride never struggles with this, and neither can The Forgotten Realms.

2

Merlin (2008–2012)

This BBC series demonstrates how to bring fantasy into the modern era

Classic fantasy legends like the stories of King Arthur and Camelot are the building blocks of DND, as they established the rules and tropes of a fantastical realm. However, Merlin is even more useful to a DND show than the original works of Arthurian legend because the series demonstrates how to bring these tales into the modern era. Though Merlin is still set in medieval times, it successfully updates the relationship between Merlin and Arthur, making it more relevant.

Merlin managed to take its well-known source material and make it new, something The Forgotten Realms must do.

Merlin‘s monster-of-the-week formula showcases how The Forgotten Realms can weave the many creatures and monsters of the DND universe into the fabric of the show. Additionally, Merlin managed to take its well-known source material and make it new, something The Forgotten Realms must do. Even though some of the visual effects are dated, fantasy fans keep returning to Merlin, and The Forgotten Realms should strive for this longevity. Many DND projects have tried and failed to establish the franchise’s potential.

1

The Dragon Prince (2018–2024)

This Netflix series shares a love of world-building with DND

The Dragon Prince is widely regarded as a spiritual successor to Avatar: The Last Airbender​​​​​, and not just because there’s an overlap in the voice cast. A Netflix original itself, The Dragon Prince inspired a tabletop role-playing game called Tales of Xadia, set in the story’s world that plays like a DND campaign. This is unsurprising, considering the land of Xadia has so much in common with the different fantastical realms of DND.

What The Dragon Prince does so well is balance its world-building with its character development and relationships. This creates a world that viewers can easily imagine themselves diving into and living in themselves without sacrificing story or narrative intrigue. Achieving that balance will be critical for the Dungeons & Dragons TV show, as it must appeal to viewers who are unfamiliar with the game while catering to longtime players. The Dragon Prince sees its core characters go on a compelling adventure within Xadia and expands well beyond the dragons and magic of its premise.