Fantasy movies and shows are growing popular by the day because they allow us to escape into a world not bound by the laws of reality, with larger-than-life narratives of enemies to lovers, unlikely heroes, chosen ones and heroic quests, among other things.

Conventional wisdom long held that there could not be a faithful adaptation of Frank Herbert's "Dune" novels. But the 2021 adaptation, starring an impressive ensemble cast and directed by the leading sci-fi director of our generation Denis Villeneuve, was a remarkable success. It was brimming with character drama, intrigue, unforgettable scenes and suspense – enough to leave even non sci-fi and fantasy fans in awe.

The beloved classic "Lord of the Rings" is being remade into a series by Amazon Prime. The first season will likely feature a young Aragorn, Celebrimbor, Galadriel, Elrond, and Sauron. Nowhere is better than New Zealand to capture the splendor of Númenor, Misty Mountains, and the elf-capital of Lindon. The series is expected to release next year.

“The Wheel of Time” is set to release this month. ,Photos: Collected

Netflix's highly anticipated series "Shadow and Bone" took the world by storm. An adaptation of Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse novels, the first season traverses through the life of the mapmaker with a rare power, Alina Starkov, as she gets ensnarled by a megalomaniac and a trio of alluring characters from Bardugo's "Six of Crows" duology. Bardugo is currently working on the next installment of "Shadow and Bone" as well as the "Six of Crows" spinoff series.

Neil Gaiman's "Sandman" comic book series is finally being adapted starring Tom Sturridge as Morpheus and Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer. If the poster and trailer are anything to go by, we will be reeled into a captivating tale of The Lord of Dreams who breaks free from the hold of a malevolent sorcerer.

After the controversial finale of "Game of Thrones", HBO decided to renew the magnificent world of George R.R. Martin. The upcoming 10 episodes of "House of the Dragon" will be based on "Fire & Blood," which chronicles the House of Targaryen's rule as well as House of Hightowers and House Velaryon, prior to the events of "Game of Thrones".

“House of the Dragon” features a stellar cast.

Meanwhile, Amazon Prime is adapting Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time" series, which spans across 14 books. The trailer gives us a glimpse of Moiraine's first arrival in the Two Rivers, the city of Aes Sedai and an island fortress. We follow different character arcs and adventures as The Chosen One myth takes action. It is indeed an exciting time for fans of the fantasy genre.

The author is a freelance journalist. Email: shanzaychowdhury@gmail.com.