Apple TV is Offically the King of Fantasy Beating Prime Video With the Cosmere Universe

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Fantasy is a consistently popular type of fiction, whether you’re reading a book or watching a show. From epic, dark tales like Game of Thrones to fun, lighthearted adventures like The Princess Bride, stories filled with magic and mythical creatures seem to appeal to almost everyone. For a long time, one streaming service stood out as having the best selection of fantasy shows and movies.

The streaming service became known for its big-budget fantasy series, particularly The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and The Wheel of Time, which were based on beloved novels. While reactions from fans were varied, these shows initially established the platform as a leading destination for fantasy content. However, the cancellation of The Wheel of Time after three seasons was a significant setback, and recent developments have shifted the advantage in the fantasy genre to a competing platform.

Adaptations of Beloved Fantasy Novels Are Coming to Apple TV

Fantasy author Brandon Sanderson is planning to expand his Cosmere universe, the setting for his popular books like Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive. Sanderson is a leading fantasy writer today, often compared to George R.R. Martin, but he publishes much more frequently – with over 70 novels, short stories, and comics to his name. He’s also known for continuing the Wheel of Time series after its original author, Robert Jordan, passed away.

Brandon Sanderson has significantly influenced conversations about fantasy through his writing, teaching, and podcasts. He’s famous for developing the ideas of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ magic systems – ways of categorizing how magic works in different fantasy worlds. Sanderson is also well-known for the original and fascinating magic systems he creates in his own books. A great example is his Mistborn series, which features Allomancy – a magic system where people gain abilities by ingesting different metals.

It’s huge news that Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe is heading to Apple. Making fantasy movies and TV shows is a lengthy process, often requiring extensive work with special effects and computer-generated imagery. However, when these adaptations are finished, Apple TV+ is poised to become the leading streaming service for fantasy fans.

Brandon Sanderson’s fans were especially pleased to learn he’ll have a significant amount of creative control over any adaptations of his work. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sanderson will essentially be the guiding force behind the on-screen versions of his stories, meaning nothing will be changed without his approval. While this doesn’t guarantee the adaptations will be great, it strongly suggests they will stay true to the spirit of his books and respect his vision.

The Streaming Landscape Has Changed For Fantasy Films and Television

Amazon’s dominance in the fantasy genre is fading, as they’ve canceled popular shows and are developing fewer new ones. While Prime Video still has some fantasy content – like the upcoming final season of The Wheel of Time and the continuing animated series The Legend of Vox Machina and The Mighty Nein – the time when Prime Video was the leading platform for major fantasy series is coming to an end.

Apple’s purchase of Sanderson’s works will likely be a win for all fantasy lovers, even if they don’t use Apple TV+ or aren’t interested in seeing these stories adapted for the screen. More competition always encourages creativity, meaning we can expect even more and better fantasy shows across all platforms in the future.

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2026-01-29 18:08