10 Best Modern D&D Inspired TV Shows & Movies, Ranked

Dungeons & Dragons has greatly impacted television and film, inspiring many stories. The game became incredibly popular in the 1980s, leading to a surge of entertainment influenced by its fantasy elements. Several shows and movies from that era, like the animated Dungeons & Dragons series, SlayerS, and Record of the Lodoss War, remain fan favorites today.

Pop culture is currently seeing a resurgence of interest in Dungeons & Dragons, starting with the release of the 5th edition in 2014. As someone who’s been playing for nearly twenty years, I’m thrilled to see its growing popularity. We’re now seeing more and more TV shows and movies inspired by D&D, and the game has become so influential that it subtly shapes stories even when creators aren’t aware of it. It’s a ripple effect – D&D inspires one work, which then inspires another, and so on.

Here are ten of the best recent movies and TV shows that capture the spirit of Dungeons & Dragons. While not all are directly based on the tabletop role-playing game, they share strong similarities or were inspired by games that Dungeons & Dragons itself influenced, like Japanese computer role-playing games and Wizardry.

10. Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon?

A Monster Hunter & Adventurer Unknowingly Attracts Mortal & Immortal Women In A Dungeon

The anime series Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, often called DanMachi, currently has five seasons, with a sixth one planned. While not officially connected to Dungeons & Dragons, it’s become very popular with tabletop RPG fans, so much so that they’ve created DanMachi campaign guides for D&D (as noted on RPG Geek). There’s even a DanMachi D&D group on the Roll20 online platform that has been active for over three years.

Instead of using tired tropes, DanMachi cleverly twists the typical harem anime formula. What’s particularly unique is that the main character, usually a strong male, is often the one needing rescue, challenging traditional gender roles.

The characters in DanMachi are remarkably well-developed, earning them critical praise. Bell Cranel was even nominated for Boy of the Year at the Anime Trending Awards in 2023, 2024, and 2026. The interactions between the adventuring parties are consistently engaging, and the monster battles are exciting and visually impressive.

Despite its popularity, Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? isn’t among the very best anime inspired by Dungeons & Dragons. The animation quality can be inconsistent, and the show noticeably declined in quality during its second season.

9. That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime

An Ordinary Man Gets Murdered & Reincarnated As A Powerful Slime

The anime That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime is a lot of fun to watch, and it actually has a lot in common with Dungeons & Dragons. The way characters rank up and gain levels feels similar to the tabletop RPG, although it happens at a quicker pace. Plus, the powerful named monsters are reminiscent of those found in D&D.

Despite what many think, powerful slimes have been a part of Dungeons & Dragons since the very beginning, and they weren’t originally depicted as simple, unintelligent monsters. In fact, the first edition of the game (e1) included Juiblex, a chaotic evil demon lord who was a slime, and he’s still listed on the 5e Tools website. This anime feels like a fun nod to those early D&D days, especially with the abilities of the character Rimuru Tempest.

Overall, That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime is a great choice for viewers who like the strategic and political parts of fantasy stories, similar to a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. While it has its share of action, the show focuses just as much on building a kingdom and navigating political issues. The pace can be a bit slow at times, which some will enjoy, but others might find it drags.

8. Dimension 20

An Actual Play Show With Improv Comedians

I wasn’t sure about including shows where people actually play Dungeons & Dragons, as they feel more like game shows and tend to be longer than typical movies. So, I decided to limit the list to just one. The choice came down to Critical Role and Dimension 20.

The Dropout is a more approachable way to get into actual-play shows. Its episodes are shorter – usually between 2 and 4 hours, compared to the 3-5 hours of shows like Critical Role – and the story moves at a quicker pace. The characters really drive the plot forward, and it’s genuinely funny thanks to the cast’s comedic talent and improv skills.

Dimension 20 stands out with its impressive visuals, using miniatures to enhance the viewing experience. While it’s a really engaging show, Critical Role excels as an audio podcast. Despite all its good qualities, Dimension 20 doesn’t quite reach the level of the very best Dungeons & Dragons-inspired content, as it’s primarily geared towards dedicated fans rather than those casually interested in the genre.

7. Guardians of the Galaxy

An Unlikely Group Of Misfits Go On The Run Through Space With A Magical Artifact

While it might seem odd, Guardians of the Galaxy actually shares a lot with the world of Dungeons & Dragons. There’s no direct connection shown in the series, but the influence of D&D is clear – it subtly shaped the story and characters, demonstrating how deeply Dungeons & Dragons has impacted popular culture.

Guardians of the Galaxy Characters	D&D Class	Subclass
Star-Lord	Bard	N/A
Drax	Barbarian	Berserker
Gamora	Rogue	Assassin
Rocket	Artificer	N/A
Groot	Druid	Circle of Spores

Each character easily falls into a classic Dungeons & Dragons role, but they’re a surprisingly mismatched team. Their approach to problems is just as wild and unpredictable as any gaming session I’ve played in. The story has its share of failures, like a bad dice roll, but also moments of incredible success – like Star-Lord winning over Ronan with a spontaneous performance of “Ooh Child.” I’m convinced he needed a perfect roll to pull that off!

Okay, so this movie is really good, honestly better than most things based on Dungeons & Dragons. My only slight gripe is that it doesn’t quite feel like a true fantasy world to me. It’s missing a lot of the creatures and races that make the D&D universe feel so vibrant and detailed. It feels a little…removed from that rich world, you know?

6. Onward

Two Teen Elf Brothers Go On A Quest To Bring Their Dead Father Back Permanently

Pixar’s Onward doesn’t get enough credit, and it’s a fantastic movie for fans of Dungeons & Dragons. The film’s creatures and use of magic strongly resemble the world of D&D. Even the characters’ names, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, feel like they could belong to a group of adventurers in a campaign.

It’s great that Ian Lightfoot doesn’t instantly become a powerful wizard; he gradually improves his skills, similar to a role-playing game like Dungeons & Dragons. Magic items are central to the plot, and the film features fantastic creatures – a standout being a gelatinous cube. Plus, the animation is as high-quality as you’d expect from Pixar.

Overall, Onward ranks among the top movies and series inspired by Dungeons & Dragons. Its world-building is truly exceptional, surpassing that of shows like Guardians of the Galaxy, Reincarnated as a Slime, and DanMachi. Beyond its fantastical setting, Onward delivers a powerful message about family and dealing with loss, making it more meaningful than many other stories in the genre.

Onward isn’t quite a top 5 film not because it’s bad, but because the films ranked above it are exceptionally good.

5. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

An Immortal Elf Continues On After Her Adventure Ends

Many shows inspired by Dungeons & Dragons center around the adventures and quests heroes undertake. But Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End stands out by focusing on what happens after the big adventure is over. Frieren and her companions successfully defeated the Demon King after a decade-long journey, bringing peace to the land. The story doesn’t end there, though – it continues to follow their lives afterward.

The story follows Frieren fifty years after her long journey, revealing how it still affects her despite her immortality. While she doesn’t experience time like humans do, she still feels the weight of loss and a strong desire to explore the world. It’s a moving story about dealing with death and embracing change.

While Chaos Dragon directly adapts a tabletop RPG, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End actually feels more like playing a Dungeons & Dragons campaign and reflecting on its aftermath. It’s become one of the most popular new fantasy anime, but it doesn’t emphasize Dungeons & Dragons rules or unpredictable, chaotic moments as strongly as some other shows.

4. Honor Among Thieves

A Bard & His Party Go On A Quest To Steal A Magical Artifact

While Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves didn’t flop, earning $208 million despite costing $150 million to make, it didn’t make enough money to guarantee a follow-up film. However, the movie perfectly captures the fun and spirit of a Dungeons & Dragons game.

Directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley clearly love Dungeons & Dragons, and that passion shines through in the film. “Honor Among Thieves” is a wild and enjoyable ride, with a cast that really embodies their characters’ abilities – Michelle Rodriguez is fantastic as a barbarian, and Sophia Lillis nails the role of a tiefling druid. The movie accurately captures the feel of playing the game, from skill checks to rolling dice.

Three years after its release, people who love Dungeons & Dragons – including me – are still hoping for a follow-up to this amazing movie. It’s so good that it only ranks behind the very best D&D-inspired TV shows and films, which are practically perfect.

3. The Legend Of Vox Machina

A Group Of 8 Misfit Adventurers Go On A Quest To Save Exandria

Vox Machina stands out because it’s a true adaptation – a real Dungeons & Dragons campaign brought to life as an animated show, rather than a story created specifically for television. The series clearly respects the tabletop game it’s based on, and features characters with rich histories and compelling storylines.

Each season of Vox Machina improves on its animation and storytelling, and every episode is enjoyable. The voice acting is fantastic, as the Critical Role players voice the characters they originally created. It’s also a wonderfully inclusive show with great LGBTQ+ representation.

Despite being nearly perfect, Vox Machina falls just short of masterpiece status for a couple of reasons. First, it relies a bit too much on childish humor like poop and fart jokes – whether or not you enjoy that is a matter of personal preference. Second, the animation quality isn’t quite as polished in the first season. However, the show’s strengths are significant enough to place it above most other shows.

2. Delicious in Dungeon

Adventurers Survive On Dungeon Monster Delicacies As They Quest To Save Their Friend

Netflix’s Delicious in Dungeon brilliantly captures the spirit of Dungeons & Dragons, even though it’s inspired by games based on D&D, rather than being a direct adaptation. The show is set within a massive, complex dungeon, and it realistically portrays the plants and creatures living there – details that have become increasingly important in recent editions of the tabletop role-playing game.

The monsters in Delicious in Dungeon aren’t all equally dangerous, and the heroes don’t always win. The story begins with a defeat – Falin is beaten by a Red Dragon – which creates a sense that combat is unpredictable and relies on chance, like rolling dice.

This anime is a compelling story with well-developed characters. The main group has a close, fun relationship with lots of lighthearted moments, but the story doesn’t shy away from darker themes. Expect to see elements like blood magic, a crazed wizard, and even death throughout the series.

1. The Mighty Nein

A Group Of Criminals & Outcasts Work Together To Save The Realm & Take Back An Artifact

The Mighty Nein is a standout show inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, easily one of the best in recent years. Prime Video’s Dungeons & Dragons series started strong and has maintained a consistent pace and tone, unlike Vox Machina. It also avoids relying on childish humor.

Both The Mighty Nein and Delicious in Dungeon excel at creating immersive worlds and well-developed characters, and both feature stunning animation and fantastic voice acting. However, the Critical Role animated series stands out due to one significant advantage it has over the Netflix show.

While the characters in Delicious in Dungeon could be placed in any setting—the specific dungeon isn’t crucial, only the Red Dragon—the characters in The Mighty Nein feel deeply connected to their world. This connection to Wildemount raises the stakes of the story, making the party’s success or failure feel more meaningful. This is a key element that truly distinguishes the Prime Video series The Mighty Nein from other shows inspired by D&D.

2026-04-25 15:25