For anyone who loves a fantasy show like The Witcher, it’s hard to ignore the appeal of moody visuals, monstrous threats, morally grey characters, and twisted lore. The Witcher has built its world on gritty magic and political turmoil since it debuted in 2019, wrapped in an unapologetically violent and mature package. Hover, it’s not the only Netflix series delivering high fantasy through a blood-soaked lens. In fact, there’s another dark, violent, and beautifully crafted video game adaptation that deserves just as much attention, one that critics have praised even more consistently than The Witcher.

While The Witcher has earned a loyal fanbase and a strong cultural foothold, this other series boasts a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and just might be the most underrated fantasy series Netflix has to offer. Like The Witcher, it adapts a beloved video game franchise and brings its gothic world to life with complex characters and morally murky storytelling. It also packs in stunning action sequences, breathtaking animation, and a brooding tone that rivals even the darkest moments of Geralt’s journey. That show is Castlevania, and it’s a perfect bingeworthy experience for The Witcher fans.

Castlevania Is The Perfect Fantasy Show For Fans Of The Witcher On Netflix

If You Love Monster Hunting, Moral Ambiguity, And Mature Storytelling, Castlevania Is Essential Viewing

Castlevania is Netflix’s 2017-2021 animated adaptation of Konami’s legendary video game franchise, and it holds a staggering 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes (and returned with the sequel show Castlevania: Nocturne in 2023). The show follows Trevor Belmont (voiced by Richard Armitage), the last monster-hunting member of the disgraced Belmont clan, as he battles creatures of the night in a cursed, medieval-inspired world. Alongside him are powerful magician Sypha Belnades (Alejandra Reynoso) and Dracula’s conflicted son, Alucard (James Callis). Together, they face off against legions of supernatural horrors, political corruption, and Dracula himself (Graham McTavish) - whose grief-fueled war on humanity sets the entire show in motion.

Trevor Belmont’s sarcastic, booze-soaked cynicism feels like a natural cousin to Geralt of Rivia’s dry wit and jaded outlook

For fans of fantasy shows like The Witcher, Castlevania hits an incredibly similar nerve. Both series thrive on anti-hero protagonists navigating morally rotten worlds where traditional good-versus-evil binaries don’t apply. Trevor Belmont’s sarcastic, booze-soaked cynicism feels like a natural cousin to Geralt of Rivia’s dry wit and jaded outlook, as brought to life by Henry Cavill in the first three seasons of The Witcher. They’re both skilled warriors bound by legacy and duty, constantly pulled into other people’s messes despite trying to keep their heads down.

Thematically, the two shows mirror each other in significant ways. Like The Witcher, Castlevania explores religious hypocrisy, the misuse of magic, and the futility of revenge. The show doesn’t flinch from brutality, but neither does it revel in it - every drop of blood spilled serves the story. Its action is gorgeously choreographed, and the animation brings an operatic weight to even its quietest scenes. In many ways, Castlevania’s gothic horror vibe offers the same edge as The Witcher’s Slavic folklore influences. Both are rooted in old-world aesthetics, but both use fantasy to comment on contemporary human failings.

There’s also a refreshing sense of consistency to Castlevania’s storytelling that The Witcher sometimes lacks. While The Witcher season 1 impressed with its nonlinear storytelling and season 2 leaned deeper into political plots, Castlevania maintains a tightly woven narrative across all four seasons. With just 32 episodes in total, Castlevania never overstays its welcome, making it a sharp and focused journey with an immensely satisfying payoff.

Castlevania's Characters And Worldbuilding Are Just As Good As The Witcher's

Castlevania Creates A Rich, Emotional World Filled With Layered Characters And Compelling Arcs

One of the strongest draws of a fantasy show like The Witcher is how deeply it invests in its characters. Geralt, Yennefer (Anya Chalotra), and Ciri (Freya Allan) each undergo profound transformations across the seasons, and their relationships give the story real heart. Castlevania takes the same approach, but arguably does it even better, with fewer episodes and tighter storytelling.

Trevor Belmont isn’t just a monster hunter, he’s a man burdened by legacy, loss, and loneliness. His arc from drunk outcast to reluctant hero is handled with incredible nuance, with Richard Armitage giving a performance that balances sarcasm with pathos. Sypha Belnades is no mere sidekick, either; her blend of idealism, ferocity, and magical prowess makes her one of the most capable characters in the entire series. Then there’s Alucard, whose tortured relationship with both his human and vampire sides provides one of the most emotionally complex character journeys of any Netflix series, animated or not.

While The Witcher sometimes sprawls a little too far for its own good, especially in its later seasons, Castlevania keeps its narrative and worldbuilding tightly intertwined.

Like The Witcher, Castlevania refuses to draw clean lines between hero and villain. Dracula begins as a classic big bad but quickly evolves into a deeply sympathetic antagonist. Graham McTavish’s performance makes him both terrifying and heartbreakingly human. Even ing characters like Isaac, Hector, and Carmilla get meaningful arcs that interrogate revenge, power, and redemption.

Worldbuilding is another area where Castlevania shines. Its world is richly imagined, with a strong sense of geography, culture, and history. Like The Witcher, Castlevania uses its fantasy elements to explore themes of religious dogma, systemic oppression, and the consequences of war. However, while The Witcher sometimes sprawls a little too far for its own good, especially in its later seasons, Castlevania keeps its narrative and worldbuilding tightly intertwined. Every new location feels purposeful, every faction has a clear ideology, and the political machinations never distract from the character-driven storytelling.

In the end, both series are masterclasses in mature fantasy storytelling. However, for fantasy TV show fans who found themselves increasingly frustrated with The Witcher’s uneven pacing or tonal shifts, Castlevania offers a streamlined, emotionally resonant alternative. It’s a fantasy show like The Witcher, only darker, sharper, and arguably even more rewarding.