In the past the line between the big screen and the small screen was more clearly drawn, but today things have shifted. TV series can pull budgets that are noteworthy, and as a result they can leverage the most innovative technologies available; thus, they can hold their own against the best films. There are TV series with breathtaking special effects, and if that’s exactly what you’re after right now, you’re in luck: below is a small list of shows whose graphics rival blockbusters, making them a true feast for the eyes.
TV series with stunning special effects: Here are the ones we recommend
- Stranger Things
- The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
- House of the Dragon
- The Mandalorian
Stranger Things
We are in Hawkins, Indiana, during the 1980s. This quiet town is shaken by the sudden and mysterious s disappearance of Will, a boy who, fortunately, is surrounded by loyal friends. In fact, Mike, Lucas and Dustin quickly set out to track him down, determined to find him as soon as possible. But while the trio searches for Will, they encounter a peer girl with shaved hair and strange powers, Eleven; thus, they soon uncover the gateway to a disturbingly alternate dimension, the Upside Down. Stranger Things is among the most popular TV series of recent years, if not the most popular, and surely the credit also goes to its special effects, which help recreate an aesthetic that has become iconic. 5 seasons and 42 episodes available on Netflix.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
The Rings of Power were forged years before The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power this very story is told. This 2022 TV series — still in production — opens a window onto the events of the Second Age of Middle-earth, such as Sauron’s rise to power and the birth of the alliance between humans, elves, and dwarves. The sets are on par with those of the famous trilogy, and not only because this is the highest-budget production ever allocated to a television project, but also because the attention to detail is impeccable. 2 seasons and 16 episodes you can find on Prime Video.
House of the Dragon
Approximately two centuries before the events recounted in Game of Thrones, a brutal civil war was raging, known as the Dance of the Dragons, sparked by the rupture of the line of succession between Princess Rhaenyra and her stepbrother Aegon. This is the heart of House of the Dragon, a 2022 TV series still in production, currently made up of 3 seasons and 26 episodes. Without a doubt, one of its strengths is the digital rendering of fantastical creatures, since each dragon has its own look, personality and mannerisms. You can also watch it right away on NOW and HBO Max.
The Mandalorian
After the fall of the Galactic Empire and the rise of the First Order, Din Djarin, a Mandalorian bounty hunter, receives an important assignment: he must retrieve—at any cost—a remarkably precious asset, namely Grogu, or Baby Yoda. To protect this small Force-sensitive being, Din decides to ignore every rule and even his own code of ethics. The Mandalorian is a 2019 TV series that is still in production, where StageCraft was used for the first time—a technology consisting of gigantic 360° LED screens that replace green screens and project digital backgrounds in real time on set. 3 seasons and 24 episodes you can watch on Disney+.
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