Cover Ewan McGregor in ‘Big Fish’ (photo: Columbia Pictures)
Ewan McGregor in ‘Big Fish’ (photo: Columbia Pictures)
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If you’re searching for wondrous tales that blend the magical with the human, this guide offers an array of must-explore fantasy works to fill the void left by Gaiman’s ‘The Sandman’
Generations of fans were spellbound by Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman, with its intricate storytelling, vivid characters, and seamless blending of mythology and modernity. But now these same fans are looking for alternatives to the author’s works, due to the recent news. Thankfully, the fantasy genre is vast, with many works tapping into human narratives within otherworldly settings.
Whether you’re drawn to darkly poetic narratives, richly layered worlds, or thought-provoking meditations on the human condition, these works promise to fill the void The Sandman may have left behind, while introducing you to imaginative horizons you’ll never want to leave.
1. The Boys
This graphic novel by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson is a gritty take on the classic superhero genre. The world is full of corrupt, corporate-backed “supes” who abuse their powers. Trying to put these superheroes in check is The Boys, a group of vigilantes led by Billy Butcher. Amazon Prime has adapted the graphic novel into a series, and its fifth and final season will premiere in 2026.
The Boys features a layered narrative with morally ambiguous and provocative characters in an intricate world. Its unflinching exploration of human nature and the cost of heroism serve as a compelling alternative for those seeking dark, character-driven storytelling.
2. Locke & Key
Behind Locke & Key’s haunting atmosphere is a story filled with emotional depth, exploration, and resilience. Continuing the theme of graphic novels, Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez is about a family who ends up in their ancestral home and finds mysterious keys that unlock doors to unique powers and dangers. This puts them on the radar of a malevolent entity determined to claim the keys for dark motives. Netflix turned this novel into a three-season series.
3. Umbrella Academy
Umbrella Academy hit the mainstream thanks to the Netflix series, but it’s also a graphic novel by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá. It answers the question: what happens when an eccentric billionaire adopts superpowered children to save the world? When the billionaire dies, the siblings must face apocalyptic threats, time travel, and personal demons as they unravel the secrets of their past.
The Netflix series takes liberties with the storyline, but either the book or the show features a complex world replete with intriguing characters and a dark, whimsical tone.
4. The Night Circus
Above Photo: courtesy of Doubleday
Photo: courtesy of Doubleday
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Erin Morgenstern’s novel of speculative fiction follows two young magicians who were raised to be rivals. The setting is a mysterious circus that appears seemingly on a whim and only at night and sets the stage for a deeply captivating story about forbidden love, enchantment, and sacrifice. The way Morgenstern writes and the tale’s rich sense of mystery make it a perfect substitute for those seeking a fantastical escape with the same depth and imagination.
5. Big Fish
Big Fish is a 2003 fantasy film directed by Tim Burton based on a Daniel Wallace novel. Here, Edward Bloom recounts his life through out-of-this-world, larger-than-life stories—much to the frustration of his son, Will, who wants to separate fact from fiction.
Big Fish dives into the surreal and whimsical, using magical realism and coupling it with emotional depth. Like The Sandman, it celebrates the art of storytelling and its transformative ability to connect people across generations.
6. Pan’s Labyrinth
Guillermo del Toro’s 2006 masterpiece weaves fantastical elements into post-Civil War Spain. A child Ofelia discovers an ancient labyrinth and is tasked by a mysterious faun with completing three dangerous tasks to reclaim her place as a lost princess of an underworld kingdom. As her dark fairytale quest unfolds, it intertwines with the harsh realities of her brutal stepfather’s reign as a fascist captain.
Del Toro’s vision captures the delicate interplay of wonder and dread, making this film a perfect replacement for fans of Gaiman's fantastical yet poignant tales.
Don’t miss: Netflix’s stop-motion film ‘Pinocchio’ is Guillermo del Toro’s latest masterpiece
7. The Leftovers
The Leftovers is an HBO series that aired from 2014 to 2017. Starring Justin Theroux and Carrie Coon, it showcases life after 2 per cent of the global population vanishes without trace or explanation. Following the lives of those left behind in the small town of Mapleton, it delves into themes of grief, faith, and the search for meaning in the face of loss and uncertainty.
8. Wynonna Earp
Wynonna Earp, a descendant of lawman Wyatt Earp, discovers she has supernatural powers, which she must use to settle her great-grandfather's unfinished business. This action series is set in the Wild West, the younger Earp battles family legacies, personal issues, and reincarnated outlaws.
The four-season series is a beautifully made folklore-inspired fantasy that successfully marries monster-hunting with humour and heartfelt relationships.
9. Hogfather
Gaiman was an admirer and sometime collaborator of Terry Pratchett’s(they co-authored the novel Good Omens, which has been turned into a series on Amazon Prime), so any list of Gaiman alternatives would not be complete without mention of the best-selling fantasy writer.
Hogfather is a darkly humourous tale where Death must step in to save Hogswatch, an alternative-world version of Christmas, after the Hogfather goes missing. With the help of his granddaughter Susan, Death navigates the peculiarities of human belief, while a sinister plot threatens the fabric of reality itself. The story is a clever, satirical exploration of tradition, faith, and the power of imagination. It was adapted into a two-part TV comedy, with Pratchett himself appearing as a toymaker.
