7 Chinese Fantasy Dramas on Netflix to Watch in February 2024
For fans of non-European fantasy, religious motifs, martial arts and, of course, strong male love!
Let's take a look at the fantasy C-dramas available on Netflix, many of which are already considered iconic despite their recent release.
7. Once Upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain
Release Date: November 12, 2019
IMDb rating: 7.2/10
Number of Episodes: 37
In the story, Wang Lu was an ordinary man from our world who was reborn as a martial prodigy in a realm ruled by immortals divided into martial sects. The protagonist finds himself in the most prestigious of them all, the Spirit Blade Sect, led by the beautiful but hundreds of years old Wang Wu.
6. The Legend of the White Snake
Release Date: April 3, 2019
IMDb rating: 7.4/10
Number of Episodes: 36
This series is one of the few examples of an adaptation not of modern novels, but of a traditional legend known since the Middle Ages and made famous by Chinese opera. Set in the Song Dynasty (10th-13th centuries), the story tells of the love between a talented doctor and a 1000-year-old white snake spirit.
5. Handsome Siblings
Release Date: January 16, 2020
IMDb rating: 7.9/10
Number of Episodes: 44
Based on the novel The Peerless Proud Twins by Gu Long, Handsome Siblings is an enthralling wuxia (martial arts fiction) fable that centers on the adventures of twin brothers who were separated as infants and raised to become martial arts prodigies. One was raised in a royal family, the other among scoundrels. Although their only similarity is their identical appearance, they become true friends and fight against the powers of evil.
6. The Longest Promise
Release Date: Jule 2, 2023
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Number of Episodes: 40
The Longest Promise is based on the xianxia (sub-genre about immortals, inspired by Taoist, Buddhist, and folk religion mythos) novels by Cang Yue. It focuses on a crown prince who has been exiled to Jiu Yi Mountain after a coup d'état. During his years of asceticism, a skilled princess becomes his disciple, and so they begin to develop romantic feelings for each other.
5. Who Rules the World
Release Date: April 18, 2022
IMDb rating: 8.3/10
Number of Episodes: 40
Based on the wuxia romance novel Let's Try The World by Qing Lengyue, Who Rules the World follows the story of a prince and princess who belong to two feuding kingdoms. They are both unmatched in terms of intelligence, beauty, and martial arts skills, and in spite of political scheming and bloodshed, they find themselves drawn to each other.
4. Love Between Fairy and Devil
Release Date: August 7, 2022
IMDb rating: 8.5/10
Number of Episodes: 36 + 2 specials
Love Between Fairy and Devil is based on the novel of the same name by Jiu Lu Fei Xiang. The tale chronicles the extraordinary romance between the immortal fairy who accidentally releases the powerful Devil Lord, who once stirred up the realm of the Gods. Now they bear a curse that links both their souls and minds.
1. The Untamed
Release Date: June 25, 2019
IMDb rating: 8.8/10
Number of Episodes: 50
The Untamed is a xianxia combined with danmei elements, which is the sub-genre of Chinese fiction focusing on romantic relationships between male characters. The story follows the mischievous but good-natured Wei Wuxian, who is brought back to life after a mysterious demise 16 years earlier. Together with his old friend, the stern yet kind Lan Wangji, they try to find out the cause of Wei Wuxian's death and prevent the unstoppable evil that has descended upon the land.