Worldbuilding has become a cornerstone of modern television. It's no longer enough for a series to tell a compelling story—it needs a universe so richly detailed that fans could spend hours exploring its lore. While movies like Harry Potter have done an admirable job of bringing J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World to life, the constraints of a two-hour runtime mean they can only scratch the surface. TV shows, on the other hand, have the luxury of multiple seasons to flesh out their worlds, and some have built universes that are even more immersive than Hogwarts and its surroundings.
From the political intrigue of Westeros to the interstellar conflicts of The Expanse, these five series prove that television can create worlds that feel as real as our own—and often more captivating. Here are the TV shows with better worldbuilding than Harry Potter.
Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
The most obvious comparison to Harry Potter's world is the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros from Game of Thrones. While both are fantasy properties based on popular novels, George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series offers a denser, more politically intricate mythology. The show, despite its controversial ending, brought Martin's world to life with stunning production design, complex characters, and a narrative that wove together dozens of storylines without overwhelming the audience. Some Game of Thrones stories deserve the big screen, but the series itself set a high bar for fantasy television that few have matched.
The Expanse (2015–2022)
Based on the novels by James S.A. Corey, The Expanse is a sci-fi epic set in a colonized solar system where political tensions between Earth, Mars, and the Belt create a powder keg of conflict. The show's worldbuilding is meticulous, from the Belter Creole language spoken by asteroid miners to the title sequence that conveys centuries of history in seconds. It balances alien technology, noir detective elements, and a sprawling conspiracy, all while feeling grounded in real-world issues. The Expanse is a masterclass in how to build a believable future.
Star Trek (1966–Present)
Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek franchise has been expanding its universe for over five decades, spanning twelve TV shows and numerous films. Its worldbuilding is unparalleled, introducing entire civilizations with unique languages, customs, and moral dilemmas. From the original series to The Next Generation and beyond, Star Trek has inspired real-world technology and offered an aspirational vision of humanity's future. Its ability to explore complex themes through alien cultures makes it a benchmark for sci-fi worldbuilding.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008)
Though often overlooked in discussions of great worldbuilding, Avatar: The Last Airbender is a masterpiece of immersive storytelling. Set in a world where people can manipulate the four elements, the series draws heavily from Asian cultures to create a rich, cohesive universe. Each nation has its own history, philosophy, and bending style, and the show's magic system is one of the most well-defined in fiction. The world feels lived-in and authentic, with every detail serving the narrative.
Lost (2004–2010)
J.J. Abrams' Lost may have divided fans with its ending, but its worldbuilding is undeniable. The mysterious island, with its smoke monster, Dharma Initiative stations, and time-traveling paradoxes, created a mythology that kept viewers theorizing for years. The show's ability to weave character backstories into the larger mystery made the world feel personal and expansive. Lost proved that a TV series could build a world as complex and compelling as any fantasy epic.
These five shows demonstrate that television's longer format allows for worldbuilding that movies can only dream of. While Harry Potter will always hold a special place in pop culture, these series offer universes that are even more immersive, detailed, and rewarding to explore.
