The Magicians Outran Game of Thrones in Rotten Tomatoes Score

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Summary

  • “The Magicians” has a higher Rotten Tomatoes score (91%) than “Game of Thrones” (89%).
  • Fans appreciate the well-crafted characters and relationships in “The Magicians.”
  • “The Magicians” was sadly canceled after five seasons but offers a unique and entertaining fantasy experience.

Being a fan of “Game of Thrones” was an exhilarating yet aggravating experience, and there’s little argument that its final episode is often criticized as one of the worst. Many viewers felt the last installment moved too quickly and left character conclusions unsatisfying, leading to a sense of disappointment after following the eight-season fantasy saga so intently. The prequel “House of the Dragon” has garnered mixed reviews, but given fans’ affection for the world George R.R. Martin crafted, it’s challenging not to remain optimistic that each season will witness improvement.

When searching for a TV series to marathon, it’s delightful to stumble upon one with numerous seasons. Incidentally, there’s an underappreciated fantasy show that enthusiasts ought to explore, and surprisingly, it boasts a higher Rotten Tomatoes rating than “Game of Thrones”.

The Magicians Has A 91% Tomatoes Score (Compared To Game Of Thrones’s 89%) And Was Great For Five Seasons

Although Game of Thrones continues to garner significant attention and praise in pop culture circles, The Magicians, with a higher Rotten Tomatoes rating, is often overlooked. Despite the fact that Game of Thrones enjoys an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Magicians boasts a rating of 91%. Given its relative obscurity in comparison to the amount of discussion it deserves, this is quite noteworthy.

According to the magical trilogy written by Lev Grossman, the series titled The Magicians aired on Syfy from 2015 to 2020. The narrative centers around Quentin Coldwater (Jason Ralph), a graduate student, whose life takes an extraordinary turn when he gets fascinated with magic and decides to enroll at Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy. Key characters include Quentin’s loyal friend Eliot Waugh (Hale Appleman), Quentin’s stern yet compassionate roommate William “Penny” Adiyodi​​​​​​​ (Arjun Gupta).

Intelligent illusionist Alice Quinn, portrayed by Olivia Taylor Dudley, and longtime companion Julia Wicker (played by Stella Maeve), a friend of Quentin’s going back many years.

Because The Magicians completed just five seasons, unlike Game of Thrones with eight, it didn’t have the opportunity to deteriorate into a less enjoyable series and upset viewers. Even the creators of Game of Thrones discussed the criticism leveled at their final episode in an intriguing interview from 2024. Fans consider The Magicians to be a solid production that skillfully blends the complex relationships between its characters with an abundance of engaging and entertaining magic.

Why Was The Magicians Cancelled?

As a devoted cinephile, it’s with a heavy heart I recall that in March 2020, Syfy decided to pull the plug on The Magicians. Although no definitive reason was shared publicly, executive producer John McNamara revealed to TV Insider that the showrunners had always been uncertain about the renewal of the series each year. McNamara stated: “We never knew if we’d get another season.

The pattern has generally followed what we’ve seen throughout most seasons, except for the transition from Season 4 to Season 5. There was always uncertainty about whether we would be renewed for another season.

McNamara further shared with TV Line that the season 5 finale of The Magicians could effectively serve as a series finale. In his own words, he elaborated on this point.

We’ve come to the difficult conclusion that our season finale can serve as both the end of this season and potentially the final episode of the series. It was designed to fulfill two roles, if needed.

Fans admire the distinctive style of “The Magicians”, with many engaging in discussions about this fantasy show on Reddit. As one enthusiast put it:

I have a special fondness for this series. It’s not a universal favorite, but it has its unique charm. On one hand, it’s filled with over-the-top elements and humor that can seem frivolous at times. Yet, on the other, it delves into some deeply somber themes, which makes it quite intriguing.

Many viewers liken the series to “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” and fans are eagerly anticipating that the revamped “Buffy” will retain the essence of its predecessor. If you’re seeking a show with themes of good versus evil, delving into unexplored realms of the universe, and reminiscent of “Buffy,” then “The Magicians” is worth checking out. As Redditor @nightpop stated, “The Magicians” bears similarities to “Buffy.

I’m really enjoying it! It has a genuine Buffy vibe, with its occasional over-the-top and dramatic moments, sometimes bordering on silliness (perhaps even a musical episode in Buffy’s style?). Yet, it’s incredibly entertaining. I appreciate the fast-paced storytelling; they swiftly move through plotlines, making everything feel enjoyable and exhilarating.

Reddit user @frankstaturle shared that the series is delightful due to its captivating tone and well-crafted character development. Similar to top-notch fantasy series on Netflix, The Magicians draws viewers deep into a thrilling and suspenseful realm where nothing is as it appears and everything seems feasible. The fan expressed, “‘It’s dark, clever, magical, with impressive world construction and hints of high fantasy.’

Where Can You Watch The Magicians?

As a cinephile, I highly recommend diving into the captivating world of “The Magicians,” available for free streaming on The CW. For those eager to immerse themselves in this magical tale, full seasons can also be acquired on AppleTV. With an impressive five seasons under its belt, it’s the ideal choice for a binge-watching marathon, promising countless hours of enchantment and intrigue.

Although it’s undeniable that “Game of Thrones” is an amazing fantasy series for binge-watching, it’s often disappointing not to find satisfaction with its final season. In contrast, “The Magicians” is incredibly rewarding because the writers had the opportunity to conclude their story on their own terms.

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2025-06-03 19:24