The Shannara Chronicles – Out Now on Blu-ray and DVD – From The Lord of the Rings to Labyrinth: The Best Fantasy Worlds

Created and Executive Produced by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (Smallville) and Executive Produced by Jon Favreau (Iron Man), and shot against the epic landscapes of New Zealand, The Shannara Chronicles is based on the 26 volume book series by Terry Brooks, telling the epic story of an Elvin princess, a bandit and a half-Elf tasked with stopping the end of the world. With the books already a major hit around the world the series is much anticipated by fans.


The epic series is set in a world thousands of years after the destruction of our civilization.  Earth is divided into what is known as the Four Lands, whose inhabitants are a mix of races including elves, dwarves, trolls, gnomes and humans. At the centre is the Shannara family, whose descendants are empowered with ancient magic and whose adventures continuously reshape the future of the world.

As the story begins, dark and terrible forces thought to be confined for years, begin to escape.  When Amberle (played by British actress Poppy Drayton), a young elf princess,  Wil (played by Austin Butler ‘The Carrie Diaries’), the last descendant of the Shannara family and Eretria (played by Ivana Baquero ‘Pans Labyrinth’), a human rover learn that only they have the power to stop the advancing evil, they form an uneasy alliance.

Their seemingly impossible quest to save the world becomes a voyage of self-discovery as they find the inner strength to overcome self-doubt and fear, and embrace their destinies. The series also features ‘Lord of the Rings’ star John-Rhys Davies.

Premiering in the US on MTV early January, the first episode was viewed a staggering 14.6 million times across linear and digital platforms, with #Shannara trending on Twitter throughout its premiere night. MTV made the next two episodes available online for people who sign up to an MTV App account, messaging "binge watch". Which suggests the approach was always more about audience acquisition rather than big ratings out of the gate.  Ep 4 saw big weekly gains in adults 18-49 and total viewership a sign the binge hook worked.

From emerald cities to a kingdom governed by David Bowie, we’ve been introduced to some pretty epic fantasy worlds via the small and silver screen over the years.

To celebrate the release of season one of epic new fantasy drama The Shannara Chronicles on Blu-ray and DVD out now, we take a look at our favourite fantasy worlds from the small and silver screen...

The Four Lands from The Shannara Chronicles
Based on the 26 volume book series from Terry Brooks, The Shannara Chronicles tells the epic story of an Elvin princess, a bandit and a half-elf tasked with stopping the end of the world. Created and Executive Produced by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (Smallville) and Executive Produced by Jon Favreau (Iron Man), the series is shot against the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand which represents the fictional Four Lands. As the series opens, we see demons fleeing after being banished from the Four Lands to a place known as the Forbidding which is locked by an ancient tree called the Ellcrys. Season one charts the journey of Wil, Amberle and Eretria, who with the help of the last druid Allanon must fight to protect the Ellcrys from dying and releasing the demons back into the Four Lands.

Middle-earth from The Lord of the Rings
Based on the brilliant works of J.R.R Tolkien and with the legend that is Peter Jackson behind the camera, it’s no surprise that the Lord of the Rings trilogy makes its way on to our list. Middle-earth, populated by an array of characters from hobbits to elves and dwarves, features a number of jaw dropping locations such as the Shire as well as the sprawling kingdom of Rivendell. Thanks in part to its outstanding cinematography and well-regarded cast the films are collectively among the highest-grossing film series of all time. The franchise has won a total of 17 of its 30 Academy Awards nominations, with the final film, The Return of the King, winning all 11 of its nominations including Best Picture.

Westeros and the Seven Kingdoms from Game of Thrones
While large scale fantasy worlds are often easier to create on the big screen, the release of season one of mega-hit Game of Thrones back in 2011 proved that television series can be just as epic when it comes fantasy drama. Westeros is made up of seven unique kingdoms that have been in existence for more than 12,000 years. Governed by a King who sits on an iron throne, Westeros’ inhabitants including humans, white walkers, fairies and mythical giants. Largely filmed on location in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Game of Thrones is a real spectacle. Not for the faint hearted the series requires an element of concentration thanks to its sprawling cast believed to be the largest on television. During the production of the third season there were a mammoth 257 recorded cast names!

The Land of Oz from The Wizard of Oz
Bringing some much needed colour to an otherwise colourless world is the Land of Oz a magical place surrounded by desert on all sides. When Dorothy Gale is swept away to the Land of Oz following a tornado in her hometown of Kansas she embarks on a quest to meet the Wizard, the only man who can help her return home. Along the way she encounters an eclectic mix of Oz resident’s including a wicked witch, scarecrow, tin man and cowardly lion. From munchkin land to the bright lights of the Emerald City there are wondrous sites to take in, all you’ve got to do is follow the yellow brick road.

The Wizarding world from Harry Potter
From the creative mind of J.K Rowling comes the wizarding world, introduced to us through her seven part series of novels and later record breaking Warner Bros. film franchise. Although those blessed with magic and those who do not co-exist, there is a separate wizarding world hidden from the unsuspecting muggles via spells, secrecy and charms. Governed by the Ministry of Magic, wizards and witches live within excluded villages. It is however Hogwarts’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where the true magic happens so to speak complete with floating candles, talking paintings and a great hall adorned with tables of never-ending food. 

Labyrinth from Labyrinth
With the late great David Bowie as the Goblin king, no fantasy world list is complete without a mention of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth. In a world made up of practical effects and puppets created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, Labyrinth features a number of out of this world locations including the bog, a staircase filled puzzle room and the Goblin City. After snatching a 15 year old girls baby brother, Jareth the Goblin King forces her to make her way to his castle, located in the centre of a giant maze.

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SEASON ONE OF THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES IS AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY AND DVD NOW