By Published May 6, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT Tom is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, with expertise covering everything from hilarious sitcoms to jaw-dropping sci-fi epics.
Initially he was an Updates writer, though before long he found his way to the TV and movies team. He now spends his days keeping Screen Rant readers informed about the TV shows of yesteryear, whether it's recommending hidden gems that may have been missed by genre fans or deep diving into ways your favorite shows have (or haven't) stood the test of time.
Tom is based in the UK and when he's not writing about TV shows, he's watching them. He's also an avid horror fiction writer, gamer, and has a Dungeons and Dragons habit that he tries (and fails) to keep in check.
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When Arcane arrived in 2026, it didn’t just meet expectations, it rewrote them. Adapting a competitive, action-heavy MOBA like League of Legends into a serialized narrative always seemed like a risk, but Netflix delivered something remarkable. Critics and audiences alike were stunned by how cohesive and visually striking the end result was, and how appealing Arcane made to those who’d never played the game.
Given Netflix’s success with Arcane, there’s even more reason to be excited about an upcoming animated show that will bring one of the most successful fantasy franchises of all time to screens. The streamer is now turning its attention to , a franchise that has defined the world of trading card games since its debut in 1993. Netflix has been working on the show since 2026 and will focus on Planeswalkers, mages of immense power who can travel between dimensions.
Attempts to bring Magic: The Gathering to screens have surfaced for years, but few have gained real traction. Now, with Netflix developing its own animated series with Terry Matalas of Star Trek: Picard and 12 Monkeys fame at the helm, an adaptation of the world's most popular TCG finally has momentum. If the streamer can replicate even a fraction of what , this could easily become its next flagship fantasy hit, and potentially something even bigger.
With Magic: The Gathering, Netflix Has A Franchise That Could Genuinely Last For Decades
A Vast Fantasy Universe With Endless Stories Waiting To Be Told
For those who recognize the brand but have never delved into the hobby, . However, beneath the surface lies an expansive fantasy universe that rivals the depth of some of the genre’s biggest names. The game’s cards are just entry points into a thriving fictional fantasy world, one that spans multiple dimensions and timelines, each of which is filled with potentially iconic characters.
Over the decades, the universe of Magic: The Gathering has been explored through more than 60 novels, along with comics, video games, and other tie-in media. Each new card set doesn’t just introduce new game mechanics; it advances the overarching lore. Entire story arcs unfold across different planes, with recurring characters and conflicts. For longtime fans whose hobby extends beyond booster packs, it’s a living, breathing mythology.
That depth means Netflix is sitting on a goldmine of possible content. “Limitless storytelling potential” is a phrase often overused in entertainment, but here it genuinely applies. If Netflix’s animated series can successfully introduce audiences to this world, it won’t just be launching a show, it will be opening the door to a Magic: The Gathering franchise that could deliver new content for decades. The key, as always, is sticking the landing with the first season. , there’s every reason to believe it can.
The Animated Netflix Show Isn’t the Only MTG Adaptation Coming To Screens
A Live-Action MTG Cinematic Universe Is Already In The Works
The animated Netflix series would already be a major milestone for Magic: The Gathering, but it’s only part of a much bigger plan. Separately from the show, Hasbro is teaming up with Legendary Pictures to develop a full live-action cinematic universe based on the franchise. This ambitious project is set to begin with a feature film, laying the groundwork for .
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What makes this particularly exciting is that the two projects are not directly connected. The Netflix series and Legendary’s live-action cinematic universe are being developed independently, allowing each to explore different aspects of the card game's vast lore. Together, these projects highlight just how much untapped potential Magic: The Gathering holds.
After decades as a primarily tabletop experience, the to break into the mainstream in a significant way. With both animated and live-action interpretations on the horizon from studios as prominent as Netflix and Legendary, it may not be long before Magic: The Gathering stands alongside the biggest fantasy properties in entertainment as a household name.
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