Dungeons & Dragonshas a horror TV show adaptation on its hands if it looks to one 43-year-old story. Originating as a tabletop game in the 1970s,theDungeons & Dragonsfranchise has inspired TV shows, movies, video games, and more. The huge fantasy world created by the game is inspiring to many and TV is always looking for its nextGame of Thronesor big, water-cooler fantasy show.AnHonor Among Thievessequel may be on the rocks, but aD&Dhorror TV adaptation sounds possible, especially if it tackles one classic adventure module.
Paramount was previously considering aDungeons & DragonsTV show, but this was scrapped, and now, the concept is being shopped around. The success ofThe Legend of Vox Machinasuggests the viability ofD&DTV, so a streaming giant may well pick this up. They may focus onR.A. Salvatore’sThe Legend of Drizztbooks, which would make for a fun dark fantasy. IfD&Dreally wanted to cash in on the dark trend in fantasy, they could go the horror route with the 43-year-old Against the Cult of the Reptile God module.
Against The Cult Of The Reptile God Has The Perfect Setup For A Horror Movie Or Series
Dungeons & Dragons Could Turn Against The Cult Of The Reptile God Into Horror Gold
Against the Cult of the Reptile Godwould make the ideal horror TV show. This adventure module, released in 1982, features a cult that can hypnotize Player Characters. This module was made for the first edition ofAdvanced Dungeons & Dragonsbut is modified for 5e by many Dungeon Masters and adventuring parties around the world.This bite-sized adventure’s dark cult and reptilian monsters would make it an excellent horror fantasyminiseries or longer serial. The distrustful, enigmatic village worshiping a secret cult could create a Stephen King-inspired TV show riffing off classics likeThe Wicker Man.
Dungeons & Dragons Has So Much Untapped Potential In The Horror Genre
Horror TV Should Tap Dungeons & Dragons For Its Creative Stories
Against the Cult of the Reptile Godis a good example of how geared toward horror adaptationsDungeons & Dragonsreally is.AD&DTV show based on the Dragonlance campaignwould be great but very typical high fantasy. However, the franchise’s power lies in its versatility. TheDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thievesmovie proved the huge creative possibilities of heist fantasy, whichD&Dpioneered, combining the Tolkienian epic with the modern-day action thriller. Buthorror is another realm that D&D should exploreon-screen.
A TV Show Based On This Gritty Dungeons & Dragons Campaign Would Be A Great Game Of Thrones Replacement
Dungeons & Dragons has the perfect Game of Thrones replacement if it opens itself up to adapting one fan-favorite campaign into a TV show.
AD&DTV show could copyHonor Among Thieves’best strength— its smart and satirical sense of humor, which worked well for the movie. That said, another route involves pursuing the darkest inclinations of fantasy. This is on-trend, with shows likeSupernaturalpaving the way for dark fantasy likeGrimmto dominate on networks and streaming.Dungeons & Dragonshas a few horror moments up its sleeveand Against the Cult of the Reptile God is just one example.Dungeons & Dragonsadaptations like this could even take theStranger Thingsroute, with a retro atmosphere reflecting the source material.
Dungeons & Dragons
TheDungeons & Dragonsfranchise is a fantasy adventure series based on the iconic tabletop role-playing game. The franchise includes both live-action and animated adaptations, with the most notable being the recent filmDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves(2023), which brought the fantasy world of D&D to a broader audience with its blend of humor, action, and classic D&D elements. The franchise explores themes of heroism, friendship, and the unpredictable nature of adventuring in a magical world filled with dragons, wizards, and mythical creatures.
