Best 7 Chinese fantasy dramas of 2025 – The Company, Love of the Divine Tree and more
Michelle Topham 
With so many Chinese dramas dropping in 2025, for some reason, a huge percentage of my own watches were Chinese fantasy dramas. Right from the beginning of the year until its recent end.
So many, in fact, it took me a while to go through my personal favorites and decide, out of the 30 or so Chinese fantasy dramas I watched in 2025, which did I want to recommend as seven of the best, as so many of them stood out as an incredibly fun watch?
Here then are, what I believe are the best dramas of that genre in the last year.
And, let’s face it, even if I add a pumped-up title like ‘The Best 7 Chinese Fantasy Dramas of 2025‘, the list is really nothing more than my personal taste. So keep that in mind.
All seven, however, are packed with some truly imaginative worldbuilding, are excellently written and acted, and feature actual emotional depth. And with romances (or bromances) that are not of the norm.
They also give us a lovely look into the culture differences that make so many Chinese dramas so incredibly rich and satisfying to watch.
Here we go, and in no particular order, then…
1. The Company (哑舍 / Ya She)
Genre: Time-travel Fantasy, Wuxia
Lead Actors: Gao Wei Guang, Leon Leong, Zhang Miao Yi, Mao Xiao Hui
Plot:
The Company follows Bi Zhi, a mysterious antique shop owner from the future and the operator of a time-travel elevator, who crosses paths with Su Bei Lu, a modern-day veterinarian.
Soon the unlikely duo are embarking on a quest across time to recover lost treasures and repair fractured histories.
Along the way, we also follow the stories of numerous people in a variety of eras who once owned the artifacts Bi Zhi and Bei Lu are now trying to find.
Why It’s a Must-Watch:
The Company blends sci-fi time travel with wuxia aesthetics, which is a rare fusion in 2025’s line-up.
The C-drama’s narrative goes deep into exploring friendship, bromance (it’s a decent one!), fate, and the human impact of history. All while interweaving emotional moments with episodic mysteries that involve some pretty cool antiques.
RELATED: Character stills are out for The Company‘s main cast
Personally, my only criticism of the drama was I found the character of the ridiculously immature Su Bei Lu incredibly annoying (the character not Leon Leong the actor). But, after around Episode 16, he really does start to grow on you.
The rest of the drama, though, including its excellent cast, is an absolute gem in every way.
Platforms:
• Viki — streaming episodes with English subtitles; some free episodes are also available, but with a paid Viki Pass required for the full series.
• WeTV — officially streaming The Company internationally with subtitles in various languages.
2. The Demon Hunter’s Romance (无忧渡 / Wu You Du)
Genre: Supernatural Fantasy, Romance, Mystery
Lead Actors: Allen Ren (aka Ren Jia Lun), Song Zu Er
Plot:
Set in a world where humans and demons coexist, the demon hunter Xuan Ye and perceptive girl-from-a-good-family-who-can-also-see-demons Ban Xia team up to investigate six eerie cases, which range from haunted inns to people being trapped in a parallel world.
While unraveling supernatural mysteries, they discover truths about Ban Xia’s missing father and Xuan Ye’s hidden past. None of which you could possibly predict.
Why It’s a Must-Watch:
This anthology-style series offers self-contained spooky tales in each arc while building a slow-burn romantic bond between the two leads. Who, by the way, have superb chemistry.
I loved The Demon Hunter’s Romance‘s classic “ghost story” atmosphere mixed with the heartfelt journeys of various characters.
Plus, if you are a Song Zu Er fan, she gives one of her best performances in this (that crying scene early on in the drama is incredible!).
I will give you a heads up though that, after what turns out to be a truly wonderful fantasy drama with unique characters and utterly gripping stories, the ending of The Demon Hunter’s Romance is not satisfying at all.
But… we have had hints a second season may eventually be forthcoming. So…fingers crossed.
Platforms:
• iQIYI — the supernatural fantasy C-drama was released on iQIYI, where full episodes with subtitles in various languages are available.
3. A Dream Within a Dream (书卷一梦)
Genre: Fantasy, Transmigration, Meta-Narrative Romance
Lead Actors: Liu Yu Ning, Li Yi Tong
Plot:
Modern day TV drama actress Song Xiao Yu is mysteriously pulled into the world of a drama script, where she is cast as the tragic heroine Song Yi Meng. A woman who is marked for suffering due to her involvement with Nan Heng, the truly awful male lead. (Or is he?)
Determined to rewrite her own destiny, she resists fate and challenges the script’s rules while also forging genuine connections with the people in the novel’s world. And, of course, to her absolute annoyance, falling in love with Nan Heng while she’s at it.
Turns out, though, it may not be Nan Heng she should be wary of.
Why It’s a Must-Watch:
Clever and self-aware, while pulling on your emotions, A Dream Within a Dream isn’t a straight up fantasy romance as it plays with genre conventions, and turns fantasy romance into a smart commentary on storytelling itself.
All while delivering compelling chemistry between the protagonists, and a truly fun plot.
If I’m honest, out of the couple of hundred C-dramas I watched in 2025 this one is my favorite. Fantasy C-drama or not.
That’s because I loved every character (even the idiot Chu Gui Hong, who is beautifully played by Wang You Shuo), the script is incredibly clever, and the excitement and twists and turns in every episode just never stop. Right up to the drama’s last surprising (and sooooooo satisfying) seconds.
Platforms:
• iQIYI (Heartbeat Theater) — the original broadcast and primary platform for the series, which topped popularity charts internationally after release.
• Viki — available for international streaming in most regions with subtitles in 16 languages.
• Amazon Prime Video — offers episodes for purchase/streaming in some regions.
• WeTV & YouTube (some regions) — episodes or clips are available, sometimes with subtitles.
4. When Destiny Brings the Demon (献鱼)
Genre: Xianxia Fantasy, Romance, Adventure
Lead Actors: Chen Fei Yu (Arthur Chen), Wang Ying Lu
Plot:
A modern office worker, Zou Yan, is transported into a cultivation world where she becomes Liao Ting Yan, an unlikely caretaker for the powerful, and absolutely feared cultivator Sima Jiao.
As it turns out, however, Liao Ting Yan (aka Zou Yan) has a way of dealing with Sima Jiao when nobody else can.
As the pair become closer and eventually journey through dangerous trials, their evolving relationship becomes the heart of this fantastical tale.
Why It’s a Must-Watch:
Brimming with cultivation lore, humor, and character development, this series gives traditional xianxia tropes a fresh twist, with a cool balance between tender romance and mystical action.
The chemistry between Liao Ting Yan and Sima Jiao is amazing, the performances right down to the smallest parts are exceptional, the soundtrack is gorgeous and the plot is gripping.
Even its not-everything-I-would-have-wanted ending is still wonderfully carried out.
Platform:
• YOUKU — official streaming home with English subtitles in many regions.
5. Love in the Clouds (入青云)
Genre: Xianxia, Fantasy Romance
Lead Actors: Hou Ming Hao, Lu Yu Xiao
Plot:
After being forced to disguise herself as a male competitor in the prestigious Qingyun tournament, Ming Yi seeks a cure for a debilitating poison.
Her journey brings her into contact with the mysterious warrior Ji Bozai, and their partnership blossoms against layers of mistaken identity, rivalry, and mutual respect.
RELATED: Hou Ming Hao’s ‘wedding dress’ photos from Love in the Clouds released
Why It’s a Must-Watch:
A classic xianxia romance with competitive stakes, stylized fights, and poignant character arcs, Love in the Clouds stood out in late-2025 as a compelling balance of adventure and emotion.
I must admit, I dropped it after three episodes then decided I probably should take a second look at it as its international ratings were going sky high.
Needless to say, I am glad I did. Especially as it stars two actors who, I think, are two of the best China has to offer right now. And no, they didn’t disappoint here.
Platforms:
• YOUKU — original streaming platform.
• Netflix, Viki, Viu (selected regions) — available depending on territory with subtitles.
6. Love of the Divine Tree ( 仙台有树)
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Magic Realms
Lead Actors: Deng Wei, Julia Xiang
Plot:
Set in a world where divine trees fuel magical society, two star-crossed lovers from rival factions, both of whom have been treated terribly, seek to bridge their divided realms. One as the master and one as the disciple. And then, many years later, vice-versa.
Their quest blends folkloric magic and forbidden romance in an unusual world.
Why It’s a Must-Watch:
Love of the Divine Tree is a Chinese fantasy drama that stands out for its lush worldbuilding and emotional depth. If you enjoy a good cultivation drama involving a cool master-disciple relationship, you will love this one.
Just be warned, the first episode is confusing, and up to about Episode 4 moves a little slowly. But, once the story really takes hold, it’s one of those that seems to have been made for binge-watching.
The chemistry between Deng Wei and Julia Xiang is also riveting.
Platform:
• WeTV and iQIYI — depending on where you are located. Check your local listings.
7. The Immortal Ascension (凡人修仙传)
Genre: Cultivation Fantasy, Adventure
Lead Actors: Yang Yang, Gina Jin, Wang Duo, Zhao Xiao Tang, Zhao Qing
Plot Snapshot:
Han Li, a humble youth with limited spiritual power, begins a journey of cultivation to achieve immortality. As he does, he faces fiendish foes, spiritual trials, and shifting allegiances.
RELATED: Yang Yang talks about playing Han Li in The Immortal Ascension
Why It’s a Must-Watch:
A classic xianxia arc with escalating stakes and vibrant fantasy battles, this series kept me eagerly awaiting each episode.
Considering The Immortal Ascension is also based on the massively successful Chinese donghua A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality, it had a lot to live up to. And live up to the donghua it did. Even surpassing it many times.
Yang Yang is superb as iconic protagonist Han Li, Wang Duo is brilliant as supporting character Wang Chan, the young Sect Master of the Ghost Spirit Sect, the cinematography is gorgeous, as is its soundtrack, and it’s just an incredibly fun ride.
Platforms:
• YOUKU— official streaming platform.
• Viki — offers subtitles in 11 languages, including English, with all 30 episodes free to watch with ads.
Final Thoughts
2025 proved to be a banner year for Chinese fantasy dramas giving us a slew of different options from genre-bending time travel (The Company), to anthology horror-romance (The Demon Hunter’s Romance), to meta-narrative fantasies (A Dream Within a Dream) and on and on and on.
Whether you’re drawn to sweeping worlds of mysticism, emotional character journeys, or innovative storytelling mechanics, or just a good cultivation story, this year’s lineup offered something for every fantasy fan.
And yes, if you were only to pick one from this list of seven best Chinese fantasy dramas, 100 percent of the time I would suggest you go with A Dream Within a Dream.
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