Dungeons & Dragons Deserves The Same Treatment As 1 Multi-Billion Dollar Franchise, But Its Netflix Show Makes It Unlikely

The complex narratives ofDungeons & Dragonsdeserve the same treatment as the stories within a certain multi-billion dollar franchise, but it is unlikely to receive such with Netflix’s upcoming show. Though details have been scarce since its announcement, I have everyconfidence in Netflix’sDungeons & Dragonsshow, especially since Netflix is the first platform to give the tabletop a chance afterHonor Among Thievesfailed to launch the projects we had been hoping for. That said, I have some concerns regarding the franchise’s future on the small screen.

Even with thepressure around Netflix’sDungeons & Dragonsshowto be successful, do believe that this could be the chance for the franchise to get its due.Dungeons & Dragonsis one of the quintessential fantasy mediums that has shaped our culture, whose history and worldbuilding span across multiple modules and even genres. With all of that material, it would be great to see this series shine and be responsible for launching this franchise to the heights that sagas like the Marvel Cinematic Universe have achieved.

Chris Pine pointing to something behind him in Dungeons and Dragons Honor Among Thieves

Dungeons & Dragons Deserves The MCU Treatment & Has The Material To Make It Happen

Dungeons & Dragons' Extensive Lore Is On Par With Marvel Comics

Dungeons & Dragonsdeserves to have as extensive a list of on-screen properties as the MCU, especially as the lore behind the tabletop is equally as broad. The MCU began withIron Manin 2008 and has since spanned several decades of films and television shows based on the original Marvel Comics.That comic book canon, though, is only a few years older thanDungeons & Dragons,the former beginning in 1961 and the latter being created in 1974, but with just as much material to start as large of a media franchise.

The Forgotten Realms was first introduced toDungeons & Dragonsin 1987.

The Forgotten Realms' lorealone is quite vast, with new additions being published as recently as 2025 and more likely set for the future.Much like the MCU, those pieces of worldbuilding can be taken in isolation or connected to other works, creating a plentiful supply of stories for films and series that can cater to any audience.Dungeons & Dragonscan easily yield itself to the MCU model, with the new show coming to Netflix being a great jumping-off point for how it could work.

Netflix’s D&D TV Show Makes A Larger, Interconnected Franchise Possible

The Forgotten Realms Show Could Branch To Other Modules

A medium-spanningDungeons & Dragonsfranchise could be made possible thanks to the Netflix show, as it could be the anchor pointIron Manwas for the MCU. If Netflix’s series is successful, it could act as a starting point for a new streaming franchise, especially becauseThe Forgotten Realmscovers many of the main aspects ofDungeons & Dragons' world and mechanics. It explores the lesser-known parts of that same module. From there, other modules can be put on the screen and introduced in either that same show or spinoffs.

The Dungeons & Dragons Show Is Exciting, But 1 Detail Makes Me Nervous It Will Repeat An Honor Among Thieves Disappointment

I was really excited to hear that Dungeons & Dragons is finally bringing about its long-awaited television series, but one thing worries me.

Projects like aCurse of Strahdshowcould become extensions of that aspect of the franchise and bring in horror elements to the more classic fantasy style, much likeWerewolf by Nightdid. Conversely,modules likeMonster Heartsor other less fantasy-centric storylines can be added in as standalone projects, allowing the franchise to expand its audience organically asDungeons & Dragonshas something for every player. With all of that being said, Netflix’s series could inspire other projects around the tabletop, but likely not to the scale of the MCU.

Sophia Lillis expressing grave concern in a scene from Dungeons and Dragons Honor Among Thieves

Dungeons & Dragons Probably Won’t Be As Big As The MCU For One Reason

Netflix’s Streaming-Only Plan Could Limit A Potential Franchise

Any largerDungeons & Dragonsfranchise would likely not meet the size of the MCU because Netflix simply does not do many traditional theatrical releases for its titles, limiting the scope to just the streaming platform.While Netflix has done theatrical releases before, it is usually in a limited capacitybefore the project’s streaming debut. As a result, aDungeons & Dragonsfranchise will not reach the heights of the MCU, as those big theatrical runs are such an integral part of the Marvel franchise.

YetNetflix’s Forgotten Realms show could set upits own wide-scale franchise much likeThe Witcheron the platform, with live-action and animated spinoffs. Of course, that can only happen if the first show is successful. Not every successful TV show needs to become a franchise, but if the NetflixDungeons & Dragonsseries works, there should be more than enough opportunities to expand it into something even more exciting.

The cast of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves laying on bones.