Dungeon Crawler Carl fans have plenty to celebrate with the confirmation that a live-action series based on author Matt Dinniman's LitRPG series is in development, set to premiere in 2026. After a long wait, Dungeon Crawler Carl is emerging as one of the most exciting upcoming fantasy series based on books. Although the live-action adventures of Carl and Princess Donut are not ready yet, Prime Video offers a perfect alternative for those seeking fantastic content: The Mighty Nein.

Premiering in 2025 with its first season consisting of eight episodes, The Mighty Nein quickly draws viewers into an animated world filled with magic, wizards, and witches. The series is inspired by the real-life Dungeons & Dragons campaign of Critical Role, founded by renowned TTRPG enthusiasts and voice actors Laura Bailey, Ashley Johnson, and Matt Mercer. Unlike the 2023 film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves starring Chris Pine, The Mighty Nein does not take place in the D&D universe. The animated series received widespread acclaim, earning a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Like The Mighty Nein, Dungeon Crawler Carl is not officially connected to the famous tabletop game Dungeons & Dragons. While every project that combines RPG and fantasy elements tends to remind people of Dungeons & Dragons, the live-action Dungeon Crawler Carl series will exist in its own universe. Carl and Princess Donut will not encounter classic D&D foes like Vecna or illithids while wandering through dungeons. However, considering that Carl travels with a talking cat, it will be clear from the start that the new Peacock series takes place in a fantastical world.

While The Mighty Nein will be a completely unique production when it premieres on Prime Video in 2025, the new series is actually expanding an existing universe. The first animated series set in the world of Exandria, The Legend of Vox Machina, was released in 2022 to great interest, almost guaranteeing that a spin-off series would be a hit. Although there are differences between the two series, both offer viewers an unforgettable fantasy experience.