Top 5 Dungeons & Dragons Settings Ideal for Live-Action Adaptations

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) offers an expansive cosmology, presenting an immense multiverse that fuels endless storytelling opportunities. Over the years, various editions of the game have introduced intricate details about its diverse worlds, enabling players to immerse themselves in unique settings. While the trajectory for live-action D&D media has halted since Paramount’s decision to pause their D&D show development in 2024, it could be an opportune moment to brainstorm new ideas and concepts.

The diverse realms of D&D have been extensively documented in comprehensive sourcebooks and individual adventure modules. Even the simplest modules provide rich aesthetic and narrative inspiration for creators, including showrunners and screenwriters. This eclectic mix of settings presents ample opportunities for genre experimentation, encouraging narratives that go beyond the typical sword-and-sorcery framework typically associated with D&D.

5 Forgotten Realms

Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, 1st Edition; 1987)

The recent film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves provided a glimpse into the Forgotten Realms. However, the film merely scratched the surface of this intricate world, focusing primarily on Neverwinter. The Forgotten Realms have been a crucial part of the D&D landscape since the launch of the first Forgotten Realms Campaign Set in 1987, leading to the creation of iconic video games like the Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale, and Neverwinter Nights series.

Although some may find Forgotten Realms to be a more conventional setting compared to the darker and grittier realms like Dark Sun, it remains filled with enchanting characteristics that make D&D compelling. The stunning landscapes of Faerûn, vibrant cities like Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter, and a plethora of unique characters offer a diverse array of storytelling possibilities for writers looking to explore beyond traditional narratives like Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.

4 Ravenloft

Ravenloft Adventure Module (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, 1st Edition; 1983)

In contrast to other core D&D settings, Ravenloft taps into the potent themes of classic Gothic horror, channeling the essence of literary works like Dracula and Frankenstein. Unlike the distinct planets of D&D’s multiverse, Ravenloft is an isolated pocket dimension known as the Demiplane of Dread, capable of appearing anywhere in the multiverse, often emerging through mysterious mists that ensnare unsuspecting individuals into its various Domains.

3 Strixhaven

Strixhaven: A Curriculum Of Chaos (Dungeons & Dragons, Fifth Edition; 2021)

Magic schools have long been a captivating setting in fantasy narratives, predating even modern phenomena like Harry Potter. In D&D, magic schools traditionally refer to the various categories of spells; however, 2021’s Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos redefined this concept by merging D&D with the Magic: The Gathering universe.

Strixhaven University is portrayed as the premier institution for mages in the multiverse, with its campus featuring five unique colleges, each founded by Elder Dragons and with distinct focus areas. Although the original Magic: The Gathering material and the sourcebook lack extensive details about the wider world, the concept of a multiversal campus allows for dynamic storytelling possibilities, potentially serving as a refreshing alternative to more entrenched narratives.

2 Dragonlance

Dragons of Despair (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, 1st Edition; 1984)

D&D’s foundational high fantasy setting, Dragonlance, has been a cornerstone of the franchise for decades, characterized by numerous adventure modules, sourcebooks, and even a cookbook. This world, Krynn, remains an undiscovered goldmine for cinematic adaptation, rife with tales waiting to be told.

From the monumental War of the Lance to the cataclysmic War of Souls, Krynn’s extensive lore is overflowing with storytelling potential. Adaptations of Dragonlance could visually captivate audiences, particularly the epic dragon battles that played a pivotal role in its narrative, engaging viewers with breathtaking aerial combat amid clashes of powerful armies. Moreover, Dragonlance features a remarkable roster of villains deserving of live-action portrayals, such as the seductive Kitiara and the tragic, enigmatic Lord Soth.

1 Eberron

Eberron Campaign Setting (Dungeons & Dragons, 3.5 Edition; 2004)

While Dragonlance embodies a classic high fantasy aesthetic, Eberron takes this premise to new heights with a unique magepunk twist. Magic is not merely an arcane mystery, but an essential facet of everyday life, powering incredible lightning trains and airships, and creating sentient constructs like the warforged.

If Ravenloft offers a glimpse into Gothic horror and Dragonlance tells tales of epic warfare, Eberron channels the spirit of 1930s pulp adventure novels. With its cinematic urban landscapes, such as the stratified Sharn, City of Towers, teeming with organized crime and a blend of societal nuances, Eberron stands out by blending high fantasy with elements reminiscent of a thrilling noir tale. A live-action adaptation could transcend traditional fantasy stereotypes, serving as a reminder of the science-fiction validity within magic—as aptly noted in the inverse of Clarke’s Third Law: “Any sufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology.”

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