Top 10 Best Episodes of Fantasy Island

First up on our list, “Remember… When?” was a standout episode of Fantasy Island that aired in season three.

The plot centered on Tattoo, Mr. Roarke‘s loyal assistant. After Tattoo suffered a serious head injury in a car accident, he needed surgery and fell into depression. To help his friend recover, Mr. Roarke took Tattoo through memories of their favorite fantasies from past episodes.

This emotional episode was a must-add to our list because it showed the deep friendship between Mr. Roarke and Tattoo. It cleverly used the show’s format to revisit exciting moments from earlier seasons, while also exploring themes of recovery and the power of positive memories.

For these reasons, the episode stood out for its portrayal of Tattoo’s struggle and Mr. Roarke’s dedication to helping him heal, as well as how the show was able to revisit fun moments from earlier seasons.

Next up on our list, “Crescendo / Three Feathers” was a captivating two-story episode that showcased the series’ range.

In “Crescendo,” a rising star singer sought to meet the reclusive composer behind her hit songs. This tale explored themes of artistic inspiration and the price of fame, pushing the guest to confront her own motivations and values. Meanwhile, “Three Feathers” focused on a man trying to prove his loyalty to old friends after a plane crash. The story was a survival drama that tested the bonds of friendship against resentment.

Like most episodes of Fantasy Island, this format of contrasting narratives highlighted the show’s ability to mix personal character journeys with a touch of the supernatural. The storyline was what truly earned this iconic episode of the series a spot on this list.

Thirdly, another iconic episode of Fantasy Island was “Flying Aces/The Mermaid Returns“. This episode offered a unique blend of historical drama and romance.

In this episode, we followed Tony Chilton as he journeyed back to World War II to meet the dad he never knew. The episode nailed that bittersweet feeling of connecting with someone you’ve always wondered about.

Again, “The Mermaid Returns” switched gears completely. Princess Nyah, the episode’s fish out of water (literally), wanted to learn about human love. She faced both some hilarious misunderstandings and sweet moments as she navigated the world of human romance.

This episode showcased Fantasy Island at its best. It’s unique plot blended serious themes with lighthearted fun. At the same time, it used time travel for emotional impact rather than just spectacle. “Flying Aces/The Mermaid Returns” encapsulated Fantasy Island in a nutshell – part tearjerker, part laugh fest, and without a doubt, 100% magical.

Next up on our list of the best episodes of Fantasy Island, “The Ghost’s Story / The Spoilers,” was a thrilling two-story episode from the series’ second season.

In “The Ghost’s Story,” a daring young woman arrived on Fantasy Island. Her unusual request was to brave a terrifying haunted mansion alone, all in pursuit of fame. This tale dove into concepts of ambition and fear, pushing the guest to her limits and testing her courage and thirst for notoriety.

Meanwhile, “The Spoilers” shifted gears completely. On the other hand, this story centered on a famous bounty hunter facing a unique challenge. His fantasy involved finally catching the one criminal who had always managed to slip away. The episode’s narrative blended Western flair with the show’s signature twists.

Another iconic episode of Fantasy Island was “Forget Me Not/The Quiz Masters.“

First, in “Forget Me Not,” we followed Ellen Layton, a woman with no memory of her past. She came to Fantasy Island hoping to uncover her identity and origins. It was like watching a real-life puzzle unfold, with each clue bringing Ellen closer to the truth about herself. The story touched on deep questions about identity and what makes us who we are.

On the other hand, “The Quiz Masters” took a completely different turn. It put two big-shot game show hosts, Ron Ellison and Bob Barclay, against each other. The rivalry between these two quiz whizzes gave the episode some tension and unexpected twists.

This episode stood out to us because it mixed a heartfelt journey of self-discovery with the excitement of a high-stakes game show. “Forget Me Not/The Quiz Masters” was the kind of episode that reminded viewers why they tuned in week after week.

Following that episode, we had to include “Tattoo: the Love God/Magnolia Blossoms“. First up, Tattoo stepped into the spotlight. Yep, you heard right – our favorite sidekick finally got his time to shine. He asked Roarke to turn him into a “love god,” and boy, did he deliver. Not long after, Tattoo found out the hard way that, in actuality, it wasn’t all that it was made out to be.

Meanwhile, “Magnolia Blossoms” took us on a blast to the past. Myra and Gladys, two modern-day friends, decide they want to experience the “good old days” of the antebellum South. Talk about rose-colored glasses! These ladies, unsurprisingly, got more than they bargained for when they find themselves smack dab in the middle of hoop skirts and historical turmoil. It’s part comedy, part history lesson, and of course, all Fantasy Island magic.

What set this episode apart was how it turned expectations upside down. Tattoo’s fantasy was played for laughs but ended up teaching some real lessons about both love and responsibility. And our time-traveling duo, obviously, learned that sometimes the “good old days” weren’t so good after all. It was Fantasy Island at its finest – serving up humor with a side of “be careful what you wish for.”

Another one of the best episodes of Fantasy Island was “Romance Times Three / Night of the Tormented Soul”.

In this episode, Sally Harris, the voice behind the phone, stepped into a real-life rom-com when she met her mystery callers face-to-face. Sally’s fumbling attempts to match voices to faces led to a countless misunderstandings and hilarious revelations. It was like watching a human game of musical chairs, with people on the line instead of seats.

Meanwhile, the Martinique family reunion became a ghost hunt. As they peeled back layers of their father’s past, the island seemed to close in around them. Each revelation brought more questions, turning their weekend into a psychological puzzle box of an adventure- with even potentially deadly consequences.

Next up on our list is the quirky episode “The Lady and the Longhorn / Vampire.” This episode showed off Fantasy Island‘s talent for mixing the weird with the relatable.

In “Vampire,” we meet Leo Drake, a method actor who took his craft way too seriously. To prep for a vampire role, he decided to become one. Yep… you read that right. It was as crazy as it sounded. The story poked fun at Hollywood’s over-the-top actors while, at the same time, serving up some spooky laughs.

Meanwhile, “The Lady and the Longhorn” brought us Vera Templeton, a cosmetics queen in a pickle. Her business was tanking, and she figured marrying for money was her only way out. Vera’s journey from desperate schemer to learning what really mattered made surely for some great TV.

This episode stood out because it mixed the totally out-there (vampire wannabes) with real-world problems (failing businesses). It had viewers laughing at Leo’s antics one minute and rooting for Vera the next. “The Lady and the Longhorn / Vampire” showed that Fantasy Island could do silly and serious in one go, and also do it well.

Up next, we had to include “My Late Lover / Sanctuary“. It was the perfect mix of humor and suspense.

In “My Late Lover,” widow Anastasia Dexter’s quest for new love was brought to a halt as her dates continued to get interrupted by her dead husband’s ghost. The story balanced laugh-out-loud moments with touching insights about grief and moving on. On the other hand, “Sanctuary” switched things up with a real nail-biter. Thomas Henshaw came to the island after being poisoned and he had to figure out who did it before the poison finished him off. This part of the episode was like a murder mystery, but with the victim still alive and looking for the culprit.

As the clock ticked down, the island became a backdrop for a thrilling whodunit mystery. The audience found themselves also playing detective alongside Thomas, trying to find the culprit before it was too late.

In my opinion, this episode stood out for its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions. From the belly laughs of Anastasia’s dating to the nail-biting suspense of Thomas’s race against time, this episode undoubtedly delivered a rollercoaster ride. It’s no wonder fans often cite this as one of Fantasy Island‘s most entertaining and satisfying episodes!

To cap our list of the best episodes of Fantasy Island, we had to include “The Invisible Woman / The Snow Bird,” which featured two captivating love stories.

In the plot of this episode, Harriet Winkler sought invisibility to spy on her fiancé, Denny Palumbo, as she suspected infidelity. Of course, typical of Fantasy Island magic, Mr. Roarke granted her wish, leading Harriet on a journey of unexpected self-discovery and lessons about trust.

Meanwhile, Ned Pringle was a circus popcorn vendor. He dreamed of joining the trapeze to win the heart of Velda Ferini. His fantasy transformed him into an aspiring aerialist, facing comical challenges and personal growth.

This episode balanced serious themes with lighthearted romance. At the same time, it showcased Fantasy Island’s knack for exploring relationships through fantastical scenarios, offering both heartwarming moments and valuable life lessons.

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