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Rise and shine. Nightmares and dreams are waiting eagerly in the epic fantasy series,The Sandman. To say the project has been a long time coming is a massive understatement, and the millions of fans who’ve patiently waited for decades finally got to see the iconic comic book characters come to life in 2022.The Sandmanis a dark fantasy graphic novel series written byNeil Gaimanthat was published byDC Comics' Vertigo imprintfrom 1989-1996. With multiple volumes, it’s a sprawling, epic story detailing the many adventures of Morpheus, also known as the king of dreams, the Sandman, orDream of the Endless.
For any fan of the series, it’s common knowledge that a screen adaptation has been in the works for a while and has been a nightmare all on its own. Dreams of adapting the series into a movie began all the way back in the early 90s to no avail, and Gaiman once again tried to adapt it into a film in the 2000s. Finally, the series received the royal streaming treatment as a sweeping, extravagant fantasy series with all the beloved characters in play. Gaiman is an acclaimed British dark fantasy novelist and has written the best-selling novelsCoraline,The Graveyard Book,American Gods,The Ocean at the End of the Lane,Good Omens, andStardust. Alongside Gaiman, the series is developed byDavid S. GoyerandAllen Heinberg.
Tom Sturridgeplays the lead role of Dream inThe Sandman, the main protagonist who must readjust to life after being inhumanly imprisoned and stripped of his powers for over 100 years only to finally escape. Within the dreamy, wonderland-like world Gaiman has created withThe Sandman, the character Dream is one of the seven Endless, a family-like group of powerful beings. There was much anticipation in finding out who would play the mysterious and at times devilish Dream, and Sturridge’s resume includes acting in films such asMary Shelley(2017) andFar From the Maddening Crowd(2014). Sturridge is also a well-established stage actor and has received a Best Actor Tony Award nomination for his work in the Broadway playOrphans(2013).
Gwendoline Christiejoins Sturridge as Lucifer Morningstar, the ruler of hell. The rest of the ensemble cast featuresKirby Howell-Baptiste(The Good Place) as Death,Mason Alexander Park(Cowboy Bebop) as Desire,Donna Prestonas Despair,Boyd Holbrook(Narcos) asthe Corinthian,Vivienne Acheampongas Lucienne,Charles Dance(Game of Thrones) as Sir Roderick Burgess,Sanjeev Bhaskar(Goodness Gracious Me) as Cain,Asim Chaudryas Abel, andJenna Coleman(The Serpent) as Detective Johanna Constantine. The series also features voice actorsPatton Oswaltas the voice of Matthew the Raven,Mark Hamillas Mervyn Pumpkinhead, and comedianLenny Henryas the voice of Martin Tenbones. If you want to learn more about the cast and their respective roles,check out our cast and character guide. To learn more on how to watch the series, read on for where it’s streaming, when it’s out on Blu-ray, and more.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on September 9.
Related:Nobody Does Bad Like Boyd Holbrook
When and Where Was ‘The Sandman’ Released on Streaming?
Watch on Netflix
Is ‘The Sandman’ Getting Digital, DVD, and Blu-ray Releases?
In a move that underscores just how successful the show has been for Netflix, the streamer has announced thatThe SandmanSeason 1 will be getting Digital, DVD, 4K Ultra HD, and Blu-ray releases. The digital release date for the season is June 21, 2025, while the DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD releases will arrive on November 28. Netflix rarely gives its shows and movies a physical media release (ironic, considering the streamer started out in the DVD-by-mail game) so this is a unique opportunity. The new releases will no doubt feature exciting bonus features, and we can’t wait to get our hands on it. Stay tuned for more on this!
Watch the Stylistic Full-Length Trailer for ‘The Sandman’
After living in relative secrecy since it was announced the series was coming to Netflix,The Sandmanfinally offered viewers a sneak peek of what’s to come with thefirst full-length trailer’s arrivalin July 2022. Extremely sleek and bathed in darkness, the ominous look at the Netflix series offers Sturridge in action as Dream as he ventures into various realities while wearing his famous, signature black cape. It also introduces first looks at Lucifer, Death, the Corinthian, and various other players as Dream aims to rebuild his Dreaming world with the help of old friends while battling villainous figures who’d love nothing more than to seize control of both nightmares and dreams.
‘The Sandman’ Season 1 Episode List
Chapter 1: “Sleep of the Just”
Chapter 2: “Imperfect Hosts”
Chapter 3: “Dream a Little Dream of Me”
Chapter 4: “A Hope in Hell”
Chapter 5: “24/7”
Chapter 6: “The Sound of Her Wings”
Chapter 7: “The Doll’s House”
Chapter 8: “Playing House”
Chapter 9: “Collectors”
Chapter 10: “Lost Hearts”
Chapter 11 (Two-Part Bonus Episode):“Dream of a Thousand Cats”/“Calliope”- Released August 11, 2025
Related:‘The Sandman’ Season 2: Cast, Plot, Filming Status, and Everything We Know So Far
What Is the General Plot of The Sandman?
Sturridge stars as Dream, also known as the Sandman, and he rules over the land called the Dreaming, a place where he can create beautiful fantasies and terrifying nightmares in the shape of dreams. Once he’s captured and stripped of his powers for over 100 years, a chain of events is set off in the waking world, creating irreparable damage. After Dream escapes his capture, he makes it his mission to rebuild the Dreaming by traveling through time and space, which entails visiting both heaven and hell, as the dreaming world threatens to bleed into the waking world.
More Fantasy Titles like ‘The Sandman’ to Stream Next
If you don’t want to jump ships and prefer to stay on Netflix, try out the first season of the critically acclaimed fantasy seriesShadow and Bone. Based upon both theShadow and Bonebook trilogy andSix of Crowsduology written byLeigh Bardugo, the epic fantasy saga all takes place within the fantasticalGrishaverse.Jessie Mei Listars as Alina Starkov, a low-ranking member of the First Army in the repressive Ravka, a country divided into two thanks to a mysterious, massive black entity called the Shadow Fold. During a mission through the deadly fold, Alina unleashes powers she’s never known she had and discovers she’s a Grisha, a person with magical powers. Not only is she a Grisha, but she is a sun summoner, which means she can destroy the Shadow Fold. Once people discover her powers, Alina finds herself in danger as everyone from high positions of power to juvenile thieves seek her out to use her to their advantage.
Neil Gaiman is one of literature’s most prolific fantasy writers, and he’s gifted readers with countless short stories, sprawling novels, and comic books. There are too many adaptations of his work to count, but if you want another mythical-like fantasy series to accompanyThe Sandman,the Prime Video Original SeriesGood Omensis the perfect place to start. Gaiman co-authored the novel withTerry Pratchett(Making Money) in 1990 and serves as the series creator and writer.Michael Sheenstars as the happy-go-lucky angel Aziraphale opposite a devilishDavid Tennantas the mischievous demon Crowley. Both have lived on earth since the beginning of time. When they discover the antichrist is bringing the apocalypse, the unlikely duo comes together in an attempt to stop it as they have come to enjoy their time indulging in human activities. A lighthearted comedy, the series serves as the perfect companion piece toThe Sandmanif you need a break from the dark side with all its unhinged monsters.
Watch on Prime Video
The world withinThe Sandmanis vast with endless possibilities, and after finishing the show you may stay within that world thanks to the Fox-turned-Netflix original series,Lucifer. Loosely based on the DC comic book character Lucifer fromThe Sandmanseries and its follow-up spin-off series, the show begins after Lucifer has ditched hell and arrives in Los Angeles to run a devious nightclub called Lux.Tom Ellisportrays Lucifer, and he becomes a consultant for the LAPD as he helps them solve cases thanks to his various powers and ability to think like a criminal. Running for a total of six seasons, the series concluded on Netflix in September 2021.
