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9 Best Shows Like Game of Thrones You Need to Watch Right Now

Finished Game of Thrones and craving more Westeros-scale politics, dragons, and betrayals? Here are the 9 best shows like Game of Thrones — from official prequels to gritty historical epics — ranked by how well they capture that Iron Throne energy.

9 Best Shows Like Game of Thrones You Need to Watch Right Now

Briefing Contents

The 9 Shows to Watch After Game of Thrones

Not every recommendation on this list has dragons, but every single one offers some version of what Game of Thrones did best: political scheming, shifting alliances, epic conflict, or morally complicated characters. Here are the best shows to watch next, ranked by how closely they scratch that Westeros itch.

House of the Dragon
1

House of the Dragon

9.4/10
Year: 2022Director: Ryan Condal & Miguel SapochnikWhere To Watch: HBO / Max

House of the Dragon is the most direct and obvious next watch for any Game of Thrones fan because it returns to Westeros and focuses on the Targaryen dynasty at the height of its internal collapse . It keeps the political intrigue, family betrayal, dragon warfare, and palace paranoia that defined the original series, but compresses it into a more focused and consistently intense story. If you want the closest possible continuation of the Thrones experience, this is it.

Why?

Set in the same world as Game of Thrones and built around the same kind of dynastic conflict
Brings back dragons, bloodline politics, and high-stakes court maneuvering
Feels like the clearest spiritual and narrative successor to the original series
Season 3 is part of the current 2026 conversation, so the franchise remains active and relevant
The Last Kingdom
2

The Last Kingdom

9.1/10
Year: 2015Director: Stephen ButchardWhere To Watch: Netflix

The Last Kingdom is one of the best choices for viewers who loved Game of Thrones for its war politics, shifting loyalties, and medieval atmosphere. Set during the struggle between Saxons and Vikings, it follows Uhtred as he moves between nations, faiths, and rival rulers while trying to claim his birthright. It is less fantastical than Thrones, but it absolutely delivers the same sense of nations colliding under ambitious leaders.

Why?

Medieval warfare and rival kingdoms create a Thrones-like sense of scale
Uhtred’s divided loyalties echo the moral complexity of many GOT characters
Strong battlefield energy and political tension throughout
A great choice if you want gritty historical conflict instead of fantasy magic
Vikings
3

Vikings

9.0/10
Year: 2013Director: Michael HirstWhere To Watch: Netflix / Prime Video depending on region

Vikings leans into the same brutal ambition, family conflict, and battlefield domination that made Game of Thrones so addictive. The series follows Ragnar Lothbrok and later generations as they battle for power, legacy, and survival across a world defined by conquest. It does not have dragons, but it absolutely has the ruthlessness and scope that Thrones fans tend to love.

Why?

Built around power struggles, conquest, and dynasty politics
Large ensemble with layered alliances and betrayals
Gritty, violent, and emotionally serious in the same way Thrones often was
A strong fit for fans who prefer warfare and leadership drama over pure fantasy
The Witcher
4

The Witcher

8.8/10
Year: 2019Director: Lauren Schmidt HissrichWhere To Watch: Netflix

The Witcher delivers a darker fantasy world filled with monsters, kingdoms at war, and characters who rarely fit neatly into good or evil. Like Game of Thrones, it mixes political conflict with larger mythic stakes, and it leans heavily on character tension and power dynamics. If what you liked most about Thrones was the fantasy edge plus morally grey storytelling, this is a strong follow-up.

Why?

Dark fantasy tone with political and magical conflict
Characters are morally complicated rather than purely heroic
Big worldbuilding and kingdom-level stakes
A good pick for fans who want fantasy first and politics second
Rome
5

Rome

8.7/10
Year: 2005Director: Bruno HellerWhere To Watch: HBO / Max

Rome is a top-tier choice for Game of Thrones fans who loved the court intrigue, betrayals, and political maneuvering more than the fantasy elements. The series follows the fall of the Roman Republic through the lives of soldiers, politicians, and power brokers whose private ambitions shape public history. It has the same sense of institutions crumbling under the weight of ego, strategy, and violence.

Why?

Packed with political manipulation and shifting alliances
Court drama and public power struggles feel very Thrones-adjacent
Mature, grounded, and historically rich
Excellent if you want the politics of GOT without the fantasy layer
Black Sails
6

Black Sails

8.6/10
Year: 2014Director: Jonathan E. Steinberg & Robert LevineWhere To Watch: Starz / Hulu depending on region

Black Sails takes the kingdom-politics feel of Game of Thrones and relocates it to a pirate world full of shifting alliances, ambition, and betrayal. It starts as an adventure show and becomes a sharp political drama about power, legitimacy, and survival. If you enjoyed the strategic side of Thrones, this one will absolutely land.

Why?

Political chess game disguised as a pirate drama
Constant betrayals and faction warfare
Big ensemble energy with strong long-form plotting
Ideal for viewers who want morally grey characters and high stakes
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
7

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

8.4/10
Year: 2022Director: J.D. Payne & Patrick McKayWhere To Watch: Prime Video

The Rings of Power is the biggest fantasy spectacle on this list and a good fit for fans who loved the scale and visual ambition of Game of Thrones. While it is more mythic and less cynical, it still offers large empires, political tensions, and a sprawling cast across multiple realms. It is best for viewers who want immersive worldbuilding and cinematic production values.

Why?

Huge production scale and expansive fantasy worldbuilding
Multiple factions and long-term power struggles
A strong option if you want prestige fantasy with a grand visual style
Works especially well if your favorite part of Thrones was the size of the world
His Dark Materials
8

His Dark Materials

8.2/10
Year: 2019Director: Jack ThorneWhere To Watch: HBO / BBC / Max depending on region

His Dark Materials has a different tone from Game of Thrones, but it still offers a richly built world, institutional conflict, and power struggles wrapped inside a fantasy narrative. The series follows Lyra across multiple worlds as political and spiritual forces collide. It is a smart pick for viewers who want fantasy with serious themes and strong worldbuilding.

Why?

Deep lore and thoughtful worldbuilding
Institutional power, secrecy, and control are major themes
Emotionally rich and highly serialized
A better match for fans who liked the mythology side of Thrones
The Wheel of Time
9

The Wheel of Time

8.0/10
Year: 2021Director: Rafe JudkinsWhere To Watch: Prime Video

The Wheel of Time is built for fantasy fans who want a big cast, multiple factions, and a long game that slowly reveals how huge the world really is. It leans more traditional high fantasy than Game of Thrones, but the political currents and power struggles still make it a worthy follow-up. If you want another sprawling fantasy series with room to grow, this is a solid binge.

Why?

Large ensemble and faction-based storytelling
Epic fantasy scale with long-form worldbuilding
A good pick for viewers who want another major fantasy universe
Offers a more hopeful counterpoint to Thrones’ darker tone

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    9 Best Shows Like Game of Thrones 2026 | Epic Fantasy & Political Drama | Popcorn Intelligence