This article discusses 10 series like the HBO series House of the Dragon you must watch.
READ: 5 Reasons to Watch House of the Dragon.
House of the Dragon is currently streaming on HBO Max. Here are 10 series that are like the new fantasy show. Fantasy shows have always been a huge draw for audiences because they feel like an event. It’s nice to know that there are a variety of stories out there that people can connect with. There are always things to look for when watching fantasy series, and we look out for complex character arcs, fun secondary characters, and a compelling story to carry audiences through the series. Each series on this list has those three things.
Like for Like – 10 series like House of the Dragon you must watch
Game of Thrones (2011)
Naturally, the first series to watch as you’re binge-watching House of the Dragon is the original series Game of Thrones. It is the definition of weekly event viewing on HBO that brought everyone around the world together. Sunday nights on HBO were always a complete joy because of how good this show was. The storyline was intricate and many complex characters would be incredibly deceitful. It was hard to trust anyone in the series, but of course, there were some favourites. Now that House Targaryen has the spotlight, it’s time to see what became of their house.
The Witcher (2019)
The video game The Witcher is a favourite among fans. Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) had been a character everyone wanted to see in live-action, and no one would have ever guessed that Cavill would take on the role. The fantastical elements bring you into the world and this is one of the top-rated Netflix shows to date. The cast is strong and the female characters are the one’s the shine, especially Yennefer (Anya Charlota). There is magic involved, some thievery, and some great tunes from Jaskier (Joey Batey).
The Sandman (2022)
If you are a fan of Neil Gaiman, then The Sandman on Netflix is right up your alley. Gaiman has always been an excellent writer and the concepts he creates are layered. In this series, he shows the dream world with Morpheus (Tom Sturridge), Hell with Lucifer Morningstar (Gwendoline Christie), and of course humanity. He takes these themes of religion while adding supernatural elements in order to elevate the story. There are many wonderful characters that explore the human side of certain moral issues when trying to understand the people who live on Earth.
Wheel of Time (2021)
When Rosamund Pike decided to take her turn on streaming for Amazon Prime’s Wheel of Time, fans of hers were glad to see her back. It is set in a high fantasy world where magic exists, but only some can access it. A woman named Moiraine (Pike) crosses paths with five young men and women. This sparks a dangerous, world-spanning journey. It is based on the book series by Robert Jordan. It had wonderful production design and it does fill that void between other fantasy series. Within the first season, its world-building sucked audiences in.
Outlander (2014)
Outlander is a mixture of epic romance and historical fantasy. The premise is simple, an English combat nurse named Claire (Caitriona Balfe) from 1945 is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743. When she heads back in time she meets a very handsome soldier named Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan). The books are written by Diana Gabaldon and she manages to cross many genres in order to tell their story. Claire and Jamie go through many time periods together, and it’s because they will always find each other throughout time. Even though this sounds like a lighter tone, the violence is on the same level as House of the Dragon.
Shadow and Bone (2021)
Fantasy novels being turned into series instead of movies makes much more sense. Novels like Shadow and Bone have so much lore and depth to them. Dark forces conspire against orphan mapmaker Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Lei) when she unleashes an extraordinary power that could change the fate of her war-torn world. It’s always interesting to see a woman at the forefront of fantasy series because it needs to happen more. Women are always heroes of their own stories, and fantasy novels capture that more so than others. There can be romance involved, but it doesn’t define them.
Vikings (2013)
The Vikings television series went on for six seasons and was an underappreciated show because it was on the History channel. It is now on Amazon Prime for everyone to watch. The series transports audiences to the brutal and mysterious world of Ragnar Lothbrok. Where a Viking warrior and farmer who yearns to explore–and raid–the distant shores across the ocean. The historical accuracy is what makes this show enthralling because audiences can understand the history a bit more. Other fantasy shows won’t accurately depict medieval lore in the same way, which could be its downfall.
American Gods (2017)
Neil Gaiman is behind the source material for American Gods and he has always changed the game with his characters. He is able to show them in such difficult situations and have them contemplate their morals each time. A recently released ex-convict named Shadow (Ricky Whittle) meets a mysterious man who calls himself “Wednesday” (Ian McShane) and who knows more than he first seems to about Shadow’s life and past. If you’re a big fan of Norse mythology then this one will definitely work for you.
Westworld (2016)
In 2016 Westworld became a series on HBO that had many people tuning in. Between this and Game of Thrones, the fantasy hole was definitely filled. The story begins in Westworld, a fictional, technologically advanced Wild-West-themed amusement park populated by android “hosts”. The park caters to high-paying guests who may indulge their wildest fantasies within the park without fear of retaliation from the hosts, who are prevented by their programming from harming humans. This is by far one of the most interesting concepts to watch unravel because it could eventually happen with technological advancements.
Foundation (2021)
Foundation is adapted from the award-winning novel written by Isaac Asimov. The series chronicles a band of exiles on their monumental journey to save humanity and rebuild civilization amid the fall of the Galactic empire. The series on Apple TV Plus is beautifully shot and builds up the world presented in Asimov’s novels. The story is compelling because of all of these characters coming together to save humanity. The series explores humanity on a larger scale while still diving into those intimate, emotional moments. It shows the complexity of humans from a different perspective.
Do you have any other recommendations for series like House of the Dragon? Let us know below!
