As the first "Game of Thrones" spinoff, "House of the Dragon" was both highly anticipated and somewhat dreaded, not least because the former's final season had many viewers feeling let down.
Thankfully, "House of the Dragon" delivered on all fronts, landing great reviews, tons of social buzz, and big ratings. Like its predecessor, "House of the Dragon" is based on author George R.R. Martin's works, primarily the history tome, "Fire and Blood", which chronicles the Targaryen family's exploits over centuries.
The first season focused on the events leading up to a climactic chapter in House Targaryen's history: the Dance of Dragons. Now that "House of the Dragon season 2", has arrived on HBO and Max, we can finally see this bloody civil war between The Greens and The Blacks get underway.
If you're watching week to week but need more than one great show to keep you occupied, here are nine more shows like "House of the Dragon" (besides the obvious "Game of Thrones" pick) which should satisfy anyone looking for more dastardly dynastic schemes, political power plays, and battles of both the mental and physical variety.
'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power'
The other big fantasy epic that debuted opposite "House of the Dragon" deserves its slot on the list. "House of the Dragon" and "The Rings of Power" were coupled together (much like Barbenheimer) due to their similarities in origin, plot and production budgets. "House of the Dragon" was a prequel spinoff of "Game of Thrones", and "The Rings of Power" was billed as Amazon’s answer to it.
The latter’s story is set thousands of years before either of Peter Jackson’s film trilogies — before any of the havoc-causing rings were even created. The elves and men have defeated an evil lord, but a young Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) has concerns that a new threat may be rising. Meanwhile, a not-a-hobbit Harfoot named Nori (Markella Kavenagh) gets involved with a mysterious stranger (Daniel Weyman) with an important role in future events.
Watch on Prime Video
'The Last Kingdom'
In "House of the Dragon", arguments are often settled by the sword, adversaries plot against each other and a throne is the ultimate prize. So it is in "The Last Kingdom", which is based on Bernard Cornwell’s historical fiction saga, The Saxon Stories. It is a loosely historically accurate chronicle of the struggle between the Saxons and Danes to rule 10th-century England.
The protagonist, Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Alexander Dreymon), is a Saxon noble kidnapped and raised by Danes. When he returns to England, the young warrior seeks to reclaim his birthright over the kingdom of Bebbanburg. His familiarity with both sides gives Uhtred a unique position, but he soon finds himself in the thick of the conflict.
Watch on Netflix
'Succession'
They may inhabit very different worlds, but the Targaryens are a lot like the Roys. Both are a powerful family whose grip may weaken due to infighting over succession. Logan Roy (Brian Cox) rules a vast media empire, much like King Viserys I does over Westeros. Eventually, both patriarchs need to select someone to take over — and it results in battles, in the boardroom and between dragons in the sky.
Logan has three adult children who crave power and prosperity. Sometimes, they ally with dear old dad; other times, they scheme to take him down. Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Roman (Kieran Culkin), and Shiv (Sarah Snook) may have many complicated feelings towards Pop, but he is undoubtedly an oppressive influence on all of them. There’s no escaping Logan’s shadow.
Watch on Max
'Vikings'
Set in the same time period as "The Last Kingdom", "Vikings" takes the perspective of the conquerors — the Danes. Like the other show "House of the Dragon", it features the brutal warfare of the Middle Ages, political intrigue, and dynastic shuffling.
Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) is a Norse farmer who sails west to seek riches by raiding England. His successful forays eventually make him a Viking hero, though his ascendance also leads to a power struggle with rivals like Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne), King Horik (Donal Logue) and even his own brother Rollo (Clive Standen).
Watch on Hulu, Peacock or Prime Video
'The Wheel of Time'
Amazon's other big fantasy epic also shares a lot in common with "House of the Dragon", including books as source material, a medieval-like setting and contentious factions largely headed by women.
The story follows Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), a member of the Aes Sedai, a powerful organization of women who wield magical powers. She arrives at a small village, seeking the reincarnation of the Dragon, an individual prophesied to either save the world or destroy it. As the Last Battle with the Dark One approaches, Moiraine leads five young villagers on a dangerous journey to new lands — in a bid to discover which of them is the Dragon.
Watch on Prime Video
'Rome'
No dominant empire that turned to dust is as famous as Rome. Their rulers might have even greater hubris than the Targaryens, who at least had dragons to deploy. Set in the 1st century BC, this historical epic also features a large (mostly British) ensemble playing characters who will scheme, maneuver and do just about anything to gain power.
At the height of its dominion, Rome undergoes a bloody transition from a republic to an empire. Ordinary soldiers Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson) are witness to the rise and subsequent fall of Caesar (Ciaran Hinds) and then the bid by Mark Antony (James Purefoy) as a new emperor rises.
Watch on Max
'Yellowstone'
The Duttons are a modern-day dynasty that face numerous threats against their realm, uh, ranch. Like the Targaryens, they not only scheme to hold onto their land and power, they’ll do terrible violence to any comers. The Duttons may not have dragons, but they have guns and lots of them.
John Dutton (Kevin Costner) is the seventh-generation patriarch of the biggest ranch in the western United States. He’s continually fighting to maintain control of his property, going toe to toe against greedy land developers, crafty political operators and local indigenous tribes. His three adult children help — and sometimes hurt — his efforts to maintain the family legacy.
Watch on Peacock
‘Shōgun’
The new FX adaptation of James Clavell’s historical novel of the same name has garnered tons of praise since its debut earlier this year and is on track to be one of 2024’s best releases. It’s also certainly a good fit for any “House of the Dragon” fan.
Set in Japan in the year 1600, “Shōgun” introduces us to a world that’s on the brink of a century-defining war. Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) finds himself under threat from his political rivals on the Council of Regents. His life collides with that of John Blackthorne, an English sailor whose Dutch vessel is found marooned in a fishing village. As Blackthorne possesses useful secrets that could be used in the ensuing conflict, an unlikely alliance is forged between them via their translator, Mariko (Anna Sawai). The trio’s separate stories soon overlap into a characterful, complex tale that’s every bit as compelling as the HBO show so compelling.
Watch on Hulu
'Black Sails'
Still in the mood for all the politicking of “House of the Dragon”, but fancy a change of scenery and technology and a tale packed with more backstabbing brutes? “Black Sails” could be a perfect fit.
Set on 18th Century New Providence Island, this swashbuckling prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s seminal adventure novel, “Treasure Island” takes us back in time to the Golden Age of Piracy. There, we meet the infamous Captain Flint (Toby Stephens), who is on the hunt for a serious prize and drawn into fraught alliances to ensure his people’s survival. Action-packed and brutal though it is, the “Black Sails” crew is full of complicated characters that are well worth getting to know. Expect some seriously fun fight sequences and naval combat that will no doubt delight those who revel in “Thrones”-style setpieces, too.
Watch on Netflix
