8 Shows Like Game of Thrones

1. Vikings

One series most often compared to Game of Thrones is Vikings. It debuted on HISTORY two years after Game of Thrones and quickly became a hit as the channel’s first scripted series. Over six seasons, Vikings told the story of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) and his family’s exploits during Scandinavia’s Viking Age. The series comes packed with graphic violence and sexual situations. But it strings together a captivating tale that even spawned a Netflix sequel series, Vikings: Valhalla.

Stream Vikings on Amazon Prime Video or Peacock.

2. The Last Kingdom

If you’re looking for more large-scale battles and decapitated heads, The Last Kingdom is the way to go. Based on a series of novels by Bernard Cornwell, The Last Kingdom stars Alexander Dreymon as Uhtred. He’s a complicated man born to an Anglo-Saxon lord but captured as a child and raised by Danish Vikings. With such a complex backstory, Uhtred must navigate his loyalty during Alfred the Great’s plot to unite the kingdoms of England.

Stream The Last Kingdom on Netflix.

3. The Wheel of Time

In The Wheel of Time, Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) is an Aes Sedai agent, and Lan (Daniel Henney) is her Warder companion. They are on a mission to find the reincarnation of a magic channeler known as the Dragon Reborn. But time isn’t on their side. The two must quickly locate the Dragon Reborn and bring them to the White Tower stronghold, where they can learn to use their ability and stand against the Dark One.

Stream The Wheel of Time on Amazon Prime Video.

4. The Witcher

Before becoming a hit Netflix original series, The Witcher was an acclaimed video game trilogy based on a book series by Andrzej Sapkowski. Actor and avid gamer Henry Cavill was such a fan of the games that he campaigned to play the lead character Geralt of Rivia. Fortunately, Cavill’s performance is one of the high points in this dark and sometimes confusing series.

Stream The Witcher on Netflix.

5. Black Sails

Black Sails is a Treasure Island prequel series that elevates Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel to new heights. Like Game of Thrones, the first season is slow to get going. But the story really sets sail around episode 5, once you’re more familiar with its scope. What makes Black Sails especially entertaining is how it depicts fictional characters like Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) and John Silver (Luke Arnold) against a historically accurate backdrop.

Stream Black Sails on STARZ.

6. Rome

Rome was one of the biggest television epics before Game of Thrones. During its two seasons, the show gave viewers a vibrant look at the collapse of the Roman Republic. Roman soldiers Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson) are the eyes and ears of the series, witnessing many significant events during a time of political instability. Unfortunately, the series didn’t last as long as the creators had planned. But it’s still worth watching, even 15 years later.

Stream Rome on Max.

7. The Pillars of the Earth

The Pillars of the Earth is an ambitious miniseries based on Ken Follett’s historical novel of the same name. Set during the England civil war known as the Anarchy, the series deals with the construction of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. Prior Philip (Matthew Macfadyen) hopes the cathedral will rejuvenate Kingsbridge, but greedy forces will stop at nothing to gain total dominance.

Stream The Pillars of the Earth on STARZ.

8. Medici

Medici was an Italian historical drama starring some big names like Succession’s Brian Cox and Game of Thrones’ own Richard Madden. The show follows the wealthy Medici family, personal bankers to the Pope, and their expanding influence on Italy at the start of the Renaissance. The tales of the Medici family and their multi-generational reign, which include suspicious deaths and questions of succession after their patriarch, Giovanni (Dustin Hoffman), passes away, will certainly entertain GOT fans. (Having Richard Madden there helps, too.)

Stream Medici on Netflix.

• The Borgias
• His Dark Materials
• Merlin
• Outlander
• Reign

• Shadow and Bone
• The Shannara Chronicles
• Spartacus
• The Tudors
• The White Queen

• Alexander
• Braveheart
• Dragonslayer
• Gladiator
• Kingdom of Heaven

• The Lord of the Rings
• The Northman
• Pan’s Labyrinth
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Troy