House of the Dragon recently wrapped up its second successful season. The series is an adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s fantasy novel Fire & Blood and tells the story of the reign of House Targaryen and the historical events leading up to the devastating war The Dance of Dragons.
The show has achieved high critical acclaim and become one of HBO’s most-watched series due to its enormous scope, stunning visuals, and story filled with political strife and corruption.
While you eagerly wait for season 3, check out our guide for 10 shows like House of the Dragon you can stream online today on platforms like Netflix, Max, Hulu, and more!
3 Body Problem
3 Body Problem comes from the same creators as House of the Dragon’s predecessor, Game of Thrones. The show is an adaptation of Liu Cixin’s Remembrance of Earth's Past series and is a twisty sci-fi tale that examines how a Chinese astrophysicist’s extraterrestrial studies during the Cultural Revolution impact a group of Oxford scientists in the present day. Like House of the Dragon, 3 Body Problem spans a large expanse of time, adapts an ambitious work previously thought unadaptable, and boasts stunning visuals.
Game of Thrones
It’s harder to get closer to House of the Dragon than Game of Thrones, as both series take place in the same universe. Game of Thrones is set roughly 200 years before House of the Dragon. It follows a series of political conflicts as numerous powerful families attempt to clench the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Both series take place predominantly on the fictional continent of Westeros and delve into the sexism, vengeance, rivalry, betrayal, and moral ambiguity that come with the pursuit of power.
Rome
Rome boasts the same epic scale as House of the Dragon but leans on history rather than fantasy. The series follows Roman soldiers Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson), who witness the historical events leading up to Rome’s transition from a Republic to an Empire. It boasts a sprawling ensemble cast, stunning visuals, exquisite attention to detail, and a thrilling tale of dictators, emperors, wars, and succession struggles.
Shōgun
Shōgun is frequently compared to House of the Dragon, as they focus on a succession struggle and are paralleled by few in scope and ambition. The series tells the story of Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), a fictionalized version of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who must use his military strategic brilliance to fend off his enemies and pave a path toward the title of shōgun. Like House of the Dragon, Shōgun is a top-tier TV show with electric performances, mesmerizing visuals, and thrilling battle sequences, but it also has the added perk of delving into Japanese history and culture.
Succession
Viewers who enjoy House of the Dragon's political commentary will enjoy Succession. The series follows Logan Roy’s (Brian Cox) adult children as they vie to inherit his global media conglomerate Waystar RoyCo amid their father’s declining health. It goes deeper than House of the Dragon’s tale of a power struggle by providing an in-depth look into a smaller-scale family struggle through a sharp and darkly humorous lens.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Like House of the Dragon, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is an epic fantasy series with meticulous world-building. Inspired by the appendices of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, the series delves into the history of Middle-earth, including the creation of the rings of power and Sauron’s rise. It’s a gorgeous and thrilling take on Middle-earth and will appeal to anyone looking for another detailed, exquisite fantasy world to explore.
The Tudors
The Tudors is a historical fiction drama that follows the early reign of Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), examining relationships, his desire for an heir, and his difficulty maintaining peace and order in England. Similar to House of the Dragon, The Tudors is quite a spectacle filled with sex, violence, corruption, and powerful families. The similarities between The Tudors and Game of Thrones franchise may not be coincidental, as many suspect the Tudor dynasty inspired Martin’s work.
The Witcher
Based on Andrzej Sapkowski's book series of the same name, The Witcher follows Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), a monster hunter who finds himself linked by destiny to Princess Ciri (Freya Allen), a woman from a powerful bloodline. The Witcher boasts House of the Dragon’s blood, sex, and brutal fantasy landscape but will also appeal to viewers looking for a deeper dive into magic and monsters.
Those About to Die
Those About to Die is an epic historical drama about Rome, the center of the Roman Empire, and its attempts to keep the population in check through its games, including chariot racing and gladiatorial combat. Although it doesn’t pull off its enormous vision as well as House of the Dragon, it boasts strong performances, spectacular and bloody fight scenes, and an intriguing story of people willing to die in the pursuit of power and glory.
Vikings
Vikings is a historical drama inspired by the legend of the Viking Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), who grapples with chieftain Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne) over the direction and expanse of Viking raids. The scope, tone, and blood-spatter of Vikings is similar to House of the Dragon, but it also offers viewers an interesting look into Norse oral traditions.
Where to watch shows like House of the Dragon online
Check out our list below to find out where to watch these 10 shows like House of the Dragon in the U.S.
