After the roaring success of Game of Thrones, many streaming platforms scrambled to create their own flagship fantasy or historical epics to rival the giant HBO franchise. However, it’s evident that only a few fully matched its three major pillars: scale, cultural impact, and enduring popularity.
That said, these attempts were far from minor, and so this ranking is largely based on each show’s level of ambition, its thematic and tonal similarities to the series, and how convincingly it stands up against George R. R. Martin’s world of Westeros.
7. Percy Jackson & the Olympians Focuses on Gods & Quests (Disney+)
Credits: Disney+
Credits: Disney+
Credits: Disney+
Disney+’s adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, can be seen as an attempt to tap into the same fantasy franchise space that other streaming platforms have pursued. However, unlike the mature tone of Game of Thrones, it targets a younger audience with a more accessible lore.
What we can see here is that the show shares the same fantasy elements, such as mythological beings, prophecies, and magical quests, but reinterprets them through a lighter, coming-of-age lens. As a result, it prioritizes adventure over politics, brutality, and moral ambiguity.
It seems Disney+ has yet to develop its own successor, but given the platform’s family-friendly focus, it’s more likely to pursue multi-generational franchises rather than dark epics that defined Game of Thrones’ legacy.
6. Outlander Is More About War & History Than Power Play (Starz)
Credits: Starz
Credits: Starz
Credits: Starz
At first look, Outlander feels adjacent to Game of Thrones because of the political conflict and large-scale historical settings, but both shows are built differently, so we can say that the Starz production doesn’t really compete in the same power play aspect.
Like the HBO series, Outlander is deeply rooted in historical survival, and the storyline is framed through war. Unlike Game of Thrones, though, it doesn’t dwell much on political strategy or competing noble houses.
Outlander is a massive franchise with a strong following, but what makes it a compelling show, even if it doesn’t fully rival Game of Thrones, is its emotional storytelling and focus on relationships across different eras.
5. The Borgias Nails The Same Corruption & Court Intrigue (Showtime)
Credits: Showtime
Credits: Showtime
Credits: Showtime
If we’re talking about corruption, s*x, and court intrigue of King’s Landing, Showtime’s The Borgias delivers all that, except it doesn’t carry the same sprawling worldbuilding found in the realm of Westeros.
It is also based on historical events, specifically the Borgia family in their scandalous ascension to the papacy. Because the story is merely concentrated on palace intrigue and doesn’t expand much outside of the power struggle, it cannot fully commit to being a good rival to Game of Thrones.
The Borgias is excellent at portraying moral decay and manipulation, but it lacks that sense of evolving political ecosystem that made the HBO series feel more expansive.
4. Vikings Capture the Same Kind of Brutality & Ambition (History)
Credits: History
Credits: History
Credits: History
There’s a reason why Vikings is often brought up in the same conversation as Game of Thrones because it captures two of the most defining ingredients of Westeros: violence and ambition. There are betrayals, wars, and characters constantly fighting to rise in power.
What sets it apart from the HBO series, though, is that Vikings is more focused on a smaller set of characters and a simpler world shaped by Viking expansion.
Such a difference makes it feel less complicated than Game of Thrones, since the latter involves multiple regions, houses, and nobles fighting for one thing: to rule the Seven Kingdoms. Still, it makes a worthy rival that delivers the same raw intensity and emotional impact, especially in battles.
3. Shōgun Delivers Elite-Level Political Maneuvering As GOT (FX)
Credits: FX
Credits: FX
Credits: FX
One of the strongest contenders that can genuinely compete with Game of Thrones is FX’s Shōgun. It comes closest in terms of political intelligence, all while matching that prestige-level writing. Indeed, this show is for fans who prefer scheming over dragons.
What keeps it from fully surpassing the Thrones franchise is its deliberate focus on grounded, historical storytelling rather than spectacle and scale. Shōgun clearly doesn’t aim for the same continent-spanning scope that made Westeros feel so huge and unpredictable.
2. The Witcher Has Same Dark Fantasy Tone & Moral Grayness (Netflix)
Credits: Netflix
Credits: Netflix
Credits: Netflix
Apart from sharing a similar dark fantasy tone rooted in moral complexity, The Witcher also mirrors Game of Thrones in its refusal to present clear heroes and villains. Both worlds feel bleak and dangerous, where characters often act out of self-interest, and survival frequently demands compromise over honor.
Like other shows mentioned here, The Witcher could not fully rival it because it is more episodic and centered only on a few key characters, unlike Game of Thrones’ web of competing kingdoms.
Still, if we’re looking at tone and atmosphere, it comes remarkably close in how it portrays a morally gray world, one that feels as unpredictable as Westeros.
1. The Rings of Power Is Built to Rival GOT’s Scale (Prime Video)
Credits: Prime Video
Credits: Prime Video
Credits: Prime Video
The Rings of Power is arguably the most explicit attempt to compete with Game of Thrones in sheer scale and production. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is often mentioned alongside J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, so we know the competition here is very tight.
While both excel in visual grandeur and worldbuilding scale, the Prime Video series tells a different narrative, one that leans more on mythic storytelling. It is less political despite the plot spanning across different regions, timelines, and civilizations of Middle-earth.
Ultimately, this is exactly where it does rival Game of Thrones, just on different terms. It matches it in scale, spectacle, and ambition by building a fully realized fantasy world on television, one that challenges its legacy by creating an epic story on a different kind of canvas.
ShowsWhere to WatchPercy Jackson & the OlympiansDisney+OutlanderStarzThe BorgiasShowtimeVikingsHistoryShōgunFXThe WitcherNetflixThe Rings of PowerPrime Video
Here is a quick FAQ guide:
How can I watch all of these shows?
A subscription to the streaming platform is required. You can choose a plan that suits your budget and create an account.
Are there other shows set in Westeros?
Yes. House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms are both Game of Thrones spinoffs.
How many seasons does GOT have?
Game of Thrones has a total of eight seasons.
What other show do you think competes with Game of Thrones? Let us know in the comments!
Game of Thrones is currently available to watch on HBO Max.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
