The Lord of the Rings is undoubtedly one of the most iconic movie trilogies of all time, not just limited to its fantasy genre. When looking for movies or television shows that bear a resemblance to the franchise, fast-paced and frantic action will get you close, with grand battles for territory in medievally-aesthetic worlds getting even closer to matching the winning formula of The Lord of the Rings.
Expectations will be high when looking for something on par with The Lord of the Rings films. Fortunately, there are a few great television shows that manage to rival, and even surpass, the incredible and classic trilogy.
Updated September 3, 2022 by Declan Lowthian: With the release of Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, fans of the classic films really have something to sink their teeth into. But as that show airs, fantasy fans might be on the hunt for other TV shows to satiate their fantasy appetites. We've updated this list with even more info about the best fantasy television on the market today.
10 The Shannara Chronicles
2 Seasons, 20 Episodes
Like The Lord of the Rings, The Shannara Chronicles makes great use of breath-taking locales and scenery, making them the battlegrounds for intense battles between various fantasy peoples. In The Shannara Chronicles, the human and elvish races are prompted to band together and fight back against a new threat of previously banished demons.
Based on the best-selling fantasy book series by Terry Brooks, The Shannara Chronicles is packed full of action, adventure, and general chaos, perfectly filling that void left behind by The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. It might not be up there in terms of reviews and ratings, but it is still worth a watch for fans of the fantasy genre.
9 See
3 Seasons, 17 Episodes
See has its own unique premise focused around the value of sight and a world where it is a rarity as a concept. Within this unique story and the lore behind it lies characters such as Jason Momoa's Baba Voss, who will do anything to protect those he loves, which naturally results in conflict.
See is blends of fantasy, sci-fi, and action-adventure all into one bundle that is certainly worth checking out. It has a compelling story and a certain level of intensity to it that should appeal to fans of The Lord of the Rings.
8 Britannia
3 Seasons, 27 Episodes
Britannia is a historical mystical drama that also borrows fantasy elements. Set in 43 AD when the Romans invaded Britain, Britannia thrives in its brutality and violence. It also delves into ritualistic and mystical elements that make the series somewhat unpredictable.
Britannia is a dark series with a setting and premise which hasn't previously been explored to such a deep extent, making it an incredibly intriguing and enticing series that should definitely be added to any watch list. Viewers who want their fantasy filled with fight scenes and mysterious storylines will find something to love in Britannia.
7 The Witcher
2 Seasons, 16 Episodes
The Lord of the Rings excels in both its story about a journey and its grand battles on a huge and epic scale. While Netflix's The Witcher series has yet to truly reach the grandeur of Tolkien's epic, it is captivating enough to put it in the same basket as The Lord of the Rings.
Just when The Witcher's human interactions make viewers forget that it is a fantasy show about killing monsters, an outlandish species of monster will appear in all its terrifying glory to remind them what they are watching. The swordplay and choreography in The Witcher is exemplary, making it well worth the watch for anyone hungry for more fantasy monster hunting action.
6 Vikings
6 Seasons, 89 Episodes
Any show that follows the lives of Vikings is sure to deliver some brutal and violent combat. The show Vikings captures this brutality and excels with its fight scenes, allowing every main character the chance to prove themselves in thrilling battle sequences.
Although the general theme at the start of Vikings is conquest, it is also a satisfying and exciting character drama. Anyone looking for a Lord of the Rings experience with far less magic needs to check out Vikings.
5 Marco Polo
2 Seasons, 20 Episodes
Marco Polo sees the titular Venetian explorer join the court of legendary Mongol ruler Kublai Khan. While it leans on the dramatic and adventure sides in terms of genre, it certainly draws comparisons to The Lord of the Rings in many ways.
The series has plenty of drama and tension, with exciting and entertaining fight scenes and general interactions between characters. It explores a new culture, how Marco Polo can fit into said culture, and whether he has the right to do so. Its two seasons before its cancellation are available to watch on Netflix.
4 Legend Of The Seeker
2 Seasons, 44 Episodes
Sam Raimi's Legend of the Seeker is based on the fantasy novel series The Sword Of Truth by Terry Goodkind. It premiered in 2008 and ran for two season before being canceled in 2010.
Although The Legend of the Seeker's choreography and casting can't necessarily be compared to the likes of The Lord of the Rings, The Witcher, and Game of Thrones, its premise and general execution still make for compelling television. It is a blend of fantasy, supernatural, and adventure, with a generally dark theme throughout that will appeal to most fans of the genre.
3 Black Sails
4 Seasons, 38 Episodes
As far as chaotic worlds full of fast-paced action, deceit and destruction go, Black Sails certainly fits the bill. Following a band of pirates through the trials and tribulations of their chaotic life, the show is full of shocking twists and turns and rarely slows down to breathe.
Black Sails will easily appeal to anyone who loves the adventure aspect of Lord of the Rings. Lines can often be blurred between good and bad characters, which makes for compelling television and makes Black Sails a must-watch.
2 The Last Kingdom
5 Seasons, 46 Episodes
The Last Kingdom is another exploration of Viking life like Vikings. But in this instance, it explores the relationship between Vikings and Anglo-Saxons with plenty of twists and turns along the way.
The Last Kingdom has its fair share of political intrigue, but also excels in its portrayal of brutal fighting between opposing sides. Its pacing allows for chunks of dialogue to provide depth that makes the intense combat sequences all the more impactful.
1 Game Of Thrones
8 Seasons, 73 Episodes
Game of Thrones enjoyed a meteoric rise to becoming one of the most famous and revered fantasy TV shows of all time. The ending was extremely controversial, but the overall storytelling and execution made for some captivating television.
Fans of The Lord of the Rings will appreciate this slow build, as it motivates and gets the viewer excited about the unpredictable chaos that is about to ensue. There are eight seasons of Game of Thrones to get through, but it is a thrilling journey for fantasy fans.