15 Best Shows Like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

The spinoff of the iconic fantasy series, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, has marked yet another extraordinary chapter in the ongoing golden age of fantasy television. With its enormous budget, its sprawling story, and its evocation of one of the most well-established and beloved mythologies in fantasy literature, it’s become a benchmark against which other series are measured. While The Rings of Power’s season 1 ending left many questions for season 2 to answer, watching the series is reminiscent of other great fantasy TV shows that explore similar themes.

The number of other fantasy and science fiction series with which The Rings of Power can be compared is only growing, as there are amazing fantasy TV shows with satisfying endings, as well as ongoing series to pique audience interest. Though the world J.R.R. Tolkien imagined is full of magic and mystical creatures, much of the conflict portrayed in The Rings of Power is relatable to human history. This means that historical period dramas also have a lot in common with the fantastical show, as they share elements of political espionage and epic battle sequences.

15 The Wheel Of Time (2021-Present)

Based on the epic fantasy book series, The Wheel of Time has brought fantasy to new viewers.

The Wheel of Time has quickly established itself as one of the best series on Prime Video. With a sprawling story and a cast of lovable characters who embark on an epic quest, it is very much in the same Tolkien tradition as The Rings of Power. Since both series draw inspiration from iconic novel series, there’s plenty of lore and intricate worldbuilding to inform the characters and settings. However, this also creates added pressure for the series to live up to the expectations of fans who are familiar with the books.

What’s more, it also involves a cosmic battle between the forces of good and evil, both of whom are fighting for dominance of the world. The series features expert performances from Rosamund Pike, Zoë Robins, and a number of other strong female characters. This is refreshing, as many fantasy series overlook the women in the story in favor of male-centric narratives. The Rings of Power also opts to correct this issue with the original books by centering the story of Galadriel.

14 The Witcher (2019-Present)

Netflix’s dark fantasy series has weathered many changes and maintained its quality.

Of all of Netflix’s original series, The Witcher stands out because it’s a true fantasy show in the tradition of classic epics of the genre. Though a bit bleaker and more cynical than Tolkien’s work, it nevertheless has much to recommend to fans of The Rings of Power. The magic that haunts and controls the characters in The Witcher has the same level of mystery and intrigue as that in The Lord of the Rings. Additionally, there’s plenty of action and gorgeous fight scenes to keep audiences engaged.

Of particular note is the hero Geralt of Rivia, the character of the title and a man with his own stubborn sense of honor and a moral code he follows. It also features a very powerful female character in Princess Cirilla, who will be sure to appeal to those who enjoy the presence of Galadriel in the Tolkien-inspired series. Though The Witcher season 4 will recast Geralt, this creates an exciting opportunity for the series to evolve and adapt to new storylines and characters.

13 Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)

The sweeping TV series sparked renewed interest in fantasy on television.

Game of Thrones has proven itself to be one of HBO’s most iconic series of the 21st century and has maintained its popularity in the years since the series finale. Though very much in the epic fantasy tradition, it is also about the nature of power and just how far people will go as they pursue more of it. While Game of Thrones‘ final season stirred up controversy and concluded the series on a divisive note, this doesn’t change the fact that Game of Thrones was an immensely popular and consistent series throughout its run.

With its dragons and its many noble houses competing for power, it has a vast scale on par with The Rings of Power. It also shows the power of fantasy as a genre to ask pertinent questions about the real world, how it works, and why people behave the way they do. Additionally, the last few seasons were conceived and written without direct source material to back them up, as there are only five books currently in The Song of Ice and Fire. The Rings of Power similarly creates original plots and character arcs based on previous work.

12 The Shannara Chronicles (2016-2017)

This character-driven series has much in common with the writing of Tolkien.

Before he took on his career-defining role as Elvis in the biopic Elvis, Austin Butler graced quite a few TV series, including his brief stint on The Shannara Chronicles. Of all the fantasy series that have appeared over the last decade, The Shannara Chronicles has the most in common with the original Tolkien, in large part because of its source material, the series written by Terry Brooks. Brooks was influenced by Tolkien’s work, as the world of Shannara is filled with similar creatures and obstacles.

Over its two seasons, it follows several reluctant heroes as they battle against various evils, including both demons and a malevolent entity known as the Warlock Lord. Though its narrative could be a bit messy at times, there’s no doubt that it was an ambitious piece of television and a compelling adventure story in its own right. Butler’s character, Wil Ohmsford, is half-human-half-elf, and the dynamics between species are a large part of the conflicts in the show. This reflects the complex relationships between characters in The Rings of Power.

11 House Of The Dragon (2022-Present)

Though a prequel series, House of the Dragon has asserted itself in the TV landscape.

As a spinoff prequel to Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon has a lot to prove, but it’s shown that it is willing to take its own path. Focusing on the royal Targaryens as their dynasty begins to fracture, it is a brooding, atmospheric series that explores the halls of royal power and its misuse. One of the best parts of the series is the dynamic between Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower, played by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke. The chemistry and tension between these actors have kept audiences on the edge of their seats.

Though House of the Dragon maintains the epic scale of Game of Thrones, it distinguishes itself by centering on the specific political intrigue surrounding a key group. It has much to recommend to those who enjoy The Rings of Power. In particular, it focuses on a world that is poised on the brink of change, one which will leave almost no one unscathed and unscarred. New characters introduced in House of the Dragon season 3 will only increase the hype surrounding the spinoff, which doubtlessly has many seasons ahead of it.

10 His Dark Materials (2019-2022)

Living up to its name, His Dark Materials incorporates elements of dark fantasy.

As a genre, fantasy has the power to ask tough philosophical and ethical questions, and this is particularly true of Tolkien. It is also true of Philip Pullman, whose magisterial trilogy known as His Dark Materials is the basis for the HBO series of the name. Despite its focus on younger characters, namely Lyra and Will, His Dark Materials isn’t afraid to interrogate the most sinister aspects of the genre and put its characters through a lot. The books were an early example of authors exploring parallel universes.

The story follows Lyra and Will as they struggle against a theocratic organization known as the Magisterium, which would bring all creation under its brutal sway. Beautiful, haunting, and tragic, it has just the right mix of fantasy elements to make it sure to appeal to those who love Tolkien and its on-screen adaptations. Lyra is a fantastic lead character like Galadriel, and she alone has the power to understand and control the alethiometer and fulfill her destiny, like Frodo.

9 Foundation (2021-Present)

A sci-fi epic with enough warring factions and kingdoms to be reminiscent of The Rings of Power.

Though it’s a newer series, Foundation has become a heavy hitter for Apple TV+. The streamer has distinguished itself as a seat of iconic new sci-fi shows. With its story about an empire that is poised to collapse and the efforts of a group of scholars to protect valuable knowledge for generations to come, it’s the sort of vast storytelling that is sure to appeal to fans of Tolkien and Middle-earth more generally. Lee Pace plays Brother Day, the corrupt king who rules with an iron fist and in terror that his power will be usurped.

Though the plot can, at times, be a bit slow-moving, it is one of those series that only gets better the longer it goes on. Foundation season 2 received an outpouring of praise from audiences and critics alike, making it likely that the rest of Isaac Asimov’s seminal series will be adapted for the screen. Though there are many great men who move the needle in Foundation, Lou Llobell’s Gaal is the character worth rooting for as she attempts to create a better world.

8 Shadow And Bone (2021-2023)

A short-lived series that proved the potential for a franchise within the universe.

Shadow and Bone is a canceled TV show that could realistically return, as it ended before its time, and the book series has a broad universe to explore. The spinoff books, Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom take place in the world of Shadow and Bone, but their stories could still be brought to life on Netflix. Both series are epic works, with the first focusing on Alina Starkov, an extraordinary young woman with a powerful gift that could reshape her world. Her story is in the tradition of Tolkien’s expansive worldbuilding and intricate societies.

Shadow and Bone demonstrates that Netflix has joined the world of epic fantasy television in a big way, even if the show didn’t last long. Like all the best fantasy, the series focuses not only on Alina’s hero’s journey but also on the larger ethical and philosophical questions Alina has to face. She finds herself drawn further and further into a conflict very much larger than herself as hidden plots and complex love stories blossom around her.

7 The Legend Of Vox Machina (2022-Present)

This animated epic appeals to a much larger audience than fans of D&D.

It didn’t take long for The Legend of Vox Machina to establish itself as one of the strongest series of the 2020s, animated or not. Focusing on the adventures of the titular group of mercenaries, it has a fiery and irreverent sense of humor that marks it as different from many other fantasy series. While it draws on the world of Dungeons & Dragons, and this informs the character types and conflicts, the arcs still connect with viewers of all kinds.

Works like The Lord of the Rings heavily inspire games like D&D, as the creatures and magic in shows like The Rings of Power are similar to those in The Legend of Vox Machina​​​​​​. How much this series and others of its ilk owe to Tolkien comes through in the worldbuilding and central conflicts. Like The Rings of Power and The Lord of the Rings, The Legend of Vox Machina transcends genre, which is an appealing factor for any fantasy series. Additionally, because it’s animated, the show can incorporate incredible visuals.

6 The Sandman (2022-Present)

Based on the iconic graphic novel series, The Sandman is a favorite for all audiences.

The graphic novel The Sandman is a beloved work of fantasy, and its dark and horror elements, as well as its religious themes, have appealed to a wide array of audiences. The Netflix adaptation is remarkably faithful to the source material, focusing on the character of Morpheus, the ruler of the Dreaming. In The Sandman, the viewer is introduced to the mystical world of the Endless, with standout episodes featuring Death (Kirby) and an encounter with Lucifer (Gwendoline Christie).

It has all the meticulous world-building a fan of The Rings of Power could ask for, as well as sumptuous designs and glittering CGI. It is, altogether, a beautiful, haunting, and deeply thoughtful fantasy series and a reminder of just how much potential there is in fantasy adaptation. While The Rings of Power reflects the violent parts of human history in an epic scope, The Sandman takes a more intimate approach. Individual dreams and nightmares of people are put on full display as Morpheus tries to regain his faith in humanity.

5 Vikings (2013–2020)

Though this series deals with history not fantasy, it’s just as epic in scale.

Many iconic period dramas like Vikings heighten the real moments of human history that the stories draw from to increase the drama and stakes. Series like The Rings of Power are heavily informed by Medieval history, particularly the past that Vikings explores of the conflict between the Norse people and the Anglo-Saxons. Originally airing on the History Channel and then moving to Prime Video, the series was popular enough to warrant a spinoff. This follow-up, Vikings: Valhalla, was housed by Netflix for its three seasons.

Part of the reason Vikings is closer in tone to a fantasy series like The Rings of Power​​​​​​ rather than a documentary is because it revolves around stories of folk heroes and their reported epic deeds. In many ways, the ancient kingdoms and seats of power portrayed in Vikings are just as foreign and indecipherable as the plots in series like The Rings of Power. The battle techniques, political and social dynamics, and many invasions are all elements that can frequently used in the fantasy genre.

4 The Last Kingdom (2015–2022)

The beginnings of the British Empire are shown through the eyes of great warriors.

Ewan Mitchell, who now stars in House of the Dragon, was previously featured in The Last Kingdom as part of the large ensemble that fleshed out the complex world of the series. Similarly to Vikings, The Last Kingdom is set in the real world and is framed as a historical drama, even though it has its share of inaccuracies. However, the show is based on the novel series by Bernard Cornwell, The Saxon Stories, and chronicles the long and fraught period in which empires rose and fell.

The sweeping visuals and rugged terrain that the characters trek are all too familiar compared to the aesthetics and style of fantasy epics like The Rings of Power. The Last Kingdom also boasts some of the best TV show battle scenes, as the series incorporates sieges and head-on collisions between armies. One aspect of The Last Kingdom that deeply relates to The Rings of Power is that the series centers on the stories of brave warriors and their selfless deeds. They also depict the conflicting emotions and desires that swirl beneath the surface of these heroes.

3 Blood Of Zeus (2020–Present)

This animated adventure incorporates Greek myths no audience has ever encountered.

Retellings and reimaginings of Greek mythology have never been more popular in film, TV, and novels, but Blood of Zeus doesn’t attempt to retread the familiar fables every mythology fan knows. Instead, Blood of Zeus informs the viewer that its stories are canonical myths lost to time featuring unsung heroes. The show centers on Heron, a demi-god who discovers that Zeus is his father and that he has inherited great strength and abilities along with a birthright that could cost him his life. However, this premise is only the tip of the iceberg in the show.

The animation style is one of the strongest parts of the series, as it completely immerses the viewer in the action and world as much as the visual effects in The Rings of Power do. Though the wait between seasons 1 and 2 was agonizingly long, this is to be expected from an animated show that’s as well produced as Blood of Zeus. Audiences shouldn’t be fooled by the animated format, as serious themes and dark story elements are critical aspects of the show, and death follows the characters everywhere they go.

2 Outlander (2014–Present)

Romance, history, and fantasy are perfectly combined in this period drama.

While The Rings of Power features more romantic relationships than Lord of the Rings, neither series is as sweepingly romantic as Outlander. The relationship between Claire and Jamie, the central characters in the series, is not only emotionally compelling but full of plenty of steamy chemistry that sets Outlander apart within the fantasy genre. However, the importance of the love story doesn’t detract from the fact that Claire and Jamie live through some of the biggest wars and revolutions in European history, contributing to these battles and political alliances.

Outlander is one of the best period romance TV shows ever made because of how well the fantasy aspect is woven through the story. Claire is sent back in time through a magical portal, which is how she meets Jamie in 1700s Scotland. Though Outlander is rarely grouped in with the epic fantasy series on the scale of The Rings of Power, it’s just as popular and reaches a significant audience base. The success and influence of Outlander speak to why it should be taken more seriously by fantasy audiences of all generations.

1 A Discovery Of Witches (2018–2022)

Time and magic intertwine, as do the character’s lives in this mystical version of the real world.

Audiences have recently rediscovered this romantic fantasy drama based on the All Souls book trilogy by Deborah Harkness.A Discovery of Witches stars Teresa Palmer and Matthew Goode as the witch Diana Bishop and the vampire Matthew Clairmont. Though there’s a blood feud and deep mistrust between the witch and vampire communities, Diana and Matthew are immediately drawn to each other. They work together for the greater good of the world when an ancient and powerful book suddenly appears.

Though A Discovery of Witches only ran for three seasons, it covers a lot of ground and fleshes out an intricate story. Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power takes place in a realm completely separate from the real world, Middle Earth, but A Discovery of Witches exists in a world just like our own where mystical creatures hide in the shadows. The importance of specific objects and the relationships between different powerful entities in the story’s world make it a great follow-up to any series inspired by Tolkien.