Shows like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is one of the most hotly anticipated fantasy shows for a very long time and is reported to be one of the most expensive television programmes ever made. Prime Video’s epic new series has been in production with Amazon Studios for some time now and tells the story of the second age of Middle earth, many thousands of years before the events of the original Lord of the Rings stories and The Hobbit.
And although it’s great news that such a big budget show has arrived (and there is going to be more to come) – an issue for fans will be that they just can’t get enough of it! There are only ten episodes in the first season and then there’s going to be quite a wait until the next instalment.
So, what should you do?
Well you could return to the movies from Peter Jackson (and that’s not such a bad idea) but even when you’ve watched the extended boxsets and director’s cuts you’ll need more TV yes, even more than we have on the Screen OD YouTube channel!), so we suggest you try out some of these excellent shows that we’ve handpicked for people that love The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power…
10. The Wheel of Time
Also from Prime Video (so you don’t need to subscribe to any other services), this is a series based on the novels by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. It tells the story of Moiraine Damodred, played by Rosamund Pike, a member of the Aes Sedai – an all-female order who is attempting to keep peace in the fantasy realm within which they exist. However, the return of an evil called The Dark One sees Morianne and her allies go in search of a saviour in the shape of the hero The Dragon. There’s a lot of Tolkien-like stuff about this one and plenty of fantasy to hang onto for fans of Lord of the Rings.
9. Foundation
This is certainly more science fiction than it is fantasy, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that Foundation on Apple TV+ certainly has lots that fans of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will appreciate. A story with a dramatic and epic appeal, this is a show that spans long periods of time and is about the rise and fall of more than just the characters, but of the very world (like Middle earth) at the heart of it.
8. House of the Dragon
It’s been a long time in coming, but House of the Dragon has arrived and it’s a hit! HBO has done it again, this time taking viewers to Westeros hundreds of years before the events of Game of Thrones. This is a story of epic fantasy proportions with mystery and intrigue at every turn. Just like Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, this is a world that is on a journey as much as its central characters, and this is one that fans should check out immediately if they haven’t already.
7. Stranger Things
One of Netflix’s biggest television hits since its inception, this is a science fiction show more than a fantasy – but the way in which the characters embark on a quest (in a round about way) to try to stop the evil forces that are disrupting their town has shades of LOTR. The way that the world expands as the problem does too also will make fantasy fans feel pleased as the Vecna storyline builds and develops towards what is looking likely to be an epic battle and finale.
6. The Last Kingdom
Based on the books of Bernard Cornwell The Last Kingdom is less high fantasy and more historical saga set in a version of 9th Century Europe. This is a show that doesn’t have quite the spectacular depth and breadth of Lord of the Rings Middle-earth as its based mainly in the UK and Scandanavia – however, it has a lot of battles and intriguing power struggles that will remind you of LOTR.
5 .Game of Thrones
Without a doubt the biggest fantasy television series of the modern era, this is as much a cultural phenomenon as it is a television series. Game of Thrones is an epic and wide-reaching fantasy series that draws you into the politics and power struggles of Westeros, just like you are into Middle-earth in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Although this is less family-friendly in theme, older members of the LOTR audience will certainly want to give GoT a try.
4. The Witcher
From short stories, animations and video games to becoming one of the most popular fantasy shows of recent times, Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher series has been a huge hit on Netflix. The world within which it exists, featuring elves and magical creatures, certainly has a lot in common with Middle-earth, and although this story concentrates much more on the people rather than the place, this is still a show that will inspire all those who love LOTR.
3. Shadow and Bone
There are plenty of monsters and mythical forces in this fantasy series. However, there is a difference – because as many shows that go down the path of high fantasy seem to employ a medieval European vibe to tell their story, this world is Imperial Russian-inspired and has technology that begins to mix things up pretty quickly. However, at the heart of it are ideas from the author Leigh Bardugo which will inspire all Tolkien fans.
2. The Sandman
There’s no doubt that Lord of the Rings and the works of Tolkien must have touched the life of Neil Gaiman, one of the great fantasy writers of the modern era. This series, just like The Rings of Power is able to weave effortlessly folklore and mythical ideas with new and clever concepts to construct a world that will fascinate all who are fans of this genre of television.
1. His Dark Materials
Philip Pullman’s trilogy may have not had the time of the works of Tolkien to have become worldwide and legendary in literary terms, but it’s fair to say that in the modern era His Dark Materials is certainly in the ballpark of being one of the most well-loved and influential in the genre. Building around a world that continues to expand and characters with fascinating stories to tell, this family-friendly tale has a lot in common with The Lord of the Rings, but enough differences that you certainly won’t find it predictable.
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