8 shows to watch next if you loved 'House of the Dragon' season 2

"House of the Dragon" is a prequel to "Game of Thrones," meaning most fans have watched both. But if you missed "Game of Thrones," you should check it out.

Though George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" novel series was popular before "Game of Thrones" premiered in 2011, the TV adaptation made the franchise a global hit. "Game of Thrones" has a similar tone to "House of the Dragon," an incredible cast, and an interesting story arc that kept audiences hooked for eight years.

Plus, "Game of Thrones" wraps up a very important storyline that's part of "House of the Dragon." In season one, Viserys Targaryen first brings up the Song of Ice and Fire prophecy — a warning that an evil being will try to destroy Westeros unless a special hero, the Prince that was Promised, unites the realm to defeat the enemy.

This prophecy pushes Rhaenyra and Daemon to fight in the war, believing only their families can save the world. But the prophecy is not fulfilled until the final season of "Game of Thrones," set hundreds of years after "House of the Dragon."

All eight seasons of "Game of Thrones" are available to stream on Max.

"House of the Dragon" is a fantasy drama with dragons, knights, and magic. But at its core, it's about a family arguing over who gets to run a company (that company being the kingdom of Westeros).

"Succession" is a similarly Shakespearean drama about the Roy family, who each aim to control the fictional media conglomerate Waystar Royco when the patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox) eventually steps down.

"Succession" doesn't have violent battles, but it's a funny satire about billionaires with incredible character development.

And if you don't like "Succession," try these other family dramas: "Dynasty," "The Righteous Gemstones," and "Empire."

All four seasons of "Succession" are available to stream on Max.

Since "Game of Thrones" became a global hit, every streaming company has been looking to recreate its success. Disney+ may have succeeded this year with their new show, "Shōgun."

The series, based on a novel of the same name, follows John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), an English sailor who gets shipwrecked in Japan as a civil war is about to begin. John ends up allying with Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), a powerful daimyo (the equivalent of a Lord) who is at odds with multiple political rivals in the land.

John can help Lord Toranaga, but they can only communicate through a translator, Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai), who is trying to prove her worth.

"Shōgun" was praised for its complex, thrilling storyline, and attempt to depict 17th-century Japan authentically.

But don't take our word for it: "Shōgun" is the most nominated show for this year's Emmy Awards, with 25 nominations.

Season one of "Shōgun" is available to stream on Disney+.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" is the show on this list that's most similar to "House of the Dragon."

Both are prequels of popular fantasy franchises, but "Rings of Power" isn't directly associated with the 2000s "Lord of the Rings" or 2010s "Hobbit" trilogies.

Both series are just a precursor to a big battle that occurs hundreds of years in the future of the story.

"Rings of Power" is mostly about how the special rings of power were created and how Sauron rose to power. But the series also provides an in-depth look into multiple civilizations in Middle-Earth, which the previous movies did not explore.

"The Wheel of Time" is another great series on Prime Video that may interest fantasy fans who love "House of the Dragon."

Season one of "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Season two premieres on August 29.

"The Witcher" novels were already popular due to the multiple "Witcher" games. But in 2019, Netflix tried its hand at turning the novels into a prestige TV series.

The series follows Geralt of Rivia, a special warrior called a Witcher, as he goes on a quest to protect a princess who holds an incredible power that she doesn't know how to control.

If you love the fantasy setting of "House of the Dragon" but wish there was more action, "The Witcher" should be next on your list.

The first three seasons of "The Witcher" are available to stream on Netflix.

Though "House of the Dragon" is set in a fantasy world, it's often more like a political thriller. "The Expanse" is that but for sci-fi.

Based on a science fiction novel series of the same name, "The Expanse" is set in a future where humanity has colonized the solar system. The series follows a group of protagonists at the center of a conspiracy that threatens to throw the solar system republic into chaos.

Critics have praised how the series blends elements of sci-fi with other genres.

All six seasons of "The Expanse" are available on Prime Video.

"House of the Dragon" is exciting because almost every lead character is a nuanced, morally dubious person. Regardless of their motivations, everyone backstabs or plans cunning plots to gain the upper hand over their enemy. "The 100" is the same.

The postapocalyptic series, based on a book series of the same name, follows a group of human survivors who live in a space station — the Ark — after Earth is destroyed in a nuclear war. Nearly a century after the war, resources are low on the Arc, so the station decides to send a group of teen criminals down to Earth to see if it's habitable.

From there, "The 100" storyline spirals with a new mission or threat almost every season, and the need for survival pushes virtually every character to make immoral choices.

If you're looking for a faster-paced, high-energy drama, "The 100" is the one to watch.

All seven seasons of "The 100" are available to stream on Netflix.

If you enjoy the historical aspects of "House of the Dragon" — though it is a fantasy series, the story is loosely based on the Anarchy, a 12th-century English civil war — try "Black Sails" next.

Swapping out knights and dragons for pirates, "Black Sails" focuses on the golden age of piracy and is a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's famous book, "Treasure Island."

The three-time Emmy-winning series has a slow start but is worth powering through for its beautiful visuals and well-rounded characters. Like "Game of Thrones," it has gratuitous sex and violence.

If you don't like "Black Sails," "The Last Kingdom," "Vikings," and "Vikings: Valhalla" are great historical fictions about the Anglo-Saxon and Viking eras.

All four seasons of "Black Sails" are available on Netflix and Starz.