50+ Movies and Shows to Fill the ‘Game of Thrones’ Void in Your Life

All good (and at times painful) things must come to an end, but this watchlist should help ease the passage a bit
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Family Dramas, Now with 100 Percent Less Incest

Everyone loves a good familial tiff or unexpected bastard son, right? Viewers who’ll miss this juicy drama most of all can find solace here. If you really just liked the aunt-on-nephew action, however, I can’t help you:

The Kids Are All Right (2010)

Unfaithful spouses and children discovering their true parentage is the case here, although much less complicated in regard to the latter. This hearty and unique film feels real and somewhat grounded while still delivering hugely dramatic events, helped along by the natural charisma of Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, and Mark Ruffalo.

The Sopranos (1999 – 2007)

Another series with heavy themes of power struggles and family, as well as a much-discussed finale, The Sopranos feels right at home on this list. The mob-centric drama in the critically-acclaimed show could also be the midpoint of sorts between the bloody Thrones familial conflict we’ve come to love and more tame storylines from other series.

Hereditary (2018)

There’s nothing a mother loves more than her own children. Hereditary delves into the drama surrounding the loss of a child, while exploring familial tensions and grief — and scaring the crap out of audiences at the same time. The horror felt throughout Hereditary and its theme of inheriting a sinister fate make it more unique than the usual family drama, much like Thrones.

Succession (2018 – )

One of the most popular black comedy series on TV today, this fellow HBO headliner centers around, well, succession. When you have a powerful family in charge of an empire, there are bound to be conflicts surrounding who will take over once the patriarch steps down. Rather than fighting for an iron throne, though, the Roy family are concerned with the fate of their international media conglomerate Waystar Royco.

Special Mentions: The Borgias (2011 – 2013) and The Tudors (2007 – 2010)

Both known for making historical-fiction sexy, these two series also boast plenty of engrossing marriage and family-related drama along with the necessary political tension throughout.


If You’re Just Really Missing Those Yorkshire Accents

Although incredibly inconsistent across the board, most of the primary players in Game of Thrones speak in Yorkshire accents, an English dialect of Northern England. This most notable includes Ned Stark, which makes sense as this is Sean Bean’s native dialect. Many of the dwarves in the Hobbit trilogy speak in Yorkshire accents, as does Matthew Lewis from the Harry Potter series. Get your Yorkie fix here:

Downton Abbey (2010 – 2015)

The infamous British drama is set in (an albeit fictional) North Yorkshire estate, with many of the servants and villagers speaking with a Yorkie accent.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

As mentioned, the majority of the dwarves who accompany Bilbo in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit speak with Yorkshire accents. This includes their leader, Richard Armitage‘s Thorin Oakenshield. The Lord of the Rings prequel trilogy has an absolute overabundance of dwarves (whether that’s a good thing or not is up to you) so it should feel almost like you’re right back in the North — with more varied dialogue.

Chicken Run (2000)

The World War II POW camp-style poultry farm in this surprisingly dark children’s film is located in Yorkshire. The accents of the fearless chickens, as well as Mrs. and Mr. Tweedy, are English-Yorkshire, making it a fun addition for anyone seeking the dialect. Interestingly enough, a sequel was announced last year, so those of us who grew up with the stop-motion hit should keep a look out for that.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

Matthew Lewis has played underdog favorite Neville Longbottom since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was released back in 2001. He also speaks in his native Yorkshire accent throughout the series, one of the few to do so. His role in turning the tide during the final battle at Hogwarts in Deathly Hallows further cemented his fan-favorite status, making part two of the finale the ideal pick for this list.


You’re as Cold as Ice

This can be taken either way — you’re ready to run back to the frigid North OR you crave even more carnage now that the notoriously bloody show has ended. Or maybe both! Here are a few films with both graphic violence and sub-zero temps:

Snowpiercer (2013)

An absolute knockout of a film, Snowpiercer combines gruesome class conflicts and an end-days frozen world — all taking place on a high-speed train of survivors. Chris Evans is one of a few standout names in this bloody, futuristic spectacle where the working class must hack and claw their way toward the higher standards of living at the front of the train.

Fortitude (2015 – 2018)

The Arctic town of “Fortitude” finds itself the unexpected scene of a violent crime, while a once-dormant parasite in the ice wreaks its own kind of havoc on the residents. This psychological horror series was filmed in picturesque locations like Reyðarfjörður, Iceland, and Svalbard, Norway.

30 Days of Night (2007)

This vampire film staple set in a remote Alaska town truly gets better after every rewatch. Every frame is either drenched in blinding snow or blood, and this contrast — along with a really unique creature design — works extremely well. David Slade’s sharklike vampires and their ensuing slaughter are not only some of the scariest vamps to ever grace the screen but also more than fill the bloodthirsty quota of the average Thrones viewer.

Frostbitten (2006)

Swedish horror-comedy? Check. More vampires thriving in dark, Nordic-winter days? Check. Great special effects? Check. What more could you ask for in your pursuit of cold carnage?


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Kendall Cromartie: Kendall is a recent graduate and San Diego native who is passionate about the environment, writing, and above all else Keanu Reeves.