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
Like Game Of Thrones

The Good Ol’ Days

Cherish your happy memories of the intact Stark family sitting by the fire at Winterfell (and steadily ignore Bran being pushed out of that window in episode one or Jon’s lowkey emotional abuse) with these cozy gems:

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Although a dark comedy, this film is at the same time a major feel-good movie. The often at-odds Hoover family comes together as a unified front in support of the youngest member, Olive, and her pageant dreams. All of the turbulent aspects of their lives (a failing marriage, attempted suicide, heroin-addiction) are still important themes throughout their road trip, but the overall journey of healing and accepting their oddball family for what it is make up the heart of Little Miss Sunshine.

The Addams Family (1991)

Perhaps one of the most accepting and supportive families on television and film, the Addams Family is “kooky” because of their penchant for the macabre. But when you really look at them, you see the two children, Wednesday and Pugsley, being adored by their parents — who obviously very much adore each other as well. The 1991 film adaptation shows the infamous family banding together against a con artist pretending to be their long-lost relative.

Shazam! (2019)

Family units come in all shapes and sizes, and Billy Batson’s adoptive siblings are the wholesome pack he’s always needed. You’d have to be a heartless monster to not feel something at the end when they share in a powerful experience we won’t spoil.

Modern Family (2009 – )

The fun, oftentimes touching antics of the Dunphy/Pritchett/Tucker-Pritchetts are a great depiction of blended families that feels more accurate and intimate than those of older sitcoms. Season 10 just wrapped up this month with an especially emotional finale, and the 11th season is looming just on the horizon. The series’ strong writing and lovable characters are what makes it such a lasting and cozy family comedy series.


Dragons

Of course.

Reign of Fire (2002)

A post-apocalyptic film where dragons are the reason for humanity’s destruction is a rare gift indeed. Add Christian Bale, Matthew McConaughey, and Gerard Butler to the mix, in direct conflict with the monstrous fire-breathing creatures themselves, and you have the perfect recipe for a post-Thrones viewing.

How to Train Your Dragon Trilogy (2010, 2014, and 2019)

A friendlier alternative, the first two How to Train Your Dragon films had a surplus of heart as well as a conservationist message towards the dragons. Hiccup works to help his fellow Vikings learn to live in peace with dragons in Berk — dragons who oftentimes exhibit similar characteristics to housecats, a plus for any House Targaryen fans who dreamed of hatching dragons of their own. The third movie, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, just arrived on home video.

Merlin (2008 – 2012)

Spiritual advisor and voice of reason to Merlin, John Hurt‘s Great Dragon is an important core of the series — foretelling his and Arthur’s destiny leading up to the show’s incredibly painful, yet inevitable, ending. Fans often found themselves siding with stubborn optimist Merlin against the prophecies of the Great Dragon. The familiar voice of Hurt breathes life into the mythology of Merlin while the character himself has his own bone to pick with Camelot.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Hagrid wasn’t supposed to tell (and technically he didn’t say it outright) — but the first task is dragons. The film adaptation takes Harry’s face-off with his dragon and extends it into an entire chase scene. It stands out as one of the most memorable action sequences in an already jam-packed installment of the franchise, making the fourth Harry Potter forever tied to dragons.

Special Mentions: Shrek (2001), Spirited Away (2001), and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

A flirtatious dragon guarding a princess, a young boy who can transform into a dragon deity, and a treasure-loving dragon prone to long monologues.


In Need of Some Familiar Faces?

Some of the best, and most outside the Thrones box, appearances of high profile Game of Thrones cast members over the years. A good list for anyone else in need of more Sophie Turner content in their lives:

The Thirteenth Tale (2013), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Dark Phoenix (2019)

Sophie Turner smolders as Jean Grey in the X-Men prequels, and in the past graced the screen with Olivia Colman in an adaptation of the gothic novel The Thirteenth Tale.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), Welcome to Marwen (2018)

Gwendoline Christie‘s Captain Phasma is the chromium-clad woman of our dreams in the new Star Wars sequels, and her commanding presence will be sorely missed in The Rise of Skywalker. In the meantime, Christie can be found in the offbeat biography of Mark Hogencamp (Steve Carrell) in Welcome to Marwen.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), Jupiter Ascending (2015)

Sean Bean has an extensive filmography, although his characters are notorious for not making it through to see the end. Fellowship has one of his most beloved characters that doesn’t survive, while the ever-unappreciated Jupiter Ascending features a relatively unknown character of his that does.

Imagine Me & You (2005), 300 (2006), Fighting With My Family (2019)

A diverse group of Lena Headey films, these are simultaneously alike and very different from her portrayal on Game of Thrones. Her characters in this line-up include the matriarch of a pro-wrestling family, the quirky love interest in a lesbian rom-com, and last but not least, Queen of Sparta.


Bet You Thought You’d Seen the Last of Me

For fans of the comeback, surprise-I’m-not-dead moment, these picks all feature characters coming back from certain demise (whether actual death a la Jon Snow or otherwise). Some seek revenge, while others simply get right back to work.

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

The “Baba Yaga” John Wick (Keanu Reeves) has proven time and time again that leaving him be would simply be the safest course of action. However, people keep on messing with him (and his beloved pets). In the second installment of the franchise, crime lord Santino D’Antonio blows up Mr. Wick’s home after he refuses to take a hit assignment from him. Amazingly, he and his dog survive, and the near-death blow is the catalyst for the events that follow in Rome.

Sherlock Seasons 2 and 3 (2012 – 2014)

The finale of Sherlock Season 2 was a highly anticipated episode based on the short story “The Final Problem.” It ends with Sherlock Holmes’ apparent (and very convincing) suicide. Even Dr. Watson was convinced of his friend’s death and mourned him, until Season 3 when Sherlock reveals himself to be secretly alive two years later. Needless to say, John was not amused.

Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003)

The ultimate left-for-dead revenge flick, Kill Bill has the gall to present audiences with a protagonist who survives getting shot directly in the head. Four years later, she embarks on the titular mission to kill Bill — going through everyone else who took part in her apparent murder that day, as well.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Seasons 5 and 6 (2000 – 2002)

The iconic series closed out its fifth season with a bang, as Buffy sacrifices herself for Dawn and dies. However, fan tears were shortlived as the first episode of Season 6 was a two-part installment where Willow and the “Scoobies” resurrect Buffy, as the town descends into chaos. Besides being a great back-from-the-dead storyline, the entire series is a must-see for anyone in need of a new show.

Special Mentions: Corpse Bride (2005) and literally every character and season of Supernatural (2005 – )

Tim Burton‘s undead bride returns from the grave and reveals her tragic past, while Eric Kripke’s horror-fantasy series has had more characters come back from the dead than likely anything else on television.


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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.