The Best HBO Shows To Watch After Finishing House Of The Dragon

House of the Dragon season 2 has been a massive success for HBO, with the fantasy epic continuing the success of its predecessor, Game of Thrones. As the prequel to HBO's biggest hit, House of the Dragon follows the story of the Dance of Dragons, set 200 years before Game of Thrones, with House Targaryen destroying each other through intense politicking and dragon warfare.

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With season 2 coming to an end, audiences may wonder what series to start next, with HBO having a wide variety of high-quality shows that have made their mark on pop culture. Many of the best aspects and elements of House of the Dragon appear in several of HBO's shows, with the iconic network making itself the destination for prestige television.

8 Game Of Thrones

Fantasy Epic And HBO's Biggest Franchise

When Game of Thrones was released in 2011, no one could have foreseen the success and worldwide popularity of George R.R. Martin's worki in television form, with Westeros becoming the home of prestige television for almost a decade.

The fantasy epic that spawned eight seasons saw the battle for the Iron Throne cultivate many victims while the danger from the North started to emerge. In Game of Thrones, characters such as Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, and Tyrion Lannister became some of the most iconic characters in television and pop culture, with their journeys, personalities, and actions making them household names. Game of Thrones' international fame was enough to create House of the Dragon as its prequel, with the show taking many elements of Game of Thrones to try and replicate its success.

7 Succession

Political Drama That Sees Family Fight For Control Of A Media Empire

Fresh off its final season in 2023, Succession entered the pantheon of elite HBO shows, with the drama focusing on the Roy family and their plans for the succession of their multi-billion dollar media company, Waystar Royco. Filled with enthralling dialogue and dark humor unlike anything on television, Succession is one of the few shows in television history with the perfect blend of drama and comedy.

Despite the control of Waystar Royco being in constant discussion, the crux of Succession comes down to the Roy family and its members, with the constant rivalry and backstabbing being an aspect that mirrors House of the Dragon.

6 The Sopranos

Mob Family Drama That Changed How TV Protagonists Are Viewed

The Sopranos is considered one of the greatest shows of all time, with the HBO classic transforming the medium of television programming. The series follows Tony Soprano, a mob boss, who begins talking to a therapist to help deal with recurring panic attacks caused by family issues and work affairs

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One of the most significant factors in The Sopranos' success was that it was one of the first shows to have its main character be an antihero. In the show, Tony is often shown to be a toxic individual who inflicts pain and horror onto other characters, with audiences following the character's every move to see his behavior and motives. Besides The Sopranos' masterful storytelling and excellent cast of characters, the show has inspired much of current television, with The Sopranos exploring themes and content such as mental health, sexuality, and race, which was a first for a high-profile show when it was airing.

5 Band Of Brothers

Limited Series That Tells Of The Horrors Of War

When it comes to depictions of war, Band of Brothers ranks among the best and most chilling of all time, with the show depicting the brutality of war through the eyes of a Easy Company's retelling of events.

Lasting only one season, Band of Brothers' realistic portrayal of a real-life story from World War 2 is visceral and compelling, with the limited series using the accounts of American war veterans to depict their experiences alongside their comrades. In Band of Brothers, Easy Company's exploits during the war make for shocking viewing, unlike anything shown on television when it aired.

4 The Last Of Us

Post-Apocalyptic America Caused By Zombie Infection

Based on the successful video game series by PlayStation and Naughty Dog, The Last Of Us is an example of a successful video game adaptation, with the HBO series instantly becoming one of its flagship shows. Set in a post-apocalyptic America where a zombie infection has left human survivors to scavenge and fight for their survival, an experienced but troubled man named Joel must take Ellie, a young girl, across the country in order to find a cure for the zombie epidemic.

In this riveting drama, the relationship dynamic between Joel and Ellie makes for must-see TV, with their complex bond taking place in a disfigured world reminiscent of other HBO shows like House of the Dragon.

3 The Wire

The War On Drugs Results In Many Casualties

Among HBO's catalog of classic dramas is The Wire, a crime drama that sees gangs, police, and politicians navigate the drug wars in Baltimore. Acclaimed as one of the greatest television shows of all time, The Wire's strengths lie in its exploration of the different sectors of society, ranging from the elites of politics to the users and gang members affected by the drug trade.

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The Wire's vivid and realistic storytelling of gang warfare and the trade of narcotics make for a captivating and harrowing watch, with its gang violence and turf wars being engrossing for fans of House of the Dragon, who seek a variety of characters engaged in conflict and a fight for control.

2 The Gilded Age

A Period Drama That Explores The Class System In Late-1800s New York

Filled with snappy dialogue, luscious sets, exquisite costumes, and powerful women, The Gilded Age is an HBO show that has many similarities to series like House of the Dragon. The new HBO period drama follows the main character, Marian Brooks, who becomes part of the high life of New York society during the late-1800s.

The Gilded Age touches on many subjects while Marian traverses the social scene, with class, money, and power all being themes present throughout the show, leading to a riveting and intoxicating drama.

1 Rome

Historical Drama That Details The Roman Empire

Rome was an HBO and BBC production focused on the rise of the Roman Empire, with historical figures such as Julius Caesar and Pompey being prominent characters in the historical drama.

Despite ending after just two seasons for budgeting reasons, Rome was highly acclaimed for its historical accuracy and scale, with the show being a TV epic, one of the first of its kind. Filled with jaw-dropping set pieces and enthralling drama, Rome is an immersive and unique series that brings an element of warfare and entertainment that House of the Dragon fans know and love.

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The Richest Houses In House Of The Dragon

The great Houses of Westeros possess significant wealth to back up their power plays. These families are the richest in House of the Dragon.

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