The Rings of Power season 2 is off to a terrific begin on Prime Video. The sweeping and epic excessive fantasy sequence’ sophomore outing, which returned with a three-episode premiere (learn our evaluation of The Rings of Power season 2’s debut trio when you’re right here) on August 29, is dominating the charts on Amazon’s major streaming service, with the favored present holding down the primary spot within the US and UK.
There are extra episodes – 5, to be actual, – to return in The Rings of Power’s newest season, so it’s nowhere close to accomplished being the one present to rule all of them. But, with new episodes solely arriving each Thursday till the season 2 finale airs on October 3, we suspect you’ll need some extra implausible fantasy sequence to stream within the meantime. Here, then, are 4 related suggestions, whose vital scores on Rotten Tomatoes are 80% or larger, to take a look at alongside Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings prequel present.
The Wheel of Time (Prime Video)
Seasons: 2
Rotten Tomatoes (RT) rating: 83%
Age ranking: TV-MA (US), 15 (UK)
Before it launched The Rings of Power in September 2022, Prime Video executives warmed us up properly with one other epic fantasy sequence in The Wheel Of Time, which joins its fantasy cousin as the most effective Prime Video exhibits round.
An adaptation of Robert Jordan’s huge sequence of books, it stars Rosamund Pike as Moiraine Damodred, a robust magic wielder generally known as an Aes Sedai who units out to seek out the Dragon Reborn, a prophesied reincarnation of a robust particular person who’s fated to save lots of or destroy the world. No strain, then. Moiraine’s journey takes her to the village generally known as The Two Rivers, the place 5 younger adults, all of whom could possibly be the aforementioned warrior, dwell. Not figuring out which ones is the Dragon Reborn, Moiraine should practice all of them for the tough battles to return.
An enormous world stuffed with magic, marvel, and motion, The Wheel of Time shares The Rings of Power‘s sense of scale and high-minded themes. It’s a far bloodier affair than the latter, although, and infrequently struggles below the burden of Jordan’s expansive, multi-narrative story. If you possibly can look previous its grownup age ranking and periodic plot issues, you’ll have a magical time. Read our evaluation of The Wheel of Time season 1 and evaluation of The Wheel of Time’s second season to get a greater concept of what’s in retailer for you.
The Witcher (Netflix)
Seasons: 3
RT rating: 80%
Age ranking: TV-MA (US), 15
The Witcher is a bizarre beast. It’s one of many jewels in Netflix’s fantasy crown and the most effective Netflix exhibits round, in our opinion. And but, due to the inventive liberties it’s taken with Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels of the identical identify, its diminishing returns with every season, and the departure of lead star Henry Cavill after three seasons, it’s not seen kindly by many Sapkowski devotees.
There are nonetheless heaps to love about it, thoughts you. It’s unrelentingly darkish and violent, stuffed with monsters, and places its unashamed excessive fantasy leanings on full show all through. With two extra seasons to return earlier than the present bids us farewell, we’re hoping it’ll get again on a good footing and ship a barnstorming finish to the adventures of Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer – the Netflix sequence’ three protagonists whose fates appear extra intertwined with every passing installment. Read up on all the things we find out about The Witcher season 4 up to now earlier than transferring on.
Game Of Thrones (Max/Sky)
Seasons: 8
RT rating: 89%
Age ranking: TV-MA (US), 18 (UK)
Is there anybody who loved The Rings of Power who hasn’t already devoured Game Of Thrones (GoT)? We doubt it, however in case you’re but to journey to the Seven Kingdoms, you’ll need to stream the most effective Max exhibits as quickly as potential.
Based on the guide sequence of the identical identify by acclaimed creator George R. R. Martin, GoT is about within the land of Westeros the place warring households struggle (dubbed Houses in Martin’s literary works) for management over the Iron Throne. Chief among the many main gamers are House Targaryen, whose solely inheritor Daenarys feels it’s her future to sit down upon the well-known royal seat, House Lannister, who rule over the Seven Kingdoms for a lot of the present’s run, and House Stark, who’re primarily the whipping boys of the Max sequence till its later seasons.
Funny, hyperviolent, gripping, jaw-dropping, and filled with gorgeous visible results, Game Of Thrones not solely redefined what was potential for a fantasy TV present, but in addition that tens of millions would tune in each week for a slice of big-budget status tv. It runs out of steam in its last two seasons (see how we ranked them in our greatest Game of Thrones seasons piece) as soon as it has no extra supply materials to attract from however, between 2011 and 2016, there wasn’t a extra common sequence on this planet. Its prequel present, House of the Dragon, can be price watching on Max (US), and Sky and Now TV (UK).
The Sandman (Netflix)
Seasons: 1
RT rating: 88%
Age ranking: TV-MA (US), 15 (UK)
It took a very long time – 35 years, if anybody’s counting – for Neil Gaiman’s iconic comedian sequence of the identical identify to be realized on the massive or small display. The Sandman lastly did so in mid-2022, nevertheless, and gained a complete new fanbase following its highly-rated debut on Netflix.
Opening in 1916 earlier than later being set within the current, The Sandman follows Dream/Morpheus/the titular Sandman and his quest to rebuild his kingdom – generally known as The Dreaming – after it falls into disrepair. The motive? Dream is unexpectedly caught by a rogue darkish magic wielder within the early twentieth century, and spends a century in captivity on Earth earlier than he lastly escapes his jail. In his absence, the destruction of The Dreaming isn’t the one drawback he’ll must deal with, both, as darkish forces – on Earth and throughout the cosmos – threaten his authority, in addition to his life and people he’s most near.
A superbly realized, elegantly acted, and surprisingly devoted to the supply materials, The Sandman is a near-perfect instance of how any legendary guide or comedian sequence must be tailored. Read extra about what it will get proper in our evaluation of The Sandman season 1 after which get the lowdown on what we find out about The Sandman season 2.
For extra fantasy TV options, see which of this style’s sequence made it onto our greatest Disney Plus exhibits, finest Hulu exhibits, and finest Paramount Plus exhibits lists.
