12 Shows Like The Wheel Of Time You'll Probably Love

The Amazon original series "The Wheel of Time" seems to have proven to be the spiritual successor to "Game of Thrones" that fantasy fans have been looking for. With its origins in the classic novel series of the same name, the franchise's passionate fans were happy to see it on the small screen with the big budget it deserved, and were finally able to put the low-budget FXX TV pilot from 2015 behind them. The new series delivers a solid mix of dark fantasy, high-stakes drama, and luscious visuals to complement its sweeping story.

Set in a world of magic and fantastic supernatural powers, the twist in "The Wheel of Time" is that only women are able to wield those forces. The Aes Sedai — a clandestine order of women warriors — sets out to discover the truth of a prophecy that declares one of their group to be the destined bringer of doom — or their world's savior.

Debuting to broad praise from critics in 2021, a Season 2 soon followed in 2022, and Season 3 was quickly greenlit after that, per Deadline. If you can't get enough, fret not because we're here to help you uncover more epic fantasy fare that you'll likely love if "The Wheel of Time" is your new favorite series.

Although the franchise had already been adapted into a big-budget feature film — the 2007 movie "The Golden Compass" — the book series "His Dark Materials" received a more faithful serialized adaptation in 2019 from HBO that rebooted the franchise. With three books to translate to the screen, the series has already seen two full seasons that cover plotlines from the first two novels, "Northern Lights" and "The Subtle Knife." Season 3 is based on the final book in the trilogy, "The Amber Spyglass."

An ensemble cast is led by Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, James McAvoy, and Clarke Peters. The series follows the adventures of Lyra Belacqua, and is set in a number of bizarre worlds throughout a multiverse. The center of a witch's prophecy, Lyra's father, is a polar scientist whose research into parallel realities and a mysterious substance called Dust is in defiance of the ruling powers of the Magisterium. However, when Lyra's best friend goes missing, she sets out on a journey across multiple dimensions while being pursued by sinister forces that include witches, lords, and all manner of religious and political figures who have their own dark designs.

Where "The Golden Compass" fell flat with critics, "His Dark Materials" has excelled. Thanks to its eight episode seasons, more stories can be told, which helped expand the truncated movie into a deeper and more soulful adaptation. 

Acclaimed fantasy author Terry Brooks' "The Sword of Shannara" trilogy, first published all the way back in 1977, finally made it to the screen in 2016, premiering on MTV, of all places, for two seasons and a total of 20 episodes. Though much of its cast was comprised of lesser-known names, it did feature "Spartacus" star Manu Bennett, who is also known for playing the orc Azog from the "Hobbit" trilogy, alongside fellow Middle Earth alum John Rhys-Davies in a minor role.

Skipping over the first entry in the trilogy, "The Shannara Chronicles" adapts the second book in the series, "The Elfstones of Shannara," and is set in a world of witches, warlocks, and elves. It follows Wil Ohmsford, a half-elf who is descended from the ancient bloodline of Shannara and is destined to save his realm. Aided by elven princess Amberle and a human thief named Eretria, Wil fights to stop a horde of demons from entering the Four Lands. The demons in question will be released from imprisonment in the Forbidding if the ancient tree of Ellcrys dies, which leads the young group of warriors to seek the guidance of Allanon, a nearly immortal druid who is the last of his kind.

Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (the duo behind "Smallville"), the series had a more youth-focused energy to it, with critics like The Verge suggesting that it was essentially "Game of Thrones" for a younger audience. A throwback to older fantasy shows, it had a fun flair that was appreciated by its fans, rather than the darker, more grim shows that have since become trendy.

If you like "The Wheel of Time" but are looking for something less sprawling, check out the Netflix miniseries "The Letter for the King." This six-part saga is also perfect for fans of epic fantasy who may want to introduce the genre to their kids, as the series is family-friendly, though never light on drama and adventure. Based on the novel from 1962 by Dutch writer Tonke Dragt, this modern update works as a YA fantasy novel come to life.

 In the series, we meet the outsider and underdog Tiuri (Amir Wilson), a sixteen-year-old messenger who has been given a critical message to be delivered to a neighboring kingdom that has dire consequences for his own people. However, as a creeping darkness threatens to envelop three warring kingdoms, Tiuri is pushed into becoming a knight by his domineering stepfather, Sir Tiuri the Valiant (David Wenham). Along the way, he meets allies and enemies, including a charming cartographer, a sword-wielding monk, a powerful sorcerer, and the sinister Prince Viridian.

Though the series operates with a well-worn premise of an underdog hero who undertakes a sweeping adventure to battle an ancient evil, it still delivers a good time, even if it's not surprising. Critics agreed, and Den of Geek gave the series a glowing review, noting that what it "lacks in originality, it makes up for in the earnestness of its execution."

Though the next entry on our list is a prequel to the classic 1982 Jim Henson classic "The Dark Crystal," the Netflix miniseries "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance" is very much enjoyable as a standalone entry. Produced more than three decades after the film, it features an all-star voice cast for its roster of puppet characters, including Mark Hamill, Jason Isaacs, Taron Egerton, Awkwafina, Anya Taylor-Joy, Benedict Wong, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Simon Pegg, and Helena Bonham Carter.

Set long before the events of the original film, "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance" begins with the innocent Gelflings — an elf-like people — living under the tyrannical rule of the malevolent Skeksis. The Skeksis have been using an ancient relic called the Dark Crystal to keep themselves alive with its rejuvenating abilities, but when its powers wane, the Skeksis look to drain the Gelflings of their life energy to sustain them. Now a trio of Gelflings – Rian, Deet, and Brea — have a plan to bring together the seven fractured clans to fight back against the Skeksis.

Expanding on the mythos created by Jim Henson, "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance" — like "The Wheel of Time" — features a powerful female hero leading a battle against dark forces that seek their undoing. A mix of brilliant puppetry and high fantasy, this is one legacy prequel you dare not miss.

Though the Korean fantasy series "Arthdal Chronicles" wasn't a hit in its native country, here in the US it has garnered a decent following. The series is not based on a young adult novel or book series but on the Korean tale of Dangun, who was said to have founded the Korean kingdom Gojoseon. Set during the Bronze Age, it also helps illuminates a bit of world mythology that most probably never learned about in school, mixing legend with a dash of historical fact to create an ancient political fantasy drama on par with "The Wheel of Time."

Like "The Wheel of Time," the series unfolds with a complex backstory that will require your attention. Taking place in an ancient realm called Arth, the aftermath of a great darkness sees warlords San-ung and his son Ta-gon lay claim to much of its lands. Opposing them are the Wahan tribe, led by Eun-seon and Tan-ya, who have been foretold to bring peace. However, the Wahan are now facing their own annihilation, and trouble begins to brew within as different factions vie for control.

With a Shakespearean level of family intrigue and epic power struggles, it also uses supernatural elements to punctuate its high drama. Still, much like "The Wheel of Time," such simplistic descriptions don't capture the true breadth or uniqueness of the series.

One of the earliest and certainly longest-running series on this list, the 2008 adventure series "Merlin" is a British import that was popular across the pond for five seasons, and built a cult following in America. While it never took off in the United States the way it did in the British Isles, now is the perfect time for fans of "The Wheel of Time" to look back and discover it for themselves. 

With the title of "Merlin," it should come as no surprise that the series chronicles the adventures of the fabled sorcerer who aided the kingdom of Camelot in Arthurian times. In the series, Merlin is a bright and talented young wizard under the tutelage of Gaius, a court physician who helps train him in the ways of magic. Still, this story has one big twist: magic is forbidden, meaning that Merlin must train in secret and be careful not to be discovered. 

Going up against all manner of fantastic foes, including evil wizards, goblins, and demons, Merlin's tales in the series are less serialized and more episodic in nature than most shows of its type, making it a throwback of sorts. However, the ongoing stories of Merlin's growth into a powerful and legendary figure, and the dramatic family story of Camelot, a young Arthur, and his father the king, helped the series cultivate a sizable fandom that still exists today.