5 Best Fantasy Movies To Watch After A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

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As a huge fan of the Game of Thrones world, I’ve been really enjoying A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. It’s done something special by stepping away from all the power plays in King’s Landing and instead focusing on a more personal story, following Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg, as they travel the Reach. Honestly, the show has been a hit – it’s currently sitting at 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is even better than how the original Game of Thrones was received! A big part of that success is the amazing chemistry between Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell; their characters have a really touching relationship that you don’t always see in such a dark universe. Showrunner Ira Parker made a smart move by adapting The Hedge Knight. It’s a much more focused story, prioritizing character growth and what it means to be a knight – a refreshing change from the massive scope we’re used to in Westeros.

Compared to the epic, dragon-filled world of House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms feels more realistic and grounded. It portrays a time when magic and mythical creatures are fading into legend. This era of Targaryen rule is still marked by the trauma of the Blackfyre Rebellion, and the real threats come from the actions of ruthless local lords, not from creatures like White Walkers. The end of the six episodes leaves viewers who enjoyed the gritty realism and the challenging of traditional knightly tales wanting more. If you’re looking for similar stories focused on the harsh realities of medieval life and the weight of honor, several films offer that same atmosphere.

5) Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Though famous for its surreal humor, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is also a fantastic example of how medieval worlds are often portrayed on film – gritty and well-worn, much like the settings in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. The film, directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, tells the story of King Arthur (played by Graham Chapman) and his comical search for knights to help him find the Holy Grail.

Similar to the HBO series, Monty Python and the Holy Grail doesn’t glorify Arthurian legends. Instead, it highlights the dull and unglamorous reality of life in medieval times. The film’s depiction of poor, overlooked villagers and their harsh conditions echoes the cynical view of common people in Westeros. By satirizing strict social classes and the idea of rulers having a divine right to rule, the movie offers a humorous contrast to the more traditional heroism seen in stories like Dunk, reminding viewers that beneath the knights and castles, there was a world filled with poverty, sickness, and unfairness.

4) Solomon Kane

If you liked the journeys of Dunk and Egg, you might enjoy Solomon Kane, which offers a grittier, more action-packed story about a solitary wanderer. The film, based on characters by Robert E. Howard, stars James Purefoy as Solomon Kane, a one-time pirate trying to find redemption by giving up violence. However, he’s drawn back into fighting when a dark, supernatural power endangers a family.

The film uses a dark and rainy visual style to reflect the grim realities of the world it portrays, where magic is a dangerous force rather than something ordinary. James Purefoy’s performance powerfully shows the physical and emotional damage caused by a life of fighting, highlighting his character’s attempt to stay true to his beliefs in a declining world. Solomon Kane is a raw and realistic fantasy adventure, emphasizing the brutal side of sword fighting and creating a heavy, oppressive mood of a world falling apart.

3) The Head Hunter

With a remarkably small budget, The Head Hunter delivers a stunningly immersive fantasy experience, creating a world that feels just as expansive and realistic as big-budget films. The story follows ‘The Father’ (Christopher Rygh), a lone warrior and bounty hunter who lives in a remote forest, relentlessly hunting the monsters responsible for his daughter’s death.

This film focuses on creating a strong sense of place and realistically portraying the hardships of staying alive, with a lot of attention paid to the sounds of armor and weapon upkeep. Similar to the beginning of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the story keeps its supernatural elements hidden until later, making the eventual appearance of the monsters truly frightening. Plus, the lead actor delivers a powerful, physical performance that captures the loneliness of being a mercenary or wandering knight, making this a must-see for fans who enjoy a gritty and realistic take on the fantasy genre.

2) Dragonslayer

Released in 1981, Dragonslayer is a classic example of gritty fantasy. Unlike the more polished look of other fantasy films at the time, it presents a dark and realistic world filled with dirt, stone, and old beliefs. The story centers on Galen (Peter MacNicol), a sorcerer’s apprentice who journeys to the kingdom of Urland to defeat Vermithrax Pejorative, a dragon that requires virgin sacrifices to keep a fragile peace.

The world of Dragonslayer strongly resembles the feel of Game of Thrones, portraying a medieval society where the church and royal families are moving away from a time when magic was commonplace. The dragon in Dragonslayer is a truly frightening and destructive creature – unlike the dragons in House of the Dragon – which makes the hero’s fight feel incredibly challenging. Like George R.R. Martin’s stories, Dragonslayer focuses on the price of being a hero and how power can corrupt, showing that even a fantastical tale about dragons can be rooted in the flaws and failures of people.

1) The Green Knight

David Lowery’s The Green Knight is arguably the best fantasy film to watch if you enjoyed the Dunk and Egg series. It offers a complex and thoughtful take on the traditional stories of knights, unlike most modern films. The movie, based on a poem from the 1300s, centers on Sir Gawain (played by Dev Patel), King Arthur’s headstrong nephew, and the dangerous journey he undertakes after accepting a mysterious Christmas challenge.

Rather than focusing on battles and action, The Green Knight explores the inner world of a man questioning his own bravery and worthiness as a knight. Dev Patel gives a compelling performance, portraying the insecurity and self-doubt that plague his character throughout the story. The film’s beautiful and dreamlike visuals create a sense that honor can be a heavy burden. In the end, The Green Knight suggests that the most important journey is the one to stay true to yourself – a theme that also makes A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms so popular with viewers.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is currently available on HBO Max.

What low-fantasy film best embodies the realistic and intense atmosphere of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-26 21:15