Game of Thrones has miraculously thrived for 15 years – here’s how it could survive the next 15

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It’s been fifteen years since Game of Thrones first came out, and the show became a huge hit – achieving something many thought wouldn’t happen. Now, its upcoming continuation faces an even greater test.

Initially a modest success, Game of Thrones quickly became a worldwide sensation, reaching peak popularity by its third season. The show was celebrated for its compelling storyline, memorable characters brought to life by talented actors, and stunning visuals – all based on the novels by George R.R. Martin.

Surprisingly, despite a disappointing final season, the Game of Thrones franchise has experienced a remarkable comeback. Two spin-offs, House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, have been very well-received by fans, demonstrating how to successfully expand a popular series.

But the 2020s haven’t been all that kind to well-established TV and film franchises.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe, which once appeared unstoppable, has faced challenges recently. Box office numbers have dropped – 2023’s The Marvels earned the lowest amount of any MCU film – and many viewers seem to be losing interest. This could be a warning sign for other popular movie series as well.

So, while it’s thrived over the past 15 years, how does Game of Thrones survive the next 15?

Marvel is heading in the right direction. Recently, fans have felt overwhelmed, like they needed to study up on previous movies and shows to fully enjoy new releases. Now, Marvel seems to be focusing on making stories that are easy to follow without requiring extensive prior knowledge.

Unlike some other shows, the spin-offs of Game of Thrones, like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, aren’t just continuations of the original story. They’re also designed to be enjoyed as completely new tales. While viewers familiar with both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon will likely appreciate it more, prior knowledge isn’t necessary to enjoy the show.

Importantly, both new shows have brought something fresh to the world of Game of Thrones. With completely new characters, creative teams, and overall styles, they don’t feel repetitive – especially ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,’ which surprisingly turned out to be a lighthearted, medieval comedy. This variety ultimately strengthens the franchise.

HBO has a lot of projects in the works, and to stay innovative, they need to explore new types of stories. A great way to do this would be to fully invest in animated series like ‘9 Voyages,’ which is currently being developed but hasn’t been officially approved yet.

Originally, ‘9 Voyages’ was planned as a live-action show, but George R.R. Martin explained in 2024 that it switched to animation because of cost. However, there are other good reasons why the ‘Game of Thrones’ universe could benefit from animated series.

Animated shows for adults have become incredibly popular lately. Series like Invincible, Arcane, and Hazbin Hotel are attracting large audiences, and anime is now widely watched, especially by Gen Z – around half of people aged 13 to 28 are fans. Even popular live-action shows like The Witcher and Stranger Things are experimenting with animation through spin-off series like Sirens of the Deep and Tales from ’85.

An animated Game of Thrones would definitely be a gamble – some fans who prefer live-action might not watch it. However, it could also attract a new audience, especially younger viewers, and offer a unique storytelling approach that wouldn’t be possible with a live-action series.

The next installment of Game of Thrones won’t be a TV show – it’s a stage play called The Mad King, debuting this July at the Royal Shakespeare Company. This production features a brand-new story, a different creative team, and a completely new cast, all set in an unexplored era of Westeros and presented in a unique style.

Creating a stage show is a smart decision for the franchise. Recent successes like ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’ – which had a record-breaking week on Broadway, earning over $2.5 million – and the global phenomenon ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ (with over $1 billion in revenue) demonstrate how stage productions can revitalize a brand.

Live theatre offers unique possibilities that TV and film can’t match. The recent ‘Stranger Things’ stage show brilliantly used visual effects to pull audiences into its world, and the team creating a ‘Game of Thrones’ play has a similar chance to bring Westeros to life. The Royal Shakespeare Company is an ideal venue for a ‘Thrones’ production, and it’s likely to be a grand, theatrical experience inspired by Shakespearean style.

The upcoming Game of Thrones series is heading in a good direction in some respects, but needs to proceed carefully. We’ve learned from the decline of superhero popularity that franchises need to pace themselves. Disney, for example, deliberately limited Marvel releases to just three movies and two TV shows annually. Releasing too much content too quickly can ruin a franchise – if audiences lose interest, it’s incredibly difficult to win them back.

To prevent fan fatigue, the creators of the ‘Game of Thrones’ universe should simply space out new shows. Luckily, HBO’s Casey Bloys has reassured viewers that not all the currently planned spin-offs will actually be produced, which should ease some concerns.

It’s tough with a huge franchise like Game of Thrones because anything we’re working on immediately sparks rumors and speculation, with people often assuming it’s already a confirmed show. I always point out that we’ve only officially announced two spin-offs, despite all the other talk.

Look, as someone who’s seen a lot of pilots, the key to success, at least from where I’m sitting, is being willing to experiment. HBO doesn’t feel the need to immediately commit to every idea. They embrace a lot of development, and that process really works for them – it allows them to find the gems without getting stuck with projects that just aren’t working.

Ultimately, the core characters from Game of Thrones are gone for good. While HBO briefly considered a sequel series focusing on Jon Snow before cancelling it, there are now reports that a spin-off centered around Arya Stark is being developed.

Bringing back the original cast for a sequel or prequel would hurt the new direction of the Game of Thrones universe and likely disappoint fans. It would feel like a cynical attempt to make more money and suggest that there aren’t any original ideas left.

However, the future of the Game of Thrones universe is actually full of potential. George R.R. Martin has created a remarkably rich world with countless stories still waiting to be explored. Whether the franchise succeeds or fails in the coming years will depend on which of these stories HBO chooses to develop, and how effectively they’re presented.

After all, when you play the game of franchises, you win or you die.

The third season of House of the Dragon is coming to HBO Max in June. You can currently stream the first two seasons, along with Game of Thrones and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, on Sky and NOW. If you’re interested in subscribing to Sky TV, you can find more information about how to sign up.

Don’t miss out on House of the Dragon, Game of Thrones, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms! Add them to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download it today for daily TV suggestions, articles, and more.

Authors

Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor

Louise Griffin edits the Sci-Fi & Fantasy section at TopMob, writing about popular franchises like Doctor Who, Star Wars, Marvel, House of the Dragon, and Good Omens. Before TopMob, she was a Senior Entertainment Reporter at Metro, and she holds a degree in English Literature.

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2026-04-17 19:39