The Best Books, Movies, Video Games, and Podcasts to Check Out After Watching ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms'[html]
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Fans of George R.R. Martin’s books (and their television adaptations) were enchanted by the first season of HBO's new spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms because it offered a fresh perspective on the fictional universe of Westeros. Set roughly between the events depicted in House of the Dragon and A Game of Thrones, the show follows the misadventures of Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) and the future King Aegon V (Egg) as the former attempts to establish himself as a hedge knight in the violent, dragon-less, but relatively stable world of the Seven Kingdoms. It's a show about refreshingly earnest and noble main character who doesn't get his head chopped off at the end of the first season, so a great change of pace.
If you’re missing that—and the gritty, spectacularly violent world the show still depicts—you can wait for season two, or you can find similar entertainments. We’ve already given you a list of TV shows with the same vibes, but here are the best movies, books, games, and podcasts to check out while you wait for more Dunk and Egg adventures.
The best books like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was adapted from a book, so of course that’s a great place to start. But if you’ve already read the source material, here are a few more books to check out.
Between Two Fires, by Christopher Buehlman
Darker and more horror-coded than Knight, Between Two Fires offers up a similar dynamic between a knight and a more innocent child. In the 14th century, as the Black Death ravages Europe, Thomas is a disgraced knight who encounters a young girl in a village devastated by the plague. She tells him that a second war on heaven is coming, led by Lucifer himself, and that he must guide her to Avignon so she can save the world—and possibly himself.
Ivanhoe, by Sir Walter Scott
This classic, published in 1819, remains a must-read for anyone into knightly chivalry, tournaments, and general adventure. In late 12th century England, Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe is one of the last Anglo-Saxon nobleman in a country dominated by Norman invaders. Disinherited by his father, he secretly competes in a tourney presided over by Prince John while King Richard II is imprisoned after the recent crusade, and is swept up in the political machinations of the prince, who fears the return of his brother, the king.
The Last Wish, by Andrzej Sapowski
Sapowski’s Witcher universe has more overt magic and monsters than Martin’s more grounded Westeros, but Geralt of Rivia’s endless journeying and bloody adventures will scratch a similar itch. Geralt is as rootless as Dunk, and travels around dealing with local problems (and the locals themselves, who are often not the friendliest bunch). If you enjoyed the Dunk of it all in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, this is the beginning of a book series you’ll love.
The Dragonbone Chair, by Tad Williams
George R.R. Martin explicitly listed The Dragonbone Chair (and Williams’ entire Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series) as a key inspiration for A Song of Ice and Fire, so this is an obvious choice. While the writers have very different styles and approaches, you’ll find the story of scullery boy Simon’s involvement with an epic struggle between a fracturing human kingdom and the inscrutable, inhuman Storm King just as charming and exciting as Dunk and Egg’s adventures—albeit a little less low-key.
Spear, by Nicola Griffith
This is a bit of a swerve, but will reward fans of the show: A queer retelling of the Arthurian legends, Spear follows a girl named Peretur, who masquerades as a man and becomes one of King Arturus’ knights, taking up the quest for the Holy Grail. Just as Dunk is faking knight until he makes it as a knight, Peretur does what she must in order to find her destiny in a world marked by violence, betrayal, and magic. The episodic nature of her adventures fits in nicely with Knight’s focus on a traveling hedge knight who must be ready for whatever comes his way.
The best movies like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Nothing beats the visual spectacle of knights in shining (or blood-stained and rusty) armor jousting with lances or hammering at each other with swords. If that’s what you miss about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, these movies will do the thing.
A Knight's Tale (2001)
Tonally, this is the way. Heath Ledger plays William Thatcher, a peasant squire who masquerades as a knight in order to compete in tournaments, supported by his fellow squires and a brilliant young writer/forger named Geoffrey Chaucer. It’s got a banging soundtrack and the same positive energy that Dunk brings to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, plus plenty of jousts and even a surprise royal ally. Rent A Knight’s Tale on Prime Video.
Excalibur (1981)
If you’re looking for lots of knightly adventure (and some armor that is seriously shinier than anything Dunk wears on the show), this gloriously over-the-top version of the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table has it to spare. There are castle sieges and bloody battlefields, plenty of dark, inscrutable magics, and, of course, an epic quest—all rendered in a feverish visual style that never gets old. Rent Excalibur on Prime Video.
The Last Duel (2021)
Offering up a realistic depiction of the Middle Ages and knightly culture, The Last Duel not only has, yes, at least one lance-and-shield shattering duel to watch, it also explores the complex personal and political relationships between knights and lords in ways Knight fans will recognize. It’s inspired by real events, telling the story of the last legally sanctioned duel in France in the 14th century. It isn’t as funny or hopeful as Knight, but it’s just as satisfying. Stream The Last Duel on Hulu or rent it on Prime Video.
