If You Enjoyed House of the Dragon, There’s Another Movie You Definitely Need to Watch.
House of the Dragon is getting so good that I’m even considering calling it more gripping than Game of Thrones . After two seasons of gripping political intrigue, betrayal, and the occasional dragonfire-fueled massacre, the plot has truly come together, and I’m deeply immersed in the twists and turns of the struggle between the warring Targaryen dynasties, even though I technically know how it all ends. (It is a prequel, after all.)
If every new episode leaves you thirsty for witty dialogue and thrilling dragon battles, there are plenty of other series that will satisfy your cravings. But if you’re looking for a more cinematic experience that offers similar pleasures, there’s one obvious choice: Reign of Fire , a 2002 sci-fi epic starring two little-known actors, Matthew McConaughey and Christian Bale.
It’s all about fighting dragons.
Reign of Fire is set in a world where tunneling in modern-day London accidentally awakens dormant dragons—real, fire-breathing, flying lizards, just like those in fantasy novels. The dragons rapidly multiply and decimate armies around the world, and in the chaotic aftermath, nuclear weapons are used, leaving humanity on the brink of extinction and the dragons on the brink of starvation. When the few surviving humans realize the dragons have a profound weakness that can be exploited to end their reign, a desperate plan is devised to save humanity.
While this plot doesn’t resemble the high-fantasy trappings of House of the Dragon , the common thread is clear: it’s dragon wars, that’s all. House of the Dragon is full of compelling characters (the Daemon crew is a definite no-brainer) and engaging, intricate storylines that see the Targaryen family torn apart in the struggle for the Iron Throne, but if you say you don’t enjoy dragon battles, you’re lying. In Reign of Fire , there are dragon battles . Lots of dragon battles. Battles involving a tank and a helicopter . The special effects also hold up well, more than 20 years after the film’s release.
But the film isn’t just about dragon battles—it has a full-fledged plot. In a castle in England, Quinn (Christian Bale), a man who witnessed the first awakening of the dragons, leads a ragtag group of desperate people trying to survive before the dragons die out from lack of food. Things are dire, and Quinn struggles to hold his community together. When a group of Americans called the Kentucky Irregulars, led by Denton Van Zan (Matthew McConaughey, looking tough with a shaved head and wild eyes), arrives with a tank and a working helicopter, Quinn can’t stop some of his men from signing up to help them fight the dragons.
McConaughey and Bale not only brilliantly portray desperate men with opposing views on victory, but also portray their followers as a complex group with varied relationships. The men take unexpected actions, transforming what could have been a typical action movie into a gripping sci-fi story. If you enjoyed the unexpected plot twists of House of the Dragon , you’ll also find plenty to enjoy in Reign of Fire , which you can rent on Prime Video .
More films to delight House of the Dragon fans.
“Reign of Fire” is an hour and forty minutes of draconic splendor, but if that’s not enough for you, there are several other films you can watch, including Christopher Nolan’s epic “The Odyssey,” currently in theaters, which offers a universe of monsters, epic battles, and vengeful gods that looks perfect for fans of “House of the Dragon.” Here are a few more films you can watch right now on your favorite screen:
Valhalla Rising (2009)
In some ways, Valhalla Rising is a radical departure from House of the Dragon . While the series is often loud and action-packed, Valhalla Rising can be eerily quiet and calm—and that’s intentional. Set in 12th-century Scotland, Mads Mikkelsen plays a nameless one-eyed slave possessing incredible strength. Forced to fight other slaves to the death, One-Eye experiences visions that help him escape, setting him on a brutal journey to his destiny. It’s a dark, bloody story that, like the series, conveys a sense of hell on earth, depicting beautiful yet brutal landscapes where death always lurks. Watch Valhalla Rising on Kanopy .
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
If you’re looking for more epic battles and doomed autocrats desperately trying to cling to power (and their own lives), Kingdom of Heaven is a great choice. Set during the Crusades in the 12th century, the film follows newly minted knight Balian (Orlando Bloom) as he journeys to the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in search of salvation. Instead, he discovers a complex political situation, with the ailing leper King Baldwin IV struggling to maintain a fragile peace in his unstable kingdom. If you’re looking for more political intrigue between the Blacks and Greens and large-scale battles between armies, check this one out (sorry, no dragons). Rent Kingdom of Heaven on Prime Video .
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
Want more dragons? J.R.R. Tolkien’s Smaug is one of the most fun and terrifying dragons ever conceived, and when voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, it’s simply delightful. Yes, Smaug the dragon talks and isn’t a ferocious aerial killing machine like Vhagar, but his sleek, malevolent presence imbues the film with a sense of danger and dread. Plus, Middle-earth is a treasure trove of epic fantasy mythology and worldbuilding, so if you’re drawn to the deep history and complexity of Westeros, any of Peter Jackson’s films set in the Tolkien universe are a great choice. Rent The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug on Prime Video .
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Lawrence of Arabia was a clear visual influence on House of the Dragon , with the actors citing David Lean’s 1962 epic as inspiration for their roles . Based on the true story of T. E. Lawrence and adapted from his book The Seven Pillars of Wisdom , the film chronicles Lawrence’s illustrious life and career, as he played a key role in organizing Arab tribes against the Ottoman Empire in World War I. It’s a sweeping, old-Hollywood epic, and Peter O’Toole transforms Lawrence into the conflicted antihero of Daemon Targaryen’s dreams. Watch Lawrence of Arabia on Philo or rent it on Prime Video .
The King (2019)
If you enjoy the politics and strategy depicted in House of the Dragon (without sacrificing the bloody battles) and the realistic, mud-spattered, and blood-soaked depiction of medieval life in the series, watch The King . In this loose reimagining of William Shakespeare’s plays, a young Timothée Chalamet plays King Henry V, who transforms from a lazy prince into one of the most brilliant warrior kings in English history—a king who, albeit briefly, took the crown of France. It’s a gripping film, and one of its greatest strengths is the clash of wills and tactics (and insults) between Henry and the heir to the French throne, Louis, Duke of Guyenne (Robert Pattinson). Watch The King on Netflix .