Best Fantasy Shows Hbo (2026): 5 HBO Picks Compared

After the last episode ends, the best fantasy shows hbo viewers reach for are the ones worth rewatching or reading more about. This list is for fantasy fans deciding what to watch or buy next on disc. Five HBO picks are compared here by format, runtime, discs and release date, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Game of Thrones Guide by McNutt	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Knight of the Seven Kingdoms 4K	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Blu-ray	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	The Last of Us Season 2 4K	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	The Gilded Age Season 3 DVD	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Game of Thrones Guide by McNutt

Myles McNutt·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 288-page illustrated guide covering all eight seasons of Game of Thrones, suited to fans who want maps, timelines and essays between rewatches.

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Pros

• Covers all eight seasons in one 288-page volume
• Infographics, timelines, essays and photography stated
• Published November 5, 2019 by Chronicle Books

Cons

• A companion book, not the show itself
• No reading age or grade level is stated
• No disc or streaming content is included

2

Knight of the Seven Kingdoms 4K

Peter Claffey·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The complete first season of a Westeros prequel on 4K across 4 discs, suited to Game of Thrones fans who want more of that world.

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Pros

• 3 hours and 20 minutes across 4 discs
• 4K Ultra HD format stated
• Released June 16, 2026, the newest set here

Cons

• Only the first season, not the full story
• No bonus features are stated
• No digital copy is stated

3

Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Blu-ray

Danny Webb·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The same first season on Blu-ray, suited to viewers without a 4K player.

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Pros

• Same 3 hours and 20 minutes as the 4K set
• Blu-ray format stated
• Released June 16, 2026

Cons

• Near-duplicate of the 4K set in this list
• No disc count is stated
• No bonus features are stated

4

The Last of Us Season 2 4K

Pedro Pascal·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The complete second season of The Last of Us on 4K across 3 discs and 7 hours, suited to viewers following the show's story.

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Pros

• 7 hours across 3 discs
• 4K Ultra HD format stated
• Released September 23, 2025

Cons

• Post-apocalyptic drama, not fantasy
• Only the second season
• No bonus features are stated

5

The Gilded Age Season 3 DVD

Christine Baranski·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The complete third season of The Gilded Age on DVD, suited to period-drama viewers rather than fantasy fans.

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Pros

• HBO period drama on DVD
• Released December 2, 2025
• 58 minutes stated runtime

Cons

• Not a fantasy show
• 58 minutes is the least runtime stated here
• DVD format only, no Blu-ray or 4K stated

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

• House Targaryen Ruled JournalSuits Game of Thrones fans: 192-page hardcover ruled journal with Targaryen theme.Check on Amazon
• Official Westeros CookbookSuits fans who cook: 182-page official cookbook from both shows, first edition.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Show details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the viewer, contents and edition, and value; the reading-age measure does not apply to discs, and none of the five listings states a reading age or grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best fantasy shows hbo

Fantasy first, then the rest

Only three picks are fantasy: the Game of Thrones guide, which covers all eight seasons, and the two Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season sets. The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic drama and The Gilded Age is a period drama. If the shelf leans fantasy, start with the Westeros picks; our fantasy books list has reading to match.

Discs, formats and runtimes

The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms sets run 3 hours and 20 minutes, on 4K across 4 discs or on Blu-ray. The Last of Us runs 7 hours across 3 discs on 4K. The Gilded Age set states 58 minutes on DVD. Check the format against the player before buying, since no digital copy is stated.

Before you buy

• Check the format (4K, Blu-ray or DVD) against the player at home.
• Confirm which season the set covers; these are single-season sets except the guide book.
• Note the release date: the Knight of the Seven Kingdoms sets release June 16, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a new viewer start with HBO fantasy?

The Game of Thrones guide covers all eight seasons of the flagship show. The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms sets are the complete first season of a Westeros prequel.

Are these shows on disc or streaming?

These listings are disc sets in 4K, Blu-ray and DVD. No streaming details are stated.

Which of these is actually fantasy?

The Game of Thrones guide and both Knight of the Seven Kingdoms sets. The Last of Us and The Gilded Age are not fantasy.

Still deciding? Our top pickGame of Thrones Guide by McNutt

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See every fantasy books list and all fiction books lists. Also see our fantasy shows prime and fantasy series shows lists.

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