Upcoming Fantasy TV Show Continues An Exciting Trend After 10/10 Game Of Thrones Spinoff

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Dunk (Peter Claffey) hugging Raymun (Shaun Thomas) in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 6.

Published Apr 16, 2026, 11:58 PM EDT

Dani Kessel Odom (they/them) is an autistic lead writer and TV critic who frequently covers sci-fi shows like Doctor Who and Pluribus, fantasy shows like The Magicians and Percy Jackson, horror, and superheroes. Their specialty is onscreen book adaptations.

They have covered events, such as the Denver Fan Expo. Their articles have also been shared by professionals in the field, such as Damien Leone and Lucy Hale. Their review for Ponies was quoted in the show's TV trailer.

In university, they majored in English Writing with a minor in psychology. They have always had a passion for analyzing TV and movies, even taking filmography and scriptwriting classes in university. They also studied and participated in onstage and onscreen acting extensively from the ages of 7 to 18.

Aside from working at Screen Rant, Dani has worked as a freelance editor and writer over the past decade, often in a ghostwriting capacity.

Game of Thrones’ spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, set a fun fantasy trend, and a newly announced TV show is coming in to continue it. The prequel debuted in January 2026, and it took the world by storm not because it’s exactly like Game of Thrones but because of its intrinsic differences.

Game of Thrones’ world is vast and expansive. The narrative stretches farther than the eye can see. The action is heightened. The characters are absolutely insufferable for the most part, and their petty political squabbles have consequences not just for the characters involved but all of their kingdoms as well.

In contrast, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms might exist within the larger Game of Thrones world but it focuses on a very narrow setting and story. The two main characters, Dunk and Egg, are absolutely loveable. There is still violence, much like Game of Thrones, but the tone is more humorous and less bleak.

Ultimately, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms sets the cozy fantasy trend, which existed before but on a much smaller and less mainstream scale. Luckily, the trend is already expected to spread, as multiple shows fit that same bill. The most recent announcement is the animated adaptation of The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune.

The House In The Cerulean Sea Is The Most Recent Cozy Fantasy Adapation Announced

The cover of The House in the Cerulean Sea

The House in the Cerulean Sea was picked up for an animated TV show just days ago, and it’s already getting exciting. The project is being made by Warner Bros. Animation. No writers or showrunners have been announced, though that information will surely come sooner rather than later.

The story follows Linus Baker, a caseworker who helps magical kids. He’s sent to Marsyas Island Orphanage, an orphanage on a mysterious island said to harbor six dangerous kids. As Linus investigates the mysterious house, he uncovers secrets that could destroy the world.

The House in the Cerulean Sea has a high-stakes premise and very boisterous characters, but it’s the ultimate cozy fantasy book, focusing on found family and overcoming our prejudices.

Half A Dozen Cozy Fantasy TV Shows & Movies Are On The Way

Jester Lavorre smiling slightly in The Mighty Nein episode 2

The cozy fantasy trend is only going to get bigger over the next few years. Of course, we have A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 and The House by the Cerulean Sea, which we have already discussed. Additionally, the book Piranesi is getting turned into a stop-motion animation film by the acclaimed studio Laika.

The Mighty Nein will return for season 2. This fantasy show is a lot like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms in that it’s set in a high-stakes environment but focused on a small group of likable characters who feel like a family. There’s a coziness in their emotional connection. His Majesty’s Dragon is getting an onscreen adaptation, and that story manages to blend comforting and warm vibes with a military story. It’s quite the enigma. Also, The House of the Spirits will become a TV show in the coming months.

There’s a clear love for this kind of fantasy, which allows audiences to settle in, maybe even get a blanket and a snack. It offers escapism, warmth, and sometimes even hope in a world that’s increasingly chaotic and cruel. The cozy fantasy trend is clearly here to stay. Luckily, the trend hit books long before it reached the screen.

As such, there are plenty of existing cozy fantasy stories that would be perfect for TV and movies. All it takes is a production company that truly understands the value of these sorts of stories, or at least sees the potential profits. Even if they’re not doing it for altruistic reasons, we still get the benefits of the cozy fantasy trend.