Summer is here and while you should be enjoying beach parties and picnics and the like, if you're a Game of Thrones fan, there's a very high probability that you are locked away in your dimly-lit house, just waiting for Game of Thrones to come back. Well, if you'd prefer to act like winter is coming rather than step out into the sunshine, then the only logical way to pass the time is to watch something else that will help you get over your melancholy of missing the best show on television. And that's where this list of movies to watch if you miss Game of Thrones will come in handy.
I think it's safe to say that every Game of Thrones fan would love to see a Braavosi theater performance in the flesh as a way to handle Game of Thrones withdrawal, but that's unfortunately not a viable option. And, it's also safe to say that while there are many films that have elements that are reminiscent of the HBO series — whether they are fantasies, political dramas, or bloody thrillers — there's nothing quite exactly like Game of Thrones out there. Although The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the most comparable film series to come to mind when looking for a diversion from Game of Thrones (George Martin-approved of it himself since he ranked the trilogy number one on his list of the top ten fantasy films for the The Daily Beast back in 2011), after six seasons of longing for the HBO series, you might be in need of some alternative movies to watch.
Because the world of Westeros and Essos is so diverse, characters on Game of Thrones can have completely different experiences from one another. With that in mind, I have compiled a list of movies to watch based on individual Game of Thrones characters. While most of these movies will not share the overall feeling of the HBO series, they will certainly help you if you're missing Game of Thrones.
Arya: Kill Bill: Volume One & Kill Bill: Volume Two
After her training with the Faceless Men, Arya has turned into a badass assassin, which she proved by killing Walder Frey in the Season 6 finale as revenge for him killing her family at the Red Wedding. Well, Kill Bill has got the badass female assassin seeking revenge for wrongs done to her at a wedding too, so it's the perfect movie to watch and reflect on Arya's journey. And though the violence is intense, you have to be used to it if you're a Game of Thrones fan — and at least the Bride never fed Bill his two sons in a meat pie.
Bran: The Matrix
Craving Bran's paranormal storyline? Then watching The Matrix (just the first one, proceed with caution on the others) might help you. Warging is akin to jacking into the Matrix and if Bran is really the key to all of Game of Thrones, then it's like he's the One from The Matrix. Plus, maybe the film by the Wachowskis will help you forget what Bran did to Hodor. (For the record, I will never forget.)
Jon Snow: Kingdom Of Heaven
It's difficult to find a movie that's worthy of Jon Snow, but Kingdom of Heaven will do if you're just in need of some dreamy, sword-wielding eye candy. (Sorry Kit Harington, I know you don't like being objectified.) In Kingdom of Heaven, Orlando Bloom fights in the Crusades during the 12th century and though it only has a 39 percent rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, bonus points go to the film for featuring Jaime Lannister actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
Margaery Tyrell: Anne Of The Thousand Days
If you were upset about the death of Margaery Tyrell at King's Landing, then a drama about King Henry VIII should perk you right up. Richard Burton stars in this 1969 movie about Henry's relationship with Anne Boleyn, which ties in nicely since Margaery actress Natalie Dormer portrayed Anne Boleyn in Showtime's The Tudors.
Loras Tyrell: A Knight's Tale
Speaking of the deceased Tyrells, Loras will never joust again, so get over your grief by watching Heath Ledger (accompanied by Robert Baratheon himself — Mark Addy!) joust his way to success.
Ramsay Bolton: A Clockwork Orange
Another character that died in Season 6 was Ramsay, but he will live on forever in fans' minds as a sadistic bastard. If you're ready for another psychopath to hit your TV screen, then Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange could be for you. If you thought Ramsay was deranged, watching Malcolm McDowell's sheer joy as he rapes and tortures people could almost make Ramsay look timid — almost. Beware before embarking on this one though since the graphic violence is hard to watch.
Brienne of Tarth: Mulan
Brienne doesn't need to disguise herself as a man to do her duty as a warrior, but that doesn't mean she wouldn't find Disney's Mulan to be a kindred spirit. This Disney animated film will be a much-needed change of pace after watching A Clockwork Orange and if Brienne is Mulan, does that mean Podrick is Mushu? If so, don't tell Daenerys since she's got a bit of a thing for dragons.
Tormund: Brave
Time to start a Disney marathon based on the number one 'ship of Game of Thrones . If you're missing that ginger-haired Wildling Tormund Giantsbane, then Merida's flowing red locks will help ease the pain — though it might also remind you of the dearly departed Ygritte. If that's the case, then you could just watch the never-depressing Titanic, solely because this meme of Tormund and Brienne exists and I'm 'shipping hard — can you blame me?
Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun: The BFG
Sad about the Wilding giant dying during the Battle of the Bastards? Get thee to a movie theater and relish in the more child-friendly fare written by Roald Dahl, directed by Steven Spielberg, and brought to you by Disney.
Daenerys Targaryen: Reign of Fire
While Disney is remaking one of my favorite childhood movies Pete's Dragon, to save you from overloading on Disney movies, turn to Reign of Fire to reminisce about Daenerys' power. The Mother of Dragons would not approve of this Christian Bale and Matthew McConaughey movie set in future London (2020! only four years away!) since they are hell-bent on destroying newfound dragons, but all the fire breathing can keep you warm until Game of Thrones returns.
Bronn: Willow
Ron Howard's swashbuckling fantasy film is great if you didn't think Season 6 of Game of Thrones showed enough of that lovable scoundrel Bronn. Bronn definitely has some similarities to Val Kilmer's cocky character Madmartigan and the comparisons are only made stronger by the fact that he's accompanied by a dwarf in the film — Warwick Davis' Willow. While I love Bronn and Jaime partnering up, watching Willow will definitely make you hope for a Tyrion-Bronn reunion in Season 7.
Sansa Stark: 9 To 5
Season 6 of Game of Thrones was all about women gaining power and no woman owned her power better than Sansa (sorry not sorry, Cersei). Celebrate Sansa's triumphant season by matching the ultimate feminist buddy comedy — 9 to 5. Just like Lily Tomlin imagined killing her boss as Snow White, Sansa proved that a real princess (well, technically a lady) isn't afraid of a little murder when it's done for the right reasons.
If you watch all 12 movies (actually 13 with Kill Bill), you'll hopefully be able to get through the rest of the long wait until Game of Thrones Season 7 arrives on HBO.
Images: Macall B. Polay/HBO; Giphy (11); lookatthelights/Tumblr
