What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Last Kingdom
Stephen Butchard · Series · 2015
If you loved The Last Kingdom, start with Kingdom of Heaven (2005) — a film on the same thread. Below: 3 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Last Kingdom across media.
What hooked you in The Last Kingdom was the way epic historical stakes constantly collide with the personal struggle for identity.
Books on the same thread
The Winter King
Bernard Cornwell · Book · 1997
Shares 3 threads with The Last Kingdom: Warrior Culture, Loyalty, Historical Fiction.
Like The Last Kingdom, this novel masterfully blends historical reality with warrior culture, following a protagonist who navigates shifting loyalties and the complex tension between fate and individual choice.
The Last Battle
Clive Staples Lewis · Book · 1956
Explores: Good vs Evil, Faith, Sacrifice.
If The Last Kingdom hit, The Last Battle shares the thread.
The Chronicles of Narnia - the Last Battle
C. S. Lewis · Book · 2014
Shares a thread with The Last Kingdom: Loyalty.
If The Last Kingdom hit, The Chronicles of Narnia - the Last Battle shares the thread.
Films on the same thread
Kingdom of Heaven
Film · 2005
Shares 2 threads with The Last Kingdom: Political Intrigue, Historical Drama.
You will recognize the same gritty political intrigue and religious friction found in The Last Kingdom as Balian is thrust into the center of a brutal medieval conflict.
The King
David Michôd · Film · 2019
Shares 2 threads with The Last Kingdom: Political Intrigue, Historical Drama.
This film mirrors the burden of leadership seen in The Last Kingdom, focusing on a reluctant ruler forced to reconcile his personal desires with the harsh demands of England.
The Woman King
Gina Prince-Bythewood · Film · 2022
Explores: Female Empowerment, Sisterhood, Resistance Against Colonialism.
If you valued the warrior culture of The Last Kingdom, you will appreciate this intense portrayal of a specialized fighting unit protecting their home against overwhelming external threats.
The Last Samurai
Edward Zwick · Film · 2003
Shares a thread with The Last Kingdom: Loyalty.
The Last Kingdom thrives on the clash of cultures, a theme echoed here as an outsider learns to respect and adopt the honorable traditions of a fading warrior society.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
If The Last Kingdom hit, The Archers shares the thread.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
If the historical depth of The Last Kingdom kept you watching, these long-form analyses provide the same fascination with the moral ambiguity and geopolitical consequences of ancient power.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Last Kingdom based on real historical events?
Yes, The Last Kingdom combines real historical figures and events with fictional characters. The show focuses on the formation of a unified people under an iconic king, blending historical accuracy with narrative storytelling to explore themes of politics, warfare, and the search for identity.
What themes are explored in The Last Kingdom?
The Last Kingdom explores a wide range of thematic depth including politics, religion, warfare, courage, love, and loyalty. It portrays the struggle of a people reclaiming their land and the universal human quest for identity during an era of epic battles and heroic deeds.
Is The Last Kingdom a story about a specific king?
The Last Kingdom tells the story of how a people combined their strength under one of the most iconic kings of history. This central figure leads the effort to reclaim land and build a nation, serving as the focal point for the show's historical narrative.
What kind of show is The Last Kingdom?
The Last Kingdom is a television show featuring heroic deeds and epic battles. It balances a dramatic plot with significant thematic depth, examining the complex intersections of religion, politics, and loyalty as characters fight to reclaim their land and forge a new national identity.