A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Overtakes DC’s Lanterns as 2026’s Most Anticipated Series

Here we go—the dust has settled, and we finally have the official answer to 'What 2026 TV show are fans actually hyped for?' Turns out, everyone’s still got a soft spot for sword fights, oaths, and ridiculously complicated family trees, because the new Game of Thrones offshoot, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, slashed its way right to the top of IMDb’s ‘most anticipated’ list for next year. The data comes from IMDbPro’s tracking of which shows people are actually stalking on the site, so this isn’t some critic’s daydream—it’s what real viewers are looking up on their lunch breaks.

Westeros Wins—Again

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms might not have the mega-budget spectacle of Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon, but for whatever reason, folks are still clicking on anything related to George R.R. Martin’s universe. The show debuts January 18, 2026, which is basically tomorrow in TV development terms.

And before you start imagining fire-breathing dragons or undead armies—don’t. George R.R. Martin has gone out of his way to set expectations straight. As the author himself reminded fans (he seems to do this every time), this series is ‘not what you expect from fantasy.’ No dragons. No White Walkers. No biblical-level battles. The buzz from IMDb suggests people don’t care—they just want to hang in Westeros, even if the worst thing anyone faces is a bad bowl cut.

'You’re not getting the usual dragon-and-White-Walker circus this time. Think knights, squires, and the medieval version of buddy cop hijinks.'

• Series: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
• Showrunner: Ira Parker
• Source: Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg
• Release Date: January 18, 2026

Honestly, after all the dire-wolves-are-extinct level drama of previous HBO offerings, a more lighthearted ‘chivalry and sunshine in Westeros’ vibe is probably overdue. Between Martin’s constant praise and HBO’s relentless parade of teasers and first-looks, they’re making sure nobody misses this ‘smaller’ GoT entry.

Green Lanterns: Another Shot at Redemption

Right behind knights and medieval awkwardness, the most anticipated new kid on the 2026 TV block is Lanterns—HBO’s attempt to finally make Green Lantern cool again. If you’re old enough to remember the Ryan Reynolds movie, well... sorry for bringing up that memory. Heck, even Zack Snyder couldn’t sneak his Lantern plans into the light. So, yeah, the bar’s low, but the appetite for weird cosmic policing apparently isn’t dead yet.

This version? James Gunn is overseeing the whole DCU rebirth, and Lanterns will reportedly give us John Stewart (that’s Aaron Pierre) teamed up with Hal Jordan (enter Kyle Chandler) as galactic detectives untangling a dark mystery across eight episodes. A gritty, space-cop road trip, maybe—no one’s saying for sure, but it can’t be weirder than sentient pink energy constructs, can it?

• Series: Lanterns
• Showrunner: Chris Mundy
• Source: DC’s Green Lantern
• Release Date: Sometime mid-2026 (no exact date yet)

Notably, Lanterns may air months after A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. That means 2026 will be bookended by two heavy-hitters—fantasy fans get their fix in January, while comic-book diehards get a second chance at green glowing space drama later in the year.

So, What Are You Most Looking Forward To?

Two franchises, two second winds: one picks up the battered Green Lantern baton, the other keeps the Westerosi nostalgia machine running. Which one are you counting down the days for? Personally, as someone who survived both the GoT finale and the 2011 Lantern film, color me cautiously optimistic.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres January 18, 2026, only on HBO (in the US).