Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke as Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen standing together looking surprised in Game of ThronesThere’s a new Game of Thrones movie in development, and it could be exactly what the franchise needs. Following the original HBO show’s enormous success, Warner Bros. has been searching for ways to capitalize on the popularity of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice & Fire books and their expanded world. A recent report about a Game of Thrones movie in development raises plenty of speculation about what the contents of the film could be, but overall, it seems like a promising addition to the franchise at the perfect time.

Following the divisive Game of Thrones ending in 2019, it’s been a challenging road back to acclaim for the iconic fantasy franchise. The first planned spinoff, Bloodmoon, was canceled after filming a pilot episode starring Naomi Watts. House of the Dragon was the next series to come about, and though the first season received widespread critical acclaim, the second was met with a more mediocre response, reminding audiences of the flaws of Game of Thrones season 8. There are other Game of Thrones shows on the way, but a movie could offer a different appeal.

Game Of Thrones’ New Movie Could Shake Up The Fantasy Franchise In The Best Way

A Game Of Thrones Movie Could Bring Back The Event Aspect Of The Franchise

Kit Harringston as Jon Snow carrying a torch in Game of Thrones season 8
Kit Harington as Jon Snow heading Beyond the Wall in the Game of Thrones finale The Night King raising his arms in Game of Thrones season 5, episode 8 The human who becomes the Night King in Game of Thrones, tied to a tree and facing one of the Children of the Forest-2 The Titan of Braavos with the city behind him in Game of ThronesKit Harringston as Jon Snow carrying a torch in Game of Thrones season 8 Kit Harington as Jon Snow heading Beyond the Wall in the Game of Thrones finale
 The Night King raising his arms in Game of Thrones season 5, episode 8 The human who becomes the Night King in Game of Thrones, tied to a tree and facing one of the Children of the Forest-2 The Titan of Braavos with the city behind him in Game of Thrones

By no means is the Game of Thrones franchise failing. House of the Dragon is still a popular show, and HBO is expecting the new A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms series in 2025. With that being said, a movie could contribute momentum in a new way, possibly helping push the franchise back toward its peak popularity. Part of what made Game of Thrones such a phenomenon was that every episode felt like an event, and with such a prevalent place in the cultural vernacular came a mass desire to watch every episode before anything got spoiled.

The best way to re-create that magic isn’t spinoff shows; it’s to provide something that feels like an event. Bringing the cinematic nature of something like the Battle of the Bastards or Rook’s Rest to life on the big screen can cultivate the excitement of the original show and spark some new interest. Especially given the desire for more battles and dragon action in House of the Dragon season 2, a film could adapt a more action-focused era of Game of Thrones history, like Robert’s Rebellion, and offer viewers a cinematic experience.

A Franchise Shake-Up Is Needed After HOTD Season 2 & Game Of Thrones’ Axed Spinoffs

Game Of Thrones Needs To Build Up Some Fresh Momentum

Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) in House of the Dragon season 2, and the Night King in Game of ThronesCustom image by Ana Nieves

As mentioned, the Game of Thrones franchise is doing well, but it could use a shake-up. House of the Dragon lost some of its luster from season 1, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will be a considerably smaller show, and some of the compelling spinoff ideas seem to be scrapped. It’s essential to tell the small stories in the Game of Thrones world, but given the success the franchise has had in the past, it seems like the best way to generate excitement going forward is to give audiences a spectacle.