The Wheel of Timeseason 3 finally has a release date, andit’s avoiding a problem that plagued Amazon’s other hit fantasy series for two seasons in a row. Several networks and streamers are competing within the fantasy genre, as many of them attempted tointroduce the “next Game of Thrones"after the HBO series ended. Amazon has two major fantasy titles on its roster, both based on prolific works within the genre.The Wheel of TimeandThe Rings of Powermay not adapt those works perfectly, but they’re some of thebiggest ongoing fantasy showsas of 2024.
Andit seemsThe Wheel of Timeseason 3is learning fromThe Rings of Power’s release strategy, which has repeated the same mistake twice now. Given thatThe Wheel of Timeseason 2’s adaptationof the source material has been criticized, it’s going to need as much help as it can get to bounce back in season 3. This means avoiding a release timeline that overlaps with heavy competition and risks further alienating viewers. Fortunately, things look hopeful on that front.
The Wheel Of Time Season 3’s Release Doesn’t Overlap With Other Big Fantasy Premieres
The Show’s March 2025 Return Could Work In Its Favor
The Wheel of Timeseason 3 trailer offers hopefor one of the show’s best outings yet, and it’s confirmed that the series will return on August 15, 2025. While it’s impossible to choose a premiere date too far removed from other returning fantasy shows,The Wheel of Timedoes a better job of this thanThe Rings of Power.Currently,season 3 of the Amazon series doesn’t overlap with any major fantasy premieres, which means it will be the main topic of discussion early next year. This could help it stand out and avoid harsh comparisons to its competitors.
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The fact that it’s coming back so early in the year could also work in its favor, asit will be among the first major fantasy shows to debut in 2025. This means it will set the bar for what comes after, rather than being expected to live up to other popular releases.February’sThe Witcher: Sirens of the Deepwill probably be the closest fantasy title toWheel of Timeseason 3’s premiere, and the fact that it’s animated and a movie will make it too different from the Amazon show to matter much.
The Wheel Of Time Is Avoiding A Mistake That Hurt Both Seasons Of The Rings Of Power
The Lord Of The Rings Series Keeps Premiering Close To House Of The Dragon
By setting a premiere date that’s at least a few months removed from other huge fantasy releases,The Wheel of Timeis avoiding a mistake that plagued both seasons ofThe Rings of Power.Amazon’sLord of the Ringsshow debuted on June 11, 2025, not even two weeks afterThe House of the Dragonseason 1. With both series serving as prequels to major fantasy properties, it was inevitable they’d be compared to one another. And although they’re vastly different in terms of tone and plot,House of the Dragonseason 1 came out on top reception-wise.
The Rings of Powerseason 2 came out on the heels ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s ending.
This didn’t stop Amazon from repeating the same mistake withThe Rings of Powerseason 2, even if the streamer put alittlemore distance between the two series' sophomore seasons. Still,The Rings of Powerseason 2 came out on the heels ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s ending, with its first three episodes dropping on Prime Video a little less than three weeks afterHOTD’s finale aired. Needless to say, there were more comparisons between the two shows, even though they really didn’t warrant them.The Wheel of Timewon’t need to worry about this while it’s on.
Amazon Still Has Major Competition In The Fantasy Genre In 2025
It Will Still Be Up Against Shows Like The Hedge Knight & The Witcher
The Wheel of Timeseason 3 shouldn’t face much competition in the fantasy genre in March, unless shows likePercy JacksonorStranger Thingsset their next outings for then — and with no trailers or updates as of December, that seems unlikely.The Amazon series will still be up against fantasy titles coming out later in the year though, as two big ones have already scheduled their runs:A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge KnightandThe Witcherseason 4.
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HBO’snewGame of Thronesprequel has a summer 2025release window, which should place it at least two months afterThe Wheel of Timeseason 3.The Witcher’snext chapter has no set release date, but it’s expected to hit Netflix during the latter half of 2025. It’s unlikely the streamer would schedule it too close to the anime movie, so it will probably be several months removed fromThe Wheel of Timeseason 3 as well. This buys the Amazon show more time thanThe Rings of Powerto dominate the conversation in the fantasy TV space.
The Wheel of Time
Cast
The Wheel of Time follows Moiraine, a member of the powerful all-female organization Aes Sedai, as she leads a perilous quest with five young individuals. Moiraine suspects one among them could be the prophesized reincarnation of a mighty figure destined to either save or doom humanity.
