Fandom 250: Game of Thrones fans make FanSided’s list of top fandoms

Game of Thrones fans are a passionate bunch. The existence of this website is proof enough of that. But where do they rank compared to other fandoms? FanSided is trying to find out with the Fandom 250, a big project that aims to rank fandoms (250 in all, naturally) from across a broad spectrum that includes the worlds of sports, entertainment, desserts, and more.

FanSided is revealing the nominees in chunks of 10 through early December. Later, it’ll reveal the full list, ordered from 250 to 1. The list for today, November 14, includes Game of Thrones. Behold:

• Game of Thrones
• The Walking Dead
• Harry Potter/JK Rowling
• Star Wars
• Star Trek
• Twilight
• Doctor Who
• The Hunger Games
• Outlander
• Supernatural

Keep in mind that this has no bearing on how these fandoms will be ordered on the final last. For that, we’ll have to check back in with FanSided on December 6.

There’s some stiff competition here. Game of Thrones fans are fierce, and given to digging in deep regarding complex fan theories, both plausible and outlandish. That’s mainly a function of how detailed and rich George R.R. Martin’s imagined world is. There’s just so much in A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones for fans to chew on. Complexity invites study, study breeds familiarity, familiarity leads to intimacy, and intimacy inspires love. Ergo, a lot of people love this series.

But for all their passion, Game of Thrones fans are a relatively new breed. They haven’t nursed their love for as long as, say, fans of Star Wars or Star Trek. Harry Potter and The Walking Dead, meanwhile, are two of only pop cultural properties out there that can compete with Game of Thrones for space in the world’s collective consciousness. It’s gonna be a close call.