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| Best Shows Like Treasure Island. |
If Treasure Island (2026) has left you craving another adventure filled with pirate ships, buried fortunes and people whose promises are about as reliable as a leaking boat, you have plenty of options. The six-part historical drama follows Jim Hawkins and his mother, Bess, after they acquire Captain Flint’s treasure map and become caught in a dangerous race towards Skeleton Island. With ambitious pirate Long John Silver, a deceptive British agent and a crew divided by greed, the series combines historical action with a coming-of-age story about trust, survival and growing up before you are ready.
The best shows to watch after Treasure Island offer similar ingredients, whether through high-seas adventures, historical rivalries, dangerous expeditions or young heroes discovering that the world is considerably more complicated than they imagined. These 21 series deliver different versions of that appeal, from gritty pirate dramas to fantasy quests and historical thrillers.
Shows Like Treasure Island
1. Black Sails (2014)
Black Sails is the strongest starting point for anyone searching for shows like Treasure Island. Set in the early 18th century, the drama follows Captain Flint and his crew as they struggle to maintain their power in New Providence while facing rival pirates, British authorities and competing ambitions. The series explores the world surrounding Robert Louis Stevenson’s literary classic, blending naval battles with political manoeuvring and complicated personal relationships.
Like Treasure Island, it understands that the promise of buried treasure can turn even a charming sailor into a serious problem. Long John Silver’s mixture of charisma and self-interest will feel particularly familiar. If you enjoyed the tension aboard the Hispaniola, where alliances can collapse as quickly as they form, Black Sails is an obvious next choice. Just do not expect everyone to agree on who deserves the gold.
2. The Musketeers (2014)
The Musketeers trades pirate ships for the royal courts and dangerous streets of 17th-century France. Athos, Porthos, Aramis and the ambitious D’Artagnan defend the crown while confronting conspiracies, rivalries and enemies with questionable intentions. Although the series has no Caribbean treasure hunt, its combination of sword fights, secret schemes and shifting loyalties makes it a natural recommendation for fans of Treasure Island.
Like Jim Hawkins, D’Artagnan must learn quickly in a world where bravery alone does not guarantee survival. The historical setting adds political intrigue, while the ensemble keeps the action moving. If you enjoyed watching characters negotiate dangerous situations without knowing whom to trust, this is a strong alternative. After all, a royal court can be just as treacherous as a pirate ship, only with better costumes and considerably more formal paperwork.
3. Crossbones (2014)
John Malkovich stars as Blackbeard in Crossbones, a pirate drama set around a stronghold in the Bahamas. The story follows a British intelligence operative whose mission brings him into Blackbeard’s world, where political schemes and personal ambitions complicate the pursuit of power. Its combination of maritime adventure and espionage makes it particularly appealing to viewers who enjoyed the rivalry between Long John Silver and British agent Aaron Graham in Treasure Island.
Both stories explore the uneasy relationship between official authority and outlaw freedom, with neither side entirely free from self-interest. Malkovich’s Blackbeard adds another unpredictable personality to the mix. If you like stories in which a straightforward mission becomes a contest of manipulation, Crossbones is worth considering. In this world, a friendly conversation may be less a sign of trust than the opening move in somebody else’s plan.
4. Our Flag Means Death (2022)
Not every pirate adventure needs to be relentlessly serious. Our Flag Means Death follows Stede Bonnet, a wealthy gentleman who abandons his comfortable life to become a pirate despite possessing very little practical experience. His encounters with Blackbeard and their fellow sailors lead to a distinctive mix of comedy, romance and adventure. Like Treasure Island, the series explores identity, personal ambition and the relationships that develop when people spend long periods at sea. The major difference is its lighter tone and willingness to make fun of pirate mythology. If you enjoyed the colourful personalities aboard the Hispaniola but would prefer fewer grim confrontations, this is a refreshing alternative. Stede’s attempt to become a fearsome pirate is particularly entertaining because enthusiasm, as it turns out, is not a substitute for knowing what you are doing.
5. The Lost Pirate Kingdom (2021)
The Lost Pirate Kingdom examines the history of Caribbean piracy through a combination of expert commentary and dramatised scenes. The documentary series explores the pirates, rivalries and political interests that shaped the region during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Unlike Treasure Island, it does not follow a fictional young hero on a single quest, but it offers useful context for the world of ambitious captains, valuable cargoes and uncertain allegiances. The series also looks beyond the romantic image of piracy, examining the economic pressures and political circumstances that shaped the lives of those involved. If you found yourself wondering how much of the world surrounding Jim Hawkins could have existed in reality, this is a useful companion. It turns out that pirate history involved more than treasure maps, dramatic entrances and people shouting orders from the deck.
6. Vikings (2013)
Vikings follows Ragnar Lothbrok and his family as they pursue exploration, conquest and influence across the medieval world. Its Norse warriors replace Caribbean pirates, but the series shares Treasure Island’s fascination with ambitious leaders, dangerous voyages and the struggle between loyalty and self-interest.
Ragnar’s desire to discover new territories repeatedly places him in conflict with rivals and established authorities, while the people around him must decide where their loyalties lie. Jim Hawkins faces a smaller journey, but his transformation from sheltered teenager to capable survivor reflects the same broader theme of personal growth through danger. With large-scale battles, political manoeuvring and changing alliances, Vikings is ideal for viewers who want another historical adventure in which the pursuit of wealth and power rarely ends peacefully.
7. The Last Kingdom (2015)
Set during the formation of England, The Last Kingdom centres on Uhtred, a warrior born a Saxon but raised by Vikings. His divided background shapes a turbulent life involving battles, political intrigue and difficult decisions about identity. That internal conflict gives the series a connection to Treasure Island, where Jim must navigate a world in which people offer competing versions of the truth and rarely reveal their full intentions.
Both protagonists grow through dangerous experiences, learning that courage must be balanced with judgement. The setting focuses more on warfare and kingdoms than treasure hunting, but the tension between loyalty and ambition remains central. If the historical atmosphere and character development in Treasure Island appealed to you, Uhtred’s struggle to secure his place in the world offers a similarly absorbing journey.
8. Taboo (2017)
Tom Hardy plays James Delaney, a mysterious traveller who returns to early 19th-century London to claim an inheritance and becomes entangled in a struggle involving powerful commercial and political interests. His determination to pursue his own plans attracts enemies, while his motives remain difficult for almost everyone around him to understand.
Like Treasure Island, Taboo explores the cost of ambition and the influence of wealth over personal freedom. Its atmosphere is darker and its focus more political, but the appeal of watching complicated characters manipulate one another is much the same. Fans of Long John Silver may appreciate Delaney’s unpredictable nature and refusal to behave as expected. This is the series to choose when you want historical intrigue, suspicious alliances and a cast of characters who seem to have attended the same school of questionable decision-making.
9. Poldark (2015)
Set in late 18th-century Cornwall, Poldark follows Ross Poldark after he returns from the American War of Independence to find his home and personal life transformed. His attempts to rebuild his fortunes lead to disputes involving family, business, class and social power. The series has fewer pirates than Treasure Island, but its Cornish setting and historical atmosphere create an immediate connection.
Both dramas examine people trying to secure a future in a world where money and status can determine their options. The coastal landscapes also provide a familiar backdrop for viewers who enjoyed the rugged atmosphere surrounding Jim Hawkins’s early life. Instead of chasing Flint’s gold, Ross struggles to rebuild his position in society. It is a different sort of adventure, although the number of personal complications suggests that treasure hunting might occasionally be the simpler option.
10. The Terror (2018)
The first season of The Terror dramatises a disastrous Arctic expedition in which two Royal Navy ships become trapped in an unforgiving environment. As supplies diminish and the crews struggle to understand the dangers around them, mistrust and desperation threaten their survival. Its frozen setting is a world away from the Caribbean in Treasure Island, but the underlying themes are remarkably similar.
Both stories place people in isolated environments where decisions have serious consequences and cooperation becomes increasingly difficult. The difference is that The Terror leans towards historical horror rather than traditional swashbuckling adventure. If the claustrophobic tension aboard the Hispaniola was one of your favourite elements, this series offers a much bleaker take on life at sea. There is no promise of a fortune at the end, either, which feels rather unfair after all that travelling.
11. The North Water (2021)
Colin Farrell stars in The North Water as Henry Drax, a harpooner aboard a whaling expedition bound for the Arctic. The voyage becomes increasingly dangerous as the crew confronts brutal conditions and the disturbing behaviour of people they cannot easily escape. The maritime setting makes this a strong option for viewers who enjoyed the tension aboard the Hispaniola in Treasure Island.
Both stories use life at sea to examine trust, survival and the consequences of placing yourself in the hands of strangers. However, The North Water is far less romantic about adventure, replacing the promise of buried gold with a grim struggle against the elements and human nature. It is an effective choice for anyone who wants another period drama about a voyage gone wrong, preferably without expecting the captain to deliver a reassuring speech before the next disaster.
12. Shōgun (2024)
Set in Japan in 1600, Shōgun follows English pilot John Blackthorne after he arrives in a society shaped by political rivalries and carefully negotiated alliances. His arrival brings him into the orbit of powerful leaders, including Lord Toranaga, whose ambitions extend far beyond the immediate struggle for survival.
Like Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island, Blackthorne is an outsider who must learn to understand an unfamiliar world before he can make meaningful decisions within it. Both stories rely on tension, conflicting interests and the difficulty of knowing whom to trust. Shōgun is more politically intricate than a conventional pirate adventure, but its characters are constantly negotiating the boundary between loyalty and self-preservation. If you enjoy historical dramas where a single misjudgement can change everything, this is an excellent next choice.
13. The English (2022)
The English follows an Englishwoman travelling through the American West in the 1890s, where she joins forces with a former cavalry scout on a dangerous journey. Their paths lead through a landscape shaped by injustice, revenge and the consequences of violence. Although the series is a Western rather than a pirate adventure, its focus on unfamiliar territory and uncertain alliances makes it a worthwhile recommendation for Treasure Island fans.
Like Jim and Bess, the central characters must depend on one another while navigating a world where safety is never guaranteed. Its compact miniseries format also suits viewers who prefer a complete story rather than a sprawling multi-season commitment. If the relationship between the Hawkinses was an important part of your enjoyment, The English offers another journey in which trust and survival become closely intertwined.
14. The Winter King (2023)
Based on Bernard Cornwell’s Arthurian novels, The Winter King reimagines the story of Arthur in a turbulent post-Roman Britain. Divided communities, political rivalries and difficult questions of leadership drive the drama as familiar legends receive a more grounded historical treatment. Its connection to Treasure Island lies in the combination of adventure, personal development and competing ambitions.
Jim Hawkins learns that growing up means recognising the motives behind other people’s promises; Arthur’s world demands a similar understanding on a much larger scale. The series replaces a treasure hunt with a struggle over the future of a kingdom, but both stories ask what happens when individuals are forced to make consequential choices before they feel ready. It is worth considering if you want another historical adventure with plenty of conflict and characters trying to make sense of an unstable world.
15. His Dark Materials (2019)
Based on Philip Pullman’s novels, His Dark Materials follows Lyra Belacqua, a young girl whose search for a missing friend leads her into a much larger mystery involving parallel worlds and powerful institutions. Her journey forces her to question what she has been told and develop the independence needed to confront unfamiliar dangers.
That coming-of-age element makes the series a natural match for Treasure Island, where Jim’s discovery of Flint’s map transforms his life and challenges his assumptions about the world. Both protagonists begin with limited experience and gradually learn that adults do not always possess the answers they claim to have. The fantasy setting adds magic and parallel worlds rather than pirates and Caribbean jungles, but the appeal of a young hero uncovering a much bigger story remains strong.
16. The Letter for the King (2020)
This fantasy adventure follows Tiuri, a young squire entrusted with delivering a secret letter to a distant king. What begins as a mission becomes a dangerous journey through unfamiliar lands, bringing him into contact with unexpected allies and determined enemies. Like Jim Hawkins, Tiuri is a young protagonist who must grow into his responsibilities while learning whom he can trust.
Both stories place their central characters in situations that demand more courage and judgement than they initially possess. The Letter for the King offers a more family-friendly alternative to the grittier pirate dramas on this list, with a strong emphasis on friendship, bravery and discovery. If you liked the adventure and personal growth in Treasure Island but would prefer fewer grim confrontations and a more traditional heroic quest, this series is worth considering.
17. One Piece (2023)
The live-action One Piece follows Monkey D. Luffy and his crew as they set sail in search of the legendary One Piece treasure. Their journey brings them into conflict with rival pirates, dangerous authorities and unexpected challenges across a colourful world of islands and eccentric characters.
The tone is more fantastical and comedic than Treasure Island, but the central attraction is almost identical: a crew pursuing a legendary fortune while navigating rival ambitions and testing the bonds between its members. Luffy’s determination also echoes Jim Hawkins’s growing confidence as he ventures beyond familiar surroundings. If the promise of Skeleton Island made you want another treasure hunt, this is one of the strongest options. There are more unusual abilities and exaggerated personalities, but even the strangest pirates still need a destination and a dream.
18. The Librarians (2014)
The Librarians follows a team tasked with protecting magical artefacts and investigating supernatural mysteries around the world. Its adventures often revolve around lost objects, ancient secrets and powerful discoveries that can cause serious trouble in the wrong hands. The link to Treasure Island is the excitement of uncovering something valuable and discovering that finding it is only the beginning of the problem.
Both stories use the pursuit of hidden knowledge to bring characters into conflict with people who want control over what they have found. The tone is lighter and more episodic than the 2026 pirate drama, making it a good choice for viewers who want adventure without the constant threat of mutiny. If the map and treasure hunt were your favourite parts of Treasure Island, this offers another collection of mysteries where curiosity is rarely a risk-free hobby.
19. The Mysterious Benedict Society (2021)
This mystery-adventure series follows a group of gifted children recruited for a secret mission that requires intelligence, teamwork and a healthy suspicion of what adults tell them. Their investigation leads them into a conspiracy that tests their individual strengths and the trust they place in one another.
Like Jim Hawkins, the young protagonists must confront a world more complicated than they expected, learning that bravery is not always enough to solve a problem. The group dynamic also contrasts with the mistrust aboard the Hispaniola, where competing ambitions repeatedly threaten cooperation. While the show replaces pirates and buried gold with puzzles and secret schemes, its coming-of-age themes make it a worthwhile alternative for younger viewers and families. Sometimes the most useful weapon in an adventure is not a sword but the ability to notice that somebody’s story makes absolutely no sense.
20. The Adventures of Merlin (2008)
The BBC series The Adventures of Merlin follows a young magician whose abilities must remain secret in Camelot, where magic is forbidden. His friendship with Arthur draws him into a world of danger, political rivalry and difficult choices as he learns to manage his powers. Like Jim Hawkins, Merlin begins as a young character whose future is shaped by experiences he cannot fully control.
Both must develop confidence and judgement while navigating relationships involving secrets and competing interests. The series trades pirate ships for enchanted forests, legendary creatures and royal intrigue, but the central appeal of a young hero growing into his role remains. If you enjoyed Jim’s transformation from an inexperienced teenager into someone capable of facing danger, Merlin’s journey offers a longer fantasy adventure with plenty of twists.
21. Theodosia (2022)
Set in 1906, Theodosia follows a young girl who discovers magical abilities while exploring ancient Egyptian artefacts and secret societies. Her curiosity leads to encounters with mysterious objects, hidden knowledge and people who want to control powers they barely understand. Although it is a family-friendly fantasy rather than a pirate drama, the connection to Treasure Island is clear: an extraordinary discovery changes a young protagonist’s life and brings responsibilities she never expected.
Like Jim, Theodosia must learn to trust her judgement while deciding which allies deserve her confidence. The historical setting adds another layer of adventure, while the mysteries provide a similar sense of discovery. If you enjoyed the map, the hidden treasure and the way one discovery sets an entire story in motion, this is a lighter alternative to finish the list.
My pick would be Black Sails for anyone who wants the closest match to Treasure Island. It captures the dangerous appeal of pirate life with ambitious captains, complicated alliances and enough betrayal to make a crew’s promise of loyalty sound like a temporary business arrangement. The Musketeers is an excellent alternative for sword fights and historical intrigue, while The Last Kingdom offers a longer journey through identity, survival and political conflict.
If you would rather keep the treasure hunt but lighten the mood, One Piece is the obvious choice. I would save The North Water for a day when cheerful escapism is not the priority. Ultimately, the best series depends on what hooked you: the pirates, the historical setting, Jim’s transformation or the mystery of Flint’s fortune. Which show would you watch first, and what other series deserves a place on this list? Share your pick and help other Treasure Island fans decide what to watch next.