Series Page

Season 1 – House of the Dragon

Play trailer

2:02

Aug 2022

Drama

Fantasy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

873 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

The reign of House Targaryen begins with this prequel to popular HBO series "Game of Thrones;" based on George R.R. Martin's "Fire & Blood," "House of the Dragon" is set nearly 200 years before the events of "Game of Thrones," telling the story of the Targaryen civil war with King Viserys I Targaryen's children battling for control of the Iron Throne.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Covering an era of tenuous peace with ferocious -- albeit abbreviated -- focus, House of the Dragon is an impressive prequel that exemplifies the court intrigue that distinguished its predecessor.

Read Critics Reviews

Hugo Rifkind

The Times (UK)

06/21/2024

A whole season in, I’m still struggling to remember which ones are Aegon, Aemond, Daemon or Everybody Loves Raemon.

Go to Full Review

Kyle Chayka

The New Yorker

12/08/2022

Against the odds, HBO showrunners made more than reheated Game of Thrones leftovers.

Go to Full Review

Alison Herman

The Ringer

08/19/2022

The first season of the ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel was largely a success, but compressing years of conflict into 10 hours of television leaves us with vague outlines rather than cohesive characters.

Go to Full Review

Joshua Polanski

the post calvin

07/04/2024

4/5

Even visually, while more stylistically contained, the first season felt as impressive as the Battle of the Bastards or the Alan Taylor–directed episodes in the early seasons.

Go to Full Review

Joonatan Itkonen

Region Free

07/03/2024

5/5

If this keeps up, House of the Dragon may become something even grander than Game of Thrones. A vast political epic about dynasties that, in crafting such believable fantasy, rivals the richness of Tolkien.

Go to Full Review

Jonathon Wilson

Ready Steady Cut

06/20/2024

4/5

It’s a fine series in its own right, delivering all the political machinations, gore, depravity, and royal plotting that the franchise is known for in spades.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

James C

@jecavs 3d

The best season of all. I enjoyed Alcock’s portrayal of young Rhaenyra. She had a distinct energy compared to the actor who played the older version. Daemon is incredibly wild.

Melchizedek Franz Noval S

@Melchizedek 4d

Season one is a triumphant return to the world of Westeros, delivering a gripping political drama filled with complex characters, breathtaking production values, and unforgettable performances rather than trying to replicate Game of Thrones, it establishes its own identity by focusing on the tragic downfall of House Targaryen and the events leading to the devastating civil war. The performances—particularly from the actors portraying Rhaenyra Targaryen, Alicent Hightower, and Viserys I—bring emotional depth to the story, while the dragons are spectacularly realized and add a sense of grandeur to every major moment. Although the season's significant time jumps can occasionally make character development feel rushed, and a few supporting characters receive limited attention, these issues do little to diminish the overall experience. It's an outstanding fantasy drama that earns its place among television's best, making it as a must-watch for both fans and newcomers alike.

Shari Z

@pamella83 5d

Season 1 completely pulled me back into the world of Westeros. The acting was outstanding, especially from Paddy Considine and Emma D'Arcy, and the political drama felt just as compelling as the best parts of Game of Thrones.

Jose J

@RT91811886 Jul 28

Nothing makes sense, the child abuse is disgusting, I don't understand why people are okay with it.

Sarah C

@RT56790032 Jul 28

I was surprised by how quickly I got invested. The time jumps took a little getting used to, but once the main conflict kicked in, I couldn't stop watching. It feels different from Game of Thrones, but in a good way.

Faisal A

@RT12391938 Jul 27

worth to watch actually season one so far is the best season

Read all reviews

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Ryan Condal

Creator

George R.R. Martin

Creator

Paddy Considine

King Viserys Targaryen

Matt Smith

Prince Daemon Targaryen

Emma D'Arcy

Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen

Olivia Cooke

Alicent Hightower

Episode 1

Aired Aug 21, 2022

The Heirs of the Dragon

Viserys hosts a tournament to celebrate the birth of his second child. Rhaenyra welcomes her uncle Daemon back to the Red Keep.

Details

Episode 2

Aired Aug 28, 2022

The Rogue Prince

Rhaenyra oversteps at the Small Council; Viserys gets urged to secure the succession through marriage; Daemon announces his intentions.

Details

Episode 3

Aired Sep 4, 2022

Second of His Name

Daemon and the Sea Snake battle the Crabfeeder. The realm celebrates Aegon’s second nameday. Rhaenyra faces the prospect of marriage.

Details

Episode 4

Aired Sep 11, 2022

King of the Narrow Sea

After Rhaenyra cuts short her tour of Westeros, Daemon introduces the princess to the Street of Silk after dark.

Details

Episode 5

Aired Sep 18, 2022

We Light the Way

Daemon visits his wife in the Vale. Viserys and Rhaenyra broker agreements with the Velaryons. Alicent seeks the truth about the princess.

Details

Episode 6

Aired Sep 25, 2022

The Princess and the Queen

Ten years later. Rhaenyra navigates Alicent’s continued speculation about her children, while Daemon and Laena weigh an offer in Pentos.

Details

Episode 7

Aired Oct 2, 2022

Driftmark

As the families gather on Driftmark for a funeral, Viserys calls for an end to infighting and Alicent demands justice.

Details

Episode 8

Aired Oct 9, 2022

The Lord of the Tides

With the Driftmark succession suddenly critical, Rhaenyra tries to strike a bargain with Rhaenys.

Details

Episode 9

Aired Oct 16, 2022

The Green Council

Tensions begin to rise in the royal court as the new coronation draws near; while Alicent enlists Cole and Aemond to track down Aegon, Otto gathers the great houses of Westeros to affirm their allegiance.

Details

Episode 10

Aired Oct 23, 2022

The Black Queen

While mourning a loss, Rhaenyra tries to hold the realm together and Daemon prepares for war.

Details

Episode 10

Aired Oct 23, 2022

The Black Queen

While mourning a loss, Rhaenyra tries to hold the realm together and Daemon prepares for war.

Details

Game of Thrones

89%

85%

Game of Thrones

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Game of Thrones

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

94%

79%

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Watchlist

TRAILER

for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Britannia

92%

76%

Britannia

Watchlist

The Sandman

81%

77%

The Sandman

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Sandman

Vampire Academy

77%

44%

Vampire Academy

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Vampire Academy

Discover more movies and TV shows.

House of the Dragon: Season 2 First Reviews: Gorgeous and Expertly Crafted, with Epic Dragon Fights

The Game of Thrones Universe: Spin-Offs, Prequels, and Animated Series in Development, in Production, and Ordered to Series

The Biggest Snubs and Surprises of the 2023 Golden Globe Nominations

House of the Dragon Episodes Ranked