TV · in order
Game of Thrones & House of the Dragon Watch Order
Watch Game of Thrones (all 8 seasons) first, then the prequels House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — even though both are set well before the original, they land harder once you already know Westeros.
Game of Thrones & House of the Dragon Watch Order — complete list
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Why this order?
There are now three live-action Westeros shows to track, so the real question is which one to start with. Our default watch order puts Game of Thrones (2011-2019) first, then House of the Dragon (2022-), then A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2026-). That may feel backwards, since both prequels are set long before the original, but they were made for an audience that already knows this world. House of the Dragon's civil war — the Dance of the Dragons — carries far more weight when you understand what the Targaryen dynasty eventually becomes, and which Stark, Lannister and Baratheon families are waiting in the wings of history.
If you would rather follow the in-world timeline, the chronological order is House of the Dragon, then A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, then Game of Thrones. House of the Dragon opens in 101 AC; A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms follows the hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall and a young Targaryen prince roughly 90 years before the original series; and Game of Thrones picks up around 298 AC. This order front-loads the dragons and reads cleanly as history, but you lose the dramatic irony that rewards viewers who recognise names, sigils and prophecies before a prequel explains them.
The one genuine gotcha is expectation, not sequence: Game of Thrones has a divisive final season, while the prequels are tighter, more focused stories. Going GoT-first means closing the original on a contested note before the prequels raise the bar again — many viewers find that more satisfying than the reverse.
All three adapt George R.R. Martin: A Song of Ice and Fire for Game of Thrones, the companion history Fire & Blood for House of the Dragon, and the Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. If you enjoy this sprawling, political-fantasy register, The Witcher and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power scratch a similar itch.
Timeline 2011–2026
Every entry plotted by release year — see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
What order should I watch Game of Thrones in?
Watch Game of Thrones (all 8 seasons) first, then House of the Dragon, then A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Although both prequels are set earlier on the timeline, they reward familiarity with the world, so most viewers enjoy them more after the original series.
How many Game of Thrones shows and seasons are there?
Three live-action shows have aired so far: Game of Thrones (8 seasons, 2011-2019), House of the Dragon (ongoing since 2022) and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (a 6-episode first season that premiered in January 2026).
Should I watch House of the Dragon before Game of Thrones?
You can — House of the Dragon comes first on the in-world timeline. But it was made for viewers who already know Westeros, so watching Game of Thrones first gives you the dramatic context the prequel assumes.
Is House of the Dragon a prequel or a sequel?
It is a prequel, set roughly 170-200 years before Game of Thrones (it opens in 101 AC). It dramatizes the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
Do I need to read the books first?
No. The shows are based on George R.R. Martin's writing — A Song of Ice and Fire for Game of Thrones, Fire & Blood for House of the Dragon, and the Tales of Dunk and Egg for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — but all three stand on their own without reading first.
What is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
It is an HBO prequel series set roughly 90 years before Game of Thrones (between House of the Dragon and the original), following the hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall and a young Targaryen prince. Based on Martin's Tales of Dunk and Egg, it premiered on January 18, 2026, with a 6-episode first season, and is a separate show rather than a season of either existing series.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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