House of the Dragon season 3 is here, and it’s set to give HBO another can’t-miss installment of the Game of Thrones franchise for the next few months. Leading up to the show’s long-awaited return,House of the Dragon season 3’s Rotten Tomatoes score is sitting at a record high, coming in at 97% from critics.
ScreenRant‘s review of House of the Dragon called season 3 a “whole new side of Game of Thrones” after highlighting that the first half of the season “delivered non-stop momentum.” The season, of course, will dive deeper into the Dance of the Dragons, featuring several notable moments during the Targaryen civil war, like the Battle of the Gullet, which kicks off the new season.
For those familiar with George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood novel, there’s plenty to look forward to with the live-action adaptation from here on out. On the other hand, anyone watching that isn’t up to date with House Targaryen’s history should gear up for an action-packed and emotional ride this season.
House Of The Dragon Season 3 Premieres Sunday, June 21, On HBO
After nearly two years, House of the Dragon is finally back with a brand-new season set to begin the second half of GRRM’s Fire & Blood adaptation. House of the Dragon season 3 officially debuts Sunday, June 21, taking over the notable 9 p.m. ET timeslot.
Like the case in 2024 with season 2, the Game of Thrones prequel will serve as the prestigious summer release for the network, running through early August. House of the Dragon‘s return also gives HBO two big Game of Thrones releases in 2026, following A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms‘ debut earlier this year.
What Time New Episodes Of House Of The Dragon Release On HBO Max Every Week
Abubakar Salim’s Alyn and Steve Toussaint’s Corlys looking intense dressed in armor on a ship in House of the Dragon season 3Ollie Upton/HBO
In addition to airing on HBO’s flagship network in the acclaimed 9 pm ET timeslot, new episodes of House of the Dragon season 3 will also be available to stream on HBO Max. New episodes will begin streaming at the same time they begin airing on HBO, meaning subscribers will be able to get watching at 9 p.m. ET weekly.
Dragonstone Archives · The Dance Begins The Dance of the Dragons Awaits “The idea that we control the dragons is an illusion.”
🐉The BlacksTeam Rhaenyra
👑The GreensTeam Aegon
🔥DragonsFire & Blood
⚔The CrownSuccession
🔮ProphecyA Song of Ice
01
King Viserys I names his heir early in the series, defying tradition that would favor his firstborn son. Who does he name as his successor?
✓ Correct! Viserys named his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne after the death of his first wife, Aemma, and their infant son. He forced the lords of the realm to swear oaths of fealty to her — oaths many would later break.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is Rhaenyra Targaryen. Viserys defied Westerosi precedent by naming his daughter over his brother Daemon. Even after fathering sons with Alicent Hightower, Viserys never changed his decree.
02
Alicent Hightower’s faction is known as “the Greens.” Who is her father, the cunning Hand of the King who orchestrates much of their political strategy?
✓ Correct! Otto Hightower served as Hand of the King and was the mastermind behind the Green faction. He strategically positioned his daughter Alicent to marry Viserys, and spent decades maneuvering to place Alicent’s son Aegon on the throne.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is Otto Hightower. He served as Hand to both Jaehaerys I and Viserys I, and engineered the marriage between Alicent and the King. Corlys Velaryon sided with the Blacks, and Lyonel Strong served as Hand before Otto’s return.
03
Daemon Targaryen rides a fierce, battle-scarred dragon known for its Blood Wyrm nickname. What is the name of his fearsome mount?
✓ Correct! Caraxes, known as “the Blood Wyrm,” is Daemon’s dragon — a lean, red, battle-scarred beast. While Vhagar is the largest and oldest dragon alive, Caraxes is the most experienced in combat and fiercely loyal to Daemon.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is Caraxes. Syrax is Rhaenyra’s dragon, Vhagar is the oldest dragon (ridden by Aemond), and Meleys “the Red Queen” is Rhaenys’s mount. Caraxes the Blood Wyrm is Daemon’s partner in the skies.
04
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen is known by a nickname reflecting the fact she was passed over for the throne in favor of Viserys. What is she called?
✓ Correct! Rhaenys was dubbed “The Queen Who Never Was” after the Great Council of 101 AC chose Viserys over her, despite her strong claim. Married to Corlys Velaryon, she became one of the most formidable figures in the Dance, riding Meleys the Red Queen.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is The Queen Who Never Was. “The Realm’s Delight” is actually young Rhaenyra’s nickname. Rhaenys earned her title when the lords of the realm chose Viserys over her at the Great Council, setting the precedent that later fueled the Dance.
05
Vhagar is the largest living dragon during the Dance. Which Targaryen prince claims her — dramatically shifting the balance of power to the Greens?
✓ Correct! Aemond Targaryen claimed Vhagar at Driftmark after the funeral of Laena Velaryon — Vhagar’s previous rider. This bold act gave the Greens their most devastating weapon and sparked the confrontation that cost Aemond his eye.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is Aemond Targaryen. Aegon II rides Sunfyre, Jacaerys rides Vermax, and Daeron rides Tessarion. Aemond’s daring claim of Vhagar at Driftmark was a pivotal moment that made him the Greens’ most dangerous warrior.
06
Viserys shares a secret Targaryen prophecy with Rhaenyra about a threat from the North and a promised prince. What is this prophecy called?
✓ Correct! Aegon the Conqueror had a prophetic dream he called “A Song of Ice and Fire” — a vision of a terrible winter coming from the North that would destroy the world of the living. This secret was passed from king to heir, and Viserys shared it with Rhaenyra on the night he named her heir.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is A Song of Ice and Fire. Aegon the Conqueror’s dream foretold a great threat from the North requiring a Targaryen on the Iron Throne to unite the realm. Viserys revealed this to Rhaenyra, connecting House of the Dragon directly to the events of Game of Thrones.
07
Corlys Velaryon is one of the richest and most powerful men in Westeros, famous for his legendary voyages. What is his well-known title?
✓ Correct! Corlys Velaryon earned the name “The Sea Snake” through his legendary nine voyages across the known world aboard his ship. He amassed a fortune that made House Velaryon wealthier than even the Lannisters, and his naval power proved crucial in the Dance.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is The Sea Snake. While Corlys did serve on the Small Council, his legendary title comes from his nine great voyages. “Lord of the Tides” is the formal title of the head of House Velaryon, but “The Sea Snake” is his personal epithet.
08
The Season 1 finale ends with a devastating loss for Rhaenyra when one of her sons is killed in a dragonback confrontation. Which son does she lose, and who kills him?
✓ Correct! Lucerys Velaryon, riding his young dragon Arrax, was pursued and killed by Aemond on the colossal Vhagar above Shipbreaker Bay near Storm’s End. The show portrays this as partly accidental — Vhagar acted on her own — but the result ignited the Dance of the Dragons into open war.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is Lucerys, killed by Aemond and Vhagar. Luke was sent as an envoy to Storm’s End but was confronted by Aemond. The massive Vhagar devoured young Arrax and his rider above Shipbreaker Bay — the act that turned a succession dispute into a full-scale civil war.
Dragonstone Archives · Sealed by Fire Your Dragon Rider Record
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Did you ride to glory — or fall from the sky?
As a way to reward new and returning subscribers, HBO Max plans are currently on sale for those in the US. The deal comes at the perfect time for House of the Dragon‘s return, but it’s important to note that the discounted rates are only available until July 15th, the midway point of season 3.
House Of The Dragon Season 3 Full Episode Schedule & Runtimes Explained
Battle of the Gullet in season 3 of House of the Dragon
Whereas House of the Dragon season 1 consisted of ten total episodes, season 2 only had eight. The same will be the case with season 3, debuting on June 21 with the finale planned for August 9, 2026. Here’s a look at the full House of the Dragon season 3 episode schedule:
House of the Dragon Season 3 Schedule
Episode #
Release Date (at 9 p.m. on HBO & HBO Max)
1
June 21, 2026
2
June 28, 2026
3
July 5, 2026
4
July 12, 2026
5
July 19, 2026
6
July 26, 2026
7
August 2, 2026
8
August 9, 2026
Ahead of House of the Dragon’s return, HBO’s official website confirmed that the season 3 premiere will be 72 minutes long. Though House of the Dragon season 3’s premiere runtime isn’t the longest in the show’s history, as that belongs to the season 2 finale (84 minutes), it is the longest season premiere for the show thus far.
HBO’s programming schedule also lists season 3’s second episode at 68 minutes, teasing another massive episode. Beyond that, the exact runtimes for House of the Dragon season 3 have not been confirmed. What has been confirmed is House of the Dragon season 4, which will mark the show’s final season.
