When did House of the Dragon come out? Release date - plus where and how to watch it

Anticipation was at fever high this August amongst Game of Thrones fans as the House of Dragon release date finally arrived. Here's where to watch it (if you haven't already!)

Game of Thrones dramatically ended in 2019, but not long after, it was confirmed that a prequel was in the works - much to fans delight. After eight long series, viewers weren't ready to say goodbye to the franchise that gave us the Starks, Lannisters and House of Targaryen (opens in new tab) and their many dragons (opens in new tab). And it's the latter family tree that the new series is set to explore - alongside new House of Velaryon (opens in new tab), not so innocent Alicent Hightower (opens in new tab) and gruesome villian the crab feeder (opens in new tab) - brought to life by a killer House of the Dragon cast (opens in new tab) helping to tell the bloody tale.

House of the Dragon is a must-watch for TV fans and we've shared the original release date and channel details so you don't miss a minute... plus those all important House of the Dragon filming locations (opens in new tab) and when House of the Dragon is set (opens in new tab).

When did House of the Dragon come out? UK and US release date

House of the Dragon premiered first in the US on Sunday 21 August 2022. Because of time difference, this meant that it wasn't released to UK viewers until the early hours of Monday 22 August. 

HBO first announced that there would be a prequel to Game of Thrones back in 2019. At the 2020 Television Critics Association press tour, HBO programming president Casey Bloys estimated that House of the Dragon would arrive in two years. "My guess is sometime in 2022," he said.

The official Game of Thrones Twitter account (opens in new tab) later confirmed that production took place in 2021. Filming wrapped up in February 2022 and a teaser trailer was released three months later, on 5th May.

Where can I watch House of the Dragon?

As was the case with predecessor Game of Thrones, UK viewers will be able to watch House of the Dragon on SKY and NOW. Meanwhile US audiences should tune into HBO and HBO Max to watch the action.

How to watch House of the Dragon in the UK

You can sign up to a NOWTV Entertainment Pass for £9.99 (opens in new tab) a month, with a 7 day free trial to start. And for a limited time only, NOW has a Entertainment and Cinema Pass bundle for £14.99 (opens in new tab) for a six-month period. Fans will also find every episode of Game of Thrones - seasons 1-8 - on NOW to watch too.

Those wanting to watch House of the Dragon via Sky can choose between six options:

• Build Your Own package (From £26 for 18 months) (opens in new tab)
• Sky Q, Sky TV & Netflix package (£26 for 18 months) (opens in new tab)
• Sky Q, Sky TV, Netflix & Kids package (£32 for 18 months) (opens in new tab)
• Sky Q, Sky TV, Netflix & Cinema package (£35 for 18 months) (opens in new tab)
• Sky Q, Sky TV, Netflix & Sky Sports package (£44 for 18 months) (opens in new tab)
• Sky Q, Netflix, Sky Sports & BT Sport package (£66 for 18 months) (opens in new tab)

How to watch House of the Dragon in the US

US customers can sign up to HBO Max via their website (opens in new tab) on a phone or computer. You can also download a HBO Max app (opens in new tab) for iPhone and Android phones which will let you sign up too. 

Prices for HBO Max start at $14.99 per month and include access to all HBO movies and series - including new Max Originals. This includes season 1 of And Just Like That (opens in new tab) - the popular Sex and the City sequel.

 What is the storyline of House of the Dragon?

House of the Dragon is based on the Game of Thrones book Fire & Blood: the Targaryen Civil War by author George R. R. Martin. Known to fans as the Dance of Dragons – this will be the focus of the prequel.

Author George said of the prequel: "For what it's worth, those who have read Fire & Blood will realise it contains enough materials for a dozen shows. I can say that there will be dragons. Everyone else has said that, so why not me?”

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Fire and Blood by George R.R Martin (Paperback) - £4.50 | Amazon (opens in new tab)

"A masterpiece," hails The Sunday Times. The tale of the Targaryens’ bloody rule is explored in this George R.R. Martin prequel. Perfect reading for Game of Thrones fans.

And part of the synopsis on Martin's website (opens in new tab) reads: "Centuries before the events of A Game of Thrones, House Targaryen - the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria - took up residence on Dragonstone. Fire and Blood begins their tale with the legendary Aegon the Conqueror, creator of the Iron Throne, and goes on to recount the generations of Targaryens who fought to hold that iconic seat, all the way up to the civil war that nearly tore their dynasty apart." 

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