Critically Acclaimed Season
House of the Dragon Season 3 Achieves Perfect Critics' Score, Praised for Epic Return
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Rotten Tomatoes coverage also noted that Season 3’s critics’ score (97% “Certified Fresh”) is an improvement over earlier seasons—Season 1 scored 90% and Season 2 scored 84%—and it cited the critics’ consensus: “The fate of Westeros comes to a head in a reinvigorated and riveting third season of House of the Dragon, complete with wicked new characters and more thrilling battles, crafting a punchy prequel that matches the expectations of its predecessor.”
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A CBR review offered more granular detail on how the series has adjusted its pacing: it says “council meetings are still central to the story, but used sparingly rather than as the norm,” with early episode plots described as “brutally powerful,” including the “monumental Battle of the Gullet,” its aftermath, and “political takeovers.” The review further singles out Episode 3 as a standout focused “solely on Rhaenyra” and the “unanticipated repercussions of her new dragonseed army.”
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Empire critic Caroline Siede wrote that the early run is both energetic and reflective, saying: “More action-packed but still as thoughtful as ever, the first half of Season 3 suggests it could very well be House Of The Dragon’s best offering yet.”
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Another outlet reported that Rotten Tomatoes was showing a perfect 100% Tomatometer on its initial wave of reviews—specifically “based on the first wave of reviews” with 17 critics counted—describing it as one of the strongest early critical responses for any Game of Thrones-universe project to date.
House of the Dragon Season 3 opened to near-universal praise from critics, scoring a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes based on the first 17 reviews before settling at 97% "Certified Fresh" as the count grew to 32, according to Winter Is Coming. That makes it the highest-rated season of the show yet — up from 90% for Season 1 and 84% for Season 2.
The season premieres on HBO on June 21, 2026. HBO has already renewed the show for a fourth and final season, set to arrive in 2028, according to IGN.
Critics Call Season 3 the Show's Best Yet
Reviewers who saw the first four episodes say Season 3 wastes no time. The season opens with the Battle of the Gullet — a massive naval fight — and pushes straight into the war between Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and Queen Alicent Hightower. CBR described early episode plots as "brutally powerful," with storylines covering the battle, its aftermath, and political takeovers.
Empire critic Caroline Siede called the opening run "more action-packed but still as thoughtful as ever," adding that it "could very well be House Of The Dragon's best offering yet." The Rotten Tomatoes critics' consensus puts it plainly: the season is "reinvigorated and riveting," featuring "wicked new characters and more thrilling battles," according to Forbes.
Season 3 Fixes the Pacing Problems That Hurt Season 2
One of the biggest complaints about Season 2 was its slow middle section. Season 3 appears to fix that directly. CBR noted that "council meetings are still central to the story, but used sparingly rather than as the norm." The Battle of the Gullet — which many fans expected in Season 2 — kicks off the new season instead.
Decider critic Meghan O'Keefe called Season 3 a "radical regrouping" after a divisive Season 2 finale. Episode 3 stands out as a highlight, focusing entirely on Rhaenyra and what CBR described as the "unanticipated repercussions of her new dragonseed army" — a group of new dragon riders recruited for the war.
The Battle of the Gullet Was Built on Real Ships
The scale of Season 3's action is not just a creative choice — it is a production one. Actor Steve Toussaint, who plays Lord Corlys Velaryon, revealed that the production built three actual ships and used massive wet and dry tanks to film the naval battle, according to Winter Is Coming. The season also reportedly broke a record for the most stunt performers set on fire in a single take.
Showrunner Ryan Condal said in a June 2026 press conference that scripts for Season 4 are already in development. He described the final act as the story they have "been waiting for," according to GamesRadar+. The eight-episode Season 3 run wraps up on August 9, 2026.
One Dissenting Voice Amid Overwhelming Praise
Not every critic agreed. Ben Dowell of The Times UK gave the only notable negative review, calling the series "old hat" and "boring," according to Forbes. Some independent reviewers also suggested the initial 100% score was "too generous," arguing that new characters get too little screen time despite the impressive battle sequences.
Still, the 97% score is a series high and puts House of the Dragon in strong shape heading into its final chapter. HBO's broader Game of Thrones universe is also expanding — A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has already been renewed for a second season, pointing to a franchise roadmap that stretches well past 2028, according to IGN.
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