House of the Dragon third season earns 97% Rotten Tomatoes score

The third season of HBO's "House of the Dragon" premieres on June 22, 2024 on HBO and HBO Max with eight episodes. Early critic reviews on Rotten Tomatoes give the season a 97% approval rating based on 33 reviews, making it the highest‑rated season of the Game of Thrones prequel franchise.

Critics highlight the season's heightened action, expansive scope, brisk pacing and strong performances, particularly praising Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen and James Norton as Ormund Hightower. While some note deviations from George R. R. Martin's source material, the overall consensus marks the season as a return to form for the series and one of the best‑rated installments across the entire "Game of Thrones" universe.

The launch follows a two‑year gap since the second season's conclusion, and anticipation is high as the storyline moves toward the kingdom's collapse and a full‑scale war.