First reviews: Critics say 'House of the Dragon' is better than 'GoT' and 'Breaking Bad'

Some say the prequel might be able to redeem 'Game of Thrones' disastrous finale

Game of Thrones is back in the form of prequel House of the Dragon with an all-new cast who turned out last week to launch the show at a premiere in Los Angeles. The new showrunners, who took over from David Benioff and D B Weiss, are Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik.

The show, which is all set to premiere on HBO Max on August 21, the Game of Thrones prequel recently hosted a preview screening of its pilot episode for members of the media and the initial reviews are looking great.

Many of the original show’s fans have their doubts about the new prequel following the anticlimactic ending to Game of Thrones, but it now seems like HBO and George R R Martin have managed to move past that hiccup and create a series that’s even better than its predecessor.

Collider‘s editor-in-chief Steven Weintraub said “I did not like the last season of Game of Thrones. At all. But I’ll admit the series premiere of House of the Dragon is really well done and I’ll continue watching."

I did not like the last season of #GameofThrones. At all. But I’ll admit the series premiere of #HouseOfTheDragonHBO is really well done and I’ll definitely continue watching. After the episode ended they showed an extended preview of the season and looks cool. pic.twitter.com/wzuIMkZWe0

— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) July 28, 2022

And since it’s ‘Game of Thrones,’ expect plenty of sex, blood, violence, and dragons. #HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/1gHnFAKAjF

— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) July 28, 2022

Another Collider critic, Christina Radish penned, "Sometimes you’ve just gotta spend the night hanging out with a dragon!"

Sometimes you’ve just gotta spend the night hanging out with a dragon!!! @HouseofDragon @GameOfThrones @HBO @HBOPR @HBOMax #HouseoftheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/HKDoHY40uX

— Christina Radish (@ChristinaRadish) July 28, 2022

She added, "For those curious about the series, without spoilers, I can say that the thing I really dig is the fact that it still feels epic in scale and scope while telling a personal and intimate story about one family, showcasing both their love and dysfunction."

For those curious about the series, without spoilers, I can say that the thing I really dig is the fact that it still feels epic in scale and scope while telling a personal and intimate story about one family, showcasing both their love and dysfunction

— Christina Radish (@ChristinaRadish) July 28, 2022

The Wrap‘s Brandon Katz wrote, “The House of the Dragon pilot very efficiently explains its context in relation to GoT, introduces its core characters, and lays out the central conflict of the series. It’s an easy-to-follow premiere with vibrant colors and detailed texture. Absolutely a worthy successor so far.” 

The #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pilot very efficiently explains its context in relation to GoT, introduces its core characters, and lays out the central conflict of the series. It's an easy to follow premiere with vibrant colors and detailed texture. Absolutely a worthy successor so far pic.twitter.com/3lARILHfuv

— Brandon Katz (@Great_Katzby) July 28, 2022

The Indie Wire journalist shared, "Review: Fire will reign! Wow. Violent! Shocking! Epic. Better than GoT and Breaking Bad. HBO does it again. This isn’t just another fantasy show, it’s the BEST series ever made! Great action and music too. A fitting end setting up what’s next."

#HouseoftheDragon REVIEW: FIRE WILL REIGN! Wow. Violent! Shocking! EPIC. Better than GoT & Breaking Bad. HBO does it again. This isn’t just another fantasy show, it’s the BEST series ever made! Great action & music too. A fitting end setting up what’s next. #HotD #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/NfcEInpSHI

— watching as intended (@theatomchode) July 30, 2022

One critic shared, "I didn’t know how much I missed the Game of Thrones theme song until I heard it tonight at the House of the Dragon premiere! That first episode is fantastic! Can’t wait to see what’s next. Fingers crossed it’s no repeat of the final season of GoT."

I didn’t know how much I missed the #GameofThrones theme song until I heard it tonight at the #HouseoftheDragon premiere! That first episode is fantastic! Can’t wait to see what’s next. Fingers crossed it’s no repeat of the final season of GoT. @BlackGirlNerds #hbo #HBOMax pic.twitter.com/8EZYC8iLY8

— Cat Combs (@ccfilmcritic) July 28, 2022

Another critic shared, "I think the first episode of HOTD will easily rope curious fans back in after the rocky finish of GOT. I think they've earned a season of fans' continued loyalty, if they deliver on the promise of the 1st episode I saw for the whole of this season, watch out, cause ASOIAF's back!"

I think the first episode of HOTD will easily rope curious fans back in after the rocky finish of GOT. I think they've earned a season of fans' continued loyalty, if they deliver on the promise of the 1st episode I saw for the whole of this season, watch out, cause ASOIAF's back!

— Bald Move (@BaldMove) July 28, 2022

The show begins with King Viserys Targaryen played by Paddy Considine deliberating who should be his next heir - his brother Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) or his daughter Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy). However, a third challenger for the throne arises. Olivia Cooke plays Alicent Hightower, Princess Rhaenyra’s lifelong friend, who marries the king after his wife dies in childbirth.

Cooke said she enjoyed the strained scenes between her and D’Arcy featured in the trailer. “It’s so fun for me because acting opposite Emma is like going toe-to-toe with (boxer) Mike Tyson. I love them so dearly and ... on screen, it looks like we hate each other but I absolutely adore them.”

For D’Arcy, this is her biggest role to date and she is bracing herself for sudden fame. “I’m really excited for the show to have an audience. What that does for me in my day-to-day, I can’t speak for but I’m really excited to see what people make of it,” D’Arcy said.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.