House of the Dragon Season 3 Reviews Are Saying the Same Thing

House of the Dragon is releasing its highly anticipated third season in only a matter of days, and Season 3 has far more to prove than any other installment of the HBO fantasy show. While the Game of Thrones prequel debuted to good reviews in 2022, Season 2 divided fans with poor pacing and an anticlimactic finale. Viewers were promised that the long-promised Targaryen civil war would kick off in earnest in the second season, but the show spent too much time setting up the epic Dance of the Dragons conflict, rather than delivering it.

Luckily, early House of the Dragon Season 3 reviews are overwhelmingly positive, and they are all saying the same thing. The series finally seems to be fixing many of its previous mistakes, and even though critics don’t agree on every aspect of the third season, they are repeatedly highlighting the same strengths. Whether you’re a fan of George R. R. Martin’s original novels or an HBO show-only fan, you’re going to want to tune in on June 21.

House of the Dragon Season 3 is the Highest Rated of the Show

Season 3 Has So Far Earned a 97% Score on Rotten Tomatoes, While Seasons 1 and 2 Were Rated 90% and 84%, Respectively

House of the Dragon’s slower approach allowed for a rich exploration of the famed House Targaryen at its height, and this steady pace made the powerful Westerosi characters far more compelling. But after Season 2’s disappointing finale, it’s clear that audiences needed something more. Luckily, reviews are pointing toward an explosive third season, with a current 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and numerous positive reviews. Screen Rant’s Angel Shaw said the season had a “neck-breaking momentum,” while CBR’s Katie Doll described:

Variety’s review of House of the Dragon Season 3 also suggested “more action,” so it seems like The Battle of the Gullet was well worth the wait. Polygon even described this as “one of the most awe-inspiring sequences ever pulled off.” Critics who were frustrated by Season 2’s slower pace seem particularly impressed with how quickly the upcoming installment moves its story forward, and across dozens of reviews, the message is remarkably consistent: Season 3 is the payoff everyone has been anticipating. Several outlets have also praised the cast’s continually strong performances, particularly from Olivia Cooke and Emma D’Arcy. And it sounds as though Season 3 is finally balancing emotional storytelling with the long-awaited large-scale warfare.

House of the Dragon Season 3 May Be A Return to Game of Thrones’ High Standard

The Epic Fantasy Franchise Shows a Return to Form

It’s worth bearing in mind that only the first half of House of the Dragon Season 3 has been screened to critics, but it’s still a great sign. Fans were, at one point, concerned that the show was falling flat and struggling to adapt George R.R. Martin’s epic novel Fire & Blood. But whether reviewers focus on the improved pacing, strong performances, impressive action, or the show’s larger scope, they keep arriving at the same conclusion: Season 3 is everything fans had wanted from the start.

With such a strong foundation, Season 3’s high quality should continue in the latter half of the season, and it feels like an almost certainty that the latter episodes will maintain that momentum. From these early signs, HBO may have produced its strongest return to Westeros since the golden years of Game of Thrones, especially considering the Battle of the Gullet has drawn comparisons to tentpole episodes like “Battle of the Bastards.” Season 3’s episodes will air weekly from June 21, concluding with its eighth and final episode on August 9. Viewers can catch the upcoming season on HBO’s cable channel at 9pm ET or on Max at the same time.