Image via HBO Max
2026 has been a massive year for Game of Thrones fans, who have been treated to not one, but two brand-new projects out of the franchise. It all traces back to the first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which won over fans and critics alike with its willingness to provide something different from anything fans of the franchise are used to. There was never any doubt from HBO that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was going to be a massive success, though — the studio renewed George R.R. Martin’s favorite live-action Game of Thrones project for Season 2 months before the Season 1 premiere. Now, for the first time in history, Game of Thrones fans have had two different projects in a single year, thanks to the recent premiere of House of the Dragon Season 3.
It’s fair to say that House of the Dragon Season 3 is carrying the weight of the world on its shoulders, especially following the divisive Season 2 finale that left fans feeling hollow. This was mostly due to it ending a few episodes too early, with Season 3 picking up last Sunday with a massive battle episode that would have fit nicely at the end of Season 2. Although most fans are back on the wagon following the blistering House of the Dragon Season 3 premiere, the viewership numbers have finally come in, and they paint a different story. News broke yesterday afternoon that House of the Dragon Season 3 pulled 21.5 million views during its first three days on streaming, and while this may seem like a lot, it’s down from 23.4 million views from the Season 2 premiere back in 2024.
