Poster for House of the Dragon

House of the Dragon (2022) Parents Guide: Is the series OK for kids?

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

The Targaryen dynasty is at the absolute apex of its power, with more than 15 dragons under their yoke. Most empires crumble from such heights. In the case of the Targaryens, their slow fall begins when King Viserys breaks with a century of tradition by naming his daughter Rhaenyra heir to the Iron Throne. But when Viserys later fathers a son, the court is shocked when Rhaenyra retains her status as his heir, and seeds of division sow friction across the realm.

TV-MA • 2022 • 3 seasons

8.4
5K+
Average rating by Bontent members
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Age
17+

A prequel to Game of Thrones, this series chronicles the brutal civil war that tore apart the ruling Targaryen dynasty. The show earns its TV-MA rating with frequent and extremely graphic violence, including medieval warfare with dismemberments, people being burned alive by dragons, torture, and a shockingly bloody childbirth scene. Sexual content is also strong and explicit, featuring brothel scenes, orgies with male nudity… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Matt Smith
Matt Smith
Emma D'Arcy
Emma D'Arcy
Olivia Cooke
Olivia Cooke
James Norton
James Norton
Steve Toussaint
Steve Toussaint
Fabien Frankel
Fabien Frankel
Matthew Needham
Matthew Needham
Sonoya Mizuno
Sonoya Mizuno
Tom Glynn-Carney
Tom Glynn-Carney
Ewan Mitchell
Ewan Mitchell
Harry Collett
Harry Collett
Phia Saban
Phia Saban
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Is House of the Dragon appropriate for kids?

A prequel to Game of Thrones, this series chronicles the brutal civil war that tore apart the ruling Targaryen dynasty. The show earns its TV-MA rating with frequent and extremely graphic violence, including medieval warfare with dismemberments, people being burned alive by… Read more — free account

Content severity in House of the Dragon Sign up for season-by-season breakdown

Substances Intense 8/10
Language Intense 8/10
Sex/Nudity Intense 10/10
Violence/Gore Intense 10/10
Mature Themes Intense 10/10

Sex and nudity in House of the Dragon

Sexual content is strong and includes nudity, implied sex scenes, and discussions of sex for procreation and pleasure. There is full male frontal nudity in multiple episodes, along with non-graphic but explicit sexual acts. Incestuous relationships are implied and depicted, as is a scene involving a foot fetish. Characters frequently visit brothels, and sexual encounters are used for political manipulation or personal gratification.

Violence and gore in House of the Dragon

Violence is frequent and graphic. This includes scenes of brutal combat with swords, axes, and dragons, resulting in dismemberment, decapitation, and characters being burned alive. A particularly intense scene depicts a forced C-section with significant blood, leading to the mother's death. Other instances include a character's eye being gouged out, and men being fed to crabs, showing their struggling and mutilated bodies. Blood and gore are consistently present.

Language in House of the Dragon

Strong language is used throughout the season, including words such as "fuck," "shit," "cunt," "whore," and "bastard," often in moments of anger, frustration, or to degrade others. Less frequent but still present are terms like "bitch" and "cock." The profanity is generally used to emphasize severity or character emotion, rather than being gratuitous.

Mature themes in House of the Dragon

The season explores intense themes such as power struggles, political betrayal, grief, and the pressures of succession. Childbirth trauma and maternal mortality are recurring, highlighting the dangers for women in this era. Incest, though culturally accepted by the Targaryens, is a strong underlying theme. Mental health struggles, particularly related to isolation and duty, are also touched upon. Characters grapple with identity, destiny, and the devastating consequences of ambition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is House of the Dragon appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests House of the Dragon is best for ages 17+. It's rated TV-MA. A prequel to Game of Thrones, this series chronicles the brutal civil war that tore apart the ruling Targaryen dynasty. The show earns its TV-MA rating with frequent and extremely graphic violence, including medieval…

What age rating does House of the Dragon have?

House of the Dragon is rated TV-MA. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 17+.

What is House of the Dragon about?

A prequel to Game of Thrones, this series chronicles the brutal civil war that tore apart the ruling Targaryen dynasty. The show earns its TV-MA rating with frequent and extremely graphic violence, including medieval warfare with dismemberments, people being burned alive by dragons, torture, and a shockingly bloody…

How many seasons does House of the Dragon have?

House of the Dragon has 3 seasons covered in this parent guide. Sign up to see a season-by-season breakdown.

Is there sex or nudity in House of the Dragon?

Our reviewers didn't note meaningful sexual content across House of the Dragon.

How violent is House of the Dragon?

Violence isn't a standout concern across House of the Dragon per our reviewers.

Is the language in House of the Dragon appropriate for kids?

Strong language isn't flagged across House of the Dragon.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in House of the Dragon?

Drug, alcohol, and smoking depictions are minimal across House of the Dragon.

What mature themes appear in House of the Dragon?

Heavy thematic material isn't a defining feature of House of the Dragon.

Where can I read the full House of the Dragon parent guide?

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