Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Season 1 – Game of Thrones

Play trailer 1:26 Poster for Season 1 – Game of Thrones 2011 Drama Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
90% Tomatometer 224 Reviews 96% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
George R.R. Martin's best-selling book series "A Song of Ice and Fire" is brought to the screen as HBO sinks its considerable storytelling teeth into the medieval fantasy epic. It's the depiction of two powerful families -- kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars and honest men -- playing a deadly game for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, and to sit atop the Iron Throne. Martin is credited as a co-executive producer and one of the writers for the series, whose shooting locations include Northern Ireland, Malta, Croatia and Spain.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Game of Thrones — Season 1

Game of Thrones — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Its intricate storytelling and dark themes may overwhelm some viewers, but Game of Thrones is a transportive, well-acted, smartly written drama even non-genre fans can appreciate.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (224) Critics Reviews
Raisa Bruner TIME Magazine With its shocking plot twists, dark themes and giant budget, Thrones became a phenomenon and a cultural touchpoint. May 3, 2021 Full Review Jeremy Egner New York Times What's striking now is how coherent the vision for such a sprawling tale was from its very beginning. Mar 13, 2019 Full Review William Thomas Empire Magazine Special praise to Peter Dinklage's sardonic dwarf Tyrion, Michelle Fairley's Stark mother-bear Catelyn, and Sean Bean's super-Beany silent glower as Ned Stark. Rated: 5/5 Oct 31, 2017 Full Review Robin Holabird Robin Holabird Watching every Game of Thrones episode involves a completely empty schedule and dedicated binge-watching skills... Aug 11, 2021 Full Review Nathan Mattise Ars Technica Its early seasons felt revolutionary for how they subverted audience expectations, it propelled much of the show's female-centric cast to stardom, and its VFX may very well be the best we've ever witnessed on TV. Jul 28, 2021 Full Review MaryAnn Johanson Flick Filosopher [E]vents that feel bold and shocking based on what we've been trained to expect from television pop up regularly. ... [I]t means that we cannot trust what our instincts tell us about what television cannot or will not do. Sep 3, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (492) audience reviews
Zack K Absolute unwatchable garbage. Awful. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 05/04/25 Full Review Joseph P HBO’s Game of Thrones Season 1 is a masterclass in world-building, political intrigue, and character development. From its haunting opening sequence to the shocking season finale, this is prestige television at its finest. The sprawling cast delivers standout performances—particularly Sean Bean as the honorable Ned Stark—while the writing deftly balances brutal realism with rich fantasy. The production design is cinematic, bringing George R.R. Martin’s Westeros to life with breathtaking landscapes, intricate costumes, and a haunting score by Ramin Djawadi. But what truly sets Season 1 apart is its refusal to play by the usual rules of storytelling. Just when you think you know where the plot is going, it pulls the rug out from under you—in the best way possible. Bold, unpredictable, and relentlessly gripping, Game of Thrones Season 1 isn’t just a great start—it’s an instant classic. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/25/25 Full Review Niharika D Absolute must watch! The end of the season was a shocker! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/22/25 Full Review Audience Member Espetacular. Surpreendente. Disruptivo. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/13/25 Full Review Paul S This season was incredible! All of the stories it set up were intense and compelling, and it left me craving for more. I definitely recommend it for fantasy and medieval fans! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/08/25 Full Review Ryan B Absolutely amazing! All the actors were amazing. the story is perfect greatest show on earth Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/05/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Game of Thrones — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All Cast and Crew

Sean Bean

Lord Eddard "Ned" Stark

Mark Addy

King Robert Baratheon

Peter Dinklage

Tyrion Lannister

Lena Headey

Queen Cersei Lannister

Michelle Fairley

Lady Catelyn Stark

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Ser Jaime Lannister

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Apr 17, 2011 Winter Is Coming A Night's Watch deserter is tracked down; Lord Eddard "Ned" Stark learns that his mentor has died; Viserys Targaryen plots to win back the throne; Robert arrives at Winterfell with his family; Ned prepares to leave for King's Landing. Details Episode 3 Aired May 1, 2011 Lord Snow Ned learns of the Crown's profligacy; Jon Snow impresses Tyrion; Catelyn follows her husband to King's Landing; Arya studies swordsmanship. Details Episode 4 Aired May 8, 2011 Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things Ned looks for clues; Robert and his guests witness a tournament; Viserys clashes with Daenerys; Sansa imagines her future as queen. Details Episode 5 Aired May 15, 2011 The Wolf and the Lion Robert orders a preemptive strike on the Targaryens; Tyrion helps Catelyn; Sansa is charmed by Ser Loras Tyrell; Arya overhears a plot against her father. Details Episode 6 Aired May 22, 2011 A Golden Crown Ned sits for the king; Tyrion confesses and demands a trial by combat; Joffrey apologizes; Viserys receives his final payment. Details Episode 7 Aired May 29, 2011 You Win or You Die Tywin and Jaime prepare for battle; Ned confronts Cersei; Jon takes his Night's Watch vows; Drogo vows to lead the Dothraki. Details Episode 8 Aired Jun 5, 2011 The Pointy End The Lannisters press their advantage over the Starks; Robb rallies his father's allies. Details Episode 9 Aired Jun 12, 2011 Baelor Ned makes a decision; Robb captures a prized prisoner; Daenerys finds her reign in jeopardy. Details Episode 10 Aired Jun 19, 2011 Fire and Blood A new king rises in the north; a Khaleesi finds new hope in the season finale. Details

More Like This

View All Popular TV on Streaming
House of the Dragon 86% 78% House of the Dragon Watchlist TRAILER for House of the Dragon Todd McFarlane's Spawn % 97% Todd McFarlane's Spawn Watchlist Spartacus 64% % Spartacus Watchlist The Almighty Johnsons % % The Almighty Johnsons Watchlist Good Omens 86% 94% Good Omens Watchlist TRAILER for Good Omens Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related TV News

View All Related TV News
The Game of Thrones Universe: Spin-Offs, Prequels, and Animated Series in Development, in Production, and Ordered to Series Binge Guide: The 5 Most Bingeable Shows Ever! 3 of Game of Thrones’ Biggest Twists, Explained: Director Alan Taylor Looks Back
View All videos

Game of Thrones — Season 1

Game of Thrones: Season 1 Trailer Game of Thrones: Season 1 Trailer 1:26 Game of Thrones: Season 1: Top 5 Moments Game of Thrones: Season 1: Top 5 Moments 2:15 View more videos
View All Game of Thrones — Season 1 photos

Game of Thrones — Season 1

Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones View more photos

Season Info

Director
Daniel Minahan, Brian Kirk, Alan Taylor, Timothy Van Patten
Executive Producer
David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Carolyn Strauss, Guymon Casady, Vince Gerardis, Ralph Vicinanza, George R.R. Martin
Screenwriter
David Benioff, George R.R. Martin, Jane Espenson, Bryan Cogman, D.B. Weiss
Network
HBO
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Drama, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Apr 17, 2011