What’s More Expensive: “House of the Dragon” or “Game of Thrones”? Comparing TV Series Budgets

It took Game of Thrones six seasons to deteriorate the quality of its storytelling and annoy its audience.

“House of the Dragon” wrapped in just two. The prequel’s final season drew the lowest ratings in franchise history and accusations of cost-cutting.

Imagine the surprise of fans when they compare the costs of the two series.

What’s More Expensive: “House of the Dragon” or “Game of Thrones”? Comparing TV Series Budgets – Image 1

The total budget for the original series was nearly $1.5 billion, but the effort was fully worth it.

During its first season, HBO earned $171 million, and during its second season, $525. And over its eight-year run, the show attracted 50 million new viewers.

Each episode of Game of Thrones cost between $2 (at the beginning) and $15 (at the end) million to make.

The pilot was the most expensive – 10 million, but showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss had to reshoot it and ask management for the same amount again.

What’s More Expensive: “House of the Dragon” or “Game of Thrones”? Comparing TV Series Budgets – Image 2

Since the producers didn’t need an expensive marketing campaign or to completely recreate the universe by the time the Danse Macabre adaptation came out, the prequel episodes were much more expensive.

Each of the seventeen episodes of House of the Dragon cost $20 million to make.

When asked by bewildered skeptics where the money went, some point to dragons.

Daenerys Targaryen had only three, but dozens of predecessors. And each one with a unique design that requires a large investment in visual effects.