How to Watch Game of Thrones in 2025: Winter Has Come
Game of Thrones gave us a good old-fashioned, violence-induced adrenaline rush on several occasions. From the red wedding to Joffrey’s poisoning, the cult hit is packed with nail-biting moments. If you miss the rush and want to know how to watch Game of Thrones online, we have you covered.
Written by Arjun Ruparelia (Writer)
Reviewed by Jackie Leavitt (Co-Chief Editor)
Last Updated: 2024-12-13T18:32:08+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
How to Watch Game of Thrones
- Create a NordVPN account with a 74% (plus 3 months free) discount on the first two years.
- Install a VPN client and connect to a U.S. server.
- Open Max Website and Watch Game of Thrones
Best VPNs to Watch Game of Thrones:
- NordVPN — Secure, swift and packed with advanced features. Explore NordVPN’s features with a 30-day return policy, and grab extended plans at a 74% (plus 3 months free) discount.
- Surfshark — Unlimited devices, unbeatable price. Get (for the Winter Deal) 64% (plus 4 months free) off the first two years with Surfshark, covered by its 30-day money-back guarantee.
- ExpressVPN — Hassle-free VPN with advanced capabilities. ExpressVPN’s best deal is available at a 25% discount.
Facts & Expert Analysis:
- If you’re a George R. R. Martin fan who wants to rewatch Kit Harington work his magic across the seven kingdoms, you’ll need a Max subscription. If you’re not in the U.S., though, you’ll need a VPN to access Max.
- NordVPN is your best bet. If you prefer a budget-friendly option, consider Surfshark instead. ExpressVPN is our third recommendation, but the VPN is pricey.
- You also have some free options to consider, such as Hulu with Max subscription or torrenting and streaming websites, but you should use a VPN for all of them.
It’s been many years since the Game of Thrones finale aired in April 2019. Whether you just want to watch the final season to see who gets control of the iron throne, or watch a previous season, we’ll tell you how to watch Game of Thrones.
If you’re starting to forget the rush of watching Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen and other characters fight the Army of the Dead at Winterfell, you may want to relive the adrenaline-heavy moments on a Saturday. Keep reading to discover the best way to watch any Game of Thrones season or episode you want.
Not available in your country?
Watch Game of Thrones now on Amazon Prime Video and other streaming platforms.
Status checked 2025/01/12:
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09/20/2021 Facts checked
HBO Now and HBO Go have been replaced by Max, where WarnerMedia now offers all its hit movies and shows. HBO is no longer available as a Prime Video Channel for Prime subscribers.
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11/14/2023
Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s expansion of server presence from 94 to 105 countries.
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10/01/2024
We refreshed these rankings based on the latest VPN testing and market analysis.
How to Watch Game of Thrones: Max & Amazon Prime Video
Max is a WarnerMedia-owned streaming service and features all of WarnerMedia’s properties on the platform, including all eight seasons of Game of Thrones. You can stream Game of Thrones using Max on almost any smart device including Apple TV, iOS, Android and Chromecast through the app or the Max website.
However, you’ll need a U.S. credit card to sign up for Max if you’re not already a subscriber. If you don’t have a U.S. card, you can still buy a Max subscription using a combination of VPN and PayPal/Apple ID. Connect to a U.S.-based server and pay using your PayPal account or an Apple ID (where you’ve selected your country as U.S.).
The older HBO Now apps have been updated to Max on all devices. Amazon Fire TV lacks the Max app, but the HBO Now app is available and has been rebranded as the HBO app. The HBO app does include Game of Thrones. Alternatively, if you’ve subscribed for HBO via your cable provider, you can use those credentials to create a Max account. However, Amazon Prime Video subscribers will need to purchase Game of Thrones separately.
There’s one caveat here: Max is not available everywhere. If you’re not in one of the regions where Max is available, you can’t view Game of Thrones on Max unless you use a virtual private network. A VPN can help you bypass the geoblocks imposed by a streaming service. It does so by masking your IP, so the platform will think you’re located in the U.S.
Why You Need a VPN to Watch Game of Thrones
Max, the platform where you can watch the old seasons of Game of Thrones, isn’t accessible everywhere. If you’re unable to access Max, you could use a VPN, since it helps you mask your IP address. Choosing a server location in the U.S. makes the platform think you’re physically located in the U.S.
VPNs are also essential to keep yourself secure as you admire Peter Dinklage, Maisie Williams or Lena Headey light up your screen — and VPNs are particularly important when using an illegal streaming website. A VPN that has a strict no-logs policy can keep your online activity private so you don’t get in trouble. The same applies to torrenting, of course.
How to Watch Game of Thrones From Anywhere With a VPN
You can use VPNs to bypass geoblocks by connecting to a server located in a particular country. In this case, you’ll need a VPN to connect to a U.S. server to watch Max. Using VPNs is quite simple, but if you’re new to VPNs, we have you covered.
Step by Step: Watch Game of Thrones With a VPN
- Download and Install a VPN
Sign up for NordVPN by going to its website and grabbing a 74% (plus 3 months free) discounted plan risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Connect to a U.S. Server
Your VPN client will have a list of server locations you can choose from. You’ll need to connect to a U.S. server to use Max.
- Access Max
Grab your streaming essentials and open the Max website or use the Max app to stream Game of Thrones.If you hit a snag, read our guide on how to watch Amazon Prime Video.
The Best VPN to Watch Game of Thrones Online
A VPN with fast connection speeds, unlimited bandwidth and the ability to bypass geoblocks imposed by streaming services makes for a quality streaming experience.
We have an in-depth article covering the best VPNs for streaming, where you’ll find more about the streaming-specific features you should look for and VPNs that have them. If you just want a quick answer, we recommend going with NordVPN.
1. NordVPN — Best VPN for Watching Game of Thrones
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
NordVPN claims the first spot on our list of the best VPNs. We were able to stream HBO shows without any buffering, even in HD and 4K quality. It has a long list of compatible devices, and for devices that don’t support VPNs, like Apple TV, you can install NordVPN on your router — it’s one of the best VPN for routers.
NordVPN’s two-year plan works out to just three-fifths the monthly price of ExpressVPN’s two-year plan (our third-place pick). NordVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you change your mind after subscribing or just want to try it out, you’re entitled to a full refund. If you want to learn more about NordVPN before subscribing, take a look at our NordVPN review.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
2. Surfshark — Best Unlimited Connection VPN for Watching Game of Thrones
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
Surfshark is a great VPN for any kind of streaming, but it’s especially good for Game of Thrones — its long list of American server locations can all unblock Max, getting you your Westeros fix on the first try. Download speeds are fast enough to avoid buffering altogether, though latency can be a problem when gaming.
Surfshark also comes with unlimited simultaneous connections, which lets your friends get in on the streaming action. Though its higher-tier plans include excellent anonymity apps like Surfshark Incogni, the Starter VPN plan is enough for streaming. Try it with a 30-day money-back guarantee, or learn more from our Surfshark review.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
3. ExpressVPN — Best User-Friendly VPN for Watching Game of Thrones
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
ExpressVPN holds its own against the top two challengers in our Max streaming tests, with only its high price point keeping it back. It’ll keep your download speeds as fast as a speeding dragon, and includes obfuscation on all servers to get around VPN blocks on streaming sites.
ExpressVPN is easy to use, with its main control panel, server list and preferences menu all being perfectly straightforward. Use its 30-day money-back guarantee to check if it unblocks Max for you (though we guarantee it will), or visit our ExpressVPN review to learn more.
- Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
How to Watch Game of Thrones Online for Free
The only legal way to enjoy the battle for the coveted iron throne for free is by signing up for a free seven-day Hulu trial with Max, where you get unlimited access to HBO’s catalog. A week is plenty of time for binge-watching the entire series (and maybe a few movies and other favorite shows).
If you need more time, there are other ways to watch Game of Thrones online for free — torrenting and illegal streaming. If you decide to go that route, be sure to equip yourself with a VPN.
The Pirate Bay is generally your best bet for torrenting. If you plan on torrenting, consider NordVPN, our best VPN for torrenting. To stream Game of Thrones for free, you could also use a website like fmovies.to. Needless to say, free streaming websites are illegal and will flood your screen with ads.
You should also use a VPN, a good antivirus program and pop-up blockers when using illegal streaming websites to protect yourself against malware and to steer clear of the pesky ads and pop-ups.
Final Thoughts: Watch All Eight Seasons of the Seven Kingdoms
The removal of Max from the list of Prime Video Channels took away one of the easiest options for Prime members to watch Game of Thrones. However, there are still a couple of ways to watch your beloved cast walk around with fire-breathing dragons. You could watch Game of Thrones online through subscription services like Max, or use the free trial on Hulu with the Max add-on.
There are also a few less legal ways to stream Game of Thrones, but all methods warrant the use of a VPN to bypass geoblocks and keep yourself safe. We recommend NordVPN. Skeptical? Put NordVPN to the test yourself — its 30-day money-back guarantee means you can try it without any financial commitment.
Do you have other sources where Game of Thrones is available, free or paid? If yes, did you have to use a VPN to access the content? Let us know in the comments below, and as always, thanks for reading!
FAQ
Unfortunately, Game of Thrones is not available on Amazon Prime for free. You can, however, choose to buy episodes separately.
The only legal way to watch Game of Thrones free is with a Hulu with Max trial. If you’re not averse to a moral dilemma, there are a few illegal ways as well. Torrenting or streaming websites like fmovies.to have Game of Thrones available for free.
If you want to view Game of Thrones legally, the cheapest way is to purchase a monthly subscription of Max, which will set you back $14.99. If you need more than a month, it will cost you more, of course. While there are free alternatives, this is the cheapest legal way to stream Game of Thrones.
You need the Max add-on to enjoy Game of Thrones on Hulu. The add-on isn’t free, however, and you’ll need to buy it separately from your Hulu subscription.