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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.

Arjun RupareliaJackie Leavitt

Written by Arjun Ruparelia (Writer)

Reviewed by Jackie Leavitt (Co-Chief Editor)

Last Updated:

All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.

Key Takeaways: How to Watch Game of Thrones

  1. Create a NordVPN account with a 72% discount on the first two years.
  2. Install a VPN client and connect to a U.S. server.
  3. Open Max Website and Watch Game of Thrones

Best VPNs to Watch Game of Thrones:

  1. NordVPN — Secure, swift and packed with advanced features. Explore NordVPN’s features with a 30-day return policy, and grab extended plans at a 72% discount.
  2. Surfshark — Unlimited devices, unbeatable price. Get 66% (plus 3 months free) off the first two years with Surfshark, covered by its 30-day money-back guarantee.
  3. 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.
Best VPN to Watch Game of Thrones

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 2025/04/21:

  • 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.

  • 11/14/2023

    Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s expansion of server presence from 94 to 105 countries.

  • 10/01/2024

    We refreshed these rankings based on the latest VPN testing and market analysis.

  • 02/09/2025 Facts checked

    We updated the information on where GoT is available to stream.

How to Watch Game of Thrones: Max

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. Max offers Game of Thrones in 4K HDR quality, providing the best possible viewing experience for supported devices, such as Apple TV, iOS, Android and Chromecast through the app or the Max website. 

Max is available in many countries, but if it;s not available where you are, you’ll need a country-specific credit card to sign up if you’re not already a subscriber. If you don’t have, say, 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.

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.

max region
Max is unavailable in several countries.

Where Else Can I Stream Game of Thrones?

There are a few other places where you can watch Game of Thrones. We’ve provided a table below showing all available options.

Streaming ServiceCountryNotes
MaxU.S. and other countriesFrom $9.99 per month
CraveCanadaFrom $9.99 CAD (less than $7 USD) per month
BingeAustraliaFree 7-day trial

From $10 AUD (less than $7 USD) per month
NowU.K.Free 7-day trial

From £4.99 (less than $7 USD) per month

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

  1. Download and Install a VPN

    Sign up for NordVPN by going to its website and grabbing a 72% discounted plan risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

    nordvpn step 1
  2. 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.

  3. 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.

    game of thrones max

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

NordVPN desktop
Best VPN to Watch Game of Thrones

Pros

  • Extensive security features
  • User-friendly desktop UI
  • Fast download speeds

Cons

  • macOS lacks split tunneling
  • Few servers in Africa
  • High latency on distant servers

Stream like a local anywhere — get NordVPN’s 72% off deal with a 30-day refund policy.

Download
87 Mbps
Very Fast
Upload
9 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
5 ms
Very Fast
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 03/24/25 to 04/21/25
Data for region:

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

Plus, NordVPN’s browser extensions now include location spoofing that matches both your location and timezone to the VPN server, making it harder for streaming services to detect VPN usage.

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.

Plus
  • *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 10
  • Yes
Complete
  • *The prices are shown only apply for the first 12 months.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 10
  • Yes
Prime
  • **The prices are applicable only for the first 24 months. Secure, high-speed VPN Threat Protection Pro™: Anti-malware and advanced browsing protection Threat Protection Pro™: Ad and tracker blocker Password manager with Data Breach Scanner 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage Identity and SSN monitoring and alerts Credit monitoring services Up to $1M in identity theft insurance Up to $100K in cyber extortion insurance
  • 10

2. Surfshark — Best Unlimited Connection VPN for Watching Game of Thrones

surfshark us server

Pros

  • Strong security suite options
  • Solid security
  • Excellent speeds

Cons

  • Site may collect your real IP
  • High latency on close servers
  • No Mac/iOS split tunneling

Expand your streaming horizons — sign up for Surfshark and enjoy 66% (plus 3 months free) savings.

Download
94 Mbps
Very Fast
Upload
9 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
4 ms
Very Fast
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 03/24/25 to 04/21/25
Data for region:

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.

Surfshark Starter
  • 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
Surfshark One
  • 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
Surfshark One+
  • 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

expressvpn desktop
ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN and offers quick connection speeds.

Pros

  • Extensive server network
  • Very fast speeds
  • Unblocks all streaming services

Cons

  • Expensive
  • No anonymous payment methods
  • Owned by Kape Technologies

Access any content, anytime — join ExpressVPN now and save 25% on your first year.

Download
91 Mbps
Very Fast
Upload
9 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
4 ms
Very Fast
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 03/24/25 to 04/21/25
Data for region:

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.

ExpressVPN Plans
  • 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 streaming services free trial, such as with Binge in Australia. 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. 

fmovies got
You can stream Game of Thrones for free on Fmovies.to.

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 Binge.

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.

After completing Game of Thrones, you can continue your journey through Westeros with House of the Dragon on Max, a prequel series set 200 years before the original show. On top of this, fans can look forward to the upcoming spinoff series Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, scheduled to debut on Max in late 2025.

If you want to know where you can watch other sci-fi content without having to deal with geo-blocks, check out our articles on where to watch Lord of the Rings and where to watch The Mandalorian. Thanks for reading!

FAQ: Stream Game of Thrones Online

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