The Timeline of the Upcoming Game of Thrones Movie: Everything Changes
The world of Westeros is expanding yet again, this time with a major leap back in its already rich timeline. HBO’s next massive project dives into a part of the lore never before explored onscreen: Aegon’s Conquest. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, understanding when this movie takes place compared to House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and the original Game of Thrones series is key to appreciating just how fresh this film’s perspective will be.
Where Does This New Story Fit?
The established timeline of Westeros, familiar to many through the Thrones TV universe, is demarcated by ‘AC’—‘After the Conquest.’ Nearly everything we’ve seen so far unfolds within that era. House of the Dragon kicks off a century after Aegon forged his rule, chronicling the Targaryen bloodline’s internal wars. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms jumps even further ahead. Game of Thrones is set hundreds of years post-Conquest, when the Targaryen legacy teeters on extinction.
But the new Game of Thrones movie takes it back further than ever: it spotlights the actual process by which Aegon Targaryen—the legendary dragonrider—unified the Seven Kingdoms under one banner. The pivotal moments occur primarily during the years just before and immediately after what the history books call the Conquest, giving viewers their first full-scale immersion in a Westeros not yet ruled from King’s Landing or connected by the Iron Throne.
Aegon’s Conquest: The Book and Show Milestone
This is the era when stories become legend. Aegon’s arrival on Westerosi shores, accompanied by his sisters and three monumental dragons, shifts the fabric of the continent. Dragons like Vhagar—already familiar to fans of House of the Dragon—are seen in their prime, their importance still a living threat, not ancient memory. For those who track the saga’s chronology, events unfold during the transition between ‘BC’ (Before the Conquest) and the dawn of ‘AC’.
What makes this story so essential? While the Conquest is referenced as ancient myth throughout all previous series, its direct repercussions have rarely been explored in any visual medium—this is where the movie will blaze its own trail. Expect dramatic sieges, deeply political maneuverings, and dragon warfare on a scale never before attempted by the franchise.
How the Past Will Reshape the Future
Despite being set centuries before Daenerys Targaryen’s rise, the ripples from Aegon’s reclamation of Westeros pulse through every subsequent narrative, shaping key locations and dynasties. The physical creation of King’s Landing, the unification of the realm, and the forging of the Iron Throne become tangible, visual events instead of secondhand stories, promising to add new depth when revisiting or rewatching the original series.
Behind the camera, expect a fresh vision, as creator Beau Willimon brings a new directorial approach to a franchise with a devoted global audience. The movie is set to fill in the epic prologue that countless fans have only imagined from the scattered lore and ancient tales of George R.R. Martin’s world.
Why This Movie Matters for Fans
This new project promises more than just callbacks and Easter eggs. It demands a fresh look at the Targaryen legacy, one unclouded by the prophecies and betrayals that mark later centuries. From the politics of old Valyrian blood to the colossal spectacle of dragonfire reshaping castles and kingdoms, everything is ripe for discovery. For those obsessed with timelines and the intricate weaving of houses and power in Westeros, the movie is poised to answer foundational questions—and likely raise new ones for the next generation of viewers and readers.
