Game Of Thrones: Ranking Every Major Battle From Worst To Best

May 14, 2019 Updated: May 14th, 2019

1. Massacre At Hardhome

The Massacre at Hardhome. Not Battle. Not Sack, or Siege, or any of those other glorified terms that suggests some sort of level playing field, noble heroes, and valiant efforts. This is not the kind of moment wet nurses use to fill young girls' heads with tales of fancy; no singer will sing songs of this event.

Massacre.

After years of existing in the shadows, this is the terrifying moment when the unknown evil stepped into the light: a neverending army of the dead spilling down from the frozen mountains, the small band Night's Watch brothers and wildlings frozen in fear.

Never has Game of Thrones been more utterly horrifying than this ice zombie-fuelled sequence that lays waste to almost everyone in sight, while it also makes for some moments of balletic brilliance among the carnage as Jon Snow proves his Valyrian steel with a victory over a White Walker (and the sheer disbelief that comes with it), announcing Miguel Sapochnik as a singular talent when it comes to TV battles.

A glimmer of hope through the darkness, it's eradicated at the end when the Night King stares down at Jon Snow and, with one motion, recruits everyone who just died into his army. Chills.

[JH]

What do you think is Game of Thrones' greatest battle? Let us know down in the comments.

We love teamwork! Who doesn't? This article is a collaborative effort between James Hunt and Simon Gallagher.

James Hunt

Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.