Dragons are not only fire-breathing monsters in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon—they’re powerful ancient symbols of awe, destruction, and dominance. Whether flying over fields of war or sitting next to a Targaryen, these gorgeous beasts have left an indelible stamp on Westeros. But come on, some of them just really stood out. Whether through sheer magnitude, wild natures, or dramatic moments, these dragons legend-hooded themselves. So, which one stood head and shoulders above the rest? Let’s number down the ten largest dragons to ever illuminate the skies, from the spectacular titans to the still-mighty giants.
10. Syrax
Syrax may not hold any size records, but she’s got presence—and that counts for a lot. She was the personal horse of Rhaenyra Targaryen, and she kept her in good condition and well-provisioned. With gleaming yellow scales and a loyal personality, Syrax was more about presentation than pure power. She may not have seen the same kind of action as some of her larger relatives, but when she took to the skies over King’s Landing, people took notice. Her role in the early conflicts of the Dance of the Dragons helped set the tone for the chaos that followed.
9. Sunfyre
If dragons had pageants, Sunfyre would win “Most Gorgeous” every time. Gleaming gold scales, wings that caught the sunlight just right, and a name that sounded regal—he was the showstopper of Aegon II’s court. But don’t let the beauty fool you; Sunfyre saw his share of battle. Though seriously hurt on more than one occasion, particularly at Rook’s Rest, he lived longer than most anticipated. His tale is sad, and by the end, he was little more than a ghost of his original self, but an advisable gold ghost nonetheless.
8. Dreamfyre
Dreamfyre was an elegant and emotional dragon. Initially bonded with Rhaena Targaryen and then with Helaena, she had the reputation of having close relationships with her riders. Dreamfyre’s story concludes in tragedy, during the notorious storming of the Dragonpit. Surrounded and trapped, she fought hard to the end. Her roar resounded through the ruined pit—one of the final things many heard. Though not necessarily the biggest, Dreamfyre’s story is drenched with tragedy, loyalty, and rebellion.
7. Caraxes
Known as the Blood Wyrm, Caraxes was far from discreet. With his elongated frame, adorned in deep red scales, and brutal fighting style, he was a terror bound in wings. Initially ridden by Prince Aemon and subsequently by the ruthless Daemon Targaryen, Caraxes was famous for his unpredictability and fighting prowess. He was not the heaviest of dragons, but what he lacked in weight, he compensated for in sheer ferocity. His legendary battle with Vhagar is perhaps one of the most legendary aerial battles in Westeros” history.
6. Meleys
She was a dragon who got heads and hearts turned, her red scales burning with her fiery spirit. Meleys, also known as the Red Queen, was quick, agile, and surprisingly graceful despite her bulk. Rhaenys Targaryen mounted her into combat, and the two made an impressive pair. The cinematic scene when Meleys breached through the floor at Aegon’s coronation was a love-it-or-hate-it moment from the beginning. Unfortunately, her ultimate stand at Rook’s Rest found her overpowered, though not without leveling quite a bit of ire and inferno on her way down.
5. Silverwing
Silverwing was one of those dragons whose legacy extended far beyond the warfields. She initially belonged to Queen Alysanne Targaryen, and once her rider died, she lived out a serene existence, wandering the skies until finally accepting Ulf the White as her new rider. Her most wondering moment? Refusing to fly beyond the Wall—something even Alysanne couldn’t compel her to do. That strange resistance suggested something ancient and odd. She was not the fiercest or terrifying, but she was big, old, and instinctively wild enough to be unforgettable.
4. Sheepstealer
Sheepstealer lived up to his name—he had a passion for a nice mutton meal. Feral and utterly uncivilized for most of his life, he terrorized shepherds around Dragonstone until he was finally tamed by Nettles, a cunning girl who won him over sheep by sheep. He did not battle for kingdoms or a saddle of gold—he was a survivor, through and through. Sheepstealer’s tale is one of feral nature and respect earned, demonstrating that not every dragon requires royal blood to soar above.
3. Vermithor
They referred to him as the Bronze Fury, and it isn’t difficult to understand why. Vermithor was a monster of muscle, flame, and fury. Aftebeing r being the heir of King Jaehaerys I, he lay years inactive following the king’s death—until Hugh Hammer arrived. Vermithor burst back into prominence during the Dance of the Dragons with savage ferocity. His last battles were anarchy personified, facing several dragons and spewing fire as if it came naturally. Vermithor was no dragon to mess with.
2. Vhagar
Vhagar is the embodiment of legend. She was part of the original triumvirate that won Westeros over with Aegon the Conqueror and had lived to witness the next generation reduce it to ashes. Her enormity was intimidating—gigantic wings, massive maw, and a roar loud enough to shake castles. Roamed by various dragonriders throughout her lifetime, including Baelon and subsequent Aemond Targaryen, Vhagar was feared and respected. She could swallow a horse whole and darken the sky in one sweep of her wings. People ran when Vhagar flew.
1. Balerion the Black Dread
Balerion was not merely a dragon—he was nature itself. The biggest dragon the Targaryens ever broke, Balerion’s shadow, could consume whole towns. He welded the Iron Throne with his fire, assisting Aegon the Conqueror in unifying the Seven Kingdoms. His teeth were sword-sized, and his wings could shade the sun. Born in Valyaria and living through the ruin of that forgotten land, Balerion bore centuries’ weight in every beat of his wings. There was no dragon before or since who equaled his awful magnificence.
Dragons in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon aren’t just mythical creatures—they’re characters unto themselves. All of them have a tale, a connection, and a moment that make them who they are. And if they lived to glory, died in tragedy, or left us with only mystery, they’ve all left paw prints on Westeros’ history that nobody will ever forget.