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From Karsi to Ned, from Wun Wun to Hodor, the following are the 50 worst Game of Thrones deaths we, as fans, have had to watch during seven seasons of the hit HBO series.
Fact: Game of Thrones killed off over 150,000 people (on and off-screen) throughout the past seven seasons and 67 episodes of the hour-long drama. That averages out to be over 2,000 killings per episode.
Keep in mind though, a lot of Game of Thrones deaths happen off-screen, occur during battles, and could be considered a non-human.
Watch this fantastic compilation video of every death on Game of Thrones by super fan Leon Razon. Fair warning, it’s 21 minutes long.
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Needless to say, the hit HBO fantasy series knows a thing or two about killing people off the show.
From the very first season of Game of Thrones, when the main character was killed off, we knew this show would be different from any other show in that no one was safe. David Benioff and D.B. Weiss would kill off anyone and everyone — and they didn’t care if he or she was your favorite.
I remember joking around saying I will never let myself love anyone on the show too much because, if they found out, that character for sure would kick the bucket next.
Game of Thrones made it true that the bad guys could win because they killed off beloved characters. But then again, some of the best deaths on the show is when supervillains finally get their comeuppance. When Ramsay Bolton died at the mouths of his own hounds, I was never more satisfied.
But then there is the Game of Thrones deaths that I still think about, that really stuck with me. And I bet I’m not the only one. Season 8 will be the show’s last and I know there will be more heart-wrenching deaths.
Let’s look back at the Game of Thrones deaths that made even the burliest of men cry and made our hearts break — the deaths we still think about today.
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50. Shae – Season 4 “The Children”
Tyrion was in love with the former prostitute, but she testified against him. Tyrion later discovered she was sleeping with his father. Tyrion strangled her. What makes this heartbreaking was not so much that she was killed off, but more because Tyrion was so shattered that he felt the need to do it.
49. Lady Crane – Season 6 “No One”
Arya was assigned to assassinate Lady Crane, who was playing Cersei Lannister in a play in Braavos at the time. But Arya befriended her instead, so the Waif slit her throat. This Game of Thrones death was sad because she was a good person and didn’t deserve to die.
48. Matthos Seaworth – Season 2 “Blackwater”
We didn’t get to know Stannis’ soldier very well, because he died by wildfire in the Battle of Blackwater. However, it’s sad because Matthos was Ser Davos’ only child.
47. Yoren – Season 2 “What is Dead May Never Die”
Yoren’s claim to fame was saving Arya after Ned Stark’s beheading in King’s Landing. Cut her hair and dressed her in boys’ clothes. A Lannister soldier killed him while he searched for Robert Baratheon’s bastard son.
46. and 45. Pyp and Grenn – Season 4 “The Watchers on the Wall”
Pyp and Grenn joined the Night’s Watch at the same time with Jon Snow. He taught them, along with Sam, how to fight and use their swords. So, it’s a shame that they both died during the Battle of Castle Black. Grenn died trying to fight off the Wildlings and Mag the Mighty Giant. Ygritte killed Pyp.
44. Karsi – Season 5 “Hardhome”
The Wildling leader who Jon Snow met beyond the wall died at the hands of wights. Just before that, she had agreed to join him as an ally to fight them. Jon watched her rise again a wight. It was a sad Game of Thrones deaths but also really creepy.
43. Ros – Season 3 “The Climb”
The prostitute who worked at Littlefinger’s brothel was also a spy for Varys. When Littlefinger found out, he gave her to Joffrey, who killed her with his crossbow. It’s sad because she was an outsider and who learned how to survive in King’s Landing. She was smart, but not enough to survive double-crossing Littlefinger.
42. Brother Ray – Season 6 “The Broken Man”
Brother Ray was the Faith of the Seven Septon and only appeared in one episode. Members of the Brotherhood Without Manners hanged him and killed his entire community. This Game of Thrones death was sad because he saved the Hound’s life.
41. Doran Martell – Season 6 “The Red Woman”
The blind ruler of Dorne, who also suffered from gout and was bound to a wheeled chair, stayed out of the politics from the rest of the world. That wasn’t good enough for Ellaria Sand, who stabbed him unmercifully.
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40. Mycah – Season 1 “The Kingsroad”
Arya and Mycah were pals. Joffrey didn’t like that she, a noble, was friends with a poor person and made fun of her. She fought back, “hurt” him, and in turn, he ordered the Hound to kill Mycah. This Game of Thrones death was sad only because he was an innocent child. But it really signified everyone’s mutual hatred of the little prince.
39. Leaf – Season 6 “The Door”
Leaf was one of the Children of the Forest and helped save Bran and Hodor from being attacked by wights. I liked her because she saved them, but I’m also annoyed because the Children of Men created the White Walkers.
38. The Three-Eyed Raven – Season 6 “The Door”
Though we only saw him in human form a few times, he taught Bran how to see “everything.” He also showed him visions that gave us some important info about Jon Snow being a Targaryen before we officially knew that. So, it was sad to see him get killed by wights.
37. Roderick Cassel – Season 2 “The Old Gods and the New”
The master-at-arms at Winterfell trained all the men who lived there: Robb, Jon, and Theon. That’s why it was heartbreaking that his own trainee, Theon, turned on him and beheaded him.
36. Brynden Tully (The Blackfish) – Season 6 “No One”
I liked the Blackfish. He had spunk. The Lord of Riverrun, he was a fierce warrior and didn’t take no crap from noone. When the Frey’s took Riverrun, he took it right back. We can only assume he met his maker when Jamie Lannister showed up to take Riverrun back. But who knows? He escaped the Red Wedding, maybe he escaped this, too.
35. Wun Wun – Season 6 “Battle of the Bastards”
Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun the giant (that’s a mouthful) helped Jon win the Battle of the Bastards but met his demise with several hundred arrows, one directly in his eye. Since he seemed to be a lethal, yet gentle giant, and on the good guy’s team, it was tough to see him go. He would have been valuable in the upcoming war against the Night King.
34. Trystane Martell – Season 6 “The Red Woman”
Sure, we didn’t know him well. But the Prince of Dorne who was supposed to marry Myrcella was impaled with a spear through the back of his head by one of those horrible Sand Snakes. Let’s not forget it was his own cousin, too. Poor guy, he did nothing to deserve such a gruesome end.
33. Syrio Forel – Season 1 “The Prince of Winterfell”
I love how they call sword teachers “dance instructors” on Game of Thrones. It makes sense because there is both fluidity and gracefulness that goes with sword fighting. That’s why it was awful to know that Arya’s dancing instructor was killed by Meryn Trant. Don’t worry, Arya got her revenge on him.
32. and 31. Walden Bolton/Baby – Season 6 “Home”
These Game of Thrones deaths were shocking, although they shouldn’t have been. Roose Bolton recently legitimized his bastard son, Ramsay, so that he could succeed him. But then, Roose’s wife gives birth to a son. So, what does the psychopath do? Kills his father, who doesn’t make the list for obvious reasons. Then he turns his hounds on his father’s wife and newborn half-brother. If this one didn’t turn your stomach, I don’t know what will.
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30. Maester Luwin – Season 2 “Valar Morghulis”
Another innocent person who didn’t deserve to die. Maester Luwin lived at Winterfell and took Bran and Rickon under his wing after their father’s death. He then helped the boys escape with Osha after Ramsay overtook Winterfell. The poor old guy was stabbed. Osha and the boys found him, and she showed mercy on him and give him a swift end. It definitely broke a lot of hearts watching his suffering.
29. Osha – Season 6 “Book of the Stranger”
This Game of Thrones death bothered me because she had been gone for so long. After helping Bran and Rickon escape Winterfell, she took Rickon with her while Bran went beyond the wall. Ramsay found them, unfortunately, and as soon as they were back in Winterfell, he stabbed her in the neck.
28. Benjen Stark – Season 1 “A Man Without Honor”
Ned Stark’s younger brother was also part of the Night’s Watch. He’s the one who convinced Jon Snow to join them but sadly died off camera beyond the wall in Season 1. But then, we find out he is sort of alive and saved Bran and Meera from White Walkers. He ultimately dies again after sacrificing himself for Jon. I felt bad for Jon to have lost him twice.
27. Renly Baratheon – Season 2 “The Ghost of Harrenhal”
The brother of Robert and Stannis didn’t deserve to be murdered by Stannis’ and Melisandre’s smoke baby, or whatever the hell that was. I wasn’t so sad about his death because of how he abandoned Ned Stark in his time of need. I more felt bad for Brienne and Loras, as they were devastated to learn about his death.
26. Jojen Reed – Season 4 “The Children”
The brother of Meera, he had visions just like Bran. He sought him out to help him find the Three-Eyed Raven. But wights attacked him, stabbing him multiple times. His own sister had to mercy kill him. You may be thinking his death is horrible because they killed the kid from Love Actually. That’s true! But he survives the books, so no one saw this Game of Thrones death coming.
25. Robert Baratheon – Season 1 “You Win or You Die”
Yes, Robert Baratheon was a terrible king. He drank a lot, was lazy, and he had little bastards running around Westeros — everywhere but the castle (ha!). After a drunken hunting trip, he was mortally injured by a wild boar. I loved his character and would have loved to see him longer, but his death was a necessity. It posed the question, “Who’s the rightful heir to the Iron Throne?”
24. Maester Aemon – Season 5 “Kill the Boy”
The Grand Maester was one of the last living Targaryens, having been Aegon’s brother, uncle to the Mad King, and great-uncle to Daenerys. And by that logic, he’s Jon’s great-great uncle, too! He’s the only one on this list that died of natural causes because he was super old. But he was loyal to Jon, and it was sad to see someone in Jon’s corner go.
23. Loras Tyrell – Season 6 “The Winds of Winter”
Loras, the heir to Highgarden, was living large at the beginning of the series. Women fawned over him, yet he wasn’t interested in that type of person. Betrothed to Cersei but never married, and after being held prisoner by the Faith of the Seven for laying with men, he died in Cersei’s wildfire explosion. I felt bad for Loras because he was never the same after Renly died. He suffered for being himself and then was dead.
22. Khal Drogo – Season 1 “Fire and Blood”
We were all in on the Dany/Drogo relationship, maybe because Jason Momoa looks like a Greek god. But it was devastating to watch him die, especially at the hands of Dany. A spell by the witch Mirri Maz Duur left him a vegetable. So, Dany suffocated him to show mercy. It just showed how strong Dany could be in the face of tragedy.
21. Lord Commander Jeor Mormont – Season 3 “And Now His Watch Has Ended”
Father of Jorah Mormont, he was the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch and really took Jon under his wing. He even gifted him Longclaw, the Valyrian steel sword, that should have been passed to Jorah had he not been exiled. He was stabbed by a traitor at Craster’s Keep. It sucks because he was a good person and one of the few to believe in Jon.
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20. Talisa Stark – Season 3 “The Rains of Castamere”
Talisa was Robb Stark’s pregnant wife and was stabbed in the stomach, repeatedly, at the infamous Red Wedding. This is a tough one because if she hadn’t come into the picture, Robb wouldn’t have violated his deal with the Freys and the Red Wedding may not have happened. It wasn’t the saddest Game of Thrones death at the worst wedding of all time, but it was horrifying watching Lothar Frey stab their unborn baby.
19. Myrcella Baratheon – Season 5 “Mother’s Mercy”
Myrcella was the only daughter of Cersei and Jamie, I mean Robert Baratheon. Jamie traveled to Dorne to retrieve her, but before she left, Ellaria Sand kissed her with poison in retaliation for Oberyn’s death. She died on the boat in Jamie’s arms. That was heartbreaking to watch, although we all knew it was coming.
18. Ser Barristan Selmy – Season 5 “Sons of the Harpy
After Joffrey dismissed him from the King’s Guard, Selmy found Dany in the east and helped her out. A likable character, he was a fan favorite. So, we were all pissed when he was killed fighting the Sons of the Harpy, especially because he’s still alive in the books. He would have come in handy in the impending war, don’t you think?
17. -14. Direwolves: Lady (Sansa’s) Season 1 “The Kingsroad,” Grey Wind (Robb’s) Season 3 “Mhysa,” Summer (Bran’s) Season 6 “The Door,” and Shaggydog (Rickon’s) Season 6 “Battle of the Bastards”
Ned Stark found the six Direwolves in the very first episode. Jon saw them as an omen since the Direwolf is the symbol of House Stark, so he convinced Ned to keep them. Each child got one. There was even an albino one for Jon. Unfortunately, the majority of the wolves haven’t survived.
Lady was killed instead of Arya’s Nymeria for biting Joffrey. Grey Wind was killed by crossbow during the Red Wedding. (You may remember his head being placed on Robb’s body.) Rickon’s Shaggydog was killed after Ramsay captured him and Summer was killed by wights trying to protect him Beyond the Wall.
Every time one died, it’s been devastating. I’ve said, “If one more Direwolf dies, I’m gonna lose it!” And I mean it. I’m sure I’m not the only one!
13. Tommen Baratheon – Season 6 “The Winds of Winter”
Poor, sweet Tommen. He was too innocent and too young to be King of Westeros. Just when he started to come into his own and stand up to his mother, Cersei, she took his wife and half of Westeros away from him by blowing up the Sept with wildfire. Easily one of the most shocking moments of the series was when a devastated Tommen took off his crown and calmly walked to the open Red Keep and simply fell forward.
12. Margery Tyrell – Season 6 “The Winds of Winter”
We weren’t ready for Margery to go. Yes, she craved power and status, (she was engaged or married to three different “kings”), but she was also kind and wanted to be a good queen. That just wouldn’t do for the evil Cersei. Margery, along with most of her family died in the Sept with wildfire. No one saw it coming, and even after she was gone, we didn’t believe it fully. “The Winds of Winter” was a bloodbath, and unfortunately for us, Margery was a casualty.
11. Olenna Tyrell – Season 7 “The Queen’s Justice”
One of the best old broads on T.V.! Olenna had quite the resume, she helped her granddaughter marry two different kings, and she helped kill Joffrey. And after her entire family was killed in the Sept by Cersei, she was out for blood, making alliances with Dany and the Sand Snakes. But when Jamie and his army took Highgarden, she knew her death was imminent. She’d die with dignity, but not before delivering one final blow: she was responsible for Joffrey’s Game of Thrones death. And now, House Tyrell was extinct. They were too good for this world!
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10. Viserion – Season 7 “Beyond the Wall”
We know that dragons are not indestructible since they had all been executed before the series started. But, I never thought we would see one of Dany’s dragons die before the last season. My heart dropped when the Night King not only killed Viserion but then brought him back to “life.” Luckily Team Jon/Dany has two dragons, but my heart broke when Dany lost him.
9. Rickon Stark – Season 6 “Battle of the Bastards”
The Youngest Stark child grew up quite a bit throughout the series, but not in front of our eyes, since he was mostly in hiding. This Game of Thrones death was excruciating to watch because just as Ramsay played his sadistic games with his head, he played with ours, too. All he had to do was run to Jon across the battlefield as Ramsay shot arrows high into the air. But when the arrow pierced his chest through his back, it pierced our hearts. Maybe try running zigzag next time, Rickon.
8. Ygritte – Season 4 “Watchers on the Wall”
We all cried when Ygritte died. She was the wildling who Jon fell in love with and broke his vows for. She also famously declared, “You know nothing, Jon Snow.” During the Battle of Castle Black, she killed many of the Night’s Watch, including Jon’s friend Pyp. But just as Jon made eye contact with her, that stupid Olly kid shot her with an arrow. It was one of the saddest scenes of the show. I think Jon’s over it now since he eventually got his revenge on Olly and now he has Dany and all. Plus, the real-life Jon and Ygritte are married now.
7. Jon Snow – Season 5 “Mother’s Mercy”
Do you remember how you felt when you watched the Night’s Watch members stab Jon, the then Lord Commander, in the stomach? “For the watch,” they each said. For those who didn’t read the novels that the show is based on, it was like a punch in the gut. We should have known by then that the good guys die on Game of Thrones, but it still didn’t make the death any less shocking. Another “Stark” dead, leaving all of us to wonder, what is this show’s endgame? Who will be the hero? The only reason this Game of Thrones death isn’t further up on the list is that Jon was only dead for a few episodes (and an entire calendar year) before the Red Woman brought him back from the dead.
6. Oberyn Martell – Season 4 “The Mountain and the Viper”
Oberyn quickly became a fan favorite during his stint on the show. He liked to party, he was modern, and he hated the Lannisters, which we were all here for. So, when he volunteered to fight on behalf of Tyrion in a trial by combat against the Mountain, we all got nervous for him. They had a history. The Mountain killed his sister and Oberyn wanted revenge. Maybe it would be a David versus Goliath situation, and Oberyn would win!
Just when it looked like he would win, his cockiness got the best of him. A barely alive Mountain killed Oberyn by squashing his head with his bare hands. Ellaria’s blood-curdling scream sang in unison with the rest of us. Not only was the fun character of Oberyn gone, but Tyrion could have been gone, too. Thank god he escaped his fate.
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5. and 4. Robb and Catelyn Stark – Season 3 “The Rains of Castamere”
The Red Wedding was one of the most devastating and shocking occurrences on Game of Thrones (at that point) for those who didn’t read the books. Robb was the one “king” we could all root for, and Catelyn was the strong, fierce woman who stood beside him. Remember, this is Game of Thrones, and the good guys can die.
Robb fell in love and married Talisa, violating his agreement with Walder Frey to marry one of his daughters. Instead, he offered his uncle, Edmure Tully to married Frey’s daughter, hence how they are at a wedding in the first place. But the damage was done. The Lannisters got to the Freys and Boltons, locking the doors and slaughters the Stark army, Robb, his wife, and unborn child.
Catelyn is forced to watch in horror as Robb is shot with an arrow and Roose Bolton stabs him in the heart. “The Lannisters send their regards.” Before her throat is slashed by Black Walder Rivers, she kills Walder Frey’s wife.
Fans everywhere were overcome with grief. There’s proof on thousands of YouTube videos with reactions of the Red Wedding. What did we have to hope for after this? Who did we have to root for? I guess I’m still not over it.
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3. Ned Stark – Season 1 “Baelor”
Ned Stark was the Warden of the North and the Hand of the King. He was instrumental in Robert’s Rebellion, and Robert trusted him. But once Robert died, and Ned found out the truth about Cersei and her children, there was no one there to protect him.
Even though I knew Ned was in trouble, I never dreamed he’d be killed off. He’s the lead character! He’s the good guy! The King is marrying his daughter! But that doesn’t matter on Game of Thrones. Ned Stark lost his head anyway.
This was the Game of Thrones death that changed not only the trajectory of the show but also the standard for T.V. dramas. This is the moment the audience knew that Game of Thrones was not messing around and they aren’t afraid to kill off anyone. No one was safe. Don’t get attached to anyone. Because if you do, he or she is probably toast.
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2. Hodor – Season 6 “The Door”
Hodor worked for the Starks at Winterfell in the stables. Mentally disabled, he only spoke the word “Hodor,” hence his name. His background was a mystery. He escaped with Bran from Theon and traveled beyond the wall with him, Meera, and Jojen to find the Three-eyed Raven.
His Game of Thrones death was sad for many different reasons. It was unexpected. He was killed by wights while protecting Bran and Meera as they tried to escape them. But what makes it truly heartbreaking is that as Hodor died, we simultaneously find out how he got his name.
His mental disability resulted from Bran time traveling back to when his father and Hodor were boys at Winterfell. In the present, Meera pulled an immobile Bran away and screamed “hold the door” back at him. In the past, young Hodor collapses, convulses, and screams “hold the door” over and over again, until it morphs into “hodor.”
I cry every time I watch it, and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
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1. Shireen Baratheon – Season 5 “The Dance of Dragons”
If you don’t think this is the worst Game of Thrones death, you may have to check your chest cavity to make sure your ticker is still working.
Shireen was the daughter and only surviving child of Stannis and Selyse Baratheon. She caught greyscale as an infant, which is typically a death sentence, but Stannis refused to give up on her. He found a cure, yet she was left with scars all over the side of her face. Selyse always resented her daughter because she could not give Stannis a son. (All three previous sons were stillborn.)
Both parents ignored Shireen for much of her childhood, but she developed a close relationship with Ser Davos as she teaches him how to read.
Melisandre convinces Stannis that in order for him to survive the war, he needs to sacrifice Shireen to the Lord of Light. She was burned alive. What makes matters worse, is that the child died for nothing, because Stannis didn’t defeat Ramsay.
Shireen’s death was not in the books. So, not only was this Game of Thrones death horrifying to watch, why was it even necessary? Her screams still haunt me.