Game of Thrones (GoT) has always been shrouded in secrecy, but some fans already know how it ends. George R.R. Martin itted that he has met devotees who accurately predicted the ending. Still, when a story has as many moving parts and dynamic elements as A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF), sheer probability states that someone will make the right guess eventually. Only a few people know how GoT will end, but everyone has a guess, prediction, or theory. ASOIAF debuted at a time when the Internet was revolutionizing fandom. Martin’s world-building practically begged fans to obsess over details, and his leisurely writing pace has provided ample time to develop incredibly complex theories. While some of these are plausible or bonkers, some are both.
Here, we dive into the fan theories that actually came true and the ones that still might. This list mainly focuses on the TV show, but these theories are obviously also featured in the books. In some cases, a fan theory is true for the TV show but not for the books (at least not yet). As season eight approaches, the world is overrun with GoT theories. While this list can’t possibly include them all, we went with those that were both likely and fascinating. Like GoT itself, these theories are sprawling, heart-breaking, and suspenseful all at the same time. We don’t know who will end up on the Iron Throne, but some of these theories are clues and some of them are red herrings. Basically, all of them have grave implications for Westeros. Here is Game Of Thrones: 15 Fan Theories That Were Confirmed (And 16 That Still Could Be).
Could Be: Dany Becomes the Villain
Daenerys might be the villain. One Redditor argues that Dany is already a villain from the perspective of Westeros because she’s the daughter of an ousted ruler conquering Westeros with foreign armies. Her advisors are also dishonored Westeros elite.
Beyond politics, some think she will become wicked. These theories point to her ancestry and past thirst for gore. Her father famously went insane, and the Targaryen lineage is riddled with madness. She has also displayed a violent streak, which Tyrion has tried to dull. In other words, her moral inclination as ruler is up for grabs, and the final season could see her going to the dark side.
Confirmed: There Be Ice Dragons
Theories about ice dragons in GoT have been around for a while, but they really heated with season seven. Their existence was confirmed in the penultimate episode when the Night King resurrected Viserion as the dragon equivalent of a White Walker.
That moment proved the ice dragon theory correct, but not in the way that every fan thought. One theory predicted that the ice dragon hailed from Winterfell and that Jon would ride it. This seems unlikely now, but other theories were more in line with what happened on the show.
Could Be: The White Walkers Win
GoT is no stranger to unhappy endings, and this is what many fans predict for season eight. Theories include the Night King taking the throne, and while they vary, most of them spell doom for the show’s characters. A more hopeful, but anticlimactic theory from a Reddit says that the characters will flee to Essos where Dany will rule.
However, some theories are more complex. Another Redditor predicts that Dany will wound Jon with dragonglass, allowing him to become the new Night King and lead the White Walkers back beyond the wall.
Confirmed: The Resurrection of Jon Snow
This is one of the most famous fan theories of all time, and also one of the easiest to predict; the Night Watch mutiny against Jon and stab him lifeless. Both the books and show used this moment as a cliffhanger, and in the run up to season six, practically everyone was teeming with theories.
On one hand, Jon’s resurrection was inevitable. Both the books and the show were clearly setting him up to be a hero, but at the same time, this is GoT, and no one was supposed to be off limits. Of course, Jon does return. Like the character, fans breathed a sigh of relief.
Could Be: Jaime is the Prince that was Promised
Most guesses about Azor Ahai (a.k.a the Prince That Was Promised) involve Dany or Jon, although every name from Bran to Tyrion has been bandied about. Of all the outside Azor Ahai theories, the case for Jaime Lannister has caught on the most.
In depth write-ups by Mashable and blogger Dorian the Historian, parts of the theory suggest that Jaime could be Targaryen or one head of the increasingly unlikely three-headed dragon theory. His golden hand might be symbolic of Lightbringer (Azor Ahai’s famous sword), and his journey has been one of redemption and growth, priming him for time in the spotlight.
Confirmed: Benjen is Coldhands
This is one fan theory that is true for the show, but not for the books. In the books, Coldhands is a mysterious figure beyond the Wall who has occasionally helped some characters. He is thought to be part wight, and the books make it clear that he hasn’t been truly alive for years.
Fans wagered that Coldhands could be Benjen Stark, who disappears early in the story beyond the Wall. Martin has denied this clearly and strongly, but the show has used Benjen as a stand-in, even giving him parts of Coldhands’ origin story.
Could Be: The Cleganebowl
Business Insider declared it the moment “fans have been waiting years to see.” They were talking about the face off between brothers Gregor “the Mountain” and Sandor “the Hound.” This has come to be known as the Cleganebowl.
When Arya left the Hound to , many thought it wasn’t going to happen, but the Hound’s re-emergence revitalized hopes. The two finally were face-to-face in the season seven finale where the Hound more or less confirmed that he wants a fight. Because it hasn’t happened yet, we can’t say that it’s confirmed, but it’s one of the most plausible theories on this list.
Confirmed: The Freys Make Humble Pie
Arya gets her revenge on the Freys at the end of season six, in part by feeding Walder Frey pies made of his sons. This was a surprising moment that readers didn’t expect. In the book, Arya doesn’t take revenge on the Freys; instead, Wyman Manderly, a minor character loyal to the Starks, offers the Frey clan pies of questionable contents.
The contents of Manderly’s pies went unsaid in the books and became a point of mystery for some readers. Arya’s actions in the show, as well as comments by Martin, have given fans closure.
Could Be: Tyrion is Targaryen
This theory is controversial because it’s equally plausible and unlikely. The theory states that Tyrion’s father is actually the Mad King, given that he and Joanna Lannister lived at the same time and knew each other. Bustle compiled a list of clues throughout the show.
This feeds into another theory that Tyrion will also ride a dragon as per the three-headed dragon prophecy. Since Viserion became an ice dragon, many have abandoned this theory; however, the possibility of Tyrion the Targaryen lives on. No mention of Tyrion theories would be complete without acknowledging the very complex, but unlikely D+D=T theory.
Confirmed: Jorah Finds a Cure
Jorah’s journey on GoT has put him in some tight spots, but when he contracted greyscale, it seemed like his time was fast approaching. Of course, some fans knew better. As Esquire reported, there was a small detail that made fans believe that Jorah would find a cure.
When Sam is studying at the citadel, a book he’s reading on dragonglass talks about its curative properties. Only eagle-eyed fans who paused the show at the right time figured this out (HBO later posted a screenshot online). Not long after, Sam effectively cured Jorah of the disease.