Summary
- Alicent Hightower and Princess Fiona are strikingly similar, from their green dresses to their golden tiaras.
- The dragon riders in House of the Dragon share parallels with Donkey and Dragon's relationship in Shrek.
- Rhaenys gate-crashing Aegon's coronation mirrors Donkey and Dragon's wedding crash, both featuring a red dragon.
While one is a dark drama for adults and the other an animated comedy film series for the family, there is no denying the similarities between House of the Dragon and Shrek, and fans were quick to point this out after Season 1. From the medieval fantasy setting to Alicent resembling Fiona and dragons gate crashing, as well as many smaller references, there are tonnes of fun comparisons.
House of the Dragon: 10 Best Female Characters, Ranked
House of the Dragon has put the spotlight on a whole host of incredible female characters. Here are some of the most iconic ones in the series, ranked
Thankfully, for those who grew up watching DreamWorks' classic, Season 2 of House of the Dragon has not disappointed either, delivering even more parallels between Westeros and Shrek. It's also fun to think about how the comparisons started over a decade ago, with Jaime Lannister from Season 1 of Game of Thrones being the spitting image of Shrek 2's Prince Charming.
5 Alicent Hightower Is Fiona
Green & Gold Dresses & Reddish Hair Make These Two Royals Indistinguishable
- Episode: S1, E5
One of the most persistent comparisons between House of the Dragon and Shrek is Alicent Hightower's similar appearance to Princess Fiona. When Queen Alicent entered Rhaenyra's pre-wedding feast in a shimmering green dress trimmed with gold, fans were quick to point out the similarities between her and Fiona, who spent the entire first film in similar raiment.
This parallel is helped by the fact that Alicent has chestnut hair which isn't too dissimilar from Fiona's red hair and they also both wear golden tiaras. As green is the color of House Hightower in House of the Dragon, and her side's faction is known as the Greens, she regularly wears the color. This makes for ongoing comparisons throughout the series, which are helped by similar scenes, such as Alicent entering her own small tent in the woods wishing not to be disturbed.
4 Dragons Choosing Riders Similar To How Dragon Chose Donkey
Seasmoke Chased Addam Of Hull & Silverwing Chose Ulf
- Episode: S2, E6 & E7
Donkey and Dragon's relationship in Shrek is certainly something, and it's hilarious how such a large and dangerous dragon instantly fell in love with a talking donkey. However, from Donkey's point of view, this relationship started as what he thought to be a run for his life, and in House of the Dragon, Addam of Hull became a dragon rider via a similar fate.
Incredibly, after Seasmoke chose Addam of Hull, the parallels weren't over, as in the following episode, Ulf, down in the depths of the Dragonmont, was surprised to have the dragon Silverwing look upon him favorably and choose him. With her snout touching him and other similar scenes from House of the Dragon, such as the beautiful moment between Aegon and Sunfyre, there are many parallels to the shots of Donkey and Dragon.
3 Rhaenys Gate Crashing Aegon's Coronation Parallels Donkey & Dragon's Wedding Crash
Red Dragon's Interrupt Noble Ceremonies In Both Scenes
- Episode: S1, E9
One of the most iconic similarities between Shrek and House of the Dragon happened at the end of Season 1 when Rhaenys gate-crashed Aegon II's coronation by surging through the floorboards atop her red dragon. This mirrored the scene from the first Shrek film where Donkey and Dragon crashed through the stained-glass window of Lord Farquaad's and Fiona's wedding.
The fact that both scenes featured a red dragon crashing into a religious building for a noble ceremony isn't the only similarity, as fans also noticed that the camerawork and specific shots are somewhat mirrored.
2 Viserys' Last Meal Mirrored Shrek's First Meal With Fiona's Family
Both Scenes Featured Families Not Getting Along, Impaled Forks, & A Roasted Pig
- Episode: S1, E8
Family meals don't always go to plan and this is equally true in both Shrek and House of the Dragon. While Viserys' last meal started well and peace was kept between the two sides of the Targaryen family at first, things soon went south. Shrek's first meal with Fiona's disapproving family, on the other hand, was bad all the way through, but it is the similarity of a few components and specific shots that are of note.
House Of The Dragon: 10 Most Brutal Deaths
These characters from the House of the Dragon series died in the most fatal ways that shocked viewers.
For example, a roasted pig is at the center of the comedy of both feasts, with Shrek and his father-in-law, the king, sending their pig flying, and Lucerys Velaryon laughing at Aemond as part of an inside joke. The other big similarity is the way in which Shrek and Aemond rise in fury when insulted.
1 Alicent & Fiona Both Gave Their Favors To Knights
These Two Similar Characters Shared Another Iconic Moment
- Episode: S2, E3
Seeing as both House of the Dragon and Shrek share a medieval setting, it's not that surprising that both feature scenes of noble ladies granting Knights their favor through the medium of a white laced handkerchief. However, the fact that the ladies are Alicent and Fiona in green and gold dresses cannot be overlooked.
With Fiona granting the as-of-yet-unmasked Shrek her favor, enduring as such an iconic image from the film, Ser Criston Cole's request for Alicent's favor was humourous to many as they watched Season 2. Nevertheless, unlike a few other comparisons, these two scenes are rather different, with Criston Cole being desperate for affection and Shrek using Fiona's favor to wipe his face.