‘Chief Of War’ Release Schedule—When Do New Episodes Drop On Apple TV+?

Jason Momoa in “Chief of War,” premiering August 1, 2025 on Apple TV+.

Courtesy of Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s new historical drama Chief of War has finally arrived. The Jason Momoa-led series has already earned widespread praise from critics for its Hawaiian storytelling, attention to detail and grand set pieces. If you’ve finished the first two episodes, read on to find out exactly when the rest of the season will be available to stream.

Co-created by Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett and Momoa, Chief of War is based on the true story of the unification and colonization of Hawai‘i at the turn of the 18th century. Momoa portrays real-life warrior Ka‘iana, who must “unify the islands before Western colonization in the late 18th century,” according to the synopsis.

Retelling Hawaii’s war-torn history in Chief of War holds a deeper meaning for Momoa, who was born in Honolulu and is credited as a co-creator, executive producer and director of season one’s final episode, “The Black Desert.”

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“There were moments where, as a little boy, you look at these awesome paintings, because a lot of these images that we saw as kids,” Momoa recalled in an interview with Parade. “I mean, that’s all we had were books and paintings. And to actually direct and be a part of the whole thing, just composing these paintings and watching them come to life and putting music to them and seeing these images, I know what I went through when I made them. I know what I went through when we edited it.”

In addition to Momoa, Chief of War features a predominantly Polynesian cast, including Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, newcomer Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale‘o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka and Te Kohe Tuhaka.

The series is off to a strong start, premiering with an 86% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. USA Today critic Kelly Lawler praised the limited series a “thrilling grandiose adventure.” She also called the Momoa’s show “transportive, immersive and enlightening” and “the prettiest and bloodiest history lesson you’ll get all year.”

Here’s what to know about Chief of War’s release schedule, episode count, how to watch new episodes for free and more.

When Do New Episodes Of Chief Of War Come Out On Apple TV+?

New episodes of Chief of War are released on Apple TV+ every Friday at 12 a.m. ET (9 p.m. PT on Thursday evenings).

How Many Episodes Are In Chief Of War Season 1?

There will be a total of nine episodes in the first season of Chief of War, which is a typical episode count for a new series on Apple TV+.

What Is The Chief of War Release Schedule?

The first two episodes of Chief of War are now streaming. The remaining seven episodes will be released weekly on Apple TV+ every Friday, leading up to the anticipated Season 1 finale on September 19. Check out the full release schedule for Season 1 (with episode titles) below.

• Episode 1, “The Chief of War”: Friday, August 1
• Episode 2, “Changing Tides”: Friday, August 1
• Episode 3, “City of Flowers”: Friday, August 8
• Episode 4, “Ciudad De Flores, Part II”: Friday, August 15
• Episode 5, “The Race of the Gods”: Friday, August 22
• Episode 6, “The Splintered Paddle: Friday, August 29
• Episode 7, “Day of Spilled Brains”: Friday, September 5
• Episode 8, “The Sacred Niu Grove”: Friday, September 12
• Episode 9, “The Black Desert”: Friday, September 19

How To Watch Chief of War

To watch Chief of War Season 1, you’ll need to sign up for an Apple TV+ subscription. The streaming platform costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.

How To Stream Chief of War For Free

If you’re new to Apple TV+, you can take advantage of the platform’s seven-day free trial to stream Chief of War at no cost for a limited time. Or, if you’ve recently purchased a new Apple device, you may be eligible for three months of Apple TV+ for free.

Watch the official trailer for Chief of War below.