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HBO has always been focused on quality when it comes to its programming and the exclusive shows the network produces, and the best HBO series of all time are a testament to exactly that. Now that the network has its own streaming platform, Max, it's easier than ever to catch up on the most popular HBO shows. From popular series like Sex and the City to Euphoria to Game of Thrones, HBO already has plenty of impressive series under its belt, and even a couple of negatively received series have become water-cooler events.
With many exciting HBO shows still being developed, HBO continues to be the gold standard of network TV despite the network's name being dropped from Max. While there is a debate over which series was the best in HBO's history, popularity is a different discussion with different factors to consider. Taking into account viewership, each show's impact on pop culture, how long they last before getting canceled or coming to a natural end, and spin-offs and movie sequels, these HBO series had the most people talking at the water cooler.
20 Watchmen (2019)
1 Season, 9 Episodes
Set in an alternate history where superheroes emerged in the 20th century, the series explores themes of racial tension and political intrigue. Following the events in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a detective named Angela Abar uncovers a conspiracy involving masked vigilantes, the legacy of the original Watchmen, and a cult-like organization aiming to seize power. The narrative intertwines past and present, revealing deep-seated secrets and societal issues.
Release Date October 20, 2019
Seasons 1
Creator(s) Damon Lindelof
Alan Moore's Watchmen remains possibly the most acclaimed and influential graphic novel of all time. Adapting it to Hollywood has proven difficult with Zack Snyder's attempt in 2009 earning mixed responses and a negative reaction from the author himself. HBO attempted something that was perhaps even bolder with their limited series Watchmen -- making a sequel story to the original graphic novel, commenting on the themes Moore first explored in a new era.
The series is a brilliant comment on racism, corruption, and heroism that will speak to any audience.
The series introduces plenty of new characters along with several returning characters from the original story with this alternate version of the United States in which masked vigilantism is outlawed and the police have taken an anonymous approach to fighting crime. The series is a brilliant comment on racism, corruption, and heroism that will speak to any audience. However, it is particularly thrilling for fans of the original story in how it builds on the mythology in such compelling ways.
19 Rome (2005-2007)
2 Seasons, 22 Episodes
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Rome
Rome is a historical drama television series that aired from 2005 to 2007. The show is set in the 1st century BC and follows the lives of two Roman soldiers, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, as they navigate the complexities of ancient Roman politics and warfare.
Release Date August 28, 2005
Seasons 2
Creator(s) John Milius , William J. MacDonald , Bruno Heller
It could be argued that there would be no Game of Thrones were it not for Rome. The epic, big-budget series was the network's first ambitious attempt at telling a story filled with battles and massive sets. While not the ratings success that Game of Thrones was, Rome represents a strong turning point in HBO's blockbuster storytelling. The series is set in Ancient Rome and follows two warriors who become entangled with some of the city's biggest moments, such as the fall of Julius Caesar and the arrival of Cleopatra.
Looking at Game of Thrones, the action is little in comparison, but the scale of the series is still impressive. However, the real thrill of the show comes down to the characters, with the relationships and political intrigue feeling like the best aspects of the early seasons of Game of Thrones.
18 The Leftovers (2014-2017)
3 Seasons, 28 Episodes
The Leftovers is a three-season drama that follows a group of people as they deal with the effects of the sudden disappearance of 2% of the word's population. It was created by Lost co-producer Damon Lindelof and Election writer Tom Perrotta, with famous actors such as Christopher Eccleston, Liv Tyler, Margaret Qualley, and Justin Theroux in the ensemble cast.
Release Date June 29, 2014
Seasons 3
Showrunner Damon Lindelof
The Leftovers is an HBO series that had plenty of fans when it was on but was never one of the network's biggest successes. Similar to The Wire, now that the series is off the air, more and more people are discovering it as one of the greatest shows of all time. The Leftovers begins with the intriguing premise of the world suddenly losing a large number of its population as people suddenly disappear. The series then follows those left behind in an emptier world.
The series begins with a big and thrilling sci-fi concept but then makes an incredibly human and intimate story that deals with loss and grief in powerful ways. However, it is also an uplifting story of people finding love and happiness in a world filled with sadness. Unlike Lost, it is not about the mystery of where everyone went, but rather the drama of what the others will do now.
17 Deadwood (2004-2006)
3 Seasons, 36 Episodes
Deadwood is a western drama series created for HBO by David Milch. The series takes place in Deadwood, South Dakota, where corruption runs rampant in the gold-mining era as the settlement existed outside the U.S. territory expansion following the Civil War. As the town was the site of a major gold find, it continues to attract people from all walks of life - especially opportunistic criminals.
Release Date March 21, 2004
Seasons 3
Showrunner David Milch
Deadwood was another glimpse of HBO getting bolder with their television storytelling, making an expensive Western story filled with colorful and brutal characters. Deadwood draws from historical aspects in the story of the various residents of the lawless town of Deadwood where many people, including Western icons, came seeking their fortune with the alleged gold to be found. At the center of the story are the noble yet short-tempted lawman Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) and the nefarious bar owner and criminal boss Al Swearengen (Ian McShane).
The series is written by TV legend David Milch and his dialogue is the secret sauce that makes Deadwood so spectacular. Some have described it as "Shakespeare in the mud" with characters launching into captivating soliloquies and monologues filled with vulgarity and threats of violence. It also features a brilliant ensemble with McShane giving the commanding performance of the piece.
16 Veep (2012-2019)
7 Seasons, 65 Episodes
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Veep
When former U.S. Senator Selina Meyer becomes Vice President of the United States, she finds that it is less like what she hoped for, and more what people warned her it would be.
Release Date April 22, 2012
Seasons 7
Showrunner Armando Iannucci
With former Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris' recent bid for the presidency, Veep returned to the cultural conversation with renewed praise for it as one of the best comedy series of the 21st century. Julia Louis-Dreyfus stars as Selina Meyer, who at the beginning of the series is the overlooked Vice President of the United States, constantly frustrated with her lack of power in the seemingly meaningless position. Surrounded by a staff of eccentric employees, she makes it her mission to become president at any cost.
From Armando Iannucci, Veep is a sharp and clever political satire that hilariously takes a look at the most self-serving and ego-filled aspects of modern politics. Louis-Dreyfus further solidified herself as one of the greatest comedic actors of all time with a performance that earned her six Emmys. She is surrounded by a cast of wonderful actors giving hilarious performances in a series that increasingly embraced the dark comedy of its world.
15 Big Little Lies (2017)
2 Seasons, 14 Episodes
In Monterey, California, five women meet through the elementary school while their children attend. Despite the friendships they form, each of them is harboring secrets, which have the potential to destroy the fragile balance of their lives.
Release Date February 19, 2017
Seasons 2
Showrunner David E. Kelley
Based on the Big Little Lies novel by Liane Moriarty, Big Little Lies is a must-see for several reasons, the foremost being its all-star cast featuring Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, and more. The Emmy-winning show tells the story of a group of upper-class mothers who end up banding together in the face of secrets and murder. Highlighting the competitive and cutthroat nature of the upper class, the show puts a spin on the seemingly perfect lives of the rich and successful.
The series manages to pull off a lot with its look at the class divide, the gripping mystery at the center, complex relationships, and some heavy subject matter. After two intense seasons, there is now confirmation that Big Little Lies season 3 is happening, bringing the audience back to this beautiful-looking community with darkness lurking under the surface.
14 Barry (2018-2023)
4 Seasons, 32 Episodes
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Barry
A hitman becomes captivated by an acting class and seeks to abandon his criminal past for a life on stage. As he struggles to balance his new aspirations with his violent profession, the series delves into his internal conflict and unexpected encounters within the world of theatre.
Release Date March 25, 2018
Seasons 4
Showrunner Alec Berg
Coming off of his time on Saturday Night Live, Bill Hader's series Barry delivered something that his fans likely weren't expecting as it is one of the boldest dark comedies in recent television. Hader plays Barry, a troubled ex-soldier and current hitman who travels to Los Angeles for a job and finds himself falling in love with the world of acting. While it might sound like a goofy fish-out-of-water story, Barry is much more than that.
The show has a typical HBO approach with its violence and drama with underlying dark comedy, and that is why it has become one of the most popular HBO shows of all time. Barry's final series has unfortunately followed suit just like many other HBO shows, as the Barry ending divided some critics. However, that's just a testament to how consistently great most of the show is, and it's so difficult to satisfyingly bring a beloved and supremely popular show to an end.
13 True Detective (2014-Present)
4 Seasons, 30 Episodes
True Detective is an anthology series exploring intricate criminal investigations through multiple timelines. Each season examines dark personal and professional secrets revealed during the course of solving complex cases, highlighting the impact of crime on individuals both within and outside the law enforcement community.
Release Date January 12, 2014
Seasons 4
Showrunner Nic Pizzolatto
True Detective season 1 is the first major example of A-list movie stars fully embracing the television medium, as Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey play two detectives investigating a cold case. Each season that followed brought in a new case with a new set of A-list actors including the likes of Colin Farrell, Mahershala Ali, and Jodie Foster. While the cases were all intriguing, the show was always more focused on the characters who investigated them.
The inconsistent season releases have kept the series from achieving the level of popularity that crime dramas like The Sopranos reached. However, the long break between seasons means that the network and showrunners are prioritizing the series' quality, it is a series that continues to grab the attention of the audience, with the latest season 4 of True Detective becoming one of the most talked-about series of the year.
12 Westworld (2016-2022)
4 Seasons, 36 Episodes
HBO’s Westworld is a dystopian science fiction western that is based on the Michael Crichton-directed film, Westworld. The series centers on high-paying guests who visit a western theme park full of human-like androids to live out wild fantasies. Westworld would later introduce a futuristic mid-21st century where the world is run by an artificial intelligence called Rehoboam. The series was incredibly popular during its four-season run but was canceled by HBO in November 2022.
Release Date October 2, 2016
Seasons 4
Showrunner Jonathan Nolan , Lisa Joy
It might seem surprising that a complex and challenging sci-fi series would come out of an adaptation of a mostly forgotten B-movie from the 70s, but Westworld surprised many people. The story is set in the future where one of the most popular attractions for high-paying tourists is a theme park styled on the Old West in which guests interact with an expansive world with robotic characters there to serve their every whim. However, this changes when the robots begin thinking for themselves.
Westworld is full of iconic scenes and features a great ensemble cast, starring Evan Rachel Wood, Thandiwe Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Anthony Hopkins, and many more throughout its three seasons. The popular show dives into a uniquely trippy and calculated dream world that is both futuristic and vintage, making it difficult for viewers to pinpoint what is coming next. The drama is action-packed as well as mysterious, which is partly why the show has a devoted following. Though Westworld's abrupt cancelation proved the show had fallen from favor, the first season of the show was an epic pop culture event.
11 Band Of Brothers (2001)
1 Season, 10 Episodes
Band of Brothers tells the dramatized story of World War II's "Easy" company, as they go through training together, participate in major wartime events in Europe, all the way until the end of the war.
Release Date September 9, 2001
Seasons 1
Band of Brothers was a ground-breaking bit of television that showed the epic stories that could be told on the small screen, giving way to hugely ambitious shows to follow. This 10-part miniseries chronicled the journey of the soldiers of Easy Company from their days in basic training to the frontlines of World War II in Europe to the end of the war. Throughout the series, they achieve great victories, suffer devastating losses, and learn why they fight.
The Emmy-winning series not only offers a touching story about brotherhood, but it details the harrowing experiences on the battlefield as well with stunning war sequences unlike anything seen on television at the time. Based on Stephen E. Ambrose's novel of the same name, the show was hugely successful at the time of its release, but it has managed to hold onto its acclaim and popularity, which is a rare feat for a miniseries.
10 Entourage (2004-2011)
8 Seasons, 96 Episodes
Vincent Chase, a young and talented actor, embarks on his Hollywood journey surrounded by his loyal friends from Queens. His inner circle includes Eric, his dedicated manager; Johnny Drama, his supportive but fame-seeking half-brother; Turtle, his fun-loving and resourceful friend; and Ari Gold, his fiercely determined agent. Together, they navigate the complexities of the entertainment industry, balancing career aspirations with personal relationships, and facing the ups and downs of fame with camaraderie and resilience.
Cast Kevin Connolly , Adrian Grenier , Kevin Dillon , Jerry Ferrara , Jeremy Piven , Debi Mazar , Perrey Reeves , Rex Lee , Rhys Coiro , Gary Cole , Emmanuelle Chriqui , Scott Caan
Release Date July 18, 2004
Seasons 8
Creator(s) Doug Ellin
While HBO shows are sometimes remembered as overly serious series, some of them were focused purely on entertainment, such as with Entourage. Loosely based on the career of Mark Wahlberg, the comedy follows rising Hollywood actor Vincent Chase as he takes along his childhood friends on his dizzying journey of fame and fortune while dealing with his abrasive agent, Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven).
Entourage was far from a well-received show when it came to critics, complaining about the low stakes and immaturity. However, there's no denying how rewatchable the show is, embracing the wish-fulfillment experience through the main characters, who live their best lives in Hollywood, hanging out on film sets, partying with movie stars, and driving supercars. It's the same reason why series like Sex and the City and Ballers were so successful. Entourage lasted eight seasons and even got a movie sequel, cementing it as one of the most popular HBO shows of all time.
9 Chernobyl (2019)
1 Season, 5 Episodes
Chernobyl is the Emmy award-winning mini-series by Craig Mazin created for HBO that retells the dramatic story of the Ukrainian nuclear disaster in the 80s. The show follows the true story closely with some dramatizations but still follows the fallout of the atomic event and tells stories from those closely involved to the efforts of first responders and other teams who helped with the cleanup efforts.
Release Date June 3, 2019
Seasons 1
Showrunner Craig Mazin
Though Chernobyl is another limited miniseries, the 2019 release is easily one of the most popular HBO shows of all time. Even years later, the series is still widely talked about. Covering the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, in which a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded, the turmoil that ensues is enough to keep viewers intrigued, as emotionally exhausting as it might be.
Although the show is based on a real-life event that has been covered in history books and documentaries, the show provides a unique and intimate perspective on the effects of the devastating circumstances. It is a story about the massive failure of a country that led to many deaths and brutal devastation. However, it is also an inspiring story of the little-known heroes of the incident who put their lives on the line to save as many people as they could and to ensure it would not happen again.
8 The Wire (2002-2008)
Season 5, Episode 60
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10/10
The Wire
The Wire is an American crime drama starring Dominic West and Lance Reddick. The show follows Detective James ‘Jimmy’ McNulty as he tackles the drug scene in Baltimore, Maryland. The HBO series was praised throughout its run, even winning two Primetime Emmy Awards. The Wire aired on HBO between 2002 and 2008 for a total of 60 episodes.
Release Date June 2, 2002
Seasons 5
Showrunner David Simon
The Wire is a thrilling crime series that offers a unique perspective on the rising drug scene of Baltimore, from both the drug dealers' and law enforcement's points of view. Unlike most cop shows, The Wire took a realistic look at the work of a drug investigation with far fewer shootouts and raids, but endlessly compelling developments through the complex characters on both sides of the law.
The show is not only full of riveting drama and typical of the early 2000s style of crime shows, but it accurately depicts how police forces operate. The Wire remains one of the most popular HBO shows of all time, largely due to the characters, with the likes of Bubbles, Stringer Bell, and Omar Little becoming iconic. While most shows' quality dropped off in the later seasons, The Wire only got better, as it intertwined politics, the school system, and the Baltimore dockyard into the larger story.
7 Euphoria (2019-Present)
2 Seasons, Episode 18
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7/10
Euphoria
Euphoria is a teen drama created by Sam Levinson and starring Zendaya, Maude Apatow, and Angus Cloud. The series deals with the dark reality of a drug-addicted teen on her road to recovery as she faces a multitude of challenges and issues.
Release Date June 16, 2019
Seasons 2
Showrunner Sam Levinson
A show that concentrates specifically on the lives of high school students, Euphoria highlights the trials and tribulations of growing up in a town where everyone has crippling struggles. Between extreme drug use and excessively troubling home lives, the HBO show shines a spotlight on the battles many teens go through.
Though Euphoria isn't as beloved by general audiences, it's one of the most-streamed HBO shows in history and Zendaya has won two Emmys for her lead performance. It has also made stars of many of its young cast members, including Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Hunter Schafer.
The show's relatable yet powerful commentary on common dangers modern teens face speaks volumes and has resonated with many throughout its two seasons. As a testament to its popularity, the anticipation for Euphoria season 3 has not died down despite still no concrete plans.
6 The White Lotus (2021-Present)
2 Seasons, 13 Episodes
The White Lotus is a sharp social satire following the exploits of various employees and guests at an exclusive Hawaiian resort over the span of one highly transformative week. As darker dynamics emerge each day, this series gradually reveals the complex truths of the seemingly picture-perfect travelers, cheerful hotel employees, and idyllic locale itself. Each season follows a new cast of characters with a greater mystery lying at the center of each new location.
Release Date July 11, 2021
Seasons 2
Showrunner Mike White
Following a well-received first season that gradually grew in popularity, The White Lotus has become phenomenally successful following its second season. While the first season turned heads for its satire of wealthy and entitled families, the second season won multiple major awards and became one of the most streamed shows on Max thanks to word of mouth.
As the show is about the privileged acting on their worst impulses, it always leads to one or several deaths, making it such a unique mystery series as well as a biting satire. Though the "kill the rich" narrative has become overly used in recent years, no other show or movie pulls it off like The White Lotus. With The White Lotus season 3 on its way, it will follow the trend of a new cast of characters with the likes of Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, and Walton Goggins.
5 Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-2024)
12 Seasons, 120 Episodes
Curb Your Enthusiasm is a Comedy television show created by Larry David, the same creative mind behind the wildly popular sitcom, Seinfeld. Starring Larry David himself, along with Cheryl Hines, and Jeff Garlin, the show acts as a semi-fictionalized look at Larry's every day life and the people he would come in contact with.
Release Date October 15, 2000
Seasons 12
Showrunner Jeff Schaffer
It is quite impressive that Larry David went from making one of the most popular sitcoms in history with Seinfeld to following it up with another one of the most successful sitcoms in history with Curb Your Enthusiasm. The show follows David who plays an exaggerated version of himself as he finds himself making the worst out of typical and relatable social situations.
The show's success is clearly due to David's comedic ability. The comedy show constantly stays fresh with frequent new characters as well as creative and humorous plot lines that cleverly dovetail. Like Seinfeld, it was a show that was not at all concerned with making a likable main character and instead only worried about delivering the laughs. For fans of comedy that uses uncomfortable situations and cringe-worthy interactions, there was no better show on the air. Curb Your Enthusiasm finally ended in season 12, wrapping up HBO's most popular comedy series.
4 Succession (2018-2023)
4 Seasons, 39 Episodes
Succession is a Black Comedy and Satire television show created by Jesse Armstrong. It stars Hiam Abbass, Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox, and Kieran Culkin and follows the story of an aging conglomerate owner as he deals with his declining health and the sudden realization that one of his children will soon inherit his position and run his company.
Release Date June 3, 2018
Seasons 4
Showrunner Jesse Armstrong
One of the more recent shows on HBO to make a huge pop culture impact has been Succession. The show sets up a Shakespearean story of a family within the modern corporate world. When the powerful patriarch Logan Roy shows signs of being ready to step down from his massive media company, the Roy family engages in an intense and chaotic struggle for power over who should take over.
With corporate business dramas on the rise in popularity in recent years, it's no surprise that Succession would quickly rise to the top and has become one of the most popular HBO shows of all time, as it also juggles a unique yet complicated family dynamic. It is filled with complex and fascinating characters who are hugely compelling to watch even when they are detestable. The show's popularity could be down to recency bias, but Succession and its ending are sure to stand the test of time.
3 The Sopranos (1999-2007)
6 Seasons, 86 Episodes
Considered to be a quintessential drama series to watch, The Sopranos is a crime-drama series that follows Tony Soprano, who tries to manage the expectations of an Italian-American patriarch while acting as the head of a prolific New Jersey crime family. Burdened by the stress of the expectations thrust upon him, Tony regularly visits a therapist throughout the series run. This helps give context to Tony's actions as a ruthless boss with violent tendencies.
Release Date January 10, 1999
Seasons 6
Showrunner David Chase
the wildly successful series offers an alternative point-of-view, which has been applauded by both critics and general audiences
While good mafia-centered television has become popular, the 21-time Emmy-winning series The Sopranos is the absolute gold standard of the genre, and it was the very foundation of the modern-day serial gangster drama. The Sopranos touches on the mob boss world, while Tony also struggles with his family life, leading him to seek counseling. It becomes a brilliant look inside the crime world and a man like Tony Soprano who paved the way for television protagonists who could be horrible people yet audiences still wanted to watch.
It is hard to overstate the influence The Sopranos had on television with it encouraging a new wave of challenging storytelling. Though it'd be easy to assume that mob members are confident and cutthroat leaders, the wildly successful series offers an alternative point-of-view, which has been applauded by both critics and general audiences. Even years since its finale, The Sopranoscontinues to be one of the most popular shows HBO has ever produced.
2 Sex And The City (1998-2004)
6 Seasons, 94 Episodes
Sex in the City follows Carrie Bradshaw, a New York writer who finds inspiration for her column from the genuine, emotional, and often humorous exploits of life in the city. Joined by best friends Miranda Hobbes, Charlotte York, and Samantha Jones, Sex and the City follows the ups and downs of the characters' romantic relationships, being single, sex, and friendship as 30-something women.
Release Date June 6, 1998
Seasons 6
Showrunner Darren Star
the characters are the reason people fell in love with the show
Like Entourage, Sex and the City has become so popular because it's a show where audiences can live vicariously through its characters. The series follows four women living an extremely fashionable lifestyle in New York, going to the best clubs and parties, wearing designer clothes, and connecting over cosmos. However, the characters are the reason people fell in love with the show, as these four friends and their various romances were always entertaining.
Sex and the City was a pivotal show in making HBO a network to watch with more mature programming than seen on network television. The series had the most successful movie sequel of any TV show ever, as the 2008 Sex and the City movie made $418 million worldwide, and it even spawned a sequel in 2010. 25 years after the pilot aired, Sex and the City still hasn't dwindled in popularity, as And Just Like That season 2 premiered in 2023.
1 Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)
8 Seasons, 73 Episodes
Based on George R.R. Martin's novels, this fantasy series follows the power struggles among noble families as they vie for control of the Iron Throne in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. The series is known for its complex characters, political intrigue, and unexpected plot twists.
Release Date April 17, 2011
Seasons 8
Showrunner David Benioff , D.B. Weiss
Game of Thrones is another HBO series that changed television forever with the scale and budget convincing people that television shows could rival movies in this respect. Based on George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire book series, the fantasy show takes audiences to Westeros to explore the various Great Houses battling for the Iron Throne. In a world of ice zombies, dragons, and magic, Game of Thrones delivered thrills and iconic surprises for eight seasons.
Between Game of Thrones' visually breathtaking scenes and intense, action-packed moments, the show remains one of HBO's most popular series to date. Though the dark content of gore and explicit material isn't for everyone, Game of Thrones remains iconic for its twists, turns, violence, and vivid characters. Even though the final season was slammed by fans and critics, that was when it was ironically at its most popular. Its lasting legacy is clear with several Game of Thrones spinoffs securing it as HBO's biggest franchise.
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