Sign in to your Collider account
Good shows on HBO are plentiful — even great ones aren't hard to come by. The platform has earned its prestige TV distinction, and its streaming service has the luxury of housing classic favorites like Friends alongside more recent Emmy-winning masterpieces like Succession and The White Lotus. There's a lot of excellent content to choose from: Here's our list of the best shows on HBO Max to help you get started.
For more recommendations, check out our list of the best movies on HBO, the best drama movies on HBO, and the best horror movies on HBO.
Editor's note: This article was updated December 2024 to include Creature Commandos.
‘Creature Commandos’ (2024 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.9/10
Release Date December 5, 2024
The most exciting new animated addition to Max, Creature Commandos follows an unlikely team of misfits assembled as a black ops unit comprised of a human leader, a werewolf, a vampire, Frankenstein's monster, and a gorgon. The first television installment in the new DCU, Creature Commandos is bursting with vibrant life. Packed full of enticing action and plenty of creator James Gunn’s enigmatic style, Creature Commandos is the perfect start to this fresh era of DC as the tide of the superhero media landscape begins to once again turn. - Jake Hodges
‘Like Water for Chocolate’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.8/10
Release Date November 3, 2024
Cast Andres Baida , Azul Guaita , Irene Azuela , Ari Brickman , Ana Valeria Becerril , Andrea Chaparro , Ángeles Cruz
This brand-new series based on the novel of the same name tells the endearing tale of Tita (Azul Guaita) and Pedro (Andres Baida), a couple destined to be together whose familial differences seem to constantly thwart their efforts. Sincerely touching and bathed in the quest for love we all undertake, Like Water for Chocolate is a story that will live long in your memory. If you’re looking for something heartwarming to take the chill out of these winter nights, Like Water for Chocolate is the series for you. - Jake Hodges
‘Dune: Prophecy’ (2024 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 73% | IMDb: 7.5/10
Release Date November 17, 2024
A prequel to Denis Villeneuve’s beloved 2021 sci-fi epic Dune, Prophecy follows the creation of a mysterious all-female order called the Bene Gesserit by sisters Valya (Emily Watson) and Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams). For those (and there are many) who adored Villeneuve’s Dune, this prequel set 10,000 years before Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) joined the Fremen offers greater scope to a wholly immersive tale. A breathtaking addition to a franchise known for its visual beauty, Dune: Prophecy is a worthy addition to this ever-growing series. - Jake Hodges
'South Side' (2019 - 2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.2/10
Your changes have been saved
South Side
Release Date July 24, 2019
Creator Diallo Riddle, Bashir Salahuddin, Sultan Salahuddin
Created by Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle, South Side tells the story of two best friends who have a goal to succeed as businessmen. The main characters, Simon and Kareme, played by Sulta Salahuddin (Black-ish) and Kareme Young (The Chi), respectively, recently graduated from community college and are working at a rent-to-own store. Premiering in 2019 on Comedy Central, the show ran for three seasons and also starred Chandra Russel (Sherman's Showcase), Bashir Salahuddin (Top Gun: Maverick), Quincy Young (Vitamin C), and Zuri Salahaddin (The Sound of Shadows).
With a homemade mockumentary feel, the show delivers just as many heartwarming moments as it does funny ones. The antics that our heroes get into are all in an honest attempt to make their lives better and that of their families and loved ones. The inclusion of Simon and Kareme's families creates moments of reality in their otherwise chaotic lives and leaves viewers understanding the method behind their business madness. - Emily Cappello
'Los Espookys' (2019 - 2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.5/10
Release Date June 14, 2019
This eye-popping blend of comedy, fantasy, and horror follows a group of friends who turn their passion, as well as the spooky location they live in, into their livelihood. With each of them a fan of the horror genre, the friends soon figure out that there’s a gap in the market for their content, with their faked horror movie scenarios and unexplained footage becoming an instant hit. But just how far are they willing to go?
Just as its premise suggests, Los Espookys is both a light-hearted tale and an often genuinely terrifying visual experience. Given its dedication to nailing many of the horror tropes so beloved by fans of the genre, the team behind Los Espookys used the comedy element to their story to subvert expectations, delivering an unexpectedly dry and always intelligent brand of humor that elevates this series into a unique viewing opportunity. Supported by a talented ensemble, Los Espookys delivers in every department and will certainly leave you far from disappointed. - Jake Hodges
‘Breath of Fire’ (2024)
IMDb: 6.8/10
Your changes have been saved
Breath of Fire
Release Date October 23, 2024
This brand-new documentary miniseries, directed and produced by Hayley Pappas and Smiley Stevens, follows the controversial life of Kundalini yoga teacher Guru Jagat and the rise of her spiritual teachings against the backdrop of abuse accusations. A bewildering, fast-paced miniseries with plenty of twists and turns, Breath of Fire is not simply a one-sided documentary, offering a range of perspectives on a topic full of nuance. However, it certainly doesn’t shy away from the controversies themselves, with Breath of Fire thriving as a critically intelligent piece of television. - Jake Hodges
‘Uzumaki’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.2/10
Your changes have been saved
Uzumaki
Release Date February 11, 2000
Director Higuchinsky
Cast Eriko Hatsune , Fhi Fan , Hinako Saeki , Shin Eun-kyung , Keiko Takahashi , Ren Ôsugi , Denden , Masami Horiuchi
Runtime 90 Minutes
This terrifying anime, based on the Japanese manga of the same name by Junji Ito, is set in Kurouza, a land whose population loves spirals. However, as their fondness grows into an obsession, the consequences become bloody and edge toward fatal. Beloved by many, the source material for the series was always likely to require a meticulously crafted television adaptation. Thankfully, this is just that. Nail-biting and unafraid of gut-punching moments, Uzumaki is certainly not for the faint-hearted. Whether you’re aware of the original manga or not, this is well worth your time. - Jake Hodges
‘The Penguin’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Release Date September 19, 2024
Colin Farrell’s transformative performance as Oswald Cobblepot in 2022’s The Batman made for one of the best secondary antagonists in superhero cinema history. Now, and rightfully so, he is receiving his own series set straight after the events of the aforementioned film. With Gotham City flooded, Cobblepot (The Penguin) looks to take advantage and start molding the criminal underworld in his image. Inspired by crime series such as The Sopranos, The Penguin is a gritty crime drama disguised as a big-budget superhero series. Full of dark twists, the show holds your attention from its first episode and never lets go, making for an experience that both dutifully sets up the upcoming Batman sequel without wasting any of its own time - Jake Hodges
‘Industry’ (2020 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.2/10
Release Date November 9, 2020
Created by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, Industry is a British-American drama series that follows a group of young finance graduates in London working at Pierpoint & Co, a prestigious investment bank, where they find themselves caught in an intense no-holds-barred competition to stay afloat. Set in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, Industry gives an inside look at the high-pressure world of high finance, the cut-throat competition within the industry’s biggest firms, and its impact on professionals. The series features a large ensemble cast with Marisa Abela, Myha'la Herrold, Harry Lawtey, David Jonsson, and Ken Leung as the main characters. Kit Harington, Sarah Goldberg, and Fady Elsayed joined the cast for the third season. Industry premiered in November 2020 and has had three seasons so far, all critically acclaimed. The show has received great praise for its social critique, crisp narrative, and excellent performances, with a slick and sharp storytelling style that’s often compared to shows like Succession and Billions.
‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 9.4/10
Release Date September 9, 2001
This widely acclaimed miniseries from 2001 follows the harrowing journey of "E" Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division during the Second World War. From their days in training to the bloody final days of the war, Band of Brothers depicts the ups and downs of their road to physical victory and emotional loss. Considered by many to be the greatest depiction of war ever put on the small screen, Band of Brothers is a visceral, overwhelming experience that pushed boundaries upon its initial release. A winner of six Primetime Emmys, the series is an emotional rollercoaster that is both faithful to its source material as well as ambitious in its style. Gritty, heartfelt, and deftly designed, Band of Brothers is one of the shows everyone must see once in their lifetime. - Jake Hodges
'Ren Faire' (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 6.7/10
Your changes have been saved
Ren Faire
When the ailing king of America's largest renaissance festival declares his retirement, an epic power struggle ensues between an actor, a former elephant trainer, and a kettle-corn kingpin to claim his throne.
Genre Documentary
Debut Date June 2, 2024
This Max docu-series follows a fight for power triggered by the retirement of the king of America's largest Renaissance festival, King George Coulam. After vacating his throne to focus on romance, the fight is on between three of his biggest allies to claim a seat at the head of the table. The impressive power of the documentary medium is on full display in Ren Faire, with the levels to which the trio are willing to go to win the throne nothing short of a classic Greek or Shakespearean tragedy. Not just a fascinating tale, Ren Faire is also an aesthetic delight, with the cinematography worthy of plenty of admiration. A tale unlike any other, Ren Faire is one of the best new docu-series available on streaming. - Jake Hodges
'My Adventures with Superman' (2023 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 7.7/10
Release Date July 6, 2023
This animated addition to the Superman story follows a young Clark Kent, voiced by Jack Quaid, as he slowly builds his new identity as a superhero. With Metropolis under his watchful eye, Kent is able to fight off any physical opponent — that is until he meets any young person’s greatest foe: their own coming-of-age. A wonderful blend of teen angst and great superhero animation, My Adventures with Superman is both a terrific ode to the legacy of one of media’s greatest heroes and a refreshing addition to modern television. Aesthetically delightful and oozing charisma, there’s no wonder this series so quickly returned for a second season. - Jake Hodges
'The Sympathizer' (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 79% IMDb: 7.3/10
Release Date April 14, 2024
The Sympathizer is a historical black comedy drama miniseries that follows a North Vietnam spy living in a South Vietnam refugee community in the US, where he continues to report back to the Viet Cong. Director Park Chan-wook and Don Mckellar are credited as co-creators and co-showrunners of the series, which is based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s eponymous 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Hoa Xuande leads the show’s stellar cast as the main character, the Captain, with Robert Downey Jr. as a series regular and Sandra Oh, David Duchovny, and John Cho in recurring roles. With a masterful director behind the camera and a stellar cast in front of it, The Sympathizer has received largely positive reviews from critics upon its debut on HBO and Max, especially for the performance of its star, Hoa Xuande. Robert Downey Jr. delivers a can’t-miss performance as well, appearing as several antagonists. A fascinating, darkly satirical show, The Sympathizer offers a unique perspective on the Vietnam War courtesy of some of the brightest minds in the industry.
'Righteous Gemstones' (2019 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Release Date August 18, 2019
It is rare that a show is as perfectly cast as the ensemble of The Righteous Gemstones. The acting is so insanely good, in fact, that you may find yourself in disbelief that the show isn't a documentary. The show, created by Danny McBride (Pineapple Express) and executive produced and often directed by David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express), the show follows the Gemstone family, made up of father Eli Gemstone (John Goodman) and children Jesse (McBride), Kelvin (Adam DeVine), and Judy (the incomparable Edi Patterson). Also along for the wild ride is Jesse's wife Amber (Cassidy Freeman), Judy's insanely dorky and lovable husband BJ (Tim Baltz), and Kelvin's incredibly loyal friend (and love interest) Keefe (Tony Cavalero).
The Gemstones run a mega-church that was started by Eli and his late wife Aimee-Lee (singer Jennifer Nettles), with his three children constantly butting heads over who will run it once their father retires. Eli deals with an adoring community, rival mega-churches, and his own family. Each season surpasses the last, and with a fourth season in production, fans hopefully won't have to wait much longer to hear a sermon by their favorite imperfect TV family. - Emily Cappello
'Curb Your Enthusiasm' (2000 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 8.8/10
The life and times of Larry David and the predicaments he gets himself into with his friends and complete strangers.
Release Date October 15, 2000
Since its premiere in October of 2000, Curb Your Enthusiasm has taken the comedy world by storm. Created by and starring Larry David, the show follows a fictionalized version of David as he goes through the world with his friends and those he has yet to meet. The series also stars Jeff Garlin (Safety Not Guaranteed), Cheryl Hines (The Ugly Truth), Susie Essman (Cop Out), and J.B. Smoove (Spider-Man: Far From Home). Other star-studded appearances include Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld), Vince Vaughn (The Internship), Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld), Lou DiMaggio (NCIS), Ben Stiller (Tropic Thunder), and Mel Brooks (Spaceballs), just to name a few.
Focusing on the little things that happen in everyday life, Curb Your Enthusiasm is outlined by David and largely improvised during filming. The show has been nominated for 47 Emmy Awards, most notably its Outstanding Comedy Series nominations for 10 out of its 12 seasons. While the show didn't air from 2012 to 2016, it returned in 2017 for its ninth season and was renewed for a 12th and final season that's airing in February of 2024. - Emily Cappello
'Scenes from a Marriage' (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 83% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Your changes have been saved
Scenes From a Marriage
Release Date September 12, 2021
Seasons 1
Scenes from a Marriage is a miniseries that originally aired in 1973 on Swedish television and gained international acclaim for its insightful exploration of the complexities of marital relationships. In 2021, an English-language adaptation of the same name was released on HBO starring Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac. The series follows the evolving relationship between Jonathan and Mira over several years, with the narrative divided into five episodes, each depicting crucial moments in their marriage.
While the 2021 version of Scenes From a Marriage might be seen as an unnecessary remake, the stellar performances of Chastain and Isaac elevate it to a point where it feels indispensable. The success of the show hinges on the exceptional chemistry and masterful performances of the leading couple, who flawlessly deliver poignant and charged dialogue as the marriage begins to unravel. While this isn't a novel theme to delve into, the series remains an intelligent and insightful examination of modern relationships. With potent dialogue and meticulously crafted characters, it stands as a compelling rival to Marriage Story in terms of raw emotive power and evokes shades of Closer for its painful, unspoken truths. - Jessie Nguyen
'Chernobyl' (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 9.3/10
Release Date June 3, 2019
Rating
Seasons 1
Widely regarded as one of the greatest miniseries of all time, Chernobyl unfolds at the time of the titular tragedy in April 1986 as a devastating explosion at a nuclear power station leaves thousands of lives at risk. This story takes place in the subsequent days following the disaster and looks in detail at the lives of all involved, from those caught in the tragedy and those who sought to save others.
The epitome of tension, Chernobyl is a mind-blowing, gutwrenching tale made all the more visceral because of its truth. Starring the likes of Jessie Buckley and Jared Harris, the story weaves in and out from one tearjerking scene to another, with a set of episodes that will barely give you time to catch your breath. Thanks to its awe-inspiring production design and dedication to realism, the series bagged itself a total of 10 Primetime Emmys among a plethora of other awards — a staggering feat, seeing as it is only five episodes long. - Jake Hodges
'A Black Lady Sketch Show' (2019 - 2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.5/10
Your changes have been saved
A Black Lady Sketch Show
Release Date August 2, 2019
Cast Robin Thede , Gabrielle Dennis , Ashley Nicole Black , Skye Townsend
Main Genre Comedy
Seasons 4
Doing exactly what it says on the tin, A Black Lady Sketch Show stars Robin Thede in her very own sketch comedy series that also features the likes of Quinta Brunson, Laci Mosley, and Ashley Nicole Black, as well as many guest stars. From women running away from an ominous fog to a surprise trip in a hot air balloon, no scenario-based stone is left unturned.
For many, sketch comedy is light-hearted entertainment, but for Robin Thede and the team behind A Black Lady Sketch Show, it is a pioneering voice for change in a comedic sub-genre long dominated by white men. Refreshingly, the entire cast shines in each of the 24 episodes, with everyone getting their moment to deliver a killer punchline or two. Intelligent, fast-paced, and always surprising, this is one of modern television’s best sketch shows. - Jake Hodges
'Somebody Somewhere' (2022 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Sam is a true Kansan on the surface but beneath it all struggles to fit the hometown mold. As she grapples with loss and acceptance, singing is Sam’s saving grace and leads her on a journey to discover herself and a community of outsiders that don’t fit in but don’t give up, showing that finding your people, and finding your voice, is possible. Anywhere. Somewhere.
Release Date January 16, 2022
Creator Hannah Bos, Paul Thureen
This tear-jerking comedy/drama follows Bridget Everett as Sam, a woman now in her 40s who desperately seeks some sort of meaning and happiness in her busy life. Having spent her life in Kansas, she still doesn’t feel like she quite fits in, making for an existence on the fringes that pushes Sam into an existential crisis. This crisis is made considerably worse by the passing of her sister; however, Sam’s battle with grief and identity is helped when she meets a group of fellow outsiders.
Somebody Somewhere is a story that touches the hearts of us all. Speaking to our innermost insecurities and telling them it’s all going to be okay, the series is a delightfully therapeutic experience that feels both life-affirming and often tragically gut-wrenching. However, this tale always has time for a joke or two, with the often visceral melancholy cut through the middle by a side-splitting gag. Ready to make you laugh and cry in joyful abundance, Somebody Somewhere is simply divine. - Jake Hodges
English (US) ·