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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 January 2025 to include Shining Vale.
‘Shining Vale’ (2022 - 2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 71% | IMDb: 7.0/10
Release Date March 6, 2022
Courteney Cox stars in this blend of comedy, fantasy, and horror created by Jeff Astrof and Sharon Horgan. Having moved to a sleepy new town, Cox’s Pat Phelps is convinced she is possessed and that the town’s dark history is haunting them. However, it seems no one else is experiencing quite the same happenings. Is it all just in Pat’s head, is it real, or is it somehow both? A funny, clever series with plenty of refreshing content, Shining Vale starts life as a recognizable horror comedy, then quickly weaves into innovation. Cox is delightful as Pat, supported by a strong ensemble that boasts the likes of Greg Kinnear and Gus Birney. Shining Vale might just be the shining new addition to your watchlist. - Jake Hodges
'Conan O'Brien Must Go' (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 8.5/10
Conan O'Brien Must Go
Release Date April 18, 2024
As the title suggests, Conan O'Brien Must Go is a travel show that follows the beloved former late-night host on a series of adventures around the world. The reality series builds off O’Brien’s podcast Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend and shows O'Brien traveling to Norway, Argentina, Thailand, and Ireland to meet fans who were previously featured on the podcast via video calls. Conan O’Brien Must Go has received largely favorable reviews from critics, with Collider’s Tania Hussain calling it an "inventive and wildly hilarious series”. It’s not exactly a by-the-books travel show; instead, the series uses O’Brien’s signature sense of humor to parody such generic travelogues while still having some fun in interesting new places. At only four episodes long, the series is great for a quick, easy binge-watch — especially if you’re a fan of the star’s particular brand of comedy.
‘Bookie’ (2023 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.4/10
Bookie
Release Date November 30, 2023
Also titled How to Be a Bookie, this Max comedy follows the ups, downs, and in-betweens of the titular profession, all amidst the swirling instability of modern life and a changing professional landscape. Brilliantly funny from minute one, Bookie has earned itself a 90% Rotten Tomatoes rating — and for good reason. Featuring a selection of hilarious lead performances, each as unique as the last, Bookie should definitely be next on any comedy fan’s watchlist. - Jake Hodges
‘Frozen Planet II’ (2022 - 2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 75% | IMDb: 9.0/10
Frozen Planet II
Release Date September 11, 2022
Cast David Attenborough , Dion Poncet , Sacha Thorpe , Helen Hobin , Raymond Besant , Sam Lewis , Bjørne Kvernmo , Erin McFadden , Jamie McPherson , Hugh Miller , Rachel Scott , Diego Araya , Dawson Dunning , Leigh Hickmott , Matt Erhardt , Will Lawson , Justin Maguire , Sridhar Anandakrishnan , Katey Walter Anthony , Gennadiy Fedorov , Bill Fraser , James Grecian , Alun Hubbard , Jessica Meir , Aleqatsiaq Peary
Sir David Attenborough’s impact on the nature documentary is unmatched, with many decades of dedicated work earning him the title of the world’s best in the genre. One of his more recent series, Frozen Planet II, follows on from the success of the first, venturing to the coldest parts of our fascinating planet and documenting the weird and wonderful wildlife that live there. Simply jaw-dropping, Frozen Planet II somehow outperforms the first in its eye-popping scale, proving that this often bleak world we live in is, in fact, full of awe and wonder. - Jake Hodges
‘Get Millie Black’ (2024 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 6.0/10
Release Date November 25, 2024
Cast Tamara Lawrance , Joe Dempsie , Gershwyn Eustache Jnr , Chyna McQueen , Nestor Aaron Absera , Shernet Swearine , Karen Smyth , Polina Sulim , Sam Buchanan , Anjli Mohindra , Daniel Charles Doherty , Lucas Jones , Guy Robbins , Emma Cater , Hannah Boyde , Melessa Vassell , Joanna Ignaczewska , Rachel Sophia-Anthony , Sonia Amini , Joseph Samimi , Maya R. Wilkinson , Ayesha Griffiths , Julian Amos
Created by Marlon James, this crime drama follows Tamara Lawrence’s titular Millie-Jean Black, who returns to Kingston after leaving her job as a Scotland Yard detective. Now working in a missing persons unit, Black is about to uncover a winding mystery that will throw her life into chaos. A gripping tale perfectly led by Lawrence, Get Millie Black is both immersive and gorgeous, with the Jamaican backdrop making for a picturesque location to stage such a mystery. For those looking to experience authentic voices telling tales close to their heart, this is a great place to start. - Jake Hodges
‘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
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
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
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
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
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