Finding a great new show to binge watch can be a challenge with the overabundance of options across streaming platforms. With its vast library of acclaimed original programming and popular shows, HBO Max has quickly become a top destination for must-see TV.
Whether you enjoy complex dramas, irreverent comedies, fascinating documentaries or dazzling spectacles, HBO Max has something to satisfy all tastes. As more and more remarkable series are added to HBO Max every month, it can be difficult to narrow down what to start streaming next.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the absolute best HBO Max series that no one should miss. Ranging across genres from sci-fi to satire, these are the 10 shows that rise above the rest for their gripping stories, dynamic characters and standout filmmaking.
1. Succession (2018 – Present)
This biting drama centers on the Roy family, the dysfunctional owners of a global media conglomerate vying for power as their aging patriarch considers stepping down. Tracking the backstabbing and shifting alliances among the potential heirs, Succession subverts expectations at every turn thanks to its clever writing and exceptional ensemble cast. It offers an engrossing look at wealth, politics and human nature itself that makes for irresistibly addictive viewing.
Target Audience: Fans of prestige dramas, dark comedies, satire
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
2. Barry (2018 – Present)
Bill Hader shines in this pitch-black comedy as the title character, a military veteran turned hitman who unexpectedly discovers a passion for acting while on a job in Los Angeles. The show deftly balances tense suspense, uproarious humor and genuine pathos as Barry tries to leave his violent past behind and reinvent himself in the L.A. theater scene, often with disastrous results. With its wholly original premise exploring existential questions about change and redemption, Barry keeps you constantly surprised scene after scene.
Target Audience: Fans of dark comedies, antihero stories
Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
3. The White Lotus (2021 – Present)
One of HBO’s most talked-about recent shows, this satirical drama from Mike White takes place at an exclusive Hawaiian resort, following the exploits of various guests and employees over the span of a highly transformative week. Offering hilarious yet biting commentary on wealth, entitlement and social dynamics, The White Lotus features razor-sharp writing brought to life by an exceptional ensemble cast. Both seasons deliver thoroughly entertaining yet thought-provoking social satire through a binge-worthy vacation tale.
Target Audience: Fans of dark comedies, satire, cringe humor
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
4. Westworld (2016 – Present)
HBO’s epic sci-fi series takes place in a futuristic theme park where humanoid “hosts” cater to wealthy visitors’ every desire. When the A.I. robots begin gaining sentience, chaos and mind-bending questions ensue about the nature of reality and who is really in control. With its outstanding production values, effects and visuals, Westworld offers an expansive, thought-provoking journey into the implications of advanced technology and the human psyche itself.
Target Audience: Sci-fi fans, viewers who enjoy complex mythologies and philosophies
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
5. Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000 – Present)
Larry David plays a fictionalized version of himself in this long-running improvised comedy, landing in various misadventures and awkward social situations largely of his own making thanks to his complete lack of tact or self-awareness. Cleverly mocking societal customs and human idiosyncrasies with David’s trademark brand of cringe humor, Curb Your Enthusiasm remains as hilarious and relevant as ever over 20 years later. Its observations and uncomfortable scenarios elicit nonstop laughter for the entire 10 season run.
Target Audience: Fans of cringe comedy, satire, improv humor
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
6. Euphoria (2019 – Present)
Zendaya leads the ensemble cast of this boundary-pushing teen drama exploring provocative themes of sex, drugs and identity among high school students. Unflinching in its raw depictions of Gen Z experiences, Euphoria balances its darker moments with emotional resonance and stylistic flair from creator Sam Levinson. The show has struck a chord particularly among younger viewers for presenting a refreshing level of realism in its coming-of-age portrait.
Target Audience: Older teens, young adults, fans of gritty dramas
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
7. Veep (2012 – 2019)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is riotously funny as the ambitious yet often inept Vice President (later President) Selina Meyer in this political satire. Showcasing the hilarious incompetence and absurdities of D.C. politics, Veep earned acclaim for its clever, blisteringly quick-witted writing delivered flawlessly by its talented ensemble. Whether depicting PR disasters, campaign meltdowns or international incidents, this show spotlights the buffoonery of government through Selina’s ceaseless and often fruitless quest for prestige.
Target Audience: Fans of political comedies, satire, cringe humor
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
8. Game of Thrones (2011 – 2019)
HBO’s pop culture phenomenon brought George R.R. Martin’s expansive fantasy world to vivid life on an epic scale over 8 seasons. Following warring kingdoms and mythical battles for control of Westeros, Game of Thrones immersed viewers in its richly developed domains of dragons, knights and dynamic clans vying for dominance. The show’s spectacular production design and effects paired with intricately woven storylines kept fans passionately engaged, captivated by stunning landscapes and complex characters.
Target Audience: Fantasy fans, devotees of medieval sagas
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
9. Insecure (2016 – 2021)
Issa Rae shines as a young Black woman navigating personal and professional struggles in modern-day Los Angeles in this groundbreaking comedy series she created. Offering an authentic and often hilarious portrayal of the Black female experience, Insecure explores career woes, relationship drama and self-identity with heart, humor and captivating storytelling focused on an underrepresented point of view.
Target Audience: Women, Black viewers, fans of slice-of-life comedies
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
10. The Sopranos (1999 – 2007)
Widely considered one of the greatest TV series ever made, this mob drama centers on anxiety-prone boss Tony Soprano juggling family troubles, panic attacks and running the New Jersey mafia. Blending tense drama with dark comedy, The Sopranos offers an engrossing exploration of morality and human psychology through Tony’s attempts to reconcile his criminal career with suburban family life. Powerful writing and performances have made Tony Soprano himself one of pop culture’s most iconic antiheroes.
Target Audience: Fans of prestige dramas, antihero stories, mob sagas
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Conclusion
This selection illustrates the first-rate original programming HBO Max has to offer across genres from comedy to action to historical drama. Whether you’re looking for a complex antihero saga, biting satire, mind-bending sci-fi or simply nonstop laughs, HBO Max delivers some of television’s most remarkable shows.
With more stellar new series arriving all the time like The Last of Us and so many options to explore, HBO Max provides endless hours of outstanding entertainment. So power up the streaming and get ready to discover your next television obsession.
