by 
Since its launch as a premium television network in the 70s, HBO has cemented itself as a powerhouse of groundbreaking shows. With its venture into the streaming market in 2020 through Max, HBO’s audience reach has expanded and continues to further its reputation as home to the best shows to ever grace our television screens. From award-winning fantasy epics, suspenseful whodunnits, and comedic satires, viewers will never run out of entertainment options to indulge in with Max’s collection of diverse and high-quality original programming. Check out 27 of the best shows to watch on Max:
Table of Contents
Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Creator: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, George R. R. Martin
Cast: Emilia Clarke, Kit Harrington, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner
Genre: Fantasy, Drama
Runtime: 57 minutes
Plot: Dubbed as one the greatest television shows of all time, “Game of Thrones” follows the ancient royal families of Westeros as they embroil in epic battles to claim the Iron Throne and seize control over the Seven Kingdoms, while an undead enemy from the far North threatens to unleash an eternal winter that will bring a catastrophic end to all of humanity.
The Sopranos (1999-2007)
Creator: David Chase
Cast: James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, Lorraine Bracco, Steven Van Zandt
Genre: Crime, Drama
Runtime: 55 minutes
Plot: Prior to the massive success of “Game of Thrones,” the gangster series “The Sopranos” held the title of HBO’s flagship series. The series follows patriarch Tony Soprano seeking professional help as he grapples with the challenges of family life and being a mob boss in New Jersey.
Succession (2018-2023)
Creator: Jesse Armstrong
Cast: Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook, Nicholas Braun, Matthew Macfadyen, Alan Ruck, J. Smith-Cameron, Justine Lupe, Alexander Skarsgard
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Runtime: 1 hour
Plot: In this latest HBO triumph, “Succession” explores America’s ruthless corporate world as media mogul Logan Roy steps down as CEO of Waystar Royco, leaving his four ambitious children — Kendall, Shiv, Roman, and Connor — vying for the coveted legacy he left.
The Last Of Us (2023–)
Creators: Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann
Cast: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Runtime: 50 minutes
Plot: Decades after a mind-eating fungal virus takes over the world, smuggler Joe embarks on a perilous journey to take charge of a 14-year-old girl who might be the only key to humanity’s survival.
The White Lotus (2021–)
Director: Mike White
Cast: Jennifer Coolidge, Jon Gries, Aubrey Plaza, Michael Imperiolie, F. Murray Abraham, Will Sharpe, Simona Tabasco, Theo James, Meghann Fahy, Adam DiMarco, Sydney Sweeney, Alexandra Daddario, Murray Bartlett
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Runtime: 55 minutes
Plot: The lives of the wealthy guests and the staff of the tropical White Lotus resort chains intertwine in intense encounters, leading to unexpected revelations and deadly consequences.
Chernobyl (2019)
Creator: Craig Mazin
Cast: Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Emily Watson, Jessie Buckley, Paul Ritter,
Genre: History, Drama, Thriller
Runtime: 1 hour
Plot: This critically-acclaimed five-part HBO miniseries dramatizes the events that lead to the catastrophic explosion of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Russia in 1986, along with its fatal aftermath that lingers on within its vicinity to this day.
True Detective (2014–)
Creator: Nic Pizzolatto
Cast: Woody Harrelson, Matthew McConaughey, Michelle Monaghan, Colin Farell, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams
Genre: Crime, Mystery
Runtime: 55 minutes
Plot: This anthology series follows a pair of detectives as they investigate a series of disturbing and interconnected crimes that span several decades, delving into the darkest corners of the human psyche while grappling with their own personal demons.
Band of Brothers (2001)
Creators: Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg
Cast: Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston, Donnie Wahlberg, Matthew Settle, Scott Grimes, Eion Bailey, Michael Cudlitz, Neal McDonough, Rick Gomez
Genre: Drama, Action
Runtime: 1 hour
Plot: Created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, “Band of Brothers” is a groundbreaking war miniseries that dramatizes the real-life experiences of the Easy Company, a group of paratroopers who endure the horrors of warfare, from their rigorous training to their sacrifice on the frontlines during World War II.
Six Feet Under (2001-2005)
Creator: Alan Ball
Cast: Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, Frances Conroy, Lauren Ambrose, Freddy Rodriguez, Mathew St. Patrick, Jeremy Sisto, Rachel Griffiths, James Cromwell, Justina Machado
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Runtime: 1 hour
Plot: “Six Feet Under” follows the Fisher family as they navigate the highs and lows of running a funeral home while dealing with personal issues, family dynamics, and existential questions.
Big Little Lies (2017-2019)
Creator: David E. Kelley
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, Zoë Kravitz, Adam Scott, James Tupper, Jeffrey Nordling, Iain Armitage, Kathryn Newton, Alexander Skarsgård, and Meryl Streep
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Runtime: 1 hour
Plot: The seemingly peaceful suburban town of Monterey becomes a backdrop for a web of lies and secrets when five affluent mothers get involved in a murder mystery.
Westworld (2016-2022)
Creators: Jonathan Nolan, Lisa Joy
Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, James Marsden, Tessa Thompson, Ed Harris, Aaron Paul
Genre: Sci-fi, Drama, Mystery
Runtime: 1 hour
Plot: Set in the near future and a reimagined past, “Westworld” introduces an immersive theme park filled with lifelike robots, where guests can indulge in their darkest desires without consequences.
Euphoria (2019–)
Creator: Sam Levinson
Cast: Zendaya, Maude Apatow, Angus Cloud, Eric Dane, Alexa Demie, Barbie Ferreira, Nika King, Storm Reid, Algee Smith, Hunter Schafer, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 55 minutes
Plot: Sam Levinson’s “Euphoria” offers a provocative look at the troubled lives of a group of high school students as they face the complicated landscape of love, drugs, identity, and trauma.
True Blood (2008-2014)
Creator: Alan Ball
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgård, Ryan Kwanten, Rutina Wesley, Sam Trammell, Nelsan Ellis, Chris Bauer, Deborah Ann Woll, Carrie Preston
Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Mystery
Runtime: 55 minutes
Plot: In a world where vampires and humans coexist, “True Blood” follows the mortal Sookie Stackhouse as she navigates love, lust, supernatural forces, and the societal struggles arising from the invention of synthetic blood that allows vampires to sustain their hunger without feeding on humans.
Silicon Valley (2014-2019)
Creators: Mike Judge, John Altschuler, and Dave Krinsky
Cast: Thomas Middleditch, T.J. Miller, Zach Woods, Kumail Nanjiani, Martin Starr, Josh Brener, Amanda Crew, Matt Ross, Suzanne Cryer
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 30 minutes
Plot: “Silicon Valley” follows Richard Hendricks, a Silicon Valley engineer striving for success in the cutthroat tech industry with his startup company.
Barry (2018-2023)
Creators: Alec Berg, Bill Hader
Cast: Bill Hader, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg, Anthony Carrigan, Henry Winkler
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Runtime: 30 minutes
Plot: “Barry” revolves around its titular character, a disillusioned hitman trying to leave behind his criminal past after discovering his passion for theater.
Sex and the City (1998-2004)
Creator: Darren Star
Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Runtime: 30 minutes
Plot: This cult classic follows Sarah Jessica Parker as the ever-stylish sex columnist Carrie Bradshaw, along with her three best friends as they explore the complexities of love, sex, career, and friendships as modern women in the city that never sleeps.
House of the Dragon (2022–)
Creators: Ryan Condal, George R.R. Martin
Cast: Matt Smith, Emma D’arcy, Olivia Cooke, Milly Alcock, Paddy Considine, Eve Best, Emily Carey, Ewan Mitchell
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Drama
Runtime: 55 minutes
Plot: Set 200 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, this standout prequel to “Game of Thrones” introduces the dysfunctional Targaryen house, a family of dragonlords in an internal succession war, vying to rule the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.
Sharp Objects (2018)
Creator: Mart Noxon
Cast: Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Messina, Eliza Scanlen, Matt Craven,
Genre: Mystery, Crime, Drama
Runtime: 55 minutes
Plot: Based on Gillian Flynn’s best-selling novel of the same name, “Sharp Objects” features Amy Adams as the troubled crime reporter Camille Preaker investigating the gruesome murder of two young girls in the fictional town of Wind Gap. As she tries to solve the case, Camille was also forced to confront her own demons.
The Wire (2002-2008)
Creator: David Simon
Cast: Dominic West, Idris Elba, Lance Reddick, Wendell Pierce, Michael K. Williams, Sonja Sohn, Wood Harris, Clarke Peters
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Runtime: 1 hour
Plot: This HBO classic delves into Baltimore’s narcotics scene and explores the interconnected institutions and characters behind the social and systemic issues affecting the urban community.
Mare of Easttown (2021)
Creator: Brad Ingelsby
Cast: Kate Winslet, Julianne Nicholson, Jean Smart, Evan Peters, Guy Pearce, Angourie Rice,
Genre: Mystery, Crime, Drama
Runtime: 1 hour
Plot: In this thrilling whodunit miniseries, “Mare of Easttown” focuses on detective Mare Sheehan as she discovers the shocking truth behind the murder of a pregnant lady that will unravel deep-seated secrets and test the bonds of a tight-knit community in a suburban town in Pennsylvania.
Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014)
Creator: Terence Winter
Cast: Steve Buscemi, Michael Pitt, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Stephen Graham, Vincent Piazza, Michael Kenneth Williams
Genre: Crime, Drama
Runtime: 55 minutes
Plot: “Boardwalk Empire” chronicles the rise of Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, a corrupt politician during the Prohibition era as he covertly plays for both sides of the law by conspiring with gangsters in Atlantic City.
Girls (2012-2017)
Creator: Lena Dunham
Cast: Lena Dunham, Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet, Adam Driver, Alex Karpovsky
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Runtime: 30 minutes
Plot: Inspired by the real-life experiences of its creator Lena Dunham, “Girls” explores the realities of life as four young women deal with relationships, careers, and the financial struggles of living in New York.
Veep (2012–2019)
Creator: Armando Iannucci
Cast: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Anna Chlumsky, Tony Hale, Reid Scott, Matt Walsh, Timothy Simons, Sufe Bradshaw, Gary Cole, Kevin Dunn, Sam Richardson
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 30 minutes
Plot: “Veep” chronicles the political misadventures of senator-turned-president Selina Meyer and her team, as they deal with power dynamics, personal ambitions, and public relations disasters in the calculating world of American politics.
The Righteous Gemstones (2019–)
Creator: Danny McBride
Cast: Danny McBride, John Goodman, Adam Devine, Edi Patterson, Cassidy Freeman, Tony Cavalero, Tim Baltz, Walton Goggins
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Runtime: 40 minutes
Plot: “The Righteous Gemstones” introduces the Gemstone clan, a family of influential televangelists who operate a megachurch empire. Behind their religious facade, the Gemstones live an extravagant and sinful lifestyle funded by the church donations of their devoted followers.
Deadwood (2004-2006)
Creator: David Milch
Cast: Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, Jim Beaver, Brad Dourif, Kim Dickens, John Hawkes, Anna Gunn
Genre: Crime, Drama, History
Runtime: 55 minutes
Plot: Set in Dakota in the 1800s, “Deadwood” depicts the gritty and lawless town of Deadwood, where authorities, outlaws, and entrepreneurs clash in pursuit of power and survival in the evolving American frontier.
Insecure (2016-2021)
Creator: Larry Wilmore, Issa Rae
Cast: Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales, Lisa Joyce
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Runtime: 30 minutes
Plot: Issa Rae stars as Issa Dee in “Insecure,” a charismatic young woman confronting the trials and tribulations of being black in modern society.
Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000–)
Creator: Larry David
Cast: Larry David, Cheryl Hines, Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman, J.B. Smoove
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 30 minutes
Plot: Comedian Larry David stars as a semi-fictionalized version of himself in this long-running HBO sitcom. The series follows Larry in Los Angeles as he finds himself in awkward and hilarious encounters due to his peculiar and neurotic personality.
