HBO (now streaming on Max) has distinguished itself as the OG creators of the most iconic original series ever made – they have produced a slew of celebrated and award-winning content for all of us super-bingers out there. Here, we list the best-of-the-best HBO series (in alphabetical order) for you to choose for a binge-bender done right. When it comes to HBO, you can’t go wrong. It’s not TV, It’s HBO.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
YEARS: (2001)
SEASONS: 1 EPISODES: 10
WHERE TO WATCH: Netflix, Max, YouTubePrimetime, Hulu, Sling TV, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Fandango at Home
“Band of Brothers” is a miniseries produced by HBO that follows the journey of Easy Company during World War II. Spanning from their initial training at Camp Toccoa in 1942 to the end of the war in Europe in 1945, the series showcases the rigorous challenges, camaraderie, and sacrifices of the soldiers as they engage in significant campaigns, including D-Day, Operation Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge.
The narrative is based on Stephen E. Ambrose’s non-fiction book of the same name and includes real-life accounts from the veterans of Easy Company, bringing a personal touch to the historical events. Each episode focuses on different members of the company, highlighting their individual stories, struggles, and the impact of war on their lives. The series is praised for its realistic portrayal of combat, character development, and emotional depth, making it a seminal work in the war drama genre.
YEARS: (2017-2019)
SEASONS: 2 EPISODES: 14
WHERE TO WATCH: Max, Hulu, YouTubePrimetime, Sling TV, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Apple TV, Fandango
Based on Liane Moriarty’s bestselling book, this darkly comedic series tells the tale of three mothers (Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley) whose seemingly perfect lives unravel to the point of murder.
YEARS: (2006-2011)
SEASONS: 5 EPISODES: 53
WHERE TO WATCH:
Bill Paxton stars as Bill Henrickson, a polygamist who faces a myriad of challenges in meeting the emotional, romantic, and financial needs of his three wives and seven children in suburban Salt Lake City.
YEARS: (2010-2014)
SEASONS: 5 EPISODES: 56
WHERE TO WATCH:
Follow the birth and rise of organized crime in “the world’s playground” at the dawn of Prohibition. Steve Buscemi stars as Enoch “Nucky” Thompson — the man in charge of Atlantic City in 1920. From creator Terence Winter and executive producer Martin Scorsese.
YEARS: (1999-PRESENT)
SEASONS: 10 EPISODES: 100
WHERE TO WATCH:
Larry David stars as Larry David, living the good life out in Los Angeles and stumbling through one faux pas after another.
YEARS: (2004-2011)
SEASONS: 8 EPISODES: 96
WHERE TO WATCH:
Adrian Grenier plays Hollywood up-and-comer Vincent Chase, whose agent, brother, and friends help him navigate the ins and outs of film stardom. It also features Jeremy Piven, Kevin Dillon, Kevin Connolly, and Jerry Ferrara.
YEARS: (2019-PRESENT)
SEASONS: 1 EPISODES: 8
WHERE TO WATCH:
“Euphoria” follows a group of high school students as they navigate love and friendships in a world fueled by drugs, sex, trauma, and social media. Executive produced by Drake and created and directed by Sam Levinson (who also wrote each episode), “Euphoria” is a game changer in the teen genre.
Zendaya runs this show with her dynamic and chilling portrayal of an opioid addict. She portrays Rue in such a way that the audience cheers for her as she tries to decide between her love for Jules and her love for painkillers. She navigates the gritty drug world, always teetering on the edge of the abyss.
Zendaya is supported by a strong cast, including the new it girl Sydney Sweeney.
YEARS: (2011-2019)
SEASONS: 8 EPISODES: 73
WHERE TO WATCH:
Based on the bestselling book series by George R.R. Martin and created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, “Game of Thrones”
YEARS: (2012-2017)
SEASONS: 6 EPISODES: 62
WHERE TO WATCH:
Lena Dunham’s fearless comedy tackles female friendship through the eyes of four 20-somethings as they attempt to navigate the unpredictable waters of adulthood in New York.
YEARS: (2016-2020)
SEASONS: 4 EPISODES: 34
WHERE TO WATCH:
Based on the 2012 Vimeo web series from Katja Blichfeld and Ben Sinclair, High Maintenance stars Sinclair as “The Guy,” a bike-riding, weed-delivery salesman with an eclectic variety of Brooklyn clients.
YEARS:
SEASONS: EPISODES:
WHERE TO WATCH:
Following King Aegon II’s coronation and the death of Queen Rhaenyra’s son, House Targaryen is divided in two. In King’s Landing, Aegon II rules from the Iron Throne, supported by Alicent and the Green Council, under the protection of the largest dragon in Westeros. From exile on Dragonstone, Queen Rhaenyra and her Black Council consider their next move. Civil war looms as both sides seek support from the great houses of Westeros, ultimately amassing armies — and dragons.
Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood.
YEARS: (2014-2015)
SEASONS: 2 EPISODES: 20
Technically a Cinemax original series, HBO has added it to their roster of ingenious shows. In this series, a brilliant but tortured surgeon (Clive Owen) pushes the boundaries of medicine, morality, and race relations at a 1900s New York City hospital.
YEARS: (1997-2003)
SEASONS: 6 EPISODES: 56
At Oswald Maximum Security Penitentiary, inmates are considered lucky if they get into the prison’s “Emerald City” unit. They’re even luckier if they get out alive.
YEARS: (2024)
SEASONS: 1 EPISODES: 8
WHERE TO WATCH:
“The Penguin” is a miniseries that explores the life and motivations of Oswald Cobblepot (Colin Farrell), also known as The Penguin, a notorious villain from the Batman universe. Set in the gritty landscape of Gotham City, the series delves into Cobblepot’s rise to power in the criminal underworld, showcasing his resourcefulness and ambition as he navigates the perilous dynamics of rival gangs. With a blend of dark humor and intense drama, this miniseries offers a fresh perspective on the origins of one of Gotham’s most infamous characters. As he grapples with loyalty, betrayal, and his own ambitions, viewers witness the transformation of Oswald Cobblepot from a lowly driver for the Falcone crime family into the formidable strategist and feared crime boss known as The Penguin. A must watch
YEARS: (2014-2019)
SEASONS: 6 EPISODES: 53
From Mike Judge, HBO’s hit show “Silicon Valley” is an original comedy series about a computer programmer with a game-changing algorithm.
YEARS: (1998-2004)
SEASONS: 6 EPISODES: 94
How do single women and men find mates in New York? Sarah Jessica Parker stars as 30-something writer Carrie Bradshaw, whose personal life and friendships are fodder for her weekly column.
YEARS: (2010-2013)
SEASONS: 4 EPISODES: 36
From the brilliant mind of showrunner David Simon, known for “The Wire,” comes “Treme.” This series is set in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. It follows a group of residents as they work to rebuild their lives while staying connected to the music and cultural traditions that define them and their city.
YEARS: (2014-PRESENT)
SEASONS: 3 EPISODES: 24
This gritty anthology crime series follows a different group of detectives every season as they uncover sinister findings behind gruesome murders. This searing series features a slew of troubled cops and the investigations that drive them to the edge. Each season features a new cast and a new case.
YEARS: (2001-2005)
SEASONS: 5 EPISODES: 63
When death is your business, what is your life? From Oscar-winner Alan Ball comes this darkly comic series about a dysfunctional L.A. family running a funeral business.
YEARS: (1999-2007)
SEASONS: 6 EPISODES: 86
Hailed as one of TV’s essential dramas, The Sopranos follows James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, a husband, father, and New Jersey mob boss whose professional and private pressures often land him in the office of his therapist.
YEARS: (2018-Current)
SEASONS: 2 EPISODES: 20
Succession tracks the lives of the Roy family as they contemplate their future once their aging father (Brian Cox) begins to step back from the media and entertainment conglomerate they control.
YEARS: (2012-2019)
SEASONS: 7 EPISODES: 65
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is Vice President of the United States Selina Meyer, who finds the job is nothing like she expected, but everything her incompetent staff warned her about.
YEARS:
SEASONS: EPISODES:
WHERE TO WATCH:
“The Idol” follows young pop star Jocelyn (Lily Rose Depp) as she grapples with her faltering fame after a mental health crisis. Her journey leads her to a mysterious nightclub owner and self-help guru named Tedros (The Weeknd), pulling her deeper into a world of desire and manipulation. The series explores the dark side of the entertainment industry, highlighting the costs of fame while questioning what it means to find authenticity in the spotlight.
The Idol is co-created by Sam Levinson (“Euphoria”), Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim.
YEARS:
SEASONS: EPISODES:
WHERE TO WATCH:
“The White Lotus” is a dark comedy-drama series set at a luxurious Hawaiian resort. It follows the lives of the wealthy guests and the staff over the course of a week, showcasing their interactions and the underlying tensions. As the story unfolds, themes of privilege, entitlement, and deception emerge, leading to unexpected twists and revealing the complexities of human relationships amidst a picturesque setting.
YEARS: (2002-2008)
SEASONS: 5 EPISODES: 60
In the drug-ridden streets of West Baltimore, there are good guys, and there are bad guys. Sometimes, you need more than a badge to tell them apart.
YEARS: 2016
SEASONS:1 EPISODES: 10
Jude Law and Diane Keaton star in this limited series about a young, American pope who radicalizes the Catholic Church.
YEARS: 2020
SEASONS: 1 EPISODES: 9
A follow-up to “The Young Pope,” this series picks up with Jude Law’s Pope Pius XIII in a coma while the Holy See looks for a replacement.
To find more amazing HBO series, check out the HBO series page.
FOLLOW HBO ON:
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
X