10 HBO Shows That Explain The Network’s Reputation For Making Masterpieces

HBO TV shows have always had a reputation for being some of the best pieces of television in recent history, and it’s not difficult to see why. When viewers think of HBO, they might instantly imagine graphic violence and plenty of nudity, two elements that quickly became synonymous with the network since it didn’t have the same limitations as a typical cable channel. However, HBO shows are much more than spectacle. The network’s best TV shows deserve their masterpiece status because of their brilliant writing, performances, and relevant themes.

There are some HBO shows that everyone should watch once, regardless of genre, and these series all earn that title. HBO pushed the envelope when it came to the era of prestige TV, helping to define this term and setting a high bar for the series that would attempt to join the ranks of peak TV. Due to their enormous popularity, it would be easy to consider some of these projects overrated. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth, as all of these works are rightfully considered the best shows HBO has put out.

10

Game Of Thrones (2011–2019)

This Iconic Fantasy Series Altered The Genre Forever

Fantasy TV shows have been struggling in the past few years, as in the wake of the Game of Thrones finale, a hole opened up within the genre. This is because when Game of Thrones premiered on HBO, it almost instantly revived interest in fantasy, becoming a hit with viewers of all kinds. Though the series had a built-in fanbase thanks to the source material by George R.R. Martin, Game of Thrones did a great job of justifying itself and bringing the story to life onscreen.

Though Game of Thrones season 8 had problems and the series finale was critically panned, this doesn’t take away from the quality or impact of the other installments. Getting swept away by the magic and intrigue of Game of Thrones is one of the most fun TV journeys that audiences can go on. It never gets old to be immersed in the fantastical world of the show, which feels fresh and relevant in relation to reality.

Game Of Thrones

10/10

Release Date

2011 – 2019-00-00

Showrunner

David Benioff, D.B. Weiss

9

The Leftovers (2014–2017)

Full Of Mystery & Grief, The Leftovers Will Shock & Delight The Audience

Though The Leftovers is frequently compared to Lost, the series couldn’t be more different in many ways. While they’re both mystery box projects, The Leftovers is deeply in conversation with grief, trauma, and how difficult it can be to move past life-changing events. Justin Theroux and Carrie Coon lead the cast as Kevin and Nora, two people navigating the new world order after 2% of the population suddenly disappears without a trace.

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Examining faith, humanity, and the structures people turn to when they feel lost, The Leftovers is one of the most emotionally honest series that HBO has ever released. However, this doesn’t change the fact that the slightly fantastical story is still exciting and full of dark twists and turns with every successive episode. While the grief of The Leftovers can be hard to stomach, the series slowly finds its way back to hope and discovers new reasons to live as it progresses.

The Leftovers

10/10

Release Date

2014 – 2017-00-00

Showrunner

Damon Lindelof

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8

Six Feet Under (2001–2005)

Death & Life Are Given Equal Weight In This Nuanced Series

Created by Alan Ball, also known for iconic works like True Blood and American Beauty, Six Feet Under is one of his best works to date. It’s not easy to make a show that revolves around death fun to watch, but somehow, Six Feet Under manages to find humor and heart within the tragedy of its story. Following the Fisher family and their attempts to keep their funeral home afloat in the wake of the patriarch’s death, Six Feet Under sees the characters deal with a new death in every episode, which mirrors their own personal dramas and struggles.

While the Six Feet Under series finale, «Everyone’s Waiting,» is arguably the best finale of all time, every season of the show is worth watching. Well ahead of its time in terms of its representation of LGBTQ+ storylines and ability to capture the nuances of family drama, Six Feet Under is as fresh today as it was in 2001. Rooted in both emotional rawness and elements of magical realism, Six Feet Under strikes a balance that instantly sets it apart.

7

Veep (2012–2019)

A Political Satire That Brilliantly Evolved With The Times

There’s been a recent resurgence in Veep‘s popularity, and though the series premiered over ten years ago, it’s easy to see why modern audiences are still connecting so strongly with this political satire. Led by Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, the Vice President of the United States, Veep explores the ridiculous nature of American politics and the absurd ways that some of the most important deals are struck. The larger ensemble is packed with brilliant comedic performers, and the series soars thanks to its pitch-perfect writing.

While the first few seasons of Veep are hilarious, what takes the series to the next level is the way it evolved in the later years, growing into one of the most insightful comedies on TV. Though the storylines on Veep get deeply outlandish and unbelievable, they turned out to be bitingly accurate, predicting the way politics would be swayed by pure performance and sound bites. HBO might be best known for its dramas, but the comedy of Veep is extraordinary.

Veep

9/10

Release Date

2012 – 2019-00-00

Network

HBO Max

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6

The Wire (2002–2008)

A Crime Drama That Deserves To Be Recognized As One Of The Best

There’s no shortage of great crime dramas out there or on HBO alone. However, The Wire is a ground-breaking exploration of a city and the way corruption sinks its teeth into it. Featuring a star-studded cast of incredible actors who shoulder some of the most emotionally intense stories seen on TV, The Wire chronicles the different social, political, and cultural systems of Baltimore, Maryland, and how injustice in all forms seeps into these structures. The Wire never shies away from boldly interacting with issues of class, race, gender, and violence in the city.

While The Wire never reached the heights of popularity of a series like The Sopranos, which was a huge draw for HBO for many years, this critically acclaimed show shouldn’t be overlooked. The way The Wire evolves in each season, taking on new facets of Baltimore while anchoring us with the characters that we can’t stop watching, is a masterclass in writing compelling television. Everyone who has experienced the ups and downs of The Wire understands why it’s considered a must-watch series.

The Wire

10/10

Release Date

2002 – 2008-00-00

Network

HBO

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  Dominic West

  Jimmy McNulty

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  Lance Reddick

  Cedric Daniels

5

Deadwood (2004–2006)

This Period Drama Has Easily Outlived Its Short Run

Before Timothy Olyphant led Justified, he was a very different kind of cowboy in the HBO drama Deadwood. Loosely based on the real historical town in the Dakota Territory that saw many famous figures of the Wild West drift in and out of its doors. Olyphant plays Seth Bullock, one of the many characters based on real people, with Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok also making appearances. Though Deadwood only ran for three seasons, many of its episodes are considered landmark achievements in TV history.

U.S. TV and movies have always had a bit of an obsession with the history and legacy of the Wild West, trying to capture the legendary lawlessness that supposedly ran rampant. Like all classic HBO shows, the series features plenty of violence, nudity, and shocking plot twists that will make audiences cover their eyes. However, this doesn’t take away from the propulsive plot that revels in watching the town and its residents chafe at the idea of modern society, though they can’t stop the country’s relentless push toward the future.

Deadwood

Release Date

2004 – 2006-00-00

Network

HBO Max

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4

My Brilliant Friend (2018–2024)

Elena Ferrante’s Novels Are Beautifully Realized Onscreen

Based on The Neopolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante, My Brilliant Friend is a near-perfect adaptation, bringing the tangled, complex relationship between Elena and Lila. Following their evolving friendship, as the young women grow up in a Naples that is changing as much as they are, My Brilliant Friend is one of the best representations of female friendship ever put on screen. As much as Elena and Lila love each other, their friendship is clouded by jealousy, competition, and even hatred.

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The way Ferrante captures all of these messy but vividly real emotions is seamlessly translated to television, as are the many colorful and unforgettable characters who populate the girls’ world. My Brilliant Friend received critical acclaim since the first season, but many viewers, especially in the U.S., have yet to discover this gem on HBO. The enduring nature of the narrative will keep My Brilliant Friend in the cultural conversation for years to come.

My Brilliant Friend

Release Date

2018 – 2024-00-00

Directors

Saverio Costanzo, Alice Rohrwacher, Daniele Luchetti

3

I May Destroy You (2020)

Though Tough To Watch At Times, I May Destroy You Is A Moving Series

Though HBO made its name with long-running dramas, miniseries are also an essential part of what has made the network so versatile and iconic. I May Destroy You is a moving, cathartic project anchored by Michaela Coel, who plays Arabella, a young writer who is assaulted and spends the series trying to reckon with this. It’s a tricky and nuanced subject matter, but I May Destroy You balances all of its themes and emotions beautifully, allowing the audience to join Arabella on this journey.

Coel is the heart and soul of I May Destroy You, as she also wrote and created the show, and the interconnectedness between her and the series comes through. This allows the show to find humor within the rawness of its tragedy. Arabella is a flawed but compelling protagonist with whom the viewers can see themselves and instantly empathize. I May Destroy You doesn’t shy away from the difficulties of living with trauma, but it plants seeds of hope as well.

2

Succession (2018–2023)

Of All The Class Satires Of The 21st Century, Succession Might Be The Best

Though Succession didn’t invent the concept of a biting, darkly comic exploration of the ultrarich and their morally bankrupt ways, it might have perfected it. Succession might have ended after season 4, but most audiences and critics agree that we could’ve kept watching the Roys betray each other for many years to come. The unique blend of dark family drama, tragicomedy, and deep satire sets Succession apart, as it pushes itself much further than the typical surface-level narratives about the family dynasties of capitalism.

Succession‘s true story and themes might have inspired the series, but Succession took its story to the absolute limits, forcing the audience to become invested in the lives of such irredeemable characters. Succession and its popularity define the new era of HBO, cementing the fact that the network can grow and adapt to the current trends while remaining timeless. It’s unlikely that Succession will ever lose its potency as the years progress.

1

The Sopranos (1999–2007)

This Acclaimed Crime Drama Defines The Era Of Prestige Television

Green-lighting The Sopranos might have been the best decision HBO ever made. From David Chase’s brilliant concept to the work of the unforgettable cast, there’s a lot to love about The Sopranos, making it easy to recommend to viewers who haven’t dived into this iconic show. Though The Sopranos is a much slower-paced and deliberate series compared to contemporary shows, this is what makes it so good and so worth investing in, as all of the hints and foreshadowing pay off enormously.

Though the series finale of The Sopranos is controversial, this doesn’t change the legacy and nuance of the series. Even though it was shocking to end on such a dramatic cliffhanger, the audience knows from the beginning that Tony’s life can only go in a few directions, and his trajectory takes him further and further down the darkest path. While Gandolfini is brilliant, Tony isn’t the only reason millions of people have become enamored with The Sopranos, unable to look away from its drama. The writing, ensemble, and arresting themes have made the series HBO​​​​​​’s best.

The Sopranos

10/10

Release Date

1999 – 2007

Network

HBO

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  James Gandolfini

  Tony Soprano

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