The 77 Best Shows on HBO Max Right Now (May 2024)

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 May 2024 to include Smiling Friends.

‘Smiling Friends’ (2020 – Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 8.5/10

An adult animated television series, Smiling Friends follows the misadventures of a small company dedicated to spreading happiness — no matter how bizarre their customers’ demands may be. The series was created by Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack, who also voice many of the main characters. The show presents odd-couple employees dealing with darkly comedic situations through a surreal mix of styles and techniques, including rotoscoping, CGI, and live-action. Smiling Friends premiered on AdultSwim in 2022 to critical acclaim. The show was soon renewed and debuted its second season on April 1, 2024. Smiling Friends is an entertaining watch for fans of adult animation, presenting the most random comedy you’ll ever see but balanced with a lot of heart. The series has been praised for its creepy character designs and absurd sense of humor. It’s an unsettling, chaotic show that will weird you out even as it makes you laugh out loud.

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‘Pretty Little Liars’ (2022 – Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.0/10

A legacy sequel/soft reboot of the iconic Freeform show, Pretty Little Liars is a teen drama slasher series created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Lindsay Calhoon Bring. Starring Bailee Madison, Chandler Kinney, Zaria, Malia Pyles, and Maia Reficco, the show follows five teenage girls in Millwood, Pennsylvania, who team up to investigate cryptic messages from the mysterious “A,” who reveals buried secrets from their mothers’ pasts. The first season, titled Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, was released in 2022, and Season 2, Pretty Little Liars:Summer School, premiered its first two episodes on May 9, 2024. While it’s hardly the first spin-off of a 2010s show, the new Pretty Little Liars is a well-crafted addition to the franchise that’s been praised for its characterizations and compelling mystery. The series harkens back to what made the original show so entertaining, balancing its teen drama with a solid slasher story. A thrilling watch from start to finish, Original Sin received near-universal acclaim from critics, and the second season, currently ongoing, is already shaping up to be even better than the first.

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‘The Girls on the Bus’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 55% | IMDb: 6.3/10

Read Our ReviewInspired by Amy Chozick‘s 2018 memoir Chasing Hillary, The Girls on the Bus is a political drama television series co-created by Chozick and Julie Plec. The series follows four female journalists covering a presidential campaign trail while juggling love, friendship, and scandal. The show stars Melissa Benoist, Carla Gugino, Christina Elmore, Natasha Behnam, and Brandon Scott. With mixed to positive reviews from critics, The Girls on the Bus is an enjoyable if somewhat idealistic political drama. The show has been favorably compared to series like The Bold Type and Sex Lives of College Girls for its depiction of female friendships, and that’s a big part of what makes The Girls on the Bus an engaging watch. The star-studded cast delivers brilliant performances, bringing varied perspectives to its timely subject. Overall, it’s a smart, funny show with likable characters and an honest approach to the world of political journalism.

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‘Conan O’Brien Must Go’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 8.5/10

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.

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‘The Sympathizer’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 79% IMDb: 7.3/10

Read Our ReviewThe 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.

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‘The Regime’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 55% | IMDb: 6.1/10

Read Our ReviewCreated by Will Tracy (Succession), The Regime is a satirical miniseries about a dictator’s tenuous rule over a fictional Central European country. The show stars Kate Winslet in the lead role, with a star-studded supporting cast that includes Matthias Schoenaerts, Guillaume Gallienne, Andrea Riseborough, Martha Plimpton, and Hugh Grant. The six-episode series was released on HBO and Max, with the first episode arriving on March 3, 2024, and the finale released on April 7. The Regime received somewhat mixed reviews from critics, and its plotting and tone are a bit uneven, but what makes this show worth the watch is Kate Winslet’s performance as tyrant-under-fire Elena Vernham. The supporting cast are no slackers either, delivering engaging performances that keep you interested even when the show’s story gets a bit shaky. It’s not the biting political comedy that it aspires to be, but if what you’re in the mood for is a funny, well-acted satire with high production value, then The Regime is the show for you.

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‘Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.8/10

Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV is a five-part docuseries that exposes the toxic behind-the-scenes world of children’s television programs. Focusing on the late 1990s and early 2000s, the series primarily follows Dan Schneider‘s time at Nickelodeon as a producer and showrunner, revealing shocking stories of abuse, misogyny, and a hostile work culture. Directed by Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz, Quiet on Set is loosely based on a 2022 Business Insider article. The show has received near-universal acclaim from audiences and critics. While audience members may be aware that child stars have often been targets of abuse in the industry, Quiet on Set takes that vague awareness and makes it tangible, with concrete facts and real stories. The show approaches its subjects with respect, keeping the focus firmly on those who have previously been silenced to maintain a “kid-friendly” image. The series has had a very real impact, with the online discussions it has sparked leading to Schneider releasing an apology and many of those who wrote letters in support of sex offender Brian Peck during his trial publicly reversing their support.

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‘The Way Down’ (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 7/10

When a cult documentary is able to amp up the tension by such small increments that the audience can find sympathy with those who found themselves in the cult, it is a masterful achievement. The Way Down does just this, beginning as a slow burn that, by the end, becomes a wild bonfire. The documentary details the acts of church leader Gwen Shamblin in Franklin, Tennesse, as she started with what seemed like an honest mission to help her community find health and faith but that ended in a murder and Shamblin’s own death.

Premiering on HBO in 2021, the five-episode series achieves what many films and television shows have failed to do in the past: show an accurate portrayal of disordered eating and the manipulation and denial that accompany it. When Shamblin’s church moved from Bible study to focus on her “Weigh Down Workshop,” a book that detailed a diet that claimed it would bring its followers closer to God if they lost weight, the control she found over her followers was astounding. Her iron fist led to disordered eating, health issues, and an incredible amount of pressure on those who couldn’t become as thin as Shamblin wanted. Executive producer and director Marina Zenovich (Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind) does a terrific job marrying that subject matter with Shamblin’s harsh views on disciplining children, as well as that of her personal life and her bizarre marriage to a struggling actor. Adding a darkly ironic twist, as the tension of Shamblin’s life gets higher, so does her incredibly teased hair. – Emily Cappello

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‘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

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‘Smartless on the Road’ (2023)

IMDb: 8.2/10

No one, and I mean no one, could’ve predicted the absolute cultural phenomenon that now is podcasts. Not too long ago, the audio format was largely made fun of for being overdone and dorky. That was, until celebrities entered the picture, including Sean Hayes (Will and Grace), Will Arnett, and Jason Bateman (both from Arrested Development). This seemingly random trio entered the podcasting world not too long ago with their show Smartless, which has now become one of the most popular comedy podcasts of all time. The premise of the show begins when one of the hosts describes the guest to the other two, who are unaware of who they’ll be speaking with that day. Chaos and comedy ensues.

Now, with HBO‘s Smartless on the Road, fans are treated to a behind-the-scenes look into the powerhouse podcast as it tours the country on a sold-out live recording tour. With special guests like Conan O’Brien (Conan), Matt Damon (Air), Mark Cuban (Shark Tank), and Kevin Hart (Ride Along), the docuseries is consistently entertaining. – Emily Cappello

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‘Mildred Pierce’ (2011)

Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 7.6/10

Based on the James M. Cain novel of the same name, Mildred Pierce is an HBO miniseries starring Kate Winslet (Titanic) in the titular role of Mildred, a newly divorced woman attempting to start a restaurant during the Great Depression. Mildred also has to deal with her narcissistic daughter, Veda, played by Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld), and her new love interest, Monty, played by Guy Pearce (Momento).

The show was created and directed by Todd Haynes, whose most recent film, May December, just snagged an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The series won two Golden Globe Awards (for the performances by Winslet and Pearce) and three Emmys, including direction by Haynes. The show also starred Brian F. O’Bryne (Million Dollar Baby), Melissa Leo (The Fighter), James Le Gros (Certain Women), Mare Winningham (Turner & Hooch), and Marin Ireland (Homeland). It was well-received by critics, including horror novelist Stephen King, who particularly praised Winslet’s performance. – Emily Cappello

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‘How To…With John Wilson’ (2020 – 2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.7/10

Read Our Review

Comedian John Wilson (Diner) plays himself in this documentary series as he gives New Yorkers advice on all aspects of life. Each 25-minute episode follows Wilson as he gives new tips while also dealing with issues in his own world. Topics range from “How To Make Small Talk” to “How To Cover Your Furniture,” “How To Appreciate Wine” to “How To Find a Public Restroom.” Writers on the show include Wilson, Michael Korman (Nathan For You), Alice Gregory (Girls), Conner O’Malley (Palm Springs), Susan Orlean (Adaptation.), and Allie Viti (The Rehearsal). While Wilson has writers on the show, much of each episode becomes improvised by himself and his guests.

Executive produced by Nathan Fielder (The Curse), the show has the same dark, quirky humor as Fielder’s other projects, including Nathan For You and The Rehearsal. While How To draws audiences in with its comedy premise, each episode brings out a deeper conversation that leaves viewers with something bigger to think about. – Emily Cappello

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‘South Park’ (1997 – Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 8.7/10

On television since 1997, South Park is a cultural phenomenon. Named by TV Guide as one of the 10 Greatest TV Cartoons of All Time, the show was created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone and is known for its profanity and often dark humor. The show has four main characters, who are all young boys: Stan, Kyle, Eric, and Kenny. Parker and Stone voice many of the characters, including the leads.

Due to its unique writing style, no episodes of the show are written before the season starts. Instead, writing for each episode begins after the last one has aired and continues for several days until it’s completed and ready to air. This way, South Park is always on top of all current events, and each week’s episode is something that has just happened in the world, either in pop culture or the larger news cycle. The show has now had over 300 episodes. Originally developed by Comedy Central, Max attained the streaming rights to South Park in 2020. – Emily Cappello

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‘Righteous Gemstones’ (2019 – Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 8.1/10

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

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‘The Knick’ (2014 – 2015)

Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 8.5/10

A Cinemax period piece, The Knick tells the story of the staff at New York’s Knickerbocker Hospital in the early 1900s. The conflicts these characters face include a lack of hospital funding, racial tensions, and almost medieval medical techniques. Created by Jack Amiel (The Prince and Me) and Michael Begler (Raising Helen), the show starred André Holland (Moonlight), Clive Owen (Children of Men), Jeremy Bobb (Russian Doll), Juliet Rylance (Sinister), Eve Hewson (Robin Hood), Michael Angarano (Wild Card), Cara Seymour (American Psycho), and Eric Johnson (Vikings).

Owen’s character, Dr. John Thackery, was partially inspired by William Stewart Halsted, a historical figure known for being an early believer in anesthetics. In The Knick, Dr. Thackery deals with a cocaine and opium addiction while attempting to choose his ambition towards his career over his disease. The show was a favorite among audiences and critics, running for three seasons and ending in 2015. – Emily Cappello

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‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ (2000 – Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 8.8/10

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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‘Boardwalk Empire’ (2010 – 2014)

Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 8.6/10

Starring Steve Buscemi (Fargo) in one of his best roles ever, Boardwalk Empire tells the story of Nucky Thompson (Buscemi), a treasurer in Atlantic City, New Jersey, who works both sides of the law during the 1920s Prohibition era. Working for the city, Nucky has relationships with the mob as well as politicians, so he is able to manipulate others in order to keep up his lavish lifestyle.

Created by Terence Winter (The Sopranos), Boardwalk Empire is an hour-long drama that ran for five seasons on HBO and was a critical success. The show also stars Kelly Macdonald (No Country For Old Men), Michael Shannon (Take Shelter), Shea Whighman (Splinter), Stephen Graham (Boiling Point), Vincent Piazza (Jersey Boys), Michael Kenneth Williams (The Wire), and Paul Sparks (House of Cards). With plenty of blurred moral lines and compelling characters, the show drew audiences in for its complexity and depiction of a complicated time in history. – Emily Cappello

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‘Lovecraft County’ (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 7.1/10

Read Our Review

Created by Misha Green and based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Matt Ruff, Lovecraft Country is set in the 1950s and follows Atticus “Tic” Freeman (Jonathan Majors), a young African-American man and avid sci-fi fan. After receiving a letter from his missing father, Montrose (Michael K. Williams), Tic, along with his uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) and friend Letitia “Leti” Lewis (Jurnee Smollett), embarks on a road trip to find him. As they travel across the racially segregated United States, encountering both overt and supernatural racism, the group discovers that Lovecraftian horrors from the world of H.P. Lovecraft’s fiction are not the only threats they face.

Even though HBO canceled the show after just one season, Lovecraft Country stands as a perfect example of what can be accomplished when one embraces the limitless potential that comes with diversity. It’s not only a grand, fantastical, and pulpy horror series, but at every moment, it remains rooted in recognizable experiences and genuine emotions. Additionally, Majors delivers an outstanding performance, seamlessly blending statuesque physicality with an emotive and expressive face. His portrayal adds depth to a role that could easily veer into cartoonish fantasy. – Jessie Nguyen

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‘Scenes from a Marriage’ (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 83% | IMDb: 8.1/10

Scenes from a Marriage is a miniseries that originally aired in 1973 on Swedish television and gained international acclaim for its insightful exploration of the complexities of marital relationships. In 2021, an English-language adaptation of the same name was released on HBO starring Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac. The series follows the evolving relationship between Jonathan and Mira over several years, with the narrative divided into five episodes, each depicting crucial moments in their marriage.

While the 2021 version of Scenes From a Marriage might be seen as an unnecessary remake, the stellar performances of Chastain and Isaac elevate it to a point where it feels indispensable. The success of the show hinges on the exceptional chemistry and masterful performances of the leading couple, who flawlessly deliver poignant and charged dialogue as the marriage begins to unravel. While this isn’t a novel theme to delve into, the series remains an intelligent and insightful examination of modern relationships. With potent dialogue and meticulously crafted characters, it stands as a compelling rival to Marriage Story in terms of raw emotive power and evokes shades of Closer for its painful, unspoken truths. – Jessie Nguyen

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‘Six Feet Under’ (2001 – 2005)

Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 8.7/10

Created by Alan Ball, Six Feet Under revolves around the Fisher family, who owns and operates Fisher & Sons Funeral Home in Los Angeles. The patriarch of the family, Nathaniel Fisher Sr. (Richard Jenkins), dies in a tragic accident, and his death sets the stage for the unfolding narrative. Each episode typically begins with a death, often unrelated to the Fisher family, and explores the impact of mortality on the characters’ lives.

Six Feet Under boasts numerous commendable aspects, such as outstanding performances, skillful direction, and inventive storytelling that incorporates various techniques, including dream sequences and parody commercials. The characters in the show experience substantial growth and confront authentic challenges, rendering them relatable and captivating. Furthermore, despite the seemingly somber subject matter, the show effectively engenders a sense of inclusivity, enveloping viewers in a universal narrative and emotions as they navigate grief and life after the loss of loved ones. Six Feet Under also promptly establishes its comprehension of loss by depicting the distinct initial reactions of each family member. Additionally, what’s remarkable about Six Feet Under is how the audience’s perception of it can shift depending on their life stage. – Jessie Nguyen

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