Without a doubt, HBO is the highest quality television network in the world. Not only is it packed with the best shows in television history, it was also the first major cable network to embrace the idea of carrying its own content.
If you have HBO as part of your cable TV package, you can watch everything online with HBO GO, but these days you don't need cable TV to watch HBO thanks to the arrival of HBO NOW HBO NOW vs. HBO GO:What What are the key differences? HBO NOW vs. HBO GO:What are the key differences? If you're confused between HBO NOW and HBO GO, this quick comparison will show you which one is more relevant to you. Read more . For $15 a month, you can get a standalone HBO NOW subscription and drop cable TV forever.
Does that price sound excessive? Trust me, it is not! While HBO has more than 75 original TV series in its library, The following shows are so good, they alone can justify the cost. .
Historical drama | IMDb:9.5
This mini-series is the incredible story of “Easy” company formation and involvement throughout Europe during World War II. Obviously some parts were adapted for structure and dramatic effect, but they are based on people, events, and historical accounts.
How good is Band of Brothers? Not only is it on IMDb's list of the best TV shows, but it has been there for many years. You might not enjoy it if you specifically hate war stories, but otherwise this is probably going to be the best show you'll ever see.
Fantasy drama | IMDb:9.5
Game of Thrones needs no introduction. Even if you have never seen it before, you have undoubtedly heard of it. This show is everywhere and it's hard to get away from it.
why is it so good? Because it's about the characters. The plots are dark, the twists are heartbreaking, but above all, Game of Thrones offers some of the longest and most engaging stories of all time, and that's all that matters. The fancy pillars are just the icing on the cake.
Crime drama | IMDb:9.3
The Wire is a police drama unlike any other police drama in television history. It takes place in the city of Baltimore and follows a great cast of characters that are so fleshed out that they can feel more like a documentary than a drama at times.
Each season offers a survey of the various institutions of Baltimore's police, longshoremen, politicians, schools, media, and shows how the city's problems are intertwined, systemic, and impossible to fix even with good intentions. /P>
For its sheer amount of dramatic depth and breadth, The Wire is my favorite TV show of all time. You can also watch it on Amazon Prime Video 10+ TV Shows That Make Amazon Prime Worth the Money 10+ TV Shows That Make Amazon Prime Worth the Money Netflix is hands down the king of movie and TV show streaming services. . However, Amazon Prime does have some great TV shows that make it worth the asking price. Read more.
Crime drama | IMDb:9.2
The Sopranos follows an Italian mobster and his family in New Jersey, depicting the difficulties of balancing his life at home with his life as a criminal mastermind. Bridging gaps are his sessions with his therapist..
Many praise The Sopranos as the best television show of all time. Not for me, but I can appreciate the show for the way it impacted the landscape and future of TV drama with its quality of writing, acting, directing, and serialization.
It was, in a word, innovative..
Crime drama | IMDb:9.0
The first season of True Detective is some of the best television of the last decade. Over the course of eight episodes, you're invited into a dark and mysterious investigation that twists and turns at just the right times.
The second season is a completely different story with different characters and a different plot. Many reviewers felt it was weaker overall, but still solid enough to be worth watching.
Science fiction drama | IMDb:8.9
Westworld is a fictional amusement park for the rich, where realistic robots play out Wild West scenarios for visitors to participate in. These robots are equipped with higher level artificial intelligence, and are on the verge of developing true consciousness.
This incredible show is an expertly crafted crossover of the genres:drama, sci-fi, mystery, thriller, suspense, romance, and more. Not many series can claim to be an experience for viewers, but Westworld certainly can. From the first minute, you can feel that there is something special about it..
Historical drama | IMDb:8.8
In many ways, Rome could be seen as the precursor to Game of Thrones. Not that they're related in any way, but Rome pioneered many of the storytelling aspects that people love about Game of Thrones:the ensemble cast, the political intrigue, and a "distant past" fantasy setting.
Don't go into this show looking for historical accuracy, although there is a bit of that. Rather, think of it as a rich exploration of the fall of Rome and the complex characters who lived and died during that time.
Comedy IMDb:8.7
From the creator of Seinfeld comes a more cynical and more absurd comedy that follows a retired television writer, his family and his friends. Much like Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm is a lot like a "show nothing."
As well as being awkwardly hilarious, it maintains a consistent quality over the course of its eight seasons. Is it a binge-worthy show? Probably not for most. But taken in small doses, Curb Your Enthusiasm can be, and often is, laugh-out-loud funny.
Western Drama | IMDb:8.7
Deadwood is a late 19th century piece that takes place in the American Midwest and incorporates many mythical figures such as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, but never depicts them as caricatured or legendary. These are real people in Deadwood.
That said, it's the kind of show that falls into the “love it or hate it” category. The acting is some of the best you'll ever see, but it's not an easy show to watch. It's somber, it's dark, and while it can be hilarious at times, it's serious.
Comedy Drama | IMDb:8.6
Silicon Valley is about six young people who achieve a technological breakthrough in file compression and decide to start a new company around it. What follows is a somewhat absurd but strangely realistic look at modern Silicon Valley culture.
Obviously, it's not entirely true to life, as the writers take creative liberties for the sake of drama and comedy, but overall it's pretty insightful. And yes, it's funny! Oh how funny.
Crime drama | IMDb:8.6
This miniseries follows the story of a Muslim college student who ends up accused of murdering an acquaintance in New York City. The premise may sound rather ordinary, but The Night Of is one of the most suspenseful shows I've ever seen.
What is there to love about this show? Lots of things, but his commitment to realism is a rare thing on modern television. It's realistic, but not in a way that distracts or detracts from the drama of it all. Rather, it raises the stakes and makes the story that much more meaningful.
Crime drama | IMDb:8.6
Boardwalk Empire is a period piece set in the 1920s to 1930s that takes place in Atlantic City and focuses on a historical criminal mastermind, and his gang, who lived during those times..
The show saw a drop in quality around the third and fourth seasons, but it's pretty good overall, if you like slow-burn plots. While the characters and dialogue are engaging, Boardwalk Empire's greatest strength is its visual aesthetic. "Beautiful" doesn't quite cut it.
Historical drama | IMDb:8.3
After the success of Band of Brothers, HBO went ahead and produced another miniseries that is essentially a spiritual successor but not a direct sequel. Called The Pacific, it follows a different region and different characters during World War II.
Most critics agree that Band of Brothers is still the superior work, but The Pacific is still a fantastic series in its own right. If you like war stories and are in the mood for something similar to Band of Brothers, you'll probably like this show.
Fantasy drama | IMDb:8.2
Imagine that you wake up one day and two percent of the world's population has mysteriously disappeared, and you were not one of them. What would you do? How would you feel? Your life would never be the same..
The Leftovers is a polarizing show. It's a slow-burn story and very character-driven, but it's also philosophical and even a little depressing. He's extremely ambitious, he doesn't always accomplish what he strives to do, but he's willing to go where no other show has gone before.
I recommend turning on the first season because the second and third seasons contain some of the best television episodes of all time. The series also ends with an incredibly emotional and satisfying ending.
Comedy Drama | IMDb:8.2
Veep is a political satire. You can think of it as a similar premise to Parks and Recreation, but with all the comforting details replaced by an overwhelming combination of incompetence and cynicism.
Yes, Veep is fun, but it's fun in a way that's more “cable TV fun” than “network TV fun,” which explains why it's on HBO. It may not be your brand of humor, but you'll be surprised how much you like it.
At $15 per month, HBO NOW is a steal, especially if you don't have cable TV. And the best part is that you can start streaming shows as soon as they start broadcasting live on TV , which means you can stay on top of shows like Game of Thrones and not have to worry about spoilers the next day.
If you do nothing else, you can subscribe to HBO NOW while a specific show is on (for example, Westworld during the summer) and then cancel when it's over, which means you only have to pay for a few months each year.
Start watching today and subscribe to HBO NOW.
Note that in addition to all of these TV series, HBO NOW gives you full access to the entire HBO library, including hundreds of classic and modern movies. If you've been hesitant to cut the cord, this can help you pull the trigger to drop cable TV and stream instead. Should you cut the cord or keep cable TV? Should you cut the cord or keep your cable TV? If you're still stuck with your cable subscription, but are debating whether it's time to make a switch, we're here to help. This guide will help you decide. Read more.
