Home Box Office (HBO) is the oldest and oldest continuously operating pay television service in the United States. Once known primarily for its theatrical release theatrical films and occasional comedy and concert specials, the service is now home to some of the most respected original television series ever created.
From comedies to dramas, the HBO original series has garnered praise and praise from viewers and critics. Here are 12 of the best HBO series of all time.
Every show on the list is available to stream with an HBO subscription (via HBO Go or HBO Now HBO NOW vs. HBO GO: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, then this quick comparison will show you which one is more relevant to you (Read More) with many of the older titles also available via Amazon Prime Video. Entire seasons and episodes are also available to purchase through Amazon.com and iTunes.
56 episodes in five seasons
This period crime drama is set in Atlantic City, New Jersey during American Prohibition. Based on the book, Boardwalk Empire:The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City, by Nelson Johnson, the series stars Steve Buscemi as Enoch. "Nucky" Thompson.
Inspired by the real life Enoch L. Johnson, "Nucky" is the corrupt Atlantic County Treasurer and one of its most influential political figures. Spanning five seasons, Boardwalk Empire blends fiction and historical figures, including mobsters, politicians, government agents and more. Co-stars include Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon and Shea Whigham.
All 56 episodes of Boardwalk Empire are available to stream on HBO and Amazon Prime.
90 episodes in nine seasons
Two years after the end of NBC's award-winning Seinfeld, co-creator Larry David brought Curb Your Enthusiasm to the small screen. Featuring David as a fictional version of himself, the comedy series ran for eight seasons and then ended abruptly. After a six-year absence, the series returned to HBO in 2017. In addition to David, the series stars Jeff Garlin, Cheryl Hines, Susie Essman and J.B. Smoove.
You can stream the first eight seasons of Curb Your Enthusiasm through HBO and Amazon Prime. Season 9 is available exclusively through HBO.
67 episodes in seven seasons
Based on the series of fantasy novels by George RR Martin, the award-winning Game of Thrones will hit the airwaves in 2019 following the conclusion of season 8. With an international cast including Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke , Peter Dinklage, and many others, the series is set on the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. In these places, the battle for the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms continues.
Game of Thrones is one of the best TV shows thanks to its originality, in-depth storytelling, and immersive cinematography. I usually don't like fantasy content. However, Game of Thrones remains one of my favorite shows of all time, and I'm desperately looking for more shows to fill the void of Game of Thrones. Is Game of Thrones Over? The 11 best shows to fill the Game of Thrones void? The 11 Best Shows To Fill The Gap Another season of Game of Thrones is over, and there's only one season left. But don't worry, as there are other shows to fill that GoT-shaped hole in your life. Read more.
You can stream Game of Thrones exclusively through HBO.
90 episodes in six seasons
The Larry Sanders Show, one of the first original television series on HBO, is set in the office and studio of a fictional late-night talk show. Starring Garry Shandling in the title role, the comedy series also stars Jeffrey Tambor, Rip Torn and Janeane Garofalo.
The series grew out of Shandling's comedy routine, previous work as a guest host on NBC's The Tonight Show, and his previous sitcom, It's Garry Shandling's Show.
All 90 episodes of The Larry Sanders Show are available to stream on HBO.
56 episodes in six seasons
For six groundbreaking seasons, viewers had the chance to experience everyday life in the Oswald State Correctional Facility, a fictional Level 4 maximum security state prison. With a cast starring Kirk Acevedo, Christopher Meloni and Rita Moreno, Oz does not shy away from controversial topics such as drug use, rape, ethnic and religious conflicts, and homosexuality.
You can stream every episode of Oz through HBO and Amazon Prime.
94 episodes in six seasons
In 1998, America and much of the world fell in love with Sex and the City, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon. Set in New York City, the series follows the lives of a group of four women looking for romance, love, and sometimes just sex.
Based on the same name by Candace Bushell in 1997, Sex and the City explores relevant and modern social themes such as promiscuity, femininity, and relationships.
In the aftermath of the Sex and the City series, two films based on the series were released; Sex and the City and Sex and the City 2. The Carrie Diaries explores Parker's Sex and the City character during high school.
Sex and the City is available to stream on HBO and Amazon Prime.
44 episodes in five seasons
Have you ever wondered what it's like to work at one of the big tech companies, like Apple, Google, or Facebook? Thinking of moving to California to try and create the next Twitter? Then you need to watch Silicon Valley, an HBO comedy television series created by Mike Judge, John Altschuler, and Dave Krinsky.
Starring Thomas Middleditch, Martin Starr, Kumail Nanjiani, Matt Ross and Zack Woods, the series follows five young men who founded a new company called Pied Piper.
Silicon Valley is one of the funniest comedy series on television. If you like technology, you'll enjoy this series, along with these other Silicon Valley shows, Love Silicon Valley? 8 TV Shows You Should Watch on Netflix Love Silicon Valley? 8 TV Shows You Must Watch on Netflix So, you love Silicon Valley, but you've seen every episode at least twice. Don't worry, as there are plenty of other similar shows that you'll probably enjoy watching... Read More .
You can stream the series on HBO. Season 6 airs in 2019.
63 episodes in five seasons
Six Feet Under explores the multiple levels of death, including personal, religious, and philosophical. Set in a family-run Los Angeles funeral home, this ensemble drama stars Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, Frances Conroy, Lauren Ambrose, Freddy Rodriguez, Mathew St. Patrick, and Rachel Griffiths.
Part drama, part dark comedy, Six Feet Under has won numerous awards, including nine Emmy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Peabody Award.
Six Feet Under is available to stream on HBO and Amazon Prime.
86 episodes in six seasons
One of the most acclaimed dramas of all time, The Sopranos revolves around New Jersey-based crime boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) and his family and crime organization. Created by David Chase, the series was nominated for numerous awards during its run and won two Primetime Drama Emmy Awards.
Joining Edie Falco, Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli and a great cast, The Sopranos is notable for being the first series on a cable network to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama. Gandolfini and Falco were nominated six times for Best Actor and Leading Actress, respectively, both winning a total of three awards.
The Sopranos was the first HBO series experienced by many. Spanning six seasons, it presents a gritty, flawed, and, yes, violent world. It's worth the trip, if you can handle it.
You can stream The Sopranos on HBO and Amazon Prime.
58 episodes in six seasons
In the television series Veep, the HBO political comedy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays Selina Meyer, a vice president of the United States who ends up in the White House as President, at least for a while.
Co-starring Anna Chlumsky, Tony Hale and Reid Scott, the series has won numerous awards throughout its run. This includes 12 Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
Calling Veep hilarious is an understatement. Louis-Dreyfus and the entire cast deserve the praise they've received over the course of the series.
You can stream the entire Veep series on HBO and the first two seasons on Amazon Prime. The sitcom returns in 2019 for a final seventh season.
20 episodes in two seasons
The most recent series on this list, Westworld is a sci-fi thriller based on a 1973 movie of the same name. The story takes place in a fictional amusement park populated by Android "Hospedadores". Westworld is a place where high-earning guests can indulge in their wildest fantasies, for better or worse.
Westworld features a large cast that includes Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, and James Marsden. One of the most talked about series on television, Westworld was recently renewed for a third season, which should debut in 2019.
You can stream Westworld exclusively through HBO.
60 episodes in five seasons
The Wire is a crime drama television series set in Baltimore, Maryland. Written by former police reporter David Simons, the series looks at how the city's various government institutions interact with the police. Topics featured in the series include society and politics, illegal drug dealing, urban life, and more.
Throughout its run, The Wire was praised for its cast of character actors rather than big stars. It also featured real life figures in the Baltimore community.
All five seasons of The Wire are available to stream on HBO and Amazon Prime.
If you're looking for high-quality television entertainment, you can't go wrong with HBO. For nearly three decades, the pay service has produced some of the best television shows on the planet.
To learn more about HBO and its content, check out these amazing shows that make HBO worth watching. The 15 Best HBO Shows That Make HBO Worth Watching. You can watch HBO even without cable TV. Here are the best HBO shows that make HBO NOW worth the price of admission. Read more.
