HBO's Hall of Fame: The 25 Greatest Original Series
HBO has created some great shows. Here are the 25 best.
The show that essentially launched a network, The Sopranos demonstrated that great storytelling and complex characters could draw huge audiences to cable TV. This mafia epic follows the emotionally complex Tony Soprano as he navigates his two families: his criminal empire and his home life. The Sopranos also boasts one of the most talked-about TV endings of all time. Enjoy it for what it was: pure gangster gold.
HBO’s mega production Game of Thrones was a phenomenon, based on the writings of George R. R. Martin, it follows various characters and arcs as they battle for the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms. For 8 seasons fans were gripped to their seats as they watched many characters come and go. A real artistic masterpiece of storytelling and scale.
Sex and the City was a great show on HBO and was the pioneer of the watercooler television show everyone just had to talk about. Eventually the show moved away from sex, relationships, and friendship and dressed all of that up with fashion, glamour, and two terrible movies. Still seasons 1 and 2 of Sex and the City is HBO at its distinctive best and what the show’s popularity did for the network cannot be overlooked. And Just Like That, the series sequel, 11 years after the release of the second film, finds this group of friends no longer in their 30s, but in their 50s, exploring how friendship and relationships evolve over time.
Unlike Sex and the City, Girls is a more mature and down to Earth view of friendship, relationships, and growing up. The show follows Hannah Helene Horvath, an aspiring writer living in Greenpoint, Brooklyn trying to learn from her mistakes in life and love in New York City.
True Detective is a unique show, for four seasons the show changes story, cast members, and has up and down reviews. The first season is some of the best television ever made. A real masterpiece. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson’s performances are simply out of this world.
One of the best television shows ever produced, Six Feet Under follows the Fisher family, who have a unique business: a funeral home. Through death, we examine life, its complexities, hardships, and yes, even joy.
The Canadian comedy sketch show was innovative, quirky, and off-the-cuff for its time. Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson were The Kids in the Hall, and on HBO and CBS, the comedy troupe made audiences laugh all over America. In 2022, Prime Video released new episodes, bringing the beloved group back for another round of their unique, hilarious humor.
The series follows those who risked their lives to contain the 1986 nuclear disaster in Ukraine, focusing on the political cover-up and its human cost. With meticulous attention to detail and powerful performances, Chernobyl earned multiple awards, including Emmy and Golden Globe recognition.
Set in a world where 2% of the population mysteriously disappears, The Leftovers follows the emotional struggles of those left behind. With three seasons, the haunting and thought-provoking series was critically acclaimed for its powerful exploration of grief, belief, and human connection.
True Blood capitalized on the Twilight phenomenon, becoming a huge cult classic. Whether it was a product of its time or truly a 'great' series is still up for debate. However, it is a must-see TV for fans of comic and horror genres, gaining widespread popularity
Starring Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley, Big Little Lies earned critical acclaim and multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards. The show follows a group of women in Monterey, California, whose seemingly perfect lives unravel due to secrets, lies, and a mysterious murder. It explores themes of domestic violence, friendship, and the complexities of family dynamics
Presented as a controversial, bold, and daring TV show, Euphoria has captured millions of viewers worldwide since its premiere in 2019. The visuals of the series are undoubtedly one of its standout aspects, with vibrant colors and striking cinematography that enhance the storytelling.
Following Zendaya as Rue Bennett, a teenage girl struggling with addiction, the show also explores the lives of her peers as they navigate the complexities of love, identity, trauma, and friendship. Euphoria offers a fascinating and often raw insight into the challenges faced by today’s youth.
Set in luxury resorts around the world, with each season taking place at a different location, this show mixes dark comedy and drama. The White Lotus revolves around the interactions between its wealthy guests and the staff, uncovering secrets, tensions, and offering sharp social commentary on privilege and class. It became critically acclaimed and won several awards, including multiple Emmy Awards.
There are good shows, fun shows, great shows, and then there are shows that make you reflect on who we are, where we're heading as a society, and what we're doing to ourselves. The Wire is not just TV; it’s a thesis on urban decay, the political system, the education system, the forgotten inner city, media, and the war on drugs. It’s widely regarded as one of the most profound, brutal, and inspiring television shows ever made.
Celtics City is an HBO original docuseries that chronicles the history and cultural impact of the NBA's most successful and legendary franchise: the Boston Celtics.
Boardwalk Empire takes storytelling and production to the next level. In this series, which first aired in 2010, the audience follows Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson and his "rule" over what will become Atlantic City as we know it. Loosely based on historical events, Boardwalk Empire offers a complex, engaging, and brutal look at those who rise to power and those who are left behind as a result.
The show, which has six seasons, follows a programmer who starts a company and has to struggle with an ever-growing industry and big-time companies looking to buy him out. Silicon Valley may not have had a huge audience, but it was critically acclaimed and offered an insightful view of the tech world.
Set in late 19th-century New York City, The Gilded Age is a historical drama that follows Marian Brook as she navigates the rivalry between old-money and new-money families. It explores class struggles, societal change, and economic growth.
Robert Durst, a real estate heir suspected of multiple murders, is the subject of The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, a true-crime documentary miniseries. Through interviews and archival footage, the series explores his bizarre behavior. Its shocking final episode became a cultural sensation.
Based on Stephen King's novel of the same name, The Outsider follows a small-town murder investigation that takes a dark turn when evidence suggests that a supernatural force may be involved. Themes of justice, reality, and the unknown blend with crime procedural and horror.
Taking place at the dawn of the Roman Empire, the show first follows the rise and eventual fall of Julius Caesar, then the conflicts between Mark Antony and Octavian, who will eventually become Augustus, the first and perhaps greatest Roman Emperor.
What truly stands out is how Rome is presented, with the complexities of a growing city, the economic strife of those trying to get ahead, and the greedy politicians seeking to hold onto power. While the show follows great historical figures, it primarily offers a view of Rome through the eyes of two very different Roman soldiers.
It's much like Seinfeld, but with a focus on the ridiculous and crude. For over 12 seasons, Larry David, co-creator of Seinfeld, has made us laugh at the absurdities of American social life. Curb Your Enthusiasm follows a retired writer navigating awkward situations, bizarre encounters, and everyday irritations.
Following the trials and tribulations of a growing United States and the gold rush of the 1870s, Deadwood featured unforgettable characters and outstanding performances. It was an extraordinary series, but it was cut short after three seasons to prioritize the airing of The Sopranos. Unmissable.
The Newsroom is a drama that focuses on the personal and professional lives of the anchor team at a cable news network, offering an insight into media ethics and the challenges of modern journalism. The show was praised for its sharp dialogue and political commentary.
Blending science fiction and drama, this series, set in a futuristic world of humanoid robots, explores the implications and consequences of AI and free will. Premiering in 2016, it was ahead of its time, and now that such a world no longer seems impossible, watching the show offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on how technology could impact our lives, particularly in terms of morality, control, and unpredictability.