Buzz
If you came to this list expecting the usual recommendation to watch The Sopranos, The Wire, and Veep, you’re in luck. These three shows made it into Rotten Tomatoes' top 50 HBO shows, alongside many other fan-favorite classics you’ve been meaning to catch up on.
You’ll also notice plenty of recent hits that have dominated the ratings in recent years (and, yes, everyone around you has likely told you to watch them already). Included are the Roy family drama Succession; I May Destroy You, Michaela Coel’s powerful miniseries inspired by her personal experience with sexual assault; and The Rehearsal, Nathan Fielder’s awkward yet comedic exploration of human connection.
However, the list still manages to surprise. While HBO is widely recognized for its epic dramas, the top three spots are all occupied by comedies. First place went to Garry Shandling’s ’90s sitcom The Larry Sanders Show, followed by two 2019 premieres: Robin Thede’s A Black Lady Sketch Show and Los Espookys, created by Julio Torres, Ana Fabrega, and SNL alum Fred Armisen.
HBO isn’t just known for dramas, comedies, and dramedies—it has also found success across various genres, including documentaries. Standout titles include the true-crime miniseries I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, based on Michelle McNamara’s investigation into the Golden State Killer murders, and The Lady and the Dale, which covers Elizabeth Carmichael’s 1970s fraud scheme.
This list is proof of HBO’s extensive catalog. To even make it into the top 50, a show had to achieve at least a 89 percent score. Game of Thrones and Big Little Lies claimed the last two spots, while other popular shows, like The White Lotus, Euphoria, and The Righteous Gemstones, just missed out.
You can find the complete list of 104 shows here.
- The Larry Sanders Show (1992) // 100 percent
- A Black Lady Sketch Show (2019) // 100 percent
- Los Espookys (2019) // 100 percent
- Somebody Somewhere (2022) // 100 percent
- The Defiant Ones (2017) // 100 percent
- Random Acts of Flyness (2018) // 100 percent
- The Lady and the Dale (2021) // 100 percent
- Painting With John (2021) // 100 percent
- Barry (2018) // 99 percent
- I May Destroy You (2020) // 98 percent
- High Maintenance (2016) // 98 percent
- Betty (2020) // 98 percent
- Insecure (2016) // 97 percent
- My Brilliant Friend (2018) // 97 percent
- Band of Brothers (2001) // 97 percent
- Sally4Ever (2018) // 97 percent
- Treme (2010) // 97 percent
- Watchmen (2019) // 96 percent
- Irma Vep (2022) // 96 percent
- I’ll Be Gone in the Dark (2020) // 96 percent
- Mare of Easttown (2021) // 95 percent
- Chernobyl (2019) // 95 percent
- Tracey Ullman’s Show (2016) // 95 percent
- The Crime of the Century (2021) // 95 percent
- Succession (2018) // 94 percent
- Silicon Valley (2014) // 94 percent
- The Wire (2002) // 94 percent
- Flight of the Conchords (2007) // 94 percent
- Veep (2012) // 93 percent
- The Deuce (2017) // 93 percent
- We Own This City (2022) // 93 percent
- The Rehearsal (2022) // 94 percent
- Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000) // 92 percent
- Boardwalk Empire (2010) // 92 percent
- The Sopranos (1999) // 92 percent
- Sharp Objects (2018) // 92 percent
- Deadwood (2004) // 92 percent
- Gentleman Jack (2019) // 92 percent
- Oz (1997) // 92 percent
- Da Ali G Show (2000) // 92 percent
- The Leftovers (2014) // 91 percent
- Eastbound & Down (2009) // 91 percent
- The Pacific (2010) // 91 percent
- In Treatment (2008) // 90 percent
- Togetherness (2015) // 90 percent
- Looking (2014) // 90 percent
- The New Pope (2020) // 90 percent
- We Are Who We Are (2020) // 90 percent
- Game of Thrones (2011) // 89 percent
- Big Little Lies (2017) // 89 percent
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