HBO Max is one of the best streaming services currently available, and it has a wide range of TV shows for subscribers to choose from. The platform really has something for everyone, whether they're into sprawling fantasy stories, mystery thrillers, superhero shows, or prestige dramas.
And some of the best shows streaming on HBO Max are ones everyone should watch once, either because they have a universal appeal, because they're modern classics, or because they tackle important subjects. These titles are well worth checking out, if only to say you've done so — though most of them are as enjoyable as they are iconic.
Peacemaker
Peacemaker makes for an entertaining watch, even if superhero fare isn't your typical go-to — and while knowledge of the DCU will help you recognize Easter eggs and references, you don't need much of it to dive in. The Suicide Squad is the only film that directly impacts Peacemaker, and it's also streaming on HBO Max.
And everyone should give both the 2021 film and John Cena's series a try, as they're dark and comical enough to win over DC fans and newcomers alike. Peacemaker has heart, action, and James Gunn's usual brand of humor. It all comes together to deliver a series that's a joy to watch, and everyone should get to experience that winning formula.
Mare Of Easttown
Mare of Easttown is one of those mystery thrillers you really should watch twice — but at the very least, Kate Winslet's 2021 series should be experienced once. Mare of Easttown's gripping narrative, which centers on a murder investigation in a small town, will grip you from the first episode.
Winslet's portrayal of the show's lead, who is struggling with her past and using alcohol to cope, is enough reason to get invested in this series. However, Evan Peters' performance, Mare of Easttown's high stakes, and the show's incredible twists all make it worthwhile. The depth of the characters makes it appealing, even for those less inclined to reach for thrillers.
Euphoria
Euphoria is a show that's received a lot of attention for its heavy subject matter and incredible cast. And while Euphoria season 3 is still a while off, the drama is one everybody with access to HBO Max should check out. Through its teen characters, it unpacks everything from addiction to gender identity, and these important storylines deserve attention.
In addition to its hard-hitting and relevant narratives, Euphoria is incredibly well-written and well-acted. From Zendaya and Hunter Schafer to Sydney Sweeney and Maddy Perez, there's so much talent bringing this story to life. It makes the series even more powerful, and those who aren't watching it are seriously missing out.
The Sopranos
The Sopranos is an essential crime drama, and it's not underselling it to say the series changed television. But it's been long enough since its 2007 finale that some HBO Max subscribers won't have had the opportunity to watch it. Those who missed it while it was airing need to see why it's considered a classic in the first place.
With all six seasons of The Sopranos streaming on HBO Max, that's easy enough to accomplish. Despite some elements of The Sopranos not aging well, its complicated characters and tense narratives still make it a great watch. The amazing performances, well-placed humor, and emotional beats are also selling points, offering plenty of incentives to dig in.
Friends
Friends is another series that most HBO Max subscribers will have seen already. However, anyone who has managed to avoid Friends for this long needs to watch it. Although there are elements of the '90s sitcom that don't hold up today, it's too influential to ignore.
Watching Friends will allow viewers to finally pick up on the references and memes surrounding the series, as many people still talk about it today. Additionally, it makes for a great comfort show, with the humor and connections between the core group sure to brighten any viewer's mood.
The Wire
One of the greatest crime dramas of all time, The Wire stands out for its willingness to examine the system that creates criminals and acknowledge that law enforcement is far from perfect. While many crime shows take a more black-and-white approach, The Wire's nuance is refreshing and ensures it ages well.
It also makes the series required viewing, even 17 years after its ending. Beyond its realism and thoughtful themes, The Wire also boasts an incredible cast, strong writing, and an impressive production quality. It's easy to fall into the show when all those things coexist.
The White Lotus
The White Lotus has been the source of many water-cooler conversations and internet memes in recent years, and that's already a good reason to stream it on HBO Max. However, The White Lotus has more to offer than conversation starters. There's a reason it's so popular: it expertly blends drama, suspense, and comedy.
It also manages to reinvent itself with every season, bringing in recognizable cast members who are a big part of the draw. Add in the show's commentary on wealth and privilege, and it's hard to find reasons not to watch The White Lotus. The wait between seasons 3 and 4 offers an opportune time to dive in, too.
The Pitt
The Pitt is winning over critics and general audiences alike with its fresh take on the medical genre, and everyone should see what the excitement is about. The series could easily become one of the best medical dramas of all time, as it takes a more grounded and realistic approach to its storylines than most. It also digs deep into its characters and themes, which is refreshing.
And with just one season of The Pitt currently out, it's a great time to binge it on HBO Max. The Pitt season 2 is already confirmed, and assuming the show has a long future ahead, it's bound to become one of the most heavily discussed series in years. Anyone familiar with the medical system can appreciate it, and they'll be in the loop when it finally does return.
The Last Of Us
Despite the criticisms leveled at The Last of Us season 2, it's one of the best series to debut on HBO in recent years. Season 1 is required viewing for several reasons, including the touching bond between Joel and Ellie, the brutal adaptation of the video game's world, and that beautiful Bill and Frank episode that will reduce even hardened viewers to tears.
Even season 2 has its strengths, and The Last of Us season 3 is poised to return to the first outing's heights, especially if it learns from the backlash and leans further into the source material. Even if it doesn't fix season 2's problems, it's big enough that people are going to be talking about it. Everyone should give it a try to see where they land on the series.
Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary has been hugely successful for a reason, and the game-changing sitcom is a must-watch, even for those who aren't necessarily sitcom people. By taking place in a school setting and tackling real-world issues for inner-city teachers and students, the show sets itself apart.
Everyone should watch Abbott Elementary for awareness of the challenges facing many children and teachers, but its strengths extend beyond its commentary. The ABC series also has lovable characters and many heartwarming moments, making it an ideal binge for HBO Max subscribers looking for a good balance of thoughtful viewing and lighthearted enjoyment.
One Tree Hill
There are a number of classic teen dramas streaming on HBO Max, but One Tree Hill is easily the best of them — and even if it feels a bit dated, it's still a worthy watch, whether you're the target audience or well into adulthood. One Tree Hill's lovable cast of characters are compelling, and their sometimes infuriating choices make for great television.
One Tree Hill also tackles a surprising number of serious subjects, from school shootings to stalking. Many of these issues remain relevant today, keeping the drama's storylines relatable. While later seasons of One Tree Hill are more divisive, such strengths make a convincing argument for digging in.
Chernobyl
Chernobyl is a masterpiece of a miniseries, tackling a real-world tragedy in a way that's both insightful and engaging. In just five episodes, it successfully dramatizes the explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986. The series gives viewers more insight into the incident, drawing attention to historical details that might be overlooked (though it's worth noting there are some things it gets wrong).
Even so, its historical background makes Chernobyl an important viewing experience everyone should have once. The harrowing miniseries is also masterfully pieced together. The writing, performances, and production make for an emotional watch. It's not an easy series to get through, but it's a necessary one.
Band Of Brothers
Regarded by many as the best war TV show of all time, Band of Brothers is a must-watch — and it will only take you 10 hours to get through it. It surpasses many war movies in terms of emotion and accuracy, even if it still makes some mistakes with real history. As it's based on the true stories of the soldiers in Easy Company, it's an emotional watch. And let's face it, their stories deserve to be told.
Honoring the real people who inspired Band of Brothers is one reason everyone should give it a watch, but the miniseries has other draws as well. The acting and writing are spot-on, and its most emotional moments make it difficult for anyone to remain dry-eyed. It's a powerful series that demands to be experienced.
Watchmen
HBO's adaptation of Watchmen is just one season long, but it leaves a strong impression in its nine-episode run. Its subversion of common superhero conventions is incredibly compelling, and the series does an impressive job weaving social commentary into its story. Its depiction of the Tulsa Race Massacre is particularly memorable, though it's far from the only way it condemns systemic racism.
In addition to Watchmen's great writing and relevant themes, the show boasts an incredible cast led by the likes of Regina King, Jeremy Irons, and Jean Smart. They all play complex characters well, ensuring viewers are intrigued enough by their stories to keep hitting the play button on the next episode.
His Dark Materials
Game of Thrones may be the most well-known fantasy series streaming on HBO Max, but His Dark Materials deserves the same attention. The adaptation of Philip Pullman's books does an impressive job of bringing their story to life, grappling with the concepts of destiny and free will through Lyra Belacqua's three-season journey.
His Dark Materials has incredibly high stakes, a recognizable cast who deliver emotional performances, and a well-crafted world. If that's not enough to convince everyone (and especially fantasy fans) to tune in, it also has something many shows lack: a near-perfect ending. Needless to say, His Dark Materials should be on every viewer's watchlist.
The Leftovers
The Leftovers has one of the greatest TV openings of all time — it imagines the chaos that unfolds when 2% of the population suddenly disappears — and the series just gets better and better from there. It presents plenty of mysteries throughout its three-season run, but at its core, it's a series about how humans grapple with grief and the unknown.
Such experiences are universal and make The Leftovers relatable to anyone, regardless of how outlandish some of its plot points are. And its bonkers storylines, great acting from stars like Justin Theroux and Carrie Coon, and impressive writing are all worth experiencing at least once. It will leave you glad to have picked it up.
True Detective
Some seasons of True Detective are better than others, but all of them are incredible additions to the crime genre; even the worst episodes of the HBO series boast a higher quality than other many thriller shows out there. This reality makes True Detective a must-watch for thriller fans, but it's also a series that those who don't typically reach for the genre should try.
The series' incredible quality means it's still being talked about today, and although it's dark and unflinching approach to crime can be hard to stomach, each season offers thoughtful takes on everything from human nature to systemic injustice. There's a reason it dominated the cultural conversation for a while, and anyone who missed it then should experience it firsthand now.
Succession
Succession is another HBO series that dominated the conversation when it was airing, and its commentary on oligarchs and their impact on media and politics feels all too relevant. As it forces viewers to think about the connections between wealth and power, Succession is a more important viewing experience than it often gets credit for.
It's also masterfully written and acted, even managing to invest audiences in the fates of the most unlikable characters. And of course, Succession has plenty of great jokes and one-liners, many of which are now recognizable memes. HBO Max subscribers should watch it for all those reasons. Its combination of humor and drama is truly top-tier.
The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries has its flaws, but it's a series people return to year after year — and for good reason. The first outing of TVD is atmospheric and gripping, introducing viewers to a world where vampires, werewolves, and witches all reside alongside human beings. The supernatural elements are balanced by plenty of drama, offering multiple reasons to tune in.
The Vampire Diaries is one of those shows it feels like everyone has seen, and those who haven't may feel out of the loop when it comes up. It's worth seeing what people are talking about, even if the show isn't perfect. The first four seasons are especially fun, making them easy to binge.
Game Of Thrones
If anyone missed the fight for the Iron Throne when Game of Thrones was airing, it's not too late to head to Westeros and see what all the hype is about. All eight seasons of Game of Thrones are streaming on HBO Max, and despite the series' divisive ending, they're still incredible, especially for anyone who loves high fantasy.
Game of Thrones remains the standard for fantasy on television, and its early seasons are especially memorable — though there are great battle sequences and thoughtful discussions scattered throughout. As the series appeals to mainstream audiences and fantasy lovers alike, it's one everyone with HBO Max should try out at least once.
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