When it comes to prestige TV, HBO has long been the gold standard for quite some time. The network has a way of turning its shows into obsessions for millions around the world. So, if you wish to know which top HBO series you absolutely cannot miss, you are in the right place. Welcome to our definitive ranking of the top 10 (and top-rated) HBO series of all time.
But don’t just take my word for it. HBO won the most awards in important categories (9 trophies as compared to runner-up Netflix’s 6) in the recently concluded Emmy Awards. The kicker to that, though, is that they won more awards than the networks that flooded the streaming services and airwaves with a long list of mostly (let’s admit) mediocre content. HBO has always proven that less really does mean more. They produce tightly crafted shows that are recognised by critics and are also adored by loyal fans. Then they go on to win awards, too. It only confirms that when HBO puts their name on a show, it makes it count. As the marketing goes, it’s not TV, it’s HBO.
What makes a show worthy of the title top-rated HBO series anyway? Great writing? Plot twists? Awesome characters? Well, it’s all of the above. This list is my very personal take on the top HBO series of all time, though I have mentioned IMDb ratings for your convenience. It contains a mix of iconic classics such as the gangster and fan favourites that I believe deserve a place in your watchlist. Even if you’re a veteran of HBO’s biggest hits, you’ll find something worth binging here.
It was not easy to put together this list. There have been dozens of amazing series made by HBO over the years. Each one is a masterfully produced work of television that’s won critical praise, devoted fan bases, and in many instances, a place in the pantheon of pop culture forever. To select just ten was a little like selecting my favourite offspring. Each series I weighed had something to offer that was new and different. That’s why, to some fans’ dismay, Game of Thrones falls short here. Certainly, its early seasons were a phenomenon, genre-defining even. But the last couple of seasons fell apart spectacularly. It made what should have been a dignified, satisfying finish a messy letdown that spoiled its memory. So it will get credit for what it was, but it doesn’t quite make it among the best HBO shows ever.
Note: The series are ordered according to IMDb ratings, but that doesn’t mean the list is a strict ranking of quality.
The top 10 HBO series you can’t afford to miss
1 /10
IMDb rating: 9.3
Created by: David Simon
Cast: Dominic West, Idris Elba, Michael K. Williams
Synopsis: The Wire deconstructs the city of Baltimore from both the perspectives of law enforcement and the drug trade, presenting a slow-burning, detailed picture of institutional failure. All facets of urban life are laid bare in bleak, excruciating detail. You find yourself forgetting that it is a drama series and not a documentary… so strong is the sense of realism. Frequently cited as being among the best TV dramas produced, it’s a must-see for anyone who is serious about the best-rated HBO shows. Though this list isn’t ranked, I would always place The Wire at number one.
2 /10
IMDb rating: 9.3
Created by: Craig Mazin
Cast: Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Emily Watson
Synopsis: A haunting dramatisation of the 1986 nuclear disaster in the Soviet Union, Chernobyl meticulously reconstructs the events that led to the explosion, the government cover-ups, and the human toll. Jared Harris as Valery Legasov delivers a career-defining performance in a show that is as technically precise as it is emotionally wrenching. Easily one of the most critically acclaimed entries in the top HBO series of all time.
3 /10
IMDb rating: 9.2
Created by: David Chase
Cast: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco
Synopsis: Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a New Jersey mob boss, tries to juggle the demands of his criminal empire with those of his dysfunctional family. Therapy sessions with Dr. Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco) peel back the layers of Tony’s psyche, exposing vulnerability beneath the violence. A true pioneer of prestige television, it was this show that began it all: the golden age of television. The Sopranos set the standard for antihero-led dramas and remains one of the top HBO series of all time.
4 /10
IMDb rating: 8.8
Created by: Jesse Armstrong
Cast: Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook
Synopsis: The Roy family is rich, powerful, and absolutely dysfunctional. Succession follows the corporate power struggles of media mogul Logan Roy and his entitled, backstabbing children as they vie for control of the family empire. Equal parts brutal and hilarious, the show has been a critical darling, earning Emmy after Emmy, and easily holds its place as one of the top HBO series of all time for its razor-sharp writing and powerhouse performances.
IMDb rating: 8.6
Created by: Terence Winter
Cast: Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon
Synopsis: Based in the Prohibition era, Boardwalk Empire follows the ascension of Atlantic City political boss Enoch “Nucky” Thompson (Steve Buscemi), whose corrupt and ruthless ambition turns the city into a gangster’s paradise. Rich production design, historical richness, and outstanding performances make it one of the greatest HBO shows ever, a crime drama and period epic fusion.
6 /10
IMDb rating: 8.4
Created by: Armando Iannucci
Cast: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Hale, Anna Chlumsky
Synopsis: Political satire at its sharpest, Veep follows Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) as she navigates the absurd and ruthless corridors of American politics. Fast-paced, relentlessly funny, and packed with biting one-liners, the series skewers the inefficiencies and backstabbing of power. It remains one of the most hilarious and consistently excellent top rated HBO series out there.
7 /10
IMDb rating: 8.4
Created by: Brad Ingelsby
Cast: Kate Winslet, Julianne Nicholson, Jean Smart
Synopsis: Kate Winslet stars as Mare Sheehan, a small-town Pennsylvania homicide detective who finds herself torn between attempting to crack a local murder and living with personal loss and broken relationships. Atmospheric, character-driven, and heartbreaking, the show ascended to immediate critical acclaim, and is frequently compared to Happy Valley, albeit arguably just as compelling and emotionally crushing. Without a doubt one of the best HBO shows.
IMDb rating: 8.3
Created by: Damon Lindelof, Tom Perrotta
Cast: Justin Theroux, Carrie Coon, Ann Dowd
Synopsis: After 2 per cent of the global population suddenly vanishes in an occurrence known as the Sudden Departure, those remaining must contend with loss, religion, and the meaning of life. Starring Justin Theroux as Kevin Garvey, a police chief careening towards a collapse, the show investigates deep questions of loss, faith, and humanity. It is ambitious, evocative, and frequently surreal. It is one of the most daring and philosophical of HBO’s top shows.
9 /10
IMDb rating: 8.2
Created by: Damon Lindelof
Cast: Regina King, Jeremy Irons, Tim Blake Nelson
Synopsis: Set in an alternate history where masked vigilantes are outlawed, Watchmen follows detective Angela Abar (Regina King) as she investigates the murder of a colleague in a racially tense America. A genre-bending mix of superhero deconstruction, political allegory, and mystery, the series is as visually stunning as it is intellectually challenging. One of the most audacious offerings in the top HBO series of all time.
10 /10
IMDb rating: 8.1
Created by: Michaela Coel
Cast: Michaela Coel, Weruche Opia, Paapa Essiedu
Synopsis: Michaela Coel leads this semi-autobiographical drama (akin to Baby Reindeer) as Arabella. Arabella is a playwright whose world is turned around after a sexual assault. The show doesn’t shy away from tackling consent, trauma, and identity in raw, unflinching terms. She weaves sharp wit with gut-punching emotional scenes. It is one of the finest web series HBO has ever released. It has redefined what modern storytelling about personal trauma can look like.
