Good shows on HBO are plentiful — evengreatones aren’t hard to come by. The platform has earned its prestige TV distinction, and its streaming service has the luxury of housing classic favorites likeFriendsalongside more recent Emmy-winning masterpieces likeSuccessionandThe White Lotus. There’s a lot of excellent content to choose from: Here’s our list of the best shows on HBO Max to help you get started.
For more recommendations, check out our list of thebest movies on HBO, thebest drama movies on HBO, and thebest horror movies on HBO.
Editor’s note: This article was updated May 2025 to include Pee-wee as Himself.
‘Pee-Wee as Himself’ (2025)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.6/10
Pee-wee as Himself
Boasting the coveted perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score,Pee-Wee as Himselfpulls the curtain back on one of America’s greatest comedy characters, portrayed by the effervescentPaul Reubens. With the world still mourning his death two years on,Pee-Wee as Himselfpays doting homage to the life of a true entertainment giant, with this two-part documentary leaving no stone unturned in its pursuit of piecing together the full picture of his life. -Jake Hodges
Watch on Max
‘100 Foot Wave’ (2021 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 8.1/10
100 Foot Wave
One of the most jaw-dropping docuseries on Max,100 Foot Wavefollows surferGarrett McNamara, a fearless extreme sportsman who journeys to Nazaré, Portugal, to both enhance the local community and complete his personal goal of overcoming the titular 100-foot wave. McNamara is a daring, inspiring subject to focus a sports documentary on, with the quality of this story hanging on his every move. Luckily, he marks one of the most interesting characters in modern sports docuseries, with this a great watch for surfing fans and non-fans alike. -Jake Hodges
‘The Young Pope’ (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 8.3/10
The Young Pope
This epic political drama from the mind ofPaolo SorrentinofollowsJude Law’s Lenny Belardo, the newly elected Pius XIII and the very first American Pope. With the odds stacked against him in a skeptical world, can Lenny succeed? Featuring a stunning central turn from the ever-brilliant Law and some masterful cinematography that perfectly captures the beauty of the Vatican,The Young Popeis a genius piece of television that rivals the biggest of movie blockbusters. Receiving two Primetime Emmy nominations for its trouble, there are many who would argueThe Young Popedeserved more.- Jake Hodges
‘Togetherness’ (2015 - 2016)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.5/10
Togetherness
Looking for moreMelanie Lynskeynow that the newest season ofYellowjacketsis done? Look no further. This somewhat forgotten rom-com drama from 2015 follows two couples, each sharing a home and attempting to pursue their dreams without stepping on each other’s toes. A sitcom by its very nature,Togethernessis a neat, laugh-a-minute comedy whose subject matter has aged like a fine wine. Both offering a unique outlook on a tried and tested genre whilst also ticking the boxes fans can expect,Togethernessis a perfectly easy, hilarious watch. -Jake Hodges
‘The Last of Us’ (2023 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 8.7/10
The Last Of Us
Following the enormous success of the first season,Craig MazinandNeil Druckmann’s adaptation of the video game of the same name is finally returning to screens for its second season this April. Based on the sequel video game from 2020, this second installment is set five years after the events of the first, with an even tougher, more emotionally draining journey ahead. Sporting stunning central performances, gorgeous visuals, and a story worthy of everyone’s time,The Last of UsSeason 2 somehow manages to build neatly from the first without losing any of the show’s adept qualities. -Jake Hodges
‘Iyanu’ (2025 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.9/10
Created byBrandon EastonandRoye Okupe,Iyanufollows the journey of self-realization of the titular teenage girl, voiced bySerah Johnson. With no recollection of her past, the chance discovery of her own ancient powers will finally connect her to her heritage. A touching tale packed with epic adventure,Iyanuis a brand-new Max animation that the whole family won’t want to miss. Visually stunning and narratively enticing,Iyanuis firing on all cylinders. -Jake Hodges
Peacemaker (2022 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 8.3/10
Peacemaker
Created byJames Gunn,Peacemakerbegins where 2021’sThe Suicide Squadended, focusing on the whirlwind action-packed life of the titularPeacemaker, withJohn Cenareprising his role from the aforementioned movie. After recovering from his injuries,Peacemakeris quickly recruited to a special agents task force and put on the mysterious ‘Project Butterfly.' The mission? To track down and destroy a group of butterfly-like parasites that are causing the deaths of humans across the world.
For those who lovedThe Suicide Squad,Peacemakerhas all of the elements that crafted its success in abundance. For those who didn’t loveThe Suicide Squad,Peacemakeris a breath of fresh air that provides both comedy and action in abandon, paying beautiful homage to the source material.Peacemakerhas something for everyone, with a story of fighting evil that can light a fire in even the coldest of hearts. -Jake Hodges
‘Kobe: The Making of a Legend’ (2025)
IMDb: 6.1/10
When the world lostKobe Bryantback in January 2020, it was rightly considered one of the most shocking and tragic deaths in sporting history. Now, five years on, Max has produced a celebration of the man himself, withKobe: The Making of a Legendleaving no stone unturned in the exploration of how a master of his craft is made. A documentary made for basketball fans and non-fans alike,Kobe: The Making of a Legendis worth a watch for anyone simply interested in what high-class achievement is like and how sustaining greatness is maintained. -Jake Hodges
‘Celtics City’ (2025 - Present)
Celtics City
The world loves a sports documentary, with HBO and Max bringing the next big title in the genre to our screens. The most decorated NBA team in history, the Boston Celtics are an iconic team with fans from all corners of the world. With the chance to peek behind the curtain and into the locker room comes one of the most exciting new series coming to streaming. From the highs of winning to the lows of losing and everything in between,Celtics Cityis everything a fan of the team could want. -Jake Hodges
‘The White Lotus’ (2021 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 8.0/10
The White Lotus
A dark comedy-drama anthology series,The White Lotuswas created byMike Whiteand centers around the idiosyncratic guests and employees of a luxury resort chain. The first season is set in Hawaii, the second in Sicily, and Season 3, which premiered on August 16, 2025, is set in Thailand. Every season features a new cast of characters, each with their own secrets and complications, and shows how their stay at the destination resort inevitably ends in violence and death. Season 3 starsLeslie Bibb,Carrie Coon,Walton Goggins,Sarah Catherine Hook,Jason Isaacs,Lalisa Manobal,Michelle Monaghan,Sam Nivola,Lek Patravadi,Parker Posey,Patrick Schwarzenegger,Tayme Thapthimthong, andAimee Lou Wood, withNatasha Rothwellreprising her Season 1 role as Belinda Lindsey.
The White Lotushas been a universally acclaimed show ever since its premiere in July 2021, and in its third season, the series is better than ever in its exploration of psychological dysfunction, unbridled hedonism, and class tensions.The White Lotushas earned several accolades, including 15 Emmy Awards, and was included in the American Film Institute’s Top 10 programs list in both 2021 and 2022.
