Kings of TV content — no one can deny the fact that the best HBO shows of all time have left quite an impression on the world of television entertainment. HBO has dominated the screens of televisions for decades now and set the bar for every other network to at least try and reach. The combination of quality scripts and high budgets has allowed HBO shows to secure a place at the top of many lists of the greatest shows of all time.
The script is the first element that HBO is known for. The stories are original, the characters are deep, and the flow seems natural enough to entrap us. All of these elements are usually (looking at you, Game of Thrones) found in all of the HBO series. After all, the story usually stays with us longer than the visuals themselves. The best example would be the beloved The Sopranos. A series about an anti-hero mobster, HBO and David Chase created a series that, at the end of its run, had changed the landscape of television for all time. Also, some of the best HBO series have a high budget behind their productions. A-tier actors, beautiful set designs, and consistency in quality — HBO doesn’t hold back in the spending money department. The best example is Succession, one of the newest series in their catalog, which has already taken the world by storm. Starring Brian Cox and produced by people like Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, it has already become one of the best TV shows of all time, even though the pilot only came out in 2018.
Even among HBO shows, some series are better than others. Luckily, some people on AskReddit decided to pick the best ones. User spidey-sense asked an interesting question to the group — “Which is the best HBO TV show of all time?” and people rushed with their answers. We’ve compiled the best in the list below, so be sure to upvote the ones you liked the most. If you have anything to share about the series, you can do so in the comments below.
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#21 True Blood

TeePeeBee3 replied: "Just rewatched the entire series. Holds UP 100%"
pmd815 replied: "YES. I literally forgot about it for almost a decade and was randomly reminded and watched the entire series all over again. It was just as entertaining the second time around. Corny sometimes yes but just good tv man."
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11points
#22 Flight Of The Conchords

spidey-sense- replied: "It's business time."
barrbubblegum replied: "When I'm down to just my socks, you know what time it is."
Superd3n replied: "Dad was a women’s rights activist. Your dad was, not your mom? Yeah, he was, mom no, dad would never allow it."
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10points
#23 Big Love

"Big Love, such an underrated series for the early days of the HBO developed content. Entourage was still in its infancy but was a fan favorite, but Bill Paxton and the rest of the actors did an amazing job with the script writing and plot development. Everyone should give it a watch it’s truly awesome tv."
Dizzy_Bus4028 replied:
"I’ve just started this and am blown away, never seen a show tell a story like this like that. Having 'God Only Knows' as the theme is also great."
"I’ve just started this and am blown away, never seen a show tell a story like this like that. Having 'God Only Knows' as the theme is also great."
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10points
#24 The Leftovers

spidey-sense- replied: "Beautiful show. The only thing with Leftovers is that... Please watch it if you are in a good place in life."
dayvie182 replied: "A lot of people fell off The Leftovers after the bleak-fest that was S1. But they really missed out on an astonishing tale of faith and hope. It was true a work of art in every sense of the word."
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9points
#25 The Newsroom

TeePeeBee3 replied:
"Still mourning its cancellation."
"Still mourning its cancellation."
erolalia replied:
"It changed how I watched/responded to the news in general. Such a great series."
"It changed how I watched/responded to the news in general. Such a great series."
BunniesnBroomsticks replied:
"One of my favorite shows of all time. It's in my constant rewatch rotation. I really wish it was around for the 2016 election, that would've been brilliant."
"One of my favorite shows of all time. It's in my constant rewatch rotation. I really wish it was around for the 2016 election, that would've been brilliant."
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9points
#26 Watchmen

Lincoln624 replied:
"Correct."
"Correct."
rightasra1n replied:
"Definitely deserves a mention."
"Definitely deserves a mention."
KingRilian replied:
"Super super super underrated."
"Super super super underrated."
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9points
#27 The Night Of

"Only one season so tough to say it was the best show. But that was the best season of TV I’ve ever seen."
Bopshidowywopbop replied:
"My second favourite. Amazing characters and acting. Truly a masterpiece."
"My second favourite. Amazing characters and acting. Truly a masterpiece."
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9points
#28 Barry

"Personal favorite is Barry."
alexxmurphy_ replied: "Noho Hank is an excellent character."
spidey-sense- replied: "I think Barry is the best show HBO has made in the last 5-6 years."
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8points
#29 Generation Kill

"Generation Kill was a one and done miniseries but it was SO good!"
Ninnux replied: "Generation Kill is considered among vets to be the closest thing in film to what really goes on down-range. It is that accurate."
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8points
#30 Sex And The City

stitchlover replied: "Late 90s/early 2000s best series. It was the reason why you paid for HBO!"
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8points
#31 Euphoria

minimalwhale replied:
"Incredible cast. Euphoria is the fever dream Riverdale wishes it could be."
"Incredible cast. Euphoria is the fever dream Riverdale wishes it could be."
Insecure_Egomaniac replied:
"I can tell this is a high quality show, but I try to stay away from content about devolving into chaos via drugs or other self sabotage."
"I can tell this is a high quality show, but I try to stay away from content about devolving into chaos via drugs or other self sabotage."
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8points
#32 The Righteous Gemstones

"Righteous Gemstones is up there for me."
cheesemongrel938491 replied:
"I constantly quote this show. It's so freaking funny. The first scene literally hooked me in the wave pool. I was screaming."
"I constantly quote this show. It's so freaking funny. The first scene literally hooked me in the wave pool. I was screaming."
mirageatwo replied:
"I can't wait for the next season. I love the characters."
"I can't wait for the next season. I love the characters."
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7points
#33 The Rehearsal

"For me, it's the Rehearsal but only because it's completely different than anything else HBO typically does. It's one of the strangest television shows I've ever seen, and it made me feel things that no other television show has been able to do.
I cannot wait for season 2."
mediocreguitarist604 replied:
"Definitely an altogether unique show with a whole new variant of cringe-humour. The way Nathan just tumbles down the rabbit-hole with all the character acting lends itself to a very special kind of comedy. Sacha Baron Cohen lead the charge for this type of cringe-comedy on HBO, absolutely toying with regular everyday people... but even he would never be able to unravel things the way Nathan Fielder did."
"Definitely an altogether unique show with a whole new variant of cringe-humour. The way Nathan just tumbles down the rabbit-hole with all the character acting lends itself to a very special kind of comedy. Sacha Baron Cohen lead the charge for this type of cringe-comedy on HBO, absolutely toying with regular everyday people... but even he would never be able to unravel things the way Nathan Fielder did."
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7points
#34 Silicon Valley

"Best comedy Silicon Valley, I loved that show."
stuckonpost replied: "The soundtrack was amazing!"
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6points
#35 Eastbound & Down

Cosbysnitenitejuice replied: "On rewatch atm 'it’s all about the fixins.'"
skaomatic replied: "One of the greatest comedy series ever, Stevie ruled hard !"
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5points
#36 The Larry Sanders Show

Wookiees_get_Cookies replied: "I loved this show as kid even though I couldn’t follow most of the adult storylines, but I still remember it all these years later."
MistakeMaker1234 replied: "Probably the most groundbreaking sitcom of all time, and maybe the most influential show ever made. It was the first half-hour single-camera comedy, pioneered the idea of celebrities playing 'themselves' on TV, and it’s success led directly to HBO being a major player in the advancement of the medium. The Sopranos and The Wire really were given a chance because of the successful proof of concept that the Larry Sanders show provided."
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5points


