The 10 Best TV Shows on HBO Max of All Time (With Reddit Reviews)
Dive into the world of HBO Max and discover the 10 best TV shows that have defined its legacy. From gripping dramas to hilarious comedies, these series have captivated audiences with unforgettable stories and stellar performances. Below, explore plot summaries, air dates, main casts, and insights from Reddit reviews.
The Sopranos
Plot Summary: This iconic drama follows Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a New Jersey mob boss juggling the challenges of family life and organized crime, while grappling with anxiety and therapy sessions.
Air Date: Premiered January 10, 1999, and ran until June 10, 2007.
Main Cast: James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli.
Reddit Reviews/Comments: Fans rave about its depth, with one saying, "The Sopranos has the best characters of any TV show I have ever seen," while another noted, "Nothing outranks the Sopranos - not in my book!" Some debate its later seasons, calling them "uneven" but still praise its overall impact.
The Wire
Plot Summary: Set in Baltimore, this series explores the drug trade, education system, and city politics through the eyes of law enforcement and street-level dealers, offering a raw look at urban life.
Air Date: Debuted June 2, 2002, and concluded March 9, 2008.
Main Cast: Dominic West, John Doman, Idris Elba, Sonja Sohn.
Reddit Reviews/Comments: Users call it a masterpiece, with one stating, "The Wire is #1 with Sopranos close #2," and another hooked after a rewatch, saying, "Gotta say, your comment got me to watch the Wire and I got effing hooked."
Game of Thrones
Plot Summary: Based on George R.R. Martin’s novels, this epic fantasy chronicles the power struggles among noble families vying for the Iron Throne in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos.
Air Date: Premiered April 17, 2011, and ended May 19, 2019.
Main Cast: Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey.
Reddit Reviews/Comments: Fans are divided, with one exclaiming, "GoT is my favorite show ever," despite season 8 criticism, while another said, "The first 4 seasons were far superior to any show I’ve ever seen," highlighting its early brilliance.
Band of Brothers
Plot Summary: This miniseries follows Easy Company, a paratrooper unit, through World War II, from training to the war’s end, based on real-life accounts of soldiers.
Air Date: Aired September 9, 2001.
Main Cast: Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston, Donnie Wahlberg, Scott Grimes.
Reddit Reviews/Comments: Viewers praise its quality, with one noting, "Band of Brothers was fantastic," and another calling it "one of the best, fully wrapped up shows out there," appreciating its limited series format.
True Detective (Season 1)
Plot Summary: This anthology’s first season follows two detectives, Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson), investigating a serial killer case in Louisiana over 17 years.
Air Date: Premiered January 12, 2014.
Main Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Monaghan, Michael Potts.
Reddit Reviews/Comments: Fans laud its first season, with one calling it a "pure masterpiece," while another said, "True Detective season 1 is the objectively right answer," though opinions on later seasons vary.
Succession
Plot Summary: This dark comedy-drama depicts the dysfunctional Roy family’s battle for control of their global media conglomerate after their patriarch’s health declines.
Air Date: Debuted June 3, 2018, and concluded May 28, 2023.
Main Cast: Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin.
Reddit Reviews/Comments: Viewers love its wit, with one saying, "Succession and Barry are my two favorite shows," and another noting, "Watching you people melt down is the most deeply satisfying activity on planet Earth."
The Leftovers
Plot Summary: After 2% of the world’s population vanishes mysteriously, this series follows the survivors in a small town as they cope with loss, faith, and societal breakdown.
Air Date: Premiered June 29, 2014, and ended June 4, 2017.
Main Cast: Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman, Christopher Eccleston, Ann Dowd.
Reddit Reviews/Comments: Fans call it emotional, with one stating, "The Leftovers is one of my favorites and the ending makes you appreciate the show 10x more," while another found it "very interesting and well written."
Deadwood
Plot Summary: Set in the 1870s, this Western drama portrays the lawless town of Deadwood, South Dakota, as it evolves from a gold rush camp into a civilized settlement.
Air Date: Aired March 21, 2004, to August 27, 2006.
Main Cast: Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, Brad Dourif.
Reddit Reviews/Comments: Users adore its dialogue, with one saying, "Deadwood is everything," and another praising, "Some of the best lines ever," citing its captivating storytelling.
Barry
Plot Summary: This dark comedy follows Barry Berkman (Bill Hader), a hitman who seeks a new life as an actor in Los Angeles, only to find his past catching up.
Air Date: Premiered March 25, 2018, and ended May 28, 2023.
Main Cast: Bill Hader, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg, Henry Winkler.
Reddit Reviews/Comments: Fans enjoy its evolution, with one noting, "Barry and Succession are my two favorite shows," and another calling it "a staggeringly well written study of its tortured main character."
Six Feet Under
Plot Summary: This drama centers on the Fisher family, who run a funeral home, as they navigate personal grief, relationships, and the business of death.
Air Date: Aired June 3, 2001, to August 21, 2005.
Main Cast: Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, Frances Conroy, Lauren Ambrose.
Reddit Reviews/Comments: Viewers find it impactful, with one saying, "Six Feet Under is excellent," and another lamenting, "Six Feet Under not even being top 20 is insane," highlighting its emotional depth.
