Cristin Milioti Sofia Falcone sitting at a table touching her hands together in The Penguin
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Kyle McLeod
Published 30 minutes ago
Kyle is a senior writer at ScreenRant and has been part of the team for over two years. Having led coverage on The Walking Dead projects alongside Rick & Morty, Kyle is well versed in numerous genres.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Kyle is a passionate journalist who has a keen interest in TV and film. He has six years of experience studying journalism including a HND in Practical Journalism and a BA Honours in Journalism, Media and Communication and History. Alongside his love for TV and film, Kyle enjoys video games, football and Formula 1.
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With the growth of streaming over the last decade or so, there are countless great platforms with libraries full of quality TV shows. Netflix remains one of the biggest, while Prime Video and Disney+ are also among some of the most mainstream services, but HBO Max often flies under the radar, especially given how many flawless hits it has produced.
Despite having tough competition, some of HBO Max's shows are better than anything on Netflix or any other streaming platform for that matter. Not only have there been some great originals created purely for streaming, but HBO's longevity in the industry means there are plenty of incredible series on Max that you can't find anywhere else.
While the likes of The Sopranos and Game of Thrones are easily among the network's most recognizable projects, they do suffer some slight dips in form despite their overall quality. However, these four masterpieces are essentially flawless from start to finish, and they are easily among HBO's best shows of all time due to their consistency.
Chernobyl (2019)
Chernobyl HBO Jared Harris
Chernobyl was a miniseries that came out of seemingly nowhere, yet it remains one of the best ever made and has set an incredibly high standard that few have matched ever since. Based on the catastrophic real-life events, Chernobyl explored the stress and horrors that came with the Soviet Union's nuclear disaster in Ukraine.
Interestingly though, the series didn't spend all its time lingering on death and despair. Instead, there is also a human focus, with the show centering around the brave people who risked their lives trying to manage the damage while also exposing the lies and cover-ups of those at fault, hence Chernobyl's stellar reputation.
Despite not having a cast full of notable names, the acting was emotional and did an excellent job of demonstrating how controversial this event was. Each episode had viewers on the edge of their seats, feeling dread and frustration towards those in charge, yet admiration for those trying to salvage one of the worst man-made disasters in history.
Even though the events are dramatized, Chernobyl still does a fantastic job of being historically accurate. Likewise, it balances its necessary moments of distress with heroic actions, culminating in one of the best thriller miniseries ever made, and although it can feel like a very tough watch at times, Chernobyl is a true 10 out of 10 show.
The Penguin (2024)
Oz holds a cigar in his mouth while looking shocked in The Penguin
After a stand-out performance in 2022's The Batman, Colin Farrell was given his own series as the Penguin, and the rest is history. The iconic DC villain has had many enjoyable interpretations throughout the character's history, but HBO's The Penguin cemented Farrell's portrayal as one of the all-time best.
He perfectly captured the antagonist's cowardly and ruthless nature, stabbing everyone and anyone in the back to get ahead in life. At the start of the series, Oz Cobb comes across as somewhat sympathetic — someone the audience may even root for. By the end, he is a despicable criminal who everyone is eager to see brought to justice.
Cristin Milioti also delivered her best TV show performance in The Penguin as Sofia Falcone, and watching her perspective of events was a true highlight. Everything from the acting to the costume design to the crisp writing cemented The Penguin as a worthy spinoff to The Batman, making it no surprise that there is talk of a potential second season.
Regardless of the show's future, this thriller didn't feel like a typical superhero flick, but rather a classic HBO crime drama that deserved its countless Emmy wins. Fortunately, we will see these characters again in some capacity as the new DC regime continues to expand, but it'll be tough replicating this sensational project that surpassed all expectations.
Succession (2018-2023)
Logan looking stern in Succession
Unlike the previous entries, Succession lasted more than a single season, but all four outings were absolutely incredible. Very few modern TV shows blend drama and comedy so well, but Succession made it look effortless, all while delivering a compelling story about family and power struggles, which were helped by a great cast operating at the top of their game.
Each character had their own unique goals and personalities that set up high-stakes conflict between the Roy family, with the series cleverly focusing on personal disputes and political moves, rather than the usual violence and betrayals that HBO has become known for.
Totaling at just under 40 episodes, the story seemed to fly by, and Succession is worth watching a second time to fully appreciate each shocking twist. Seeds were planted in advance, but it was still difficult to see certain moves coming in this HBO Max classic, which is part of what made it so compelling.
Most importantly, Succession finished on a high, expertly capping off a gripping narrative that never faltered once during its five-year run. Although not everyone seems to buy into the hype of this elite drama, it still delivered an exceptional level of quality from start to finish, and you'll find few more consistent shows on HBO Max or any other streaming platform.
The Wire (2002-2008)
Idris Elba in a scene from The WireCredit: MovieStillsDB
Considering how often The Wire and The Sopranos are compared, it may be a surprise to see the latter not on this list. Of the two shows, The Sopranos arguably had the higher highs, and many may feel it was the better series overall; however, The Wire did a better job of maintaining its quality, and it's practically flawless.
Following drug dealers and law enforcement in Baltimore, The Wire excelled at offering a realistic feeling while always ensuring something dramatic was happening to keep viewers interested. It never went over the top with its storytelling, yet the action and conflict were impossible to look away from.
The decision to present both the criminals and the police as neither completely good nor evil allowed The Wire to simply feel like real people in real settings, which is why it resonated with so many fans. Naturally, the unbelievable performances from a recognizable cast helped, but the writing is a true 10 out of 10 at all times.
Each season only grew in quality, maintaining a strong standard the entire time, and whether you think The Wire is HBO's best crime show ever or have another favorite, it's impossible to deny just how engaging this legendary hit was, hence why it is constantly compared to the all-time greats.
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Like Follow Followed Chernobyl TV-MA Drama History
10/10
26
9.3/10
Release Date
2019 - 2019
Network
HBO
Cast
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Jared Harris
Valery Legasov
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Stellan Skarsgård
Boris Shcherbina
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Like Follow Followed The Penguin TV-MA Crime Drama
9/10
250
9.3/10
Release Date
2024 - 2024-00-00
Showrunner
Lauren LeFranc
Cast
See All-
Colin Farrell
Oz Cobb
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Cristin Milioti
Sofia Falcone
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Like Follow Followed Succession Drama Comedy
10/10
24
8.4/10
Release Date
2018 - 2023
Network
HBO Max
Cast
See All-
Hiam Abbass
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Alan Ruck
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Like Follow Followed The Wire TV-MA Crime Drama
10/10
70
9.4/10
Release Date
2002 - 2008-00-00
Network
HBO
Cast
See All-
Dominic West
Jimmy McNulty
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Lance Reddick
Cedric Daniels
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