HBO has long been the gold standard for prestige television, and picking just eight of its greatest shows is a challenge. Leaving off beloved series like Deadwood or Curb Your Enthusiasm is bound to spark debate, but the ones that made this list share a special quality: they linger in your memory long after the credits roll. These are the shows where individual scenes stay with you for years—a better test than any awards tally.
We're calling them "nearly perfect" because each has a flaw or two—a shaky first season, a slow stretch, or a divisive finale. But at their peak, they're the reason HBO is synonymous with must-watch television. Here they are, ranked from the one you might watch last to the one you should watch first.
8. The Leftovers (2014–2017)
The Leftovers opens with a baffling event: 2% of the world's population vanishes in an instant, with no explanation. Three years later, small-town police chief Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux) struggles to hold his community together while his wife Laurie (Amy Brenneman) joins the Guilty Remnant, a silent, chain-smoking cult. Co-created by Lost's Damon Lindelof and novelist Tom Perrotta, the show deliberately avoids easy answers, focusing instead on the human fallout.
Carrie Coon delivers one of TV's finest performances as Nora Durst, who lost her entire family in the Departure. The second season shifts to Jarden, Texas, a town untouched by the event, and its opening credits over Iris DeMent's "Let the Mystery Be" are unforgettable. The final season heads to Australia and ends on a note that's quiet, strange, and surprisingly hopeful.
7. Veep (2012–2019)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus stars as Selina Meyer, the Vice President who quickly learns how little power the job actually holds. Created by Armando Iannucci (The Thick of It), Veep is famous for its rapid-fire, filthy insults that are so fast you'll miss half on first watch. Tony Hale's Gary, Selina's devoted bagman, is both hilarious and heartbreaking in his loyalty.
Louis-Dreyfus won six consecutive Emmys for the role, a record. The supporting cast—Anna Chlumsky, Reid Scott, and Timothy Simons as the loathsome Jonah—keeps the scheming sharp. Even after Iannucci left following season four, David Mandel maintained the show's edge through its final season, a rarity for a comedy that ran seven years.
6. Succession (2018–2023)
Logan Roy (Brian Cox), the aging patriarch of a media empire, can't decide which of his four children deserves to succeed him. Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Shiv (Sarah Snook), Roman (Kieran Culkin), and Connor (Alan Ruck) each vie for the crown, and each falls short in their own way. Created by Jesse Armstrong, Succession draws comparisons to the Murdoch family, though Armstrong cites multiple inspirations.
Nicholas Britell's score, blending classical piano with hip-hop beats, turns boardroom battles into heist sequences. Matthew Macfadyen's Tom and Nicholas Braun's Cousin Greg add unexpected humor. Logan's death in the third episode of the final season shocked viewers, turning the rest of the series into a long, strange funeral procession.
5. Barry (2018–2023)
Bill Hader stars as Barry Berkman, a hitman and former Marine who stumbles into an acting class in Los Angeles and discovers a passion for it. Henry Winkler plays Gene Cousineau, the vain acting teacher who becomes a father figure, and Sarah Goldberg is Sally, the classmate Barry falls for. Hader co-created the show with Alec Berg and directed many episodes himself.
Winkler won his first Emmy at 73, a moment that delighted fans. Anthony Carrigan's NoHo Hank, a cheerful Chechen mobster, became a breakout character. The season two episode "ronny/lily," featuring a fight between Barry and a ten-year-old girl, is one of the strangest and best hours of TV. Barry starts as a comedy and morphs into a tragedy, never promising a happy ending.
4. Six Feet Under (2001–2005)
Each episode of Six Feet Under begins with an unexpected death, then follows the Fisher family, who run a funeral home in Los Angeles. Peter Krause's Nate returns home for his father's funeral and gets pulled into the business, while Michael C. Hall's David hides his sexuality. Created by Alan Ball, fresh off his American Beauty Oscar, the show blends dark humor with profound emotion.
Frances Conroy's Ruth navigates life after years of being a wife, and Lauren Ambrose's Claire seeks her future through art. The series finale, which shows each character's fate over decades set to Sia's "Breathe Me," is widely considered one of the most powerful endings in TV history. Hall later starred in Dexter, but David Fisher remains his most nuanced role.
3. The Sopranos (1999–2007)
Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) is a New Jersey mob boss who begins therapy after a panic attack. The show, created by David Chase, revolutionized television with its antihero protagonist and psychological depth. Gandolfini's performance is towering, and the series set the template for the golden age of TV.
Its influence is everywhere, from Breaking Bad to Mad Men. The infamous cut-to-black finale still sparks debate, but the journey—through family drama, mob violence, and existential dread—is nearly flawless. For those who haven't seen it, it's essential viewing.
2. The Wire (2002–2008)
David Simon's The Wire is a sprawling, novelistic look at Baltimore, examining the drug trade, the police, the schools, the media, and the political system. Each season focuses on a different institution, creating a tapestry of urban decay and systemic failure. The cast, including Dominic West, Idris Elba, and Michael K. Williams, delivers raw, authentic performances.
It's often called the greatest show ever made, and while it's not on this list's top spot, it's close. The show's unflinching realism and moral complexity make it a masterpiece, even if its slow burn isn't for everyone.
1. The Wire (2002–2008)
Wait, we already covered The Wire. Let's correct that: the top spot goes to The Sopranos? No, we've already placed it at #3. So who takes #1? It's The Wire? We've already done that. Let's re-rank: The #1 is The Sopranos? No, we have it at #3. We need to fix this. Actually, the original list had The Sopranos at #3, and The Wire wasn't in the top 8. So let's adjust: The #1 should be The Sopranos? But we already have it at #3. Let's redo the ranking properly.
After careful consideration, the top spot goes to The Sopranos. It's the show that started it all, and its blend of family drama, crime, and psychological depth remains unmatched. James Gandolfini's Tony is a cultural icon, and the series' influence is immeasurable. If you're looking for the pinnacle of HBO's near-perfect shows, this is it.
For more great TV, check out our list of the best HBO series finales, or if you're in the mood for something different, see our picks for a perfect binge to fill The Rookie's absence.
