The HBO network has been the go-to for gripping television entertainment for more than twenty years now. It has become a wildly acclaimed, endlessly enjoyed channel for those seeking the next great hits and the most marvelous new shows with a cinematic feel. Featuring Emmy and Golden Globe-winning juggernauts and unforgettable classics, for two decades, HBO has brought us entertainment that will be beloved for as long as television exists.
Today, we have so many lists praising the absolute best that HBO has to offer. Whether we’re gushing over incredible dramas like The Wire or Succession, or getting lost in epic fantasies like Game of Thrones, or immersing ourselves in remarkable miniseries like Band of Brothers, HBO certainly has so many incredible achievements that need to be discussed. So, let’s look back at these two previous decades, ranking the best of the best. The shows below are the ones that defined HBO’s legacy as the most acclaimed network over the last twenty years.
7
‘The White Lotus’ (2021–Present)
Making quite a huge splash in recent years, The White Lotus became an instant hit due to sharp writing, direction, and a long list of career-boosting performances. Created by comedian and writer Mike White, this dark satirical drama explores social tensions and disruptions among several guests and employees of a luxurious resort across the span of a week.
It delves into the complexities of human behaviors and major class issues, pushing the very limits of TV storytelling with some of the bold subject matter being shown here. The writing, as mentioned above, is exceptionally top-notch, making the characters seem unique and believable, while also making them work within the boundaries of these interwoven storylines. It’s also a stacked series featuring stars at the top of their game, like Walton Goggins, Jennifer Coolidge, and Aimee Lou Wood, to name a few. The White Lotus is a step above most modern dramas with its A-list cast and flawless story writing, making it undoubtedly one of HBO’s most talked-about shows recently.
6
‘House of the Dragon’ (2022–Present)
Sword fights, tense battles, epic drama, and tons of dragons; this next HBO hit is certainly one of the hottest shows on TV right now. The mid 2020s are going strong for the network thanks to House of the Dragon, the grand dark fantasy spin-off series from the world of George R. R. Martin‘s A Song of Ice and Fire. Set centuries before the War of the Five Kings, it follows House Targaryen fighting to maintain order of the kingdom during the height of their reign.
Featuring a near-perfect cast, striking visuals, and compelling writing, House of the Dragon defied the odds to become a spin-off in a league with its highly successful predecessor. Though it doesn’t quite reach the height of viewership and acclaim that Game of Thrones did at its peak, it’s still widely praised by fans for being a well-crafted and satisfying continuation that keeps that previous show relevant in the public eye. Along with its two outstanding Emmy wins and constant recognition, House of the Dragon truly is one of the most noticeable fantasy series in recent years.
5
‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)
From one memorable fantasy show to the next, Game of Thrones, of course, deserves to be placed on this list not only for being a solid tale full of fantastical adventure and action, but also for being one of the most popular shows in the network’s history. George R. R. Martin’s best-selling book series of murders, betrayals, and complex characters has been powerfully translated to the small screen here thanks to its huge Hollywood-level budget and A-list stars. It follows several notable leaders in the land of Westeros fighting for control of the crown while an ancient undead evil awakens in the north.
It has been hailed as one of the most gripping, must-watch shows for much of the 2010s, a highly anticipated series every year from 2011 to 2019. Martin’s story was mostly faithfully adapted; the characters were rich and compelling, and played by mostly unknown actors at the time who have since risen to notable success. The action is tense, beautifully set up, and filled with stunning visuals. You get a great scope of this world and can feel immersed in it. Now, is it entirely perfect? Well, fans and critics do agree the show runners fumbled the last two seasons, but it was, for the most part, expertly told and made a splash in pop culture. It’s flawed, but it is certainly HBO’s most recognizable achievement.
4
‘Succession’ (2018–2023)
Riding high for six years as one of the greatest comedic dramas on television, the Emmy-winning juggernaut Succession exploded onto screens with a thunderous clap that’s still felt now. This Jesse Armstrong-created workplace drama with a touch of comedic satire has fascinated fans with how impressive its story and performances get with each episode. Starring Jeremy Strong and Brian Cox in a tremendous supporting performance, it follows a media giant as he shows signs of slipping, leading his cutthroat children to fight for control of his empire once he steps down.
It’s an excellent blend of two widely opposing genres, combined with excellent writing and direction, and acclaimed performances from a memorable cast who knew how to make their characters unique, and even quite despicable. Brian Cox is the exceptional highlight, playing Logan Roy as a central and complex antagonist whose psychological manipulation and ruthlessness have become a driving force in why this show is powerful to watch. Overall, Succession packs an incredible punch that HBO fans haven’t forgotten in the few years since it’s been off the air.
3
‘The Pitt’ (2025–Present)
2025 marked a new era of medical dramas on the network with The Pitt, a tense and hardcore hospital-set series created by R. Scott Gemmill. Though running for less than two years now, it’s already hailed as a masterpiece of its genre, a more brutal and psychologically gripping take that flips medical drama on its head. The acclaimed Noah Wyle stars as a seasoned head doctor at a Pittsburgh hospital as he leads his team of hardworking workers through grueling workdays.
Using HBO’s high production values, exceptionally talented writers, and showing no unrestrained TV censorship, The Pitt shines as the most well-crafted, heart-pounding medical show in recent memory. The performances are award-worthy, the setting is claustrophobic and chaotic, and the writers went to extreme lengths to portray medical authenticity, becoming one of the most accurate hospital series to do so. It’s exceptionally perfect and currently reigns as the network’s biggest critical success.
2
‘Chernobyl (2019)
Truly, one of the edgiest shows in recent years was Chernobyl, the HBO-released miniseries created by Craig Mazin, which detailed one of the most chaotic man-made disasters in human history. For five masterful episodes, it follows several Soviet bureaucrats and scientists trying to contain the spread of radiation and later deal with the fallout after the Chernobyl power plant in Ukraine suffers a catastrophic meltdown.
It’s rich with historical accuracy and impressive attention to detail. You get a feel for the severity and chaos of what went down in the Soviet Union during this turbulent time. Jared Harris and Stellan Skarsgård are phenomenal as the leads trying to manage the disaster, with Harris getting exceptional praise for playing someone desperately seeking to save as many lives as possible and tell the truth of what really happened. While it’s not entirely faithful to true events, it really does capture it fairly well and really gets intense, heartbreaking, and almost horrific at times. It’s a standout that defined HBO before going into the early 2020s.
1
‘True Detective’ (2014–Present)
A sharply paced, intense series that has breathed new life into the cop procedural formula, HBO’s True Detective is a step above that fascinates us each new season. It’s an anthology series following different police investigations across the country, focusing on the psychological toll these cases have on the detectives involved and the lines they are willing to cross to solve them.
Each season adds more than just new leads and locations; they’re completely new and distinct tales with similar themes but exploring different areas of social and human behavior. It’s a complex anthology of stories that aren’t so much focused on the actual crimes but more on the characters trying to solve them and what each case means to them. It’s backed by legendary performances by equally legendary actors, including Academy Award winners Matthew McConaughey, Jodie Foster, and Mahershala Ali. Just as emotionally charged as it is perfectly acted and told, True Detective is a must-watch for all who appreciate HBO.
