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Game of Thrones, Insecure, Westworld, Silicon Valley (Helen Sloan; Justina Mintz; John P Johnson/HBO)

(Photo by Helen Sloan; Justina Mintz; John P Johnson/HBO)

The 80 Best HBO Series Ranked

Game of Thrones’ final season might have debuted to major fanfare — audiences did have to wait multiple years between seasons, after all — but is the epic fantasy series HBO’s all-time best show?

Not necessarily. The cable network has plenty of buzzworthy series on its current lineup, including dark comedy Barry (two seasons are Certified Fresh in the high 90s on the Tomatometer), the mysterious technological mystery of Westworld (two seasons Certified Fresh in the high 80s), and award-winning drama Big Little Lies (the first season is Certified Fresh at 93%). And that’s not to mention HBO’s signature prestige dramas including The Sopranos (92%), Western period drama Deadwood (95%), and newer comedy Insecure (97%).

We’ve crunched the numbers on HBO series and miniseries with Tomatometer scores, as well as compared our ratings to other editorially curated lists to determine the most premium of the premium network’s series.

We also considered cultural impact, which is why some series that don’t have enough reviews for a series-level score made the list (they may have season-level scores, however). So while Sex and the City may not have the highest Tomatometer score, Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha were a collective phenomenon that spawned movies and inspired countless knockoffs of their female-fueled formula – and we’re better TV watchers for it.

Is your favorite HBO title missing? Tell us in the comments.

HBO SERIES

The Newsroom (2012)
58%

#80

Synopsis: This drama series revolves around the life of a news anchor named Will McAvoy. The Atlantis Cable News Channel experiences... [More]

Starring: Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer, Sam Waterston, Alison Pill

Directed By: Paul Lieberstein, Jason Ensler, Julian Farino, Alan Poul

Divorce (2016)
77%

#79

Synopsis: Frances and Robert endure each other and some of the lowest points of their extremely long divorce, in this comedy-drama... [More]

Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Molly Shannon, Talia Balsam, Thomas Haden Church

Directed By: Jamie Babbit, Ben Taylor, Janicza Bravo, Scott Ellis

Real Time With Bill Maher (2003)

#78

Synopsis: A talk show about current events with the former host of 'Politically Incorrect.' This weekly late-night forum is a virtual... [More]

Starring: Ross Douthat, Tim Robbins, Charlie LeDuff, Errol Morris

Directed By: Hal Grant, Paul Casey, Paul L. Casey

Luck (2011)
82%

#77

Synopsis: A drama set in the world of horse racing focuses on the owners, trainers, jockeys and gamblers.... [More]

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Nick Nolte, Dennis Farina, John Ortiz

Directed By: Michael Mann, Allen Coulter, Brian Kirk, Brian Kirk

Mosaic (2018)
79%

#76

Synopsis: Explores the psychological underpinnings of love and murder in a small town, blurring the line between reality and memory. ... [More]

Starring: Sharon Stone, Garrett Hedlund, Frederick Weller, Jennifer Ferrin

Room 104 (2017)
88%

#75

Synopsis: Set in a single room of an average American motel, ROOM 104 tells a different story of the assorted characters... [More]

Starring: Charlyne Yi, Rainn Wilson, Hugo Armstrong, Brian Hostenske

Directed By: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, Patrick Brice, Marta Cunningham

Tracey Ullman's Show (2016)

#74

Synopsis: Comedy sketch show. Tracey Ullman's return to British screens brings with it her unique take on some extraordinary characters living... [More]

Starring: Tracey Ullman, Rupert Grint, Julie Kavner, Michael Brandon

Directed By: Nick Collett, Ted Bessell

Dream On (1990)

#73

Synopsis: Old TV and movie clips punctuate the thoughts of a neurotic book editor in a risqué cable comedy that balances... [More]

Starring: Michael McKean, Daisy Fuentes, Brian Benben, Denny Dillon

Directed By: Rob Thompson, John Landis, Mel Smith, William Malone

Sally4Ever (2018)
97%

#72

Synopsis: A woman about to marry her boyfriend falls for another woman.... [More]

Starring: Catherine Shepherd, Alex MacQueen, Julia Davis, Julian Barratt

2 Dope Queens (2018)
94%

#71

Synopsis: Taped before a live audience at Brooklyn's Kings Theatre, the show features these fun, fearless queens dishing on Cocoa Khaleesis,... [More]

Starring: Uzo Aduba, Jessica Williams, Tituss Burgess, Daniel Radcliffe

Da Ali G Show (2003)
92%

#70

Synopsis: An American version of the British comedy series featuring Ali G.... [More]

Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, James Baker, Gore Vidal, Patrick J. Buchanan

Ballers (2015)
71%

#69

Synopsis: Ex-NFL professional, Spencer Strasmore, is on the lookout for a new career. He plans to become a financial manager and... [More]

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, John David Washington, Omar Benson Miller, Donovan Carter

Directed By: Seith Mann, Simon Cellan Jones, John Fortenberry, Simon Cellan Jones

Arli$$ (1996)
62%

#68

Synopsis: Satire about an `ethically challenged' sports superagent with an A-list clientele of professional athletes. The series is packed with cameos.... [More]

Starring: Patricia Manterola, George Brett, Robert Wuhl, John Glover

Directed By: Michael N. Grossman, Roger Director, Chrisanne Eastwood, Timothy Marx

Vice Principals (2016)
83%

#67

Synopsis: Comedy about a power struggle between two high-school administrators who are vying for the top job of principal.... [More]

Starring: Danny McBride (IV), Walton Goggins, Kimberly Herbert Gregory, Georgia King

Directed By: Jody Hill, David Gordon Green

Tales from the Crypt (1989)
82%

#66

Synopsis: Horror tales based on the E.C. Comics of the 1940s and '50s, introduced by the Cryptkeeper, who was created by... [More]

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Tim Roth, Natasha Richardson, M. Emmet Walsh

Directed By: Mary Lambert, Steve Perry, Rodman Flender, Gregory Widen

The Hitchhiker (1983)

#65

Synopsis: A popular anthology of suspense tales introduced by the titular character. Guest actors included Willem Dafoe, Kirstie Alley, Gary Busey... [More]

Starring: Page Fletcher, Nicholas Campbell, Susan Anspach, Karen Black

Directed By: Phillip Noyce, Carl Schenkel, Paul Verhoeven, Mike Hodges

Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel (1995)

#64

Synopsis: Journalists report on contemporary athletics in this prize-winning sports magazine.... [More]

Starring: Bryant Gumbel, Marc Buoniconti, Noah Aldrich, Rick Welts

Fraggle Rock (1983)

#63

Synopsis: 'Muppet' master Jim Henson's popular children's series about fun-loving creatures who live underground, along with the workaholic Doozers and the... [More]

Starring: Gerard Parkes, Steve Whitmire, Lee Armstrong, Phil Balsam

Directed By: Jim Henson, Martin Lavut, Doug Williams, Stephen Katz

The Chris Rock Show (1997)

#62

Synopsis: The edgy, bitingly funny, Emmy-winning series features a monologue and guests.... [More]

Starring: Chris Rock, Mayblean Ephriam, Bernie Mac, Stanley Crouch

Sesame Street (1969)

#61

Synopsis: A landmark series set in an ethnically diverse urban neighborhood where every day is a sunny one. It features songs,... [More]

Starring: Judah Friedlander, Christina Applegate, Hugh Jackman, Gustavo Dudamel

Directed By: Victor Di Napoli, Tim Carter, Tim Carter, Victor DiNapoli

The Kids in the Hall (0)

#60

Synopsis: One of Canada's funniest exports has a number of wonderfully odd characters who take sharp, satiric jabs at social conventions... [More]

Starring: Dave Foley, Mike McKinney, Scott Thompson, Bruce McCulloch

Vice (2013)

#59

Synopsis: A newsmagazine that investigates global current events, including political and cultural topics.... [More]

Starring: Barack Obama, Jason Box, Hamilton Morris, Ben Ferguson

Dennis Miller Live (1994)

#58

Synopsis: The comedian discusses current events with celebrity guests.... [More]

Starring: Jim Carrey, Dennis Miller, Jon Lovitz, Jon Stewart

Tracey Takes On... (1996)

#57

Synopsis: Tracey Ullman's considerable comic gifts are on full display in an Emmy-winning series in which each episode wittily explores a... [More]

Starring: Tracey Ullman, Penny Marshall, Corbin Bernsen, Michael McKean

Directed By: Thomas Schlamme

Tenacious D (1997)
100%

#56

Synopsis: A comic series of improvised songs by acoustic guitarists.... [More]

Starring: Jack Black, Tenacious D

Directed By: Troy Miller

The Ricky Gervais Show (2010)

#55

Synopsis: An animated version of the podcast discussing a variety of unusual topics, which includes a recurring segment called 'Monkey News.'... [More]

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant

Directed By: Dan Fraga

In Treatment (2008)
84%

#54

Synopsis: A psychotherapist meets with his regular patients Monday through Thursday, and seeks help for himself with his former therapist on... [More]

Starring: Gabriel Byrne, Dane DeHaan, Josh Charles, Glynn Turman

Directed By: Ryan Fleck, Michael Pressman, Joshua Marston, Warren Leight

Looking (2014)
90%

#53

Synopsis: A dramedy following the personal and professional lives of a trio of gay men in San Francisco.... [More]

Starring: Jonathan Groff, Frankie J. Alvarez, Murray Bartlett, Scott Bakula

Directed By: Craig Johnson, Rian Johnson, Joe Swanberg, Andrew Haigh

Togetherness (2015)
90%

#52

Synopsis: Marriage does not work out for Michelle and Brett who live in an apartment in Los Angeles. As they stumble... [More]

Starring: Mark Duplass, Melanie Lynskey, Steve Zissis, Amanda Peet

Directed By: Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass

The Young Pope (2017)
78%

#51

Synopsis: A ten-part miniseries following the reign of Pope Pius XIII, the first American pontiff.... [More]

Starring: Jude Law, Diane Keaton, James Cromwell, Silvio Orlando

Show Me a Hero (2015)
96%

#50

Synopsis: A new mandate approved by law over public housing divides public opinion in a white middle-class community of Yonkers City... [More]

Starring: Oscar Isaac, Alfred Molina, Catherine Keener, Clarke Peters

The Corner (2000)
100%

#49

Synopsis: A tough Emmy-winning series about a drug-infested neighborhood in 1990s Baltimore and the broken, battered families who struggle every day... [More]

Starring: T.K. Carter, Khandi Alexander, Sean Nelson, Clarke Peters

Generation Kill (2008)
86%

#48

Synopsis: Generation Kill is a seven-part miniseries that follows the struggles of Marines fighting in the Iraq War. An elite unit... [More]

Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, James Ransone, Lee Tergesen, Billy Lush

Directed By: Susanna White

Getting On (2013)
92%

#47

Synopsis: A comedy set in an extended-care wing of a rundown hospital in Long Beach, Cal. Adapted from the BBC series... [More]

Starring: Laurie Metcalf, Jo Brand, Vicki Pepperdine, Alex Borstein

Directed By: Howard Deutch, Miguel Arteta

Succession (2018)
91%

#46

Synopsis: The Roy family -- Logan Roy and his four children -- controls one of the biggest media and entertainment conglomerates... [More]

Starring: Brian Cox, Alan Ruck, Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin

Directed By: Adam McKay, Mark Mylod, Andrij Parekh, Adam Arkin

The Defiant Ones (2017)
100%

#45

Synopsis: The unlikely partnership between music producer Jimmy Iovine and rapper Dr. Dre is spotlighted in this documentary series.... [More]

Starring: Dr. Dre

Random Acts of Flyness (2018)
100%

#44

Synopsis: A late-night series from artist Terence Nance.... [More]

Starring: Tonya Pinkins, Terence Nance, Melvin Mogoli, Robert Kirk

Directed By: Terence Nance

The Comeback (2005)
69%

#43

Synopsis: Former sitcom "It Girl" Valerie Cherish tries to jump-start her career with a series of ill-advised forays into reality TV.... [More]

Starring: Lisa Kudrow, Damian Young, Malin Akerman, Victoria Carroll

Directed By: Michael Patrick King, Michael Lehmann, John Riggi, Clark Mathis

Extras (2005)
89%

#42

Synopsis: A frustrated wannabe actor continually lands bit parts on major film projects with real stars (who play themselves). Fortysomething Englishman... [More]

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Ben Stiller, David Bowie, Patrick Stewart

Directed By: Ricky Gervais

Angels in America (2003)
92%

#41

Synopsis: Brilliant adaptation of Tony Kushner's award-winning play about the dawn of AIDS in the 1980s, focusing on a powerful lawyer,... [More]

Starring: Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, Al Pacino, Jeffrey Wright

Enlightened (0)
87%

#40

Synopsis: A woman returns from a mental-health retreat with a new outlook on life, and hopes to get her corporate job... [More]

Starring: Laura Dern, Luke Wilson, Diane Ladd, M.C. Gainey

Directed By: Nicole Holofcener, Jonathan Demme, Phil Morrison, James Bobin

Big Love (2006)
79%

#39

Synopsis: The complicated life of Bill Henrickson, a Utah businessman who also happens to be a polygamist with three wives and... [More]

Starring: Robert Pine, David Sullivan, Matt Lanter, Lindsay Hollister

Directed By: Steven Shill, Michael Lehmann, Mary Harron, Charles McDougall

High Maintenance (2016)
98%

#38

Synopsis: Comedy about a New York cannabis dealer who slips in and out of the lives of his clients.... [More]

Starring: Ryan Woodle, Ben Sinclair, Lee Tergesen, Candace Thompson

Directed By: Ben Sinclair, Silas Howard, Shaka King, Katja Blichfeld

Rome (2005)
84%

#37

Synopsis: The Roman Empire's rise gets a royal treatment in this sprawling drama, which begins in 52 B.C., when Julius Caesar... [More]

Starring: Ciarán Hinds, David Kennedy, Zuleikha Robinson, Kevin Mckidd

Directed By: Steven Shill, Robert Young, Timothy Van Patten, Jeremy Podeswa

Bored to Death (2009)
79%

#36

Synopsis: A dejected Brooklyn writer chooses to dive deep into his detective fantasies as a private eye after his girlfriend breaks... [More]

Starring: Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson, Zach Galifianakis, Oliver Platt

Directed By: Paul Feig, Michael Lehmann, Tristram Shapeero, Alan Taylor

Mr. Show With Bob and David (1995)
100%

#35

Synopsis: Often inspired sketch lunacy with an absurdist, stream-of-consciousness style, this series found a cult following similar to that of `Monty... [More]

Starring: Bob Odenkirk, David Cross, Brian Doyle-Murray, Ben Stiller

Directed By: Stacy Peralta, Troy Miller, Valerie Faris, Peyton Reed

Eastbound & Down (2009)
91%

#34

Synopsis: Kenny Powers is a former baseball pitcher who aimed for the Big Leagues. However, his intolerable attitude and fading fastballs... [More]

Starring: Danny McBride (IV), Will Ferrell, Craig Robinson, Ana de la Reguera

Directed By: Chetan Hansraj, Adam McKay, Jody Hill

My Brilliant Friend (2018)
93%

#33

Synopsis: When the most important friend in her life seems to have disappeared without a trace, Elena Greco, a now-elderly woman... [More]

Starring: Margherita Mazzucco, Gaia Girace, Alessio Gallo, Elisa Del Genio

Treme (2010)
96%

#32

Synopsis: A drama set in New Orleans three months after Hurricane Katrina follows musicians and residents as they try to put... [More]

Starring: Khandi Alexander, Michael Showers, Wendell Pierce, Chris Coy

Directed By: Simon Cellan Jones, Simon Cellan Jones, Ernest R. Dickerson, Agnieszka Holland

Six Feet Under (2001)
83%

#31

Synopsis: Life---and death---at a family-owned funeral home in Los Angeles plays out in this provocative, at times macabre series created by... [More]

Starring: Mo Collins, Peter Krause, Kathy Bates, Michael C. Hall

Directed By: Daniel Attias, Alan Ball, Peter Webber, Adam Davidson

Entourage (2004)
66%

#30

Synopsis: A young movie star from Queens lives the good life in Hollywood surrounded by his boyhood pals, who shamelessly milk... [More]

Starring: Dennis Hopper, James Woods, Stephen Gaghan, M. Night Shyamalan

Directed By: Brian Burns, Daniel Attias, Doug Ellin, Adam Bernstein

Sharp Objects (2018)
92%

#29

Synopsis: Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn, Sharp Objects stars Amy Adams as reporter Camille Preaker,... [More]

Starring: Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, Elizabeth Perkins, Matt Craven

Insecure (2016)
97%

#28

Synopsis: Two black women who are best friends navigate the pitfalls of their personal and professional lives in south Los Angeles.... [More]

Starring: Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell

Directed By: Kevin Bray, Debbie Allen, Marta Cunningham, Tina Mabry

Flight of the Conchords (2007)
94%

#27

Synopsis: Guitar-playing troubadours from New Zealand try to kick-start their careers in New York City while also on the lookout for... [More]

Starring: Bret McKenzie, Jim Gaffigan, Kristen Wiig, Jemaine Clement

Directed By: Taika Waititi, Troy Miller, Michael Patrick Jann, Michel Gondry

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (2014)
98%

#26

Synopsis: John Oliver's satirical look at the previous week's news, politics and headlines.... [More]

Starring: Jane Krakowski, Bobby Cannavale, Josh Charles, Jane Goodall

Directed By: James Hoskinson, Jim Hoskinson

John Adams (2008)
81%

#25

Synopsis: The series chronicles the life of John Adams's political and personal life. The events covered include the Boston massacre, Declaration... [More]

Starring: Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, Stephen Dillane, David Morse

Mildred Pierce (2011)
80%

#24

Synopsis: A five-part adaptation of James M. Cain's 1941 novel about a Depression-era housewife whose husband leaves her with two young... [More]

Starring: Kate Winslet, Guy Pearce, Evan Rachel Wood, Melissa Leo

Directed By: Todd Haynes

The Deuce (2017)
96%

#23

Synopsis: THE DEUCE chronicles that moment in time when sex went from being a back-alley, brown-paper-bag commodity to a billion-dollar universal... [More]

Starring: James Franco, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Carr, Margarita Levieva

Directed By: Uta Briesewitz, Ernest R. Dickerson, Alexander Hall, Michelle McLaren

Olive Kitteridge (2014)
95%

#22

Synopsis: Adaptation of Elizabeth Strout's Pultizer Prize-winning novel about life in a small Maine town over the course of 25 years... [More]

Starring: Frances McDormand, Richard Jenkins, Bill Murray, John Gallagher Jr.

Directed By: Lisa Cholodenko

Barry (2018)
99%

#21

Synopsis: A comedy about a former marine working as a hit man in the Midwest who goes to the West Coast... [More]

Starring: Bill Hader, Henry Winkler, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg

Directed By: Minkie Spiro, Liza Johnson, Bill Hader, Maggie Carey

True Blood (2008)
70%

#20

Synopsis: HBO's hit drama series created by Alan Ball ('Six Feet Under') and based on the best-selling Sookie Stackhouse novels by... [More]

Starring: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten

Directed By: Romeo Tirone, Simon Jayes, Nancy Oliver, Michael Cuesta

The Leftovers (2014)
91%

#19

Synopsis: Adaptation of Tom Perrotta's novel about life in a small town after many of its residents vanished in a Rapture-like... [More]

Starring: Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman, Carrie Coon, Christopher Eccleston

Directed By: Justin Theroux, Craig Zobel, Tom Shankland, Nicole Kassell

Oz (1997)
89%

#18

Synopsis: A grim and graphically raw drama about life (and often death) in an experimental prison ward called Emerald City at... [More]

Starring: Ernie Hudson, Betty Buckley, Frederick Koehler, Terry Kinney

Directed By: Roger Reese, Kathy Bates, Nick Gomez, Bob Balaban

True Detective (2014)
78%

#17

Synopsis: An anthology crime drama written by novelist Nic Pizzolatto. In the third season, a retired detective reexamines a 35-year-old case... [More]

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Mahershala Ali, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo

Directed By: John Crowley (III), Nic Pizzolatto, Janus Metz , Miguel Sapochnik

The Pacific (2010)
91%

#16

Synopsis: The Pacific is a miniseries based on the battle that took place in the Pacific Ocean; it was the first... [More]

Starring: Damian Lewis, Donnie Wahlberg, James Badge Dale, Jon Seda

Directed By: Tony To, Graham Yost, Carl Franklin, Timothy Van Patten

Band of Brothers (2001)
94%

#15

Synopsis: A 10-part miniseries based on Stephen Ambrose's bestseller about a World War II unit called Easy Company, 2nd Battalion of... [More]

Starring: Damian Lewis, Ian Sharp, Shane Taylor, Donnie Wahlberg

Directed By: Phil Alden Robinson, Richard Loncraine, Michael Salomon, David Nutter

Westworld (2015)
86%

#14

Synopsis: A sci-fi drama set in an Old West theme park where guests interact with automatons in scenarios that are developed,... [More]

Starring: Angela Sarafyan, Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood

Directed By: Jonathan Nolan, Richard J. Lewis, Neil Marshall, Jonny Campbell

Girls (2012)
89%

#13

Synopsis: A comedy about twentysomething women navigating their way through life in New York.... [More]

Starring: Lena Dunham, Jemima Kirke, Allison Williams, Adam Driver

Directed By: Richard Shepard, Nisha Ganatra, Richard Shepherd, Jesse Peretz

Boardwalk Empire (2010)
92%

#12

Synopsis: The story is set in the 1920s' America, after the Great War when any man can live a lavish life... [More]

Starring: Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Shea Whigham, Frank Crudele

Directed By: Tim Van Patten, Timothy Van Patten, Alik Sakharov, Allen Coulter

The Night Of (2016)
94%

#11

Synopsis: Naz is a moralistic Pakistani-American student who is on his way to attend a party in Manhattan on Friday night.... [More]

Starring: John Turturro, Riz Ahmed, Michael Kenneth Williams, Bill Camp

Directed By: Steven Zaillian

Sex and the City (1998)
71%

#10

Synopsis: The story revolves around four sassy New-York based women, Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha who are in search of love,... [More]

Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall

Directed By: Alison Maclean, Matthew Harrison, Susan Seidelman, Daniel Algrant

Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000)
92%

Synopsis: A neurotic TV writer copes with life in L.A. in a tart, hilarious and semi-improvised sitcom that follows him dealing... [More]

Starring: Bob Glouberman, Melissa McCarthy, David Wells, Pat Finn

Directed By: Keith Truesdell, Andy Ackerman, Jeff Garlin, Tom Kramer

The Larry Sanders Show (1992)
100%

Synopsis: Classic satire about late-night TV host Larry Sanders, a neurotic (when he's not being self-obsessive) performer. The show boasted celebrity... [More]

Starring: Wallace Langham, Garry Shandling, Peter Falk, Sting

Directed By: Roy London, Peter Tolan, David Mirkin, Dennis Erdman