Best shows on HBO Max: Must-watch series and recent top picks

Why the best shows on HBO Max matter

HBO Max remains a major destination for high-quality television, combining long-established prestige dramas with newer and niche titles. Knowing which shows are widely recommended helps viewers prioritise what to watch amid a large catalogue. Critic lists, platform rankings and fan communities each highlight different strengths — from landmark series to emerging favourites — making round-ups of the best shows on HBO Max especially relevant for subscribers and newcomers alike.

Main picks from critics and platforms

IMDb’s top entries

IMDb’s compilation of the “40 best series on HBO Max” ranks several franchise-defining dramas at the top. Leading that list are The Wire and Game of Thrones, followed by Oz, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Rome, Deadwood and Band of Brothers. These titles reflect both critical acclaim and enduring audience interest, covering crime, historical drama and ensemble storytelling.

January 2026 critics’ roundup

A separate critics’ selection, “The 48 Best Shows on HBO Max Right Now (January 2026)”, includes a mix of established hits and newer entries. Notable mentions from that list include A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, The Pitt, Industry, Heated Rivalry, Mad Men and I Love (as listed in the source). This list indicates ongoing curation of the service’s offerings, blending prestige older series with contemporary programming that has gained attention by early 2026.

Fan recommendations

Community perspectives add another layer: on Reddit, users consistently recommend The Sopranos, The Wire and Six Feet Under as essentials. These fan endorsements align with the platform and critic rankings, underscoring a shared consensus about certain landmark shows that many viewers consider must-watch.

Conclusion: what viewers should take away

Across sources — platform lists, critics and fan forums — a core group of series repeatedly emerges: The Wire, The Sopranos and Six Feet Under among them, alongside heavyweight titles like Game of Thrones and Band of Brothers. For subscribers deciding what to watch, starting with these consensus picks is a reliable approach, while the January 2026 critics’ list offers avenues to discover additional acclaimed or timely shows. As HBO Max continues to evolve its catalogue, combining established classics with newer entries will remain key to its appeal, giving viewers both landmark dramas and fresh suggestions to explore.