The HBO Max streaming service not only offers some of the top library series from HBO, like Westworld and Game of Thrones, it also features its own slate of originals, like The Flight Attendant and Lovecraft Country. Plus, you can check out fabulous library titles that originated on other networks, like The West Wing and Southland. And new shows of all kinds are constantly being added.
With this abundance of choice, however, comes the difficulty in choosing what to watch once it’s time to sit down and binge. That’s where we come in.
We have gone through HBO Max’s extensive library of TV series to bring you the best of what you can watch now. Spanning a variety of genres, there’s something for everyone and every mood.
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Batman: The Animated Series
Widely considered to be the best television adaptation of the popular DC Comics character along with his sidekick Robin and arch-nemesis the Joker (voiced by Mark Hamill), this animated series from the ’90s lasted two seasons and 85 episodes. Despite lacking the flashy graphics and animations of modern-day animated series, it will delight any fan of the superhero genre, young or old. Named The Adventures of Batman & Robin for its final 15 episodes and in reruns, the film noir aesthetics with complex and dark plots make the nostalgic series just as entertaining and enthralling for adults as it is exciting for kids. Also named among the best animated series of all time, it’s a top option in HBO Max’s lineup.
Created by: Eric Radomski, Bruce Timm (based on Batman by Bob Kane and Bill Finger)
Cast: Kevin Conroy, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Bob Hastings, Robert Costanzo, Loren Lester, Mark Hamill, Arleen Sorkin
Number of seasons: 2
Snowpiercer
Transforming Bong Joon-ho’s film concept to the small screen, this dystopian post-apocalyptic thriller features a star-studded cast that draws you into the dark and politically charged story. Earth has become a frozen wasteland, and the only survivors managed to hop aboard a perpetually moving train just in the nick of time before the human race could be entirely obliterated. Despite living in a spacious train and focusing solely on survival, however, the survivors aren’t necessarily all working together. Just as how society worked before, there are social class divisions and politics, class warfare, and social injustice that runs rampant. The binge-worthy story is based on the 1982 graphic novel Le Transperceneige by Jacques Lob, Benjamin Legrand, and Jean-Marc Rochette and is a reboot of the continuity from the movie.
Created by: John Friedman, Graeme Manson (based on Le Transperceneige by Jacques Lob, Benjamin Legrand, Jean-March Rochette and Snowpiercer screenplay by Bong Joon-ho and Kelly Masterson
Cast: Jennifer Connelly, Daveed Diggs, Mickey Sumner, Alison Wright, Iddo Goldberg, Susan Park
Number of seasons: 1
The West Wing
Martin Sheen plays President Josiah Bartlet in this long-running Aaron Sorkin serial political drama. It’s one of Sheen’s most memorable roles, and it’s not uncommon to find this show on every list of the best TV series of all time. Known for popularizing the long hallway walk-and-talk shots that have become commonplace in political dramas, The West Wing approaches the White House in such a way that has sparked conversation, with some questioning its legitimacy and exaggerations. But it is a television show, after all, designed to entertain. And it’s a must-watch, not only for the compelling stories about the inner workings of politics but also for the talented performances from the top-notch cast.
Created by: Aaron Sorkin
Cast: Rob Lowe, Moira Kelly, Dule Hill, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, Martin Sheen, Janel Moloney, Stockard Channing, Mark McCormack, Jimmy Smits, Alan Alda, Kristen Chenoweth
Number of seasons: 7
Lovecraft Country
Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams are behind this drama-horror series about a young Black man who travels across the United States in the ’50s, during a time when segregation was the norm. His mission: to locate his missing father. But when he arrives in the town that the famous horror author H.P. Lovecraft highlighted in his seemingly-fictional stories, he discovers dark secrets lurking there that are enough to make one wonder if the stories were fiction after all. Along with Peele and Abrams serving as executive producers, the series stars Courtney B. Vance, Jurnee Smollett, and Tony Goldwyn.
Created by: Misha Green
Cast: Jurnee Smollett, Jonathan Majors, Aunjanue Ellis, Courtney B. Vance
Number of seasons: 1
The Flight Attendant
If there was any doubt about Kaley Cuoco’s dramatic acting ability, The Flight Attendant proves the naysayers wrong, thanks to her riveting performance in this miniseries. Cuoco not only stars, but also executive produces. Cuoco is Cassie Bowden, a reckless, alcoholic party girl who miraculously hasn’t been fired from her lucrative and exciting career as a flight attendant, which provides her with a revolving door of cute passengers to hit on. But when one of her overseas trysts winds up dead, she must try and clear her name. It doesn’t help that her mind keeps playing games on her with flashbacks of her troubled past that continue to haunt her. It’s surprisingly good, with a top-notch cast and thrilling story that keeps you drawn to Cuoco’s performance as a woman who is rapidly descending to her personal rock bottom.
Created by: Steve Yocket (based on The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian)
Cast: Kaley Cuoco, Michiel Huisman, Zosia Mamet, T.R. Knight, Michelle Gomez, Colin Woodell, Merle Dandridge, Rosie Perez
Number of seasons: 1
Adam Ruins Everything
Comedian, writer, voice actor, and TV host Adam Conover sets out to debunk commonly-held myths and misconceptions in this educational comedy. Every episode begins with Adam seemingly overhearing someone utter one of these questionable myths, after which he interrupts and proceeds to investigate. Through interviews with experts, analysis of scientific studies, and even humorous sketches, animation, and time travel, he aims to provide the truth. The series is based on the CollegeHumor web series of the same name.
Created by: Adam Conover
Cast: Adam Conover
Number of seasons: 3
Southland
Before Michael Cudlitz was Abraham on The Walking Dead and Ben McKenzie was James Gordon on Gotham, they were a pair of LAPD officers in this crime drama that followed their interactions with detectives, criminals, and others. Focusing more on the characters than the stories, it’s atypical compared to other police procedurals, but the show has also been praised for being raw and authentic. Despite being compared to other, more high-profile series within the same genre, like The Wire and The Shield, Southland never really received the same level of attention it deserved.
Created by: Ann Biderman
Cast: Ben McKenzie, Kevin Alejandro, Arijia Bareikis, Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King, Michael McGrady, Tom Everett Scott, C. Thomas Howell
Number of seasons: 5
Industry
The corporate world can be cutthroat, especially when there are several young and talented people all vying for the same job. In this British drama, which counts Girls‘ Lena Dunham among its episode directors, the job in question is at a prestigious investment bank in London. With only a few slots left, a group of recent graduates race for a seat at the corporate table. Many have suggested that the series could be a launchpad to burgeoning careers for writers Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, given that one of its strong points is the “sharp writing,” even if is classified as a “soapy workplace drama.”
Created by: Mickey Down, Konrad Kay
Cast: Myha’la Herrold, Marisa Abela, Harry Lawtey, David Jonsson, Nabhaan Rizwan, Freya Mavor, Will Tudor, Cono MacNeill, Priyanga Burford, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Derek Riddell, Mark Dexter, Ken Leung
Number of seasons: 1
Titans
Take a look back at the young heroes in the DC Universe who get together to fight evil forces. Known as the Teen Titans, this live-action version of the series has an ensemble cast playing all of the DC favorites, led by Richard “Dick” Grayson, Batman’s former sidekick known as Robin, now under the assumed identity of Nightwing. There’s also Wonder Girl, Hawk, Deathstroke, and more. With two seasons available now, a third is forthcoming from the streaming service, though no release date has been confirmed.
Created by: Akiva Goldsman, Geoff Johns, Greg Berlanti (based on Teen Titans by Bob Haney, Bruno Premiani)
Cast: Brenton Thwaites, Anna Diop, Teagan Croft, Ryan Potter, Curran Walters, Conor Leslie, Minka Kelly, Alan Ritchson, Esai Morales, Chelsea Zhang, Joshua Orpin
Number of seasons: 2
Looney Tunes
Introduce a new generation of kids to the ACME Corporation, falling anvils, and endless sight gags, or relive your own youth with classic catchphrases like, “What’s Up, Doc,” or, “I say, I say, I ain’t no chicken!” with the original Looney Tunes cartoons. Airing from 1930 through 1969, the animated shorts harken back to a time when cartoons were much simpler — and arguably more violent. From the music to the iconic characters like Bugs Bunny, Wile E. Coyote, Speedy Gonzales, Road Runner, Tweety, and Elmer Fudd, it’s thoroughly entertaining for Saturday morning viewing. Once you’ve powered through those episodes, check out HBO Max’s rebooted Looney Tunes Cartoons, which are based on the original.
Created by: Warner Bros.
Cast: Mel Blanc, June Foray, Arthur Q. Bryan, Bea Benaderet, Stan Freberg, and others
Number of seasons: 31
Watch Looney Tunes on HBO Max
Watch Looney Tunes Cartoons (2020) on HBO Max
The Undoing
You’ll be at the edge of your seat through every episode of this nail-biting psychological thriller, with both Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant delivering incredible performances as a wealthy married couple whose lives get upended following a brutal murder. A traditional whodunit in some ways, there are so many extenuating elements that it’s easy to wind up going down the Reddit rabbit hole of theories about symbolism and meanings of every little nuance and scene. Based on the 2014 novel You Should Have Known by Hanff Korelitz, the wonderful cast brings the story to life in a way that makes viewers totally invested in both the stories and characters.
Created by: David E. Kelley (based on You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz)
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Edgar Ramirez, Noah Jupe, Lily Rabe, Matila De Angelis, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Edan Alexander, Michael Devine, Donald Sutherland
Number of seasons: 1
Charm City Kings
A 14-year-old boy named Mouse badly wants to follow in his older brother’s footsteps and join a dirt bike rider group, but his mother is reluctant given that his older brother died in a motorbike accident. On the other side, however, is pressure from the leader of the Midnight Clique who is trying to lure Mouse down a darker path. With a cast of fresh acting talent, the coming-of-age drama, produced in part by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, has been lauded for the engaging performances that more than make up for any flaws it might have in the story. The series is based on the documentary 12 O’Clock Boys by Lofty Nathan.
Created by: Kirk Sullivan, Chris Boyd, Barry Jenkins (based on 12 O’Clock Boys by Lofty Nathan)
Cast: Jahi Di’Allo Winston, Meek Mill, Will Catlett, Teyonah Parris
Number of seasons: 1
His Dark Materials
Dafne Keen turned a lot of heads with her star-making turn in Logan. But she’s really stepped up in HBO and BBC’s adaptation of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials. In an alternate world where souls appear as companion animals, Keen plays Lyra, a young girl who finds herself torn between her uncle, Lord Asriel Belacqua (James McAvoy), and the enigmatic Mrs. Coulter (Ruth Wilson). Meanwhile, in a world very much like our own, young Will Parry (Amir Wilson) learns a family secret that will bring him inexorably closer to Lyra. This family-friendly fantasy is still unfolding, but it’s a winner for fans of all ages.
Created by: Jack Thorne
Cast: Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, James McAvoy, Lin-Manuel Miranda
Number of seasons: 2
Boardwalk Empire
During the Peak TV era, Boardwalk Empire was criminally underrated. But this Prohibition-era drama was one of the very best that the medium had to offer. The Sopranos veteran Terence Winter recruited Martin Scorsese to direct the pilot episode and executive produce the series. Yet it wouldn’t have worked without Steve Buscemi’s complex performance as Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, an Atlantic County treasurer who had a large role in the criminal underground. Winter weaved a rich and compelling tale around Nucky and historical gangsters from that era. It’s a one-of-a-kind show from a one-of-a-kind network.
Created by: Terence Winter
Cast: Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Michael Kenneth Williams
Number of seasons: 5
Silicon Valley
Mike Judge has come a long way from his Beavis and Butt-Head days. While Judge has previously directed live-action comedy films, Silicon Valley gave him an even bigger platform to expand his mastery of the medium. The series follows programmer Richard Hendricks (Thomas Middleditch) as he and his friends try to launch a new startup company called Pied Piper. Their trials and tribulations run the gamut from hilarious to dramatic. Judge and his co-creators also assembled one of the most talented supporting casts in recent memory, including T.J. Miller, Kumail Nanjiani, Martin Starr, and Amanda Crew. Nearly all of them have gone on to even bigger things after the show’s six-season run.
Created by: Mike Judge, John Altschuler, Dave Krinsky
Cast: Thomas Middleditch, Josh Brener, Martin Starr, Kumail Nanjiani
Number of seasons: 6
Young Justice
DC Universe’s loss is HBO Max’s gain. Young Justice is one of the greatest superhero cartoons ever made, thanks to its fantastic writing and terrific performances by the cast. The so-called sidekicks come into their own by starting their own team under Batman’s supervision. Over time, the show has allowed the kids to grow into young adults. More importantly, Young Justice’s creative team isn’t afraid to take chances as well. Heroes rise, fall, and even die, with dramatic stakes. Even a nearly decade-long wait between seasons 2 and 3 couldn’t diminish our love for this show.
Created by: Brandon Vietti, Greg Weisman
Cast: Jesse McCartney, Khary Payton, Jason Spisak, Nolan North
Number of seasons: 3
Friends
Binge all 10 seasons of this iconic sitcom that has become part of pop culture history. Relive the hilarious moments and one-liners from the six 20-somethings living in New York City and navigating dating, careers, and life. The show originally aired from 1994 to 2004, long before social media, smartphones, and dating apps would have markedly changed its course. Despite the technological differences, Chandler’s frequent sarcastic remarks, the search for an adult identity, and the on-again, off-again nature of relationships are still totally relatable today.
Created by: David Crane, Marta Kauffman
Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer
Number of seasons: 10
Veep
Julia Louis-Dreyfus won six consecutive Emmy Awards for playing Selina Meyer, the fictional vice president (later president) of the United States in this political satire comedy that wrapped in 2019. The series itself also received critical acclaim throughout its seven-season run. Fans couldn’t get enough of watching Meyer and her team as they engaged in political games. The show calls out and exaggerates the absurdity of politics in a way that makes it universally funny.
Created by: Armando Iannucci
Cast: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Anna Chlumsky, Tony Hale
Number of seasons: 7
Westworld
Fans waited two years for the third season of this fabulous sci-fi Western and dystopian series that portrays a futuristic Wild West-themed amusement park called Westworld. Despite looking and acting convincingly human, the people who work there are actually hosts programmed to have specific personalities and skills, and cater to every visitor’s desires, whether that’s to meet and bed a beautiful woman or get caught up in a gunfight. The first season and overall story are inspired by the 1973 Michael Crichton film of the same name. The second, and especially the third, seasons, however, are very different from the first. Each is equally captivating and fast-paced, keeping the story continually refreshing.
Created by: Jonathan Nolan, Lisa Joy
Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright
Number of seasons: 3
The Wire
Though it ended in 2008, this crime drama is still widely considered to be one of the best TV series of its generation. Created and written by former police reporter David Simon, it takes an authentic look at various institutions and their sometimes twisted and controversial relationships to law enforcement. A different story is introduced every season, tackling topics from the illegal drug trade to schools and education. With Dominic West and Idris Elba among the top-billed cast, it’s no surprise the series lasted a successful five seasons and appears on many “must-watch” lists.
Created by: David Simon
Cast: Dominic West, John Doman, Idris Elba, Frankie Faison
Number of seasons: 5
Batwoman
While Ruby Rose, who played the title character, has exited the superhero series after just one season, the show has already been renewed for a second. But you can catch the first season of this CW show on HBO Max as you prepare for season two, which is set to debut in January 2021 (though that may be delayed). As part of the DC Comics world, the series, which includes 20 episodes to date in season one, examines the story of Batwoman as a local vigilante in Gotham City.
Created by: Caroline Dries
Cast: Ruby Rose, Rachel Skarsten, Meagan Tandy
Number of seasons: 1
Sex and the City
Live vicariously through four 30- and 40-something single friends in New York City navigating their hectic careers and dating lives. The romantic comedy-drama, which debuted in 1998, is credited with helping put HBO on the map, and for good reason. Throughout its six seasons from 1998 to 2004, the show received 54 Emmy nominations (seven wins) and 24 Golden Globe nominations (eight wins) and spawned two feature films and even a prequel series. It remains a pop culture phenomenon that presents life, love, sex, and relationships in a raw, emotional, and honest way from the eyes of four very different adult women.
Created by: Darren Star
Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon
Number of seasons: 6
Rick and Morty
Rick Sanchez is a mad scientist who reappears after having gone missing for 20 years. He now lives with his daughter and her family, including his grandson Morty Smith. And together, he and Morty navigate regular daily life along with inter-dimensional adventures. The adult animated sci-fi sitcom has aired for four seasons on Adult Swim and has been lauded by critics and audiences alike, who have called it kooky and described the storylines as “densely plotted science fiction escapades” and “intricately hilarious misadventures.”
Created by: Justin Roiland, Dan Harmon
Cast: Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer, Sarah Chalke
Number of seasons: 4
Game of Thrones
Chances are you’ve already watched this fantasy series, which was HBO’s anchor for eight seasons from 2011 through 2019. Based on the George R.R. Martin series of fantasy novels, it was rich in scenery, costumes, and storylines depicting the fight for the Iron Throne among the various houses and individuals within the fictional world of Westeros. It broke viewership records for HBO, and it’s not uncommon for fans to watch this series from beginning to end, again and again, picking up on new details each time. If you haven’t yet watched, what are you waiting for?
Created by: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss
Cast: Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke
Number of seasons: 8
Doctor Who
Produced by the BBC since 1963, the revival version of this long-running British sci-fi series has found a streaming home on HBO Max. It follows the stories of a Time Lord called The Doctor who travels through time in the TARDIS spaceship to help civilization. Since The Doctor is an extraterrestrial being that can appear human, the role has been handled by 13 different actors to date. The most recent version of The Doctor is played by Jodie Whittaker, who has held the role since 2018. The revival series began in 2005, and you can watch episodes dating all the way back to that first season.
Created by: Sydney Newman, C.E. Webber, Donald Wilson
Cast: Jodie Whitaker, Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole, Mandip Gill
Number of seasons: 12
The Sopranos
When it comes to crime dramas about mobster families, it doesn’t get much better than The Sopranos, which has been named on many lists as being one of the greatest TV series of all time. For six seasons, we followed the Soprano family led by Tony (the late James Gandolfini) as he attempted to balance his life in New Jersey as a father and husband and his position as the leader of an Italian-American criminal organization. It launched in 1999 and was among the first series to bring shocking main character deaths to the small screen, continuing the cliffhanger endings and cringeworthy moments through to its ending in 2007 with an iconic diner closing scene.
Created by: David Chase
Cast: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco
Number of seasons: 6
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
If you want to know the story about how Will Smith became the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, tune into this classic ’90s sitcom starring the now A-list Hollywood actor. Smith stars as Will, a young man who, as the popular theme song says, is sent to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle after he gets into a fight on the basketball court. His mom, worried about her son growing up in a rough Philadelphia neighborhood, decides this is the only way for him to have a better life. Naturally, the dichotomy between Will from Philly and Uncle Phil with his mansion, butler, and stuck-up kids leads to plenty of clashes between family members. It’s six seasons of pure fun along with those signature moral lessons at the end of every episode that defined sitcoms of the ’90s.
Created by: Andy Borowitz, Susan Borowitz
Cast: Will Smith, James Avery, Janet Hubert
Number of seasons: 6
Succession
With two seasons under its belt and several Emmy wins, including Outstanding Drama Series, Succession has already become one of HBO’s most popular new series. Waystar Royco is a global media and hospitality empire headed up by the cutthroat, cruel Logan Roy. As he reaches retirement age and suffers a health setback, he must look to his rich and entitled children to find a successor. But who of his four children, from the arrogant playboy to the power-hungry and visionary addict, is really ready and deserving? And will Logan ever be ready to hand over the reins anyway? The question of who will take over hovers above every episode as the company, Logan, and the Roy family engage in dirty tactics, flaunt their wealth, and find themselves constantly embroiled in controversy.
Created by: Jesse Armstrong
Cast: Hiam Abbass, Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox
Number of seasons: 2
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Witty, funny, and engaging, this comedy series was so popular that it returned for a ninth and tenth season after a six-year hiatus. Filmed in a cinéma vérité style, Larry David plays a fictional and exaggerated version of himself, a semi-retired television writer and producer. As he interacts with friends and family, it’s clear David is easily annoyed with social conventions and expectations. Known for its largely improvised dialogue and constant stream of guest stars, all playing fictional versions of themselves, it’s the perfect series to binge when you need a good laugh.
Created by: Larry David
Cast: Larry David, Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman
Number of seasons: 10
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
Gone far too soon, Anthony Bourdain left behind a legacy in the culinary world. And that legacy included this sensational TV series that saw him travel the world to discover different cultures, cuisines, and local delicacies. For 12 seasons, Bourdain took viewers everywhere from the hidden gems in Los Angeles to Myanmar, Congo, Copenhagen, and Beirut, sampling all kinds of food and teaching viewers more about culture and travel than even the best travel shows could accomplish. Not surprisingly, the series was nominated for 31 Primetime Emmy Awards during its run and won a dozen. It’s the perfect show for foodies and those with serious wanderlust.
Created by: Zero Point Zero Production Inc.
Cast: Anthony Bourdain
Number of seasons: 12
The Big Bang Theory
This sitcom wrapped up after 12 successful seasons in 2019, and HBO reportedly spent $425 million to snag exclusive rights to the CBS show. You can catch every season and revisit the social growth of four nerdy friends after they befriend the attractive waitress and aspiring actor next door and expand their insulated group. The ensemble cast was among the highest-paid television actors in the show’s later years, each making $1 million per episode at one point. The scientific jargon that dominated much of the complex dialogue didn’t impact the series’ popularity; you didn’t have to be an astrophysicist or engineer to understand the witty humor and appreciate the amazing chemistry among the cast members.
Created by: Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady
Cast: Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco
Number of seasons: 12
The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo
HBO Max brought the talk show world to kids with this new Sesame Street spinoff starring none other than the beloved, tickle-friendly furry puppet as host. In each of the 13 episodes, Elmo talks about bedtime routines, helping kids get ready to turn in for the night. There are guest stars in every episode, starting with Kacey Musgraves and including others like Batman, the Jonas Brothers, John Oliver, and more in season one. It’s a must-watch for any family with toddler-aged children. This series received rave reviews from its preschool audience for its inaugural season.
Created by: Sesame Workshop
Cast: Pam Arciero, Jennifer Barnhart, Tyler Bunch
Number of seasons: 1
Flight of the Conchords
For two seasons, Flight of the Conchords turned failure into joyful fun. The HBO show followed two New Zealand musicians — Jemaine (Jemaine Clement) and Bret (Bret McKenzie) — as they tried to make it in big, bad New York City. They would spontaneously break into song multiple times an episode, sometimes revealing their innermost thoughts to the audience and breaking the fourth wall in hilarious fashion. Some of the show’s songs continue to stand the test of time, such as Robots and Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros, though, some of the best scenes were the meetings the band held with their manager, Murray Hewitt (Rhys Darby).
Created by: James Bobin, Jemaine Clement, Bret McKenzie
Cast: Jemaine Clement, Bret McKenzie, Rhys Darby
Number of seasons: 2
South Park
In addition to Friends, one of HBO Max’s big streaming snags was the entirety of the South Park catalog. The controversial animated show following four friends growing up in South Park, Colorado, has now aired for 23 seasons on Comedy Central, spanning more than 300 episodes. The show has frequently received criticism — and it often takes aim at taboo subjects in a way that can make viewers uncomfortable — but it also remains one of the smartest satires on television, its fearlessness often serving as a tremendous asset in comparison to safer shows on the airwaves.
Created by: Trey Parker, Matt Stone
Cast: Trey Parker, Matt Stone
Number of seasons: 23
Watchmen
A new version of Watchmen could’ve easily been met with skepticism, especially after the poor reception for the 2009 film of the same name. HBO’s limited, nine-episode limited series made an instant impact in 2019, but its importance didn’t start rising until 2020. From the complexity of its characters to its incredible acting performances — particularly that of Regina King — to its highlighting of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, Watchmen was never afraid to reflect the worst of society back to its audience, making it a valuable media prism through which to view the racial reckoning of the times.
Created by: Damon Lindelof
Cast: Regina King, Tim Blake Nelson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jeremy Irons,
Number of seasons: 1
Barry
Transitioning into an acting career can be a challenge for anyone. It’s especially challenging if your old career beckons often, which it apparently does if your old career is being a hitman. Barry finds its laughs in the awkward exploration of its lead character, played by two-time Emmy winner Bill Hader. The show can also take on a more serious tone, as the trauma Barry suffers from merges with his inability to turn the page on his old life and escape the black-and-white world of contract killing. Its best episodes are the ones that transcend the screen altogether, however.
Created by: Alec Berg, Bill Hader
Cast: Bill Hader, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg
Number of seasons: 2
Insecure
Based on Issa Rae’s web series Awkward Black Girl, she stars as a 20-something Black woman navigating everyday life, including relationships and career, with her best friend Molly (Yvonne Orji.) The series has received critical acclaim, largely for its honest portrayal of the modern black experience that transcends stereotypes while also exploring social and racial issues in an unbiased way.
Created by: Issa Rae, Larry Wilmore
Cast: Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis
Number of seasons: 4
I Know This Much Is True
Mark Ruffalo took home an Emmy award for his dual portrayal of identical twin brothers, one of whom suffers from severe mental illness, in this limited series based on the 1988 Wally Lamb novel of the same name. Set in the ’90s, Dominick (Ruffalo) has his own issues, including the breakdown of his marriage, the death of his infant child, and undiagnosed PTSD. Despite dealing with his own trauma, however, he also feels responsible for caring for his paranoid schizophrenic twin brother Thomas (Ruffalo). It all comes to a head when Thomas cuts his own arm off, believing he is doing so in sacrificial protest. While Thomas needs to be institutionalized, Dominick struggles with the knowledge that the hospital he’s staying in doesn’t provide adequate care. It’s a touching and emotional story about unconditional love, the toll that caring for a family member can take on someone, and how far sacrifices should go. The series consists of just six episodes, making it a quick, though emotionally powerful, binge.
Created by: Derek Cianfrance, Anya Epstein
Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Melissa Leo, John Procaccino
Number of seasons: 1
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark
If you’re into true crime, this is the series to binge. The six-part documentary follows the late Michelle McNamara’s journey to investigating the Golden State Killer. After learning of the unsolved case, McNamara became obsessed with solving it and took it upon herself to look into details of the series of murders, rapes, and burglaries the unknown perpetrator committed through California in the ’70s and ’80s. McNamara, who sadly passed away before genetic genealogy was able to finally identify the killer as Joseph James DeAngelo, was just shy of finishing her book, I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer, before her death. The book, and the series that features excerpts from it, footage with McNamara, and interviews with survivors, family members, and others (including McNamara’s widowed husband, comedian Patton Oswalt) were both released posthumously.
Created by: Michelle McNamara
Cast: Michelle McNamara, Patton Oswalt
Number of seasons: 1
Moral Orel
Looking for something totally different to watch? Step into the world of stop motion animation with this show, designed for mature audiences and originally developed for Adult Swim. Orel Puppington is a school-aged boy who is brought up a fundamentalist Protestant Christian and takes his church’s teachings a little too literally, brushing off his father’s alcoholism and abuse and his mother’s neglect, failing to see the hypocrisy in it all. Set in a fictional Bible Belt state called Statesota, the series is worth watching if you appreciate humor that isn’t exactly politically correct: Think South Park meets Davey and Goliath. The series consists of three seasons and a total of 43 episodes
Created by: Dino Stamatopoulos
Cast: Scott Adsit, Jay Johnson, Carolyn Lawrence
Number of seasons: 3
Young Sheldon
For those missing The Big Bang Theory, this prequel series tells the childhood story of Sheldon Cooper, from his time as a precocious, know-it-all pre-teen who was fast-tracked to high school and already taking college classes by the age of 10. Narrated by Jim Parsons, who played the adult Sheldon, the show delves into his family life, including his parents (Zoe Perry, the real-life daughter of Laurie Metcalf, who plays Sheldon’s mother in The Big Bang Theory), his older brother, twin sister, and wild and crazy grandmother, played by Annie Potts. It’s a sweet story of an average Southern family in Texas dealing with a very special and unique child. Fans of The Big Bang Theory will recognize depictions of various events the older Sheldon referenced in the main show, but you don’t necessarily have to have watched The Big Bang Theory to appreciate the sweet and funny sitcom.
Created by: Chuck Lorre, Steven Molaro
Cast: Iain Armitage, Zoe Perry, Lance Barber
Number of seasons: 3
Raised by Wolves
Premiering in 2020, this sci-fi drama is already getting great reviews, lauded for its “bloody exploration of artificial intelligence and religious beliefs that will stimulate the eye and mind.” The Earth has been destroyed and a pair of androids are raising human children on a new planet. But just like the old Earth, religious differences seem to be getting in the way of building a harmonious existence. Can the androids get everyone to agree and share the same belief system? Travis Fimmel (Vikings) heads up the cast on this series, which is executive produced by Ridley Scott.
Created by: Aaron Guzikowski
Cast: Amanda Collin, Abubakar Salim, Winta McGrath
Number of seasons: 1
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