Let’s be honest when it comes to prestige TV, HBO Max (or just Max, if you prefer) still wears the crown. Whether you’re into sharp dramas, quirky comedies, or big-budget chaos featuring John Cena in tighty-whities, this platform keeps delivering. With so many heavy hitters and new releases flooding the service, it’s easy to get lost in the scroll. So, let’s make it easy: here’s a countdown of the 10 best shows on HBO Max right now, starting from number 10 and building up to the must-watch of the bunch.
10. The Pitt
Hospital dramas are nothing new, but The Pitt is an adrenaline rush in scrubs. Think ER meets 24: the entire season plays out in real time over a single 15-hour hospital shift. Noah Wyle returns to medical drama territory as the head doctor, helming a powerhouse cast including Katherine LaNasa and Shawn Hatosy. Its first season has been termed “nearly flawless” by critics, and with season two filming already, it seems obvious this show is here to stay.
9. The Gilded Age
From Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes comes this glittering look at 1880s New York: a world where old money and new money wage elegant war. Driven by Christine Baranski, Carrie Coon, and Cynthia Nixon, The Gilded Age deals in class battles, gossip, and jaw-dropping costumes. Season three recently wrapped with some of its best reviews yet, proving that sometimes, the drama of ballroom politics is just as addictive as dragon fights.
8. The Rehearsal
Nathan Fielder’s surreal, brain-twisting comedy The Rehearsal isn’t for everyone, but for fans of meta chaos, it’s pure genius. The premise: helping people “rehearse” major life events through elaborate simulations. The result: a truly surreal combination of documentary, performance art, and emotional unraveling. Somehow, season two gets even wilder, as Fielder concocts flight-simulator therapy for pilots. Weird, brilliant, and quite unlike anything else on television.
7. Hacks
Jean Smart gives a masterclass in comedy as Deborah Vance, a Las Vegas legend doing whatever it takes to stay relevant. Pair her with a young, canceled writer, played by Hannah Einbinder, and the sparks-both literal and figurative. Their love-hate partnership makes Hacks one of the smartest, funniest shows on TV. Nine Emmys and one shocking season four finale later, and it’s easy to see why this show helped define HBO Max’s comedy era.
6. Duster
Ever wonder what a 1970s-period crime caper from J.J. Abrams would look like? Well, Duster has your answer. Josh Holloway-yes, that Sawyer from Lost-stars as a getaway driver who finds himself unwillingly teaming up with a doggedly ambitious FBI agent, played by Rachel Hilson. The two team up to take down a brutal crime boss, played by none other than the legendary Keith David. Gritty, fast, and dripping with retro style, it’s Tarantino meets The French Connection, funky soundtrack included.
5. The Penguin
Colin Farrell’s Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot is the center of this Batman spinoff, which feels more Sopranos than superhero. Set in Gotham’s underbelly, the series focuses on Oz’s brutal struggle to rise to power. But Cristin Milioti’s performance as his adversary, Sofia Falcone, might just steal the spotlight. Dark, moody, and surprisingly emotional, The Penguin is proof that comic book stories can still pack a serious dramatic punch.
4. The Last of Us
Adapted from the hit video game, The Last of Us has redefined what a video game adaptation can be. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey star as Joel and Ellie-two survivors navigating a world decimated by a fungal infection. The show’s mix of heartbreak and horror has attracted rave reviews across the board, and season two promises to bring even more emotional devastation. Cinematic, gut-wrenching, and one of the biggest pop culture moments of the decade.
3. Peacemaker
John Cena’s Peacemaker is a chaotic cocktail of violence and satire, with surprisingly heartfelt moments. This spin-off from The Suicide Squad takes the sheer absurdity of superhero stories and turns it up to eleven. Season two broadens the DC Universe while maintaining James Gunn’s trademark irreverence: wild, weird, and quite simply one of the funniest comic-book shows ever made.
2. House of the Dragon
The world of Game of Thrones is aflame and alive again. Set two centuries before the original series, House of the Dragon chronicles the Targaryen dynasty’s brutal descent into civil war. Expect dragons, political scheming, and plenty of family betrayal. The writing is sharp, the performances electric, and the fire-breathing action delivers everything fans wanted-and then some.
1. Succession
Few shows have ever captured power, privilege, and dysfunction like Succession. Part Shakespeare, part savage satire, it follows the Roy family’s ruthless fight for control of their media empire. Every episode is bursting with cutting dialogue, Machiavellian plotting, and some of the best acting on TV, thanks to Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, and Kieran Culkin. Now that it’s finished, its impact is already undeniable. This is not only great television; it’s a cultural touchstone.
HBO Max keeps upping the ante as a home for bold storytelling, whether you’re into dragons, dysfunctional billionaires, or morally conflicted antiheroes. So grab your remote, clear your weekend, and get ready to binge your way through some of the best television ever made.