17 Of The Best Shows To Binge-Watch On HBO Max

Binge-watching HBO Max shows is better than Zooming with friends.

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1. Game of Thrones (2011–2019)

HBO

You've probably heard about this beloved series through friends and social media (hopefully you were able to avoid spoilers!). Now, you can buckle up and watch the battle for the Iron Throne without having to sit with cliffhangers between seasons.

2. Big Little Lies (2017–2019)

HBO

This show is based on Liane Moriarty's bestselling novel of the same name (and if you haven't read it yet, please do, because it is SO GOOD) and features a stellar cast. Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley play three mothers whose perfect lives become unraveled by a murder case. And we can't forget to mention Laura Dern, Zoë Kravitz, Meryl Streep, Alexander Skarsgård, and Adam Scott, who all play supporting roles.

3. Euphoria (2019–present)

HBO

This American adaption of the Israeli show of the same name stars Zendaya as a teenage drug addict and her high school peers as they navigate a world of drugs, sex, friendships, social media, identity, love, and trauma.

4. Friends (1994–2004)

Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection

If you look up "binge-worthy television show" in the dictionary, Friends will probably be the first result you find. Once you get wrapped up in the lives of Rachel, Phoebe, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Ross, you'll understand why.

5. Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017)

Eric McCandless / Courtesy Everett Collection

Truth be told, I had little interest in this show in high school when it first came out, and I started watching it right before it was taken off Netflix. How else was I supposed to keep up with the drama? I haven't finished the series yet, but the mysterious disappearance of Alison, the way "A" threatens to tell their secrets, the ~risky~ romances — thank you to HBO Max for streaming this one.

6. The Sopranos (1999–2007)

HBO

In case you aren't familiar with this classic, meet Tony Soprano. He's just your average Italian-American guy living in New Jersey...except he's not. He often finds himself in his therapist's office due to the difficulties that come with trying to balance family life and being a mob boss.

7. Insecure (2016–present)

HBO

This dramedy, created by and starring the wonderful Issa Rae, explores what happens when two best friends (Issa and Molly) learn to navigate the Los Angeles landscape and the social and racial stereotypes young Black women face.

8. Veep (2012–2019)

HBO

As you may have guessed by its name, this award-winning show centers around the life and career of fictional vice president of the United States Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), who later becomes president.

9. Rick and Morty (2013–present)

Adult Swim / Courtesy Everett Collection

What happens when your grandfather who has been missing for 20 years shows up at your house, uses your garage as his own personal laboratory, and brings you and your sibling along for his out-of-this-world adventures? Rick and Morty is what happens, that's what.

10. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996)

NBC / Getty Images

Chances are if you haven't actually watched this show before, you know all the words to its iconic theme song. If you know the theme song, you'll probably understand the gist of this wonderful show — a teenager (Will Smith) moves from his neighborhood in West Philadelphia to live with his wealthy aunt, uncle, and cousins in Bel-Air.

11. The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019)

CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images

Sheldon and Leonard are introverted, geeky physicists/roommates. Penny is a waitress/aspiring actor who moves into the apartment across the hall from theirs. What happens when their two worlds collide? Hilarity ensues in this beloved sitcom.

12. Young Sheldon (2017–present)

CBS

And if you love The Big Bang Theory (Sheldon specifically), you may want to also add Young Sheldon to your watch list. As you may have guessed, it's a spinoff series on the early years of Sheldon's life that shaped him into the man he is in The Big Bang Theory.

13. Luther (2010–2019)

BBC

John Luther (played by the absolute legend that is Idris Elba) is a detective trying to keep a handle on his personal life while dealing with the emotional and psychological factors from his crime-solving predator vs. prey work.

14. Six Feet Under (2001–2005)

HBO

If you're into shows about death, you'll probably love Six Feet Under. It centers around a family in the funeral business with all the typical family drama, but it also delves into the topic of death on personal, religious, and philosophical levels.

15. Sex and the City (1998–2004)

HBO

Carrie Bradshaw is a thirtysomething single woman exploring the challenges of dating in NYC with her three best friends by her side. Not to mention, the experiences they have make for great stories for her weekly column.

16. True Blood (2008–2014)

HBO

What if vampires and humans could co-exist because of a synthetic blood that prevents vampires from having to prey on humans? What if a human fell in love with a 173-year-old vampire who isn't dead anymore? If you're intrigued (let's face it, how can you not be?), then you're bound to love True Blood.

17. The Office (UK) (2001–2003)

BBC

You've probably heard about and hopefully have seen The Office (US). So why not give the original, aka the UK version, a watch? The pilot episode scripts are the same — and some people feel strongly that the UK version is better, while others argue the US version is better, but we'll let you be the one who decides.

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