8 TV Masterpieces to Stream on HBO Max Right Now

Thousands of new TV shows grace our screens every year — some on traditional television and a lot more on streaming services. Obviously, only a few of those can actually be good shows, and even fewer earn the honor of being called “Prestige TV." HBO and its streaming service, HBO Max, have built a stellar reputation on the strength of their prestige TV collection, characterized by complex stories and high production values.

But a TV masterpiece is something beyond prestige; it’s a title that can only be earned by a show that excels in every conceivable way, both in terms of narrative and execution. And, to the great delight of HBO Max subscribers, the streaming service is home to a sizable collection of such shows, including massive international hits and relatively underrated gems. Read on to discover our selection of the greatest TV masterpieces that you can stream right now on HBO Max.

For more masterworks of film and television, be sure to check out our lists of the greatest TV masterpieces streaming on Netflix and Prime Video, as well as the greatest movie masterpieces on Netflix and the best movies and shows on HBO Max in general.

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US HBO Max.

‘Scavengers Reign’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.6/10

An adult animated sci-fi series, Scavengers Reign was created by Joseph Bennett and Charles Huettner and is based on their 2016 short film Scavengers. The show revolves around the crew of the interstellar cargo ship Demeter 227, which crashes on a vibrant and dangerous alien planet. Initially separated into three groups, the show follows the survivors as they find their way back together, exploring the complexities of this strange and unusual world along the way. The series’ voice cast includes Sunita Mani, Wunmi Mosaku, Alia Shawkat, Bob Stephenson, Ted Travelstead, and more.

Scavengers Reign premiered in October 2023 to near-universal critical acclaim, receiving praise for its writing, atmosphere, and performances — not to mention the spectacular animation style. An enthralling sci-fi story that leans into the best elements of the genre, Scavengers Reign is a triumph of world-building that presents viewers with characters and concepts that are simultaneously fascinating and horrific. Sadly, despite its excellent critical reception, the series flew mostly under the radar with audiences, and the show was canceled after just one season.

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‘Somebody Somewhere’ (2022 - 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.2/10

Created by Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, Somebody Somewhere is a comedy-drama series starring Bridget Everett as a 40-something woman navigating things after the death of her sister. Set in the small town of Manhattan, Kansas, the show follows Sam (Everett) as she attempts to rebuild her life, reconnect with her remaining family, and find new friendships. Besides Everett, the show also stars Jeff Hiller, Mary Catherine Garrison, Danny McCarthy, Mike Hagerty, Murray Hill, Jane Drake Brody, Jon Hudson Odom, and Heidi Johanningmeier.

First released on HBO in January 2022, Somebody Somewhere received universal acclaim for its first season. The show consists of three seasons in total, all of which have earned consistently high praise from critics and audiences. A truly heartwarming dramedy, Somebody Somewhere is an honest yet comforting watch that explores themes of grief, belonging, and friendship. Anchored by the amazing performances of its cast, the series presents grounded human stories in a charming setting that you will love returning to again and again. The show has earned multiple accolades and was included in the American Film Institute’s list of Top 10 Television Programs of 2022.

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‘Succession’ (2018 - 2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 8.8/10

Created by Jesse Armstrong, Succession is a satirical black comedy-drama series that revolves around the uber-wealthy Roy family, owners of the global media corporation Waystar RoyCo. Brian Cox stars as the family patriarch, Logan Roy, who announces his plan to retire from the company due to his declining health. This decision sets off a no-holds-barred fight between his children for control of the company. Alan Ruck, Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin, and Sarah Snook star as the Roy children, with Matthew Macfadyen, Nicholas Braun, Hiam Abbass, Peter Friedman, and more in key roles.

Succession had its world premiere at the 2018 Series Mania Festival in Lille, France, ahead of its premiere on HBO. The show aired four seasons in total, the last one releasing in 2023, and received near-universal acclaim for all four. Hailed by critics and fans as one of the best TV shows of the 21st century, Succession has been praised for its sharp writing, dark humor, compelling performances, and high production values. The show earned numerous accolades over the course of its run, including 19 Emmy Awards out of 75 nominations.

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‘The Sopranos’ (1999 - 2007)

Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 9.2/10

Created by David Chase, The Sopranos is a crime drama series starring James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, a New Jersey Mafia boss. When he unexpectedly begins to suffer from panic attacks, Tony reluctantly begins seeing a psychiatrist who encourages him to open up about the stressors in his life, especially his struggle to balance family and crime. Lorraine Bracco stars as Tony’s therapist, Dr. Melfi, and the show features Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, Dominic Chianese, Steven Van Zandt, Tony Sirico, Robert Iler, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, and more in key roles.

One of HBO’s most iconic shows of all time, The Sopranos aired six seasons between 1999 and 2007, bringing in consistently high ratings throughout that time. Balancing gangster and family drama, the series is regarded as one of the greatest TV shows ever made and is credited with reviving public interest in crime shows. The series has influenced practically every crime drama made since its release and won several awards, including 21 Emmys and five Golden Globes. A prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark, was released in 2021, starring Gandolfini’s son, Michael Gandolfini, as the younger version of his father’s legendary character.

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‘The Last of Us’ (2023 - Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 8.6/10

Created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic drama series based on the eponymous Naughty Dog video game franchise. Set 20 years after a fungal pandemic caused the collapse of society, the show stars Pedro Pascal as a hardened smuggler who is tasked with escorting a teenager (Bella Ramsey) across what’s left of the United States. Besides Pascal and Ramsey, the series also features Gabriel Luna, Isabela Merced, Young Mazino, Anna Torv, Kaitlyn Dever, Melanie Lynskey, Jeffrey Pierce, Tati Gabrielle, and more in key roles.

A video game adaptation nearly a decade in the making, The Last of Us premiered in January 2023 to critical and audience acclaim. The show was also very well-received by fans of the video game, with many calling it one of the best adaptations of all time. Though the fan response grew a bit more mixed with the second season (which premiered in 2025), it’s still a brilliant production with great writing, direction, performances, and art design. The series has received several accolades, including eight Emmy Awards, seven Critics’ Choice Super Awards, and three Golden Globe nominations. A third season is currently in development.

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‘I May Destroy You’ (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 8.1/10

A British black comedy-drama series, I May Destroy You was created, written, co-directed, and executive produced by Michaela Coel. Coel also stars in the series as the central character, Arabella, a successful young writer trying to finish her second book whose world turns upside down after she’s sexually assaulted at a nightclub. Besides Coel, the series also stars Weruche Opia and Paapa Essiedu in lead roles, with Marouane Zotti, Stephen Wight, Adam James, Natalie Walter, Aml Ameen, and more as recurring characters.

I May Destroy You premiered on BBC One and HBO in June 2020, receiving universal critical acclaim. Widely regarded as one of the best TV shows of the 21st century (and possibly of all time), the series is a powerful exploration of sexual violence with a surprising sense of humor. Brilliantly acted, written, and directed, the show has received numerous accolades, including five BAFTAs out of eight nominations and two Emmy Awards out of nine nominations.

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‘Watchmen’ (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 8.2/10

Developed by Damon Lindelof, Watchmen is a superhero drama limited series that serves as both an adaptation of and sequel to the eponymous 1986 DC Comics series created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Set 34 years after the comics, the show follows an escalating series of events in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where a white supremacist group has taken up arms against the police department, forcing the cops to don masks to protect their identities. After the chief of police is murdered, Detective Angela Abar (Regina King) investigates, uncovering a massive conspiracy that revolves around the mysterious Doctor Manhattan. Besides King, the series’ ensemble cast also includes Don Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Andrew Howard, Louis Gossett Jr., Jeremy Irons, Jean Smart, Hong Chau, and more.

Watchmen received universal acclaim during its original broadcast in 2019, with many hailing it as the greatest superhero show of all time. A brilliant reimagining of the iconic comics that honors the original while presenting a fresh take on its world, the show features near-perfect performances, writing, direction, and visuals. Appropriately, the series earned numerous accolades, including 11 Emmys, the most of any show that year.

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‘Station Eleven’ (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 7.6/10

Created by Patrick Somerville, Station Eleven is a post-apocalyptic miniseries based on Emily St. John Mandel’s eponymous 2014 novel. Set 20 years after a pandemic wiped out civilization as we know it, the series follows a group of traveling performers who encounter a violent cult. The show stars Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel, Matilda Lawler, David Wilmot, Nabhaan Rizwan, Daniel Zovatto, Philippine Velge, and Lori Petty as main cast members, with Gael García Bernal, Danielle Deadwyler, David Cross, Caitlin FitzGerald, and more in recurring roles.

Station Eleven premiered on HBO Max in December 2021, receiving widespread critical and audience acclaim. A fresh take on post-apocalyptic dystopias, the series eschews many of the genre’s more common tropes in favor of a thematically rich story of the human experience. The show received several accolades, including seven nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards, three Independent Spirit Award nominations, and two Critics’ Choice Super Award wins.

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