Best HBO Series, Ranked

by

Best HBO Series, Ranked

Highlights

  • HBO took chances on subversive subject matter, leading to highly rated and daring series throughout its 50-year history.
  • “Spawn,” inspired by Japanese animation, was one of the earliest superhero adaptations made for adults outside Japan.
  • “Game of Thrones” resonated with audiences worldwide, thanks to its personal drama and stellar ensemble cast.

As a longtime fan of gripping television series, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing some truly exceptional shows unfold before my eyes. Having grown up in the era of peak TV, I’ve been fortunate enough to see how storytelling has evolved and transformed the medium. Amongst these groundbreaking shows, three stand out as the crème de la crème: “Game of Thrones,” “The Sopranos,” and “The Wire.”

Around the early 1970s, when cable TV was just starting to emerge and the idea of a streaming service was yet to be imagined in Hollywood, Warner Bros. initiated a daring “pay TV” venture named Home Box Office (HBO). This network made its debut on November 8, 1972, making it the longest-running pay television network that’s still active today.

Over the past 50 years, HBO has been known for pushing boundaries with unconventional, thought-provoking, and avant-garde content, leading to critically acclaimed and groundbreaking shows.

At the time of writing, all of the following series are available to subscribers of HBO MAX.

7 Todd Macfarlane’s Spawn

IMDb Rating: 8.1

Best HBO Series, Ranked
  • Created By: Todd MacFarlane
  • Starring: Keith David, Richard Dysart, Michael Nicolosi, James Hanes
  • Production Companies: HBO Animation, Todd McFarlane Entertainment, Madhouse
  • Release Date: May 16, 1997

In the same year as the live-action film version, the adult animated series “Spawn” emerged. This groundbreaking show, influenced by Japanese anime gaining popularity in North America, wasn’t just one of the earliest superhero adaptations; it was among the first adult animated shows produced outside Japan. HBO backed this production, with writing by MacFarlane and animation from French studio Madhouse.

In simpler terms, the main storyline for the comic book series “Spawn” comes primarily from the Darkhorse originals. The protagonist, Al Simmons, who was once a military officer, gets killed but then returns to life as a member of Satan’s army, known as a “hellspawn.” With his new identity as Spawn, he grapples with the ability to make choices between good and evil. This series explores how he manages to find the inner strength for these moral decisions.

6 Curb Your Enthusiasm

IMDb Rating: 8.2

Best HBO Series, Ranked
  • Created By: Larry David
  • Starring: Larry David, Jeff Garlin, Cheryl Hines
  • Production Companies: HBO Entertainment
  • Release Date: October 15, 2000

Curb Your Enthusiasm is the show often cited as the main inspiration behind the wildly popular network show, Seinfeld, and it was HBO that first took a chance on Larry David’s offbeat humor. Unlike Seinfeld, however, Curb Your Enthusiasm was allowed to break the rules on HBO with more colorful language, quirky characters, and absurd situations.

David’s wit, sometimes sarcastic and deadpan, clashes with the false positivity he encounters daily, giving birth to the show’s title. Essentially, he portrays himself on screen, holding a writing position in Seinfeld. The show’s appeal lies in its authenticity and humor drawn from real-life experiences. Notable guests appear as fictionalized versions of themselves, adding an engaging layer of reference for the audience.

5 Deadwood

IMDb Rating: 8.6

Best HBO Series, Ranked
  • Created By: David Milch
  • Starring: Ian McShane, Molly Parker, Jim Beaver, Brad Dourif
  • Production Companies: Roscoe Productions, Red Board Productions, Paramount Network Television, Home Box Office
  • Release Date: March 21, 2004

For fans of historical dramas, “Deadwood” is a captivating series. It’s set in the Old West, specifically a small settlement in South Dakota during the 1870s. The show unfolds over two seasons, chronicling the transformation of Deadwood into a bustling town, complete with the intricate social and political struggles that ensue. The narrative skillfully weaves together real historical events with imaginative storytelling.

The HBO series “Deadwood” boasts an extraordinary group of actors, contributing significantly to its winning 8 Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. In 2018, a film was released, marking the end of a 12-year hiatus since the show’s conclusion, bringing the cast back together to wrap up some unresolved storylines.

4 The Last Of Us

IMDb Rating: 8.7

Best HBO Series, Ranked
  • Created By: Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann
  • Starring: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey
  • Production Companies: PlayStation Productions, Naughty Dog, Sony Pictures Television Studios, and others
  • Release Date: January 15, 2023

During this period, video game adaptations experienced a slump in reception as productions like “Halo” and “Resident Evil” received mixed reviews. However, HBO’s take on “The Last of Us,” derived from the beloved franchise, revived the interest. This adaptation retells the post-apocalyptic narrative of surviving humans confronting a lethal fungal infection that annihilated humanity.

The show made a stellar debut in 2023, garnering praise from audiences and critics alike. As a result, production on the second season has been formally approved and is scheduled for completion by 2025. In the meantime, gamers can look forward to various related media and an abundance of potential storylines for the anticipated third season.

3 Game Of Thrones

IMDb Rating: 9.2

Best HBO Series, Ranked
  • Created By: David Benioff and D. B. Weiss
  • Starring: Sean Bean, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Michelle Fairley, Lena Headey
  • Production Companies: HBO Entertainment, Television 360, Grok! Television, Generator Entertainment, Startling Television, Bighead Littlehead
  • Release Date: April 17, 2011

Game of Thrones, a low-fantasy masterpiece with a focus on personal struggles rather than grand battles, captivated audiences and swept them up in its chilling narrative. Adapted from George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” book series, this acclaimed yet divisive show ran for eight seasons, amassing an impressive following due to its substantial budget and exceptional ensemble cast, which set new records as one of the largest in TV history.

The tale opens by presenting Westeros to the audience through the lens of House Stark. However, it broadens its scope to encompass their adversaries, as all jostle for a seat on the Iron Throne. The Lannisters, who rule, are infamous for their cruelty and cunning schemes. Nearby, the Greyjoys have their son Theon held by the Starks as a hostage following an unsuccessful uprising.

2 The Sopranos

IMDb Rating: 9.2

Best HBO Series, Ranked
  • Created By: David Chase
  • Starring: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli
  • Production Companies: Brad Grey Television and HBO Entertainment
  • Release Date: January 10, 1999

The tale of “The Sopranos” depicted the raw reality of a New Jersey criminal clan, similar to modern crime series. Spanning over six seasons and 86 episodes, it concluded in a thought-provoking manner that continues to spark debates among viewers.

Tony Soprano serves as the head of the DiMeo mafia family, a role that extends beyond just his own family members. His dedicated crew, consisting of cousin Michael, Uncle “Junior” Soprano, and cousin Tony, among others, are loyal allies. What makes this series unique amongst crime dramas is the presence of Dr. Melfi, Tony’s psychiatrist, who plays a significant role in the storyline by assisting him with managing his professional and personal obligations.

1 The Wire

IMDb Rating: 9.3

Best HBO Series, Ranked
  • Created By: David Simon
  • Starring: Dominic West, John Doman, Idris Elba, Frankie Faison
  • Production Companies: Blown Deadline Productions, HBO Entertainment
  • Release Date: June 2, 2002

One of the most praised shows on television, known for revolutionizing the crime drama genre, is “The Wire.” This groundbreaking series provided an authentic perspective on police work unlike any other before it. In terms of casting, the production team made a conscious effort to select less recognized actors with a more natural appearance instead of the typical Hollywood muscle. Additionally, some real-life Baltimore politicians and civic workers were given minor roles, playing themselves in the show.

The show explored the theme of realism, revealing how city institutions had fallen prey to corruption or dysfunction, making them vulnerable to manipulation by criminals and law enforcement alike. A significant portion of the storyline hinges on details obtained through monitoring technologies, giving the series its name.

Read More

2024-07-24 15:34