HBO is the go-to platform for hit shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and Succession, but that only scratches the surface of the content found on the network. Launched in 1972, the Home Box Office network is the longest operating subscription television service.
With more than 100 original shows there is something to watch for all 63.9 million subscribers worldwide. Of course, some series fare better amongst audiences than others, and Reddit is one of the go-to-place to see what everyone is watching.
'The Wire'
The Wire shed light on persistent issues going on in America and is considered to be one of HBO’s greatest shows of all time. It highlighted a raw version of Baltimore from varying perspectives and featured an ensemble of characters that were easy to empathize with, or disdain, depending on who's on-screen.
When The Wire first premiered on HBO in 2002, themes of racial injustice and corrupt institutions were rarely depicted on screen. Despite not using pagers or payphones anymore, Redditor kickstand writes, The Wire remains as relevant as ever since the issues the show deals with are “still with us.”
'Six Feet Under'
How does a show about a family’s funeral home business go on to win 61 Emmy awards and become one of HBO’s most beloved original series? Creator Alan Ball noted how he and his team created strong personal and interconnected journeys for the characters throughout five seasons,
With themes of finality and death, Six Feet Under captured all this and more in the show’s heartbreaking finale. “We’re going to die, so what do we do? We do everything we can while we can,” Ball told Collider in an interview. Redditors continue to highlight their favorite moments from that final montage as it was beautiful and painstaking to watch because those emotional reactions have yet to fade away over a decade later.
'Deadwood'
Many HBO originals showcase the past by immersing fans in these worlds. The same could be said for Deadwood, an American western set in a small 19th century North Dakota two by the same name.
Between an impressive cast list (Timothy Olyphant, Molly Parker, Kim Dickens) and quality camera work, Deadwood remains a fan favorite for a number of reasons. Reddit cites this and the show’s powerful writing and special effects, which are used in such a way that it brings the Wild West to life onto a small screen.
'True Blood'
Before The Vampire Diaries and Twilight, there was True Blood. In a fictional world where vampires (and other supernatural beings) exist, Louisiana waitress Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) must harness her abilities to protect those around her.
The impact of True Blood is apparent in contemporary culture, and Redditors continue to debate about the show’s divisive finale even today. True Blood successfully managed to tackle many contemporary issues facing audiences throughout the 2000s including discrimination, drug addiction, LGBTQ+ rights, religion, and more.
'Boardwalk Empire'
Back again with another period drama, Boardwalk Empire depicts Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) in his personal and business endeavors throughout Prohibition-era Atlantic City, New Jersey. The character is based on the real-life historical figure from the time, Enoch Johnson, and his ties to the political and crime scene at the time (with an abundance of bootlegging throughout).
With Martin Scorsese helming the pilot episode, Boardwalk Empire went on to take home awards at the Emmys, Golden Globes, Director’s Guild, and more leaving an impressive legacy in its wake. These feats have not gone unnoticed by fans on Reddit who deem Boardwalk Empire one of the best HBO TV shows, citing “10/10 sets, costumes, music, and cinematography.”
'Silicon Valley'
It may be difficult to break into HBO’s list of best original series so late in the game, but the 2014 comedy Silicon Valley did just that. Big and up-and-coming names like Thomas Middleditch, T.J. Miller, and Kumali Nanjiani rounded out a cast of nerds working to create the next Facebook - stumbling upon a data compression algorithm that turned into the company Pied Piper.
Over the course of six seasons, Silicon Valley showcased the triumphs and pitfalls of big tech and the political, social, and corporate themes that go along with it. It may be a dense topic, but the series tackled relevant matters with comedy. Reddit user mistersmith_22 writes that this was the point, considering Pied Piper became a trillion-dollar company without its creators knowing what they were doing. This in turn echoed “so many real companies’ out there at the time.
'The Sopranos'
Ask any avid HBO user for their favorite original series and The Sopranos tends to top the list. Over six seasons, audiences got to know New Jersey-based mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) from the comfort of their own homes. It was familiar but also novel in its presentation, as Tony reflected upon his actions through weekly therapy sessions.
For this reason and so many others, fans continue to discuss The Sopranos’ impact on their lives and TV watching habits. There is even a Reddit thread where users reflect on what it was like to watch the show’s shocking finale live — nearly a decade and a half later.
'The Larry Sanders Show'
The Larry Sanders Show is ranked number one on Rotten Tomatoes’ list of best HBO Original Series — and has a 100% rating on the “Tomatometer.” Numerical success aside, the 1990s sitcom set on a fictional late-night fictional talk show went on to inspire comedy for decades to come.
The series aimed to satirize actual talk shows at the time such as The Late Show With David Letterman and The Late Late Show. As Redditor larrymoencurly pointed out, the show’s star Garry Shandling was even offered the role of Tonight Show host, but instead “decided to make a parody of it.”
'Oz'
For fans of HBO’s many original series, a few key actors stand out as being cast time and time again. This is particularly true for Oz, a drama set in a fictional men’s prison of the same name.
The show ran from 1997 until 2003, and as Reddit users noted, it's where many HBO stars got their start. Oz cast members Domenick Lombardozzi, James Ransone, and J.D. Williams all began in the confines of the prison, only to later appear on popular HBO shows like The Wire and The Sopranos in their own right.
Rome
Two of HBO’s most expensive series — Game of Thrones and Rome — often get compared to one another as they both explore past worlds (both fictional and rooted in reality). But when taking these two into account, some Reddit users appear to favor the latter.
With a budget well over $100 million, Rome accurately depicted life during the 1st century BC through immersive set designs, quality costume designs, and depictions of Ancient Roman historical figures. As Reddit user phrakture puts it, “People like to say shows are 'like GoT' but I think GoT is like Rome”