HBO has never been particularly interested in making television that stays in one lane. After all, the network is responsible for prestige dramas, bleak thrillers, sprawling fantasies, and some of the most miserable families ever put on screen. However, it also knows how to make a show that’s just an absolute hoot to watch. Sometimes that means rapid-fire comedy and outrageous situations, while other times it comes from spectacular action or a cast that’s simply having the time of its life.
As such, these are the shows that bring something different to the table, whether it’s a period drama, a vigilante tale, or a political comedy. At the end of the day, they’re funny, energetic, wildly entertaining, and most importantly, the kind of shows that make it very easy to hit “next episode.” So, if you find yourself sitting in a little funk, do yourself a favor and click on one of these.
8
‘Warrior’ (2019–2023)
Set in San Francisco’s Chinatown in the late 19th century, Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji) is a martial arts prodigy who arrives from China in search for his missing sister. Unfortunately, his plans go devastatingly awry when he’s suddenly sold to one of Chinatown’s most powerful tongs, forcing him to navigate through a violent struggle for power in a town filled with rival gangs and corrupt politicians.
Combining brutal action with intense drama and a surprisingly playful sense of humor, it’s no wonder that Warrior is a huge blast to watch. The fight scenes are, of course, a major draw, and yet the show’s willingness to bounce between gang warfare, institutional corruption, and community dysfunction is what keeps it from becoming one-note. Plus, this show is based on an original concept by Bruce Lee himself—a fact that naturally brings an irreverent energy to the project’s core.
7
‘Peacemaker’ (2022–2025)
After surviving the events of The Suicide Squad, Chris Smith (John Cena)—better known as the brutal vigilante Peacemaker—is forced to join a black-ops team on the mysterious Project Butterfly. Here, he and his mismatched team of operatives must stop a mysterious alien invasion that soon becomes a threat far stranger than anything they expected.
In true James Gunn fashion, Peacemaker finds its magic by turning a ridiculous superhero into the center of a surprisingly heartfelt comedy—all without sanding away everything that makes him awful. Leaning into Peacemaker’s macho posturing, bizarre musical tastes, and dysfunctional relationships is what helps create endless opportunities for comedy. It’s also a plus that the rest of the team is a collection of equally entertaining foils. Just look at the vibrancy (and commitment) to the opening title dance sequence. That alone highlights the tone of this show.
6
‘Our Flag Means Death’ (2022–2023)
In the 18th century, wealthy aristocrat Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) grows tired of his privileged (and very cushy) life. As a result, he abandons everything and decides to become a pirate even though he has absolutely no idea what to do. But now, after assembling an equally unconventional crew for his ship, Stede must quickly figure things out, especially as he soon crosses paths with the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Taiki Waititi).
There’s no doubt that the show’s greatest strength is the sheer ridiculousness of its pirate world. Waititi’s Blackbeard is less a fearsome pirate than a bored celebrity in need of a new direction, while Darby’s Stede approaches piracy with the enthusiasm of someone organizing a particularly ill-advised dinner party. The result is a warm, absurd comedy where swashbuckling, disastrous schemes, and surprisingly sincere conversations about identity and love can all exist in the same episode. If only Our Flag Means Death didn’t fall victim to the cancelation curse.
5
‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ (2000–2024)
As a fictionalized version of himself, Larry David is a successful television writer and producer whose life would probably be much easier if he simply stopped arguing with everyone. Instead, Larry has a remarkable talent for turning minor social annoyances into full-blown disasters, whether he’s dealing with friends, family, celebrities, or complete strangers.
Frankly, there’s no better fun than watching a person play an exaggerated version of themselves. And somehow David has managed to prolong that joke for over two decades—without running the humor dry. The loose improvisational style of Curb Your Enthusiasm has let audiences sit in the cringe of second-hand embarrassment, and sometimes people need that to escape their own reality. It also helps that this show has an endless parade of famous cameos to ensure the formula rarely feels repetitive.
4
‘Sex and the City’ (1998–2004)
Four best friends—columnist Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), publicist Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), lawyer Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), and gallery owner Charlotte York (Kristin Davis)—navigate the highs and lows of dating, friendships, careers, and sex in the bustling world of New York City.
It’s universally agreed upon that Sex and the City‘s fun comes from the chemistry between its leads and the sheer variety of disasters they find themselves in. Yes, Carrie may be the protagonist, but Samantha’s blunt confidence, Miranda’s cynicism, and Charlotte’s romantic idealism are what gives the group four very different perspectives on life. Add in the fashion, glamorous New York locations, outrageous one-liners, and sheer openness of conversations, and Sex and the City remains an endlessly iconic show about sisterhood as much as it is a romantic tale.
3
‘The Righteous Gemstones’ (2019–2025)
The Gemstone family is a wealthy and wildly dysfunctional evangelical dynasty led by televangelist Eli Gemstone (John Goodman). But just as the family attempts to expand their empire, various scandals, rivalries, criminals, and schemes threaten to tear the Gemstones apart—especially as Eli’s spoiled adult children bask in their lavish lifestyles and desires.
Few HBO comedies commit to a joke as completely as The Righteous Gemstones, with every character leaning right into the gloriously obnoxious arrogance of the titular family. Better still, the show has somehow mastered the act of escalation as a petty argument can somehow lead to kidnappings, shootouts, or other criminal conspiracies. Loud, outrageous, and littered with iconic musical numbers, The Righteous Gemstones is a sensory overload. But at least underneath all the religious hypocrisy and greed lies a tale of a complicated family that genuinely loves one another.
2
‘Hacks’ (2021–2026)
As legendary comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) becomes in desperate need of a freshened-up act, she’s paired up with young comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), whose career has stalled after a controversial tweet. The two initially have almost nothing in common, but their professional relationship gradually develops into a complicated friendship as they push, frustrate, and occasionally sabotage one another.
There’s no better core to a comedy than a story of two wildly different personalities slowly realizing that they might actually need each other. Of course, this is perfectly executed thanks to Smart and Einbinder’s chemistry, whose constant bickering becomes ridiculously entertaining—especially when it’s balanced by pure moments of vulnerability. Laced with ruthless one-liners and hilarious cameos, Hacks has easily become one of the best modern comedies of the last few years. It’s sharp without becoming exhausting, and it really knows when to let a joke land through an awkward silence or an absurd situation.
1
‘Veep’ (2012–2019)
As former senator Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) becomes Vice President of the United States, she quickly discovers that occupying one of the most powerful positions in the country doesn’t mean she actually gets to make any decisions. Surrounded by a staff of ambitious, insecure, and frequently incompetent political operatives, Selina spends her days navigating rival politicians, public scandals, diplomatic disasters, and her own increasingly desperate attempt to advance her career.
Who doesn’t love a political comedy—especially when it masterfully highlights how politics is an endless parade of petty grievances, backstabbing, and deeply avoidant individuals. Louis-Dreyfus gives Selina an extraordinary combination of confidence and panic, while the rest of the supporting cast make every conversation feel like it could descend into chaos at any moment. Veep is cynical, fast, relentlessly profane, and packed with enough memorable zingers to make even the most mundane crisis hilarious. Think of this as one of HBO’s most timeless shows, especially with it bizarrely starting to emulate our current reality.
Veep
- Release Date
-
2012 – 2019-00-00
- Network
-
HBO Max