8 HBO Shows That Still Hold Up Surprisingly Well
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HBO has delivered some of the most iconic shows on television, from Sex and the City to Game of Thrones and The Last of Us. Looking back into the archives of the premium network, there are many great shows that are just as good today as they were back then, holding up to even the newest, flashiest shows from the premium network. This is impressive since some of them cover controversial and even timely content.
Dating all the way back to 1999, these series include crime dramas, comedies, and everything in between. If you haven't watched them yet, they're worth checking out now, all available to stream now on HBO's streaming arm, HBO Max. Even if you watched way back when, you'll find on a rewatch, these shows are just as fresh and relevant today as they were when they first came out.
1 The Sopranos (1999–2007)
Everyone loves a good mafia-based crime drama, and there's arguably none better than The Sopranos. Often credited with ushering in the second Golden Age of Television, The Sopranos presents like a movie but in episodic format. Tony Soprano (the late James Gandolfini) is a Mafia boss in New Jersey who meets with his psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco) to help him deal with panic attacks, the result of trying to balance the stress of his job with being a good family man.
The show is downright brilliant, all its best episodes offering the elements you want in a mafia crime show, from the backdrop of New York to the colorful characters, the extreme violence, intimidating figures, and compelling storylines that keep you at the edge of your seat all the way through. With six seasons, The Sopranos is just as good today as it was back in 1999 when it helped put HBO on the map as a provider of quality TV. It has inspired so many shows that have come since.
2 The Newsroom (2012–2014)
Given the current political landscape, The Newsroom is arguably more relevant today than it was more than a decade ago when it premiered. The political drama follows the inner workings of a fictional news channel, pulling back the curtain for fans to see what goes into covering breaking news stories fairly, accurately, and in a timely manner. At the heart is Jeff Daniels as opinionated anchor Will McAvoy and Emily Mortimer as his producer and former love interest.
The story, which hails from Aaron Sorkin who created The West Wing, covers all the hot topics that are still prevalent today, including trust and bias in the media, fair and accurate reporting, and balancing personal interests and opinions with those of the network, and those who run it. Sure, it's about the interpersonal relationships, too. But that part is arguably secondary. The opening scene of the first episode, when a college student asks McAvoy in an auditorium full of people why America is the greatest country in the world, and he delivers a scathing monologue in response, sets the tone and instantly demonstrates why The Newsroom still makes sense today.
3 Silicon Valley (2014–2019)
The world of tech continues to move at a rapid pace, yet Silicon Valley, which skewers it, is as fitting today as it was a decade ago. The series features parodies of some of the biggest tech corporations and personalities, in overly exaggerated, hilarious fashion. It's centered on a young programmer trying to get his groundbreaking algorithm off the ground, only to realize he's a small fish in a huge pond that will eat him alive. The situation is one the industry continues to face today with more consolidation, acquisitions, and few massive corporations ruling the roost.
The comedy series, which aired for six seasons, will leave you guessing who is playing a satirical version of whom, which companies are being mocked, and if the tech industry really is as it's depicted. From incubators to corporate bosses skirting legalities to get what they want, eccentric billionaires, and nerds with brilliant minds but no business sense, it's a window into the world of tech. All it needs is more AI, and you'd think the show was made in 2026.
4 Getting On (2013–2015)
There's arguably no medical show that doesn't hold up today. The medical profession is pretty much the same now as it was decades ago, and certainly when this show was on the air. As a comedy, Getting On is one of the lesser known, shorter-lived ones. But it has a fantastic cast that includes Laurie Metcalf, Alex Borstein, and Niecy Nash, and places the spotlight on nurses versus doctors.
It also differentiates from others, even ones today, as it doesn't take place in an emergency room but rather the extended care unit of the hospital. Fans of medical shows have their pick of the litter when it comes to types, from the most realistic ones like The Pitt to soapier ones like Grey's Anatomy. Getting On fits closer in line with shows like Scrubs, and it's just as funny.
5 Treme (2010–2013)
Natural disasters don't have an end date: they will continue to happen, ravaging towns and cities and leaving horror in their wake. When one happens, we don't forget about it either. Treme is a drama that looks back at the months after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. But the show takes a positive spin by following the residents there who work hard to rebuild their community.
A story of people coming together that highlights the unique New Orleans culture and personalities, it's a love letter to the city that will stand the test of time. From the musical performances to the fantastic cast, Treme received universal praise for how accurately it portrayed the city and residents. It's a great show for those who went through it, and for those who want a better idea of the wreckage the devastating hurricane left behind and the resilience and determination it took to bring the city back to life.
6 Divorce (2016–2019)
One of those forgotten comedy dramas and great HBO shows you probably haven't seen, Divorce stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Thomas Haden Church as a couple in the middle of a divorce, navigating their complicated relationship and new lives. Divorce sadly never goes out of style, and the issues the couple deals with, from infidelity that caused the breakdown of the marriage to trying to co-parent, are still just as prevalent today as they were a decade ago when the show premiered.
The dark humor and chemistry between the leads have been praised especially, both Parker and Church wonderfully toeing the line between drama and comedy. The supporting cast is great as well, including Talia Balsam, Molly Shannon, and Becki Newton alongside Jemaine Clement, Jeffrey DeMunn, and Yul Vazquez as recurring characters. The show tackles the complexities, awkwardness, and devastation of divorce from a raw and real yet also humorous perspective.
7 The Wire (2002–2008)
The idea of the criminal justice system continuing to truck on as it intersects with everything from the government to print news media, education, and the illegal drug trade, is all part of how the world has worked for decades and continues to work today. This is at the heart of The Wire, arguably one of the best crime dramas ever on television.
Raw, real, and intense, The Wire flew under the radar when it initially aired on HBO but has since developed a cult following. Many name it among the best shows of all time, not just in its genre. It's filled with character actors versus big-name stars, which adds to the authenticity of the show. This is amplified by the fact that the series was created by a former police reporter and the stories are loosely based on ones from his writing partner, a former homicide detective and public school teacher.
8 Six Feet Under (2001–2005)
As they say, there are two things in life you can't escape: death and taxes. Six Feet Under is all about the former, following a family that owns a funeral home. Along with dealing with death and grieving families every day, the show highlights the personal relationships among the family members, with topical issues like homosexuality, relationships, and religion, all of which continue to be hotbed topics today.
The drama is considered to be one of the best shows of all time, airing for five seasons and culminating in what many refer to as one of the best series finales ever. The cast is tremendous, with actors like Richard Jenkins, Michael C. Hall, Frances Conroy, and Lauren Ambrose, all of whom went on to have successful careers in acting following the show's ending. It's the type of show you could watch today and, aside from the lower production value compared to today's flashier shows, and the fact that the known actors are much younger, it feels like it was only just made.
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