10 Hilarious Comedies on HBO Max Streaming Now (May 2025)

HBO Max offers a wide array of entertainment options, ranging from popular networks like Comedy Central and TBS to countless movies, both old and new. The comedy selection is particularly noteworthy, with a substantial collection from Cartoon Network’s library, including timeless classics such as Courage the Cowardly Dog. Furthermore, HBO Max doesn’t just stop at Adult Swim for adult-oriented content; they also host numerous humorous shows that might have flown under the radar or are from other networks and not commonly associated with streaming.

In essence, if you’re looking for shows like “Friends,” “Veep,” “Barry,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” on HBO Max, I regret to inform you that you won’t find them there. This includes “South Park,” but it will be moving to Paramount+ by the end of June 2025.

1) Abbott Elementary

The highly acclaimed sitcom from Quinta Brunson, titled Abbott Elementary, is among the top mockumentaries on the streaming platform. This show focuses on a team of dedicated teachers at a Philadelphia public school who continue to persevere despite ongoing budget reductions.

Abbott Elementary” is a show that’s easy for everyone to enjoy, regardless of age. It’s funny and relatable, keeping viewers from all walks of life engaged. You can stream the first three seasons on HBO Max. If you’re interested in watching the fourth season, which includes a crossover episode with “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” head over to Hulu instead.

2) Angie Tribeca

Among the numerous police procedural shows that have been produced, only a handful have made an effort to satirize their common themes. Shows like “Psych” and “High Potential” have dabbled in it, but the most successful examples are “Police Squad!” (the precursor to “The Naked Gun!”), the underappreciated “Murderville” on Netflix, “Reno 911!” (which is more a parody of “Cops” than procedurals, but still), and the TBS show “Angie Tribeca”.

Originally developed by Steve and Nancy Carell, this project marked Rashida Jones’ starring role following her recurring stint on “The Office” and supporting part in “Parks and Recreation.” It’s a comedy that delivers approximately 100 jokes per minute, with an impressive 75% of these jokes hitting their mark. This exceptional success rate kept the show running for four seasons. The first three seasons (Season 4 was less consistent and not as strong, making it less significant) can be found on HBO Max.

3) Avenue 5

Alan Partridge’s co-creator Armando Iannucci has established a strong presence with HBO since his show “Veep” became successful on the network in 2012. Since then, he’s developed two other shows for them, much like “Veep,” which is known as one of the sharpest, funniest, and best-written television series ever produced, they can be found streaming on HBO Max.

Among these two television series that had brief runs, the first one was “Avenue 5,” which aired for only two seasons, while “The Franchise” started and ended its broadcast in 2024, lasting even less time. However, “Avenue 5” stood out as the superior show. It starred Hugh Laurie, known for his role in “Veep,” as the ill-equipped captain of the spacecraft bearing the same name, which discovered itself far off course and years away from reaching Earth. While “Avenue 5” didn’t consistently deliver laughs, when it did, it was uproarious, and Laurie excelled in his role as the beleaguered protagonist.

4) Awkwafina is Nora from Queens

The series titled “Awkwafina as Nora from Queens” (or simply “Nora from Queens”), available on HBO Max among other Comedy Central shows, stands out as one of their top picks and is highly recommended for fans of the comedian. In this show, Awkwafina portrays Nora Lin, a 20-something urban dweller who navigates city life by relying heavily on her family ties.

Nora from Queens significantly gains from Awkwafina’s distinctive style, yet it’s a series that thrives not just on her talent, but also the robust performances of its ensemble cast. For example, BD Wong, renowned from the Jurassic Park franchise, rapper Jonathan Park (also known as Dumbfoundead), Stephanie Hsu who starred in Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Bowen Yang, a cast member from Saturday Night Live. These three seasons can be found on HBO Max.

5) Conan O’Brien Must Go

It’s always fitting to give a shout-out to Conan O’Brien, and if you’ve already enjoyed his podcast, “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,” HBO Max would be the perfect next step for you.

As a follower, I’ve got good news for fellow enthusiasts! Firstly, they’ve got two seasons of Conan’s TBS travel show, Conan Without Borders. Once you’ve savored those 13 episodes, you can move on to his subsequent travel series, Conan O’Brien Must Go, which is an HBO Max exclusive and just as delightful.

6) Flight of the Conchords

Among HBO’s outstanding series from the mid-2000s, whether comedic or not, “Flight of the Conchords” stands out as a marvel of dry wit and catchy, albeit quirky, songs that manage to be both amusing and touching. Similar to the following show on this list, it’s also a form of self-referential comedy because in reality, Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie are indeed a music-comedy duo known as Flight of the Conchords.

Consequently, their dynamic is remarkably sharp and captivating on the show. However, it’s not solely about them, as the production also highlights the skills of Rhys Darby and Kristen Schaal, individuals who have since achieved even greater success. For example, Schaal became a key figure in the FX series adaptation of “What We Do in the Shadows,” a role she took on following the movie where Clement and Taika Waititi, who co-starred together in the film, made appearances on the television version.

7) The Larry Sanders Show

Garry Shandling, who sadly passed away, was highly respected in the world of comedy, though nowadays he’s often remembered as Senator Sterns from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In his beginnings, he penned scripts for popular sitcoms like “Sanford and Son.” Later, he made a significant impact on living rooms nationwide through his numerous appearances on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” He then debuted his own sitcom in 1986 called “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” on Showtime. This was one of the first shows to feature a protagonist breaking the fourth wall, a trend he helped set. With “The Larry Sanders Show,” he paved the way for what Larry David did in “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and what “30 Rock” achieved by building a comedy series around the creation of a comedy show, portraying a heightened version of himself in the process.

Although The Larry Sanders Show was Garry Shandling’s most significant work, it wasn’t entirely his alone. For one, prominent guest stars were effectively utilized. Two, Jeffrey Tambor, who portrayed Andy Richter-like character, and Rip Torn, who took on the role of Sanders’ producer, Artie, were ideal for their parts. Tambor excelled at playing pathetic characters, but it was Rip Torn who stole the show with his gruff performance as the producer. All six seasons of The Larry Sanders Show are now available on HBO Max.

8) Nathan for You

Nathan Fielder is known as comedy’s most dedicated observer of people. He enjoys studying what keeps society functioning and finding creative ways to experiment with these dynamics. If you’re craving more of his unique humor after finishing The Rehearsal (now in its second season), don’t forget to check out his popular Comedy Central show, Nathan for You.

In a humorous approach, Nathan For You presents unconventional suggestions to struggling businesses. Some of these ideas surprisingly aid their growth, while all of them are side-splittingly funny. The complete collection of the show’s four seasons can be found streaming on HBO Max.

9) Robot Chicken

Seth Green and Matthew Senreich’s “Robot Chicken” holds the record as Adult Swim’s longest-running mainstay show. Each episode is a collection of humorous, frequently pop culture-inspired stop-motion comedy skits. Topics vary from “Star Wars” to a gummy bear triggering a bear trap.

Similar to any program that serves a variety of skits, some may be funnier than others, but for those who appreciate the humor in “Robot Chicken”, it tends to land more hits than misses. You can stream all 11 seasons of the show, as well as the “Robot Chicken DC Comics Specials” and the “Robot Chicken: Star Wars” trilogy on HBO Max.

10) Vice Principals

Indeed, similar to “The Righteous Gemstones” and “Eastbound & Down,” “Vice Principals” is a series spearheaded by Danny McBride, exclusively airing on HBO. However, unlike its more popular counterparts, “Vice Principals” flew somewhat under the radar. Regardless, it’s equally deserving of your attention.

In this series, we witnessed McBride’s exceptional chemistry with Walton Goggins for the first time in a truly captivating manner, surpassing even their performance in “The Righteous Gemstones”. As rival-turned-conspirators in the faculty of a high school (specifically, two vice principals), they were simply outstanding. Moreover, with only 2 seasons and 18 episodes, the show managed to convey its story effectively without overstaying its welcome. It had a tale to tell, it told it well, and those involved moved on to new ventures.

2025-05-19 01:10