Television had a fantastic year, and shows on HBO Max were at the center of many popular discussions—some even ranking among the best shows of 2025. HBO and its streaming service have a reputation for producing high-quality content, and they continued that trend throughout the year. They achieved this by launching new, engaging series—ranging from medical dramas to sports-themed romances—and building on the success of their existing programs.
HBO and HBO Max are expected to maintain their success through 2026. The streaming service is beginning the year with returning favorites from 2025, and the main HBO network will soon premiere A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Despite the recent merger between Netflix and Warner Bros., 2026 looks promising. But before looking ahead, let’s take a moment to remember the best shows HBO Max offered over the past year.
7) Task
The crime drama Task premiered in September 2025 and quickly became popular. While it offers the exciting tension and action viewers expect from the genre, it also stands out for its emotional resonance and complex characters. The people in the show feel realistically flawed – no one is simply all good or all bad. This is thanks to strong writing and excellent performances from actors like Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey. It’s not surprising that GQ called it the “show of the year,” or that it received a 96
While not as popular as Brad Ingelsby’s Mare of Easttown, the series Task deserves recognition for the way it weaves together the stories of its central characters—an FBI agent and a garbage collector involved in crime. Although it starts slowly and hasn’t made a huge splash, its strong writing secures its place among HBO’s best shows of 2025.
6) It: Welcome to Derry
2025 saw several Stephen King stories brought to life on screen, including the HBO series Welcome to Derry. Rather than adapting a specific novel, the show delves deeper into the history of the town of Derry and the terrifying creature known as Pennywise. While taking this approach is a gamble, Welcome to Derry successfully recreates the supernatural and human horrors that are hallmarks of King’s writing. The series offers a new take on the story and is genuinely frightening—a quality that’s unfortunately rare in many modern horror shows.
Even though it works well on its own, Welcome to Derry is made even better by its connections to the larger It universe. It’s one of the stronger horror shows released recently and generated a lot of buzz when it first came out in October. The show shows a lot of potential, although the pacing and some of the special effects could be better. Still, it doesn’t quite reach the level of the established 2025 series or other highly successful horror premieres.
5) The White Lotus Season 3
It would have been easy for The White Lotus Season 3 to falter without Jennifer Coolidge’s character, and each season also faces the challenge of feeling fresh. The fact that Season 3 is as good as the first (and almost as good as the second) shows how talented a writer Mike White is. While Season 3 is the most polarizing yet, it expertly weaves together several storylines, building suspense and culminating in a gripping and unforgettable finale.
The central mystery in season three of The White Lotus is truly captivating, and the show delivers a powerful emotional payoff when it reveals what happened behind the opening gunshots. This season also maintains the show’s signature sharp wit and surprisingly ties up storylines from earlier seasons – something it usually avoids. While reviews on Rotten Tomatoes were mixed, the season is undeniably well-made and enjoyable. It doesn’t rank among HBO’s best shows of 2025 only because those series were exceptionally strong, achieving greater cultural relevance, award recognition, or universal acclaim.
4) Heated Rivalry
The LGBTQ+ hockey romance, Heated Rivalry, quickly became a sensation after its November 2025 release, even selling out online according to The Cut. It’s a welcome change in a TV environment where queer shows are often canceled prematurely. After watching Heated Rivalry, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. The show doesn’t hold back on the passion and connection between the characters, and these moments feel genuine thanks to excellent writing and acting. In a world full of uninspired love stories, Heated Rivalry truly stands out.
I’m completely hooked on this sports romance! Even if you don’t know anything about hockey, the show does a fantastic job of making you feel like you do. It’s seriously good – the critics and audiences agree, giving it amazing scores on Rotten Tomatoes! Honestly, I think it’s one of the most impactful shows HBO Max has released this year. There are a few others that might be even better, but that’s usually because they’ve been around for a while or deal with really heavy topics – this one just delivers pure entertainment with a lot of heart.
3) Peacemaker Season 2
Season 2 of Peacemaker is a standout superhero show of 2025, much like James Gunn’s Superman. It’s notable for tackling real-world problems and doesn’t avoid difficult topics such as trauma, racism, privilege, and harmful ideas about masculinity. The season’s major plot twist involving Earth-X is one of the most effective reveals on television in recent years, particularly within the superhero genre – it’s brilliantly done and delivers a clear message.
Season 2 of Peacemaker delivers the same blend of action and humor that made the first season, The Suicide Squad, and the Guardians of the Galaxy films so popular. It’s clear James Gunn poured a lot of passion into this season, evident in the witty writing, music, and character development. The cast also shines, with John Cena giving a particularly strong performance, and the rest of the actors convincingly portraying their characters’ challenges. Though it’s sparked some debate, Peacemaker Season 2 rightfully earned its high 94
2) Hacks Season 4
The fourth season of Hacks premiered in June and continued to be a hit, leading into its fifth and final season. The show was even recognized with two Emmy Awards, with both Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder winning for their performances. The actresses brilliantly portrayed the show’s leads in Season 4, beautifully showcasing the connection their characters have developed throughout the series. Beyond that satisfying character development, the latest season also delivered the expected laughs and a few surprisingly touching moments.
In 2025, with Hollywood becoming increasingly competitive and sometimes troubling, the show Hacks felt particularly relevant. Many considered Season 4 to be a high point for HBO Max that year, both in terms of writing and acting. Though critics loved it, audience reactions were mixed, as shown by its 70
1) The Pitt
Honestly, it had been ages since a medical show really grabbed me like Grey’s Anatomy or House did, but from the moment The Pitt premiered in January 2025, I knew it was different. The first episode dropped you right into the chaotic energy of a typical day – and trust me, there’s nothing typical about it – at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center’s ER. Noah Wyle was incredible as Dr. Michael ‘Robby’ Robinavitch, instantly becoming the heart of the show, but the whole cast was fantastic. What really impressed me throughout the first season was how boldly The Pitt addressed tough issues – everything from school shootings to the real struggles hospitals and healthcare workers are facing with being understaffed and completely burnt out.
The show’s realistic approach made it particularly impactful and unforgettable, and strong writing and acting really cemented its success. It was a well-deserved win when it took home the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series, along with other awards, as both critics and viewers loved it (according to Rotten Tomatoes). It was HBO Max’s best show of 2025, and with Season 2 of The Pitt coming on January 8th, it’s likely to be a top contender again in 2026.
What HBO Max show did you enjoy the most in 2026? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!
https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/list/7-great-fantasy-shows-to-binge-on-hbo-max-now/embed/#
Read More
- Best Controller Settings for ARC Raiders
- Ashes of Creation Rogue Guide for Beginners
- Meet the cast of Mighty Nein: Every Critical Role character explained
- Bloober Team launches ‘Remosd Neul Serorehso Ovam Ceyerd’ countdown website
- Arc Raiders Guide – All Workbenches And How To Upgrade Them
- Avengers: Doomsday Finally Gives The X-Men What Fox Refused To
- 7 Fantasy Movies That Aged Incredibly Poorly
- Kit Keenan Slams Claim Mom Cynthia Rowley Helped Buy Her NYC Apartment
- 7 Best Animated Horror TV Shows
- Star Wars Has Never Shown the Empire’s Most Terrifying Tactic
2026-01-03 05:44