
HBO Max seems to have more critically praised shows than any other streaming service. However, surprisingly few of these highly-rated series have earned a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. Achieving 100% approval from television critics is rare, and even many of HBO’s best shows haven’t quite reached that level.
Currently, the top shows on HBO Max generally have very high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, usually between 80% and 99%, despite a few dissenting reviews. However, a select few series have achieved something rare: unanimous critical acclaim, with every reviewer giving them a positive score.
We’re going to highlight some of the best shows from HBO. It’s interesting to note that many critically acclaimed series aren’t included, not because they aren’t great, but because they didn’t receive a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. A show needs to consistently earn top ratings to make this list; simply being well-made isn’t enough.
The shows included on this list are consistently favored by TV critics, with very few dissenting opinions. This means the standard for inclusion is actually quite high, even beyond simply being a widely acclaimed show, though critics’ opinions aren’t the only measure of quality.
10. Young Love
2023
If you’re looking for a feel-good sitcom, Young Love is a heartwarming story about a family in West Chicago. Parents Stephen and Angela are genuinely good people, and their positive influence is clear in how their daughter, Zuri, lives her life. They’re pursuing their dreams while facing everyday financial challenges.
The show doesn’t avoid showing the difficulties families face, and it emphasizes the sacrifices they make when someone prioritizes personal fulfillment over money. As creator Matthew A. Cherry explained in 2023, Young Love is designed to be enjoyed by the entire family.
9. Like Water For Chocolate
2024–2026
Like Water for Chocolate is a beautiful movie based on Laura Esquivel’s popular Mexican novel. It tells the story of a young woman in the countryside who falls in love, but her mother won’t let her marry. With gorgeous visuals and music, it’s a heartbreaking and timeless love story.
While Alfonso Arau’s 1992 film adaptation was good, this series truly captures the intense and emotional heart of the novel with beautiful storytelling and rich detail. The talented Mexican cast delivers powerful performances, completely immersing viewers in the dramatic ups and downs of the de la Garza family’s story.
8. A Black Lady Sketch Show
2019–2023
Created by veteran comedy writer Robin Thede, A Black Lady Sketch Show is aimed squarely at a Black female audience, but its humor is broad enough to appeal to anyone. The show is brilliantly chaotic and sharply funny in its depiction of the challenges women face today, and it’s consistently delivered some of the most memorable comedy sketches of the past ten years.
While opinions always vary, critics overwhelmingly agree: sketches like “No Makeup” and “Bad Btch Support Group” prove that A Black Lady Sketch Show* is one of the greatest sketch comedy shows ever made.
7. The Chair Company
2025–Present
Comedian Tim Robinson is surprising audiences with his new 2025 release, The Chair Company. This thrilling show centers around a character who unexpectedly becomes involved in a bizarre conspiracy. It cleverly subverts typical TV tropes, unfolding its unique story in a delightfully unconventional way.
The first season of The Chair Company ends on a thrilling cliffhanger, hinting at a bigger and more complex second season. Hopefully, the show keeps up the quality – it currently has a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes!
6. Los Espookys
2019–2022
The cancellation of Los Espookys after just two seasons was a loss for HBO, as it was a truly unique and funny show—a strong competitor to FX’s acclaimed mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows. The series followed a group of people who professionally create spooky experiences, and showcased the subtle, clever humor of Fred Armisen, along with his frequent collaborators Julio Torres and Ana Fabrega.
The show Los Espookys is both delightful and hilarious, leaving viewers wanting to join Renaldo, Úrsula, Andrés, and Tati’s spooky crew. Fans of classic horror will especially appreciate its many references to the genre.
5. Scavengers Reign
2023
Many HBO subscribers have likely missed Scavengers Reign, but it’s a stunning animated sci-fi show about surviving on another planet. It’s a unique, mysterious series – think of Lost in space – that challenges its characters with bizarre and unpredictable events.
Blending sci-fi with the creepiness of monster horror, Scavengers Reign feels incredibly realistic and gripping, much like a live-action series. The show’s stunning animation by Titmouse, Inc. creates a vibrant and memorable adventure that will likely be remembered long after it’s off the air.
4. Get Millie Black
2024
Set in Kingston, Jamaica, Get Millie Black is a compelling and sometimes intense crime drama that deserves its high praise, largely due to the strong performances of Tamara Lawrance and Joe Dempsie. The miniseries cleverly connects the personal story of the main character, Millie Black, with the criminal case she’s investigating, all while maintaining a stylish, noir-influenced mood.
However, Get Millie Black is visually stunning and handles its cultural setting with nuance, completely drawing viewers into Millie’s life. What really makes the show exceptional is that its setting feels essential to the story – you can’t picture it happening anywhere else.
3. Primal
2019–Present
Look, Primal isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea – it’s a really raw, visually driven animated series with very little dialogue. But for those who get it, it’s genuinely a stunning work of art. And after three seasons, I’m starting to think it might just be the best dinosaur show ever made. It’s a bold claim, I know, but it’s earning it.
As a huge animation fan, I’m completely captivated by Primal. It’s such a wild mix – you’ve got dinosaurs and cavemen alongside a woman who was enslaved in medieval times! Somehow, it works, and that’s all thanks to Genndy Tartakovsky’s incredible visual style. The animation is just mesmerizing, and the music by Tyler Bates and Joanne Higginbottom adds so much suspense. What I really love is that Primal isn’t afraid to try completely new things, and it always pulls you along for the ride.
2. Somebody Somewhere
2022–2024
Unlike many shows on HBO Max, Somebody Somewhere feels very realistic and relatable. It tells the story of a woman in her 50s dealing with loss who returns to her roots in Kansas, and interestingly, features an actor who actually comes from that same area.
The HBO show Somebody Somewhere was a funny, heartwarming, and musically unique series that deserved to continue beyond its three seasons. It offered a remarkably genuine and insightful look at life in a small American town – Manhattan, Kansas – unlike anything else on television.
1. The Larry Sanders Show
1992–1998
Often considered the first truly great series on HBO, The Larry Sanders Show ranks among the funniest television comedies of the last half-century. This sitcom, centered around a fictional late-night talk show host, boldly predicted the mockumentary style and self-aware comedies about the entertainment industry that would become popular in the 2000s.
Jeffrey Tambor is incredibly funny as Larry’s right-hand man, and the show feels remarkably authentic behind the scenes. Though co-creator and star Garry Shandling didn’t have many big screen roles after this, this HBO show was groundbreaking and remains a true classic.
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2026-03-31 19:42