As of early 2026, HBO is having a remarkably successful year. Despite concerns that the rise of streaming would end popular, shared TV experiences, HBO has consistently created shows that everyone is talking about. The network has not only regained its strength in traditional, scheduled television, but is also thriving on its streaming platform, HBO Max.
Here are the seven best shows HBO will release in 2026, listed in the order we recommend you watch them.
7. Hacks (Season 5)
HBO Max’s Hacks has become a surprisingly big hit. Since its debut in 2021, the show—which follows a veteran comedian attempting to revive her career with the help of a young writer—has gained a devoted following and critical acclaim. Jean Smart, the show’s lead, has dominated the Primetime Emmy Awards, winning Best Actress four times (2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025) and earning three Golden Globes (2022, 2025, and 2026). Both the series and its supporting cast, including Hannah Einbinder, have received numerous Emmy and Golden Globe awards, solidifying Hacks‘ place as one of the most celebrated shows of the past decade.
In the fifth and final season, Deborah Vance, played by Smart, is determined to achieve EGOT status—winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony—and cap off her career with a triumphant comeback tour, ensuring she finishes strong and with grace.
6. Rooster
Steve Carell, best known for his role in The Office, is receiving rave reviews for his new HBO series, Rooster. The show follows Greg Russo (Carell), a popular mystery novelist, who visits a New England college to give a lecture and unexpectedly check on his daughter, Katie. Katie’s marriage is falling apart, and Greg ends up staying at the school as a visiting writer, hoping to sort out his own life and career. Critics and audiences alike are thrilled to see Carell back on television in this type of comedic and heartfelt role.
5. DTF St. Louis
Steven Conrad, known for films like The Weather Man and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, excels at portraying the struggles of middle-aged life. His HBO miniseries, DTF St. Louis, explored this theme more thoroughly than almost any other show. While presented as a murder mystery, each episode of DTFSL gradually revealed increasingly surprising and unsettling truths. The finale’s twists were so unexpected that many viewers are still trying to make sense of them. The series is anchored by strong performances from Jason Bateman (Ozark), David Harbour (Stranger Things), and Linda Cardellini (Avengers: Age of Ultron).
4. Neighbors
This year, Netflix’s documentary The Perfect Neighbor gained a lot of attention, including Oscar buzz, for telling the heartbreaking story of a neighborhood dispute that ended in tragedy. Now, HBO is releasing Neighbors, a new documentary series from A24, at just the right time. Like The Perfect Neighbor, it explores similar conflicts happening all over the country – from beaches in Florida to farms in Indiana and towns in the South like Nashville and Texas. It’s a captivating, though unsettling, look at disagreements between neighbors, and viewers have clearly responded – HBO has already greenlit a second season.
3. The Comeback (Season 3)
After a twelve-year hiatus, Lisa Kudrow returns as Valerie Cherish in the third season of The Comeback. The show, created with Michael Patrick King (of Sex and the City), expertly satirizes Hollywood. Each season tackles a new trend in the entertainment industry, and Season 3 is no different, focusing on the impact of AI on creativity. Previous seasons examined the rise of reality TV and the downsides of today’s constant demand for content. Kudrow consistently delivers a brilliant performance, and this final season solidifies The Comeback‘s place as a truly outstanding and memorable mockumentary.
2. Game of Thrones: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
When The Hedge Knight was announced, many Game of Thrones fans were unsure what to expect, as the story of Sir Duncan the Tall wasn’t well-known from the original series. The show wisely took its time developing the characters and their world, eventually revealing (spoiler alert!) that the story centered on a young prince and aspiring knight, both hiding their true identities. Importantly, this season added another fascinating layer to the Targaryen family history, showing how one Targaryen, known as Egg, chose a different route to power. As a self-contained story, The Hedge Knight delivered one of the most charming and memorable arcs within the Game of Thrones universe.
1. The Pitt (Season 2)
There’s no question about it: HBO’s The Pitt is the most popular show on television and streaming right now. Season 2 has been incredibly successful, with almost double the viewers of shows like DTF St. Louis and Rooster. Its popularity even slowed down the momentum of Netflix’s hit, Heated Rivalry. The Pitt Season 2 led the TV and streaming charts and dominated cultural conversations until its finale on April 16th. It’s become the new standard for medical dramas, and fans are eagerly awaiting Season 3, expected in January 2027.
What are your favorite HBO shows from the past year? Discuss with us on the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-04-23 22:11