24 Must-Watch Shows on HBO Max Right Now (August 2025)

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Drama, comedy, documentaries and much more — whatever kind of shows you love to watch, HBO Max probably has plenty of them.

August 2025 will feature the return of James Gunn‘s Peacemaker, as well as a new docuseries about Billy Joel.

Watch With Us is also recommending that fans revisit a beloved Lena Dunham comedy series this month.

Add in the end of And Just Like That, and you’re looking at a month full of must-watch content on HBO Max. Check out our full list below.

[1 of 24]

'Peacemaker' (2022-Present)

John Cena is finally returning to the small screen as Chris “Peacemaker” Smith, a vigilante determined to achieve peace, no matter how many men, women or children he has to kill to get it. Or at least, that’s who he used to be.

Throughout the first season of the series, Chris went through some emotional growth, and the upcoming second season (premiering August 22) promises to continue that journey. The series mixes action, comedy, and drama as it uncovers Peacemaker’s complex character, challenging the notion of heroism with its morally ambiguous narrative.

Helmed by James Gunn, the new season of Peacemaker is a direct follow-up to Superman and will feature cameos from movie characters like Nathan Fillion‘s sarcastic Green Lantern, Guy Gardner.

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'Billy Joel: And So It Goes' (2025)

This new docuseries explores of the life and music of Billy Joel — from his original arrival on the music scene to his constant reinventions over the years. It’s a tender examination of the love, loss and struggles that fuel his incredible songwriting.

Featuring exclusive interviews with Joel himself, the two-part docuseries gives fans an inside look at what makes the artist tick. With Joel having recently stopped touring due to illness, this opportunity to learn more about him in his own words feels more precious than ever.

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'Girls' (2012-2017)

Girls has been getting a second life lately — maybe it’s because of general millennial angst, maybe it’s because of Lena Dunham‘s new Netflix show. But if you’ve never seen it, it’s a perfect time to watch it on HBO Max. The show focuses on four young women living in New York City as they navigate the complexities of adulthood, relationships, and their budding careers.

Hannah (Dunham) and her best friends Marnie (Allison Williams), Jessa (Jemima Kirke) and Shoshana (Zosia Mamet) form a rich tapestry of the complexity of modern female friendship in all its epic highs and toxic lows. It’s intimate, funny, uncomfortable and boundary-pushing.

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'And Just Like That' (2023-2025)

Whether you love it or hate-watch it, you may want to catch up on And Just Like That before the series finale. Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) return to face the challenges of New York City life, along with newer friends like Seema (Sarita Choudhury) and Lisa (Nicole Ari Parker). Together, the friends navigate life in your 50s — which, even if you live in an outrageously gorgeous NYC apartment, isn’t always easy.

While the storylines aren’t as relatable as the ones in the original Sex and the City, there’s still something lovable and nostalgic about revisiting these characters. (Season 2 even got a long-awaited cameo from Kim Cattrall‘s Samantha, despite the bad blood between her and SJP.) If nothing else, the fashion is always exquisite — and inexplicable.

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'Rage' (2025-Present)

This brand-new Spanish comedy, known as Furia in Spanish, is a hilarious and no-holds-barred look at women’s anger — righteous or otherwise. It’s satisfyingly heightened, with that telenovela-esque flair for dramatic reactions. Fires are set, dishes smashed and guns cocked in this anthology series, in which each episode follows a different woman on the brink of a well-deserved crash-out.

The highly saturated, stylized aesthetic makes it an immersive watch, drawing viewers into the chaos. Each character — all loosely connected, whether through friendships or by catching glimpses of one another on TV — feels incredibly well-developed, even with limited screentime. Performances from Carmen Machi, Claudia Salas, Nathalie Poza, Marilú Marini, Pilar Castro and Cecilia Roth will leave you wanting more — and maybe feeling a bit furiosa yourself.

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'Expedition Unknown' (2018-Present)

Charismatic host and explorer Josh Gates takes viewers inside the world’s most iconic and captivating legends in this long-running reality series. It’s “edu-tainment” for grown-ups as Gates investigates everything from Amelia Earhart to legendary samurai swords to, more recently, the lost grave of Buffalo Bill. He leads thrilling journeys to uncover the secrets of lost legends, buried treasures and ancient mysteries around the globe.

Each episode blends historical context with active field investigation, as Gates collaborates with local experts and uncovers artifacts that help piece together historical enigmas. You’ll learn and laugh along the way — and maybe even gasp at some of Gates’ incredible discoveries.

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'The Mortician' (2025)

This gripping three-part docuseries reveals disturbing abuses that took place at a California funeral home via interviews with the unrepentant mortuary director. In the early 1980s, David Sconce, scion of the Lamb family, took over the family business and sought to exploit the deceased in numerous ways to expand their earnings.

The Mortician has quickly become a hit for HBO, achieving the highest viewership for a documentary series in five years. Sconce, released from prison shortly before the documentary began production, is fascinating, albeit chilling, to watch as he talks about mass cremations and stealing from the dead in a multitude of macabre ways.

[8 of 24]

'Duster' (2025)

J.J. Abrams reunites with Lost star Josh Holloway in this 1970s FBI show co-created with Into the Badlands writer LaToya Morgan. In Duster, Nina Hayes (Rachel Hilson), the first Black female agent in the FBI, joins forces with Jim Ellis (Holloway), a driver and gopher for a crime kingpin. Hayes enlists Ellis to bring down crime syndicate boss Ezra Saxton (Keith David) in an action-filled thrill ride of a show.

The ’70s aesthetic and excellent writing make Duster an awesome new entry into the HBO Max library. (Bonus: If you’re a fan of classic cars, you should know that the titular Plymouth Duster driven by Ellis is one of 250 vintage vehicles procured for the show. Duster is a feast for the eyes.)

Chock-full of action and intrigue, Duster is an exciting and captivating show with an interesting angle and engaging character dynamics.

[9 of 24]

'90 Day: Hunt For Love' (2025)

Drama is the name of the game on this 90 Day Fiancé spinoff. Hunt For Love features fan-favorites from previous seasons of 90 Day Fiancé as well as new singles in a gorgeous island villa. Can they find love after being burned in the past?

It’s Love Island meets Bachelor in Paradise meets 90 Day, and the drama is extra amped up because of the history shared between some of these contestants.

[10 of 24]

'The Rehearsal' (2022-Present)

Nathan Fielder‘s bizarre and groundbreaking documentary/comedy series The Rehearsal just completed its second season on HBO and Max. In each episode, Fielder helps ordinary people prepare for significant life events. The twist lies in the meticulous and often bizarre simulations he constructs to help participants anticipate every possible outcome.

In season 2, Fielder continues to tackle bigger and stranger topics, such as the recent rise in airplane crashes and how pilots can be better prepared for emergencies. It’s a strange mix of reality TV, performance art and comedy that results in a fascinating viewing experience, especially for people who are interested in how the human mind responds to pivotal moments.

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‘The Last of Us’ (2023-Present)

Zombies are back, and they’re more entertaining than ever. After years of mediocre Walking Dead sequels, spinoffs and ripoffs, TV audiences fell back in love with the undead, or in this case, “the infected,” in early 2023 with The Last of Us. The first season was a fairly faithful adaptation of the 2013 Naughty Dog game, telling the story of outbreak survivors Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they cross a postapocalyptic United States.

Season 2 adapts the game’s popular sequel, The Last of Us Part II, with Ellie now in her late teens and Joel still as world-weary as ever. Some major new characters this season include Isabela Merced as Ellie’s girlfriend Dina, Catherine O’Hara as Joel’s therapist and Kaitlyn Dever as the soldier Abby. Season 2 aired its finale on May 25, leaving us on a major cliffhanger. Be warned: tissues will be needed, especially for episodes two and six.

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‘The Young Pope’ (2016)

Pope Francis’ recent death and the election of a new pope have ignited a surge of interest in the papacy, and there’s no better show to watch than The Young Pope. Created by Paolo Sorrentino, the show chronicles the unorthodox reign of Pope Pius XIII (Jude Law). Pius isn’t happy with how his predecessors ran the Church, and he’s determined to do something about it. But will his radical vision for the Vatican win over the skeptical clergy who reluctantly elected him, or will it cause his swift downfall?

Like Sorrentino’s film work, The Young Pope blends wicked satire with soulful ruminations about the role of faith and politics in everyday life. Law is terrific as the ambitious pope who hides a deep grudge, and Diane Keaton is just as good as a loyal nun who will do anything for her new spiritual leader. The Young Pope is less serious than straightforward religious dramas like Conclave and The Two Popes, but by the time it reaches its conclusion, it’s deeper and more meaningful than most religious movies.

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‘Conan O’Brien Must Go' (2024-Present)

Conan O’Brien is mostly known as a late-night talk show host, but he’s also the subject and star of one of the best travel shows out there. Conan O’Brien Must Go is a documentary series that follows the comedian as he visits various countries around the world.

Season 1 opened with O’Brien visiting Norway and ended with the current Oscars host travelling to his ancestral homeland, Ireland. Season 2 begins with Conan herding sheep in New Zealand with Taika Waititi before jumping to Spain, where he talks with Javier Bardem about art, and then Austria, where he attempts to ski a snowy mountain. Through it all, O’Brien retains the same off-the-wall humor and adventurous spirit that made him one of the best comics of his generation.

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‘Hacks’ (2021-Present)

No other show currently streaming is as funny and smart as Hacks. HBO’s hit series about the testy relationship between a successful stand-up comic and her struggling Gen Z writer has won plenty of fans during its run, and that’s partly due to its intriguing premise.

Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) has been telling jokes for a long time, but her material has become stale and outdated. Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) can help her become relevant again, but Deborah doesn’t trust anyone, and Ava doesn’t particularly like her. But the two women discover quickly that they need each other to succeed in a business that’s often tough and ruthless.

Hacks Season 4 aired its finale on May 29, and it left Deborah and Ava in the same boat — but more out to sea than ever before. Now’s the perfect time to binge this clever comedy. Look out for special appearances by Jimmy Kimmel and Carol Burnett, who play themselves.

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‘The Pitt’ (2025)

Few people know what it’s like to be in an emergency room shift for 15 hours straight, but after watching The Pitt, you may get a better idea of all the excitement, fear and sheer exhaustion it must entail. The medical drama’s 15 episodes are set in roughly real time and follow Noah Wyle’s Dr. Robby Robinavitch as he guides a crew of doctors and nurses as they try to attend to their patients’ needs as well as their own.

The Pitt is less Grey’s Anatomy and more like House and 24, with breakneck pacing that can feel enthralling and draining at the same time. Wyle is terrific as Robinavitch, and the largely unknown cast brings life and depth to their characters. The Pitt is one of 2025’s best shows and is sure to join ER and St. Elsewhere as one of the best medical series ever made.

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‘The White Lotus’ (2021-Present)

Come for the exotic locations like Hawaii, Sicily and Thailand, but stay for the razor-sharp commentary about class, sex and money on The White Lotus, HBO’s hit series about a global luxury resort that plays host to a little drama, some comedy and the occasional murder. Mike White, the writer and creator behind the show, clearly loves his characters, even though they often do and say the most despicable things.

Season 1 introduced the world to Jennifer Coolidge’s boozy Tanya and concerned the mysterious death of an unidentified person. (Well, until the jaw-dropping finale). Season 2 saw the return of Tanya at a beautiful Sicilian resort, where new cast members Aubrey Plaza, Theo James and Meghann Fahy swapped stories, drinks and partners. The latest season’s Thailand locale sets the stage for yet another death, a bank robbery, some spoiled rich kids and the return of season 1 fan-favorite Belinda (Natasha Rothwell). Season 3 is now done, so you can binge every episode or revisit some of your favorite moments from the current season. Lorazepam, anyone?

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‘The Gilded Age’ (2022-Present)

Think of The Gilded Age as Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous circa the 1880s, only with more veiled insults, uncomfortable girdles and pent-up sexuality. Carrie Coon stars as Bertha Russell, whose husband has made tons of money as a robber baron. She wants to be accepted by New York society, specifically Christine Baraski’s old-money snob Agnes van Rhijn, and she’ll do just about anything to do so.

Created by Julian Fellowes, who also wrote Gosford Park and Downton Abbey, The Gilded Age is a costume drama that isn’t as dry and sexless as you might think it is. It paints a detailed portrait of a portion of society not typically seen in American television, and the show’s production values in recreating NYC are genuinely impressive. Coon and Baranski are terrific as the two leads, and they have ample support with co-stars Cynthia Nixon, Morgan Spector and Denee Benton.

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‘The Staircase’ (2022)

Michael Patterson has it all: a successful career as a novelist, a potential future in politics, and a large family who adores him. But his seemingly perfect life is shattered when his wife is found dead at the bottom of their staircase in their palatial North Carolina home. Things only get worse for Michael as the police suspect foul play, and he emerges as their prime suspect.

The Staircase may seem like an ordinary mystery, but it only gets stranger as the series progresses. That the show is based on a true story and adapted from an acclaimed 2004 French documentary of the same name makes it all the more disturbing. The cast is uniformly excellent, with Colin Firth both charming and creepy as Michael, a vulnerable Juliette Binoche as a film editor who becomes enamored with Michael and an outstanding Parker Posey as a country prosecutor. Truth is stranger than fiction, and there’s nothing stranger than The Staircase.

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‘House of the Dragon’ (2022-Present)

Game of Thrones has been over for a while, but that doesn’t mean there are no stories left to tell about Westeros. George R.R. Martin’s fantasy epic is back on HBO with the prequel series House of the Dragon, which is set around 100 years before the White Walkers stalked the kingdom and Daenerys Targaryen went full Dark Phoenix on everyone.

The show deals with the conflict between Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), who is the daughter of King Viserys (Paddy Considine), and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), who is Rhaenyra’s best friend and, later, stepmother. House of the Dragon has everything that made Game of Thrones so great: immersive production values that really transport you to a different time and place, juicy palace intrigue that usually involves marriages, assassinations, incest and English actors who know how to sell all that medieval melodrama. The show is set to return in 2026 for season 3, with more dragon-on-dragon fight action in store for fans.

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‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ (2000-2024)

For a show that started as “pret-tay, pret-tay good,” Curb Your Enthusiasm has evolved into a genuine pop culture touchstone almost as revered as Seinfeld. Larry David co-created both of those shows, and his signature comedic style — sharply observant humor about the ridiculousness of society’s banal traditions — is on full display throughout Curb’s 12 seasons.

He’s aided by a stellar supporting cast that includes Cheryl Hines as his long-suffering wife, Jeff Garlin as his immoral agent and Susie Essman as Jeff’s foul-mouthed wife. Curb Your Enthusiasm’s best moments come when Larry absolutely embarrasses himself — which is often — and he pulls no punches in revealing the pettiness of those around him. It’s a show you can watch again and again, even if you don’t share Larry’s contempt for humanity.

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‘Sex and the City’ (1998-2004)

Are you a Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) or a Samantha (Kim Cattrall)? Maybe you’re enough of a romantic and a believer in happy endings to call yourself a Charlotte (Kristin Davis)? And Heaven help you if you’re a Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker). Sex and the City is such a part of the zeitgeist that its four central characters have transcended their existence as fictional characters and become a litmus test for our personalities.

Only a great show can pull that off, and Sex and the City, flaws and all, is outstanding for many reasons: for its groundbreaking portrayal of female sexuality; for its portrait of late ‘90s/early 2000s society; and for being an escapist fantasy about living in NYC with no budget and having it all. All these years later, Sex and the City still sparkles, especially its first four seasons. A sequel series, And Just Like That, was launched in 2021, but nothing tops the original.

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‘Harley Quinn’ (2019-Present)

Who needs to watch another comic book show? Yet Harley Quinn is different than your average spandex series. For starters, it’s animated, and it’s also extremely graphic and dirty. After breaking up with her longtime boyfriend the Joker, psychotic antihero Harley Quinn decides to make a name for herself in Gotham City’s overcrowded underworld. She gets help from her best friend and occasional girlfriend, Poison Ivy, plus other villains like Clayface, King Shark and Kite Man.

If this sounds like your typical superhero show, it’s really not. As Harley, The Big Bang Theory’s Kaley Cuoco might just be the best actress to embody the character since Arleen Sorkin. (Sorry, Margot Robbie.) The show, with its many, many expletives and graphic violence, is most definitely not for kids, and it has more laughs than you might think.

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‘True Detective’ (2014-Present)

True Detective is a mystery anthology show with vaguely horrific overtones, and it’s often very uneven. But when it’s good, it’s great, and even its flawed seasons are worth taking a look at. A lot of people watched season 1, which premiered in 2014 and starred Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson as two Louisiana detectives obsessed with a serial killer. That season introduced the world to the phrase “time is a flat circle” and established McConaughey’s comeback from bad movie purgatory.

Season 2, with Colin Farrell as a California gumshoe, and season 3, with Mahershala Ali as an Arkansas detective investigating the disappearance of two children, are less successful, largely due to their emphasis on realism over the first season’s oddball quirkiness.

But Season 4, subtitled “Night Country” and set in a remote Alaska town, brought back the show’s freak flag, and gave stars Jodie Foster and Kali Reis two meaty lead roles that earned them widespread critical praise. The show is set to return for a fifth season sometime in the future.

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‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)

Easttown, Pennsylvania, is an unforgiving place, but it has nothing on Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet). The fortysomething detective is no-nonsense and shoots from the hip, and she doesn’t have time for fools. When a teenage mother is found brutally murdered in a ravine, she has to figure out not only who did it and why, but also how it connects to a young woman’s disappearance in the recent past.

If it were just a mystery show, Mare of Easttown would merely be great. But the genius of the limited series is how it also functions as a character study of a woman barely holding on under the weight of overwhelming trauma. Mare is imperfect, and she’s frequently haunted by the mistakes she made in her past.

Winslet embodies Mare warts and all, and gives a performance that ranks as one of the best on television in the last decade. She’s as superb as the show she’s in, and the stellar cast (Jean Smart, Julianne Nicholson and Evan Peters) who support her. A second season has been talked about, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Cross your fingers that Mare returns to solve another case and battle more of her inner demons.