Top 10 HBO Series Ranked by Tomatometer movieinfo, September 13, 2025September 13, 2025 HBO is known for creating shows that stand out. For years, it has given us bold comedies, emotional dramas, and creative documentaries that you can’t find anywhere else. Some of these shows are classics, while others are new experiments, but all of them have earned high respect from critics. The Tomatometer ratings from Rotten Tomatoes show which series have been praised the most. In this list, we look at Top 10 HBO Series that scored big with critics. Each one is different, but they all share one thing — they are worth watching. 1. The Larry Sanders Show – ⭐ 100% Tomatometer This classic comedy first aired in the 1990s and is often called one of the best TV comedies of all time. The show takes you behind the scenes of a fake late-night talk show, showing the stress, politics, and funny chaos of running it. Why Watch: It was groundbreaking because it mixed real celebrity guests with sharp comedy and awkward truths about fame. Many modern shows, like 30 Rock and The Office, were inspired by it. 2. A Black Lady Sketch Show – ⭐ 100% Tomatometer This is a sketch comedy created by Robin Thede. It features an all-Black female cast performing funny, clever, and bold sketches. The humor covers everything from pop culture to social issues. Why Watch: It’s fresh, smart, and hilarious. It also gives a platform to voices that are not often seen in mainstream comedy. The mix of comedy and representation makes it stand out. 3. Los Espookys – ⭐ 100% Tomatometer This is a quirky comedy set in Latin America, mostly in Spanish, about a group of friends who love horror. They start a business creating scary experiences for clients. Why Watch: It’s weird in the best way. The mix of spooky themes, comedy, and magical realism makes it very different from other shows. If you like offbeat humor, this is a gem. 4. How To With John Wilson – ⭐ 100% Tomatometer This is a documentary-style comedy series. John Wilson films life in New York City and connects random things — like scaffolding, furniture covers, or small talk — to bigger questions about life. Why Watch: It’s funny, touching, and strangely deep. You start by laughing at the little details of daily life, but by the end, you feel something meaningful. 5. Somebody Somewhere – ⭐ 100% Tomatometer This heartfelt series stars Bridget Everett. It tells the story of a woman dealing with loss and struggling to find her place in her hometown in Kansas. She slowly discovers comfort, friendship, and community. Why Watch: It’s a simple story but full of heart. The show is about grief, self-acceptance, and finding people who make you feel at home. It feels very real. 6. The Lady and The Dale – ⭐ 100% Tomatometer This is a documentary miniseries about Elizabeth Carmichael, a woman who promoted a car called The Dale in the 1970s. It was supposed to be the future of cars, but the story turned into one of the biggest scams in history. Why Watch: It’s not just about a car scam. It also explores identity, family, and how society saw Elizabeth. The storytelling is exciting and full of surprises. 7. The Defiant Ones – ⭐ 100% Tomatometer This is a music documentary about Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine. It shows how two men from very different worlds built careers in music and business, leading to the creation of Beats headphones and a billion-dollar deal with Apple. Why Watch: It’s full of energy, history, and legendary artists. You get to see behind the scenes of the music industry and how two ambitious men shaped pop culture. 8. Random Acts of Flyness – ⭐ 100% Tomatometer Created by Terence Nance, this series is like experimental art on TV. It mixes live action, animation, comedy, drama, and surreal scenes to explore race, identity, and life in America. Why Watch: It is not like regular TV. Every episode feels like an artistic piece. Some moments are funny, some emotional, and some strange, but it always leaves you thinking. 9. Painting With John – ⭐ 100% Tomatometer (Season 1) This is a slow, meditative series where musician and painter John Lurie paints while talking about life, memories, and small observations. Why Watch: It’s peaceful and personal. Instead of fast storytelling, it invites you to slow down and enjoy simple moments. It feels like having a deep chat with an old friend. 10. Barry – ⭐ 98% Tomatometer This dark comedy stars Bill Hader as Barry, a hitman who wants to quit crime and become an actor. But leaving behind his violent past isn’t easy. Why Watch: It’s both funny and intense. The show uniquely mixes crime and comedy, with strong acting and surprising twists. Many critics call it one of the best modern HBO shows. Also Read – Top 5 Drama Web Series on Netflix in 2025 You Can’t Miss Here are the Top 10 HBO Series, ranked among the best by critics, with their Rotten Tomatoes (Tomatometer) ratings and why they are worth watching: RankSeriesTomatometer Rating1. The Larry Sanders Show100% Rotten Tomatoes+2Rotten Tomatoes+2This is a sharp, behind-the-scenes comedy about a fictional late-night talk show. It paved the way for many modern comedies by mixing character drama with absurd humour. Rotten Tomatoes+2Wikipedia+22. A Black Lady Sketch Show100% BGR+3Rotten Tomatoes+3MovieWeb+3Fresh and hilarious, this sketch show puts Black women at the center. It’s bold, funny, and socially aware. Rotten Tomatoes+13. Los Espookys100% Rotten Tomatoes+1Quirky, charming, odd in all the right ways. A mix of horror themes with comedy, mostly Spanish language. Something different. Wikipedia+14. How to With John Wilson100% Rotten Tomatoes+1Documentary + essay + comedy. It takes small topics and finds weird beauty in everyday life. Quiet but powerful storytelling. Rotten Tomatoes5. Somebody Somewhere100% Rotten TomatoesA tender show about personal grief, identity, and finding connection. Critics praise its heart and honesty. Rotten Tomatoes6. The Lady and the Dale100% Rotten Tomatoes+1A documentary miniseries about Elizabeth Carmichael, a controversial figure. It mixes history, mystery, and character in a way that keeps you watching. Rotten Tomatoes7. The Defiant Ones100% Rotten Tomatoes+1A look at two music legends (Dr. Dre & Jimmy Iovine) and how their paths crossed. It’s inspiring, well produced, rich in music history. Rotten Tomatoes8. Random Acts of Flyness100% Rotten Tomatoes+1Very experimental, lyrical, sometimes surreal. Takes risks in form and content; some episodes feel like art more than TV. Critics love the daring. Rotten Tomatoes9. Painting With John100% (Season 1) Rotten Tomatoes+3Rotten Tomatoes+3Rotten Tomatoes+3Slow-paced, meditative. John Lurie paints, reflects, shares stories. It’s a show to watch if you like feeling rather than plot. Rotten Tomatoes10. Barry98% overall Rotten Tomatoes+3Rotten Tomatoes+3Wikipedia+3Dark comedy about a hitman who wants out, but can’t quite escape. It mixes violence, humor, identity crisis, and good acting. Very well crafted. Rotten Tomatoes+1 Closing Thoughts All of these series are top-notch in different ways. Some push boundaries in style (like Random Acts of Flyness, Painting With John), some shine in emotional depth (like Somebody Somewhere or Barry), and some are groundbreaking in comedy (Larry Sanders, A Black Lady Sketch Show). If you’re looking for something that critics almost universally praise, any of these will serve. If you want, I can also list audience ratings, or what the average viewer thinks, or maybe the top 10 by both critics + audience. Do you want that? HBO 10 HBO Series Ranked by TomatometerHBO Series Ranked by TomatometerTop 10 HBO Series