10 HBO Miniseries That Are 10/10 Masterpieces

For over 50 years, HBO has been known for delivering high-quality television. Since launching on November 8, 1972, the network has become famous for acclaimed shows like The Sopranos, Deadwood, Succession, and The Wire. In fact, their standards are so strict they even passed on Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone. While most HBO hits run for four to six seasons, they also produce exceptional limited series.

Most people don’t realize that a particular miniseries played a huge role in making HBO the network it is today. Before the mid-1980s, HBO mainly showed movies and boxing. But after creating All the Rivers Run, a four-part adaptation of a historical novel, they discovered viewers would tune in night after night. This led them to start making their own original TV series. Now, after over thirty years of excellent miniseries, it’s time to look back and decide: what are the ten very best?

‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)

HBO

It’s been years since Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Titanic while Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” played. Since then, she’s delivered many fantastic performances, and one you shouldn’t skip is Mare of Easttown. In this limited series, she plays Detective Mare Sheehan, a detective investigating the murder of a young mother.

With 16 Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe wins, Mare of Easttown is a gripping and realistic crime drama. It features smart, mature conversations and believable police work, and the show moves at a perfect pace. But it’s Kate Winslet’s performance that truly stands out. She flawlessly mastered the difficult “Delco accent” – the way people from Delaware County speak – and earned widespread praise online for it. Many viewers felt the show was so good, it deserved to run for ten seasons!

‘Watchmen’ (2019)

HBO

Watchmen is a rare and smart superhero series. Creator Damon Lindelof moved away from the typical Cold War setting of previous adaptations, choosing instead to set the story 34 years after the original comics. This HBO series takes place in present-day Tulsa, Oklahoma, where a dangerous white supremacist group is causing trouble, forcing some Tulsa police officers to hide their identities behind masks.

HBO’s Watchmen received a leading 11 Emmy nominations in 2019. The show cleverly uses a fictional story to explore the real-life tragedy of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre and to speak out against all types of prejudice. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II gives an outstanding performance as Dr. Manhattan, portraying him in a compellingly changed state. Regina King is also excellent as Detective Sister Night, driven to find justice for the deaths of a friend and her police chief.

‘The Young Pope’ (2016)

HBO

For decades, movies and TV shows have playfully criticized the Vatican, so it wasn’t a shock when Paolo Sorrentino did the same in The Young Pope. The show is a satire where conflict naturally arises when Lenny Belardo (Jude Law), a newly elected pope from New York, decides to drastically change almost all of the Church’s established rules.

Unlike the typical, predictable dramas about nuns and conspiracies we’ve seen for decades, The Young Pope is a clever, funny, and surprisingly tense show – and it doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is a good thing. While it explores serious religious and political themes, a major draw is unraveling the mystery behind the new Pope’s rebellious behavior (and the show eventually provides answers). Notably, the first two episodes premiered at the Venice International Film Festival – a first for a TV series in the festival’s history.

‘I May Destroy You’ (2020)

HBO

HBO and the BBC teamed up to create the critically acclaimed series I May Destroy You, which received nine Emmy nominations and won the BAFTA Award for Best Miniseries. The show was created by, written by, and starred Michaela Coel, a British actress, who played Arabella, a writer and social media personality investigating a sexual assault.

This powerful and moving drama tells the story of a woman fighting for her own justice, and it’s a stark reminder of the world’s harsh realities. Like many great HBO shows, it balances serious themes with moments of humor, but never loses sight of its important message. Michaela Coel’s incredible work as the show’s creator, writer, and star is a major reason why it’s so compelling. The show is flawlessly made across the board, from the sound editing to every other detail – it’s hard to find anything to fault.

‘Angels in America’ (2003)

HBO

Having trouble finding a great story idea? Consider borrowing from a successful play, like Mike Nichols did with Angels in America. He largely based his work on Tony Kushner’s acclaimed 1991 play about the AIDS epidemic. The story revolves around Walter (played by Justin Kirk), a man who has a visit from an angel. Other key characters include Roy Cohn (Al Pacino), a powerful but secretly gay lawyer, and a Mormon couple.

This miniseries is compelling because it tackles difficult subjects, like the impact of Reagan-era policies. Strong directing, a fitting soundtrack, creative editing, and beautiful visuals elevate Angels in America and create a truly gripping portrayal of a health crisis. It achieved remarkable success at the 56th Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming one of only three shows ever to win every major award for which it was eligible – a feat also accomplished by Schitt’s Creek and The Crown.

‘The Night Of’ (2016)

Craig Blankenhorn/©HBO/Courtesy Everett Collection

Originally, James Gandolfini was set to star in what many thought would be another successful HBO series, The Night Of. Unfortunately, he passed away before filming began. John Turturro stepped in and did a great job, taking on the role of a lawyer defending a Pakistani-American college student who was accused of murder.

This show is a brilliant exploration of what it means to be human, beautifully written and directed. It makes even the most ordinary habits and beliefs feel significant. The scenes set in prison depict people from all walks of life – young and old, healthy and unwell, sane and otherwise – going through strange daily routines while constantly facing danger. Throughout it all, the central character maintains a facade of composure and strength, creating constant tension that keeps you hooked throughout the eight episodes. The show was a critical success, earning 14 Emmy nominations and winning five awards.

‘Olive Kitteridge’ (2014)

HBO

Frances McDormand starred as Olive Kitteridge, a retired schoolteacher, in the miniseries based on Elizabeth Strout’s 2008 novel. The story explores Olive’s complex marriage to her good-natured husband and her strained relationship with their son.

Frances McDormand’s character guides us into the messy and complicated world of a small town in Maine, portraying a full range of emotions until she seems to have none left. The show, with its evocative music and fluid camera work, feels like reading a carefully crafted novel. It tackles difficult subjects like mental health and betrayal, and its impact is so powerful that it’s hard to know if you should appreciate it as a compelling story or see it as a cautionary tale.

‘Tanner ‘88’ (1988)

HBO

You won’t find a better mockumentary than Tanner ’88. This groundbreaking series cleverly blended scripted storylines with real-life footage – much of it shot during the 1988 presidential campaign. It follows Jack Tanner (played by Michael Murphy), a former Michigan congressman, as he runs for the Democratic nomination for President, offering a behind-the-scenes look at his campaign.

Robert Altman directed this series, and it’s intentionally designed to make you feel uneasy. The central question – will Will Tanner overcome his flaws? – drives the entire darkly comedic story. It’s made even more interesting by appearances from actual politicians like Bob Dole, Jesse Jackson, Kitty Dukakis, and Pat Robertson. What Tanner ’88 truly excels at is illustrating how the media influences American politics. It’s so realistic, you might mistake it for a genuine documentary.

‘Chernobyl’ (2019)

HBO

On April 26, 1986, at 1:23:45 am, the No. 4 reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near Pripyat, Ukraine, exploded. Initially, emergency crews believed it was a typical fire, but when first responders developed severe burns and facial injuries, they quickly realized the gravity of the situation. The series Chernobyl recounts this devastating event with both accuracy and sensitivity, and features strong performances from the entire cast.

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Craig Mazin, the creator of The Last of Us, is a remarkably versatile writer. He’s responsible for the serious drama Chernobyl, but also penned scripts for comedies like The Hangover and Scary Movie. In Chernobyl, he deliberately avoids humor, building a consistently somber and emotionally resonant mood. The show avoids exaggeration, drawing viewers into the characters’ experiences and fostering genuine empathy. Chernobyl was a critical success, earning 19 Emmy nominations and winning awards for Outstanding Limited Series, Directing, and Writing. It also took home the Golden Globe for Best Miniseries or Television Film.

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)

HBO

Following the success of their film Saving Private Ryan, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks created the TV miniseries Band of Brothers. Based on Stephen E. Ambrose’s 1992 book, the show follows the experiences of “Easy” Company, a unit of paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division, throughout World War II—from their initial training to key battles like D-Day and their eventual occupation of Berchtesgaden.

Many consider Band of Brothers to be the best World War II TV series ever made, and it’s known for helping launch the era of high-quality, cinematic television. The show’s success is largely due to the talented actors and the involvement of Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. Historian Stephen Ambrose, who wrote the book the series is based on, also played a key role in developing the storyline through interviews with veterans. It’s no surprise the show won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries. Be sure to watch the incredibly powerful scene depicting the Normandy invasion, where paratroopers are tragically shot down while still in the air.

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2026-02-08 03:38