There’s television, and then there’s HBO. For decades, the network has been synonymous with storytelling that entertains, and at the same time, defines an era. From the cosmopolitan chaos of Sex and the City to the gritty philosophical depths of True Detective, HBO has consistently delivered shows that feel like a cultural reset. It’s not just about dragons or detectives or dysfunctional families. It’s about craftsmanship, character, and great writing.
What sets HBO apart is the way its shows become the bloodstream of the year they arrive in. Game of Thrones dominated Sunday nights and reshaped global fandom. Euphoria offered teen drama and a visual and emotional experience that sparked many conversations. These series didn’t earn their place in pop culture because they were popular. They became popular because they were exceptional. And while HBO doesn’t always release full viewership data, there’s enough out there (debut week stats, peak averages, and gross audience reports) to piece together which shows truly ruled the scene.
Here’s a definitive look at the 10 most-watched HBO series of all time.
10
‘Sex and the City’ (1998 – 2004)
Carrie Bradshaw, Miranda Hobbes, Charlotte York, and Samantha Jones are the four iconic New York women who stunned audiences for six glorious seasons, inviting us into their messy lives as they navigated love, career, friendship, and the occasional existential crisis in designer heels. Sex and the City explored everything from heartbreak and ambition to brunch debates and taboo topics, all with a breezy sophistication that made it both aspirational and fun.
A Cultural Reset in Stilettos
There’s a reason this show averaged around 10 million viewers at its peak. Michael Patrick King’s direction kept the tone smart and stylish, while Sarah Jessica Parker and her co-stars brought relatability, humor, and bite to every scene. It is perfect for rewatching or discovering anew, especially if you want to see how HBO helped redefine what TV could look like when it was led by women and their timeless wisdom.
9
‘Chernobyl’ (2019)
Chilling doesn’t even begin to cover it. Chernobyl dramatizes the 1986 nuclear disaster in Soviet Ukraine, beginning with the explosion at Reactor 4 and spiraling into a harrowing tale about bureaucratic denial, scientific urgency, and human sacrifice. Jared Harris plays Valery Legasov, the scientist who tries to find out the truth behind the catastrophe, while Stellan Skarsgård and Emily Watson round out the cast.
Makes You Feel the Cost of Truth
Craig Mazin’s writing and Johan Renck’s direction turn the five episodes of Chernobyl into something unforgettable. Paired with exceptional performances and attention to detail, the stark tone and haunting visuals stay with you for years. With a cross-platform average of 10–12 million viewers, it became one of HBO’s most-watched limited series, even breaking digital records previously held by Game of Thrones.
8
‘Boardwalk Empire’ (2010 – 2014)
Boardwalk Empire welcomes you to Atlantic City in 1920, opening with the dawn of Prohibition. It introduces you to Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, a political fixer and bootlegger played with remarkable restraint by Steve Buscemi. It charts Nucky’s rise and fall across five seasons, weaving in real-life figures like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano, while telling a sprawling tale of power, loyalty, and betrayal.
A Rewarding Experience
The narrative of Boardwalk Empire doesn’t rush. It builds layer by layer, until you’re neck-deep in the politics of vice. With early seasons pulling in a gross audience of around 10.7 million per episode, the show was a ratings’ powerhouse. Terence Winter’s writing (of Sopranos fame) and Martin Scorsese’s pilot direction set a high bar, and the series never really dipped below it. An incredible pick for those who love slow-burn storytelling with intense character arcs, this one is worth all the critical buzz it received.
7
‘True Detective’ – Season 1 (2014)
In the first installment of True Detective, detectives Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson) are pulled back into a case they thought was closed, as new evidence and old demons return to the surface. The story jumps between timelines, revealing not just the mystery but the demons haunting two men, what they’ve seen, and what they’ve done. And the deeper they dig, the more the case becomes a mirror to their own fractured minds.
A Slow-Burn Like No Other
True Detective is part Southern Gothic, part philosophical noir, and part crime thriller. Directed with amazing precision by Cary Joji Fukunaga and written by Nic Pizzolatto, this season thrives on atmosphere and character study. With a gross audience of nearly 11.9 million per episode, it became a breakout hit for HBO in 2014, and the buzz was everywhere. McConaughey’s performance, specifically, felt excellent. Overall, it is a testament to the network’s commitment to producing thought-provoking, boundary-pushing content.
6
‘True Blood’ (2008 – 2014)
Set in the sultry town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, True Blood imagines a world where vampires have “come out of the coffin” thanks to synthetic blood. At the center is Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), a telepathic waitress who falls for the brooding vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer). But their romance paves the way for chaos as werewolves, witches, faeries, and political factions flood the scene.
Bold, Sexy, and Unfiltered
Supernatural TV shows have a strange pull. Pair social allegory, steamy entanglements, tongue-in-cheek humor, and moments that are never afraid to go full camp and what you get is a show that peaked with a season average of 12–13 million viewers. Alan Ball, fresh off Six Feet Under, brought a pulpy, provocative energy to this adaptation of Charlaine Harris’s novels. It also featured standout turns from Alexander Skarsgård and Rutina Wesley, who helped ground the drama with real emotions.
5
‘House of the Dragon’ (2022 – Present)
Before Daenerys, there was Rhaenyra. House of the Dragon takes us back nearly 200 years before Game of Thrones and chronicles the Targaryen dynasty at its most volatile. The HBO series centers on Princess Rhaenyra and her claim to the Iron Throne, which is challenged by her uncle Daemon and the Hightower faction. The whole dispute escalates into a full-blown civil war, known in lore as the Dance of the Dragons.
A Lavish Prequel to an Iconic Series
A fairly recent addition to HBO’s most-watched TV series of all time, House of the Dragon is a prequel that doesn’t just echo its predecessor, but also carves its own legacy. With a premiere pulling in 9.9 million viewers and a cross-platform average reaching 14–15 million, it soared past expectations. Miguel Sapochnik and Ryan Condal’s direction is grand, Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith, and Olivia Cooke’s performances are nuanced, and the production design is nothing short of cinematic.
4
‘The Sopranos’ (1999 – 2007)
Tony Sopranos is a mob boss, but he’s also a father, a husband, and a man quietly getting crushed under the weight of his own contradictions. Set in suburban New Jersey, The Sopranos begins with Tony seeking therapy for panic attacks, and from there, it transforms into a portrait of organized crime, family dysfunction, and existential dread.
Redefined the Golden Age of Television
Boasting a peak gross audience of around 18.2 million, The Sopranos is undoubtedly one of HBO’s most iconic and influential series. Directed by David Chase and led by James Gandolfini, its nuanced exploration of the human condition struck a chord with audiences. While Gandolfini’s performance as Tony is still one of the best ever put to screen, the ensemble, made of Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, Lorraine Bracco, and more, never misses a beat either. If you haven’t seen The Sopranos, you’re missing the show that made everything else possible.
3
‘Euphoria’ (2019 – Present)
At its core, Euphoria tells the story of Rue, a teenage girl grappling with addiction, identity, and the turbulence of growing up. But it’s also a kaleidoscope of other lives. Jules, Nate, Cassie, Maddy, and a bunch of other teens and adults are each navigating their own emotional minefields, and the show may use dreamlike visuals and nonlinear storytelling, but it doesn’t shy away from exploring the raw and uncomfortable aspects of life.
Beautiful and Honest
Part coming-of-age and part fever dream, Euphoria stands out as one of the most talked-about HBO series in recent memory for the way it tackles addiction, trauma, grief, desire, and self-destruction. It blends music, cinematography, and mood into something that feels unique and alive. Season 2 averaged around 16.3 million viewers across platforms and its overall popularity was massive online, with people dissecting episodes and characters in real time. Euphoria is not always easy to watch, but that’s part of the draw.
2
‘The Last of Us’ (2023 – Present)
Twenty years after civilization collapses under the weight of a deadly fungal pandemic, a gruff and hardened survivor named Joel is tasked with escorting Ellie, a teenage girl who may hold the key to humanity’s future. The Last of Us is adapted from the acclaimed video game of the same name, and it doesn’t just follow the same plot, but also deepens the lore by adding emotional layers and exploring different facets of love and survival and hope.
HBO’s Biggest New Hit
Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann crafted something rare with The Last of Us, and it shows. With an average of 30.4 million viewers across its first six episodes (as HBO reported), it became the network’s most-watched debut since House of the Dragon. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are phenomenal, the world-building is accurate and immersive, and the emotional beats hit hard. It is perfect for fans of character-driven drama with apocalyptic stakes, and it’s already being hailed as a new example of genre storytelling.
1
‘Game of Thrones’ (2011 – 2019)
In the fantastical realm of Westeros, power is everything, and yet, no one seems to hold it for long. Game of Thrones begins with nine noble families vying for control of the Iron Throne, but expands into a saga of war, betrayal, prophecy, and dragons. From the icy threat of the White Walkers to the rise of Daenerys Targaryen, it juggles dozens of characters and storylines with surprising perfection.
The Undisputed HBO Juggernaut
Brutal, political, and shocking, with twists that redefine an entire season, Game of Thrones built a world so rich and detailed that fans were dissecting maps, languages, and myths like scholars. With a peak season average of 18.4 million and a finale that drew 19.3 million viewers, it was clear that David Benioff and D.B. Weiss had helmed a production that was a blockbuster. The reception was massive, the debates were endless, and the impact on TV was indomitable. HBO released viewership numbers regularly, especially during its final seasons, and the show’s dominance, regardless of whether you loved the ending or not, is still pretty clear.