HBO is the king of television. With an adherence to a higher standard than every other network, the premium cable channel has been revolutionizing storytelling and taking risks going as far back as the 1980s. While most people will think of HBO for their dramas, such as The Sopranos or The Wire, the home box office also specializes in broadcasting some of the best miniseries available.
A miniseries is more difficult to pull off than many people think. Telling a longer story than a movie and a shorter one than a full series, these single seasons have a vision that needs tight execution and exact planning. HBO has dabbled in historical dramas, war stories, the superhero genre, and LGBTQ+ themes to create a library full of incredible miniseries. These are the 12 best HBO miniseries of all time.
12. Watchmen (2019)
Watchmen is based on the graphic novels by DC in the 1980s, but don’t expect a ton of superpowers or cartoonish plotting in this one. Damon Lindelof’s (who worked on Lost and The Leftovers) miniseries about the Tulsa race massacre in the 1920s and its trickle-down effect on the present in Oklahoma will make you think about how people react to racism and how far we have to go before the world is a just place for everyone. Regina King turns in a career-defining performance, but don’t overlook the sterling supporting performances of Jean Smart and Jeremy Irons.
11. Scenes from a Marriage (1973)
10. Tanner '88 (1988)
9. Mare of Easttown (2021)
8. Angels in America (2003)
7. Sharp Objects (2018)
6. The Pacific (2010)
5. I May Destroy You (2020)
4. John Adams (2008)
3. Generation Kill (2008)
2. Chernobyl (2019)
1. Band of Brothers (2001)
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