7 Great HBO Max Sitcoms to Watch Right Now (May 2025)

When their younger brother Chase becomes a Justin Bieber-esque overnight YouTube sensation, dysfunctional older siblings Brooke (Heléne York) and Carey (Drew Tarver) take it upon themselves to watch out for their little bro, newly christened “ChaseDreamz” (Case Walker). If they manage to snag some fame and fortune while riding his coattails, so be it. So begins The Other Two, a gloriously goofy sitcom that balances outlandish comedy with symbolic satire directed at celebrity culture.

Saturday Night Live writers Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider capture both the absurdity and the emotional turmoil that unfolds in this unconventional family dynamic. The series manages to sneak in some genuine, heartfelt moments along the way as Brooke and Carey navigate their careers and family drama. The Other Two also stars the excellent Molly Shannon as their loving and often exuberant mother, Pat, and Ken Marino as Chase’s overzealous manager, Streeter Peters. 

Julia Louis-Dreyfus became a sitcom icon in Seinfeld, so it’s no surprise that she slays in Veep, a no-holds-barred political satire from HBO. Louis-Dreyfus gained several Emmys for her performance as Selina Meyer, the Vice President to a POTUS we never see on camera. Selina’s ambition knows no bounds, and neither does her vocabulary for creative insults. 

Selina’s staff consists of Chief of Staff Amy Brookheimer (Anna Chlumsky), director of communications Mike McLintock (Matt Walsh), deputy director of communications Dan Egan (Reid Scott), personal aide Gary Walsh (Tony Hale), and personal secretary Sue Wilson (Sufe Bradshaw). This chaotic team rolls around in the political muck with hilarious results as they try to ensure Selina’s legacy without causing an international incident. They craft policy and maneuver for power, all while providing viewers with laugh-out-loud moments that capture the absurdity of political life.

There’s a reason women have been categorizing themselves as either Carries, Mirandas, Samanthas or Charlottes for decades now. Sex and the City examined archetypes of real, complicated single women as we’d never seen them before, setting the tone for sitcoms about dating like Girls, The Mindy Project, Emily in Paris and more. 

As these four women (Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall and Kristin Davis) navigate their careers, relationships, families and life’s other ups and downs, their friendship is what helps them keep it together. The scenarios they encounter are intensely relatable, even when you’re watching more than 20 years after the show’s debut. Even more relatable? The way they help each other through those problems. Men may come and go, but your best girlfriends are forever. 

If it feels like you’re always stuck in second gear, and it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month or even your year, we recommend you watch a season or two of Friends to cheer yourself up. The chemistry and comedic timing among this cast of characters is like lightning in a bottle, with a magic that just can’t be replicated. Ross (David Schwimmer), Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Joey (Matt LeBlanc), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), Chandler (Matthew Perry), and Monica (Courteney Cox) are such well-drawn characters that they really do feel like you know them by the end of the first episode. Their dynamic interactions and relatable struggles kept audiences hooked, turning the show into a cultural touchstone.

So grab a latte and pull up a chair at Central Perk for a show that masterfully balances humor and heart, riding high on clever writing and the charismatic performances of its cast. Friends not only reinvigorated the sitcom format but also left a lasting legacy in popular culture, influencing countless shows that followed. 

This comic book-inspired sitcom puts a hilarious and heartfelt spin on the Joker’s partner-in-crime turned independent woman. Harley Quinn (Kaley Cuoco) finally ditches the abusive Clown Prince of Crime (Alan Tudyk) with the help of her best friend Poison Ivy (Lake Bell) and forms her own villainous gang, which includes overdramatic actor Clayface (one of the many characters also voiced by the multi-talented Tudyk), cancelled evil genius Doctor Psycho (Tony Hale), a surprisingly mild-mannered humanoid shark (Ron Funches) and a cranky cyborg named — wait for it — Sy Borgman (Jason Alexander). 

As Harley navigates her evil career, her love life and her complicated past, she encounters some of DC’s best heroes and villains, from Batman (Diedrich Bader) to the less-than-intimidating Kiteman (Matt Oberg). Beneath the show’s outlandishly gory antics and dark humor, it delves into genuine friendships and personal growth. Harley and Ivy’s slice-of-life moments and everyday interactions — whether they’re debating about ordering Thai food or reflecting on the distinction between being a “bad guy” and a “bad person” — are where Harley Quinn really shines. The series blends action with heartfelt storytelling, making it a standout entry in the world of superhero animation.

Being in your 30s is awkward, painful and infuriating, especially when you’re single. Luckily,  Issa (Issa Rae) has her best friend Molly (Yvonne Orji) to help her get through relationship drama and career hurdles in this hilarious, raunchy, surprisingly moving HBO show.

Though Issa cycles through plenty of love interests, notably Lawrence (Jay Ellis), Daniel (Y’lan Noel) and Nathan (Kendrick Samson), her friendship with Molly is really the core of the series, and it’s a love story worth watching.

Insecure has been praised for its sharp writing, relatable characters, and honest portrayal of life as an African American woman, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base throughout its five-season run.

Created by and starring Larry David, who is best known as the co-creator of Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm has become a cultural phenomenon of its own throughout its 12 seasons. The show offers a fictionalized, hysterically cynical portrayal of David’s life as a semi-retired television writer and producer navigating the social and cultural intricacies of Los Angeles. 

Curb combines scripted and improvisational comedy, so there’s a spontaneity to every absurd scene. Each episode presents Larry grappling with trivial yet relatable social faux pas, highlighting the absurdity of everyday situations with a blend of dry wit and keen observational humor. Whether it’s the quick-witted banter or the hilariously uncomfortable situations Larry finds himself in, Curb always delivers big laughs.