HBO Max is home to some of the funniest original shows of this century. With sketch comedies, stand-up specials, animated series, and more, it’s easy to find something that’ll turn your giggle box upside down.

I’ve chosen my personal favorite comedies on HBO Max, based on timing, plot and character relatability, witty dialogue, and overall production value.

11

Flight of the Conchords

Flight of the Conchords is a brilliant musical comedy series following the fictionalized lives of Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie. It’s the simple, adventurous story of a multi-instrumentalist folk-rock duo from New Zealand hoping to hit it big in New York City. The Emmy Award-nominated show has quirky situations, relatable characters, and witty dialogue.

The funniest element is the duo’s music, with original songs built into the narrative structure. Sometimes they’re presented in a music video style that is integral to plot and character development. Other times, they serve as an internal monologue. Either way, you’ll find yourself giggling through every episode.

10

Insecure

Insecure is a smart and unfailingly real series showcasing the awkward experiences of modern-day Black women in a predominantly white world. Co-created by Issa Rae and comedian Larry Wilmore, the series follows two best friends as they deal with their flaws and insecurities together in the funniest way possible.

Insecure is hysterical in its execution and examination of the issues plaguing every single generation of twentysomethings: failed relationships, career confusion, and the frustrating journey to find and accept the self. The show is authentic and socially impactful, with a compelling story and memorable characters. Episodes run about half an hour, so it’s one of those hilarious comedies to stream for a quick laugh.

9

Bored to Death

While it might be a little slow to start, Bored to Death evolves into a quirky plot full of silliness and intrigue. Jason Schwartzman stars as Jonathan Ames, a writer so plagued by boredom that he fabricates an identity to escape his regular life. He creates an alter ego and starts moonlighting as an unlicensed private detective to attract interesting people into his world. His methods? They’re straight out of old detective novels.

Schwartzman stars with Ted Danson and Zack Galifianakis to give the show a unique blend of unconventional comedy dished out with superb timing. Their strong performances combine with high production value to highlight the show’s ability to be silly yet sincere. Bored to Death is littered with underrated comedy and memorable wit, making it one of the most uniquely funny shows streaming on HBO Max today.

8

Avenue 5

Hugh Laurie stars in yet another of streaming’s most underrated shows, Avenue 5. The sci-fi comedy is set in a time when traveling the solar system has become the world’s biggest business. Sounds silly, right? It is, and that’s what you’ll love about it.

Set 40 years in the future, Avenue 5 follows life on board the titular ship, a mash-up of a cruise liner and an interplanetary rocket ship fitted with luxury amenities. It’s full of spoiled, snotty space tourists, who panic in the most absurd manner when the ship veers off course into outer space. Things get hysterically worse when their three-week journey turns into three years.

While its comedy is distinctive, its delivery is a tad uneven, but that doesn’t stop this show from being a gem of a dark comedy. It features solid performances, a relatable cast of characters, a unique premise, and a high production value.

7

Eastbound & Down

Danny McBride’s Eastbound & Down put him on the map as the king of absurdist comedies. He stars as Kenny Powers, a washed-up professional baseball pitcher who’s forced into retirement as a result of his own arrogance and jerkiness. So, he returns to his old middle school in North Carolina to teach physical education. There, he sets out to reclaim his fame and manifest a comeback, all while trying to evolve from giant child to mature grownup.

Eastbound & Down—though profane and obnoxious—is riotously funny with excellent delivery from its cast, who all give such authentic performances that you forget you’re watching a work of fiction. Expect to see the likes of Will Ferrell, Craig Robinson, Gina Gershon, and many more.

6

Silicon Valley

From award-winning creator Mike Judge comes a genius nerd comedy about the 2010s startup culture. Silicon Valley follows the misadventures of introverted computer programmer Richard Hendricks (Thomas Middleditch). First, he struggles to build his own company, then he and his brainy friends try to strike it rich in a fast-paced, high-tech gold rush culture of startups full of sharks.

Silicon Valley was nominated for five consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series. It’s quick-witted, with joke-heavy dialogue full of hyperbole, puns, and sharp humor, not to mention its parodied yet accurate portrayal of the tech industry’s culture and quirks.

5

Veep

Is there anything more entertaining than poking fun at political tropes? Veep does that with such brilliance that, during its seven-year run, it secured 68 Emmy nominations and 17 wins.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus stars as Senator Selina Meyer, who unexpectedly becomes vice president and learns that nothing is what she’d hoped it would be. Veep presents us with her satirical look at American politics as she stomps out political fires, juggles her public and private life, and navigates her dysfunctional relationship with the chief executive, all while trying to maintain her sanity.

The show offers insightful commentary, and challenges the disconnect between reality and fantasy-of-power representations. It’s extremely clever, full of fast-paced comedy and top-notch delivery. You’ll relate to the stress of these characters as it affects their performance and evolution, and its high production value makes you feel like you’re right up on Capitol Hill experiencing the chaos.

4

Vice Principals

Just when you think a Danny McBride-created absurdist comedy couldn’t get any better, in comes the brilliant Walton Goggins. His presence makes Vice Principals one of the funniest comedies to stream on HBO Max.

Vice Principals follows rival administrators (and vice principals) Neal Gamby (McBride) and Lee Russell (Goggins) as they duke it out for the head position when the principal retires. However, much to their dismay, an outsider is placed in the coveted spot, forcing Gamby and Russell to put aside their hate and work together to bring her down.

The gut-bursting comedy features a unique premise and casts high school administrators in a whole new light. It boasts strong performances from its lead characters, and you’ll enjoy seeing them and their relationships evolve just as much as you’ll appreciate their comedic banter. Just note that Vice Principals—while funny—is full of crass humor.

3

Hacks

You have my guarantee that you will love Hacks. The Emmy Award-winning comedy follows legendary Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) as she’s forced to collaborate with much younger, but equally stubborn and witty, Gen Z writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder).

Everything about this show is relatable, from the plot to the characters to their struggles and achievements—even their comedic outbursts. The show tackles issues like sexism, ageism, and the challenges women face, not just in the industry but in the world.

Hacks explores the complex, often hilarious relationship, between two female comedians from very different generations. It’s witty, poignant, and insightful, with outstanding writing and lead performances, and an impressive ability to balance humor with emotional depth. Like most acclaimed shows canceled too soon, Hacks ended far too early and abruptly with season three. Thankfully, after an uproar from fans, HBO revived it.

2

The Righteous Gemstones

This satire brings us into the comedically absurd lives of the world-famous televangelist family, the Gemstones. They’re righteously childish, uber-rich, and completely dysfunctional in their interactions and endeavors. The show follows their unraveling and reconstruction amid secret-bearing extortion plots, inter-faith threats, family bickering, and loads of backstabbing.

The Righteous Gemstones excels in top-notch comedy, compelling plotlines, and character relatability, as we all know about family drama and antics. Everything about the show is exaggerated and that’s what makes it a must-see.

It offers a satirical, though sympathetic, portrayal of the megachurch culture and those who run it, and poignantly explores faith, family, and forgiveness. Starring alongside show creator Danny McBride are the likes of John Goodman, Adam Devine, and Edi Patterson.