It can be tough to find a comedy series that will get your heart racing. HBO Max has a ton of options to choose from, so whether you’re after something wild and weird or a dark comedy with a bit of reality, you’re in the place! We’ve put together our ultimate guide to best comedy shows available on HBO Max. Max has got it all when it comes to comedy! Whether you’re looking for a sitcom, a dark comedy, a sketch shows, or a stand-up special, HBO Max got something for everyone. Plus, they’ve got a mix of original and licensed shows to choose from.
Max has some great holiday movies and family movies too, so if you’re looking for a streaming service that’s been around for a while and has now become one of the biggest in the world, you’re in luck! Now let’s take a look at the best comedy shows on Max in 2023.
Barry
 | Barry | |
| Genre Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama | Runtime 4 | |
| Director Alec Berg, Bill Hader | 8.4/10 | |
| Cast Bill Hader, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg | ||
Barry is an Emmy-winning comedy created by Alec Berg and Bill Hader, who also stars in the series. It follows a hitman (played by Hader) who discovers his love for theater acting, and its comedic moments are complemented by its biting commentary on Hollywood film and television culture, as well as toxic masculinity and abuse.
The show is one of the best of its kind, featuring a wide range of memorable characters, outstanding performances, and excellent direction from Hader, who infuses his unique sense of humor into some of the show’s best episodes. Despite its comedy nature, the show does not neglect its action.
And Just Like That
 | And Just Like That | |
| Genre Comedy, Drama, Romance | Seasons 3 | |
| Director Michael Patrick King, Darren Star | 5.7/10 | |
| Cast Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis | ||
Darren Star, Michael Patrick King, and Sarah Jessica Parker reunite to explore the lives of the iconic trio of Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristen Davis as they navigate their lives as 50-year-olds.
The series picks up a few years after the follow-up films, and while the first season of the show was more dramatic rather than humorous, the second season surprisingly embraced progressive ideas about sex, sexuality, and relationships, and it’s easy to see how the show could have made mistakes in the first place. The trio of girlfriends are the main characters, but the show also introduces new characters and welcomes back familiar faces such as Mario Cantone as well.
Somebody Somewhere
 | Somebody Somewhere | |
| Genre Comedy, Drama | Seasons 2 | |
| Rated Hannah Bos, Paul Thureen | 8.1/10 | |
| Cast Bridget Everett, Jeff Hiller, Mary Catherine Garrison | ||
If you’re looking for a bit of small-town goodness in your comedy, you’re in for a treat. Bridget Everett stars as Sam, a woman who moves back to her native Kansas to look after her sister, but finds herself trapped after her sister dies.
It’s a sad premise, but it’s one that’s filled with humor and heart-warming stories about the people of the small-town town, and it’s easy to see why. As we watch Sam navigate her way through grief, she finds community through singing, and her relationship with Joel, played by Jeff Hiller, is one of the sweetest and most satisfying things on TV right now.
Avenue 5
 | Avenue 5 | |
| Genre Drama, Comedy | Runtime 161 minutes | |
| Rated R / 18+ | 8.4/10 | |
| Cast Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino, Kurt Russell | ||
The sci-fi comedy, Avenue 5, is set in a distant future where cruise liners transport tourists to the outer reaches of the universe. The series follows a luxury cruiser piloted by a mischievous billionaire (Josh Gad), whose ship is sent off-course by a gravity event, resulting in an extended ETA of three years from eight weeks.
The predicament of this sitcom forces the crew of overworked, underappreciated personnel to solve a new and often perplexing issue each week in order to maintain the ship’s functioning before it runs out of food, resources, and common sense. The sleeper hit is incredibly entertaining and manages to bring fresh and original elements to the table from the traditional Trapped at Sea fare.
Eastbound & Down
 | Eastbound & Down | |
| Genre Comedy, Drama, Sport | Seasons 4 | |
| Rated Ben Best, Jody Hill, Danny McBride | 8.3/10 | |
| Cast Danny McBride, Steve Little, Katy Mixon | ||
When you get to play a character like Danny McBride from Pineapple Express, you know you’re in for a treat! He’s a washed-up MLB player who returns to his hometown as a Middle School PE teacher, and even though he’s at the bottom of his barrel, he can’t help but make everyone around him look bad.
Eastbound & Down is a sports comedy that takes some inspiration from real baseball players, but it ramps up the craziness as much as it can, using a cast of comedians that includes Michael Peña, John Hawkes, Katy Mixon, and more.
Frisky Dingo
 | Frisky Dingo | |
| Genre Animation, Comedy, Sci-Fi | Seasons 2 | |
| Director Adam Reed, Matt Thompson | 8.2/10 | |
| Cast Adam Reed, Eric Sims, Neal Holman | ||
Before Archer, creator Adam Reed had already laid the groundwork for what the show would become in his surreal animated comedy about a superpowered dad trying to juggle raising his son and saving the world.
In Frisky Dingo, Reed takes superhero conventions to the next level, mixing kooky bureaucracy with cheeky humor. Similar to Reed’s other animated shows, the characters are endearing yet inept at everyday tasks, making them relatable before getting caught up in larger-than-life adventures. So grab a cup of oatmeal and get ready for a wild ride!
Insecure
 | Insecure | |
| Genre Comedy, Drama, Romance | Seasons 5 | |
| Director Issa Rae, Larry Wilmore | 8.1/10 | |
| Cast Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis | ||
Insecure is a web series created by Issa Rae that explores the experiences of Black women through the eyes of a rapper-obsessed misfit who is just trying to make it through life. The show revolves around a group of childhood friends who are portrayed in a way that is so relatable that it can be easy to forget the show is a script.
This allows for more dramatic moments when the characters confront relationship difficulties, workplace discrimination, and the shortcomings of the education system. Throughout the five seasons of the show, the characters evolve into the best version of themselves, even if they occasionally stumble along the way.
Wrapping it up!
To sum up, HBO Max provides a wide selection of comedy shows that appeal to a broad range of viewers. Whether you are looking for a dose of dark humor, a heartfelt narrative, or a humorous commentary, HBO Max has something for everyone. Barry is an example of a comedy series that combines comedy and action. Bill Hader’s hitman character makes his way through the world of theatrical performance. This is a well-crafted series that explores deeper themes while still providing an enjoyable viewing experience.
