For those based in Canada, you’ll want to check out the Crave streaming service. It has a vast library of titles, including both TV shows and movies. This includes many from the HBO library. There’s a basic subscription tier with ads or one without. Once signed on, you can check out everything from comedies to dramas, animated shows to classic sitcoms, reality competition shows, docuseries, and more.
The best shows on Crave to watch right now include wonderful options to suit every mood, taste, and investment in time. You’ll find tons of Emmy-winning and nominated shows on this list, ones you might have watched decades ago but are ready to revisit, and hidden gems you might not even have known were available.
25
Hacks (2021-)
5
/5
Release Date
May 13, 2021
Network
HBO Max
Showrunner
Lucia Aniello
Taking audiences to the world of stand-up comedy, Hacks follows Deborah Vance, a seasoned veteran struggling to stay relevant. When her residency at the Palmetto Casino is threatened, she resentfully takes on a young comedy writer, Ava, to help her reinvent her act. The two have vastly different personalities, and it takes quite some time for them to see eye to eye.
Flawless in Execution
Filled with biting humor and poignant insights, Hacks is a brilliant and character-driven comedy series. The highlight of the series is the dynamic between the quick-witted and jaded Deborah (played by Jean Smart), and the cynical yet vulnerable Ava (played by Hannah Einbinder). They’re a delight to watch as they seamlessly combine hilarious quips with heartfelt moments of self-reflection. The show spans three seasons, with a fourth in the works, with each existing season holding a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score.
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24
The Sopranos (1999-2007)
Created by David Chase, The Sopranos is one of the most influential crime dramas of all time. It centers around Tony Soprano, a New Jersey-based mob boss who struggles with balancing the demands of his criminal empire and the dysfunction within his family life. As he navigates his risky world, Tony faces betrayal and power plays. The only consolation he finds from his internal and external demons is through his therapy sessions with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi.
The Greatest of All Time
The show changed the television landscape forever. It left an indelible mark on the industry with its outstanding character development, nuanced portrayal of morals, and glorious visual style. It’s a cultural touchstone of sorts. Chase dives deep into Tony’s psyche, painting him as both a protagonist and antagonist. The ensemble cast, led by James Gandolfini, delivers a career-defining performance and brings the rich story to authentic life.
23
Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)
In Texas, high school football is a supreme activity. But the Dillon Panthers face a barrage of unpredictable challenges like politics, finances, racism, and substance abuse. Friday Night Lights centers around the team and the driven Coach Eric Taylor, who makes sure the pressures of their small town and the personal struggles of the players aren’t intense enough to affect the game and glory.
Filled With Poignant Reflections on Life
Friday Night Lights is one of the most captivating sports dramas ever. Its cinema-inspired aesthetic and remarkable realism are why it’s attracted such a devoted fanbase. Following the second season, the show suffered a minor setback and was under the threat of being canceled, but it ended the run after five successful seasons. From powerful on-field moments to the quiet and devastating ones, the show creates a perfect balance.
22
‘Suits’ (2011-2019)
Release Date
2011 – 2018
Network
USA
Showrunner
Aaron Korsh
A highly addictive and stylish legal drama, Suits follows Mike Ross, a brilliant law school dropout who lands a coveted job with one of New York City’s top law firms, despite not having a degree, after he impresses the top-notch closer, Harvey Specter. The two form an exceptional team and, together, they navigate the treacherous world of legal cases, office politics, and personal dilemmas, all while hiding the truth about Mike’s education.
Captivating Courtroom Drama and Irresistible Chemistry
Suits is a very entertaining drama. With its sharp dialogue, clever plot twist, and magnetic rapport between the lead characters, played by Patrick J. Adams and Gabriel Macht, the show creates a sleek and unparalleled viewing experience. Aaron Korsh created it, and each episode combines the high stakes of legal battles with rich character development in a glamorous and gritty way. The series ran for nine seasons and received positive reviews throughout. It has two spin-offs: the short-lived Pearson, and Suits: L.A., which is scheduled to premiere soon.
21
Euphoria (2019-)
Euphoria chronicles the disoriented but relatable lives of high school students. At the center is Rue Bennett, a complex and troubled teenager struggling with drug addiction and recovery following the traumatizing death of her father. The show also delves into how her journey intertwines with that of her peers, who are each grappling with their struggles and desires around love, identity, trauma, addiction, and self-discovery.
Unflinching Portrayal of Teenage Turmoil
Nothing short of a transformation in recent television, Euphoria stuns all with its bold visuals and unapologetic storytelling. It is created by Sam Levinson, who does not shy away from exploring subjects like social media and mental health and how they affect an individual’s sense of belonging in a hyperconnected world. The show is led by Zendaya, who won two Emmy Awards for her powerful, raw, and heart-wrenching performance as Rue. While the show sparked controversy, it was praised for its honesty and has fans eagerly waiting for a third season.
20
The White Lotus (2021-)
Intended to be a limited series, The White Lotus became so popular that it became an anthology series. Each season is set in a different resort destination with a new cast (though there are some returning characters) and follows the antics of the well-to-do guests. Each season begins with the tragic death of an undisclosed guest, then goes back in time, so fans see the story from the beginning. Beyond the murder, there’s so much else happening, from a newlywed couple in turmoil and a hotel manager on the brink of a breakdown in Season 1 to a lonely woman trying to navigate her new relationship and a complicated foursome of friends in Season 2.
Twisty, Sardonic, and Character-Driven
The White Lotus shines as one of the best new shows of the decade. The series has earned 15 Primetime Emmy Awards, largely thanks to the clever storytelling and fantastic acting. The luscious vistas in each season, including Maui and Sicily thus far, make the dark comedy-drama a sight to behold as well. The series has a knack for presenting characters that fans want to be sympathetic to and others that are downright atrocious. With the third season taking place in Thailand and adding new actors like Leslie Bibb, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, and Parker Posey, the series is likely to continue its high.
19
Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-2024)
Having streamed its 12th and final season, fans love Curb Your Enthusiasm so much that they stuck with the show through several long hiatuses, the longest of which was six years between seasons. Larry David, creator of Seinfeld, plays an exaggerated version of himself. Like the iconic ’90s sitcom he created, Curb Your Enthusiasm doesn’t follow a specific plot. Instead, every episode is simply about David’s interactions with various people and in typical everyday situations but presented from his surly point of view. Oftentimes, he’s annoyed, angered, and frustrated with the state of the world and the fakeness of people.
Dry and Humorous Like No Other
David’s dry sense of humor and cynical take on society are epically delivered in Curb Your Enthusiasm. He argues with neighbors about silly things like not replying in a group chat or chastising kids for trick-or-treating on Halloween. Each episode is funnier than the last, enhanced by the killer supporting cast that includes Jeff Garlin, Cheryl Hines, and Wanda Sykes. Much of the dialogue is improvised. As iconic as Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm has earned 47 Primetime Emmy Award nominations throughout its run.
18
Tokyo Vice (2022-24)
4.5
/5
Release Date
April 17, 2022
Directors
Josef Kubota Wladyka, Michael Mann, Alan Poul, Hikari
Writers
Destin Daniel Cretton
When Jake Adelstein, a young American journalist, relocates to Tokyo to work for a major Japanese newspaper, he gets more than he bargains for. Working with a veteran detective, he investigates the Japanese Yazuka, an organized crime syndicate, and the dark underworld of crime. A crime drama, Tokyo Vice has a neo-noir feel that keeps viewers glued to the screen as the twists, turns, and dangers unfold.
A Gripping Crime Drama
Ansel Elgort shines as Adelstein, a young man who keeps falling deeper and deeper into the world of corruption, gets a crash course in journalism and a world completely unknown to him. The intriguing setting of Japan’s underworld sets the stage for a compelling plot. Tokyo Vice is even more exciting because it’s based on the true story of the real Adelstein, a journalist and crime writer who worked in Japan for much of his career. Sadly, season 3 was canceled, leaving a proper series finale hanging.
17
Succession (2018-2023)
Release Date
2018 – 2023
Network
HBO Max
Showrunner
Jesse Armstrong
One of the best, most cutting series of late, Succession swept the Emmys throughout its entire run, and for good reason. A satirical black comedy-drama, it tells the story of the obscenely wealthy Roy family that runs the fictional Waystar-Royco media empire. Patriarch Logan Roy knows he needs to step back at some point, but to whom can he hand the company over? All his grown children have their issues; in his eyes, none can run the company. But that doesn’t mean he shies away from dangling the carrot before them, making them prove themselves worthy and just as ruthless as he is.
A Dark and Greedy Fight for Control
While creator Jesse Armstrong has subtly (and not so subtly) hinted at inspiration from real-life media conglomerate families, most notably the Murdochs, Succession stands on its own as a tragic tale of a fractured family and a quest for power and greed. The characters and acting are superb, with stories that will twist a knife at how corrupt and evil this family can be, not only to others but also to one another. From the outstanding and emotional wedding scene in the final fourth season to Kieran Culkin’s award-winning performance as the immature youngest child and Matthew Macfadyen’s interpretation of the smarmy, corporate climbing in-law, Succession is a masterclass in making great television.
16
The Last Of Us (2023-)
Bringing the popular video game to life, The Last of Us is a unique tale in the world of zombies and viral outbreaks. Taking place decades after the initial outbreak caused by a fungal infection, Joel (Pedro Pascal) is still grieving the loss of his daughter. The last thing he wants to do is transport a sarcastic young girl, Ellie (Bella Ramsey), to another location. But he’s teased with the knowledge that she might hold a cure. So begins the father-daughter-like journey between the two as they meet enemies, tragedy, and obstacles.
One Of The Best Video Game Interpretations
Fans love that while The Last of Us is faithful to the original story in the video game, there are also compelling new elements, including the much talked about love story between Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett) that some call the best episode of the first season. The dynamic between Pascal and Ramsey is hugely compelling. A fabulous story with so much room to grow, The Last of Us has won eight Primetime Emmy Awards with an impressive 24 nominations, showing the series is poised to continue delighting viewers.
15
Friends (1994-2004)
Release Date
1994 – 2003
Network
NBC
Showrunner
Marta Kauffman
With the recent passing of Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing in this iconic sitcom, it’s a great time to relive some of the best episodes of a show that defined a generation and has made its mark on pop culture history. Friends is one of the first sitcoms to feature an ensemble cast of singles living in a big city. Set in New York, the six friends at the core were all carving out their personal and professional lives, often with hilarious results.
A Sitcom That Inspired So Many
What makes Friends so timeless is that, while some of the references and realities of the time are outdated, the group’s general humor, wittiness, and camaraderie are relatable to this day. With iconic scenes, memorable moments, and oft-quoted one-liners within the best episodes, Friends is worth watching again or for the first time.
14
Shoresy (2022-)
An unapologetically Canadian comedy, Shoresy is a spin-off of the wildly successful Canadian comedy Letterkenny, which was so popular, that Hulu acquired streaming rights for the series (and Shoresey) in the U.S. The title character, played by creator Jared Keeso, is central to the plot. The focus is on him moving to Sudbury, a city north of Toronto, to join a struggling ice hockey team.
Immature Humor At Its Finest
Shoresy is applauded for being in the same spirit as Letterkenny with the same immature, ridiculous humor. Not to mention, it’s rife with parodied Canadian stereotypes and country-specific terminology. While Canadians specifically will appreciate the jokes, the show itself is funny enough to be a comedy worth watching for anyone who loves satire and corny puns.
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13
Billions (2016-2023)
Release Date
2016 – 2022
Network
Showtime
Coming to an end after its seventh and final season concluded the story, Billions has had an interesting ride through the years. Loosely based on real stories and people, the focus is on United States Attorney Chuck Rhoades and his obsession with taking down billionaire hedge fund manager Bobby “Axe” Axelrod. Following the departure of Damian Lewis, who played Axelrod, Rhoades’ attention shifted to the man who took over his business, Mike Prince.
A Tale of Greed and Power
Despite a rocky focus switch, Billions maintained its intrigue, dialogue-heavy structure, and compelling cat-and-mouse game the entire way through. The ending wrapped up storylines in a satisfying way, making Billions a worthy watch.
12
Doom Patrol (2019-2023)
Release Date
2019 – 2022
Directors
Chris Manley, Kristin Windell, Dermott Downs, Harry Jierjian, Rebecca Rodriguez, Omar Madha, Glen Winter
Doom Patrol centers around the DC Comics superhero team of the same name. Each hero received power through tragic circumstances, and society shunned them all. It looked like they were all but doomed until a medical doctor named Niles Caulder (Timothy Dalton) took them in and protected them.
Tragic Superheroes Unite
Concluding after its fourth and final season, the cast includes impressive names like Brendan Fraser as Cliff Steele/Robotman, Orange is the New Black’s Diane Guerrero as Kay Challis/Crazy Jane, and Matt Bomer as Larry Trainor/Negative Man. Lauded for being weird and wicked, even beyond that, the cast alone proves that Doom Patrol is worth checking out, especially for fans of the DC Comics universe.
11
The Traitors Canada (2023)
The Traitors Canada
Release Date
2023 – 2023
Network
CTV
Fans of The Traitors in the US will love checking out the Canadian version. The reality series is similar to the party game Mafia. A group of players deemed Traitors must work together to eliminate others, while another group, secretly known as the Faithfuls, is tasked with identifying the traitors and voting them out.
Full of Paranoia and Fake Murder
The Canadian version, hosted by French-Canadian actor Karine Vanasse, includes everyday Joes as players as well as reality show stars like Erika Casupanan, who won the 41st season of Survivor, former MuchMusic VJ and radio host Rick Campanelli, and Kevin Martin from Big Brother Canada 3. It’s just as juicy and makes for a wonderful unwinding viewing for those looking for something new in the genre that has some familiar faces.
10
The Wire (2002-2008)
Release Date
2002 – 2007
Network
HBO Max, BBC
Considered to be one of the best crime dramas of the 2000s, The Wire is loosely inspired by the life of author and former police reporter David Simon as well as his writing partner Ed Burns, a former homicide detective and schoolteacher. Set in Baltimore, the focus is on how various institutions intersect with law enforcement; each season tackles a different issue. These range from the illegal drug trade to bureaucracy and government, education, and school, and the print news media.
Hard-Hitting Real World Stories
Featuring a star-studded cast that includes Dominic West, Idris Elba, the late Lance Reddick, and Seth Gilliam, The Wire received universal acclaim, and praise for its writing, acting, and hard-hitting storylines with grit and heart. Many critics name it among the best TV shows of all time, and it has an enviable score of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.
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9
The Outsider (2020)
The miniseries based on the Stephen King novel of the same name is executive produced by a team that includes Jason Bateman, who has a small but integral role in the story. A young boy goes missing and Terry (Bateman), a Little League baseball coach and father, is arrested. The evidence of his guilt appears irrefutable, but Terry is completely blindsided, convincingly adamant that he had nothing to do with it. In comes a private detective with unique experience in the paranormal who believes she might have an idea of what’s happening. The question is, will anyone listen to her theories without chalking them up as ridiculous?
An Intriguing Look Into the Supernatural
Combining psychological horror with typical crime drama, The Outsider is frightening and offers edge-of-the-seat tension throughout. It’s also only a single season, which makes it a quick binge-watch, while the talented cast, which also includes Ben Mendelsohn, Paddy Considine, and Cynthia Erivo, truly brings the story to life.
8
Peacemaker (2022-)
Release Date
January 13, 2022
Network
HBO Max, Max
John Cena stars as the title character in the superhero TV show about Peacemaker, a killer with an admirable intent: he wants to create peace. But his methods are sometimes strange, and he’s quite obnoxious at times. The superhero series, based on the DC Comics character, serves as a spin-off of the 2021 movie The Suicide Squad.
John Cena Shines As An Obnoxious Superhero
Receiving rave reviews for the first season, Cena is praised for his performance and the show itself for its charming weirdness. Cena is always incredibly watchable, and it’s a joy to see him lead a TV show of his own. With a total of eight episodes, Peacemaker is a fun show for fans of the superhero genre, and Cena himself.
7
The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019)
The Big Bang Theory
Release Date
September 24, 2007
Network
CBS
Showrunner
Mark Cendrowski
One of the most popular sitcoms of this generation, The Big Bang Theory features an ensemble cast that includes a group of self-professed geeks, (almost) all of whom work in some capacity at the university in Pasadena. The initial premise of the series centers around a beautiful waitress and aspiring actress who moves into the apartment across the hall and befriends the group.
One of the Best Ensemble Casts on Television
The Big Bang Theory is endearing, wildly funny, and inclusive. The cast expanded to include other female characters over the seasons, and eventually, they became among the highest-paid actors in network TV history. With plenty of nerd culture references to everything from Dungeons & Dragons to video games, comic books, Star Trek, and Star Wars, fans of all kinds have grown to love the show. It doesn’t get bogged down in complex scientific jargon, so The Big Bang Theory is a sitcom that anyone of any age can enjoy, with characters that are charming, annoying, and hilarious, all in one.
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6
Sex and the City (1998-2004)
For those who have never watched or want to re-watch before diving into the sequel series And Just Like That…, Sex and the City is one of the most classic romantic comedy-dramas. It was so popular that it spawned two feature films along with a prequel series. At the center are four friends navigating their lives as single women in their 30s and 40s in New York City.
Love, Loss, and Plenty of Single Fun
Sex and the City is the show that put HBO on the map as a provider of quality television. It also ushered in a whole new generation of fiercely independent, hard-working women brunching with Cosmopolitans and taking fashion to exciting new levels. The series showed older women at the center of its stories versus the younger women in their 20s who, up until then, were typically the focus of shows like this one. It opened doors and single, older women finally had characters they could relate to and see their struggles in.
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