10 Best Pilot Episodes Of HBO TV Shows, Ranked

HBO's success in scripted television often hinges on the quality of pilot episodes, which set the tone for the entire series. These opening episodes introduce the show's world, characters, and stakes in a compelling manner. With a keen focus on how well these pilots serve as an introduction to their respective shows, as well as their ability to stand independently as high-quality television, we present the top 10 pilot episodes of HBO series ranked.

Each of these episodes expertly sets the stage for their respective series, with Sex and the City providing a charming glimpse into the lives of Manhattan's fashionable single women, Deadwood immersing viewers in the brutal world of 19th-century Westerns, Succession delivering a sharp critique of corporate backstabbing and family drama, The Wire exposing the gritty reality of Baltimore's urban decay, and The Last of Us presenting a harrowing depiction of a world ravaged by pandemic.