10 So-Weird-They're-Good Shows on HBO Max You Won't Admit You Love

1. Carnivale (2003-2005)

Step right up and feast your eyes on a traveling carnival, dustier than a forgotten attic and full of secrets. It's the Dust Bowl era, and Ben Hawkins, a fugitive with supernatural powers, joins the carnival. But hold your horses – there's a preacher named Brother Justin, with powers of his own, and he's on a collision course with Ben.

Prophecies, apocalyptic visions, and a battle of good versus evil play out under the carnival's creaking big top. But who's good, and who's evil? That, dear reader, is the million-dollar question. Two seasons of dark, surreal storytelling await you, like a rabbit hole you can't help but tumble down.

2. John from Cincinnati (2007)

Surf's up, but not in the way you'd expect. Meet the Yosts, a family of surfers struggling with addiction, fame, and a past that won't stay buried. Enter John, a mysterious stranger who spouts cryptic phrases and has an eerie connection to the Yosts. Weird, huh? Things get even stranger – levitation, resurrections, and other inexplicable phenomena begin to occur. Is John an alien? A messiah? A hoax? Dive into this one-season wonder and ride the wave of peculiarity.

3. Hung (2009-2011)

Picture this: a down-on-his-luck high school coach named Ray Drecker, trying to make ends meet. Divorced, living in a tent, and struggling to support his kids, Ray needs a game-changer. And he finds one – in his pants. That's right, Ray becomes a male escort, using his "endowment" to offer companionship to women.

With the help of his unconventional pimp, Tanya, Ray navigates the ups and downs (no pun intended) of his new profession. It's a raunchy, humorous ride through Detroit's underbelly, with plenty of unexpected twists and turns. Hung might be the quirky comedy you didn't know you needed.

4. Enlightened (2011-2013)

Take a deep breath and find your zen, for we're about to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Amy Jellicoe, played by the incomparable Laura Dern, is a corporate executive who suffers a public breakdown and is sent to a holistic treatment center.

Upon her return, she's a changed woman, seeking enlightenment and determined to make a positive impact on the world. The catch? Her old life and relationships aren't so easily left behind. Amidst office politics and personal struggles, Amy's quest for enlightenment often collides with reality. But hey, it's the journey that counts, right?

5. Room 104 (2017-2020)

Ever stayed in a motel room and wondered about the stories those walls could tell? Room 104 is an anthology series that explores the unique tales of different guests who pass through one seemingly ordinary room in an average American motel.

From a woman seeking redemption to a couple on an extraterrestrial mission, the stories are as varied as they are bizarre. Each episode brings a new genre, from thriller to comedy to sci-fi, making it a grab bag of unpredictability. One room, countless stories. So, why not check in? You never know what you'll find behind that door.

6. The Brink (2015)

A global crisis on the brink of chaos, and who's there to save the day? An inept Secretary of State, a low-level diplomat, and a rogue Navy fighter pilot. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, right? But hold on, there's more! In Pakistan, a coup is underway, and a rogue general threatens to unleash nuclear war.

The clock is ticking, and our unlikely trio must navigate international politics, personal problems, and general absurdity. It's a satirical, fast-paced story going through geopolitical chaos, and who knows? Maybe they'll accidentally save the day.

7. The Leftovers (2014-2017)

Imagine a world where 2% of the world's population suddenly vanishes. Poof! Gone without a trace. Welcome to The Leftovers, where those left behind grapple with loss, mystery, and a world forever changed. In the small town of Mapleton, Police Chief Kevin Garvey struggles to keep the peace as a cult-like group called the Guilty Remnant emerges, wearing white and taking a vow of silence.

Meanwhile, a preacher named Matt believes he can find answers in Scripture, and Nora, who lost her entire family in the Sudden Departure, searches for meaning in a world that no longer makes sense.

8. Animals. (2016-2018)

Enter the gritty world of New York City, as seen through the eyes of, well, animals. Rats, pigeons, bedbugs, and more tell tales of love, loss, and survival in the urban jungle. What's that? A pair of lovelorn rats, Mike and Phil, navigating friendship and heartbreak? A gender-swapping pigeon seeking acceptance? Yes, and much more.

Each episode is an animated exploration of life in the Big Apple, as experienced by its non-human residents. From satirical social commentary to absurd, surreal humor, "Animals." offers a unique and irreverent perspective on city life.

9. Los Espookys (2018-2022)

Step into a world of horror, comedy, and Spanish-language flair with Los Espookys. Four friends – Renaldo, Úrsula, Andrés, and Tati – form a business creating fake supernatural events for clients. Need a haunted house? They've got you covered. Looking for a sea monster? No problem!

But as they navigate the strange and spooky world of their business, personal challenges and bizarre twists lurk around every corner. From a cursed mirror to a chocolate mogul's dark secrets, Los Espookys serves up quirky, spooky fun with a Latinx twist.

10. Doll & Em (2014-2015)

In Hollywood, the line between fiction and reality can get blurry. Doll & Em explores that blurry line as best friends and real-life actresses Dolly Wells and Emily Mortimer play fictionalized versions of themselves. In this six-episode series, Em is a successful actress in Hollywood, while Doll is her childhood friend going through a breakup. Em hires Doll as her personal assistant, a decision that leads to awkward encounters and a shift in their friendship dynamic.