HBO’s TV catalog contains impressive offerings no matter which genre you prefer, but it truly shines when it comes to thrillers. Whether the network is delivering straightforward suspense stories or mixing the category with sci-fi, horror, or even comedy, it knows how to keep viewers on edge. And with its best thriller shows, that starts early.
Some of HBO’s strongest additions to the category feature hooks in the first 10 minutes, understanding that audiences need reasons to invest in multiple episodes. They turn heads with the questions they raise right off the bat, whether it’s who committed a murder, who actually was murdered, or why a large percentage of the population simply disappeared. By grabbing our attention, they ensure we get to the other twists and turns that make them all worthwhile.
‘The White Lotus’
Mike White’s Series Uses the Same Hook Each Season
Why It’s Great: The White Lotus is often billed as more of a “dramedy” than a thriller, but it has an undeniable thriller element: that each chapter opens with a death. That dark setup contrasts the flashy wealth and privilege Mike White’s HBO series sets out to unpack. It also balances the frequent humor nicely. The anthology show takes viewers to a new location in each season, having us follow the latest set of guests staying at the White Lotus resort there. There’s absurdity and drama, along with poignant social commentary. The real appeal is the tension, which builds with every episode — and is introduced nice and early.
How It Hooks You: Every season of The White Lotus kicks off with a death, but viewers are left in the dark about who dies and how. That instantly raises a question they’ll want answered, all but guaranteeing they’ll be back for more. The mysterious tragedy is always presented within the first few minutes, with The White Lotus taking us back in time after. From there, the series pieces together what happens. The result is almost never what you’d expect going in.
‘Big Little Lies’
The Liane Moriarty Adaptation Embraces the Same Strategy as ‘The White Lotus’
Why It’s Great: Like The White Lotus, Big Little Lies sets tragedy and deep discussions against the backdrop of wealth and privilege. Based on Liane Moriarty’s novel of the same name, the thriller series clearly has topics it’s desperate to unpack. It opens with a murder at a school fundraiser, then jumps backward in time. It takes us through what happens beforehand, focusing on three mothers played by standout stars: Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley. The cast alone is a good reason to tune in, but the atmospheric setting, soundtrack, and writing all elevate the series. In fact, the HBO adaptation is so good that it surpasses its book story.
How It Hooks You: Big Little Lies uses the same strategy as The White Lotus to hook viewers right away. It presents us with a tragedy, creating intrigue surrounding the event in question. Yet it doesn’t offer up enough context to sustain us, forcing us to watch on for more details. The compelling drama does the work from there, keeping Big Little Lies engaging until it reveals the full truth of its opening scene.
‘The Flight Attendant’
Everything Changes for Kaley Cuoco Around the 10-Minute Mark
Why It’s Great: The Flight Attendant is an HBO thriller that deserves far more recognition, as it delivers both a suspenseful story and a devastating depiction of alcoholism. The latter is at the heart of the show’s plot, which follows flight attendant Cassie Bowden (Kaley Cuoco) as she wakes up next to a dead body with no recollection of how it happened. Cassie’s emotional journey perfectly balances the mystery, and Cuoco gives a knockout performance that will stay with viewers long after the series is done.
How It Hooks You: Cassie waking up next to a dead man happens around the 10-minute mark of The Flight Attendant, and everything beforehand establishes her struggles as a character. Together, those things lay the groundwork for a gripping story ahead — one that leaves us wanting to see the main character overcome her trauma and addiction, while also wanting to know more about the mysterious corpse in her bed.
‘True Detective’
The Anthology Series Proves How Gruesome It Is Within Minutes
Why It’s Great: It’s no secret that True Detective is one of HBO’s greatest crime thrillers, and Season 1, especially, earns that designation. The anthology series centers on a new murder case and set of investigators each season, and every outing opens with a gruesome murder scene. That speaks to the grittiness of the show, which is largely why people love it. The performances are also top-notch, with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson proving especially compelling. The main characters have a tendency to bounce off each other in entertaining ways, adding to the series’ appeal.
How It Hooks You: True Detective Season 1 opens with a gruesome murder within minutes, and the disturbing nature of the body is enough to evoke a powerful response from viewers. Those who are squeamish may take that opportunity to bail, but anyone else will probably find themselves wondering who would do such a thing and why. It’s attention-grabbing, and the dark realism of the show never lets up. Once you’re invested, the character dynamics also offer plenty of incentive to stick around.
‘The Leftovers’
The HBO Show’s Opening Scene Is Too Chaotic to Ignore
Why It’s Great: The Leftovers doesn’t neatly fit into any one category, as the HBO show blends elements of prestige dramas, thrillers, and fantasy and sci-fi stories throughout its three-season run. The series’ true draw is its premise: it explores the aftermath of an incident dubbed the Sudden Departure, which sees two percent of Earth’s population disappearing into thin air. The show grapples with its characters’ reactions to that tragedy, exploring the various ways that grief and uncertainty manifest. Things get extremely weird at times, but that just makes The Leftovers more unpredictable.
How It Hooks You: The Leftovers‘s opening scene will leave you feeling just as shaken as the characters, as the Sudden Departure is truly chaotic, and the HBO show captures that well. It leaves viewers wanting answers as much as the people in-universe, and even though Damon Lindelof never gives us all of them, the intrigue is followed by incredible performances, thoughtful discussions, and surprising turns. The hook gets viewers invested enough to experience all the other strengths.
‘The Outsider’
The Stephen King Adaptation Uses Brutality as a Hook
Why It’s Great: The Outsider is one of the more underrated Stephen King adaptations out there, but the series is worthwhile. Based on King’s novel of the same name, it’s something of a slow burn. But, similar to True Detective, it opens with a horrible murder that makes you want to know who’s behind it and why. The series maintains an eerie feel throughout, and it’s uplifted by great performances from Ben Mendelsohn, Cynthia Erivo, and Jason Bateman. It also blends your standard murder mystery thriller with horror elements, making it a great pick for anyone frequenting either genre.
How It Hooks You: The Outsider doesn’t move as quickly as some of the thrillers on this list, but its opening death is brutal enough to get viewers invested in locating the person responsible. From there, the show raises intriguing questions, including whether this is a straightforward investigation or if there’s something supernatural beneath it. There’s an impossible scenario that defies explanation, and it drives much of the suspense.
‘The Night Of’
The Air of Dread Starts Early in This Underrated Thriller
Why It’s Great: Speaking of underappreciated HBO thrillers, The Night Of is at the top of that list. The HBO miniseries is a masterpiece, using its murder mystery premise to deliver an indictment of the criminal justice system and how it interacts with prejudice. It follows Riz Ahmed’s Nasir “Naz” Khan as he encounters a strange woman while in his father’s cab, then embraces a night of partying with her. He later wakes up to her dead body, with no memory of the incident, leading him to be accused of murder.
How It Hooks You: The Night Of‘s true hook doesn’t arrive until well after the 10-minute mark, but the series opens with an air of suspense that will engage viewers earlier. From the moment Andrea enters Naz’s cab, it’s clear that something’s about to go terribly awry. The tension will put viewers on edge, wondering what’s about to happen — and dreading it for Naz’s sake. It’s enough to keep them engaged until he finds a body he can’t explain. From there, you’ll need to keep watching.
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