10 Best Stand-Up Comedies on HBO Max

What kind of stand-up comedy shows do you prefer? Is it the kind of show that is relaxing and can smooth your tiredness after a long day working or studying? Or, is it those serious and sharp opinions that lead you into thinking that attract your attention? You’re in luck, because HBO Max has some absolute comedy bangers that’ll do the trick. Forget all that fancy, curated Netflix drama nonsense—we're here for that raw, belly-aching, stand-up madness. Crunchyroll's got anime covered, and Apple TV+ has artsy vibes, but if you want real, unfiltered stand-up? It's all about HBO Max, my friends.

Sometimes, you just need someone else to say the crazy things you think in your head out loud—and say it funnier than you ever could. So that's why I’ve pulled together a list of stand-up specials that'll hit you right where you need it: the gut. You’re gonna laugh, cringe, maybe even cry. And isn't that what makes comedy the greatest? Let’s dive into the list.

10 Best Stand-Up Comedies on HBO Max

1. HA Festival: The Art of Comedy (2020)

HA Festival: The Art of Comedy (2020) had me absolutely losing it! Not just a little chuckle—I'm talking about that full-on, can’t-breathe, sides-hurting kind of laughter. Watching the whole show felt like chilling with a group of friends; everything was so natural, so real. Each comedian brought their own Latinx background into the mix, sharing these insanely relatable moments from their lives: family quirks, cultural clashes, even those deep, personal identity struggles. Listening to them felt like being in a circle of friends just letting loose and spilling their lives.

One comedian had this bit about “overly-involved relatives” in Latinx families, and I was dying. He painted this picture of every family gathering being like an endless Q&A with the aunts and uncles, who ask about your job, love life, and just about every other detail of your existence. Even forgetting to water a plant is enough to get a lecture! That hilarious exaggeration had me cracking up because I could totally picture that lively, slightly nosy family vibe. It made me realize that, across cultures, families share that blend of warmth and a kind of “I need to know everything” nosiness. HA Festival isn’t just a comedy special—it’s a feel-good, heartwarming cultural journey. If you’re in need of a laugh and a little escape, this show is absolutely worth every second!

2. 2nd Annual HA Festival: The Art of Comedy (2021)

This year’s HA Festival was absolutely mind-blowing! It felt like every comedian came on stage with one mission: to blow the roof off the place, each one bringing the most raw, unfiltered Latinx humor—fiery and full of heart. You could feel it, every bit of their energy radiating out. Some of them dove into stories from their childhoods, so vivid you could practically smell the old neighborhood streets they were talking about. Others shared hilarious bits about quirky family members, that unmistakable mix of humor and frustration… the kind that reminds you of those chaotic family gatherings where everyone’s asking questions and you just smile and nod. And those impressions? They weren’t just imitating characters—they brought them to life, lighting up the stage like you wouldn’t believe.

These comedians had such different styles, but they all had that same unstoppable spirit. Watching them, you felt like you were right there, pulled into the heart of the Latinx community, wrapped up in that raw, unapologetic warmth. Forget reading some scripted, sanitized version—this was life, pure and unfiltered, unfolding right on stage. If you’re looking for something real, something that hits you deep and makes you laugh from the gut, this second HA Festival is like a tonic for the soul. By the end, I was laughing so hard it hurt, but my heart was full. You’ll probably feel it too—that warmth, that humor, sneaking its way into your own life, making everything just a bit richer, a bit softer…

3. Seth Meyers: Dad Man Walking (2024)

Seth Meyers completely flipped the script with this one. Finally, he’s stepping away from the political grind and diving into the chaos of his real life—because let’s face it, being a dad of three is its own wild show. Every story, every crazy moment with his kids, had me howling—not that polite chuckle, but the kind of laugh where you think, Yep, I’ve been there. And then there’s that gem about him and his wife, Alexi, trying to get through airport security. You know the drill: two parents, one mission, somehow united and yet slightly annoyed with each other at the same time. It’s that perfect mix of love and mild frustration, the kind of real-life scene that just smacks you in the face with its truth. He paints the picture so well that you can practically feel the chaos of the TSA line.

And with Neal Brennan directing, filmed right there in the Vic Theatre in Chicago, this special doesn’t feel like any polished set—it’s like Seth invited us straight into his living room, no filters, no scripts, just honesty. This whole show is like a breath of fresh air after a year of nonstop political noise and social media drama, which lighthearted escape you don’t realize you need until you’re there, laughing and feeling a little lighter.

4. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (2014)

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is a political satire talk show hosted by the British comedian John Oliver. Since its debut in 2014, the show has carved out a reputation for blending humor with detailed explorations of major news events. Every Sunday, it’s like a trip to a comedy therapist who knows exactly what’s been nagging at the back of my mind. Oliver doesn’t just talk; he digs into the absurdity of the world and hits you with that brutal, unfiltered honesty that makes you laugh and wince all at once. You feel like he’s your funniest friend and your most relentless professor in the same breath, laying bare the wild, tangled mess of politics, the cracks in corporate power, the crushing weight of climate issues... things we know are huge, but he makes them human, raw. He doesn’t sugarcoat, he doesn’t look away—he dives into that chaos and drags you in, only to remind you, with every punchline, that it’s okay to laugh at it all, even when it hurts. After all, “Comedy is tragedy plus time.”

Watching him feels like a release. Oliver doesn’t just leave you informed; he leaves you feeling like someone finally gets the frustration, the helplessness, the ridiculousness of it all...

5. Real Time with Bill Maher (2003)

Real Time with Bill Maher, hosted by the renowned comedian Bill Maher since 2003 on HBO, has become my weekly “ wake-up call.” Maher's got this fearless, razor-sharp style that nobody else can pull off—he’ll question Stan Lee’s legacy or flat-out say comic books aren’t literature. Who even has the nerve for that? But it’s exactly this audacity that keeps me coming back. And his guests? A wild mix—from politicians to social critics to authors—covering topics that are as sensitive as they are explosive. It doesn’t feel like a regular talk show; it’s more like being pulled into a live debate with no filter.

Maher wields humor like a blade, cutting through complicated, heavy issues and turning them into something accessible, something real—but never losing an ounce of depth. Watching him laugh his way through these tough topics, you feel that hit to the core…

6. Ellen DeGeneres: The Beginning (2000)

This stand-up comedy, Ellen DeGeneres: The Beginning, was recorded at New York City’s Beacon Theatre over twenty years ago and marked Ellen DeGeneres’ powerful return to the stage after coming out. Ellen’s warm, easygoing style shines throughout this performance, as she shares her thoughts on life, love, family relationships, and more through a natural humor that’s both relatable and gentle. Rather than sharp satire, Ellen finds comedy in life’s everyday details—from small, awkward moments to lighthearted family stories—bringing laughter and a sense of shared experience.

It’s not just funny; it’s inspiring. Watching her stand there, so calm and confident, sharing her truth with the world... it’s like she’s saying that no matter how life unfolds, we can own it, find laughter in it, and let humor guide us back to who we really are.

7. Bill Maher #adulting (2022)

Bill Maher: #adulting isn’t your typical comedy special—it’s Maher at his most brutally honest, and he’s not holding back. He dives right into the absurdities of “grown-up” life, ripping apart our addiction to screens, our obsession with health crazes, and everything in between. He’s got this raw, fearless energy that makes you laugh, yeah, but also makes you squirm a little because he’s not just joking—he’s exposing the stuff we all do, but rarely question.

Maher’s talent is in blowing up the little things we ignore, making them huge, impossible to miss, and hilarious, but also... uncomfortably true. It’s that kind of humor that’s both a slap and a reminder to check yourself. If you’re into comedy that doesn’t coddle, that hits you with a mix of wit and hard truths, then #adulting is going to be one hell of a ride.

8. Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-2024)

If you haven’t watched Curb Your Enthusiasm, you’re seriously missing out. Larry David brings his razor-sharp humor and unique take on life’s “awkward moments,” cranking them up to wildly absurd levels. Every episode has you laughing as Larry, playing an exaggerated version of himself, unapologetically questions all those social rules we just follow without thinking. He’s out there, doing what most of us wouldn’t dare—asking the questions, pushing back. It’s so satisfying to watch.

But it’s not just hilarious; it actually makes you rethink the little things in life. Larry has this knack for zooming in on those painfully awkward interactions we’d rather ignore, and in Curb, they turn into something bizarrely beautiful and deeply funny. If you’re drawn to social awkwardness, personal boundaries, or just the intricate absurdities of everyday life, this show doesn’t just make you laugh—it makes you feel seen. Trust me, once you start watching Curb, you’ll probably get hooked on Larry David’s perspective, and maybe even find yourself handling life’s little conflicts with a bit more humor and patience.

9. Alex Edelman: Just for Us (2024)

Alex Edelman: Just for Us is a daring and thought-provoking comedy special that tackles themes of identity and anti-Semitism. Premiering on HBO on April 6, 2024, the special made waves, earning Edelman an Emmy and solidifying its impact. In a unique twist, Edelman humorously recounts his experience as a Jewish man attending a white supremacist gathering in Queens, New York. His storytelling reaches beyond personal identity—it’s a challenge to the audience, a gentle yet powerful nudge to step outside their comfort zones and rethink what it means to navigate a world full of differences.

This stand-up comedy digs into what it means to be different in a world that’s all too eager to remind you. Edelman doesn’t just joke; he makes you think. He holds up a mirror, inviting you to look at how you deal with those uncomfortable divides in life. It’s a special that pulls you in with laughter and leaves you with a quiet, lingering sense of something deeper.

10. Nikki Glaser: Someday You'll Die (2024)

Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die hit me like a revelation. She isn’t just up there throwing jokes around; she’s dragging out life’s big, messy, terrifying stuff—aging, death, choosing not to have kids—and then she makes you laugh about it. Nikki’s up there saying the things we’re all scared to say out loud, things that feel taboo, too real, and she does it with this fearless ease that’s just... grounding. It’s like she’s giving you permission to laugh at the stuff that usually keeps you up at night.

She’s not here to sugarcoat, and she’s not preaching. Instead, she’s just so human, so real, bringing this warmth and self-deprecation that makes you feel like you’re not alone in the way you worry, or even the way you avoid these thoughts altogether. Watching her feels like a gentle reminder that life, with all its heaviness, doesn’t need to be taken too seriously.

Warp Up

Alright, here it is—ten stand-up comedies on HBO Max that’ll blow your mind and maybe even change the way you look at the world for a night. This isn’t just light laughter. (I am talking HA Festival here.) It throws you into the wild, unapologetic energy of Latinx comedy. Seth Meyers gives you a front-row seat to the chaotic, hilarious world of dad-life; John Oliver, with his razor-sharp, no-BS takes on politics, reveals some deep truths in an elaborately humor way. And what about Nikki Glaser? She’s fearlessly cracking open life’s taboos, saying the things most people won’t even dare to whisper.

These are comedies for you when you’re craving something real—something that cuts through the noise and makes you laugh at the stuff that usually makes you squirm. Whether you want laughs about the weird little quirks in life, an eye-opening look at identity, or hard-hitting social truths wrapped in humor, HBO Max has got you covered. So, grab your favorite snacks, sink into the comfortable couch, and pick a show that hits the right nerve. These specials aren’t just about laughs—they’re a reminder that humor can be the best lens in life.