The 4 HBO shows that are better than 'Game of Thrones,' according to critics

Average Metacritic score: 90

HBO summary: "Created by Steven Zaillian (Schindler's List) and Richard Price (The Wire), this limited series tracks a young man whose perfect night out becomes a nightmare when he's arrested for murder."

What critics said: "[A] tense and exquisite limited series on HBO. The later episodes become a more conventional legal story, as Stone patches together a defense, and the case becomes Nancy Grace-ified in the media. There are nods to TV legal series throughout." — James Poniewozik, New York Times

Average Metacritic score: 91

HBO summary: "In the drug-ridden streets of West Baltimore, there are good guys and there are bad guys. Sometimes you need more than a badge to tell them apart."

What critics said: "Here's one other thing I blame The Wire for: It's ruined other TV for me. How am I supposed to go and watch CSI now, or freaking Prison Break? It saddens me to know that there are no more new episodes of The Wire for me to watch, and never will be. And now, in its shadow, everything else pales." — Adam Sternbergh, Vulture (Season 5, 2008)

Average Metacritic score: 94

HBO summary: "Hailed as one of television's essential dramas, The Sopranos follows James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano: husband, father and mob boss whose professional and private strains land him in the office of his therapist. Created by David Chase."

What critics said: "When an influential and successful series like The Sopranos ends, the final episode is bound to be highly scrutinized and argued over. Written and directed by series creator David Chase, "Made in America" appears to be tailor-made for arguments, presenting an ending certain to annoy and frustrate many more viewers than it satisfies." — Brian Zoromski, IGN (Season 6, 2007)

Average Metacritic score: 99

HBO summary: "The Larry Sanders Show is an HBO comedy series about a late night talk show host ... starring Garry Shandling, Jeffrey Tambor, Wallace Langham, and Rip Torn."

What critics said: "The Larry Sanders Show is all tension, cynicism, profound shallowness, and naughty-boy bonding — it's just the way you imagine life behind a big-time TV talk show to be, except infinitely funnier." — Ken Tucker, Entertainment Weekly (Season 2, 1993)