{"id":11265,"date":"2026-07-20T06:20:20","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T01:20:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=11265"},"modified":"2026-07-20T06:20:20","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T01:20:20","slug":"hbos-overlooked-crime-series-that-ended-just-3-years-ago-is-already-a-cult-classic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=11265","title":{"rendered":"HBO&#8217;s Overlooked Crime Series That Ended Just 3 Years Ago Is Already A Cult Classic"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>An incredible but overlooked crime series premiered on <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/tag\/hbo-max\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>HBO<\/strong><\/a> just three years ago. While the show in question remains relatively obscure, it is already starting to become a cult classic among viewers. The show, <em>Barry<\/em>, premiered on HBO on March 25, 2018, before lasting for four seasons and ending its run on a conclusive note on May 28, 2023.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>During its five-year run, <em>Barry<\/em> surprisingly never garnered the same level of mainstream attention as other popular <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/breaking-bad-similar-shows-watch\/\" target=\"_blank\">crime dramas like <em>Breaking Bad<\/em><\/a> and <em>Ozark<\/em>. With each new season, the show ensured that its quality never dwindled, and its critical reception also reflected the same. <em>Barry<\/em> currently boasts a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes critics&#8217; score of 98%.<\/p>\n<p>Given how it has been a while since <em>Barry<\/em> has wrapped its run, it is unknown whether the show will ever garner the popularity it deserves. However, after just three years, <em>Barry<\/em> already feels like a cult classic that all fans of crime dramas should watch.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"barry-is-the-perfect-cult-classic-tv-show\">\n                        Barry Is The Perfect Cult Classic TV Show<br \/>\n               <\/h2>\n<div class=\"body-img landscape \">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/drama-barry.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n<figure><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/drama-barry.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/drama-barry.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/drama-barry.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/drama-barry.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/drama-barry.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/drama-barry.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"1650\" height=\"928\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Bill Hader in Barry.\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/drama-barry.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/drama-barry.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture><figcaption style=\"display: none;\">Bill Hader in Barry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>On paper, <em>Barry<\/em> should be nothing more than a bizarre comedy that focuses on the exploits of a hitman who hopes to become an actor. Throughout season 1, <em>Barry<\/em> also has some genuinely hilarious moments and action sequences that put Bill Hader and Henry Winkler&#8217;s comic timing on full display. However, as the series progresses, it soon turns into an existential character study that stays with you long after its credits start rolling. <\/p>\n<p>The disastrous consequences of each kill and how they take a psychological toll on <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/bill-hader-most-iconic-roles\/\" target=\"_blank\">Bill Hader&#8217;s character<\/a> are brilliantly explored throughout the series. Despite taking these elements so seriously, Barry somehow manages to leave viewers with some incredibly funny action sequences that are both gripping and hilarious. <\/p>\n<p>Perhaps the best example of this is one of the most iconic episodes from the show in which Barry gets trapped in a house with a taekwondo master and his seemingly feral daughter. As he struggles to kill the near-invincible martial artist, Barry&#8217;s journey as a hitman turns into an absurdly hilarious quest to survive. <\/p>\n<p>Even in the more serious moments of the show where Bill Hader is expected to capture Barry&#8217;s PTSD, the actor delivers an incredible performance. Interestingly, Hader also serves as the show&#8217;s co-creator alongside Alec Berg and has also directed some of its best episodes. This makes <em>Barry<\/em> an even more impressive achievement, showcasing Hader&#8217;s remarkable range as a writer, director, and actor.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-barry-never-received-the-attention-it-deserved\">\n                        Why Barry Never Received The Attention It Deserved<br \/>\n               <\/h2>\n<div class=\"body-img landscape \">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/henry-winkler-speaking-in-barry.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n<figure><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/henry-winkler-speaking-in-barry.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/henry-winkler-speaking-in-barry.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/henry-winkler-speaking-in-barry.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/henry-winkler-speaking-in-barry.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/henry-winkler-speaking-in-barry.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/henry-winkler-speaking-in-barry.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"1650\" height=\"928\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Henry Winkler speaking in Barry\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/henry-winkler-speaking-in-barry.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/henry-winkler-speaking-in-barry.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture><figcaption style=\"display: none;\">Henry Winkler speaking in Barry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Surprisingly, despite having so much going in its favor, Barry never became a mainstream crime thriller. It fortunately got to end its run on a conclusive note. However, it is still hard not to question why a highly acclaimed series that premiered on HBO struggled to appeal to the masses. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons behind this is the show&#8217;s constant shift in tone.<\/p>\n<p>While it is impressive how the <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/best-hbo-original-tv-shows-all-time-ranked\/\" target=\"_blank\">original HBO series<\/a> shifts back and forth between its grittier and comical elements, its constantly changing tone neither makes it a typical crime thriller nor a conventional sitcom. Most viewers wish to know what they are watching before sitting down binge a series, but <em>Barry<\/em> refuses to give any linear answers. <\/p>\n<p><em>Barry<\/em> also never gave viewers a conventional hero. In most <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/tv-anti-heroes-rooting-for\/\" target=\"_blank\">anti-hero shows on TV<\/a>, like <em>Dexter<\/em> and <em>Breaking Bad<\/em>, the morally skewed protagonist is given relatable traits to make him look rootable. However, in most of its arcs, <em>Barry<\/em> refuses to bend backwards and boldly portrays how almost none of its characters have any redeemable traits. <\/p>\n<p>By giving viewers no heroes to root for, <em>Barry<\/em> takes a major creative risk, holding the show back from being as appealing as other mainstream crime dreams. It is these unconventional elements in the <strong>HBO<\/strong> show, however, that allow it to etch its own identity in an overcrowded genre and build a solid cult following.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card type-screen small\" data-show-streamrentbuy-links=\"true\" data-include-community-rating=\"true\" id=\"e43c-4a15-b2dfa9f7e909\">\n<div class=\"display-card-main-content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"display-card-main-content\">\n<div class=\"display-card-content image-column\">\n<p>                        <!--    Rating block community and brand ratings --><br \/>\n                        <!--  Image --><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-img \" data-stnl-group-once=\"YJnDml3OTM\">\n<div class=\"body-img portrait \">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  img-article-square\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/barry-season-4-poster-2.jpeg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n                                                                                                                                                            <picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/barry-season-4-poster-2.jpeg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=300&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/barry-season-4-poster-2.jpeg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=300&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/barry-season-4-poster-2.jpeg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=400&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/barry-season-4-poster-2.jpeg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=400&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/barry-season-4-poster-2.jpeg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=320&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/barry-season-4-poster-2.jpeg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=320&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"960\" height=\"1440\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Barry Season 4 Poster\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/barry-season-4-poster-2.jpeg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=480&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/barry-season-4-poster-2.jpeg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=480&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                        <!-- User Rating widget --><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"display-card-content info-column\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \">\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/db\/tv-show\/barry\/\" title=\"Barry\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tBarry<br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<\/h5>\n<p>                                                                                                        <!--  Display card tags widget --><\/p>\n<p>                                                <!--  Display card community and brand rating widget --><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex w-rating-card-info\">\n<div class=\"w-rating\">\n<div class=\"w-display-card-rate\">\n<div class=\"w-rating-logo-stars\">\n<div class=\"w-rating-logo\">\n<div class=\"w-rating-logo-img\">\n                    <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/assets\/images\/sr-logo-icon-colored-light.svg\" media=\"(prefers-color-scheme: dark)\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/assets\/images\/sr-logo-icon-colored-dark.svg\" alt=\"ScreenRant logo\" title=\"ScreenRant\" width=\"20\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\/><br \/>\n                    <\/source><\/picture>\n                <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>9<em>\/10<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                            <!--  Display card main info widget --><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-info main-info\">\n<dl>\n<p><dt>\n                                            <strong>Release Date<\/strong>\n                                        <\/dt>\n<dd>\n                                            <span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t2018 &#8211; 2023-00-00<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/span>\n                                        <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n<p>                                        <!--  Display card main info widget end --><\/p>\n<p>                    <!--  Display card media widget start --><br \/>\n                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            <!--  Display card media widget end --><\/p>\n<p>                    <!-- Cast widget start --><br \/>\n                                        <!-- Cast widget end --><\/p>\n<p>                    <!-- Where to watch button preview --><\/p>\n<p>                    <!-- Where to watch preview end --><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <!-- Extra content section, display hidden by default --><br \/>\n            <input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"extra-content-e43c-4a15-b2dfa9f7e909\" name=\"extra-content-e43c-4a15-b2dfa9f7e909\" class=\"expand-extra-info-checkbox css-menu-checkbox\"\/> <!-- Checkbox: control the expandable behavior  of the extra info --><\/p>\n<p>            <!-- Display card footer --><\/p>\n<p>            <!-- PROS and CONS section --><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An incredible but overlooked crime series premiered on HBO just three years ago. While the show in question remains relatively obscure, it is already starting to become a cult classic among viewers. The show, Barry, premiered on HBO on March 25, 2018, before lasting for four seasons and ending its run on a conclusive note&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11266,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/10353a17-fa91-468a-92a9-570fb28b75a4.jpeg?w=1600&h=900&fit=crop","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsweek-trending"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11265","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11265"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11265\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11266"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}