Looking

The series received critical acclaim for its writing, direction, and performances, as well as for its grounded, nuanced portrayal of LGBTQ life. Ten of the show's eighteen episodes were directed by Andrew Haigh, whose naturalistic filmmaking style drew comparisons to his 2011 film Weekend and to the mumblecore movement in independent cinema.

Despite strong critical reception, the series struggled with viewership. The second-season finale drew just 298,000 viewers, which led HBO to cancel the series after two seasons. To provide closure, the network commissioned a feature-length television film, Looking: The Movie, which premiered at the Frameline Film Festival on June 26, 2016, and later aired on HBO on July 23, 2016.

In retrospective rankings, Looking has been recognized for its cultural impact and storytelling. In 2019, The Guardian included the series in its list of the "100 Greatest TV Shows of the 21st Century". In 2022, Esquire ranked it #21 in its list of "The Best HBO Series of All Time".