The 45 Best TV Shows to Stream on Max
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Since the early aughts, HBO has cemented itself as being synonymous with high quality programming with formative entries to the prestige television canon like The Sopranos, The Wire, and Sex and the City. Four years ago, the network ventured beyond their domination of Sunday night television to launch HBO Max, a streaming platform that inserted them into the streaming wars against Netflix and company. The platform (now simply called Max) includes all the iconic HBO hits, most of them exclusive to the platform, plus a handful of streaming originals that were commissioned to compete with other streamers's unrelenting output.
While there have been major shifts in the industry since 2020, including a recession in the industry that is seeing more of a reliance on existing intellectual property (like a Harry Potter series currently in pre-development for Max), there are dozens of titles worth a watch on the service, like Starstruck, Insecure, Girls and more. Below, we’ve rounded up everything from the best series to underrated hidden gems on the streaming platform. When you're done, feel free to check out our roundup of the Most Anticipated TV Shows of 2024, too.
Angels in America (2003)
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Angels in America is one of HBO’s most iconic miniseries about the intersecting lives of New Yorkers during the AIDS epidemic in 1985 (plus a very persistent angel played by Emma Thompson). It is one of three shows to ever sweep every major category at the Emmys.
Big Little Lies (2017–2019)
Remember when a cast of acclaimed film actresses coming together for a series was deemed event television? Feels like another lifetime. Regardless of the current state of television affairs, this murder mystery drama adapted from Liane Moriarty’s novel is still an unstoppable force—particularly in its first season directed entirely by the late Jean-Marc Vallée. There are whispers of a third season in development.
Chernobyl (2019)
The English-language dramatization of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear plant meltdown is a nail-biting miniseries, with stand-out performances by Jared Harris and Emily Watson as their characters race against time to prevent further damage from one of the worst nuclear catastrophes of the modern era.
Enlightened (2011–2013)
Before Mike White created The White Lotus, he made Enlightened with Laura Dern. In this dramedy, Dern stars as a corporate employee rebuilding her life after a mental break that cost her a fancy job title. White co-stars as her new coworker for an underrated two seasons of television.
The Deuce (2017–2019)
David Simon’s The Deuce examines New York City’s sex work landscape in the 1970s and 80s and the legalization of porn during that era. The show stars James Franco as twins, and Maggie Gyllenhaal as Eileen, an aspiring filmmaker.
Euphoria (2019–)
Alright, hear me out. We may never get to see a third season of Euphoria, but it is the blueprint to the careers of some of the biggest Hollywood stars of our time, including Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, Hunter Schafer, and others. Understandable criticism aside, it is worth watching for their performances alone, and may surprise you in its depiction of addiction.
The Flight Attendant (2020–2022)
With bingeable manic energy, The Flight Attendant landed with two addicting seasons of television executive produced and starring Kaley Cuoco, a major departure from her The Big Bang Theory character. Beginning with Cassie (Cuoco) being framed for murder, the show unravels broader conspiracies with an extended cast of characters while also exploring alcoholism in unexpectedly moving ways.
Girls (2012–2017)
Girls is a relic of the millennial era. In some ways a spiritual successor to Sex and the City, Lena Dunham’s cringe comedy was relentlessly picked apart as it aired in the social media era, every episode prompting a new thinkpiece. But it stands today as a hilarious, thoughtfully-created and satirical time capsule of New York City in the 2010s, likely to be re-discovered by twenty-somethings for generations to come.
Hacks (2021–)
Hacks is one of the best comedies airing today, full stop. The series follows Deborah (Jean Smart), a legendary stand-up comic who hires Ava (Hannah Einbinder), a zillennial she hopes will help rejuvenate her comedy career in more honest and authentic ways. Cross-generational jokes abound here and they all land with the help of brilliant comedic timing. The show also punches way above its weight with a fantastic ensemble cast and carefully curated guest stars. The show returns for a third season this May.
Harley Quinn (2019–)
Adult animation can be hit or miss, but this comedy carves its own path by centering Harley Quinn’s story (voiced by Kaley Cuoco) on her disentanglement from the Joker and her newfound queerness through a new relationship with Poison Ivy (Lake Bell). The creators of the series have confidently stated the two iconic villains (who engage in “ethical evil” on the show) are endgame—a relief from the “bury your gays” trope on television.
High Maintenance (2016–2020)
High Maintenance is a hidden gem in the episodic anthology format. Every episode is from the perspective of a weed dealer’s clients and offers a slightly different flavor, but there is a softness that runs through the series that only a true stoner could concoct—the intimacy of our everyday lives and how weed is used for connection. Although the creators have parted ways with the series, HBO has not officially canceled it, leaving the door open for future drug deliveries. We recommend watching the Vimeo web series before jumping into the HBO-commissioned episodes, both streaming on Max.
House of the Dragon (2022–)
Will House of the Dragon ever rise to the heights of Game of Thrones? Time will tell, but it’s as close as we’ll get. The drama follows the Targaryen family in this prequel taking place 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen. The difference here is more focus on this concentrated set of characters and time jumps that propel the plot forward. But there is plenty of dragon fire, intrigue, betrayal and yes, incest, to be seen here.
I Hate Suzie (2020–)
A collaboration between Succession writer Lucy Prebble and Billie Piper, I Hate Suzie begins when an actress’ (Piper) compromising photos are leaked after a phone hack that unravels her life. It returned for a must-watch second season in 2022 that saw Suzie moving on from the scandal to join a Dancing with the Stars-like competition series.
I Know This Much is True (2020)
Mark Ruffalo picked up a well-deserved Emmy award for playing a set of twin characters in this heartbreaking miniseries created, directed, and written by Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine). The series explores how Dominick supports and copes with his schizophrenic brother Thomas, and the cast is stacked with supporting actors including Juliette Lewis, Kathryn Hahn, Rosie O'Donnell, and Archie Panjabi, among others.
I May Destroy You (2020)
Michaela Coel says she wrote 191 drafts of I May Destroy You, a highly acclaimed miniseries following young writer Arabella (Coel) as she recollects her memories of a sexual assault with the support of her friends Terry (Weruche Opia) and Kwame (Paapa Essiedu), who each have their own arcs. The 12-episode dark comedy season is both funnier and more touching than you might expect, and should be at the top of your list to experience the force that is Michaela Coel.
Industry (2020–)
We, as a society, need to stop sleeping on Industry. The London-based series takes place in the world of finance, but it’s as much about a group of Gen Zs navigating work as it is about sex, drugs, and power—think less Succession and more Skins for adults with stand-out performances from Myha'la Harold, Marisa Abela, Harry Lawtey, and Ken Leung as their superior. The upcoming third season will also feature Kit Harington and Sarah Goldberg.
Insecure (2016–2021)
Insecure is to Issa Rae what Girls was to Lena Dunham: an auteur comedy with robust performances by the cast, but groundbreaking for HBO in the way it depicted a Black group of friends living their lives outside of a sitcom context, exploring their friendships, relationships, and careers. It was also a star-making series for actors like Natasha Rothwell and Jay Ellis.
Irma Vep (2022)
This quirky miniseries is an adaptation of Olivier Assayas’s 1996 film, with the filmmaker returning to write and direct all eight episodes in a somewhat meta exploration of his own work and legacy. Mira (Alicia Vikander) plays the titular character in a show-within-the-show production filmed in France. The show is narratively loose and somewhat postmodern in its approach, blending tones and surrealism with swaths of characters, described as “catnip for the cinephile” on Rotten Tomatoes.
It’s a Sin (2021)
Russell T. Davies’ impact on queer British television cannot be overstated—and It’s a Sin is another exceptional entry into his résumé. The 1980s AIDS-era miniseries is bright and propulsive, which only makes it more gutting when the disease starts impacting the central cast (including a break-out role played by Olly Alexander).
Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show (2024–)
Comedian Jerrod Carmichael has carved a niche in comedy by being unabashedly honest and authentic, particularly since coming out in his special, Rothaniel. He’s back with a docu-series meets reality show which unveils every aspect of his life from dating men on Grindr, processing his coming out with his mother, and confessing his romantic feelings to Tyler the Creator.
Julia (2022–2023)
It is unfortunate such a delectable series about Julia Child did not garner more popularity while it aired. Julia picks up where Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia leaves off, with the iconic chef who brought French cooking to the American masses embarking on her cooking show. Sarah Lancashire steps into Julia’s shoes effortlessly.
The Knick (2014–2015)
If you’re sick of the medical procedural du jour, try The Knick. But be warned: the period drama takes place in 1900 before doctors widely started wearing gloves before operating. Graphic warnings aside, it is a top-notch series directed by Steven Soderbergh. Rumor has it André Holland is set to eventually reprise his role for a much-delayed third season.
The Leftovers (2014–2017)
The Leftovers was how Damon Lindeloff made up for the unsatisfying Lost finale. It is just as strange and mystical to watch, but found a more precise voice. The show starts off after two percent of the population has mysteriously disappeared in thin air, and how society copes with the grief—some join cults and others dive into existentialism, like Nora Durst (Carrie Coon), who loses her entire family.
Looking (2014–2015)
Justice for Looking! Essentially the gay answer to Girls, Looking followed a group of gay men navigating life and relationships in San Francisco. Although it faced some criticism from the LGBTQIA+ community when it aired, it stands as one of the few shows about a queer group of friends to this day, directed intimately by Andrew Haigh (All of Us Strangers).
Mare of Easttown (2021)
All hail Kate Winslet and her vape. For her second HBO television series (following the also excellent Mildred Pierce), Winslet plays Mare, a detective investigating the murder of a teen girl in a small town alongside her partner, played by Evan Peters—a classic premise. The show excelled in bringing to life a fictional suburb with complex neighborly dynamics while dangling a few red herrings along the way to the final reveal.
My Brilliant Friend (2018–)
Perhaps one of the most egregiously underrated HBO dramas, the mysterious Italian author Elene Ferrante co-writes each episode of this adaptation of the Neapolitan Novels about Lila and Elena, two childhood best friends who grow up in a poor, violent neighborhood in postwar Italy and diverge as they follow different paths in adulthood. It is a stunningly realized decades-spanning adaptation which is slated to return for a fourth and final season in 2024.
The Other Two (2019–2023)
Only The Other Two could air an entire, hilarious episode about leaked pictures of a butthole. A satirical comedy created by ex-SNL writers (Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider), the show follows two lesser known siblings of a Justin Bieber-like teen superstar, Chase Dubek, as they try to grasp onto legitimacy of their own.
The Outsider (2020)
Like Hulu’s Castle Rock, The Outsider is a lesser known Stephen King adaptation starring Ben Mendelsohn, Bill Camp, Mare Winningham, and Cynthia Erivo. It is a captivating and spooky supernatural mystery that almost feels like it takes place in the True Detective universe. It wraps up loose ends in a satisfying finale, but was sadly canceled after one season.
Olive Kitteridge (2014)
One of the most profound depictions of existentialism and depression, this miniseries adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name follows Olive (Frances McDormand) over four episodes depicting the suffocation of marriage and small-town living in Maine.
Rain Dogs (2023–)
Described as an unconventional love story, this phenomenally written dark comedy is co-produced with BBC and created by Cash Carraway and follows Costello (Daisy May Cooper), a working-class single mother doing her best to survive living in London with her daughter without relying on the help of her toxic rich friend Selby (Jack Farthing), a gay man who slowly sucks her back into his orbit.
The Rehearsal (2022–)
Have you ever wished you could rehearse a conversation before going through with it? Nathan Fielder helps facilitate those moments for ordinary people in this fascinating docu-comedy series, building entire sets to simulate real-life settings. As the rehearsals snowball, Fielder himself begins to rehearse his own experience, picking apart scenes in the hopes of finding ethical clarity.
Scavengers Reign (2023–)
A gorgeous sci-fi exploration of loss and longing, Scavengers Reign follows a group of shipwrecked survivors trying to get home on an alien planet straight out of a Miyazaki-inspired planet full of otherworldly (and hungry) creatures. The animation and voice acting is top-tier here. These twelve compelling episodes will win over even the most skeptical animation viewer. Max has yet to renew the series, but the creators have expressed a multi-season plan.
Sharp Objects (2018)
It’s hard to believe the Southern gothic murder mystery Sharp Objects didn’t pick up a single Emmy award. Amy Adams stars as Camille in an adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s 2006 novel, a journalist returning to her hometown to report on the murder of a young girl, bringing back deeply buried trauma from her own past as she also reunites with her estranged family. The series is tenderly created by Jean-Marc Vallée, his last project before his death in 2021.
Six Feet Under (2001–2005)
Sometimes neglected in conversations on the foundational prestige television canon (like HBO’s Deadwood and Treme), Six Feet Under is a drama that examines death head-on through the funeral home the Fisher family ran together following the passing of the patriarch. Everyone in this cast pulls their weight.
Somebody Somewhere (2022–)
One of the most tender comedies currently on television is about 40-something Sam (Bridget Everett) as she returns to her hometown in Kansas after the death of her sister. It rarely follows conventional story beats—i.e., Sam has no love interest—and is instead concerned primarily with finding connection and community in grief.
Sort Of (2021–2024)
A dramedy import from Canada, Sort Of follows Sabi (Bilal Baig), a non-binary millennial figuring out their life in Toronto while navigating identity with family, friends, and partners. It is softly existential in the way only the best millennial dramedies can be.
Starstruck (2021–)
In this rom-com like no other imported from the U.K., Jessie (Rose Matafeo) has a one-night stand with Tom (Nikesh Patel), whom she realizes the morning after is a very famous actor. The will-they-won’t-they begins from there, infused with charming performances and a delightfully jazzy score.
Station Eleven (2021)
If you have any unresolved trauma from the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s time for you to watch Station Eleven, based on the 2014 book of the same name written by Emily St. John Mandel. Twenty years after the events of a raging pandemic, a traveling Shakespearan troupe encounters a violent cult—but the miniseries is so much more about how each character is intimately connected, shifting between perspectives and timelines to reveal a larger tapestry of connection.
Succession (2018–2023)
If for some reason you didn’t watch this massively popular and much-lauded drama, you might benefit from a binge to find out what makes the Roy family so captivating to watch as the patriarch’s children step over each other for power and ultimately, a seat at the head of the table. It is a phenomenally crafted show in which every detail and performance is worth your attentive eye.
The White Lotus (2021–)
The massively popular dark comedy is set to return for a third season based in Thailand sometime in 2025, but the first two seasons are absolute knock-outs with enough intrigue, comedy, and delectable fashion looks to keep you entertained episode by episode, plus an unmissable performance by Jennifer Coolidge.
Tokyo Vice (2022–)
A solid crime drama shot in Japan, Tokyo Vice stars a predominantly Japanese cast (with the addition of Ansel Elgort and Rachel Keller), and is based on crime-busting journalism adapted from Jake Adelstein’s 2009 non-fiction book of the same name.
True Blood (2008–2014)
In this version of our reality, vampires have come out of the closet and are somewhat socially accepted—as long as they behave and drink government-created synthetic blood. True Blood is iconic for being a hot fantasy drama that tackled everything from mind-reading fairies to werewolves and witches in small town Louisiana.
True Detective (2014–)
It is widely known that the first season of True Detective is some of the most propulsive crime television ever made, but the anthology series recently had a creative renaissance with its horror-tinged fourth season helmed by Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, titled True Detective: Night Country.
Veneno (2020)
Veneno is a remarkable biopic and limited series that aired in Spain before being picked up by Max for an American audience. It details the life and death of a Spanish icon nicknamed “La Veneno,” a transgender singer and television personality. Hopefully Veneno’s sequel series, Vestidas de Azul, will make its way to Max soon.
Watchmen (2019)
Ten years after the Watchmen film premiered, Damon Lindeloff brought the popular intellectual property to HBO for a mind blowingly-good season of television starring Regina King which explored how the 1921 Tulsa race massacre in Oklahoma reverberates in a present day reality where reparations are underway.
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