The best Max shows: 37 great series to stream in November 2024
These are the best Max shows to stream today, including The Penguin and Uzumaki
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Searching for the best Max shows to stream today? You’re in luck. We’ve put in the hard yards to bring you a sizeable collection of the very best TV series that are worth watching once (or more, we’re not judging you) onMax. We’ve catered to all kinds of genre fans, too, so, no matter what type of TV show you enjoy watching, there’ll be something worth investing in once you’ve scrolled through our list of recommendations for one of the world’sbest streaming services.
“But how did you reach your conclusion about what’s worth including?”, we hear you cry. To secure a spot in this guide, shows developed by HBO and other big entertainment studios need to pass one or more of these tests: hold a Rotten Tomatoes (RT) critical score above 85%, be one of the most popular series ever made, or meet both criteria. It’s as simple as that. So, what are you waiting for? See what the best series are on Max right now. Happy reading and streaming!
Best comedy shows on Max
Barry
Seasons:4Age rating:TV-MART score:98%
Saturday Night Livegraduate Bill Hader is both co-creator and star ofBarry, a show about a professional hitman who performs a career U-turn and tries to become a Hollywood star after turning his back on a life of crime. Indeed, the eponymous character tries to put his criminal past behind him to embrace his new career but, as he soon learns, he can’t outrun his old life. I found there to be plenty of drama in Barry’s often drastic efforts to keep his two lives separate, but the show’s comic edge keeps things from getting too dark. A worthy and arguably underrated inclusion on this list.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Seasons:12Age rating:TV-MART score:92%
After co-creating the all-conquering sitcomSeinfeld, few would have predicted Larry David’s next move. Backed by HBO money, he made a fictionalised version of himself (and Hollywood friends like Ted Danson) the center of a semi-improvised comedy calledCurb Your Enthusiasm, which has gone on to be a cult phenomenon for the Warner Bros-owned studio. WhileCurbis frequently so cringeworthy it makes you want to hide behind the sofa, David turns the comedy of embarrassment into an artform. For me, if there was ever a comic-book hero whose superpower was putting their foot in it, David’s screen self would be the blueprint.
Flight of the Conchords
Seasons:2Age rating:TV-14RT score:94%
There are plenty of top-tier musical comedy acts around these days but, for a time, Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie - New Zealand’s fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk comedy folk duo, apparently - were the kings of this particular ring.Flight of the Conchords, their two-season comedy series, proved as much, too, which the duo playing fictionalised versions of themselves, trying to make a success of themselves in New York – despite having only one fan, the obsessed Mel (Kristen Schaal), and an ineffectual manager (Rhys Darby). A classic of the mid- to late 2000s, in the time before streaming was a thing, I regularly found myself re-watching Clement and McKenzie’s charming and over-the-top hilarious double act time and again, so I’d heartily recommend this to anyone who enjoys earworm tunes mixed with reams of comedy. Altogether now: I’m the hiphopopotamus, my rhymes are bottomless!
Friends
Seasons:10Age rating:TV-14RT score:78%
It comes across a tad dated these days but, like a coffee from Central Perk, it’s refreshing to know thatFriendswill always ahem be there for you whenever anyone of a certain age wants to stream one of the world’s most popular sitcoms for the umpteenth time. A powerhouse of its time,Friendsturned its six-strong cast – Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and the late Matthew Perry – into some of the biggest stars on the planet. Emboldened by their natural on-screen (and off-screen) chemistry, sharp writing, emotional story beats, and more than enough slapstick and cringe-inducing comedy to shake a stick at,Friendsis the equivalent of a warm TV hug for me. Yes, some of its jokes make for uncomfortable viewing in 2024, but it’s nonethelessone of the best shows ever made, hence its inclusion here. Want to know where to start with its 10-season run? Read our guide of thebestFriendsepisodesfor some great recommendations.
Girls
Seasons:6Age rating:TV-MART score:89%
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Created by and starring Lena Dunham, this iconic show follows four girlfriends in New York as they struggle through their day-to-day lives. That means juggling career decisions and complicated relationships, while leaning on their inner circle for support.Girlsprimarily revolves around Dunham’s character Hannah, a writer looking for her shot at the big time, but intertwines with each unique story of her friends Marnie, Jessa, and Shoshanna.Girlstackles topics that divided viewers, but it remains a poignant and truthful examination of 20-something life that I couldn’t help but enjoy.
Hacks
Seasons:3Age rating:TV-MART score:99%
It’s high time that this Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder-starring comedy drama series was recognized as one of the best Max shows around.Hacks, which stars Smart as washed-up comedian Deborah and Einbeinder as her protege Ava, who reignites Deborah’s career, is a sumptuously great show that thematically explores the ever-evolving power dynamic between the pair. Indeed, their relationship starts out as a pretty frosty one, but soon they find a way to work together, which proves that opposites really do attract. Equal parts riotous and heart-wrenching,Hacks' recent award wins are proof that it’s an utterly fantastic show. Little wonderHackshas been renewed for a fourth season, then.
I Hate Suzie
Seasons:2Age rating:TV-MART score:97%
Doctor Whoalum Billie Piper reunites with herSecret Diary of a Call Girlcollaborator Lucy Prebble for this powerful satire on the entertainment industry. It’s the story of former pop idol and TV star Suzie Pickles (Piper), who finds her personal and professional lives unravelling after nude photos are leaked online by phone hackers. I found both seasons of this UK-developed comedy drama to be simultaneously hilarious and heart-breaking, with much of Suzie’s fictional career closely mirrors Piper’s own adds extra weight to her brilliant performance.
I May Destroy You
Seasons:1Age rating:TV-MART score:98%
A blind-siding dark comedy,I May Destroy Youisboth laugh out loud funny and emotionally devastating. I’ll never forget the first time I saw this obscenely amazing show, which stars (and was written by) Coel. In it, she plays Arabella, a young woman who, after what was expected to be a typical night out, wakes with no memory of what she did, where she want, or what happened. It doesn’t take long for Arabella to put the puzzle pieces together, though, and realizes she was not only drugged, but also raped. A show filled with incredibly frank and brave moments that sparks plenty of discussions about consent and other hard-hitting topics,I May Destroy Youis TV at its emotionally stunning best. It absolutely blew me away upon first viewing and, if it doesn’t do the same to you, I’m not sure what else I can say to convince you to stream it ASAP.
Pushing Daisies
Seasons:2Age rating:TV-PGRT score:96%
Six Feet Underwith a quirky and fantastical edge,Pushing Daisiestells the story of a piemaker with an unlikely power: if he touches anything that’s died, he can bring it back to life. His gift is a double-edged sword, however, because if he touches something he’s already resurrected for a second time, it’ll be dead forever. Working from this sky-high concept, futureHannibalcreator Bryan Fuller crafted an unlikely but winning mix of detective drama and romantic comedy, as piemaker Ned (Foundation’s Lee Pace) was doomed never to touch his back-from-the-dead childhood sweetheart Chuck (played by Anna Friel). If, like me, you have a low tolerance for whimsy it’s probably best to avoid this one but, for everyone else,Pushing Daisiesis a minor fantasy classic that was cancelled way before its time.
The White Lotus
Seasons:2Age rating:TV-MART score:92%
One of the most talked about shows recent years, Mike White’s comedy-drama is, in my humble opinion, essential viewing. An anthology series, each season ofThe White Lotusfollows a new group of holiday makers as they try to relax at an often sun-drenched location, but often find themselves butting heads with each other as well as the resort’s suitably memorable staff. White, whose previous filmography includesSchool of Rockand – weirdly –The Emoji Movie, ensures there’s a dark edge to many of the laughs, in a show that extends HBO’s impressive track record in prestige TV. Readour review onThe White Lotusseason 2to see if it’s the kind of thing you’ll like, but I can’t recommend this satire-laced show enough to anyone who’ll listen.
Best crime shows on Max
Boardwalk Empire
Seasons:5Age rating:TV-MART score:92%
Boardwalk Empirestarted with a bang when it arrived in 2010, with legendary movie director Martin Scorsese helming its pilot. The show then ran for five seasons on HBO, charting the rise of Enoch ‘Nucky’ Thompson (played by Steve Buscemi) as he rises through the political scene and takes control of Atlantic City, New Jersey. However, Nucky’s ascent doesn’t always go according to plan, which is afflicted by run-ins with rival politicians, and the gangsters he works with, to take advantage of prohibition-era bootlegging. A period crime drama that encapsulates everything that’s great about HBO’s impressive suite of content and, in my view, one that fans ofPeaky Blinderswill lap up.
Mare of Easttown
Seasons:1Age rating:TV-MART score:95%
A gripping and at-times emotional watch,Mare of Easttownis as riveting a drama as we’ve come to expect from HBO. Kate Winslet heads it up as Marianne ‘Mare’ Sheehan, a police detective from Pennsylvania investigating the mysterious murder of a teenage mother as she navigates her own troubled home life. I’d argue that this is Winslet at the top of her acting game; the breakoutTitanicstar delivering a stunning, multi-layered performance that turnsMare of Eastttownfrom a good show into a great one. Stick it on your best Max shows watchlist and, once you’ve watched it, I implore you to check out thesesix similarly gritty dramas worth streaming on Max.
The Penguin
Seasons:1Age rating:TV-MART score:94%
This show, man… this show. The first of a couple of planned spin-offs from 2022’sThe Batmanmovie,The Penguinis a TV juggernaut that, in my mind,deserves to sit alongside such esteemed company likeThe Sopranosin HBO’s crime drama pantheon. Set one week afterThe Batman’s ending, it sees Oz Cobb (the absolutely electrifying Colin Farrell) make a play to become Gotham City’s new crime kingpin. However, with Sofia Falcone (the equally amazing Cristin Milioti) and the wider Falcone hierarchy, not to mention their arch-rivals in the Maroni crime syndicate, standing between him and his dream, Oz has plenty to contend with in one of the best Max shows ever created. Do not sleep on this explosively epicBatman-adjacent series, trust me.
The Sopranos
Seasons:6Age rating:TV-MART score:92%
It’s fitting that one ofThe Penguin’s most comparative shows sits right beneath it on our best Max shows list. 25 years have passed sinceThe Sopranoschanged the face of television as we know it, with the James Gandolfini-fronted crime epic kickstarting a golden age of serialized TV storytelling that audiences have enjoyed on numerous platforms and cable networks since. Created by David Chase, this legendary program tells the story of mafia head Tony Soprano (Gandolfini), who regales his life’s tale through his familial and business-minded life, as well as conversations with his therapist. A truly transformative series that continues to resonate with diehards and newcomers alike – and one I’ll never get tired of seeing again and again. Its prequel film,The Many Saints of Newark, is also available to watch on Max.
True Detective
Seasons:4Age rating:TV-MART score:79%
Like Friends, I went back and forth on includingTrue Detectivein this guide because of its RT critical rating. Considering how popular its first and fourth seasons – the latter’s full title beingTrue Detective: Night Country– are, though, I felt obliged to keep it in. For the uninitiated: likeFargo’s TV spin-off onHulu,True Detectiveis an anthology show that tells a standalone tale with a new cast of characters played by some heavy-hitting actors. Season 1, which sees Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson’s Louisiana detectives pursue a serial killer, is the obvious stand-out, but the Jodie Foster-starringNight Country, plus Mahershal Ali’s star turn in its third chapter, are also compelling in their own ways. My advice? Skip season 2 and, once you’ve seen the other three, prepare yourself for the previously announcedfifth season ofTrue Detectiveto land on Max and HBO in the near future.
The Wire
Seasons:5Age rating:TV-MART score:94%
When it comes toThe Wire, you probably fall into one of two camps. You’ve watched it and have spent the last two decades telling everyone you know that they should see David Simon’s ambitious, Baltimore-set cop drama because it’s the greatest TV show ever made. Or, you’ve spent the last decade and a half listening to people telling youThe Wireis the greatest TV show ever made, but haven’t got round to watching it yet. The good news is that, whether you’re a fan keen for a re-watch or a newbie looking to see what the fuss is about, you can stream it right now – and, by god, you’ll want to. I could elaborate more on its plot, themes, and sensational performances, but I think it’s best if you go intoThe Wirewith as little information as possible and enjoy (if that’s the right word I can use to describe it) what’s on offer once you hit play on its opening episode. You can thank me, and everyone else, for the epic recommendation once you’re done.
Best drama shows on Max
Band of Brothers
Seasons:1Age rating:TV-MART score:94%
There are certain TV shows that just stay with you long after you’ve watched them for the first and only time – andBand of Brothersis one of mine. A big-budget adaptation of Stephen E. Ambrose’s book of the same name, it dramatizes the exploits US paratrooper unit Easy Company at the height of World War II to stunningly brutal and soul-crushing effect. With powerhouse industry veterans, including legendary director Steven Spielberg and beloved actor-producer Tom Hanks, behind it, and an all-star cast of established stars and up and comers, this miniseries is mesmerizing in its harrowing depiction of the horrors of war. Once you’re done watching it (and you’ll need to take some time away from any war-based content once you are),The Pacific, which follows three marines from different regiments as their stories intertwine during the WWII battle between US and Japanese forces, is also worth seeing.Masters of the Air, one of thebest Apple TV Plus shows, rounds out the Spielberg-produced trio on one of Max’s rival services.
Big Little Lies
Seasons:2Age rating:TV-MART score:89%
Stars/producers Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman, plus creator David E. Kelley (Boston Legal,Ally McBeal) pull together a truly A-list cast for this memorable adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s novel. There’s been a murder among the well-to-do residents of Monterey, California, butBig Little Liesdoesn’t tell you the identity of the victim or who did the crime. Cue plenty of flashbacks as events are gradually pieced together. With a roll call that boasts Witherspoon, Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Alexander Skårsgard, Adam Scott, Laura DernandZoë Kravitz, this would be captivating TV if they’d all just turned up to read the telephone directory. But, armed with Kelley’s script, a wicked sense of humor, and plenty of twists and turns, this is undoubtedly one of the best Max shows. Season 2 adds Meryl Streep to the mix and is nearly as good as the first, in my mind, too!
Chernobyl
Seasons:1Age rating:TV-MART score:95%
In 2019, HBO brought the historical tragedy of the Chernobyl Power Plant in Ukraine to life in this heart-breaking drama, retelling the story of how one of the worst nuclear disasters in history came to pass. The five-part miniseries, which countsFoundation’s Jared Harris among its cast, depicts stories of the catastrophe and its devastating aftermath, in which many sacrificed their own lives to save others. Developed by Craig Mazin (he ofThe Last of UsTV showfame), Chernobyl is a powerfully moving piece of prestige television that’ll sit with you – as it did with me – long after its final credits sequence has rolled. Make sure you’re in the right frame of mind before you catch it as, oh boy, it’s a tough watch at the best of times.
Deadwood
Seasons:3Age rating:TV-MART score:92%
With a few notable exceptions, TV-based Westerns have been out of fashion for most of this century. HBO’s timing arguably wasn’t the best, then, when it bankrolled creator David Milch’s ambitious trip to Deadwood, South Dakota between 2004 and 2006. Frequently celebrated as one of the best shows of its era, Milch skilfully interweaved real American history with the fictional story of the eponymous town populated by a memorable cast, includingThe Mandalorian’s Timothy Olyphant as sheriff Seth Bullock, and – in a role for the ages –John Wick’s Ian McShane as saloon owner Al Swearengen. I believe it deserved to run much longer than its three-season run – it got a brief reprieve in 2019’sDeadwood: The Movie, mind you – and I’ll die on that hill if I have to.
Euphoria
Seasons:2Age rating:TV-MART score:88%
Few shows can claim to have catapulted their talented cast into the A-list stratosphere thanEuphoriacan. The young-adult drama has provided a platform for some of the world’s biggest stars, includingSpider-Man’s Zendaya, Saltburn’s Jacob Elordi, andImmaculate’s Sydney Sweeney, to show off their undisputed acting talents, all the while doing so in a hard-hitting series that explores peer pressure, drug use, and numerous teen and young-adult-centric issues. Set in a high school, it follows a group of students navigating their lives, including Rue (Zendaya) and her constant struggle with drug addiction, Nate (Elordi) and his troubled relationship with his macho father, and Jules (Hunter Schafer) and her battle to find belonging with her transgender identity. Given each actor’s recent big screen success, it’ll come as no surprise to learn thatEuphoriaseason 3still hasn’t started filming yet. I’m confident, though, that we’ll eventually see Rue and company return in this outstanding HBO show very soon.
Industry
Seasons:3Age rating:TV-MART score:89%
Labeled as the obvious successor to, erm,Succession,Industryfollows a group of young graduates competing for a limited set of permanent positions at Pierpoint & Co, a prestigious investment bank in the heart of the city of London. Desperate to win the job, the young pretenders push themselves to extremes to win the approval of clients and their superiors, regularly crossing the line as they do so. Led by a handsome cast,Industryfizzes with intrigue and energy, and is well worth an investment of your time. Its latest season acquired some serious star power in the form ofGame of Thronesalumnus Kit Harington, who helpedIndustryfinally break into the mainstream. For those of us who’ve religiously watched it since day one, it deserves all of the plaudits I’m now seeing it receive.
It’s a Sin
Seasons:1Age rating:TV-MART score:97%
A five-part British drama that first appeared in the UK on Channel 4 and is now streaming in its entirety on Max,It’s a Sinfollows a group of friends during the early stages of the AIDS epidemic in 1980s London. Each one has their own heart-rending story to tell in a show that explores what life was like when people were suffering from a new disease that was feared, misunderstood, and often considered a death sentence. This absorbing and at-times difficult-to-watch drama is brought to life by the energetic and sensitive writing of Russell T. Davies (Doctor Who) as well as the acting of a brilliant ensemble cast led by Olly Alexander, lead singer of Years & Years. One not to be missed, in my view.
The Last of Us
Seasons:1Age rating:TV-MART score:96%
Largely inspired by Naughty Dog’s acclaimed and multi-award-winning videogame franchise of the same name,The Last of Ustells the tale of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey), two traumatized individuals who are thrown together by circumstance after crossing paths in a post-apocalyptic America that’s been ravaged by a fungal outbreak that turned the population into crazed, zombie-like cannibals known as “the infected”. As someone who enjoyed the games immensely, I was hesitant about how wellThe Last of Us' story would translate into a different medium. I need not have worried: equal parts heart-breaking, action-packed, horrifying, and dramatic, it’s another TV powerhouse from HBO executives, plus its talented cast and crew. Read ourThe Last of Usseason 1 reviewfor more on what we thought, and then catch up on everything I’ve seen aboutThe Last of Usseason 2before it debuts sometime in 2025.
The Leftovers
Seasons:3Age rating:TV-MART score:91%
Lostco-creator/showrunner Damon Lindelof spun another high-concept mystery tale with this HBO supernatural drama, which ran for three seasons from 2014-2017. Based on Tom Perrotta’s novel,The Leftoverstakes place in a world still reeling from the shock disappearance of 2% of the population three years earlier. As it dives headlong into the spiritual consequences of a seriously unconventional situation, Justin Theroux’s police chief – Kevin Garvey – finds himself caught between family issues and the various cults that emerge in the wake of the “Sudden Departure”. For me, it’s a compelling, thought-provoking ride but, this being a Lindelof show, don’t expectThe Leftoversto give you all its answers on a, well, plate.
Station Eleven
Seasons:1Age rating:TV-MART score:98%
Based on an Emily St. John Mandel novel,Station Elevenis yet another HBO series that depicts a dystopian future that could actually happen. Set 20 years after a flu pandemic that caused a worldwide apocalypse, it follows a group of people working as traveling performers to get by. Then they encounter a violent cult led by a man with links to one of the group. This impressive small screen adaptation truly brings Mandel’s dystopian world to life, creating an intriguing, contrasting counterpart to fellow post-apocalyptic dramaThe Last of Us. If pushed for an answer, I’d say the latter just about edges it in terms of overall quality, but I’d recommendStation Elevento anyone looking for a quick fix to scratch that dystopia-fuelled itch.
Succession
Seasons:4Age rating:TV-MART score:95%
After seeing British writer Jesse Armstrong deliver a fantastically cringe-inducing series called Peep Show in the early 2000s on Channel 4 in the UK, I didn’t expect one of his future forays to focus on an interfamilial boardroom tussle for control of an entertainment empire. That, though, is exactly what Armstrong turns his hand to withSuccession, a majestically dramatic and darkly humorous drama that shines a light on the fictional and dysfunctional Roy family. Brian Cox stars as patriarchal figure Logan Roy, whose cold and calculating persona are perfect for the cut-throat world of business endeavors, but not so much for being a loving father who doesn’t put his children through the emotional and psychological wringer as they fight to become his heir-apparent. A series built on engrossing corporate backstabbing, sibling feuds, and some of the best writing of the modern era. Binge watch all four seasons now, I implore you.
Best fantasy shows on Max
Game of Thrones
Seasons:8Age rating:TV-MART score:89%
Ah,Game of Thrones– the massively popular high fantasy show that, for a time, was a cultural juggernaut that provided plenty of watercooler moments for years and years… and then proceeded to slap you and I in the face with one of the worst endings to a series in living memory. An expensively assembled adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s epic A Song of Ice and Fire novels (he’s yet to have finished them, somehow) and set in the fictional Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, it follows a number of warring families for vie for control of the franchise’s legendary Iron Throne. That’s the general gist of things, anyway, but if I say much more I’ll spoil is best moments for anyone who’s yet to view it. With absolutely epic and gruesome large-scale battles, lashings of humor, plenty of fantastical elements, and numerous character deaths (don’t settle on a favorite or they’ll be bumped off),Game of Throneswas a superb series until its damp squib of a finale. Stream it in its entirety and then see if you agree with ourbest Game of Thrones seasonsranking.
House of the Dragon
Seasons:2Age rating:TV-MART score:87%
If, like me, you haven’t had your Westerosi fill afterGame of Thrones, the first of many prequel spin-offs –House of the Dragon– is also well worth investing in. Based on ‘Fire and Blood’, aka Martin’s history of the Targaryen dynasty, and set two centuries before its forebear,House of the Dragonfocuses on the infamous civil war that erupts within House Targaryen that eventually leads to the iconic dragon-riding family’s downfall. Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans, and Paddy Considine – the last of the bunch delivering a particularly powerhouse performance in season 1 – are among its starry cast. One of the best Max shows around,House of the Dragon’s first two seasons are available now in their entirety. Stream season 1 first and then read myreview ofHouse of the Dragon’s sophomore seasonto see how it fares. Once you’re caught up, get the lowdown on everything my Westerosi spy network has told me aboutHouse of the Dragonseason 3.
Best horror shows on Max
Uzumaki
Seasons:1Age rating:TV-MART score:100%
HBO isn’t as well regarded as other streamers for its TV horror output, but this body horror-fuelled anime is unmissable. Based on Junji Ito’s horror manga series of the same name,Uzumakifocuses on the citizens of Kurouzu-cho, a fictional team that’s plagued by a supernatural curse involving spirals. If, like me, body horror creeps you out, you’ll want to give this one a wide berth because, as a Japanese animated series, its visuals really go all out to unsettle anyone who streams it. However, should you be able to stomach its animation style and highly original story, you’ll get more than a kick out ofUzumaki, which is only one of two shows on this list to earn a 100% perfect critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Don’t be shocked if it joins ourbest anime showsguide soon.
Best sci-fi shows on Max
Doctor Who
Seasons:13Age rating:TV-14RT score:90%
A British sci-fi institution if ever there was one,Doctor Whohas enjoyed a wonderful renaissance since Russell T. Davies revived the classic show way back in 2005. Since then, we’ve (myself included) enjoyed a whole host of famous faces as the titular Time Lord, albeit in seasons that have varied in quality. The original David Tennant era – he returned briefly for the series' 60th anniversary specials, which you can only stream onDisney Plus– is the best of the lot in my opinion, but each Doctor has some episodes that are worth catching. To start you off, we’ve compiled a list of the20 bestDoctor Whoepisodesthat are must-see television, so stick one of those on first to see if you’ll follow me and many others in becoming a bonafide Whovian.
Fringe
Seasons:5Age rating:TV-14RT score:90%
Long before Marvel, DC, andRick and Mortydecided to explore the multiverse, this brilliant drama series from the J.J. Abrams stable was blazing a trail through parallel worlds. Although it started out as a poor facsimile ofThe X-Files,Fringequickly grew into something much more ambitious, as FBI agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) teamed up with eccentric genius Walter Bishop (John Noble) and his son Peter (Joshua Jackson) to study the weird events of “the Pattern”. Made in the pre-streaming era,Fringeproved how brilliant network TV can be when studio executives give writers the freedom to tell the story they want to tell. The story evolves through each of its five seasons, loaded with memorable characters, ingenious ideas, and iconic imagery – and I wouldn’t mind betting it’s the only one of the best Max shows to feature a cow as one of the recurring cast. One I can heartily recommend to sci-fi lovers and general viewers alike.
Rick and Morty
Seasons:7Age rating:TV-MART score:90%
Rick and Mortymay not be as prolific asThe Simpsons,South Park, orFamily Guy– it’s managed just 71 episodes in a decade and earned its fair share of negative press due to some allegedly unsavory incidents involving co-creator Justin Roiland – but, for me, it deserves a place in the pantheon of classic TV animation. After starting out as an NSFW twist onBack to the Future’s Marty McFly and Doc Brown, the story of an ordinary kid and his genius grandfather has evolved into a unique mix of sophisticated sci-fi gags, intricate plotting, and family soap opera. As withThe X-Files, the jury’s out on whether it’s better when telling standalone stories or advancing its increasingly complex arc plot, butRick and Mortyremains the jewel in Adult Swim’s crown. You’ll want to give it a time-traveling whirl as soon as you can, believe me.
Scavengers Reign
Seasons:1Age rating:TV-MART score:100%
In my view,Scavengers Reignis one of the most underrated Max shows ever. Based on 2016 Adult Swim shortScavengers, it’s the story of the survivors of a crashed cargo ship who crash land on an alien planet and, surprise surprise, soon realize it’s not the idyllic “home away from home” that they believe it to be. Like Uzumaki, it’s got a perfect critical score on Rotten Tomatoes but, unlike its contemporary,Scavengers Reignstill hasn’t earned the wider recognition it so desperately deserves (it recently joined Netflix’s back catalog with the aim of boosting its fortunes). It’s absolutely gorgeous to look at, tells a compelling and emotionally engaging story, and it’s pretty terrifying at various points. Man, its animation style really makes its sci-fi horror pop on numerous occasions, too. Don’t make me shout about how good it is from the rooftops for the rest of my life, dear reader!
Best superhero shows on Max
Doom Patrol
Seasons:4Age rating:TV-MART score:98%
With the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) drawing its last breath in late 2023, it’s worth remembering that the comic book giant’s TV output has frequently eclipsed its movies over the last decade. That likely won’t be the case moving forward with the DCEU reborn as the more interconnected DC Cinematic Universe (DCU) under the stewardship of James Gunn and Peter Safran but, the Arrowverse notwithstanding, this take on an unlikely team of DC superheroes embraces its weirdness in spectacular style. Largely based on legendary writer Grant Morrison’s run on the comic book,Doom Patrolbrings together cyborgs, shapeshifters, and even a villain who routinely breaks the fourth wall to create a unique blend of comedy and pathos. A series I couldn’t get enough of during its four-season run and, given Gunn’s penchant for D-list heroes with a dysfunctional family vibe, one I could’ve seen doing extremely well as part of the DCU. Ah well…
Peacemaker
Seasons:1Age rating:TV-MART score:93%
The only DCEU series that’s being carried over into the DCU – and which is part of theDCU Chapter Oneline-up –Peacemakeris an outlandishly great superhero series that shines a light on the violent red-white-and-blue antihero/villain with questionable morals from 2021’sThe Suicide Squadmovie. John Cena, who played the character in that film, returns as the titular individual (real name Christopher Smith) who’s recruited by the morally complex Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) to take down some pretty gnarly parasites with world domination on their minds. Cue some riotously brilliant jokes, action set-pieces, tongue-in-cheek superhero-inspired moments, and even the odd tug of the old heartstrings for good measure. I’m unsure what to make ofPeacemakerseason 2, which is currently in development, or how well it’ll tie the first season’s events in the wider DCU story Gunn will attempt to tell. Still, if it’s as good as its predecessor was, you won’t hear me complaining. More Eagly, please!
Watchmen
Seasons:1Age rating:TV-MART score:96%
As a huge fan of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' legendary graphic novel, I wasn’t sold on the idea of a TV sequel toWatchmenwhen it was first announced. So, color me pleasantly surprised when it didn’t just put my mind at ease, but also became one of my favorite HBO shows of the past decade upon its 2019 arrival. Regina King plays Detective Angela Abar, a wholly original character who, by night, masquerades as a vigilant known as, well, Sister Night. The limited series opens with Abar investigating the Seventh Kavalry, a white supremacist group born out of deceased vigilante Rorschach’s morally complicated ideals, but soon evolves into a mass conspiracy thriller that may reshape the very fabric of this alternate universe’s United States of America. A pulsating miniseries with plenty of references to the source material,Watchmenis, in my opinion, a worthy continuation of one of the most influential works in comic-book history.
For more Max-based recommendations, read our guide on all of thenew Max moviesto arrive this month. Alternatively, see what thebest Max moviesare or get the lowdown onhow much a Max subscription costs.
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.
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