Summary
- Max's original programming stands out as some of the best television being made, featuring a wide variety of genres from intense dramas to hilarious comedies to comic book adventures.
- While some reboots like Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin may not live up to the original, they still offer exciting and worthwhile revivals with their own unique storytelling twists.
- Max's best shows include underrated gems like DMZ, Made For Love, and South Side, which tackle dark themes with sharp satire, outstanding performances, and a perfect blend of humor and social commentary.
While the newly titled streaming service Max has a wide collection of content, some of the best shows on Max are from it original programming. While HBO has some of the best original shows on television from The Sopranos to The Wire to Game of Thrones, Max has been building an impressive roster of series created exclusively for their streaming service. Not only are these shows among the best show on Max, but they also stand out as some of the best television currently being made.
As with HBO, there is a wide variety of what Max offers its subscribers in terms of original content. There are intense dramas like Station Eleven, hilarious comedies like Our Flag Means Death, and even comic book adventures like Peacemaker. There are a lot of exciting Max shows on the horizon, from Dune: The Sisterhood, ot the Harry Potter series to the slate of upcoming DCU shows, but for now, the best shows on Max highlight the amazing original programming.
Gossip Girl (2021-2023)
Among the best original shows on Max are a few reboots of some old favorites, including the latest version of Gossip Girl. Much like the original, the show follows privileged New York teens whose lives are filled with drama, scandals and lies. But they soon find that there is nothing they can hide as a mysterious blogger begins revealing everything about them. While there are things Gossip Girl does better than the original in terms of its storytelling, the new characters never quite clicked like that original cast did. However, it remains an exciting and worthwhile revival of the popular series.
DMZ (2022)
Ava Duvernay is one of the most talented filmmakers working today so it is a shame that her big Max series DMZ wasn't watched by more people. Based on a DC comic, the show is set in the near future as America is torn apart by civil war. It follows Rosario Dawson as Alma, a medic who journeys to the demilitarized zone of Manhattan in search of her son. While there were many who felt the show took an interesting premise and failed to really ignite it, there was potential for the story to grow but it ended as a short four-episode miniseries.
Selena + Chef (2020-)
In the so-called golden age of television with so many prestige dramas and acclaimed comedies, it is surprising for a celebrity cooking show to reach audiences in this way. However, Selena + Chef came at a perfect time when audiences wanted something relaxing, charming, and positive which the show delivers in spades. Starting during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Selena Gomez began documenting her attempts at cooking. Now, each episode features a famous pro chef teaching Selena and the segments maintain the endearing quality of an amateur cook just doing her best.
Made For Love (2021-2022)
There are a lot of shows these days that take a look at the dark potential of modern technology, but Made for Love is one of the most underrated in the genre. Cristin Milioti stars as a young woman who escapes her toxic relationship with a tech billionaire only to discover he has implanted her with a tracking device that allows him to follow her every move as she attempts to put her life back together. The show's satire is sharp and clever while Milioti gives a terrific comedic lead performance. Ray Romano is also excellent as her father.
Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (2022-)
Pretty Little Liars was sometimes seen as the lesser version of Gossip Girl when it was originally on the air. However, in terms of the max original reboots of the two shows, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin comes out on top. The show follows a new group of characters as they are contacted by a mysterious threat who holds them responsible for a death their mothers supposedly caused years ago. The new cast is effective while the slasher vibes mixed with the mystery make it a gripping return to this series.
Love & Death (2023)
True-crime stories are always a source of fascination for audiences and Max originals feature plenty of them. Love & Death is the true story of a suburban murder with Elizabeth Olsen playing Candy Montgomery, a Texan housewife who begins an affair with a married man from her church which ultimately leads to a deadly decision. The miniseries went on to become the most watched original limited series in Max's history. It is a grisly story with a strange tone, but the whole thing is held together by a terrific lead performance by Olsen as well as an impressive supporting cast including Jesse Plemons in an Emmy nominated role.
Julia (2022-)
Julia Child is one of the most celebrated television personalities with her cooking show in the 1960s becoming a pop culture sensation. However, the show Julia is an exploration not only of Child as a charming and winning personality on television, but also a trailblazing force behind the scenes. Sarah Lancashire gives an outstanding performance of inhabiting Child's iconic persona which carries the show. Its mix of a period drama and a lighthearted comedy make it an endlessly charming watching experience.
The Staircase (2022)
The Staircase's true story has been another fixation of the true-crime boom in recent years and the Max original miniseries on the subject further explores the gripping case. Oscar-winner Colin Firth stars as crime novelist Michael Peterson who calls the police to report that his wife fell down the stairs and died only for him to quickly become a suspect. What is interesting is that the show is based on a documentary that followed the case and that documentary plays a big role in this show. Firth's performance strikes an unsettling yet authentic tone that elevates the entire story.
South Side (2019-2022)
Some of the best shows on Max are comedies that not enough people have discovered. One such show is South Side which takes place in Chicago and follows two best friends and recent community college graduates who look to build a business empire in their neighborhood with a variety of outlandish hustles. While the series deals with a lot of heavy social and political issues concerning the reality of the lives of these characters, it never loses the ability to find the humor in its stories and deliver some huge laughs.
Search Party (2016-2022)
It can be a difficult tone to reach with dark comedies yet Search Party pulls it off brilliantly. The show follows a group of friends who begin looking into the mysterious disappearance of a girl they used to know and find themselves pulled into the case much deeper than they ever intended. Alia Shawkat, John Reynolds, John Early and Meredith Hanger make up the four core characters of the series and they all bring so much humor and fun to their unique character in the midst of this surprisingly dark tale.
Rap Sh!t (2022-)
Issa Rae gained well-deserved acclaim for creating and starring in her own HBO series Insecure. Rae steps behind the scenes as the creator of another winning series on Max with Rap Sh!t. The show follows two estranged friends who reunite with a shared dream of becoming the hottest rap group in the industry. The series is a fun and clever look at the music industry from a different perspective. The show is a sharp and fun ride following these two likable characters with humor and a wonderful friendship at the center to keep it grounded.
And Just Like That... (2021-)
Sex and the City is one of the most iconic HBO shows of all time and now the sequel series is a hit for Max. The show sees the return of Carrie Bradshaw along with her friends Miranda and Charlotte (without Samantha) over a decade after they were last seen together in Sex and the City 2. The show finds the women at different stages in their life with new challenges and the same strong friendship. While the show is not as solid as the original in the eyes of some viewers, there are plenty of fans who are more than pleased to return to these characters and their intoxicating world.
Full Circle (2023)
Though a new series, Full Circle already stands out as one of Max's best offerings. From director Steven Soderbergh, the crime drama begins with a planned kidnapping that is not as it seems and unfolds a wider mystery surrounding various characters and dark secrets. The cast of Full Circle is a star-studded affair with Zazie Beetz, Claire Danes, Timothy Olyphant, and Denis Quaid among the outstanding ensemble. It is a gripping and grounded mystery with a dark sense of humor yet keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.
Warrior (2019-)
While the show didn't start as an HBO production, the company's Max service acquired it after the original network, Cinemax, concluded production on it. Warrior is an exciting mix of martial arts and crime drama, all with an original story based on an early concept by Bruce Lee. The show's first two seasons received positive receptions, as well as a newfound following, thanks to the exposure HBO Max provides. The third season continues to expand the ambitious crime story while also offering some of the best action and fight sequences on television.
Doom Patrol (2019-2023)
When it comes to live-action adaptations of obscure comic book superhero teams, Doom Patrol is on plenty of fans' minds. The show has been consistently well-received for being wonderfully bizarre and telling intimate, heartfelt, and character-driven stories about a band of misfits. The show is, unfortunately, more "under the radar" when compared to other mainstream comic book shows and movies coming out, but developed a well-deserved following thanks to its quirky and lovable characters and its outlandish storylines. Sadly, despite the passion of fans, Doom Patrol has been canceled following its fourth season.
Raised By Wolves (2020-2022)
While it may not rank alongside HBO's high-profile original sci-fi series Westworld, Raised by Wolves told a complex and riveting story in its two season. The first season scored a moderately positive reception, with the second coming more into its own with its unique take on a sci-fi dystopia. Its premise focuses on androids being tasked with raising human children on an Earth that is decimated by war. The world-building and ambitious scope of the show allowed it to stand out on television with Ridley Scott as one of the cinematic minds who brought it to life. Its cancelation after two seasons was met by backlash from fans who felt the story had so much more potential.
Tokyo Vice (2022-)
With Michael Mann directing the first episode of the series, Tokyo Vice kicks off on an intense beat and never relents. The series stars Ansel Elgort as a talented American journalist who takes a job as a crime reporter in Tokyo and finds himself gradually pulled into the world of organized crime in the city. Ken Watanabe gives the best performance of the series as an honest and dedicated detective who fights against a system that makes his job harder. The gripping crime tale and the Tokyo setting help to make it an engrossing series with the eagerly-awaited season 2 on its way.
Harley Quinn (2019-)
Although she began as one of Batman's most iconic supervillains, Harley Quinn has transitioned into an antihero across most of the mediums she features in. DC's comics even have the once-sidekick to the Joker as a member of the Batfamily now. And while Margot Robbie's spirited performance as the character is already memorable, Max's Harley Quinn animated series is perhaps the best production starring the character and is some of the best DC content the streamer has. Harley Quinn is another show that's made full use of its light restraints, delivering a combination of hilarious meta-humor and emotional character arcs, with Kaley Cuoco lending her voice to the titular antihero.
Our Flag Means Death (2022-)
Taika Waitit has helped to create some of the best comedy shows on television right now with What We Do in the Shadows and Reservation Dogs. Our Flag Means Death continues to show his talents behind the scenes as well as give him one of his best acting roles to date. Our Flag Means Death is inspired by a true story and stars Rhys Darby as Stede Bonnet, an aristocrat who leaves his wealth and family to become a "gentleman pirate" on the high seas. The fun premise creates opportunity for some big laughs, but there is also the unexpected sweetness of the show in the relationship between Stede and Waititi's Blackbeard.
The Sex Lives Of College Girls (2021-)
Mindy Kaling is another winning voice on television and The Sex Lives of College Girls is one of her best shows. The college comedy follows four friends at university who embrace the freedom of young adulthood and discover things about themselves. As with And Just Like That and Rap Sh!t, the show excels due to its effective story of female friendship at its center and the chemistry between the cast members. However, it is also a hugely entertaining comedy in a setting where these young characters have fun, make mistakes, and grow as women.
The Flight Attendant (2020-2022)
Former The Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco made a turn for an HBO Max comedy-drama in the form of The Flight Attendant, with the show garnering a positive reception in its debut. Its first season earned high marks for its clever and creative blend of dark humor with all of the drama of an enticing murder-mystery plot. The second season proved the show could maintain its mix of intrigue and a great sense of humor with Cuoco earning another Emmy nomination. With the unexpected directions the show has taken, there is a lot of excitement over The Flight Attendant season 3.
Station Eleven (2021-2022)
For a concise viewing, the miniseries Station Eleven -- based on Emily St. John Mandel's novel of the same name -- tells a gripping dystopian story with an inventive premise. The series takes place 20 years after civilization broke down as the result of a flu pandemic, with a group of traveling performers having a run-in with a dangerous cult. This adaptation garnered critical acclaim for handling its slow-burn narrative across 10 episodes in a thought-provoking manner. HBO has long been known for delivering great miniseries and Station Eleven is one of their best.
Hacks (2021-)
HBO Max's Hacks is a more grounded comedy-drama that's also earned exceptional praise. The story centers around a stand-up comedian desperate to maintain her relevance by teaming up with a writer who's been fired from her job over a controversial Tweet. Hacks received its critical acclaim primarily for its clever and relentless humor, real-world critiques, and Jean Smart's top-notch performance as the comedian Deborah Vance. In fact, Smart has won two Emmys for her leading role in the show's two seasons.
Peacemaker (2022)
James Gunn's DCU is taking shape but fans already got a taste of what he brings to the universe with his The Suicide Squad spinoff series. The John Cena-led Peacemaker received critical acclaim for balancing raunchy humor with sincere character drama, which was bolstered by the passionate performances of the cast across the board. Season 2 is already in the cards, with Gunn showing how his work with whacky rejects in Guardians of the Galaxy translated well into the liberties granted by TV and HBO as a network. It's success also likely cemented him as the right man to take the DCU in a new direction.
The Other Two (2019-2023)
HBO Max's The Other Two is a more straightforward comedy and one that was also acquired from another network, as the series initially aired for Comedy Central before being moved onto Max. The Other Two features an entertaining and modern premise of two millennial siblings dealing with career struggles after their 13-year-old brother gains overnight fame and success online. The show's third season continued its biting satire of celebrity and the show business world while also introducing some more serious elements. Sadly, the show was canceled after its third season, much to the disappointment of fans.