The 57 Best Shows on Max Right Now (January 2025)

Good shows on HBO are plentiful — even great ones aren’t hard to come by. The platform has earned its prestige TV distinction, and its streaming service has the luxury of housing classic favorites like Friends alongside more recent Emmy-winning masterpieces like Succession and The White Lotus. There’s a lot of excellent content to choose from: Here’s our list of the best shows on HBO Max to help you get started.

For more recommendations, check out our list of the best movies on HBO, the best drama movies on HBO, and the best horror movies on HBO.

Editor’s note: This article was updated January 2025 to include The Sex Lives of College Girls.

‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’ (2021 – Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 7.8/10

This upbeat comedy from Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble follows four 18-year-olds who, new to New England’s prestigious Essex College, are brought together as roommates. Now freed from the shackles of their parental homes, the group battles a rush of hormones and the thrills of freedom as their best intentions and deepest desires tend to hilariously get the better of them.

In typical Mindy Kaling fashion, The Sex Lives of College Girls feels unapologetically raw in its depiction of the attitudes and actions of young people, with the wilful abandon and subsequent regret regularly experienced by them stunningly relatable. With so many shows aimed at high school life, it is refreshing to see the next academic level explored, with many likening this to the British hit series Fresh Meat. Eye-catching, side-splitting, and wickedly fun, The Sex Lives of College Girls is pure entertainment. – Jake Hodges

Watch on Max

‘The Pitt’ (2025 – Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 8.2/10

Created by R. Scott Gemmill, this brand-new medical drama follows the personal and professional lives of those working at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital. Becoming an instant hit with viewers, The Pitt has managed to fight through plenty of procedural competition and showcase top-tier drama each and every episode, with each following one 15-hour emergency room shift. Charming and packed full of tension, The Pitt has every chance of becoming the next big medical drama. – Jake Hodges

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‘Shining Vale’ (2022 – 2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 71% | IMDb: 7.0/10

Courteney Cox stars in this blend of comedy, fantasy, and horror created by Jeff Astrof and Sharon Horgan. Having moved to a sleepy new town, Cox’s Pat Phelps is convinced she is possessed and that the town’s dark history is haunting them. However, it seems no one else is experiencing quite the same happenings. Is it all just in Pat’s head, is it real, or is it somehow both? A funny, clever series with plenty of refreshing content, Shining Vale starts life as a recognizable horror comedy, then quickly weaves into innovation. Cox is delightful as Pat, supported by a strong ensemble that boasts the likes of Greg Kinnear and Gus Birney. Shining Vale might just be the shining new addition to your watchlist. – Jake Hodges

Watch on Max

‘Conan O’Brien Must Go’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 8.5/10

Conan O’Brien Must Go

Release Date

April 18, 2024

Network

Max

Cast

• 
• 
• 

  Matt Gourley

  Self (uncredited)

Stream

As the title suggests, Conan O’Brien Must Go is a travel show that follows the beloved former late-night host on a series of adventures around the world. The reality series builds off O’Brien’s podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend and shows O’Brien traveling to Norway, Argentina, Thailand, and Ireland to meet fans who were previously featured on the podcast via video calls. Conan O’Brien Must Go has received largely favorable reviews from critics, with Collider’s Tania Hussain calling it an “inventive and wildly hilarious series”. It’s not exactly a by-the-books travel show; instead, the series uses O’Brien’s signature sense of humor to parody such generic travelogues while still having some fun in interesting new places. At only four episodes long, the series is great for a quick, easy binge-watch — especially if you’re a fan of the star’s particular brand of comedy.

Watch on Max

‘Bookie’ (2023 – Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.4/10

Bookie

Release Date

November 30, 2023

Network

HBO Max

Stream

• 
• 

Also titled How to Be a Bookie, this Max comedy follows the ups, downs, and in-betweens of the titular profession, all amidst the swirling instability of modern life and a changing professional landscape. Brilliantly funny from minute one, Bookie has earned itself a 90% Rotten Tomatoes rating — and for good reason. Featuring a selection of hilarious lead performances, each as unique as the last, Bookie should definitely be next on any comedy fan’s watchlist. – Jake Hodges

Watch on Max

‘Frozen Planet II’ (2022 – 2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 75% | IMDb: 9.0/10

Frozen Planet II

Release Date

2022 – 2022

Network

BBC One

Directors

Alex Lanchester, James Reed, Jane Atkins, Rachel Scott

Cast

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  David Attenborough

  Self – Presenter

• 

  Dion Poncet

  Self – Captain, MY Golden Fleece

• 

  Sacha Thorpe

  Self – Director

Stream

• 

Sir David Attenborough’s impact on the nature documentary is unmatched, with many decades of dedicated work earning him the title of the world’s best in the genre. One of his more recent series, Frozen Planet II, follows on from the success of the first, venturing to the coldest parts of our fascinating planet and documenting the weird and wonderful wildlife that live there. Simply jaw-dropping, Frozen Planet II somehow outperforms the first in its eye-popping scale, proving that this often bleak world we live in is, in fact, full of awe and wonder. – Jake Hodges

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‘Get Millie Black’ (2024 – Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 6.0/10

Created by Marlon James, this crime drama follows Tamara Lawrence’s titular Millie-Jean Black, who returns to Kingston after leaving her job as a Scotland Yard detective. Now working in a missing persons unit, Black is about to uncover a winding mystery that will throw her life into chaos. A gripping tale perfectly led by Lawrence, Get Millie Black is both immersive and gorgeous, with the Jamaican backdrop making for a picturesque location to stage such a mystery. For those looking to experience authentic voices telling tales close to their heart, this is a great place to start. – Jake Hodges

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‘Creature Commandos’ (2024 – Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.9/10

The most exciting new animated addition to Max, Creature Commandos follows an unlikely team of misfits assembled as a black ops unit comprised of a human leader, a werewolf, a vampire, Frankenstein’s monster, and a gorgon. The first television installment in the new DCU, Creature Commandos is bursting with vibrant life. Packed full of enticing action and plenty of creator James Gunn’s enigmatic style, Creature Commandos is the perfect start to this fresh era of DC as the tide of the superhero media landscape begins to once again turn. – Jake Hodges

Watch on Max

‘Like Water for Chocolate’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.8/10

Like Water for Chocolate

Release Date

2024 – 2024

Network

HBO Latin America, HBO Latino

Cast

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  Andres Baida

  Pedro Muzquiz

• 

  Azul Guaita

  Tita de la Garza

• 
• 

Stream

This brand-new series based on the novel of the same name tells the endearing tale of Tita (Azul Guaita) and Pedro (Andres Baida), a couple destined to be together whose familial differences seem to constantly thwart their efforts. Sincerely touching and bathed in the quest for love we all undertake, Like Water for Chocolate is a story that will live long in your memory. If you’re looking for something heartwarming to take the chill out of these winter nights, Like Water for Chocolate is the series for you. – Jake Hodges

Watch on Max

‘Dune: Prophecy’ (2024 – Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 73% | IMDb: 7.5/10

Dune: Prophecy

Release Date

November 17, 2024

Directors

Anna Foerster

Writers

Diane Ademu-John, Kevin J. Anderson, Brian Herbert, Frank Herbert

A prequel to Denis Villeneuve’s beloved 2021 sci-fi epic Dune, Prophecy follows the creation of a mysterious all-female order called the Bene Gesserit by sisters Valya (Emily Watson) and Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams). For those (and there are many) who adored Villeneuve’s Dune, this prequel set 10,000 years before Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) joined the Fremen offers greater scope to a wholly immersive tale. A breathtaking addition to a franchise known for its visual beauty, Dune: Prophecy is a worthy addition to this ever-growing series. – Jake Hodges

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‘South Side’ (2019 – 2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.2/10

Created by Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle, South Side tells the story of two best friends who have a goal to succeed as businessmen. The main characters, Simon and Kareme, played by Sulta Salahuddin (Black-ish) and Kareme Young (The Chi), respectively, recently graduated from community college and are working at a rent-to-own store. Premiering in 2019 on Comedy Central, the show ran for three seasons and also starred Chandra Russel (Sherman’s Showcase), Bashir Salahuddin (Top Gun: Maverick), Quincy Young (Vitamin C), and Zuri Salahaddin (The Sound of Shadows).

With a homemade mockumentary feel, the show delivers just as many heartwarming moments as it does funny ones. The antics that our heroes get into are all in an honest attempt to make their lives better and that of their families and loved ones. The inclusion of Simon and Kareme’s families creates moments of reality in their otherwise chaotic lives and leaves viewers understanding the method behind their business madness. – Emily Cappello

Watch on Max

‘Los Espookys’ (2019 – 2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.5/10

Los Espookys

Release Date

2019 – 2021

Network

HBO Max

Stream

This eye-popping blend of comedy, fantasy, and horror follows a group of friends who turn their passion, as well as the spooky location they live in, into their livelihood. With each of them a fan of the horror genre, the friends soon figure out that there’s a gap in the market for their content, with their faked horror movie scenarios and unexplained footage becoming an instant hit. But just how far are they willing to go?

Just as its premise suggests, Los Espookys is both a light-hearted tale and an often genuinely terrifying visual experience. Given its dedication to nailing many of the horror tropes so beloved by fans of the genre, the team behind Los Espookys used the comedy element to their story to subvert expectations, delivering an unexpectedly dry and always intelligent brand of humor that elevates this series into a unique viewing opportunity. Supported by a talented ensemble, Los Espookys delivers in every department and will certainly leave you far from disappointed. – Jake Hodges

Watch on Max

‘Breath of Fire’ (2024)

IMDb: 6.8/10

Breath of Fire

Release Date

October 23, 2024

Network

HBO

Directors

Hayley Pappas

Stream

This brand-new documentary miniseries, directed and produced by Hayley Pappas and Smiley Stevens, follows the controversial life of Kundalini yoga teacher Guru Jagat and the rise of her spiritual teachings against the backdrop of abuse accusations. A bewildering, fast-paced miniseries with plenty of twists and turns, Breath of Fire is not simply a one-sided documentary, offering a range of perspectives on a topic full of nuance. However, it certainly doesn’t shy away from the controversies themselves, with Breath of Fire thriving as a critically intelligent piece of television. – Jake Hodges

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‘Uzumaki’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.2/10

Uzumaki

Release Date

February 11, 2000

Runtime

90 Minutes

Director

Higuchinsky

Cast

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  Eriko Hatsune

  Kirie Goshima

• 
• 

  Hinako Saeki

  Kyoko Sekino

• 

Stream

• 
• 

Watch on Max

‘The Penguin’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 93%

The Penguin

Release Date

2024 – 2023

Showrunner

Lauren LeFranc

Stream

Colin Farrell’s transformative performance as Oswald Cobblepot in 2022’s The Batman made for one of the best secondary antagonists in superhero cinema history. Now, and rightfully so, he is receiving his own series set straight after the events of the aforementioned film. With Gotham City flooded, Cobblepot (The Penguin) looks to take advantage and start molding the criminal underworld in his image. Inspired by crime series such as The Sopranos, The Penguin is a gritty crime drama disguised as a big-budget superhero series. Full of dark twists, the show holds your attention from its first episode and never lets go, making for an experience that both dutifully sets up the upcoming Batman sequel without wasting any of its own time – Jake Hodges

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‘Industry’ (2020 – Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.2/10

Created by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, Industry is a British-American drama series that follows a group of young finance graduates in London working at Pierpoint & Co, a prestigious investment bank, where they find themselves caught in an intense no-holds-barred competition to stay afloat. Set in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, Industry gives an inside look at the high-pressure world of high finance, the cut-throat competition within the industry’s biggest firms, and its impact on professionals. The series features a large ensemble cast with Marisa Abela, Myha’la Herrold, Harry Lawtey, David Jonsson, and Ken Leung as the main characters. Kit Harington, Sarah Goldberg, and Fady Elsayed joined the cast for the third season. Industry premiered in November 2020 and has had three seasons so far, all critically acclaimed. The show has received great praise for its social critique, crisp narrative, and excellent performances, with a slick and sharp storytelling style that’s often compared to shows like Succession and Billions.

Watch on Max

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 9.4/10

Watch on Max

‘Ren Faire’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 6.7/10

Ren Faire

When the ailing king of America’s largest renaissance festival declares his retirement, an epic power struggle ensues between an actor, a former elephant trainer, and a kettle-corn kingpin to claim his throne.

Genre

Documentary

Debut Date

June 2, 2024

This Max docu-series follows a fight for power triggered by the retirement of the king of America’s largest Renaissance festival, King George Coulam. After vacating his throne to focus on romance, the fight is on between three of his biggest allies to claim a seat at the head of the table. The impressive power of the documentary medium is on full display in Ren Faire, with the levels to which the trio are willing to go to win the throne nothing short of a classic Greek or Shakespearean tragedy. Not just a fascinating tale, Ren Faire is also an aesthetic delight, with the cinematography worthy of plenty of admiration. A tale unlike any other, Ren Faire is one of the best new docu-series available on streaming. – Jake Hodges

Watch on Max

‘My Adventures with Superman’ (2023 – Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 7.7/10

My Adventures With Superman

Release Date

July 6, 2023

Network

Adult Swim

Showrunner

Jake Wyatt

Directors

Jen Bennett, Diana Huh, Christina Manrique

This animated addition to the Superman story follows a young Clark Kent, voiced by Jack Quaid, as he slowly builds his new identity as a superhero. With Metropolis under his watchful eye, Kent is able to fight off any physical opponent — that is until he meets any young person’s greatest foe: their own coming-of-age. A wonderful blend of teen angst and great superhero animation, My Adventures with Superman is both a terrific ode to the legacy of one of media’s greatest heroes and a refreshing addition to modern television. Aesthetically delightful and oozing charisma, there’s no wonder this series so quickly returned for a second season. – Jake Hodges

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‘The Sympathizer’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 79% IMDb: 7.3/10

The Sympathizer

Release Date

2024 – 2023

Showrunner

Park Chan-wook, Don McKellar

Writers

Don McKellar, Viet Thanh Nguyen

Stream

Read Our ReviewThe Sympathizer is a historical black comedy drama miniseries that follows a North Vietnam spy living in a South Vietnam refugee community in the US, where he continues to report back to the Viet Cong. Director Park Chan-wook and Don Mckellar are credited as co-creators and co-showrunners of the series, which is based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s eponymous 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Hoa Xuande leads the show’s stellar cast as the main character, the Captain, with Robert Downey Jr. as a series regular and Sandra Oh, David Duchovny, and John Cho in recurring roles. With a masterful director behind the camera and a stellar cast in front of it, The Sympathizer has received largely positive reviews from critics upon its debut on HBO and Max, especially for the performance of its star, Hoa Xuande. Robert Downey Jr. delivers a can’t-miss performance as well, appearing as several antagonists. A fascinating, darkly satirical show, The Sympathizer offers a unique perspective on the Vietnam War courtesy of some of the brightest minds in the industry.

Watch on Max