Summary
- Max's original programming rivals HBO with standout shows like Station Eleven and Peacemaker.
- Diverse genres like comedy and drama can be found in the impressive lineup of Max shows.
- Exclusive series like Dune: The Sisterhood and Harry Potter are anticipated additions to Max's collection.
While Max (formerly known as HBO Max) has a wide collection of content, some of the best shows on Max are from its original programming. Though 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 shows 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 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, to the Harry Potter series to the slate of DCU shows, but for now, the best shows on Max highlight the amazing original programming.
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Velma (2023-Present)
A Clever Reimagining Of Mystery Inc.
Velma reimagines the classic Scooby-Doo universe with a bold, meta-comedic twist that resonates well with the contemporary audience. This series cleverly navigates the fine line between homage and evolution, offering a refreshing take that feels more apt for today's diverse and progressive viewers than any traditional reboot could.
Despite its daring divergence from the original, it retains a profound affection for the essence of Mystery Inc., with a special focus on its brilliant yet underexplored member, Velma Dinkley. The storyline centered around Velma's quest to unravel the mystery of her mother's disappearance is both engaging and heartfelt.
Bookie (2023-Present)
A Series Centered On Sports Gambling
Bookie is a masterful blend of humor and drama, presenting a gripping narrative that explores the life of a bookie wrestling with the imminent legalization of sports gambling. This show stands out for its ability to weave complex characters and their equally complex relationships into a storyline that is as funny as it is poignant. The lead characters share a dynamic chemistry, bringing to life the challenges and nuances of navigating a rapidly changing industry. With its edgy content and compelling storytelling, Bookie finds its unique voice by diving into the margins of society and human nature.
Gossip Girl (2021-2023)
A Worthwhile Revival Of The Original Series
Among the best original shows on Max are a few reboots of some old favorites, including the latest version of Gossip Girl. 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's 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 of its storytelling, the new characters never quite clicked like the original cast did. However, it remains an exciting and worthwhile revival of the popular series.
DMZ (2022)
Ava DuVernay's Adaptation Of A DC Comic
Ava DuVernay is one of the most talented filmmakers working today, so it's a shame that her big Max series DMZ wasn't popular. 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 many felt the show took an interesting premise and failed to ignite it, there was potential for the story to grow, but it ended as a short four-episode miniseries.
Selena + Chef (2020-Present)
Selena Gomez's Fun COVID-19 Experiment
In the current golden age of television with so many prestige dramas and acclaimed comedies, it's surprising for a celebrity cooking show to reach audiences in this way. However, Selena + Chef arrived 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.
Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (2022)
The Reboot Series Is Almost As Good As The Original
Pretty Little Liars
Cast
Troian Bellisario
Ashley Benson-
Holly Marie Combs
Lucy Hale
- Release Date
- June 8, 2010
- Seasons
- 7
Pretty Little Liars was sometimes seen as the lesser version of Gossip Girl when it was originally on the air. However, in 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 ed 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.
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Love & Death (2023)
Elizabeth Olsen Leads A Star-Studded True Crime Drama
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 became 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 ing cast including Jesse Plemons in an Emmy-nominated role.
Julia (2022-2023)
An Insightful Look Into The Life Of A 1960s Pop Culture Sensation
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 by inhabiting Child's iconic persona which carries the show. Its mix of a period drama and a lighthearted comedy makes it an endlessly charming watching experience.
The Staircase (2022)
A True Crime Series Where A Crime Novelist Becomes A Murder Suspect
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.
