Shows on Max
Looking for your next binge-worthy obsession? Max stands as one of the premier streaming destinations for television excellence, offering an unparalleled library that spans decades of acclaimed programming. Whether you're drawn to witty workplace dramas, groundbreaking medical series, beloved animated adventures, or raw contemporary narratives that push boundaries, the best shows on Max deliver something extraordinary for every type of viewer. Our carefully curated selection highlights the highest-rated series streaming on Max right now, from timeless classics that defined their eras to cutting-edge modern productions that are reshaping television. These aren't just shows that happen to be available—they're the standout programs that critics praise and audiences can't stop talking about, representing the pinnacle of serialized storytelling across comedy, drama, animation, and beyond. With Max's constantly evolving catalog, discovering quality programming can feel overwhelming, which is why we've assembled this definitive guide to help you navigate straight to the series that truly deserve your time and attention.
An ex-con assumes the identity of a small town's murdered sheriff and attempts to maintain his cover while navigating a web of crime, corruption, and dangerous relationships in Banshee, Pennsylvania. Created by Jonathan Tropper and David Schickler, this wildly entertaining series starring Antony Starr delivers stylized action sequences that push the boundaries of television violence in the best possible way. The show embraces its pulpy premise with confidence, balancing intense fight choreography with genuinely compelling character development as the nameless protagonist reconnects with his former lover Carrie (Ivana Miličević) while clashing with crime lord Kai Proctor (Ulrich Thomsen). What could have been a simple action romp instead becomes an addictive exploration of identity and reinvention, with each season raising the stakes while maintaining its commitment to jaw-dropping set pieces and morally complex storytelling.
Clive Owen commands the screen as Dr. John Thackery, a brilliant but cocaine-addicted surgeon pushing the boundaries of medical science at New York's Knickerbocker Hospital in 1900. Directed entirely by Steven Soderbergh, who brings his characteristic visual precision and unflinching eye to the period setting, the series doesn't romanticize the past but instead highlights the brutal trial-and-error of early modern medicine. The ensemble cast, including André Holland, Jeremy Bobb, and Juliet Ryder, populates a world where groundbreaking innovation happens alongside shocking mortality rates and rampant discrimination. Created by Jack Amiel and Michael Begler, the show balances medical procedural elements with character drama and social commentary, examining race, class, and institutional power through a historical lens that feels urgently contemporary. The anachronistic electronic score by Cliff Martinez shouldn't work but somehow enhances the show's themes about innovation and progress, making this ambitious period drama feel genuinely distinctive.
Logan Marshall-Green stars as Mac Conway, a Vietnam veteran returning home to Memphis in the 1970s only to find himself alienated from society and struggling with PTSD. Created by Graham Gordy and Michael D. Fuller, this Cinemax series attempts to blend period drama with noir thriller elements as Mac reluctantly becomes a contract killer to support his family. The show has striking cinematography and Marshall-Green delivers a suitably haunted performance, but the pacing often drags and the supporting characters remain frustratingly underdeveloped. While it captures the grimy atmosphere of its era and explores the psychological toll of violence with some nuance, the series never quite achieves the depth it's reaching for. It's a watchable crime drama that benefits from its lead's commitment, though it may leave you wishing for tighter storytelling.
Melissa George delivers a compelling performance as Sam Hunter, a skilled intelligence operative who returns to duty after barely surviving an assassination attempt. Created by Frank Spotnitz, this British espionage thriller follows Sam as she's assigned to protect a defense contractor's family while simultaneously investigating who tried to kill her. George brings intensity and vulnerability to the role, making Sam's psychological journey as gripping as the show's action sequences. The series weaves together corporate conspiracy, international intrigue, and personal betrayal across eight taut episodes. While it only lasted one season, *Hunted* offers a satisfying dose of spy drama with strong production values and a standout lead performance that elevates the familiar genre territory into something more engaging and character-driven.
A professional thief attempts to leave her criminal past behind, only to be pulled back in for one last job that spirals into dangerous complications. Carla Gugino stars as Daisy "Jett" Kowalsh in this sleek crime drama from creator Sebastian Gutierrez, bringing charisma and grit to a character navigating a treacherous underworld of criminals, ex-lovers, and shifting loyalties. The series embraces a stylish noir aesthetic, with each episode functioning almost like a miniature heist film while building toward larger consequences. Gugino commands the screen as Jett works to protect her daughter while managing the deadly criminal relationships that refuse to let her go. The supporting cast adds texture to this world of morally compromised characters, making for an entertaining if somewhat familiar entry in the crime thriller genre.
Set in South Africa during the transition from apartheid in the late 1990s, this adaptation of Deon Meyer's novel weaves together multiple storylines involving smugglers, intelligence agents, and conservationists. The series follows various characters whose lives intersect through conspiracies involving blood diamonds, rhino horn trafficking, and CIA operations on African soil. While ambitious in scope, *Trackers* sometimes struggles to balance its numerous plot threads, though the South African setting provides a distinctive backdrop rarely explored in international thrillers. The cast, including James Gracie and Rolanda Marais, works to ground the story's sprawling narrative. The production captures the landscape effectively, and when the various storylines finally converge, there's satisfying payoff. It's solid entertainment that could have benefited from tighter pacing, but remains watchable for fans of political thrillers.
