Best HBO Max Limited Series You’ve Never Seen

HBO Max hides a deep bench of limited series that deliver complete stories in just a handful of episodes, from true events to literary adaptations and international co productions. These shows feature award winning casts, meticulous production design, and creators known for ambitious storytelling. You will find everything from crime investigations to historical portraits and near future scenarios. Each one wraps up its narrative cleanly so you can jump in without committing to multiple seasons.

‘The Third Day’ (2020)

‘The Third Day’ follows a man who stumbles onto a remote British island with its own rituals and uneasy community. The project blends a three part arc with a second three part arc that shifts perspective to a new lead. It features an immersive real time live special that extended the story for viewers. The series was created by Dennis Kelly and Felix Barrett and stars Jude Law and Naomie Harris.

‘Show Me a Hero’ (2015)

‘Show Me a Hero’ dramatizes the political battle over federally mandated public housing in Yonkers, New York. It is based on Lisa Belkin’s nonfiction book and was created by David Simon and William F. Zorzi. Oscar Isaac leads the cast as the mayor navigating court orders and community pushback. The production films across real locations in the region and runs six parts.

‘Olive Kitteridge’ (2014)

‘Olive Kitteridge’ adapts Elizabeth Strout’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel into four chapters. Frances McDormand and Richard Jenkins portray a marriage in a small Maine town across decades. The miniseries explores family dynamics, teaching life, and community events through interconnected vignettes. It was directed by Lisa Cholodenko and written by Jane Anderson.

‘The Outsider’ (2020)

‘The Outsider’ adapts Stephen King’s novel about an investigation that starts as a murder case and edges into the uncanny. Ben Mendelsohn plays a detective whose evidence conflicts in impossible ways. Cynthia Erivo joins as a specialist who introduces a different line of inquiry. The ten episode run builds a complete case file with forensics, witness accounts, and courtroom fallout.

‘I Know This Much Is True’ (2020)

‘I Know This Much Is True’ adapts Wally Lamb’s novel about twin brothers facing mental illness, family secrets, and legal obstacles. Mark Ruffalo portrays both brothers with distinct physicality and mannerisms. The story covers a petition for medical treatment, a search through family history, and the preservation of a contentious manuscript. Derek Cianfrance writes and directs all episodes for a unified tone.

‘The Plot Against America’ (2020)

‘The Plot Against America’ reimagines United States history through Philip Roth’s alternate timeline. A New Jersey Jewish family watches national politics shift after a celebrity aviator enters office. The series tracks policy changes, media narratives, and community organizing through the family’s experience. David Simon and Ed Burns adapt the novel with Winona Ryder and John Turturro among the ensemble.

‘We Own This City’ (2022)

‘We Own This City’ recounts the rise and fall of the Baltimore Police Gun Trace Task Force. Based on reporting by Justin Fenton, it details racketeering charges, wiretaps, and federal prosecutions. Jon Bernthal leads a cast that portrays officers, investigators, and city officials. The six episode structure moves between training room scenes, street operations, and courtroom testimony.

‘Irma Vep’ (2022)

‘Irma Vep’ revisits Olivier Assayas’s film through a series that follows a director remounting a silent French serial. Alicia Vikander plays an American star navigating a layered shoot within a shoot. The production crosses Paris locations, rehearsal halls, and set pieces from the classic source. It explores contracts, studio pressures, and the rehearsal process across eight episodes.

‘Our Boys’ (2019)

‘Our Boys’ depicts the investigation that followed the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers and the subsequent killing of a Palestinian teen. The series uses transcripts, interviews, and court records to structure its narrative. It interweaves police work with the experiences of the families and community members. Filming took place on location with Hebrew and Arabic dialogue.

‘Scenes from a Marriage’ (2021)

‘Scenes from a Marriage’ presents a modern reimagining of Ingmar Bergman’s work with Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac. The series unfolds across five episodes that capture counseling sessions, separations, and reunions. Interiors and long takes emphasize conversation and shifting power dynamics. Creator Hagai Levi updates professions, parental responsibilities, and settings for contemporary life.

‘The Night Of’ (2016)

‘The Night Of’ examines a homicide case from arrest to verdict in New York City. Riz Ahmed plays a college student whose night out turns into a criminal trial. John Turturro portrays a defense attorney balancing procedure, investigation, and client care. The series tracks evidence handling, plea discussions, and the role of Rikers Island in legal outcomes.

‘Station Eleven’ (2021–2022)

‘Station Eleven’ adapts Emily St. John Mandel’s novel about survivors who maintain art and community after a pandemic. The limited run shifts across timelines to show pre event lives and later traveling performers. A graphic novel within the story links characters through artifacts and memory. The production features locations around the Great Lakes region and an ensemble cast.

‘The Investigation’ (2021)

‘The Investigation’ reconstructs the case surrounding a journalist’s death in Denmark without depicting the crime itself. It follows the Copenhagen Police homicide unit, divers, and forensics teams as they search coastal waters. The narrative relies on interviews, sonar maps, and lab analysis to trace evidence. Søren Malling and Pilou Asbæk lead the cast under creator Tobias Lindholm.

‘Years and Years’ (2019)

‘Years and Years’ tracks one Manchester family as technology, politics, and finance reshape their lives over more than a decade. Russell T Davies created the series and structures major events through birthdays and milestones. The ensemble includes Emma Thompson, Rory Kinnear, and T’Nia Miller. It blends personal storylines with policy changes, migration issues, and media shifts.

‘John Adams’ (2008)

‘John Adams’ chronicles the life of the second United States president from legal practice to diplomacy and national office. Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney anchor a production drawn from David McCullough’s biography. The series covers the Boston Massacre trial, Paris negotiations, and the early cabinet disputes. It was filmed across carefully reconstructed period sets with extensive costuming and makeup work.

‘Chernobyl’ (2019)

‘Chernobyl’ reconstructs the 1986 nuclear disaster and the cleanup that followed. The series draws on historical records to depict reactor operations, emergency response, and subsequent investigations. It shows how scientists and officials assessed radiation exposure and built containment structures. Filming used locations in Lithuania and Ukraine to mirror Soviet era settings.

‘Sharp Objects’ (2018)

‘Sharp Objects’ adapts Gillian Flynn’s novel about a reporter who returns to her hometown to cover two missing girls. The investigation runs alongside mandated therapy sessions and a complex family history. The production emphasizes small town routines, archival police files, and court records that shape the case. Jean Marc Vallée directs all episodes for a consistent visual approach.

‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)

‘Mare of Easttown’ follows a detective in a Pennsylvania community as she works a homicide that intersects with local lives. The narrative incorporates evidence processing, cell phone data, and interviews that evolve over seven episodes. It balances current leads with an older missing person case that still affects the town. Filming used area locations to anchor accents, neighborhoods, and sports culture.

‘The Undoing’ (2020)

‘The Undoing’ centers on a therapist and her family as a murder investigation exposes connections within a private school circle. The limited run tracks police questioning, financial records, and courtroom strategy. It uses New York settings that include apartments, clinics, and courthouse spaces. Director Susanne Bier and writer David E. Kelley structure the case across six parts.

‘Mosaic’ (2018)

‘Mosaic’ presents a crime story designed by Steven Soderbergh that was released with an app driven viewing option. The TV version assembles the threads into a linear six episode presentation. It follows timelines that map relationships, property holdings, and creative partnerships in a mountain town. The cast includes Sharon Stone, Garrett Hedlund, and Beau Bridges.

‘Generation Kill’ (2008)

‘Generation Kill’ adapts Evan Wright’s reporting on the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The series covers convoy movements, rules of engagement, and communications gear used on patrol. It films with military vehicles and field locations to mirror desert operations. David Simon and Ed Burns oversee the seven part production.

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)

‘Band of Brothers’ chronicles Easy Company from airborne training through major European campaigns in World War II. The series draws from Stephen E. Ambrose’s book and veteran interviews. Each episode follows specific operations, unit logistics, and command changes. The production features large scale sets and period accurate equipment across ten parts.

‘From the Earth to the Moon’ (1998)

‘From the Earth to the Moon’ recounts the Apollo program from early tests to lunar landings. The miniseries splits the story into chapters that focus on mission control, astronauts, contractors, and media coverage. It uses recreated spacecraft interiors and mission transcripts to stage key events. Tom Hanks produces and appears in segments across the twelve episode run.

‘Empire Falls’ (2005)

‘Empire Falls’ adapts Richard Russo’s Pulitzer winning novel about a Maine mill town and the family that owns it. The story examines business decisions, school dynamics, and long held property disputes. It films in central Maine to capture the setting’s diners, churches, and riverfront. The two part miniseries features Ed Harris, Paul Newman, and Joanne Woodward.

‘Catherine the Great’ (2019)

‘Catherine the Great’ follows the Russian empress during the latter part of her reign. The series explores treaties, court alliances, and cultural projects that marked the period. It films across palaces and estates that replicate imperial interiors and uniforms. Helen Mirren leads the cast with Jason Clarke as Grigory Potemkin.

‘Landscapers’ (2021)

‘Landscapers’ dramatizes the investigation into a double murder discovered years after the crime. The narrative references interview transcripts, financial records, and travel documents tied to the couple at the center. It blends interrogation room scenes with stylized reenactments that mirror film references cited in the case. Olivia Colman and David Thewlis star under creator Ed Sinclair.

‘The Staircase’ (2022)

‘The Staircase’ dramatizes a North Carolina case that generated extensive documentary footage and legal analysis. The series shows discovery disputes, expert testimony, and plea negotiations over time. It recreates key locations including the home, the courthouse, and law offices. Colin Firth and Toni Collette lead an ensemble that portrays attorneys, investigators, and family members.

‘Love & Death’ (2023)

‘Love and Death’ tells the story of a Texas homicide connected to church and community activities. The limited series follows police work, forensic details, and trial preparation. It draws on published accounts and contemporary reporting to map timelines. Elizabeth Olsen and Jesse Plemons headline the cast.

‘I May Destroy You’ (2020)

‘I May Destroy You’ follows a writer who navigates consent, memory gaps, and a creative deadline after a night out. The series references police procedures, digital traces, and workplace policies that shape the aftermath. It intercuts social media posts, draft pages, and friendship dynamics across twelve episodes. Michaela Coel creates, writes, and stars in the production.

‘Full Circle’ (2023)

‘Full Circle’ builds a kidnapping plot that connects a Guyanese American family with New York investigators and federal agents. The six part series tracks ransom calls, surveillance footage, and customs records. Steven Soderbergh directs all episodes and Ed Solomon writes the scripts. The ensemble includes Claire Danes, Zazie Beetz, Timothy Olyphant, and Dennis Quaid.

‘The Regime’ (2024)

‘The Regime’ follows the inner circle of a fictional European autocracy as a year of crises upends its leadership. The series tracks palace routines, military partnerships, and shifting alliances that test control. Kate Winslet leads a cast that includes Matthias Schoenaerts and Andrea Riseborough. Will Tracy created the show and Stephen Frears and Jessica Hobbs direct episodes.

‘White House Plumbers’ (2023)

‘The White House Plumbers’ dramatizes the operations that connected political operatives to the Watergate break in. The story traces covert budgets, leaks investigations, and the chain of communication to senior staff. Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux portray E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy. The production uses court records and memoirs to structure events across five parts.

‘The Sympathizer’ (2024)

‘The Sympathizer’ adapts Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer winning novel about a double agent who relocates to the United States. The narrative moves between refugee communities, film sets, and intelligence interviews. Hoa Xuande stars with Robert Downey Jr. in multiple supporting roles. Park Chan wook co created the series and directs episodes with Fernando Meirelles.

‘Mildred Pierce’ (2011)

‘Mildred Pierce’ adapts James M. Cain’s novel about a mother who builds a restaurant business during the Depression. The series follows hiring ledgers, supplier contracts, and the management of expanding dining rooms. Kate Winslet and Evan Rachel Wood lead the cast with Guy Pearce in a key role. Todd Haynes directs all episodes and co writes the adaptation.

‘Angels in America’ (2003)

‘Angels in America’ brings Tony Kushner’s stage epic to television in two parts. The story follows intersecting lives in New York during the AIDS crisis and the late Cold War era. The adaptation keeps courtroom transcripts, hospital procedures, and political speeches as anchors. The ensemble includes Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, and Emma Thompson under Mike Nichols.

‘Elizabeth I’ (2005)

‘Elizabeth I’ portrays the later reign of the English monarch through statecraft, diplomacy, and court relationships. The miniseries depicts treaty negotiations, succession concerns, and security operations. Helen Mirren plays Elizabeth with Jeremy Irons as the Earl of Leicester. The production recreates royal apartments and council chambers with period detail.

‘The Pacific’ (2010)

‘The Pacific’ follows three Marines across major campaigns in the Pacific Theater. Episodes map training, supply lines, and medical evacuation procedures alongside battlefield movements. The series draws from memoirs by Eugene Sledge and Robert Leckie. Large scale sets and naval equipment ground the combat sequences in specific operations.

‘The Corner’ (2000)

‘The Corner’ adapts the nonfiction book by David Simon and Ed Burns about a West Baltimore family and their neighborhood. The six parts cover social services, informal economies, and police engagement at the street level. Clarke Peters and Khandi Alexander lead the cast. The production uses real locations and interviews to shape scenes.

‘Parade’s End’ (2012)

‘Parade’s End’ adapts Ford Madox Ford’s tetralogy about a civil servant whose life spans the upheaval around the Great War. The series includes government work, social registers, and battlefield logistics. Benedict Cumberbatch and Rebecca Hall star with Tom Stoppard providing the teleplay. Filming took place across Belgium and the United Kingdom to match settings.

‘Gunpowder’ (2017)

‘Gunpowder’ reconstructs the 1605 plot through meetings, safe houses, and surveillance by royal agents. It tracks the movement of materials and the coordination among conspirators and informants. Kit Harington portrays Robert Catesby with Liv Tyler and Peter Mullan in support. The production emphasizes period legal procedures and public order practices.

‘Mrs. Fletcher’ (2019)

‘Mrs. Fletcher’ adapts Tom Perrotta’s novel about an empty nester who reassesses work, classes, and relationships. The series shows community college coursework, nonprofit operations, and residential life for first year students. Kathryn Hahn leads the cast with Jackson White as her son. The limited run focuses on schedules, routines, and messages that reshape choices.

‘Beartown’ (2020)

‘Beartown’ adapts Fredrik Backman’s novel about a junior hockey program in a small Swedish town. The plot follows club financing, coaching strategies, and community pressure around a high profile team. Events in the locker room trigger police inquiries and board decisions. Filming uses Nordic arenas and neighborhoods to place the story on the ice and in town meetings.

‘It’s a Sin’ (2021)

‘It’s a Sin’ follows a group of friends in London as the AIDS epidemic transforms their plans and futures. The series maps hospital wards, advocacy networks, and public information campaigns. Russell T Davies created the show and structures time jumps through shared homes and jobs. Olly Alexander leads an ensemble that portrays families, partners, and caregivers.

‘Laetitia’ (2020)

‘Laetitia’ recounts a French criminal case that unfolded through missing person reports, witness statements, and forensic searches. The series follows gendarmerie work, social services files, and court proceedings. Marie Colomb and Sophie Breyer star with Jean Xavier de Lestrade directing. The production uses coastal locations and institutional interiors to track the timeline.

‘The Girl Before’ (2021)

‘The Girl Before’ adapts J. P. Delaney’s novel about a minimalist home with strict rules and a screening process. The narrative alternates tenants as applications, smart home data, and legal documents reveal patterns. Gugu Mbatha Raw and David Oyelowo lead the cast with Jessica Plummer in a parallel role. The limited series centers design features, consent forms, and tenancy agreements as plot drivers.

Tell us the next limited series we should spotlight and share your own overlooked favorites in the comments.