The Best HBO Max Series You’ve Never Seen

Streaming libraries are vast and often overwhelming for viewers looking for something new. The Max platform hosts an incredible array of content that extends far beyond its most famous blockbuster hits. Many high-quality productions get lost in the algorithm or overshadowed by flagship franchises. This list highlights the most compelling and underrated series available on the service that deserve your attention.

‘Mosaic’ (2018)

Steven Soderbergh directs this innovative mystery that explores the murder of a popular children’s book author. The narrative fractures into multiple perspectives and allows the viewer to piece together the truth from different angles. Sharon Stone delivers a captivating performance as the victim whose secrets drive the plot. It stands out as a unique experiment in storytelling that rewards attentive audiences.

‘The Girl Before’ (2021)

This psychological thriller centers on a woman who moves into a minimalist house designed by an enigmatic architect. She must abide by a strict list of rules that govern her life within the walls of the stunning rental. The story intertwines her timeline with that of a previous tenant who met a tragic fate in the same space. Tension builds as the protagonist realizes she might be following the same deadly path.

‘The Tourist’ (2022–2024)

Jamie Dornan stars as a man who wakes up in the Australian Outback with no memory of who he is. He must use the few clues in his possession to discover his identity before his past catches up with him. The series blends dark comedy with high-stakes action sequences across the unforgiving landscape. It keeps viewers guessing with constant twists and eccentric supporting characters.

‘Starstruck’ (2021–2023)

A millennial living in London accidentally sleeps with a famous movie star after a night out on New Year’s Eve. The show follows the awkward and charming navigation of their relationship as they bridge the gap between their two worlds. It serves as a modern screwball comedy that feels both grounded and romantically optimistic. Rose Matafeo writes and stars in this delightful exploration of dating and celebrity culture.

‘Sort Of’ (2021–2023)

The series follows Sabi Mehboob as a gender-fluid millennial balancing various identities and responsibilities in Toronto. Sabi works as a nanny while navigating family expectations and a complicated love life. The show handles themes of transition and belonging with immense heart and sharp humor. It provides a refreshing and authentic perspective that rarely appears on mainstream television.

‘Trigonometry’ (2020)

A cash-strapped couple in London decides to take in a lodger to help pay the bills. Their dynamic shifts when they both fall in love with the new roommate and form a polyamorous relationship. The series portrays the complexities of their bond with great sensitivity and emotional intelligence. It avoids sensationalism to focus on the genuine connection between three people.

‘Stath Lets Flats’ (2018–2021)

This British sitcom features an incompetent Greek-Cypriot leasing agent working for his father’s company in London. Stath struggles to rent out terrible apartments while competing with his more capable colleagues. The humor relies on physical comedy and the hilariously broken English of the protagonist. It captures the absurdity of the real estate market with a chaotic energy.

‘Chewing Gum’ (2015–2017)

Tracey Gordon is a religious virgin obsessed with Beyoncé who wants to expand her horizons. She navigates adolescence and her strict upbringing in a London estate with naive enthusiasm. Michaela Coel created and stars in this vibrant comedy that breaks the fourth wall. The show is colorful and raucous while remaining deeply personal.

‘I Hate Suzie’ (2020–2022)

Billie Piper plays a celebrity whose life unravels when her phone is hacked and compromising photos leak online. The series examines the public and private dismantling of her career and marriage. Each episode adopts a different tone to reflect the chaotic stages of her trauma and grief. It offers a brutal look at fame and the impossible standards placed on women.

‘Rain Dogs’ (2023)

A working-class single mother fights to provide a stable life for her young daughter while battling eviction and poverty. She relies on a dysfunctional chosen family that includes a privileged felon just released from prison. The show is a dark comedy that finds humor in the bleakest of circumstances. It presents an unflinching look at the margins of British society.

‘Two Weeks to Live’ (2020)

Maisie Williams stars as a young misfit raised in total isolation by her survivalist mother. She sets out into the real world to avenge the death of her father and quickly gets entangled in a prank gone wrong. The plot escalates into a chaotic run from gangsters and police. It combines coming-of-age tropes with gritty action and deadpan humor.

‘Frayed’ (2019–2021)

A wealthy housewife in London is forced to return to her hometown in Australia after her husband dies and leaves her bankrupt. she must confront the past she tried to escape and the family she left behind. The setting of the late eighties provides a backdrop of big hair and cultural clashes. It balances laugh-out-loud moments with poignant family drama.

‘Pure’ (2019)

The protagonist suffers from a form of OCD that manifests as intrusive and graphic sexual thoughts. She moves to London to find herself and manage her condition away from her small town. The series visualizes her mental state with creativity and empathy rather than judgment. It is a funny and touching exploration of mental health and self-acceptance.

‘Possessions’ (2020)

A young French expatriate in Israel is charged with the murder of her husband on their wedding night. A diplomat from the French consulate comes to her aid but finds himself drawn into a mysterious web of family secrets. The narrative blurs the lines between supernatural thriller and police procedural. The desert setting adds an eerie atmosphere to the unfolding investigation.

‘Beartown’ (2020)

This Swedish drama focuses on a junior ice hockey team that carries the hopes of a declining community on its shoulders. A violent act leaves a young girl traumatized and tears the town apart as loyalties are tested. The show adapts the Fredrik Backman novel with a cold and atmospheric visual style. It is a heavy examination of toxic masculinity and the pressure to win.

’30 Coins’ (2020–2023)

An exiled priest living in a remote Spanish village tries to escape his past and the supernatural forces pursuing him. He teams up with the local mayor and a veterinarian to investigate paranormal phenomena linked to a silver coin. The series blends religious horror with action and conspiracy theories. It is a wild and unpredictable ride from director Álex de la Iglesia.

‘Beforeigners’ (2019–2022)

People from the Stone Age, the Viking era, and the late nineteenth century suddenly appear in present-day Oslo. The show follows a police detective and his multi-temporal partner as they solve crimes in this transformed society. It uses the sci-fi premise to comment on immigration and integration with clever satire. The world-building is detailed and consistently amusing.

‘Veneno’ (2020)

This biographical limited series tells the life story of Cristina Ortiz Rodríguez and her rise as a transgender icon in Spain. The narrative moves between different timelines to show her struggles and triumphs. It is a visually stunning tribute that celebrates her resilience and impact on pop culture. The show treats its subject with immense dignity and emotional depth.

‘Patria’ (2020)

Two families in the Basque Country are torn apart by the violent conflict involving the separatist group ETA. The story spans decades to show how political ideology poisons personal relationships and communities. It is a somber and realistic portrayal of the pain caused by terrorism. The series focuses on the lingering scars left on ordinary people.

‘Gomorrah’ (2014–2021)

This Italian crime drama offers an inside look at the brutal Camorra crime syndicate in Naples. The power struggles between rival factions and family members are depicted with gritty realism. It avoids glamorizing the criminal lifestyle and focuses on the tragic consequences of violence. The storytelling is intense and creates a constant sense of dread.

‘My Brilliant Friend’ (2018–2024)

The adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s novels charts the lifelong friendship between two women growing up in post-war Naples. Their bond evolves through decades of social change and personal hardships. The production design and performances capture the specific texture of the era perfectly. It is a sweeping epic about female intellect and survival.

‘Valley of Tears’ (2020)

This harrowing war drama depicts the 1973 Yom Kippur War through the eyes of young combatants. It focuses on the initial days of the conflict when Israeli forces were taken by surprise. The battle scenes are visceral and convey the confusion and terror of modern warfare. The series emphasizes the human cost of the fighting on all sides.

‘Our Flag Means Death’ (2022–2023)

A wealthy landowner abandons his comfortable life to become a pirate in the eighteenth century. He eventually crosses paths with the infamous Blackbeard and develops an unexpected connection with him. The show is a warm and inclusive romantic comedy disguised as a pirate adventure. It garnered a passionate cult following for its positive representation.

‘Tokyo Vice’ (2022–2024)

An American journalist becomes the first foreigner to work as a reporter for a major Japanese newspaper. He explores the neon-lit underbelly of Tokyo and investigates the activities of the yakuza. The series captures the clash of cultures and the intricate codes of the criminal world. Michael Mann directed the pilot and established the show’s stylish noir aesthetic.

‘Julia’ (2022–2023)

Sarah Lancashire gives a transformative performance as the legendary chef Julia Child during the creation of her television show. The series explores the birth of public television and the changing roles of women in the sixties. It is a comforting and optimistic watch filled with food and witty dialogue. The supporting cast adds depth to the story of a cultural icon.

‘Minx’ (2022–2023)

A feminist in the seventies joins forces with a low-rent publisher to create the first erotic magazine for women. The show navigates the unlikely partnership and the societal pushback they face. It uses the setting to explore gender politics and the sexual revolution with humor. The visuals are bright and capture the fashion of the era.

‘Rap Sh!t’ (2022–2024)

Two estranged high school friends from Miami reunite to form a rap group and chase success in the music industry. Issa Rae created the series to examine the challenges women face in hip-hop and the age of social media. The visual format frequently incorporates phone screens and live streams to tell the story. It feels current and energetic while addressing serious themes.

‘South Side’ (2019–2022)

This comedy follows two friends who just graduated from community college and are stuck working at a rent-to-own shop. The show is filmed on location in Chicago and features a cast of eccentric local characters. It delivers rapid-fire jokes and smart social commentary without being preachy. The humor is specific to the region but universally funny.

‘Sherman’s Showcase’ (2019–2022)

The creators present a fictional variety show that takes viewers through decades of musical history. Each sketch parodies different genres and eras of black culture with incredible precision. The songs are catchy and the satire is razor-sharp. It is a hidden gem for fans of sketch comedy and music history.

‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ (2019–2023)

Robin Thede leads an ensemble cast in this sketch series that centers on the experiences of black women. The sketches range from magical realism to observational humor about everyday life. It is notable for its high production value and recurring narrative threads. The show consistently delivers laughs while breaking new ground in the comedy landscape.

‘Random Acts of Flyness’ (2018–2022)

Terence Nance created this stream-of-consciousness series that defies easy categorization. It mixes avant-garde visual art with music and social commentary. The segments flow into one another to create a dreamlike experience that challenges the viewer. It is a provocative piece of television art that explores race and identity.

‘Los Espookys’ (2019–2022)

A group of friends in a fictional Latin American country turns their love for horror into a peculiar business. They stage supernatural events for clients who need to manufacture eerie situations. The show operates on a unique wavelength of deadpan surrealism and bilingual humor. It is a strange and beautiful celebration of the oddballs of the world.

‘Betty’ (2020–2021)

Based on the film ‘Skate Kitchen’, this series follows a diverse group of young women navigating the male-dominated skateboarding scene in New York City. The plot is loose and allows the chemistry of the cast to drive the show. It captures the freedom and style of youth culture with an authentic documentary feel. The cinematography beautifully showcases the city streets.

‘We Are Who We Are’ (2020)

Luca Guadagnino directs this coming-of-age drama set on an American military base in Italy. Two teenagers explore their identities and form an intense bond in this transient environment. The show is visually poetic and allows scenes to breathe with a naturalistic pace. It captures the confusion and intensity of adolescence with great empathy.

‘Generation Kill’ (2008)

This miniseries follows the First Reconnaissance Battalion of the US Marines during the initial invasion of Iraq. It focuses on the boredom and incompetence that often defines the military experience alongside the combat. The dialogue is authentic and filled with the specific jargon of the soldiers. It is a cynical and clear-eyed look at modern warfare.

‘Show Me a Hero’ (2015)

David Simon created this miniseries about the battle over public housing in Yonkers during the late eighties. Oscar Isaac stars as the young mayor who finds his political career destroyed by the racial controversy. The show meticulously details the mechanics of local government and the human cost of segregation. It is a tragic and compelling political drama.

‘The Plot Against America’ (2020)

This adaptation of Philip Roth’s novel imagines an alternate history where Charles Lindbergh becomes president and steers the US toward fascism. The story is told through the eyes of a Jewish family in New Jersey watching their world change. It builds a sense of dread as civil liberties are slowly eroded. The themes remain disturbingly relevant to contemporary politics.

‘Olive Kitteridge’ (2014)

Frances McDormand delivers a powerhouse performance as a harsh and depressed retired schoolteacher in Maine. The miniseries spans twenty-five years of her life and her strained relationships with her husband and son. It is a profound study of depression and the difficulty of connecting with others. The storytelling is quiet but emotionally devastating.

‘Mildred Pierce’ (2011)

Kate Winslet stars in this adaptation of the James M. Cain novel about a mother trying to earn her daughter’s love during the Great Depression. The production values are exquisite and recreate the era with painterly detail. It explores class ambition and maternal sacrifice with a melodramatic flair. The performances elevate the material to a tragedy of epic proportions.

‘Angels in America’ (2003)

Mike Nichols directed this adaptation of the landmark play about the AIDS crisis in the mid-eighties. The cast includes Al Pacino and Meryl Streep in multiple roles that intertwine the supernatural with the political. It is a fantastical and angry examination of American values and abandonment. The script remains one of the most important works of modern theater.

‘Treme’ (2010–2013)

The creators of ‘The Wire’ turned their attention to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The series follows musicians and chefs as they try to rebuild their lives and preserve their culture. It prioritizes atmosphere and music over plot to capture the spirit of the city. The result is a vibrant love letter to resilience and community.

‘The Deuce’ (2017–2019)

This drama chronicles the legalization and subsequent rise of the porn industry in New York City during the seventies and eighties. James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal lead a sprawling cast of characters navigating the gritty Times Square underworld. The show examines the exploitation of women and the gentrification of the city. It is a detailed period piece with a complex moral center.

‘Getting On’ (2013–2015)

This dark comedy is set in the geriatric extended care wing of a run-down hospital. The nurses and doctors struggle with the bureaucracy of the healthcare system while caring for their elderly patients. It balances crude humor with moments of genuine tenderness and heartbreak. The show offers a sympathetic look at the unglamorous work of caregiving.

‘Enlightened’ (2011–2013)

Laura Dern plays a woman who undergoes a spiritual awakening after a public breakdown and tries to bring change to her corporate workplace. Her good intentions often result in chaos and destruction for those around her. The show is a brilliant cringe comedy that questions the nature of wellness and activism. It was ahead of its time in dissecting modern corporate culture.

‘High Maintenance’ (2016–2020)

A bicycle courier delivers weed to a diverse array of clients across New York City. Each episode offers a vignette into the lives of different strangers connected only by their dealer. The storytelling is empathetic and observant of the quirks of human behavior. It stands as one of the most human and touching portraits of city life ever filmed.

Tell us which of these hidden gems you plan to watch first in the comments.