Top crime series to binge-watch on Showmax
Feel like sinking your teeth into a gritty thriller, crime caper or police procedural series? Here are some of the most addictive series that fit the bill, all available on Showmax.
Prepare to be gripped by police procedurals that take you behind the scenes of law enforcement, gritty stories of ordinary people turning to a life of crime to secure their families’ futures, and shows about the pursuit of justice in all its forms. These crime series on Showmax are sure to keep you hooked for hours on end.
The Penguin S1
Based on the DC Comics character, Penguin, this limited series explores the transformation of Oswald Cobblepot (Colin Farrell) from a disfigured nobody to a noted Gotham gangster.
Tell Them You Love Me (2023)
A true-crime documentary about the university professor who had a controversial affair with a non-verbal man with cerebral palsy.
Dr Death S1-2
Investigative journalist Benita Alexander discovers a new subject in world-renowned surgeon Paolo Macchiarini, known as The Miracle Man.
Fargo S5
Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning anthology series about a crime in an unassuming town. This season, housewife Dot finds herself plunged into her past.
Alert: Missing Persons Unit S1-2
Showrunner John Eisendrath and Jamie Foxx are behind this police procedural. After her son goes missing, Nikki Batista joins the Philadelphia Missing Persons Unit, helping find people’s loved ones as she searches for her own.
Mr Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie (2023)
In this enjoyable movie sequel to the beloved show, Monk steps out of retirement as his stepdaughter’s wedding takes a tragic turn.
True Detective S1-4
Anthology series in which police investigations unearth the personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within and outside the law.
Tokyo Vice S1
In this powerful HBO crime thriller based on true events, a Western journalist working in Tokyo takes on one of the city’s most powerful crime bosses.
When We Were Bullies (2022)
A mind-boggling coincidence leads the filmmaker to track down his fifth-grade class and fifth-grade teacher to examine their memory of and complicity in a bullying incident 50 years ago.
The Cleaning Lady S3
A marginalised Cambodian doctor in the US struggles to keep her ill son alive. She becomes a cleaning lady for an organised crime syndicate to save him.
The Sixth Commandment S1
Follow the events that unfolded after the real-life deaths of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin in a Buckinghamshire village.
Time S2
A tense and gritty British prison anthology series that looks at a new scenario of life in prison. Season 2 focuses on a women’s prison.
ZeroZeroZero S1
The drug underworld is a zero-sum game in this gritty crime drama exploring the inner workings of the global cocaine trade.
Accused S1
An engrossing anthology courtroom drama based on the acclaimed BBC crime series. Each episode follows a new defendant as they await their verdict, while flashbacks reveal how they ended up in court.
The Rookie S1-5
The oldest rookie in the LAPD uses his life experience, determination and sense of humour to keep up with colleagues 20 years his junior.
Headhunters S1
Follow Roger Brown, a corporate headhunter who has lied and manipulated his way to success in this Norwegian thriller.
Found S1
Found follows recovery specialist Gabi Mosely as she and her team work tirelessly to find missing people forgotten by the system.
Libby, Are You Home Yet?
This award-winning true-crime British series tells the story of a 21-year-old who was sent home alone in a taxi, from a nightclub – but never arrived.
Poker Face S1
Natasha Lyonne plays a woman who can tell when people lie, and gets herself involved in crimes she can’t help but investigate and solve.
Blue Lights S1
Rookie police officers Grace, Tommy and Annie tackle criminal gangs, undercover agents and their own communities in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Eye-opening documentaries to stream
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes (2022)
From Emmy-winning director James Jones, this gripping documentary tells the story of the Chernobyl disaster through newly discovered archive footage and witness accounts.
Tell Them You Love Me (2023)
A true-crime documentary about the university professor who had a controversial affair with a non-verbal man with cerebral palsy.
False Glory: The fate of Ivorian teens who aimed for football fame
This three-part true-crime documentary reveals shocking sports scandals, from Comrades Marathon cheating to match-fixing and illegal immigration. Now streaming on Showmax.
The Commandant’s Shadow
A touching and powerful documentary that follows the son of Auschwitz commandant, Rudolf Höss, as he confronts his father’s horrific legacy.
Edge of the Earth S1
Four groups of extreme athletes embark on four never-before-accomplished missions, including big wave surfing on Africa’s west coast.
Endangered (2022)
An in-depth look at a year in the life of four journalists reporting inside Mexico, Brazil and the United States, three democratic nations where the view of the press is rapidly deteriorating.
The Anarchists
A community of anarchists emigrate to Mexico to evade the powers of nations and banks. As the movement grows, the community is derailed by wealth, conflict, drugs and murder.
Showmax set to release gripping new football documentary Shine
The brand-new African football documentary Shine releases on Showmax this Friday, 5 July 2024, directed by acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker nora Awolowo.
Looking for something lighter?
Elsbeth S1
Elsbeth Tascioni, an unconventional attorney, gives her singular point of view to make observations to catch criminals alongside the NYPD.
5 scenes that’ll take you for a joyride in Fantasmas
Julio Torres’ new comedy series Fantasmas takes a dreamy walk on the weird (and weirdly relatable) side of life. Here are five scenes that had us wiggling with glee.
Fantasmas S1
Julio Torres spins a fantastical tale of losing a gold oyster earring. In his search to find the earring, he encounters offbeat characters in comedic vignettes set in a surrealist, alternate version of New York.
Bob Hearts Abishola S5
A middle-aged businessman falls in love with his cardiac nurse, a Nigerian immigrant, while recovering from a heart attack.
Comedy chaos: Prepare to laugh out loud
Check out these must-watch and crowd-pleasing go-to comedies that are sure to have you in stitches. All streaming on Showmax.
Do as Kate Winslet says in The Regime
As fascist dictator Chancellor Elena Vernham, Kate Winslet has a few requests for her staff in the HBO political satire mini-series The Regime.
Anyone But You (2023)
Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell star in this steamy romcom. After a great first date, Bea and Ben’s attraction turns cold, until they’re reunited at a destination wedding.
The Regime S1
Kate Winslet exudes power in this captivating HBO limited series as the Chancellor of an unnamed Central European nation, unravelling behind the palace walls.
Shows you'll find only on Showmax
It’s a Sin S1
The lives of five friends in London in 1981 are tested as they grow up in the shadow of the Aids pandemic.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey S14
Four affluent Housewives from New Jersey in the US lead an exciting life as they try to juggle their social and personal lives.
Fantasmas S1
Julio Torres spins a fantastical tale of losing a gold oyster earring. In his search to find the earring, he encounters offbeat characters in comedic vignettes set in a surrealist, alternate version of New York.
Dress the rich on Showmax: from Industry to Bel-Air
Bringing the rich and super-rich to our screens is a labour of love for wardrobe departments in shows like Industry, Succession, Billions and Bel-Air. If money talks, clothes talk louder.