
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes (2022)
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes explores the full, unvarnished true story of what happened in one of the least understood tragedies of the twentieth century.
Nearly four decades after the Chernobyl nuclear reactor exploded in Soviet Ukraine, newly uncovered archival footage and recorded interviews with those who were present paint an emotional and gripping portrait of the extent and gravity of the disaster, as well as the lengths to which the Soviet government went to cover up the incident, including allegedly sending in soldiers to “liquidate” the damage.
The HBO documentary has a 100% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and won the 2023 BAFTA TV Award for Editing, Factual, with nominations for Best Single Documentary and Best Director, Factual.
“It's a difficult watch, but Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes is one of the year's best documentaries,” says Decider.
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes is directed and produced by Emmy winner James Jones (On the President's Orders, Antidote) and executive produced by BAFTA nominee Darren Kemp (Mariupol: The People's Story).
Showmax is also home to the HBO drama series Chernobyl, which won 10 Emmys and is at #5 on IMDb’s top ranked TV shows of all time.
More like this

Wizkid: Long Live Lagos (2025)
This intimate and uplifting documentary explores Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Wizkid's rise to superstardom as one of the biggest Afrobeats artists.

Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy (2025)
This sensational documentary delves into the rise and fall of Diddy, offering insight into his childhood, his meteoric rise, and his arrest.

High Horse: The Black Cowboy S1
Jordan Peele creates this vibrant, eye-opening three-part pop culture and historical documentary. It confronts and reclaims the Wild West while revealing the untold history of the Black cowboy.

You Were My First Boyfriend (2023)
In this introspective high school reunion movie turned inside out, filmmaker Cecilia Aldarondo relives her tortured adolescence.

Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God S1
This HBO docuseries explores the rise and fall of cult leader Amy Carlson, aka Mother God. As her health declined, followers awaited UFO salvation.

Stand Up & Shout: Songs from a Philly High School (2023)
This heartfelt documentary follows a unique music programme at Hill-Freedman World Academy, which teaches students to create original songs.

Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television
Take a journey through TV history, exploring Black representation, from early on-screen appearances to modern creators, revolutionising the industry.

Flight 149: Hostage of War (2025)
When Flight 149 landed in Kuwait, its passengers became pawns in Saddam's invasion, held as human shields. Decades later, survivors seek justice and the truth.
Single Kiasi S4, now streaming
Reckless S1, now streaming
More eye-opening documentaries to stream

Crutch S1
Crutch, a Harlem widower, has his empty-nest plans put on hold after his millennial son and free-spirited daughter move back home.

The Copenhagen Test S1
An analyst realises his brain has been hacked, allowing access to his senses, leaving him stuck between the agency and hackers.

Fall in love with romantic drama Touch, now on Showmax
Director Baltasar Kormákur talks about bringing a personal touch to the romantic drama Touch, which was Iceland’s entry for the 2026 Oscars.

Touch (2024)
A deeply moving love story. A man sets out to find his first love from 50 years ago before it's too late.
Latest Stories

From Poverty to Purpose: The Redemption of Emmanuel Adebayor: Why Saving Lives Trumps Scoring Goals

Christall on The Ultimate Girls Trip, Evodia and more

Manchester City vs Liverpool: The Rivalry Reignites

What to watch on Showmax in Kenya in November 2025

Annie Mthembu opens up about The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Africa

Can LFC rediscover the form that saw them crowned champions?

Conor Bradley on Liverpool's difficult run and the path back

Must-watch trailer: The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa

Creating The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

From The Office to The Paper

Dexter's deadly to-do list in Dexter: Resurrection

Bafana Bafana composed for Durban showdown against Zimbabwe

Arsenal and Liverpool early front-runners ahead of Premier League international break

Inside spy movie Black Bag

The Premier League canvas: a Saturday masterpiece painted in blue and red

What to watch on Showmax in Kenya in October 2025
Godfrey Odhiambo on Reckless, his career, and the evolution of Kenyan film

The clash of the new number 9s: Gyökeres vs Woltemade

June Squibb wins Best Actress award at age 95 for Thelma

Red vs Blue: Showmax Premier League serves up a blockbuster weekend

Blockbuster Premier League weekend: Red vs Blue

Minne Kariuki on Single Kiasi, motherhood and being a “gold digger”

Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr chat about Den of Thieves 2: Pantera

From doubt to dynamo: Micky van de Ven's rise at Tottenham







