HBO and HBO Max shows and documentaries to stream
When we’re looking for a new show to binge-watch, one that pushes the envelope, offers unconventional and controversial storylines or boasts exceptional production quality, not to mention the A-list celebrities we love, we just know HBO will deliver the goods.
These are the highly rated, keenly anticipated and eagerly binge-watched HBO and HBO Max series and documentaries available on Showmax.
Plus, we’ve curated five HBO and HBO Max Collection just for you.
Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music (2023)
An epic documentary about Taylor Mac’s flamboyant 24-hour-long musical odyssey covering 24 decades of American popular music.
The Golden Boy: Oscar De La Hoya (2023)
This explosive two-part sports documentary peels back the layers of this celebrated yet complicated figure.
The Righteous Gemstones S1-4
Danny McBride created this outlandish, star-studded HBO comedy about a world-famous televangelist family with a long tradition of deviance, greed and charitable work.
Being Mary Tyler Moore (2023)
This intriguing documentary, with unprecedented access to the Mary Tyler Moore’s estate, friends and family, creates a mosaic of Mary’s 60-year career in show business.
Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple (2024)
Stevie Van Zandt, New Jersey’s most famous right-hand-man to Bruce Springsteen, takes centre stage. This documentary traces Van Zandt’s career with never-before-seen footage.
It’s Florida, Man S1
This outrageous HBO comedy is a love letter to the beaches, backwaters and people of a misunderstood yet magical American state.
The White Lotus S1-3
Follow the outrageous exploits of the employees and guests of an exclusive resort in this buzz-worthy HBO comedy drama.
The Franchise S1
A satirical comedy series about a crew of a rejected and unloved franchise movie who are fighting for their place in a savage and unruly cinematic universe.
Get Millie Black S1
An ex-Scotland Yard detective returns to Jamaica to work on missing persons cases, and soon finds herself on a the toughest quest case of her career.
Somebody Somewhere S1-3
Binge-watch the final season of this semi-autobiographical HBO dramedy about Sam, who finds an unlikely community in her small home town after the death of her sister.
My Brilliant Friend S4
This gorgeous HBO series recounts a 60-year friendship between two women, which began in 1950s Naples, based on the bestselling novels.
Dune: Prophecy S1
Power lies in the shadows in this HBO sci-fi epic set 10 000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, following the creators of the female order, the Bene Gesserit.
Brandy Hellville & The Cult of Fast Fashion
This documentary uncovers the toxic origins and culture of Brandy Melville and the global ramifications of mass-produced clothing.
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.
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.
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.
Random Acts of Flyness S2
Artist, musician and filmmaker Terence Nance explores the metaphysics of Black life through avant-garde storytelling.
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.
The Girls on the Bus S1
Four female journalists follow every move of a parade of flawed presidential candidates, discovering friendship, love and a dangerous scandal.
Industry S1-3
Young bankers and traders in the UK banking world make their way in the financial world in the aftermath of the 2008 collapse.
Looking for movies?
Boy Kills World and 5 more deliciously deadly action flicks
Looking for some blood-soaked action, gun-fu, laughs and hit-the-replay fight scenes? We’ve got you. Come try Boy Kills World and 5 more films that are just killing it!
An easy guide to 10 alien invasions
From Teacup’s Assassins and Harbingers, to A Quiet Place’s Death Angels, we break down what to expect when aliens take an interplanetary holiday to raise hell on Earth.
10 inspiring villain origin stories on Showmax
If you want to become a superhero just get bitten by a spider or find some tacky magic jewellery, loser! If you want to become a villain, though, that takes hard work – just ask Knull in Venom: The Last Dance.
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, plus 10 real-life revolutionaries
Discover the origins of The Hunger Games in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and then stream 10 more shows and movies about real-life revolutionaries.
7 iconic Gen Z characters in series and movies on Showmax
Documentary series The Habits of Gen Z asks defining questions about South Africa’s youth. So we’ve turned to 7 series and movies to place Gen Z in a global context.
Showmax and Joburg Film Festival support emerging filmmakers
7 films from the first-time director slate will have their world premieres at this year’s Joburg Film Festival, from 11-16 March 2025, before streaming on Showmax from April.
Where to see Schalk Bezuidenhout on Showmax
South African comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout stars in these unmissable homegrown series and movies streaming on Showmax.
South African
11 Galentine’s Day movies
Love? Whatever. Friends forever! Gather your girl gang and get ready to celebrate the people who’ll be in your corner for the rest of your life with these 11 movies.
Shows and movies for adults only
The White Lotus S1-3
Follow the outrageous exploits of the employees and guests of an exclusive resort in this buzz-worthy HBO comedy drama.
The Sex Lives of College Girls S1-3
This fun series follows four freshmen roommates trying to balance their newfound independence with the challenges of college life.
Adulting S1-3
Adulting follows four varsity friends on their journey to find love and success in modern-day South Africa. New episodes land every Saturday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
7 edgy R-rated movies and series for adults only
Looking for a winter warmer? Here are seven sets of adults-only, NSFW series and movies on Showmax that’ll hit the hot button.
Wyfie S1-2
An edgy, youthful and urban Afrikaans drama that follows four friends as they navigate the complicated world of university life.
Made in South Africa
Fellow Travelers S1
Follow the decades-long chronicle of the risky, volatile and steamy relationship between the charismatic and ambitious Hawk and the pious and idealistic Tim, who fall in love at the height of the 1950s Lavender Scare.
Koek S1
A despondent housewife, convinced her husband is having an affair, is inadvertently thrust into the underbelly of a crime syndicate.
Made in South Africa
And Just Like That S2
Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis and Nicole Ari Parker reprise their iconic roles in this mini-series about their new chapter.
The most binge-worthy series
Plan B
In the shady world of art heists and romance scams, an unlikely alliance develops between the owner of a bookshop, and former military operators.
Made in South Africa
The Real Housewives of Durban Season 5
Three new faces join the OGs on The Real Housewives of Durban in Season 5, bringing luxury, glamour and drama to your screens. New episodes every Friday.
Made in South Africa
The Righteous Gemstones and 5 more Danny McBride hustles
As The Righteous Gemstones returns for its final season, we look at 5 of writer-creator-actor Danny McBride’s best side hustles, from Eastbound & Down, to Halloween.
The Cleaning Lady S1-4
Cambodian doctor Thony becomes a cleaning lady for an organised crime syndicate in the US to keep her ill son alive in this fan-favourite series.