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.
Wild Wild Space (2024)
A high-stakes HBO doccie that chronicles the modern-day, celestial land grab – a fast-paced, high-stakes race of epic proportions in which companies compete to blast satellite-carrying rockets into low Earth orbit.
The Last of Us S1-2
Five years after the events of Season 1, Joel and Ellie are living a relatively peaceful life in Jackson, Wyoming – until the past comes calling. Stream The Last of Us S2, plus all of S1, on Showmax.
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.
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.
Looking for movies?
Wild Wild Space and 10 more titles to join your space race
We have liftoff! As new HBO documentary Wild Wild Space takes us into low orbit, mission control has 10 more titles ready for space junkies, from Apollo 13 to Interstellar.
Would you join The American Society of Magical Negroes?
Writer-creator Kobi Libii cracks open his bag of tricks to reveal what’s really going on in The American Society of Magical Negroes. And we suggest 5 more Black comedies with culture.
Twisters and 5 other man-versus-nature nail biters
Tornado alert! A category F5 spin on the blockbuster 1996 movie Twister has just touched ground to sweep us up in the terrifying power of nature. Find out about how it was made, and what to watch next.
Which Mission: Impossible is it?
With Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning now in cinemas, we match each previous Mission: Impossible film to its most iconic scene. You know, it’s the one where…
Movie fight club: Gladiator II and more intense punch-ups
For their Gladiator II fight to stand up to rhinos, sharks and sea battles, Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal had to do more than wave their swords at each other. We break it down along with 8 other films’ most intense punch-ups.
Frank Grillo takes on the Tulsa King
Frank Grillo and Sylvester Stallone go head to head as rival mob bosses in Tulsa King Season 2. And we rate 9 more Frank Grillo roles, from Boss Level to Billions.
Renée Zellweger chats about Bridget Jones: Mad about the Boy
Renée Zellweger reveals why two men find 50-something widowed mom Bridget Jones simply irresistible – plus, we list 5 of our favourite romcom couples you can watch now.
Widow Clicquot and 10 more sparkling biopics: Life writes the plot
Get ready to pop the cork on some vintage storytelling with the tale of how Widow Clicquot revolutionised French wine-making, then check out our menu for 10 more sparkling movies about real people.
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. Adulting S1-3 is ready to binge 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.
After We Fell (2021)
Tessa and Hardin face another test when Tessa makes a life-changing decision and shocking revelations threaten everything they’ve built.
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 AfricaThe most binge-worthy series
Binnelanders S8-14
Binnelanders, an Afrikaans soapie set in and around a fictional private hospital, follows the trials and trauma of the staff and patients.
Made in South AfricaWild Wild Space (2024)
A high-stakes HBO doccie that chronicles the modern-day, celestial land grab – a fast-paced, high-stakes race of epic proportions in which companies compete to blast satellite-carrying rockets into low Earth orbit.
Stream all episodes of Married at First Sight Season 1 on Showmax
Binge-watch the whole of Married at First Sight Mzansi Season 1 on Showmax while you wait for Season 2 to land on Mzansi Magic and coming express to Showmax on Sunday, 6 July 2025.
Made in South Africa
SWAT S1-8
Follow a SWAT sergeant and his team of highly trained men and women as they solve crimes in Los Angeles in this fan-favourite crime series.