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.

The best of HBO and HBO Max Collection

The Chair Company S1

After a humiliating incident at work, Ron stumbles onto a hidden conspiracy: beneath everyday life lies a secret world only he can see.

First

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 and Shout: Songs from a Philly High School is on Showmax

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.

The Insurrectionist Next Door on Showmax

The Insurrectionist Next Door (2023)

An intriguing and insightful documentary that focuses on the individuals who stormed the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.

No Accident (2023)

A lawsuit followed the deadly Charlottesville rally, targeting white nationalist leaders. Who were the conspirators? And were they held accountable?

Navajo Police: Class 57 S1

Recruits face grueling training, personal demons, and cultural pride as they join the Navajo Police to protect the people of the reservation.

Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love is on Showmax

Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love (2023)

Filmed in Boston, Emmy-winning comedian Sarah Silverman returns with her second comedy special for HBO since 2013.

Task S1

Mark Ruffalo plays Special Agent Tom, who leads a task force in working-class Philadelphia to put an end to a string of violent robberies.

First

The Peacemaker S1-2

John Cena reprises his role in the spin-off of DC's Suicide Squad, where Peacemaker and his ragtag black ops squad target dangerous parasites.

First

Music Box: Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary (2024)

This documentary chronicles the world of soft rock epitomised by artists such as Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Steely Dan, and Toto in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York S1

This intense and emotional book-inspired documentary tells the story of a serial killer who preyed on gay men in New York City in the early 90s.

Duster S1

Working on taking down a crime syndicate, the first Black female FBI agent recruits a gutsy getaway driver in this gritty series set in 1972.

The Stroll (2023)

When director Kristen Lovell began to transition in the 90s, she was fired from her job. Like many transgender women of colour during this era, she began sex work in an area known as The Stroll.

The Rehearsal S1-2

In this bizarre HBO docuseries people get a chance to rehearse for their own lives in a world where nothing ever works out as expected.

First

How Do You Measure A Year? (2022)

In this deeply personal Oscar-nominated documentary short, longtime HBO collaborator Jay Rosenblatt interviews his daughter on her birthday for 17 years.

Chimp Crazy S1

Tiger King filmmaker Eric Goode delivers another view into exotic animal owners - this time, focusing on the lengths chimpanzee "owners" go to keep their ape babies.

First

All That Breathes (2022)

Two Muslim brothers devote their lives to protecting black kites, a majestic bird of prey falling from New Delhi's skies at alarming rates.

Hacks S1-4

Emmy winner Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder make an odd partnership in the acclaimed HBO dramedy Hacks, about a legendary Vegas comedian and her new writer.

First

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.

Looking for movies?

Novocaine: the US box office hit shot in Cape Town

Nathan Caine stars in the US box office hit Novocaine, shot in SA and premiering this Sunday at 8PM on M-Net and on Showmax from 1 December.

IT: Welcome to Derry

Set in the 1960s in the town of Derry, this horror series explores its strange happenings, disappearances, and the origins of Pennywise the Clown.

First

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim on Showmax

10 fun things to watch on World Animation Day

Get drawn into comedy, drama and fantasy where, if you can imagine it, you can bring it to life – from The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim anime, to The Wild Robot.

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

Anime director Kenji Kamiyama and Oscar-winning screenwriter-producer Philippa Boyens chat about how the LOTR trilogy team reunited to turn back the clock in Middle-earth.

Inside spy movie Black Bag

Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, director Steven Soderbergh and writer David Koepp give us a top-secret peek inside their new spy movie Black Bag.

The best kids' shows and movies to stream during school holidays

Showmax has loads of fun to look forward to during school holidays in October 2025, including blockbuster movies for the whole family.

Horror countdown: 31 days of Halloween

Get ready for Showmax's epic countdown to Halloween this October. From supernatural thrills to chilling horrors, there's something for everyone.Stream now on Showmax.

Just believe: 10 faith-based movies to stream

Need some inspiration? Stream these moving, heartfelt films about healing, love and faith on Showmax.

Shows and movies for adults only

Masinga - The Calling (2024)

Inspector Masinga is dispatched back to Africa on a sex-trafficking case, and once he's home, he tries to find justice for the killing of his brother.

OriginalMade in South Africa

Must-watch trailer for Showmax's turbo-charged reality series Volspoed

Watch the trailer for Volspoed, Showmax's upcoming reality series about racer Antonie Marx, his family and his racing team. From 6 January 2026.

OriginalMade in South Africa

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Africa.jpg

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip cast on first impressions, beefs and more

The ladies from The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa share their first impressions of Housewives from other franchises. Catch new episodes every Friday on Showmax.

Original

Fana Mokoena on playing a sangoma in Masinga

SAFTA winner Fana Mokoena talks about portraying a sangoma in the gripping crime thriller, Masinga - The Calling. Stream from 5 December on Showmax.

Original South Africa

Tiffany Haddish Goes Off S1

Comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish journeys to Africa on a four-week girls' trip that brings adventure and deepens her lifelong friendships.

First

Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy on Showmax

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.

First

Princess Jecoco on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Africa

Princess Jecoco from The Real Housewives of Abuja franchise is back! She opens up on what it feels to be part of an epic girls trip

Original Nigeria

Bill Maher: Is Anyone Else Seeing This? is on Showmax

Bill Maher: Is Anyone Else Seeing This? (2025)

Comedian Bill Maher offers his scathing commentary on conservative and liberal politics, trends in modern parenting, sex and dating.

First

The most binge-worthy series

Life with Felix S1

Outspoken radio host and comedian Felix Hlophe takes viewers behind the scenes as he balances the demands of his career with his personal life.

Made in South Africa

Bel-Air S1-4

A dramatic and gritty re-imagining of Will Smith's iconic hit sitcom about a street-smart teen who moves from west Philadelphia to Bel-Air.

First

IT: Welcome to Derry

Set in the 1960s in the town of Derry, this horror series explores its strange happenings, disappearances, and the origins of Pennywise the Clown.

First

Navajo Police: Class 57 S1

Recruits face grueling training, personal demons, and cultural pride as they join the Navajo Police to protect the people of the reservation.

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