The best drama series and movies to stream on Showmax
These tearjerking drama series and movies will bring on all the feels – stream them all on Showmax, but be sure to keep the tissues handy, and bring along your nerves of steel.
We’ve got heart-pounding crime dramas, psychological thrillers where we know things aren’t all going to be okay, romantic dramas that clutch at our hearts, and devastating stories that unfold in emergency rooms, on the streets, in troubled homes and in workplaces of all kinds.
Power Book III: Raising Kanan S1-4
Teenaged Kanan Stark works to join the family drug business in Queens in the prequel series to the hit show Power.
Accused S2
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.
Killer Front Page S1
An ambitious journalist who dreams of attaining national recognition, like his father, gets obsessed with front-page headlines byline and winning the heart of his colleague. However, his life takes a dark turn when he gets fired.
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Adam (2024)
In modern-day South Africa, 18-year-old Adam is sent to Prinsloo Bush School, where he faces brutal training from his militaristic teachers.
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A Very Royal Scandal
This compelling British miniseries driven by Michael Sheen explores Emily Maitlis’s journey as a Newsnight journalist and Prince Andrew’s disastrous interview with her.
Shaka iLembe S1
Set in the 1700s, Shaka iLembe tells the story of the making of the iconic African king.
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It Ends With Us (2024)
In this compelling, emotional film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, a woman finds herself reliving her childhood trauma when she falls for a charming neurosurgeon.
Suits LA S1
Ted Black, a former New York prosecutor, moves to LA to build a new law firm specialising in criminal and entertainment law in this spin-off of Suits.
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.
Champions S1
Stakes are high in this fast-paced sports telenovela about Sne Modise as she battles life and work challenges while leading the Soshanguve Giants FC to success.
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Transplant S1-4
Syrian refugee Dr Bashir Hamed and his sister Amira settle in Canada, where Bash uses his battle-tested ER medical skills at York Memorial Hospital.
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.
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The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (2023)
The late Oscar-winning director William Friedkin adapts Herman Wouk’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. A young lieutenant is accused of a mutiny against his captain
Sullivan’s Crossing S1-2
A riveting and emotional romantic drama series based on Robyn Carr’s bestselling novel. Follow Neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan as her life is upended, leading her to return home to Sullivan’s Crossing.
The Last Rifleman (2023)
A WWII veteran escapes his nursing home in Northern Ireland to attend the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in France.
One Life (2023)
A London broker helps save hundreds of predominantly Jewish children from the Nazis just before the start of WWII.
Back to Black (2024)
Marisa Abela becomes the musical titan in this extraordinary story of Amy Winehouse’s early rise to fame and her tumultuous personal life.
The Color Purple (2023)
A woman faces hardships in her life, but finds extraordinary strength in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.
Chicago Med S9
Another compelling instalment of the pulse-pounding medical drama about the courageous team of doctors at a trauma centre in Chicago.
Die Skynwerper (2024)
After Nelis’s audition for the reality show The Spotlight fails, he starts suspecting the manipulative presenter. A Silwerskermfees 2024 short film.
Made in South AfricaLooking for something lighter?
Perfect Match (2024)
A man seeks to secure his future by hastily proposing to his girlfriend. However, a case of mistaken identity during lobola negotiations leads him to enlist the help of a spirited woman.
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April’s fools: Catch 10 of SNL’s biggest stars on Showmax
Documentary series SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night takes us behind the scenes of the longest-running sketch comedy series in the US. And while you might not know the show, you do know its stars!
Showmax and Laugh Africa announce the 2025 Roast of Helen Zille
Get ready for the Roast of Helen Zille at this year’s Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, happening from 2 May to 4 May at Sandton Convention Centre.
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Sterring (2024)
A passionate action movie fanatic from Soshanguve dreams of becoming a big action star – and after accidentally stopping a robbery, his dreams might come true …
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Showmax and Laugh Africa Comedy Festival are proud to announce headline act Deon Cole
Get ready for the return of the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, featuring headliner Deon Cole. The event will take place from Friday, 2 May to Sunday, 4 May 2025 at the Sandton Convention Center.
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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.
Danny McBride on how Bradley Cooper became the first Gemstone
Creator and star Danny McBride talks about the final season of the HBO comedy series The Righteous Gemstones, now streaming on Showmax.
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.
These shows are out of this world
10 things to know before watching The Last of Us Season 2
As the new season takes a five-year leap into the future, we recap what you need to know from The Last of Us Season 1, from a guide to the Infected, cults, militias and communities, to who still know about Ellie’s immunity.
The Last of Us S1-2
Joel and Ellie, a pair connected through the harshness of the world they live in, are forced to endure brutal circumstances and ruthless killers on a trek across post-pandemic America.
The Last of Us co-creator on why we all feel so protective of Ellie
Emmy winner Craig Mazin, co-creator and executive producer of The Last of Us, discusses why audiences feel so protective of Ellie. The new season premieres on M-Net and Showmax from 14 April 2025.
Breathe (2024)
Air-supply is scarce in the near future, forcing a mother and daughter to fight to survive when two strangers arrive desperate for an oxygenated haven.
Dune: Part Two (2024)
The second instalment in an epic two-part adaptation of Frank Herbert’s acclaimed novel. Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge.
Dune: Part Two – what lies ahead for Paul and Chani?
Dune: Part Two’s leads Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, and director Denis Villeneuve discuss their fates and the nitty-gritty of riding a sandworm across the desert.
Showrunner Alison Schapker on Dune: Prophecy
The Dune: Prophecy showrunner talks about creating the HBO series, now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Monday until 23 December.
We rate 11 aliens from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is bringing wonder back to space exploration. But with each new alien encounter comes the possibility of getting eggs laid in you!
Showmax is the home of HBO in Africa
10 things to know before watching The Last of Us Season 2
As the new season takes a five-year leap into the future, we recap what you need to know from The Last of Us Season 1, from a guide to the Infected, cults, militias and communities, to who still know about Ellie’s immunity.
The Last of Us S1-2
Joel and Ellie, a pair connected through the harshness of the world they live in, are forced to endure brutal circumstances and ruthless killers on a trek across post-pandemic America.
The Last of Us co-creator on why we all feel so protective of Ellie
Emmy winner Craig Mazin, co-creator and executive producer of The Last of Us, discusses why audiences feel so protective of Ellie. The new season premieres on M-Net and Showmax from 14 April 2025.
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night S1
SNL creator Lorne Michaels commemorates the show’s 50th anniversary. Featuring a look into the audition and writing processes, a deep dive into the ‘More Cowbell’ sketch, and an exploration of SNL’s 11th season.