Top crime series to binge-watch on Showmax
Feel like sinking your teeth into a gritty thriller, crime caper or police procedural series? Here are some of the most addictive series that fit the bill, all available on Showmax.
Prepare to be gripped by police procedurals that take you behind the scenes of law enforcement, gritty stories of ordinary people turning to a life of crime to secure their families’ futures, and shows about the pursuit of justice in all its forms. These crime series on Showmax are sure to keep you hooked for hours on end.
Heist 88 (2023)
In this captivating heist thriller inspired by a daring true story, a criminal mastermind recruits a group of young bank employees to steal $80 million.
Made in South Africa
Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist S1
An explosive star-studded limited series based on the infamous story of an armed robbery after Ali’s historical comeback fight.
Devil’s Peak S1
This crime series follows Detective Benny Greissel in his quest to track down a righteous vigilante killer in Cape Town.
Made in South Africa
The Truth vs Alex Jones
This doccie looks at how families of the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting took conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to court for spreading lies about the event being a hoax.
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.
Die Bloedhonde (2024)
Katrien is on holiday with her family when an unexplained death gives her reason to suspect the beloved local pastor of foul play…
Made in South Africa
Tell Them You Love Me (2023)
A true-crime documentary about the university professor who had a controversial affair with a non-verbal man with cerebral palsy.
Dr Death S1-2
Investigative journalist Benita Alexander discovers a new subject in world-renowned surgeon Paolo Macchiarini, known as The Miracle Man.
Daar’s Bloed (2023)
A famous South African actress becomes paranoid when private photos of her appear in a magazine. Does she have a stalker?
Made in South Africa
Fargo S5
Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning anthology series about a crime in an unassuming town. This season, housewife Dot finds herself plunged into her past.
Alert: Missing Persons Unit S1-2
Showrunner John Eisendrath and Jamie Foxx are behind this police procedural. After her son goes missing, Nikki Batista joins the Philadelphia Missing Persons Unit, helping find people’s loved ones as she searches for her own.
Mr Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie (2023)
In this enjoyable movie sequel to the beloved show, Monk steps out of retirement as his stepdaughter’s wedding takes a tragic turn.
True Detective S1-4
Anthology series in which police investigations unearth the personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within and outside the law.
Tokyo Vice S1
In this powerful HBO crime thriller based on true events, a Western journalist working in Tokyo takes on one of the city’s most powerful crime bosses.
When We Were Bullies (2022)
A mind-boggling coincidence leads the filmmaker to track down his fifth-grade class and fifth-grade teacher to examine their memory of and complicity in a bullying incident 50 years ago.
The Cleaning Lady S3
A marginalised Cambodian doctor in the US struggles to keep her ill son alive. She becomes a cleaning lady for an organised crime syndicate to save him.
The Sixth Commandment S1
Follow the events that unfolded after the real-life deaths of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin in a Buckinghamshire village.
Time S2
A tense and gritty British prison anthology series that looks at a new scenario of life in prison. Season 2 focuses on a women’s prison.
ZeroZeroZero S1
The drug underworld is a zero-sum game in this gritty crime drama exploring the inner workings of the global cocaine trade.
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 AfricaEye-opening documentaries to stream
9 South African true-crime series, ranked
From Devilsdorp to Tracking Thabo Bester, these true-crime documentary series explore some of the darkest and most audacious acts – all available to stream on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the highly anticipated two-part blockbuster film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical.
Stream The Earthshot Prize Awards 2024 on Showmax
Stream The Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony, filmed in Cape Town, on Showmax now.
Made in South Africa
Eye-opening homegrown documentaries to stream
These unmissable South African shows and movies deliver surprising insights on the country we’re living in today.
Made in South Africa
Sergio Leone: The Italian Who Invented America
An homage to legendary Italian director Sergio Leone, who was famous for creating the “spaghetti western”.
Action S1
A high-octane, adrenaline-pumping docuseries about the legendary 87North stunt team who have electrified the world of action sports, martial arts, motocross and more.
5 jaw-dropping moments in HBO documentary Brandy Hellville
Being aware of something is not the same as seeing it! Check out our most shocking moments from the documentary Brandy Hellville & The Cult of Fast Fashion.
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.
Looking for something lighter?
Celebrate the festive feels with Showmax film Christmas Clothes
The heartwarming comedy film Christmas Clothes, directed by Athi Petela, premieres on Showmax on 6 December 2024.
Made in South Africa
Hacks Season 3’s five best put downs and pranks
While veteran comedian Deborah Vance gets roasted in Hacks Season 3, she’s more than ready to fire back in five of our favourite moments.
Hacks S1-3
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.
Julia S1-2
Without Julia Child’s 1960s television series The French Chef, the modern cooking show would not exist. This series is inspired by her extraordinary life.
7 South African stand-up comedians that bring the laughs
Discover these top SA comedians ready to make you laugh out loud in their comedy specials and the 13-part Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, now streaming on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
“We didn’t try too hard to be funny” – One Weeks’ Siphiwe Mtshali
Renowned actor Siphiwe Mtshali talks about playing his first comedic role in the Showmax Original comedy series One Weeks. All the episodes are available to binge-watch on Showmax.
South African
Extended Family S1
A happily divorced couple with an unusual living situation, Jim and Julia’s lives are disrupted when Julia finds a new love.
DiepCity’s Nozuko Ncayiyane stars in Showmax film M’tase Khaya
DiepCity star Nozuko Ncayiyane talks about her role in Showmax film M’tase Khaya, directed by Athi Petela.
Made in South AfricaShows you'll find only on Showmax
Sergio Leone: The Italian Who Invented America
An homage to legendary Italian director Sergio Leone, who was famous for creating the “spaghetti western”.
Action S1
A high-octane, adrenaline-pumping docuseries about the legendary 87North stunt team who have electrified the world of action sports, martial arts, motocross and more.
Hysteria!
In this horror-comedy, when a quarterback disappears, a struggling high school heavy metal band capitalises on the town’s sudden interest in the occult.
Hacks Season 3’s five best put downs and pranks
While veteran comedian Deborah Vance gets roasted in Hacks Season 3, she’s more than ready to fire back in five of our favourite moments.