42 Of The Best Shows To Stream On HBO Max Australia
6th Jul 2026
Written by:
Siriol Dafydd
Entertainment Writer | Urban List, Sydney
Since we were way too young to be watching (or really understanding) Sex and the City but binged it religiously anyway, we’ve long associated the HBO brand with great TV. Fast forward a couple of decades, and it’s still absolutely smashing it with a bunch of awesome shows from HBO, Warner Bros., Discovery, and beyond.
And if you, like us, don’t want to miss a second of the good stuff, you simply must work your way through our list of the best shows on HBO Max Australia right this minute.
You may as well make your excuses to your friends and family in advance, because you’re probably not gonna surface from your sofa for a while
Jump to:
- The Best Dramas on HBO Max
- The Best Documentaries on HBO Max
- The Best Sci-fi on HBO Max
- The Best Comedy on HBO Max
The Best Dramas On HBO Max
House Of The Dragon (Season 3)
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), you’ve probably already smashed this prequel. But, just in case you haven’t got around to it yet, House of the Dragon is set 200 years before the GOT saga and chronicles the rise of House Targaryen. Expect power struggles, betrayals, and plenty of dragons. Season 3 dropped on HBO Max Australia on June 22, 2026, so now you can smash Seasons 1 and 2 in full and catch brand new episodes of Season 3 as they drop every Monday.
Heated Rivalry
This smash hit Canadian drama is based on the second novel in Rachel Reid’s wildly popular Game Changers romance series. If you haven’t read the books, the story follows a decade-long love affair between two professional hockey players. With both men playing for rival teams in a sport without openly out players, their affair evolves from secret and super steamy casual hookups into a profound and unshakeable bond. Critics and fans have love, love, loved the first season, and a second season is already in the works for an April 2027 release. And, if you want to see what all the fuss is about, you can smash all six episodes of Season 1 right now.
Mad Men
If you somehow missed this award-winning show when it came out, now’s your chance to binge all seven seasons in full. Starring Jon Hamm, it follows the professional and personal lives of Madison Avenue executives in the 1960s golden age of advertising. It’s nostalgic, simultaneously glamorous and depressing, and full of social commentary around themes like sexism, racism, homophobia, and adultery. It won 16 Emmy Awards, 5 Golden Globes, and holds a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes despite being off the air for more than a decade. So, if you’re looking for a high-quality drama that will last you more than a week, even if you binge it at an alarming rate, this is one for you.
Song of the Samurai
This high-octane action drama is based on the popular manga series Chiruran: Shinsengumi Requiem. The story follows a fiery young street brawler who joins a legendary samurai force tasked with defending the city during the final years of Japan’s shogunate. And, to the backdrop of a massive and violent national transformation, his bond and loyalty to his new comrades are pushed to the limits by illness, political intrigue, and shocking betrayal. It’s fast-paced, high-energy, and has an anime-inspired aesthetic filled with impressive fight choreography. The first episode of Song of the Samurai dropped on 9 May, 2026, and you can catch brand new episodes of the 10-part series every Saturday.
Like Water for Chocolate
Based on Laura Esquivel’s popular novel. Like Water for Chocolate is a romantic drama series set in early-20th-century Mexico. The story follows a young woman who is forbidden to marry and forced to stay at home with her mother because of her family’s strict tradition. And, to cope with her forbidden love and super suppressed emotions, she pours all of her energy into cooking… which has a surprising and mysterious effect on those who eat it. It’s melodramatic, romantic, and magical all at once.
The Seduction
In the mood for a hot and steamy French period drama? The Seduction is a prequel to the famous novel, Les Liaisons Dangereuses (or Dangerous Liaisons if you couldn’t figure it out), but you don’t need to know anything about it to enjoy this series. The story follows Isabelle de Merteuil’s rise through Parisian high society, navigating romances, betrayals, and manipulations along the way. It’s bold, intense, and has plenty of hot and steamy scenes. The Seduction premieres in Australia on 14 November 2025, with new episodes released weekly.
IT: Welcome to Derry
This is one for all the horror fans out there. Set in the 1960s, this is an eight-part prequel to the iconic IT movies and novels. The series explores how the town of Derry first became haunted by Pennywise the Dancing Clown (we shudder just thinking about it tbh). It’s character-driven storytelling meets psychological supernatural horror. You can stream the first episode of IT: Welcome to Derry (if you dare) from October 27, 2025 and catch brand-new episodes as they drop weekly.
Task
This brand-new seven-episode HBO original limited series follows a former priest (played by Mark Ruffalo) who is called back to duty as an FBI agent after a family tragedy. As he leads a task force investigating a string of violent home invasions, the series takes a deep dive into themes like empathy, moral ambiguity, and the complexities of crime and redemption. Early episodes have an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so you can generally expect some high-quality drama here. But be warned that critics and fans have characterised it as riveting yet unrelentingly bleak at the same time, so it might not be a relaxing Sunday arvo watch. Task premiered on HBO Max Australia on September 8, 2025, with new episodes dropping every Sunday.
The Sopranos
Some dramas are so groundbreakingly spectacular that they’re still considered one of the best TV shows ever made—even 25 years down the track. We’d be pretty surprised if you hadn’t at least heard of The Sopranos… but just in case you’ve been MIA for the last quarter century, it’s about a New Jersey mob boss (Tony Soprano) who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks as he tries to balance his brutal criminal antics with his family life. It won a ridiculous number of awards and is regarded as one of the most influential artistic works of the early 21st century. So, whether you want to re-watch it from start to finish for the fifth time or have never seen a second of it, you can smash all 6 seasons of this iconic HBO original series now.
The Flight Attendant
Comedy queen Kaley Cuoco stars in this seriously gripping drama series about (unsurprisingly) a flight attendant. Kaley plays Cassie Bowden, who wakes up in a Bangkok hotel room with a dead man, but doesn’t remember anything. As she gets entangled in a murder investigation, she tries to put together the night of the murder, all while also putting her life together. The Flight Attendant is a fast-moving, entertaining plot with very suspenseful moments that will leave you hanging on. The 91% Rotten Tomatoes-rated series is a must-watch for anyone who loves dark comedies.
The Last Of Us
The Last Of Us has become one of HBO Max’s most popular shows following its release in 2023. Based on a 2013 video game in which the world has been wrecked by a fungal apocalypse, the story follows Joel (Pedro Pascal) as a smuggler and his teenage travelling partner Ellie (Bella Ramsey). The visuals, storytelling, and characters will have you seriously hooked. The series has many standout episodes, and it’s become a hit among fans and critics alike.
Euphoria
Since its first season in 2019, Euphoria has remained one of HBO Max’s most talked-about teen dramas. It’s known for its dark storylines and web-like exploration of its cast of characters through the protagonist, Rue (Zendaya), a teenager struggling with addiction. Heads up — the show is a seriously heavy watch, diving headfirst into all kinds of topics such as drug use, death, addiction, and body image issues.
The Pitt
The Pitt has become Max’s standout medical drama, earning fans for its gripping portrayals of a single shift in an emergency room. Over each one-hour episode, the show explores issues faced by frontline medical staff in a financially strapped emergency department in Pittsburgh. Season one of The Pitt was a huge success, earning countless award nominations, several wins, and a not-too-shabby 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. And, if you’ve already seen Season 1, you can get straight back into the drama with the first episode of Season 2, which premieres on 9 January 2026, followed by weekly episodes thereafter.
Industry
If you enjoyed Succession, this is the series to binge next. Industry is a workplace drama with high stakes and cut-throat intensity. Set at London’s elite investment bank Pierpoint & Co., the series follows a group of ambitious young graduates as they fight for the limited number of full-time positions up for grabs. Think cutthroat competition, power plays, and personal entanglements. All three seasons are currently streaming on Max.
The White Lotus
The White Lotus centres around a luxury hotel called The White Lotus, with the first season in Hawaii, the second in Sicily and the third in Thailand. While each season features a murder, the series is less plot-driven than it is about character development—introducing viewers to morally complex characters who are often deplorable and cringeworthy yet deeply discussable. You can dip into any season out of order, but we suggest starting with the OG and workin your way through chronologically.
And Just Like That
This is one of those shows that you might well hate yourself for watching, but you’ll still finish each and every season anyway. Decades on from the original Sex And The City series, the show follows most of the original characters as they navigate their 50s in New York City. The cultural references and awkward attempts at wokeness are so not subtle, and it’s probably even more vapid and materialistic than the last few seasons of the original run, as well as the god-awful movies that followed. But, nonetheless, it’s comfort-viewing for a rainy evening, best served with ice cream or copious amounts of wine.
The Best Documentaries On HBO Max
Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult
This three-part documentary looks at the bizarre but true story of how Hoyt Richards, the world’s first male supermodel, was drawn into a strange ‘80s socialite cult, Eternal Values. From the guru’s obsession with youth and beauty to the cult’s belief that they were aliens sent to save humanity, it’s a truly wild ride you need to see to believe.
Evil Lives Here: My Child The Killer
This spin-off series to the long-running Evil Lives Here franchise focuses on the parents of children who grew up to be cold-blooded murderers. Each episode focuses on a different case and follows the same intense, intimate, and single-subject interview format of the overall series. You can also expect plenty of moody cinematic reenactments, police footage, and suspense. Basically, it’s true crime mixed with devastating parental heartbreak.
The Yogurt Shop Murders
This hit true-crime docuseries takes a deep dive into the infamous 1991 Austin murders of four teenage girls. It made headlines in 2025, and investigators later uncovered DNA evidence that identified the murderer. And, from 23 May, 2026, you can catch an additional epilogue episode that explores this breakthrough and finally closes this 34-year-old cold case for good.
The Dark Wizard
This HBO Original documentary explores the controversial career of the world-renowned rock climber and base jumper, Dean Potter. Combining brand new archive footage with questions around the ethics of extreme sports, it explores the dark obsession required and the inevitable personal turmoil it takes to perform these kinds of death-defying stunts. The Dark Wizard was released on April 14 2026, worldwide, with new episodes of the four-part documentary dropping weekly.
Born to Bowl
This five-part doco gives us a deep insight into the world of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour. Narrated by Liev Schreiber and produced by Ben Stiller, it focuses on five elite bowlers across various major tournaments. It’s a sports doc with plenty of insight into the quirks, challenges, and camaraderie of life in competition and on the road.
120 Hours Behind Bars
This observational documentary series looks at life inside some of America’s toughest county jails. Following deputies, sheriffs, and correctional staff on their jobs across five days, it explores issues like overcrowding, understaffing, drug issues, and daily violence. 120 Hours Behind Bars premiered on 10 March 2026. If you want a raw and immersive experience with real footage and ground-level action instead of safe voiceover narration, it’s worth checking out.
Murder in Glitterball City
This two-part HBO true-crime documentary explores the shocking murder of hairstylist and drag performer Jamie Carroll in Louisville, Kentucky. With two toxically-linked suspects blaming each other at the centre, the investigation uncovers a tangled web of drugs, secrets, and unreliable testimony. It’s a gripping “he-said-he-said” mystery with plenty to sink your teeth into.
Quiet in Class
This gripping three-part series explores the horrific school abuse and child pornography scandal in Sweden. Blending survivor testimonies with archive footage and investigative reporting, it looks at the psychological trauma the victims encountered along with the broader cultural factors that allowed the abuse to continue as long as it did. It’s emotionally taxing, but if you want a powerful documentary told compellingly, it’s worth a watch.
The Cult of the Real Housewife
This three-part documentary miniseries investigates Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosby’s role in the controversial Faith Temple Pentecostal Church. Combining multiple interviews with family members, ex-congregants, and experts, it takes a deep dive into allegations of spiritual and financial misconduct, along with how Mary Cosby’s leadership allegedly transformed the church’s culture. If you’re fascinated by this kind of thing, The Cult of the Real Housewife is available to watch in full from 2 January 2026.
Peacemaker (Season 2)
John Cena was simply born to play a superhero. And a morally conflicted vigilante superhero committed to achieving peace even if it means using extreme violence? Well, enough said. If you haven’t already seen the first season of Peacemaker, you can smash all eight episodes now. And, if you’re ready for more irreverent humour, over-the-top action, and satirical superhero silliness, strap in for new episodes of Season 2, dropping every week from August 22.
A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms
The Game of Thrones universe continues to expand with this new series set 100 years before the events of the original. Based on George R. R. Martin's novella The Hedge Knight, the series follows Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg (who is actually Aegon Targaryen). The series is described as softer and more humorous than Game of Thrones. A 2026 release date has just been confirmed for the series.
Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness
This satirical sketch series takes an alternate look at American history through improvised comedy. Essentially, each sketch plonks the petulantly neurotic Larry David in the middle of pivotal moments in American history, where he spends his time arguing about minor, everyday annoyances and bickering with his friends. The dialogue is unscripted, and the supporting cast includes heavyweights like Bill Hader, Jon Hamm, Kathryn Hahn, and Barack Obama. Basically, imagine Curb Your Enthusiasm meets Horrible Histories with a side of SNL. And what’s not to love about that?
The Comeback (Season 3)
If you’ve never seen The Comeback, it’s a cult satirical mockumentary-style comedy about a washed-up sitcom actress trying to reboot her career in a more modern Hollywood than she’s used to. Starring Lisa Kudrow, it combines cringey comedy with heartfelt moments and offers plenty of meta commentary about the inner workings of Hollywood. Season 1 aired in 2005, with Season 2 following in 2014. And now, almost twenty years after its initial release, you can finally catch Season 3 of The Comeback from 22 March 2026.
DTF St. Louis
This darkly funny comedy starring Jason Bateman, David Harbour (aka Lily Allen’s ex), and Linda Cardellini follows three middle-aged friends as they join a new dating app. But what starts as a fun experiment turns into a love triangle that ends with one of them dead. Sounds deliciously intriguing, right? Enjoy.
Rooster
If you’re a fan of Shrinking or Ted Lasso, you’ll probably enjoy Rooster. Starring Steve Carell, it follows a washed-up novelist who reluctantly takes a teaching position at a college where his daughter also works. As he navigates campus bureaucracy, engages with students, and tries to find meaning in his life and career again, he also reconnects with his daughter, who is navigating her own personal drama. It’s sweet, funny, and character-driven. What’s not to love?
Smiling Friends
This is an offbeat animated comedy about the eccentric employees of a small company who are dedicated to making people happy. It’s surreal, chaotic, darkly funny, and filled to the brim with quirky characters and bizarre scenarios. So, if you need a bit of an emotional pick-me-up, all three seasons are available to stream now.
Common Side Effects
This Emmy-nominated adult animation has a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The story follows two former high-school lab partners who discover a mushroom that appears to cure all illnesses. But their discovery also uncovers a conspiracy whereby the government and an evil pharmaceutical company are trying to suppress all knowledge of said mushroom. It’s the offbeat animated conspiracy thriller you never knew you needed, and you can stream it in full now.
Outsiders (Seasons 1–3)
If you need a bit of light-hearted comedy-reality vibes to get you through the week, Outsiders is a good shout. Hosted by David Mitchell (who you may recognise from Peep Show), this comedy gameshow pairs comedians in the wilderness to face survival-style challenges. Imagine Bear Grylls meets Would I Lie to You, and you’re in the right ballpark. All three seasons of Outsiders dropped in Australia on 8 December 2025.
I Love LA
I Love LA follows Maia, an overworked twenty-something talent management assistant in Los Angeles, as she and her friends navigate work, life, love, and everything in between. It’s giving us Girls meets Entourage meets The Bold Type, that’s made with the Gen Z in mind. It’s got a quirky indie-comedy style with some darker and edgier notes than your classic young-girls-navigating-life-in-the-city stuff. The first episode of I Love LA premiered in Australia on November 3, 2025, with new episodes dropping weekly.
The Chair Company
In the mood for an offbeat comedy-thriller? The Chair company follows a socially awkward corporate worker whose life falls apart after a humiliating incident with an office chair. As he desperately tries to reclaim his dignity, he gets caught up in a crazy conspiracy that spirals out of control. It’s giving us dark comedy meets unnerving suspense — what’s not to love here? The eight-part series debuted on 13 October, with new episodes released every week.
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage
If you’re a fan of The Big Bang Theory and/or Young Sheldon, you’ll probably want to check out Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. A spin-off sequel to the prequel of Big Bang (lols), this sitcom focuses on Sheldon’s older brother, Georgie, as he navigates marriage and young parenthood in 1990s Texas. Season 2 will premiere on October 16, 2025. In the meantime, you can watch (or re-watch) Season 1 in full now.
Rick and Morty
An oldie but goodie, Rick and Morty is a long-running adult science fiction animation that’s bonkers on every possible level. It follows the galactic misadventures of an alcoholic mad scientist named Rick, along with his 14-year-old grandson, Morty. If you have delicate sensibilities, give this one a swerve. But, if you like your comedy coarse, chaotic and spread across an unfathomable number of timelines and galaxies, you’ll be pleased to know that you’ve got 8 seasons of madness to get through on this one.
Veep
Veep is a sharp political comedy that satirises one of America’s highest offices—The Vice Presidency (Veep). The series stars Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and a cast of hopeless staffers as she navigates being the Veep, including struggling to get the President to talk to her. If you are looking for comedy that hits a little too real in today's political climate, this one is for you.
The Rehearsal
The Rehearsal is one of Max’s most inventive and talked-about shows. It started as a mix between comedy and documentary series where the star/comedian Nathan Fielder helps people prepare for upcoming life events, such as confessions or life decisions, to an unnerving effect.