With election season upon us, Max (formerly HBO Max) is a good source for escapist, fictional political content. From shows like The Newsroom, The West Wing, and Veep to talk shows like Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and documentaries like The War Room and The Bush Years: Family, Duty, Power, you can go full-on White House this month and set up themed viewing parties. No matter which side of the political spectrum you fall on, each TV show, movie, and documentary is thought-provoking and will spark conversation.
The best shows on Max (formerly HBO Max) in November also include new programs like The Franchise and returning shows like The Sex Lives of College Girls. Peruse this list, and you’re sure to find something to enjoy this month.
Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new shows to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, best shows on Hulu, best shows on Amazon Prime Video, and the best shows on Disney+.
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Dune: Prophecy2024 -
Dune: Prophecy (2024)
Set 10,000 years prior to the ascension of Paul Atreides, Dune: Prophecy is inspired by the Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson novel Sisterhood of Dune. The six-episode series follows two Harkonnen sisters, Valya (Emily Watson) and Tula (Olivia Williams), who are battling forces that threaten humankind. To do so, they must undergo intense training to eventually help them acquire superhuman abilities. The show follows their journey and the establishment of the sect known as the Bene Gesserit.
A companion podcast will be available following each episode of the show. This will offer further insight from the creators and cast, making the show and podcast a perfect new watch (and listen) for die-hard Dune franchise fans.
The Newsroom (2012)
Jeff Daniels shines in this Aaron Sorkin political drama as Will McAvoy, an anchor for a cable news channel whose working world gets thrown a loop when his ex-girlfriend, MacKenzie McHale (Emily Mortimer), is hired as his new executive producer. Together, they try to navigate the murky waters of the political, corporate, commercial, and media landscapes. But Mac’s desire to shake things up doesn’t fit with Will’s hardheaded, stubborn personality and unwillingness to change his onscreen persona and style.
The Newsroom has an incredible cast and engaging episodes where art imitates life; the headlines often reflect real ones happening at the time. It’s like peeling back the curtain to see inside a newsroom and learn about the inner workings of how broadcasts are handled and breaking news is covered. The Newsroom was initially met with mixed reviews, which improved for its second and third seasons. Nonetheless, McAvoy’s long speech that kicks off the pilot episode, answering a student’s question “Why is America the greatest country in the world?” will have you gripped from the get-go and wanting more.
The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021)
72%The West Wing (1999)
78%
8.8/10Veep (2012)
82%
8.3/10The Franchise (2024)
If satire fits your interests, you’ll love The Franchise, a satirical comedy series about a crew from a lackluster superhero franchise movie who are trying to navigate the complex world behind-the-scenes on a frantic set in Hollywood. It’s like pulling back the curtain to peer at how superhero movies get made — warts, blunders, screw-ups, and all.
Heading up the cast are Himesh Patel (Yesterday) and Aya Cash (The Boys). The Franchise is directed and executive produced by Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Skyfall) and also executive produced by Veep creator Armando Iannucci, who is no stranger to the satire genre. If you find other superhero satire shows like The Boys too risqué for your tastes, The Franchise is a more comedic, goofier take. It will leave you curious as to how accurately it reflects what really happens behind closed doors during the filming of these types of movies.
Somebody Somewhere (2022)
Receiving rave reviews for its first two seasons, Somebody, Somewhere is a comedy-drama starring comedian, actor, singer, writer, and cabaret performer Bridget Everett. She’s a woman named Sam dealing with a midlife crisis following the death of her sister. The series will conclude with the third and final season.
Inspired by Everett’s real life, the show boasts a perfect Rotten Tomatoes rating. The Daily Beast’s Kevin Fallon simply says that “Bridget Everett is a force” while Theo Estes of The Spool relates the show’s brilliance to “the way it weaves between the hilarity and drama of the mundane.”
The Penguin (2024)
Colin Farrell impressed as the DC Comics villain Penguin in the 2022 movie The Batman. Now, that film has received a series spinoff centered around the creepy character, and Farrell is donning the makeup once again to take on the persona of the criminal underworld mastermind. In The Penguin, the title character has begun to rise up the ranks of power following the death of crime boss Carmine Falcone.
Similar to movies like Joker, The Penguin dives deeper into the psyche of the disfigured character, exploring the damaged man that exists beneath the villainous exterior. With Farrell describing the show as violent and heavy (per Variety), expect a slight departure from the usual comic book fare. However, it falls in line with those darker shows and movies that are becoming commonplace within this genre. The Penguin premieres on September 19, 2024.
Abbott Elementary (2021)
Abbott Elementary has been lauded for its relatability. Presented in mockumentary style, Abbott Elementary is an honest look at the trials and tribulations of the public school system. The story begins with a documentary crew recording teachers working in underfunded schools. The sitcom’s creator, Quinta Brunson, also stars as Janine, a second-grade teacher navigating life with her colleagues, students, and the school’s tone-deaf principal.
While every day is a challenge, the teachers simply want to do the best for their kids. But that’s easier said than done. With multiple Emmy wins, Abbott Elementary is a must-watch for anyone with kids and for teachers, who will be nodding their heads the whole way through.
Industry (2020)
72%
7/10The corporate world can be cut-throat, especially when there are so many young and talented people all vying for a limited number of jobs. In this British drama, the jobs in question are at a prestigious investment bank in London. The story in Industry begins with a recent group of graduates, who all vie for the hottest gigs in town in finance. It’s a race to the finish line for a seat at the corporate table, and these young adults aren’t about to let that opportunity slide.
Now three seasons in, Industry has filled the gaping hole left by shows like Succession for a corporate-themed drama about greedy people willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead and make money. Industry’s salacious, devious characters include some returning from season 2 along with a few new faces. Among these is Kit Harington in season 3, who plays Henry Muck, CEO of a green tech energy company. If you love shows like Succession and Billions, Industry will be right up your alley.
Kite Man: Hell Yeah! (2024)
This adult animated black comedy superhero series is centered around the DC Comics character Kite Man (voiced by Matt Oberg) and follows his adventures alongside girlfriend Golden Glider (Stephanie Hsu). Set as a spinoff of Harley Quinn in which the title character appeared with ex-fiancé Poison Ivy, Kite Man and Golden Glider steal the money needed to buy the seedy Noonan’s dive bar, which they vow to make a destination spot for all types of dark characters in Gotham City.
Featuring the voice of the late Lance Reddick as Lex Luthor, Kite Man: Hell Yeah! was met with praise for its first season. Keep an ear out for a talented cast of other voice actors, including Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) as Sean Noonan and Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos, The White Lotus) as Joe/Moe Dubelz. Maintaining a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes audience score, critics love the show. Decider’s Johnny Loftus calls it a ”fun, foul-mouthed send-up of the superhero genre with expressive voice acting and a gleeful murderous streak that guarantees its NSFW-ness.”
House of the Dragon (2022)
68%
8.8/10Anyone who claimed that fans didn’t care about Game of Thrones after the divisive final season turned out to be quite wrong. House of the Dragon has proven to be a monster hit. Milly Alcock stars as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen before eventually relinquishing the role to Emma D’Arcy. Following the death of her mother and her infant brother, Rhaenyra was named heir to the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. However, her childhood best friend, Lady Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey), has married Rhaenyra’s father and become the new queen. And as the queen becomes a woman (played by Olivia Cooke), her rivalry with her former friend throws House Targaryen into turmoil.
The intensity continues as the fight grows between Team Black and Team Green in season 2. A civil war is brewing, and the dynamic is more heated than ever as loyalties are tested and allegiances fractured. If you’re a fan of Game of Thrones and know of the history of the Targaryen side, you’ll be expecting the blood-soaked, violent, quest for power that is House of the Dragon.
Fantasmas (2024)
Salvadoran-American writer, comedian, and actor Julio Torres, best known for his work as a writer on Saturday Night Live and as co-creator, writer, and executive producer of the series Los Espookys, created, directed, wrote, and stars in Fantasmas. In the comedy, Torres plays a fictional version of himself touring through an alternate version of New York City on a quest for a missing golden oyster earring. Along the way, he meets a variety of eclectic characters, all of whom play into the story.
Vibrant, oddball, and surreal, Fantasmas has deeper meanings behind the strange scenes and eerie happenings. It tackles themes like meaning, purpose, and connection in a world in which so many feel isolated. Early reviewers like AV Club’s Manuel Betancourt describe Fantasmas as “long-form, sketch-like episodic television at its most inventive.” Referring to the show as a “wild ride,” he adds that Fantasmas solidifies Torres’ position as “one of our most astute storytellers working today.” Keep an eye out for guest starring roles from Steve Buscemi, Paul Dano, Bowen Yang, and other comedic talents.
The Sympathizer (2024)
Based on the Viet Thanh Nguyen novel of the same name that earned a Pulitzer Prize, The Sympathizer is about the Captain (Hoa Xuande), a police captain in Saigon who is secretly working as a plant in the South Vietnam army. While living with other South Vietnamese refugees after fleeing to the U.S. following the Vietnam War, he continues to work as a spy, reporting back to the Viet Cong. But as he becomes further entrenched in this new life, The Captain’s loyalties are tested.
The Sympathizer features a predominantly Vietnamese cast and Vietnamese dialogue, at the insistence of Nguyen. Robert Downey Jr., however, also appears in several roles, including as a CIA agent, a grad school professor, an auteur filmmaker, and a California congressman. Delivered in the style of a historical black comedy drama, the miniseries disguises important subject matter behind a lens of comedy, and handles it brilliantly. Digital Trends’ Alex Welch calls the series a ”masterful spy thriller” that is “thematically rich [and] stylistically refreshing.”
Conan O'Brien Must Go (2024)
There’s an influx of travel and adventure docuseries starring celebrities, and Conan O’Brien is the latest to enter the mix. In his new travel show Conan O’Brien Must Go, the former late-night talk show hosts brings his quirky humor on the road in episodes that feel like extended versions of some of his most popular late-night remote segments. Through the episodes, he travels to locations like Norway, Thailand, and Ireland, where he visits fans in person that were featured on his podcast series’ Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend and Conan Without Borders. This includes Norwegian rapper Jarle and Thai rock climber Whitney.
O’Brien’s signature self-deprecating humor is on full display, bringing to life the podcasts in a way that could never be done through a video screen. Conan O’Brien Must Go is only four episodes long, but the show will have you belly laughing the entire way through, and missing O’Brien’s joyful presence in late night.
Hacks (2021)
81%
8.2/10Entourage (2004)
Mark Wahlberg executive produced this comedy drama that’s loosely based on his life, and it became a huge hit, airing for eight seasons. The central character in Entourage is Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier), a young actor who becomes massively famous and brings his group of childhood friends, aka his “entourage,” along with him for the wild ride. He hires his best friend. Eric (Kevin Connolly). as his manager. Joining the pair in their antics are Vinny’s older half-brother, Johnny “Drama” (Kevin Dillon), a much less successful actor, and friend, Turtle (Jerry Ferrara), who both try to find purpose, but mostly love to reap the benefits of Vinny’s fame. Jeremy Piven, meanwhile, stars as Vince’s egotistical and temperamental agent Ari Gold.
The episodes follow the expected exploits of four young men thrust into a world of fame, money, women, and excess in every sense of the word. It’s raunchy, deeply entertaining, and features tons of celebrity cameos through the seasons. Whether you love Wahlberg or not, Entourage stands on its own as a slick series about the dark and dirty temptations of fame.
Young Sheldon (2017)
Ending after its seventh and final season, Young Sheldon is a worthy follow-up prequel series to The Big Bang Theory, telling the childhood story of Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons, Iain Armitage in this show). Narrated by Parsons himself and filled with Easter Eggs and references to moments Sheldon recalled in the original show, Armitage beautifully captures the essence of Sheldon’s massive ego and superiority complex, even as a young boy.
Offering up an equal dose of touching and hilarious moments, Young Sheldon takes fans into the life of a middle-class family in the late 1980s and early ’90s, complete with the beer- and football-loving dad, George (Lance Barber), and the deeply religious Southern Baptist mom, Mary (Zoe Perry). With a fabulous supporting cast that includes Annie Potts as Sheldon’s grandmother Connie (Meemaw) and actors like Wallace Shawn, Craig T. Nelson, and Reba McEntire in recurring roles, Young Sheldon is just as engaging as The Big Bang Theory.
The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst (2015)
This documentary miniseries took the world by storm when it presented the story of convicted murderer and New York real estate heir Robert Durst. The timing couldn’t have been better for the release of The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst back in 2015 since Durst was arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of his friend Susan Berman just a day prior to the airing of the finale. From there, a web of lies was uncovered, revealing details about the unsolved disappearance of his wife Kathie back in 1982 as well as the death and dismemberment of his neighbor Morris Black. That pivotal moment when Durst confessed his crimes during a bathroom break, unaware that his microphone was still on and recording, became a sort of smoking gun and shocked the nation.
Returning with a six-episode second-season continuation called The Jinx – Part 2, those intrigued and horrified by the case can hear more about what has transpired in the last eight years, including new interviews, material, and Durst’s own prison calls. Durst passed away in January 2022, but his story remains one of the most fascinating and heinous ones of celebrity crime.
The Big Bang Theory (2007)
One of the most iconic sitcoms of the 2000s and 2010s, The Big Bang Theory spawned an equally successful prequel spin-off called Young Sheldon, which is also available to stream. The story centers around a group of self-professed science nerds navigating daily life in California, all working at Caltech University. It begins when Penny (Kaley Cuoco), a beautiful young waitress and aspiring actress, moves into the apartment across the hall from Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki), and the socially awkward men attempt to befriend her.
Featuring a fabulous ensemble cast that was, at one point in time, among the highest-paid actors on TV, The Big Bang Theory is filled with complex dialogue and scientific jargon. Yet the jokes and running gags hit beautifully, whether you understand what they’re talking about or not. It’s the type of show you can watch and re-watch and laugh every time. The series earned 46 nominations through its 12-season run, with Parsons winning Outstanding Leader Actor in a Comedy Series four times in a row.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)
One of the defining sitcoms of the ‘90s, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air starred Will Smith before he became a massive A-list Hollywood movie celebrity. It’s a fish-out-of-water story about a young man from West Philadelphia who is sent by his mother to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in Bel-Air. Will’s mom worries he’s going down the wrong path and wants to give him a better chance at life.
At first, Will is at odds with the family members who don’t see eye-to-eye with him, along with the uppity lifestyle to which he isn’t accustomed. But the family comes together as he acclimates to them and they to him. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is ground-breaking in so many ways. Along with plenty of humor and heart, the sitcom tackles serious issues about race, violence, and family strife. A darker, more dramatic reimagining called Bel-Air is available to stream on Peacock.
Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000)
84%
8.7/10Larry David is annoyed with a lot of things: fake people, traditional conventions, false enthusiasm, and the usual ridiculous things, situations, and people he comes across in everyday life. At least, this is how the character based on him is in Curb Your Enthusiasm, one of the best sitcoms of the last several decades. Set to end after its 12th season, Curb Your Enthusiasm was so popular that fans stuck with the show, even when it went on hiatus repeatedly, with years between seasons.
Many of the scripts are based on David’s real-life feelings and perspective of the world and social norms, highlighting his dry sense of humor. With a strong supporting cast that includes Cheryl Hines as David’s wife and Jeff Garlin as his manager and best friend, something in this show just clicks. There isn’t an actual story: much like Seinfeld, which David created, Curb Your Enthusiasm is basically a show about nothing. But the writing, improvised moments, David’s blunt observations, and watching others try to tolerate his behavior is magic.
Tokyo Vice (2022)
75%
8/10Max (formerly HBO Max) takes viewers into the Japanese underworld of organized crime in Tokyo Vice. Based on the nonfiction account of journalist Jake Adelstein (Ansel Elgort), the show follows his attempts to become a crime reporter in Japan. Detective Hiroto Katagiri (Ken Watanabe) offers Jake some perspective from the law enforcement side. However, Jake’s growing contacts in the city’s seedier areas give him insight into the Yakuza as well. And once Jake is even a small part of this world, it starts to bleed into every aspect of his life.
The blood-soaked crime drama adds new characters in the second season and dives deeper into the personal lives of each character you got to know in season 1.
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (2014)
The recipient of more than two dozen Primetime Emmy Awards, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but as far as satirical news/late night shows go, Oliver really has the market cornered. It’s all for good reason: he’s hilariously engaging, bitingly honest, and never shies away from any topic or stance, no matter how controversial.
Renewed through 2026, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver sparks debate and conversation, presenting the American news in a way that both educates and lightens the mood. Oliver’s sharp tongue, passion for the topics he talks about, and perspective as a British outsider help bring some of his points home.
True Detective (2014)
True Detective has three full seasons under its belt, with fans enduring a five-year wait for season 4. The anthology crime drama has a different story in every season, along with a completely different cast, with names like Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Rachel McAdams, Taylor Kitsch, Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn, Mahershala Ali, Stephen Dorff and, most recently, Jodie Foster in Detective Country, counted among the leads.
A different crime is at the heart of every season, along with the authorities investigating it. Every season features enticing twists and turns and tells thought-provoking stories, all driven by incredible performances from the respective casts. The scene shifts to chilly Alaska in season 4. Consistently, each new narrative in True Detective (season 2 excepted, perhaps) gets darker and more haunting.
Rick and Morty (2013)
87%
9.2/10Silicon Valley (2014)
Mike Judge has come a long way from his Beavis and Butt-Head days. While Judge has previously directed live-action comedy films, Silicon Valley gave him an even bigger platform to expand his mastery of the medium. The series follows programmer Richard Hendricks (Thomas Middleditch) as he and his friends try to launch a new startup company called Pied Piper. Their trials and tribulations run the gamut from hilarious to dramatic. Judge and his co-creators assembled a talented supporting cast that includes T.J. Miller, Kumail Nanjiani, Martin Starr, and Amanda Crew, nearly all of whom have gone on to even bigger things after the show’s six-season run.
Silicon Valley is heavy on tech industry references, so anyone who understands the space will get every insider reference and joke, and theorize about what real-life tech CEOs, billionaires, and investors various characters were likely modeled around. But even those who aren’t so entrenched in the tech space will laugh the entire way through at the absurd “nerd” humor.
Friends (1994)
With the untimely passing of Matthew Perry, who’s most recognizable role was as Chandler Bing in this iconic sitcom, it’s a good time to binge all 10 seasons of Friends. Remember not only what makes the series part of pop culture history but also how fabulously hilarious Perry and the rest of the talented cast were in their roles. Relive some of the best episodes of Friends and the funny moments, quotable quotes, and sarcastic one-liners.
Our Flag Means Death (2022)
71%
7.9/10Doom Patrol (2019)
Harley Quinn (2019)
88%
8.5/10The Righteous Gemstones (2019)
John Goodman heads up the ensemble cast in this Danny McBride-created black comedy crime series about a family of televangelists and megachurch pastors. They speak the word of the Lord, but their padded pocketbooks suggest they really speak the word of capitalism. The family’s opulent lifestyle also indicates that donations from parishioners are being used for a lot more than just giving back.
Goodman is Eli Gemstone in The Righteous Gemstones, a widow who heads up the church/company, while his three children Jesse (McBride), Judy (Edi Patterson), and Kelvin (Adam DeVine) are involved in varying ways. But their immaturity and spoiled nature mean they’re not up to the task of actually running things. Called “uproariously funny,” reviews for The Righteous Gemstones get better with each season.
Barry (2018)
85%
8.3/10Succession (2018)
83%
8.7/10With several Emmy wins under its belt, including Outstanding Drama Series, Succession has become one of HBO’s most popular series. Waystar Royco is a global media and hospitality empire headed up by the cutthroat, cruel Logan Roy. As he reaches retirement age and suffers a health setback, he must look to his rich and entitled children to find a successor. But who of his four children, from the arrogant playboy to the power-hungry and visionary addict, is really ready and deserving? And will Logan ever be ready to hand over the reins anyway?
The question of who will take over hovers above every episode and season as the company, Logan, and the Roy family engage in dirty tactics, flaunt their wealth, and find themselves constantly embroiled in controversy. With everything coming to a head in the fourth and final season, Succession is poised to go down in history as not only one of the best shows on HBO, but also one of the best shows of this decade, period.
The Last of Us (2023)
Pedro Pascal stars in this post-apocalyptic drama as Joel, a smuggler transporting a teenage girl named Ellie (Bell Ramsey) out of a quarantine zone and across the U.S., two decades after the end of modern civilization. Through the brutal journey, the two must rely on one another more than they realized, but Joel has his own demons, tormented by his past.
Considered to be the largest TV production ever in Canada (it was filmed in Alberta) and the first from HBO to be based on a video game, The Last of Us boasts an impressive supporting cast as well. This includes Gabriel Luna (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as Tommy, Joel’s younger brother and a hopeful former soldier, and Merle Dandridge as Marlene, head of a resistance movement, who is reprising her role from the video games. Guest stars include Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus) and Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) as survivalists, and Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets) as the leader of a revolutionary movement.
His Dark Materials (2019)
69%
7.9/10The White Lotus (2021)
82%
7.7/10It’s probably a good thing that the chain of White Lotus luxury resorts isn’t actually real. Because the vacations in seasons 1 and 2 just go completely off the rails. And that’s before the dead bodies start showing up!
Initially planned as a single season, The White Lotus follows an odd assortment of guests and the beleaguered hotel staff who labor to keep them happy. It works really well as both a comedy and a drama, which is why we’re currently checking in for the new episodes streaming each week. You don’t necessarily have to watch season 1 to enjoy season 2, both with different settings and (almost) entirely new casts.
Peacemaker (2022)
69%
8.4/10Station Eleven (2021)
82%
7.1/10The Outsider (2020)
68%
7.7/10Band of Brothers (2001)
87%
9.4/10Chernobyl (2019)
82%
9.4/10Mare of Easttown (2021)
81%
8.5/10Deadwood (2004)
85%
8.6/10Search Party (2016)
78%
7.7/10The Wire (2002)
91%
9.3/10Sex and the City (1998)
64%
7.2/10Game of Thrones (2011)
86%
9.2/10The Sopranos (1999)
94%
9.2/10Watchmen (2019)
85%
8.2/10
