Streaming libraries expand and contract. Algorithms are imperfect. Those damn thumbnail images are always changing. But you know what you can always rely on? The expert opinions and knowledgeable commentary of The A.V. Club. That’s why we’re scouring both the menus of the most popular services and our own archives to bring you these guides to the best viewing options, broken down by streamer, medium, and genre. Want to know why we’re so keen on a particular show? Click the “read more” link for some in-depth coverage from The A.V. Club’s past. And be sure to check back often, because we’ll be adding more recommendations as shows come and go.
Sometimes, you want to stream a show that’ll keep you swimming in episodes for days, weeks, or months. Other times, you’d just like something that’ll tide you over for a long weekend, or as a breather between longer marathons. The latter case is well suited to the HBO Max TV library, which houses some of the finest work in the form that we used to call the miniseries—particularly from that brief window between network dominance and the rise of the FX-Ryan Murphy Complex when HBO gobbled up any and all awards dedicated to programming in the five- to 10-hour range. (Just don’t call them 10-hour movies.) From historical epics and true-crime documentaries to the granddaddy of all primetime TV events and adaptations of source materials either too dense or too complex for a more traditional page-to-screen adaptation, these are the best miniseries currently streaming on HBO Max.
In the mood for something more dramatic? Or comedic? Or out-of-the-ordinary? We’ve got you covered there, too: Check out or guides to the best TV dramas, best TV comedies, and best genre series on HBO Max.
9 Comments
I didn’t like how they cut all the songs from John Adams.
Copyright issues??
This could be cut down to 12 by my count. As it is, I’m guessing this is 75% of all the miniseries on HBO Max right now. Perhaps a better use of these monthly articles would be “Don’t bother watching these miniseries on HBO Max.” Might get more eyeballs, leading to more revenue. Just a thought.
My Brilliant Friend doesn’t count, does it? It’s still on-going until they have finished with all the books…
Mosaic was really great and showcased what a force Stone can be.The Night Of could have been so much better, but glad it got Ahmed on the map.
The Pacific should be on this list. It’s not as brilliant as BoB, but it’s better than at least a few of the shows on here.
Band of Brothers, my personal favorite. I can’t even hear the theme without tearing up. If you can watch the episode “Why We Fight”, and not break down when they tell the prisoners they can’t leave the camp, you’re a stronger person than I am.
Show Me A Hero broke my heart. Everyone should see it.
I think you need to mention The Pacific in the same breath as Band of Brothers. Where Band of Brothers tells the story of the entire unit from the beginning of the war until the end, The Pacific focuses on 3 men and how war can change everything about you, bringing out either your best self, or your worst nightmares. The acting was better on The Pacific, i think. It doesn’t hurt that the fighting in the pacific theater was so much more visceral and demoralizing, for both sides, than the Western Front in Europe.
On that note, it would be soul crushing, but it would be amazing to see a miniseries on the level of those 2 that explored the Eastern Front in Europe where the Nazis and the Soviets killed in each in numbers never seen before or since.