You finally have a little extra time on your hands and you want to watch something new. But the choices on the home screen of your favorite streaming service are overwhelming. We’ve got an easy fix to save you from that endless scrolling headache. Our hidden gems let you know which series and movie you need to check out. If superheroes, offbeat comedies and captivating mysteries are your jam, bookmark our hidden gems of Max.
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‘Have I Got News For You’
Roy Wood Jr. hosts this CNN comedy where current news is skewered for laughs in a completely non-serious way. Amber Ruffin is a regular on this hilarious “news program.”
‘Get Millie Black’
In this fascinating drama, Tamara Lawrence is former Scotland Yard detective Millie Jean-Black. When she returns home to Jamaica, a missing persons investigation draws her into an even bigger case, but she’s only here to get justice for a young Jamaican girl.
‘The Girl Before’
Gugu Mbatha-Raw moves into a new home and becomes charmed by the owner, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. However, questions start popping up about how the woman who lived there before her died. If you love mysteries, this is definitely your jam.
‘South Side’
“South Side” is one of those series that’s highly acclaimed and loved by everyone who watches it, but it still didn’t get nearly enough attention. It follows two friends as they try to find their way in Chicago, where they’re surrounded by a hilarious group of friends and family.
‘The Franchise’
The comedy follows the absurd production of a big budget superhero film where everything is constantly going wrong. In a cast full of hilarious, talent actors, Lolly Adefope is the standout as clever and cutting third assistant director Dag.
‘Young Love’
This animated family comedy is a continuation of the story from the Oscar winning short “Hair Love.” We join the family as Angela is in remission from cancer and they try to get back to normal. It’s such a sweet, innocent, funny celebration of Black families. It’s just what you need right now.
‘Static Shock’
One of DC’s best superhero stories can be found in this 2000 animated series. When Virgil Hawkins is caught in mysterious cloud, he discovers he suddenly has electromagnetic superpowers. He uses them to protect the people of Dakota City. It was a groundbreaking series that featured modern stories of gun violence, drugs and racism in a comic book world. It holds up really well.
‘The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency’
Jill Scott and Anika Noni Rose star in this series about a woman who opens a detective agency in Botswana. As she deals with cheating husbands and skeptical rivals, she courageously builds her own path. This one was truly ahead of its time and HBO dropped the ball by canceling it.
‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’
We really can’t say enough about the ridiculously hilarious “A Black Lady Sketch Show.” With comedy done by Black women for Black women, there are no bad sketches. If you need a laugh, these ladies never miss.
‘Watchmen’
The acclaimed drama isn’t exactly a hidden gem, but we’ll never pass up a chance to sing the praises of Regina King and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in this outstanding update of the famed graphic novel. It sets serious issues of race and white supremacy in a fantastical, comic book world, which has the rare affect of making them feel more serious. Now is the perfect time for a re-watch.
‘Naomi’
Unfortunately for “Naomi,” it premiered on The CW when the network was phasing out its superhero franchise. The drama follows a mysteriously super powered teenage girl as she tries to find the truth behind her origins. It’s definitely worth checking out, but be warned that there’s only one season.
‘The Boondocks’
“The Boondocks” is an iconic Black series, which means we’ll take any opportunity to shoutout how smart it can be, even ahead of its nonsense. It’s one entertainment’s great tragedies that no one can get the reboot off the ground.
‘I May Destroy You’
Michaela Coel’s gripping tale of trauma and recovery is not an easy watch, but it’s absolutely worth it. It’s the kind of series that sticks with you and has you processing it for days. That’s something you don’t get from a lot of TV series.
‘Love to Love You, Donna Summer’
We’re always here for brilliant documentaries that chronicle the influence and impact of our most important artists. Donna Summer was so much more than the Queen of Disco and this film breaks it down.
‘Donyale Luna: Supermodel’
There really aren’t enough projects highlighting Black artists contributions to the evolution of fashion. Thankfully we’ve got this doc to showcase the influence of the Black supermodel Donyale Luna.
‘We Own This City’
If you love “The Wire,” which is also available on Max, then you’ll definitely want to binge this limited series about the downfall of Baltimore PD’s corrupt Gun Trace Task Force.
‘All Rise’
Between multiple schedule chages on CBS and moving to OWN, where it aired on Saturdays, you’re forgiven if you missed Simone Missick as Judge Lola Carmichael. She balances her professional and personal life as she presides over fascinating cases.
‘Roller Jam’
That’s right there’s a roller skating team competition series with Jordin Sparks, Johnny Weir and Terrell Ferguson judging alongside notable guest judges, including Pepa and Michelle Williams.
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