Max is the place to find DC Studios films and series, HGTV and Food Network series, “Game of Thrones,” “Harry Potter” and all your favorite HBO shows. However, the streaming service also has a fascinating mix of classic sitcoms, thought-provoking documentaries and thrilling dramas. There’s a lot going on with this streaming service, so to help you avoid all the scrolling, check out the hidden gems of Max.
Suggested Reading
Delicious Miss Brown
If you’re looking for easy recipes connected to southern roots, look no further than Food Network’s Kardea Brown. Her recipes are interesting, delicious and unapologetically Black.
Donyale Luna: Supermodel
This documentary tells the story of Donyale Luna, the first Black model to appear on the covers of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. The film reveals the truth behind the racism she had to overcome to become a trailblazer.
Naomi
It’s unfortunate that “Naomi” didn’t get a chance to shine during the CW’s “Arrowverse” phase. Premiering when the network was moving away from superheroes meant this series following a teenage girl who’s trying to figure out where her superpowers come from and why her parents are lying to her was never going to get a Season 2.
Blue Beetle
DC Films can be hit or miss, but “Blue Beetle” being released during the SAG-AFTRA strike didn’t give it the chance it deserved. This is a fun story about a young man discovering who he really is and how his family is his real strength.
Ocean’s 8
If you haven’t seen Rihanna’s major movie debut in the “Ocean’s” offshoot, it’s a lot of fun. I’m still waiting for an “Avengers”-style team up between the franchise’s two casts.
A Black Lady Sketch Show
The brilliant series delivers hilarious sketches for Black women by Black women. It was so fresh and clever, it’s a crime against entertainment that it didn’t receive more recognition. Robin Thede and her talented team created an unforgettable classic that has already inspired a new crop of amazing Black writers, directors and showrunners.
I May Destroy You
Michaela Coel’s gut-wrenching examination of trauma was a breath of fresh air in the TV landscape. The series opened up a door to a fresh world, showcasing that everyone has an interesting story to tell.
Young Love
This new series is a follow-up to the Oscar-winning short film “Hair Love,” and it’s ridiculously adorable. It’s a heartwarming celebration of the joy and love between Black families.
Under the Cherry Moon
Prince and Jerome Benton star in this dramedy set in the French Riviera. I’m not going to claim this is an all-time classic, but it does feature some of the music legend’s most underrated tracks.
The Tuskegee Airmen
As we turn to movies and TV to tell the real history of Black America, do yourself a favor and check out this star-studded, heartbreaking tale of the WWII heroes.
TINA
Get the real story of Tina Turner’s triumphant life in her own words in this unforgettable documentary. Seriously, this is the film that all celebrity docs aspire to be.
Fast Color
“Fast Color” is a breathtaking story of three generations of Black women with superpowers and how they manage to control them amid family tragedy and drama. It got lost in the 2019 superhero shuffle, but it’s absolutely brilliant.
Martin
At this point, what more can we say about how influential “Martin” was on modern-day comedy. Every show you love owes a debt to Martin Lawrence and company.
Batwoman
Premiering toward the end of The CW’s “Arrowverse” superhero boom, “Batwoman” never got a chance to establish itself properly. Feel free to skip Season 1 and jump in when Ryan Wilder takes over. However, the first season does introduce the rest of the Bat-team, so there is that.
I Am Not Your Negro
This documentary uses James Baldwin’s unfinished book, in which he reflects on the lives of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. to discuss the ongoing racism faced by Black Americans. As we all know, these discussions are timeless and will always be relevant.
Static Shock
If you’re looking for a Black superhero to become obsessed with, look no further than Virgil Hawkins a.k.a. Static. One of the best series to come out of DC’s stellar animated universe, all of which are available on the streamer.
The Boondocks
From “Guess Hoe’s Coming to Dinner,” to “Return of the King,” to The Fundraiser” it is impossible to pick a favorite episode of “The Boondocks.” I suggest you just take a few days and re-watch them all.
Living Single
Everyone likes to attribute the boom in “Friends”-style comedies to the NBC hit, but it was actually “Living Single” that started it all, and did it better than the “no Black people in New York City” series.
The Wayans Bros.
There’s something endlessly fun about watching Shawn and Marlon Wayans together. Long before they became “White Chicks” — which is also available on Max — The WB sitcom is where they perfected their chemistry and timing.
Oz
There was a time when HBO was the place for prestige drama. “Oz” covers the dangerous life of inmates, guards and workers in a maximum-security prison and it’s A LOT. The star-studded cast is full of future Oscar and Emmy winners who you’ll recognize, but be warned, it’s a tough watch. As good as it is, it’s not for everyone.
Eyes on the Prize: Hallowed Ground
This documentary chronicles the legacy and making of the critically-acclaimed docuseries “Eyes on the Prize,” which is also on Max. With politicians trying to re-write Black history, both the original and this celebration of it are an absolute must watch.
Watchmen
Admittedly, “Watchmen” isn’t exactly a hidden gem. But I don’t need a reason to celebrate what an amazing piece of art this limited series is. As a bonus, the opening scene of the first episode is what introduced white America to the real story of the Tulsa Race Massacre.
Denzel Washington
If you’re in the mood for a Denzel binge, many of his most popular thrillers are on the streamer, including “Out of Time,” “Training Day,” “American Gangster,” “The Book of Eli” and “Man on Fire.”
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