Formerly known asHBO Max,Maxcompleted its rebranding in May 2023, marking a new era for Warner Bros' streaming platform. Along with a new logo, this shift brought a change in payment plans, with Max offering three tiers rather than its predecessor’s two. However, outside these alterations, Max did not alter all that much, and that holds true for its library. For the most part, the same movies and shows that were part of HBO Max are available on its successor.
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Movies or series based on video games have earned a spotty reputation, butThe Last of Ushas proven that the transition does not have to be painful. Naughty Dog’s survival horror game is considered by many to be a masterpiece, and its character-driven narrative seemed like the perfect fit for Max. Casting Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as Joel and Ellie respectively, the series expertly captures the source material’s intensity and heart, all the while changing a few things to make the story a better fit for the medium.
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Now in the grand scheme of things,The Last of Usis not unabashedly sci-fi, but the show incorporates enough genre elements into its premise to be worthy of a recommendation. Ultimately, this Max series is for anyone who wants a well-acted and captivating post-apocalyptic drama with a father-and-daughter relationship at its core.
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Max has some seriously good original programming andStation Elevenis one of itsbetter sci-fi offerings. It’s a post-apocalyptic adventure with a twist, turning from traditional “survivors versus the new world” into something more personal and engrossing.
The plot takes place in a world ravaged by a flu pandemic, causing a post-apocalyptic scenario in which groups of surviving humans try to keep civilization going. One particular group works as traveling performers and all seems well until they come in contact with a crazed cult. To make things even more intense, the leader seems to have ties to a particular person in the group. It’s a thrilling miniseries that should keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
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Taking theX-Filesformula and swapping aliens for parallel universes,Fringestumbled out of the gate but eventually found its footing during season 2. At its core, this is a procedural revolving around the investigation of strange phenomena that cannot be explained through normal hypotheses, at least during its early stages. In due time,Fringegrew into an ambitious sci-fi epic that prioritized serial storytelling and character development, with nearly all of its main players significantly changing as the show progressed.
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Intelligent, gripping, and splendidly acted,Fringeis an addictive show that lures viewers into multiple universes laced with intrigue, danger, and discovery. All five seasons are available on Max, and the series makes every moment count.
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Strictly speaking,Robot Chickenis not exclusively sci-fi, although the animated series dips its toes into the genre frequently. Utilizing stop-motion,Robot Chickenparodies pop cultureby, more often than not, dropping famous fictional characters in mundane settings. This formula has produced gold for nearly two decades, and the show has proven to be consistently funny.
Imaginative, well-written, and irreverent,Robot Chickenis simply one of the best shows on Max, regardless of genre. All eleven seasons are available on the streaming service, so newcomers should be set for at least a few months.
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What would happen if a brilliant scientist with up-to-date knowledge was sent to the Stone Age? That is the questionDr. Stoneasks, and it achieves this scenario by triggering a global event that petrifies most of the population. Thousands of years later, Senku Ishigami breaks out of his shell to find a world ruled by nature; undeterred by his isolation or primitive instruments, Senku sets out to speedrun humanity’s technological development and save everyone through the power of science.
Fantastical as this anime’s premise is,Dr. Stone’s science is grounded in reality. Senku is not some deity who can create things out of thin air, but rather a normal human who knows how to make good use of the tools at his disposal. Unlike most battle shonen anime that prioritize physical strength above all else,Dr. Stonecenters around a protagonist who has to think his way out of situations. It makes for a refreshing change of pace.
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Max has an impressive selection of live-action DC shows, be itSuperman & Lois,Watchmen, orTitans. Out of the streaming service’s comic catalog, none embrace the surreal and the bizarre quite likeDoom Patrol.
A show about outcasts dealing with deep psychological scars, this series pushes superhero-style action to the side to focus on its main characters, each of which grows (or regresses) as the story progresses. Sentient streets, living robots, and meta villains are just a few of the things that populateDoom Patrol’s world, making for an unpredictable and constantly entertaining watch.
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Batman: The Animated Seriesmight be a bit of a stretch to describe as science-fiction, but the animated series has plenty of the genre’s hallmarks. Technology is an intrinsic part of Batman’s identity as a crime fighter, and while most of his gadgets are somewhat doable in this day and age, they are certainly fiction. Villains such as Mr. Freeze and Bane are also ripped right out of sci-fi, and the former’sHeart of Iceepisode represents the genre at its best.
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More importantly,Batman: The Animated Seriesis arguably the best adaptation of DC’s Caped Crusader. The first season is particularly strong, telling some of Bruce Wayne’s most personal and memorable storylines. The subsequent seasons might not quite reach the same heights, but they are still highly enjoyable in their own right.
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Batman: TASmight be a questionable sci-fi recommendation, but the same cannot be said forBatman Beyond. Predominantly set in 2039, Gotham has transformed into a sci-fi version of itself, one that even has flying cars. Effectively retired, Bruce Wayne can do little but watch from the sidelines as the city he once protected becomes a haven for gangs and crime. However, all hope is not lost as Bruce discovers a potential successor in Terry McGinnis, a high school student who learns the recluse billionaire’s secret.
Batman BeyondblendsThe Animated Series' gothic architecture with futuristic iconography, and the combination works shockingly well. The cartoon has great action and memorable characters, and it maintains a stable level of quality throughout its run. While the show might not reach the dizzying heights of its predecessor,Batman Beyondis a must-watch for any fan of DC’s superhero.
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This might sound like hyperbole, butThe Venture Brosis a masterpiece. Starting out as something of a parody of a wide range of animated staples, especially the superhero and spy genres,this Adult Swim cartoonquickly blossoms into something beautifully unique. Boasting a contender for the best roster of characters of anysci-fiseries on Max,The Venture Brosseamlessly blends comedy, action, and character growth to craft a world that is constantly changing. In this series, henchmen can become heroes, and these evolutions are nearly always earned.
Over the course of seven seasons,The Venture Brosdelivers unforgettable adventures, heartbreaking moments, quite a bit of gore, and the occasional David Bowie reference. The first few episodes can be a bit underwhelming, but when this series hits its stride, it never lets up.
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Another superhero show,Stargirlcaptures a charming B-movie feel better than most of its contemporaries. A decade after the Justice Society of America’s defeat, a new generation of plucky heroes rise up to face the threat imposed by the Injustice Society of America. At the helm of this movement is Courtney Whitmore, a girl who comes to possess Starman’s Cosmic Staff.
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Stargirlhas not attracted the same attention as some other Arrowverse series, but it is a lighthearted and endearing adventure that blends sci-fi, action, and comedy quite well. Max hasStargirl’s three completed seasons.
