Sci-fiis a vast genre that covers a plethora of different stories. Whether it’s aliens and spaceships, mysterious happenings and supernatural phenomena, post-apocalypticdystopias, or even time displacement, Max has got you covered. There’s no shortage of science-fiction shows on Max, ranging from quick and quippy animated series to sitcoms and classic, gritty dramas. Check out the best sci-fi series on HBO right now.
For more recommendations, peruse our lists of thebest shows on Max,movies on Max, andsci-fi shows on Netflix.
Editor’s note: This article was updated January 2025 to include Creature Commandos.
‘Creature Commandos’ (2024 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 7.9/10
Creature Commandos
The first television series in the brand-newDCU,James Gunn’sCreature Commandosfollows a ragtag group of monsters assembled to become a black ops team ready to serve and save the world. Featuring voice work from the likes ofAlan Tudyk,Indira Varma, andDavid Harbour,Creature Commandosis a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride into the newest era of a beloved franchise. Packed full of action and a beautiful sprinkling of deft emotion,Creature Commandosis one of the best animated series of the past year and has already set the bar high for DCU installments to come. -Jake Hodges
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‘Dune: Prophecy’ (2024 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 68% | IMDb: 7.4/10
Dune: Prophecy
Following the success ofDenis Villeneuve’s pair ofDunefilms,Prophecytakes fans back in time to ten thousand years before the events of the first movie. The series follows two sisters, Valya (Emily Watson) and Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams), who create the Bene Gesserit, an all-female order ready to fight evil forces that threaten their very existence. Offering a deeper understanding of the world ofDune,Prophecyis a smart prequel to a mammoth franchise. Following on from the incredibleDunemovies is no mean feat, and this series does an impressive job of sustaining the scope and depth of the films while managing to craft its own path. -Jake Hodges
‘The Last of Us’ (2023 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 8.7/10
The Last Of Us
It feels rare these days to find a television series that is both critically acclaimed and seriously fan-loved, butThe Last of Usis just that. Adapted for television byCraig MazinandNeil Druckmann,The Last of Usis a gritty, gripping post-apocalyptic drama inspired by the successful video game of the same name. Following a rugged outlaw on a mission, played to perfection byPedro Pascal(The Mandalorian),The Last of Usjourneys through ruthless, bloodthirsty killers to escort a teenage girl, played byBella Ramsey(Catherine Called Birdy), across what is left of the United States.– Yael TygielWatch on Max
‘Harley Quinn’ (2019 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 8.4/10
Harley Quinn
Bringing to life one of the most beloved DC characters, originally created byPaul DiniandBruce Timm,Harley Quinnis a raunchy animated series helmed by creatorsJustin Halpern, Dean Lorey,andPatrick Schumacker. Featuring the voice ofKaley Cuoco(The Flight Attendant),Harley Quinnincludes a slew of talented and well-known voice actors, includingLake Bell,Alan Tudyk,Ron Funches, andTony Hale. Forgoing the iconic dialect solidified byTara Strong,Harley Quinnexplores a refreshing self-discovery tale, leaning into the character’s misadventures, wrapped in over-the-top graphic violence and outrageously lewd yet undeniably clever humor.– Yael TygielWatch on Max
‘Titans’ (2018 - 2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.5/10
Titans, inspired by DC Comics’Teen Titans, is a four-season series developed for television byGreg Berlanti(Superman and Lois),Akiva Goldsman(Star Trek: Picard), andGeoff Johns(Stargirl).Titansfollows a group of superpowered teenagers attempting to unite as a team to defeat evil.TitansstarsBrenton Thwaitesas Dick Grayson, a vigilante and former partner of Batman,Anna Diopas extraterrestrial Kory Anders,Teagan Croftas an empath named Rachel Roth, andRyan Potteras shapeshifter Gar Logan.Titansseamlessly blends a tenacious superhero story with a coming-of-age drama, growing both in its number of teammates and the evolution of its story.– Yael TygielWatch on Max
‘Torchwood’ (2006 - 2011)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 7.7/10
Spun off fromDoctor Who,Torchwoodleans a little older in theme and maturity, following the individuals tasked with protecting modern-day England from alien threats. Leading the team is immortal flirt from the 51st century Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), allowingTorchwoodto explore the fan-favorite character’s sexual fluidity within the context of a science-fiction adventure series. CreatorRussell T. Daviesbuilds the show on witty banter and exciting action through two seasons of mostly monster-of-the-week episodes before evolving into multi-episode mini-series mysteries. While the season-long chapters subtitled Children of Earth and Miracle Day could stand alone, the character relationships forged in the first two seasons are vital to the story and should not be overlooked.– Yael TygielWatch on Max
‘His Dark Materials’ (2019 - 2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 7.8/10
His Dark Materials
Based onPhilip Pullman’s novel trilogy,His Dark Materialsis a whimsical adventure series that ventures through alternate realities. The show starsDafne Keen(Logan) as Lyra, an ambitious and special young girl who finds herself unraveling a mystery across dimensions with the assistance of her Daemon, an animal companion manifestation of her soul unable to stray from her physical body. Jack Thorne’s adaptation ofHis Dark Materialsis visually stunning as it explores new realms and broaches curious philosophical questions, providing fans of the source material another reason to pretend the failed movie version,The Golden Compass, never existed in this reality.– Yael TygielWatch on Max
‘Rick and Morty’ (2013 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 9.1/10
Rick and Morty
Co-created byDan HarmonandJustin Roiland,Rick and Mortyblends crude potty humor with richly developed sci-fi tropes deeply rooted in meta-satire. Roiland voices both titular characters in the critically acclaimed animated science-fiction series: Rick Sanchez, an alcoholic, sociopathic scientist, and his whiney but kind-hearted grandson, Morty Smith. Geared towards adults,Rick and Mortyis a vulgar comedy with stories of interdimensional travel, aliens, creatures, and planets.Rick and Mortyalso starsChris Parnell,Spencer Grammer, andSarah Chalke, and although it feels like it intentionally misleads audiences into thinking each episode is a standalone, the layers of jokes are even more enjoyable when watched as a binge.– Yael TygielWatch on Max
‘Peacemaker’ (2022 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 8.3/10
Peacemaker
Peacemakeris a hilarious action series following the events of the 2021 filmThe Suicide Squad. Created by directorJames Gunn(Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol 3), beggingJohn Cena(Blockers) to reprise his role,Peacemakerfollows as the vigilante is forced to join a black ops squad on a mysterious mission to save humanity. Supported by an incredible ensemble cast, includingDanielle Brooks(Orange is the New Black),Jennifer Holland, andSteve Agee,Peacemakeruniquely unites jovial entertainment with ridiculous action and exaggerated scenarios to produce an excitingly engaging eight-episode first season. –Yael TygielWatch on Max
‘Watchmen’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 8.2/10
Watchmenis a compelling mini-series fromDamon LindelofstarringRegina King(The Harder They Fall) as a Tulsa police detective.Watchmentakes place 34 years after the events of the comic series on which the drama is based in a reality where masked superheroes and vigilantes are no longer heroes and instead considered outlaws. With a story involving themes of race, systemic oppression, and American history,Watchmendelicately weaves a groundbreaking and flashy action-packed sci-fi series with rich messages. It also features marvelous performances from King, as well as her co-starsYahya Abdul-Mateen II(Aquaman),Jean Smart(Legion), andJeremy Irons(House of Gucci).– Yael TygielWatch on Max
‘Station Eleven’ (2021 - 2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 7.6/10
Station Eleven
Emily St. John Mandel’s novel provides the groundwork forStation Eleven, a post-apocalyptic dystopian miniseries fromPatrick Somerville. Taking place across two decades,Station Elevenpeels back the story of a disastrous pandemic that collapses civilization, focusing on groups of survivors, including a troupe of traveling performers and a dangerous cult leader. With stellar performances from starsMackenzie Davis(Terminator: Dark Fate),Himesh Patel,Lori Petty(Orange is the New Black),andDavid Wilmotover the course of 10 episodes,Station Elevenexplores humanity’s attempts to rebuild and reimagine, attempting to forgive and forge ahead to avoid a reality in which mistakes are repeated.– Yael TygielWatch on Max
‘Doom Patrol’ (2019 - 2023)
Doom Patrol
One of the most delightfully absurd comic book adaptations,Doom Patrolwhimsically examines the madcap adventures of a team of superpowered outcasts. Highlighted by an ensemble of powerhouses, including Oscar winnerBrendan Fraser,April Bowlby,Matt Bomer, andJoivan Wade— along with a seemingly endless supply of personalities played byDiane Guerrero— Doom Patroltruly stands out in the superhero genre. Developed for television byJeremy Carver,Doom Patrol, at times, feels like the writing team picked random words out of a hat yet somehow molded them into engaging mysteries, mythologies, and even moving moments.Doom Patrolis an underrated series about a found family on a wild ride.– Yael TygielWatch on Max
