7 HBO Max Originals Worth Watching
Read Time:6 Minute, 43 Second
With AEW on HBO Max now, I finally turned my subscription back on to see what’s worth streaming. To celebrate The Scrap turning 7 in December, we’re doing a series of lists with seven picks.
I couldn’t narrow it down to one lane, so this list is a mix of my go-to favorites, titles I still need to check out, and shows with new seasons I’ve been meaning to catch up on. So if you’re looking for something fresh, here are a few fan favorites and hidden gems you might have scrolled past but should definitely add to your queue:
Ballers
Of course I have to start off with a pick that our original WWE fanbase would appreciate. Ballers follows Spencer Strasmore, a retired NFL star played by Dwayne Johnson, as he pivots into life after football and becomes a financial manager for pro athletes. The show dives into the chaos and pressure that come with fame, money, and the business side of sports.
It mixes the glamour and wild energy of something like Entourage. But, with real conversations about financial responsibility, injuries, retirement, and the search for identity beyond the game.
Ironically, I first watched Ballers when it hit Netflix. However, I’ve been thinking about revisiting it now that I’m back on HBO Max. It honestly changed how I viewed The Rock as an actor. Maybe it was the Entourage vibe or the way the story progressed each season, but I really enjoyed his character and the world the show built.
If you’ve got some downtime this holiday season and want to start something new, this one is worth the watch.
Welcome to Derry
Welcome to Derry is a prequel to the It films, set in 1962, that digs into the origins of Pennywise and the unsettling history of the town long before the Losers’ Club ever showed up.
The first season follows a family newly settled in Derry as children begin to vanish and the town’s dark past resurfaces. The series blends psychological horror with supernatural tension and expands on major events referenced in Stephen King’s novel, including the burning of the Black Spot, while adding new layers to the lore behind the entity haunting the town.
The series is still unfolding, so it’s hard to judge the full picture yet. But, what we’ve seen so far has me hooked. The attention to detail and the way they’re building this story is everything Pennywise fans could want. While it starts a little slow, I think it had to in order to set the stage.
One thing about me is I’m impatient, so having to wait each week for a new episode is torture. Consider this your sign to dive in now and catch up.
The Unbreakable Tatiana Suarez
The Unbreakable Tatiana Suarez is an HBO Sports documentary that follows the incredible real-life journey of one of MMA’s toughest fighters.
It covers fight back from a career-ending neck injury and thyroid cancer, both of which shut down her Olympic wrestling dreams, and her eventual rise into one of the top contenders in the UFC. The film highlights not only her resilience but also the impact she’s had on young women, especially within the Latin community, who see her as proof that strength can come from struggle.
I remember this documentary dropping around the time she was preparing for her first UFC title shot at UFC 312. As a UFC fan, I already knew how much she had overcome. Wild enough, I still haven’t watched it yet, so it’s high on my list. Tatiana Suarez is the definition of an underdog who refuses to quit and continues to push through at the highest level. A true badass. Add this to your list!
The White Lotus
The White Lotus is a social satire that follows wealthy guests and the hotel staff catering to them during a week at a luxury resort. Each season introduces a new cast and a new murder mystery, slowly revealing who dies and why as the story unfolds.
The show blends dark comedy with sharp commentary on privilege, class conflict and the messy, uncomfortable dynamics between people who have everything and people who serve them. Every season takes place at a different White Lotus location, with past settings in Hawaii and Sicily.
When I first came across this series, I thought it was genius. The directing felt completely different from anything else on TV and the story had me hooked instantly. Season one made me fall in love and left me feening for more episodes.
I love that each season brings in fresh characters while still tying into the first in subtle ways. I don’t know why I still have not started Season 3 after renewing my subscription. But, I know exactly what I will be doing this weekend.
Peacemaker
Peacemaker follows Christopher Smith, a self-proclaimed bringer of peace who’s willing to use the most violent methods imaginable to get it. The series picks up after The Suicide Squad and mixes comedy with chaotic superhero action as Peacemaker is pulled into a new task force to help stop an alien threat.
It leans into the ridiculous, the unhinged, and the unexpectedly heartfelt moments that make the character stand out in the DC universe. With John Cena now on his retirement run in WWE, I had to add this one to the list.
I loved Season 1, and Season 2 dropped this year, so writing this reminded me that I need to catch up. Cena absolutely kills this role, and his comedic work lately has been some of my favorite stuff he’s done.
The Sex Lives of College Girls
The Sex Lives of College Girls follows four freshman roommates at Essex College as they deal with friendships, dating, sexual exploration, identity and the chaos that comes with adjusting to a new environment.
The show balances comedy with real issues you would expect to see on a modern campus, including conversations about gender, discrimination and assault. It is funny, relatable and sometimes heavier than you expect.
When the series first came out, I loved it. There were some great moments and with Mindy Kaling behind it, I figured it had to be hilarious. Season 2 recently dropped and for some reason I have not been able to get into it. This is a show I have to be in the right mood for.
Watching the first few episodes and seeing some of the choices they made for Season 2 has me questioning things. Renee Rapp seemingly being written off the show really threw me off. She felt like such an essential part of the series, so without her, it just does not feel the same. Regardless, it’s still worth a watch to form your own opinion!
Titans
Last but not least, we have Titans. The show is a live-action reimagining of the Teen Titans, built around a darker and more grounded approach than the original comics or animated series.
The show follows a group of young heroes including Nightwing, Starfire, Raven and Beast Boy as they confront personal trauma, navigate complicated relationships and take on major threats like Trigon. With four seasons running from 2018 to 2023, the series leans into a gritty tone, heavier violence and more adult storytelling while still staying true to the core dynamics that made the team iconic.
This is another one I have to be in the mood for. I have not hit that mood in a while because I only made it halfway through Season 2 and there are four seasons total. So needless to say, I have some catching up to do. I love superhero content so adding Titans to the list was an easy choice.
If you grew up watching Teen Titans on Saturday mornings, this show is nothing like that. But the characters are obviously familiar. It is definitely worth a watch when you are ready for something darker.
Happy
50 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
25 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
25 %
About Post Author
