Ah, the sweet smells of fall. The season marks a turning of the weather as leaves fall to the ground in many areas and the air gets cooler. It also means prepping for the holidays. A nice way to unwind after a busy day at work, weekend of chores, and trying to figure out all your upcoming plans, is to relax with a good TV show. Max, formerly HBO Max, has tons from which to choose.
There are five HBO (Max) shows that are perfect to stream for the fall. They include one you’ll want to re-watch (if you’ve seen it already) before the new season arrives, a new show that is making waves, a current comedy, and a show you can watch with the kids, too.
Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new shows to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, best shows on Hulu, best shows on Amazon Prime Video, the best shows on Max, and best shows on Disney+.
The Last of Us (2023-)
With a new season coming in 2025 and a recently released trailer whetting our appetites for what’s to come, you’ll want to catch up on The Last of Us. Whether you already watched the first season of this post-apocalyptic drama or you haven’t yet tuned in, it’s worth your time. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey deliver electrifying performances as two survivors in a world that has been overtaken by a pandemic.
Pascal is Joel, a hardened survivor tasked with transporting teenager Ellie (Ramsey) to a location where they can purportedly work on a cure, her being the key. But all is not what it seems. Their journey is rife with hardships, and the destination proves anything but a place of hope.
The Last of Us, based on the Naughty Dog video game franchise, is true to the story in the game with some creative liberties taken, to positive reception. With the second season set five years in the future and adapted from the 2020 game sequel, and the first season having streamed back in 2023, a catch-up is worthwhile before diving into season two once it’s available.
Stream The Last of Us on Max.
Veep (2012-2019)
Fall is election season, and Veep offers a welcome respite when you need a break from all the debating. The show is a political satire that centers around Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the fictional vice president of the United States and later president who is constantly caught up in the inner workings of the political game.
Earning seven consecutive Emmy Award nominations and winning three, Louis-Dreyfus also winning six consecutive Emmys for her performance, Veep is one of the best comedies of the 2000s. It’s a bit of art imitating life but also a light-hearted look at ridiculousness antics that can sometimes be part of politics, with supporting characters that nail their roles. The show will provide a much-needed laugh during challenging political times.
Stream Veep on Max.
The Penguin (2024-)
The latest in the DC Comics universe, The Penguin has been receiving rave reviews. Colin Farrell dons elaborate makeup and costuming to transform into the notorious DC villain, rival to Batman. As a spinoff of 2022’s The Batman, The Penguin explores the disfigured character’s backstory, his rise to power in Gotham City, and emergence as a criminal mastermind.
Our reviewer praises the series, calling it an “entertaining, twisty mob story” and finds Farrell’s performance as the smooth-talking gangster captivating. He applauds the creators for delivering the right balance between “humanizing their protagonist and making him a genuinely sympathetic figure.” Grimy, dirty, and especially violent, The Penguin is a must-watch for DC Comics fans looking for something with grit.
Stream The Penguin on Max.
Abbott Elementary (2021-)
By the fall, kids are already back in school, and parents are breathing a collective sigh of relief. But then the drama starts for teachers who must deal with clashing personalities, red tape, and the tough work that comes with the job of handling dozens of energetic and opinionated kids in a classroom. This mockumentary sitcom is set in a predominantly Black public school in Philadelphia and follows the teaching staff as they deal with common challenges like budget cuts, daily frustrations, and an unqualified principal.
Abbott Elementary is designed to help others understand just what a typical day working in a school looks like. It’s also catered to teachers who nod their heads in solidarity while watching. Of course, the storylines are embellished for comedic effect, but it’s also deeply relatable. With four seasons under its belt, Abbott Elementary offers plenty of episodes to keep you busy when you just want to unwind and enjoy a good laugh.
Stream Abbott Elementary on Max.
Young Sheldon (2017-2024)
Looking for something to watch with the whole family? Young Sheldon ended its run this year, but The Big Bang Theory spinoff series was a massive hit in its own right that spawned an upcoming spinoff of its own, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, which premieres later this week. The coming-of-age sitcom tells the story of the early life of Sheldon Cooper, narrated by Jim Parsons (who played the character in The Big Bang Theory) and portrayed by Iain Armitage.
A child prodigy who shows no humility and lacks social skills, fans get to see the challenges his deeply religious mother, football coach father, and far less intellectual siblings faced in dealing with his many quirks. But it’s also a sweet show about a middle-class family in Texas dealing with everyday challenges. There are lots of fun Easter Eggs as well that relate back to The Big Bang Theory and moments Sheldon discussed, and often embellished, about his childhood.
Young Sheldon has some deeper, more serious episodes throughout that may help spark conversation with older kids about certain topics. But by and large, it’s downright funny with characters that sometimes outshine Sheldon himself. Set in the late ’80s and early ’90s, there are throwback references to the time that parents will love, too.
Stream Young Sheldon on Max.