There’s something inherently satisfying in a good mini-series. You have the complexity of a film and the space to breathe of a longer series, without dedicating yourself to high-end bingeing. And of all places, HBO Max stands alone with its mini-series. If you like intense crime fiction, big dramatics based on true events, or quirky animated escapades, these 10 examples demonstrate just how compelling the genre can be.
1. Watchmen
Damon Lindelof’s brash reinterpretation of the classic graphic novel not only retreads old territory—it drives the story into new and exciting directions. Decades removed from its original, Watchmen focuses on Sister Night (Regina King), a masked private investigator in Tulsa dealing with a complex web of racism, legacy, and masked vigilantism. With an all-star cast that includes Jean Smart, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jeremy Irons, and Hong Chau, the show blends action, science fiction, and unflinching social issues with breathtaking accuracy. It dominated 11 Emmy Awards, and rightfully so.
2. Angels in America
Mike Nichols adapted this widely affecting version of Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, which took place during the AIDS epidemic of 1980s America. Featuring tour-de-force performances by Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, and Jeffrey Wright, Angels in America combines surrealism with historical realism. It’s a blazingly alive portrait of mourning, identity, and survival—and one of the most awarded HBO shows ever, receiving 11 Emmys.
3. Mare of Easttown
Kate Winslet delivers one of her best performances as Mare Sheehan, a small-town detective attempting to crack a murder mystery amidst personal grief and local secrets. Tough and earthy, Mare of Easttown pairs a smart mystery with a profoundly human tale. The ensemble cast—led by Julianne Nicholson, Jean Smart, and Evan Peters—delivers throughout. It’s a haunting, emotionally complex crime drama that was a cultural phenomenon.
4. The Lady and the Dale
This offbeat documentary recounts the bizarre, fascinating tale of Elizabeth Carmichael, a trans entrepreneur who became famous (and infamous) in the 1970s due to her visionary three-wheeled automobile. Nick Cammilleri and Zackary Drucker direct The Lady and the Dale, a feature that combines archival images, animation, and first-person testimony to explore themes of deceit, media hype, and trans identity in a manner that’s both considered and enjoyable.
5. From the Earth to the Moon
Directed by Tom Hanks, this 12-part docudrama chronicles the Apollo missions of NASA with both technical authenticity and emotional truth. Covering years of space travel, the series lends each episode a distinct tone and theme, training the astronauts in the unseen engineers. An obvious love note to discovery and determination, From the Earth to the Moon is still one of the most ambitious and motivational space tales ever to be written for the screen.
6. Elizabeth I
Helen Mirren shines in this intimate and personal drama about one of history’s most complicated monarchs. Covering the last few decades of Queen Elizabeth’s rule, the two-parter explores her personal and political setbacks, from tense alliances to heartbreak. Jeremy Irons and Hugh Dancy join the cast in this rich, emotionally intense drama that won nine Emmys.
7. True Detective (Season 1)
Though subsequent seasons made True Detective an anthology series, the first season is a mini-series classic. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson deliver career-highlighting performances as two detectives solving a decades-old case in Louisiana. With deep philosophical ideas, immortal dialogue, and eerie direction by Cary Joji Fukunaga, it’s a Southern Gothic crime story that set the standard for TV narrative.
8. Miracle Workers
The initial season of this anthology series, based on Simon Rich’s book, is a rambunctious and irreverent exploration of divine intervention. Daniel Radcliffe and Geraldine Viswanathan star as low-ranking angels attempting to redeem Earth by performing a miracle, while Steve Buscemi stars as a flippant, slovenly interpretation of God. It’s a witty blend of absurd humor and unexpectedly touching storytelling—one that ultimately branched off into more eccentric anthology seasons.
9. I May Destroy You
Michaela Coel created, directed, and acted in this unflinching examination of trauma, recovery, and identity. Set in London, the series traces Arabella, a young author, as she reconstructs the story of what occurred on a night she can’t remember. Intensely intimate and unapologetically candid, I May Destroy You is a combination of humor and tragedy that subverts conventional narrative structures—and it well deserved Coel’s critical plaudits, BAFTAs, and Emmys.
10. Over the Garden Wall
This animated miniseries is brief, bizarre, and completely magical. It tracks half-brothers Wirt and Greg as they travel through a magical forest of bizarre beasts, wayward spirits, and dark fairy tale atmospheres. With a voice cast featuring Elijah Wood, Christopher Lloyd, and John Cleese, Over the Garden Wall is a lovely mix of spooky storytelling and ageless charm. Ideal for viewers of old-school animation and ghost stories with souls.
HBO Max has carved out a reputation for producing some of the most memorable mini-series in modern television. These 10 selections span genres, eras, and emotional tones, but all share one thing in common: they’re powerful, compact, and entirely worth your time. Whether you’re in the mood for cosmic comedy or character-driven drama, there’s a mini-series on this list that’ll leave a lasting impression.