Remember the time when Home Box Office announced they were merging HBO Now and HBO Go into one service called HBO Max because the app wasn’t initially available across all platforms? Well, many of us thought it was an unnecessary hassle and apart from a name change, what was this exactly? We didn’t need to worry.
HBO Max ended up being everything the previous services were, plus a wide range of vintage Warner content from Looney Tunes to the height of Hollywood, as well as third-party content from studios and hosts like Comedy Central, Studio Ghibli, and the Sesame Workshop, as well as a larger selection of original “Max Originals” produced in-house.
When talking about HBO Max, we can’t resist talking about its action series. Action series don’t always have to deal with deep or complicated concepts. Sometimes all that is required to advance events is some solid action. Nothing is more relaxing than sitting back and letting the beauty of an action series take over as you allow your mind to wander.
There is no better place to look for said action series than the HBO Max streaming platform. Action series, which are known for their mature content, cartoon wholesomeness, and superhero nonsense, are always well-received by both fans and newcomers to the genre and series.
However, we’re more than content to experience life through our favorite action figures. Prepared for a mental getaway? Here are our top picks for HBO Max’s best action series selections.
Watchmen
Although the majority of adventure series don’t have many thought-provoking plotlines, there is still evidence of intelligence and complex concepts. Even in superhero-focused television shows like Watchmen, complex concepts run amok and combine with action to produce amazing tales. The hit HBO miniseries Watchmen is one of the best in TV history because it is based on the hit comic that featured a similar blend of assumed and action-packed storylines. Watchmen provides a remake of the comic and masterfully blends the two concepts.
Writer: Alan Moore
Cast: Malin Åkerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson.
IMBD rating: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 65%
Titans
Many animated series can explore the action genre in-depth and capture a similar sense and feel as any skilled live-action show. Unexpectedly, Titans, one of the top films in the group, has a lower IMDb rating. Teen Titans is regarded as one of DC’s best television series despite its 7.9 ratings. It was unlike its successor in that it was full of great humor, amazing plotlines, as well as mention characters such as Slade and Red X who elevated the series to new heights.
Cast: Robin, voiced by: Scott Menville, StarFire voiced by: Hynden Walch, Cyborg voiced by: Khary Payton, Beast Boy voiced by: Greg Cipes, and Terra, voiced by: Ashley Johnson
IMBD rating: 7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Warrior
Of course, there are well-known series, the productions that draw praise, awards, and admiration from all quarters. But there are also a good number of lesser-known series, like Warrior, scattered among the well-known arcs. Although Warrior is not as well known as some other series, it handles to be a brilliant series in its own right, with some heavy action, impressive actors, and a take a glance into an otherwise unknown period of history. Warrior follows a martial arts prodigy as he navigates to 1870s San Francisco in search of his sister.
Writer: Gavin O’Connor, Cliff Dorfman
Cast: Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Morrison, Frank Grillo, Bryan Callen, and Joel Edgerton
IMBD rating: 8.2/10
Primal
A lot of imagination, horror, action and adventure are present in Primal, which is set in a purposefully obscure vision of prehistory and depicts dinosaurs, early homo sapiens, and Iron Age Homo sapiens co-occurring in the same barbaric time period. Primal, one of Adult Swim’s top shows, perfectly exemplifies this. The series, which follows the exploits of a T-rex named Fang and a caveman named Spear, has very little dialogue and instead relies on grunts, body language, and actions to convey a heartwarming tale while bloody combat rages in the background.
Cast: Spear (voiced by Aaron LaPlante), Fang, Mira (voiced by Laëtitia Eïdo), Charles (voiced by Jacob Dudman), Darlington (voiced by Jeremy Crutchley)
IMBD rating: 8.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Batman The Animated Series
Many DC and comic book fans constantly debate whether Batman is the greatest hero. Many people will concur that Batman: The Animated Series is among the best-animated series ever, despite the ongoing debate. There are countless reasons why this programme is the best. From the exquisite animation to the grim and dark tales with a legendary voice cast that includes Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamil as the Joker. Not to mention how the show shines, thanks to the alterations of characters like Mr. Freeze and Clayface, which has fans pleading for a reboot. Many DC and comic strip fans constantly debate whether Batman is the greatest hero.
Writer: Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Tom Ruegger, Boyd Kirkland,
Cast: Kevin Conroy: Batman, Loren Lester: Robin, Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Alfred Pennyworth: Bob Hastings, Commissioner James Gordon: Robert Costanzo.
IMBD rating: 9.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Band of Brothers
A limited series may indicate that the program will succeed. Even though it might not seem like it, a show has a greater tendency to lose its appeal as it goes on. Whether on purpose or not, limited series is the best option. Band Of Brother, a WWII tale of brotherhood, was only ever intended to run for one season, which was probably for the best. The limited series aspires to be the best out there and features some excellent performances from actors who many people forgot were in the series.
Writer: Tom Hanks and Erik Jendresen
Cast: Scott Grimes · Donald G. Malarkey; Damian Lewis · Richard D. Winters; Ron Livingston · Lewis Nixon; Shane Taylor · Eugene G. Roe; Donnie Wahlberg C.
IMBD rating: 9.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is a television show that many people both loved and despised. Including its plot lines and character development, the show was praised when it first debuted as one of the greatest on television, only surpassed by a few. However, the series lost a lot of respect when it came to an unfortunate conclusion with the bitterly divided eighth season. However, when viewed as a whole, the program still remains a success despite of its shortcomings.
Writer: David Benioff, George R. R. Martin, D. B. Weiss, Bryan Cogman, Vanessa Taylor, Jane Espenson, Dave Hill
Cast: Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey · Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Iain Glen, and more
IMBD rating: 9.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Wrapping Up!
Hollywood loves action movies, mostly because the genre is so adaptable. It has a central hero (or antihero) who is responsible for handling matters. But that line of work could involve anything from reluctantly banding together with your fellow vigilantes to take on a criminal organization, to driving a fast car through a dystopian wasteland in search of a better life.
Action films are ultimately about pure and unadulterated escapism. Most of us will never jump a motorcycle over an explosion or fight an attacker while perched atop a moving freight train.
These were a few from thousands of interesting action series on HB that will get you hooked to themselves. Hope you have a great time watching these.
