With the libraries of Warner Bros., HBO, Discovery, and Cartoon Network, there’s no denying that when it comes to American television, Max is the streaming site to go to. It won’t be a surprise that the streaming home of prestige television would have quality shows to watch and binge, but for some viewers, you might be surprised with their international section, with shows from all over the world that reach the standard of what you already enjoy. Depending on your algorithm, some of these titles might already come up on your home page, but if you’re totally new to European noir, Korean dramas, Latin American telenovelas, or Japanese anime, here’s our top foreign shows on Max.
10 Best Foreign Shows on Max Right Now
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10.
Our Boys
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A unique insight into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through one case of violence that rocked public opinion in both countries: the abduction of three Israeli boys (hence the show title) and the retaliation by Israeli extremists who abducted a Palestinian boy. This case would eventually spark the 2014 Gaza war. It’s slow, it requires subtitles, and the acting is not always sharp but there might not be a piece of storytelling that reflects how those two societies perceive each other more than this American-Israeli show.
Our staff rating: 7/10
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Actor: Adam Gabay, Johnny Arbid, Lior Ashkenazi, Michael Aloni, Shadi Mar'i, Shlomi Elkabetz
Go to HBO Max
9.
City of God: The Fight Rages On
City of God: The Fight Rages On is a traditional sequel. It takes place years after the events of the first movie and follows some of the same characters—mainly Rocket, who is starting to doubt his calling as a photographer. “I was selling innocent blood for shit salary,” he says as we see him take part in the media exploitation of mostly Black deaths in the city. The series’ social commentary is its strongest point. It remains sharp and poignant, this time focusing as much on capital-powered unethical journalism as on political corruption and state-sanctioned violence. It’s also just as vibrant and mesmerizing as ever, capturing the diversity and passion that electrifies the city. But the series also repeats its plot, only this time it’s more cynical because we no longer see things unfold through Rocket and his friends' then-naive eyes. The teens in this series seem equally hardened, so it’s a shame to lose that freewheeling spirit that made the film feel so compelling. Still, the series is worth watching if not for the same twists and dizzying style, then for the thoughtful social criticism it offers.
Our staff rating: 7.2/10
Genre: Crime, Drama
Actor: Alexandre Rodrigues, Andréia Horta, Edson Oliveira, Eli Ferreira, Kiko Marques, Marcos Palmeira, Roberta Rodrigues, Sabrina Rosa, Thiago Martins
Go to HBO Max
8.
4 Blocks
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This sleek German drama is often referred to as “the best German television series of all time”. It’s a rare insight into the criminal underworld of Berlin, a city known for its appetite for parties and drugs, but rarely put in question about where those drugs come from.
It follows a Lebanese drug cartel and its leader, Ali "Toni" Hamady, who wants to get out of crime to protect his family.
Crime is not “cool” (kids!), but that doesn’t mean that a show about crime shouldn’t be. And 4 Blocks, in everything from atmosphere and music to its depiction of rarely-portrayed gangster nationalities, is really cool.
Our staff rating: 7.5/10
Genre: Thriller
Actor: Almila Bagriacik, Kida Khodr Ramadan, Veysel Gelin
Go to HBO Max
7.
Frankelda’s Book of Spooks
While it’s sort of a cheesy idea for us adults, being yourself is good, but it’s not so easy, especially as a kid. This is usually the sort of message for a coming-of-age indie, but it’s a message that works well with stop-motion animated horror series Frankelda's Book of Spooks. Instead of showing this message in day-to-day life, Frankelda instead weaves five spooky stories of kids wishing to be someone else, and gnomes, witches, sires, and the Coco monster granting their wish… but for a price. It’s the same price Frankelda herself paid as a ghostwriter, in both the literal and fantastical sense, which drives her anthology forward. Combining a Laika-esque style with Mexican folklore, and incredibly catchy tunes, Frankelda's Book of Spooks is an underrated series for horror fans, especially those younger in age.
Our staff rating: 7.7/10
Genre: Animation
Actor: Arturo Mercado Jr., Luis Leonardo Suarez, Mireya Mendoza
Go to HBO Max
6.
My Brilliant Friend
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This wonderful Italian epic made by HBO was a huge hit in Italy but remains little-known elsewhere. It's based on four famous books that tell the coming-of-age story of two brilliant girls who grow up in a poor suburb on Naples in the 1950s. It also has scenes from the current time where one of them mysteriously disappears. Amazing production value, acting, and story make this show so easy to get hooked to.
Our staff rating: 8/10
Genre: Drama
Go to HBO Max
5.
Primal
Disproving the notion that American animation is only for kids, the latest project from Genndy Tartakovsky (most known for Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack) is an uncompromising action epic that puts most multimillion-dollar live-action blockbusters to shame. Though Tartakovsky has stated that Primal will continue on as an anthology series, the first two seasons tell a surprisingly character-driven story about a caveman and a mother Tyrannosaurus teaming up to survive in the prehistoric wild—with nearly zero dialogue.
It's a highly entertaining riff on the man vs. nature story that ends up creating a fleshed-out world full of monsters and magic and families destroyed by all this chaos. And this initial set-up only becomes stronger in its second season, as the warmongering nature of man becomes the real threat. It's all wrapped up in a beautiful technical package that makes a case for traditional (2-D) animation as a vital art form.
Our staff rating: 8.3/10
Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Drama, Fantasy
Actor: Aaron LaPlante, Braulio Castillo Jr., Famke Janssen, Isaac Santiago, Jeremy Nazario, Kevin Durand, LaMonica Garrett, Michael Imperioli, Nicolas Cage, Sewell Whitney, Tommy Walker
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky, Nick Powell
Go to HBO Max
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