10 Best Crime Shows Streaming On HBO Max

HBO Max is home to some of the best crime dramas on television. Whether you’re looking for a modern classic like “The Sopranos” or a darker comedy-drama like “Barry,” the streaming service offers plenty of options for viewers to choose from. Of course, the immense number of shows might appear daunting. Fear not, for we have assembled this list of the best crime dramas currently streaming on HBO Max. 

This list, ranked in no particular order, should serve as a guide designed to steer you in the right direction for this particular genre. And yes, we have a lot of options.

See, crime dramas don’t necessarily mean cops versus bad guys. While there are certainly a number of shows that follow that formulaic approach, our favorites tend to dig a little deeper into the psychological components that compel people to do bad things. So, without further ado, here are our favorite crime dramas streaming on HBO Max.

The Wire

The absolute GOAT of crime dramas — on or off HBO Max — “The Wire” goes beyond the traditional battle between cops and criminals and focuses on a corrupt system that’s practically designed to produce crime. Poverty, political corruption, and personal ambition serve as the necessary ingredients needed to cook up a hearty batch of criminals, and Baltimore has all of them in droves.

Stuck in the middle of this intricate backdrop is Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West), a talented but flawed homicide detective investigating drug kingpin Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris). From there, the series expands into an ensemble drama filled with memorable characters operating on both sides of the law, chief among them Stringer Bell (Idris Elba), Omar Little (Michael K. Williams), and Cedric Daniels (Lance Reddick).

Produced with extraordinary realism that hones in on police investigations, street-level drug operations, and frustrating bureaucracy, “The Wire” refuses to pull its punches. Instead, characters and situations are complex, actions carry lasting consequences, and easy solutions are hard to come by. Each season examines a different Baltimore institution. We learn about the drug trade, city politics, public education, and journalism, turning the city into a unique supporting character.

Of course, the main flaw of “The Wire” is that, unlike, say, “Breaking Bad,” it’s not always conventionally entertaining. “The Wire” is cold, visceral, and real. But in terms of scope and authenticity, it’s easily the greatest crime drama ever produced.

The Sopranos

“The Sopranos” can best be described as “Goodfellas: The TV Series.” Packed with intense violence, surprisingly relatable characters, and a terrific soundtrack, David Chase’s epic crime series paints a realistic (though still cinematic) portrait of mob life in New Jersey. The series centers on Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a morally compromised, albeit charismatic, mob boss whose terrible acts are countered by his witty, even charming personality. Like Walter White in “Breaking Bad,” viewers find themselves rooting for him, even as they wince at some of his more egregious acts.

Rather than follow the typical rise-to-power structure of most shows of this ilk, “The Sopranos” spends much of its time examining Tony’s mundane life. We see him deal with marital problems, try to connect with his troubled kids, and contend with his overbearing mother. He also faces workplace problems, money issues, and more. He’s just like us regular folks, except he occasionally kills people.

The sharp contrast between Tony’s domestic life and his nefarious life of crime gives way to surprising comedy and plenty of emotional drama. And that’s one of the many reasons “The Sopranos” works so well. Add an A-plus supporting cast — Michael Imperioli, Edie Falco, Tony Sirico, Steven Van Zandt, and Dominic Chianese – plus a slew of guest stars, hefty psychological drama, numerous intense standoffs, and a controversial, though appropriate, ambiguous finale, and you have a fantastic series that deserves all the accolades it received.

Mare of Easttown

Kate Winslet is the main reason to check out “Mare of Easttown.” Her performance as Mare Sheehan, a broken detective investigating a young woman’s murder while attempting to solve the year-old disappearance of another girl, is phenomenal — equal parts riveting and heartbreaking.

Luckily, the series matches her performance, thanks to sharp writing by Brad Ingelsby and taut direction from Craig Zobel. What begins as a rather ordinary procedural evolves into a quiet, moody character study about people attempting to reconcile mistakes and move on from the past.

Mare is a local legend who sank the game-winning bucket in the high school state championship 25 years earlier. Since then, her life has derailed, practically reaching its breaking point when her troubled son died by suicide. Reeling from a divorce and struggling with her daughter, Mare attempts to solve a crime, all the while fighting to maintain control over the last vestiges of her life.

Spanning seven episodes, this miniseries earned plenty of acclaim and remains a tour de force in drama, tension, and good old-fashioned murder mystery. And yes, for once, the ends justify the means, making “Mare of Easttown” a rare series worth watching more than once. Each viewing brings new tidbits you never saw before and really makes you appreciate the performances. Now, can we please get Season 2?

Boardwalk Empire

Unlike the other entries on this list, “Boardwalk Empire” takes its cues from actual history, blending real events with fictional drama. Executive produced by Martin Scorsese, this gritty, violent tale chronicles the rise of Enoch “Nucky” Thompson (Steve Buscemi, in a landmark performance), a fictionalized version of Atlantic City political boss Enoch “Nucky” Johnson, during the Prohibition era. Throughout the series, the Atlantic City treasurer deals with infamous historical figures such as Al Capone, Arnold Rothstein, and Lucky Luciano, among others.

Brought to life with remarkable attention to detail — everything from the elaborate costumes to the smoke-filled speakeasies is rendered beautifully — “Boardwalk Empire” is a worthwhile watch, albeit not for the faint of heart. Episodes contain an abundance of violence and sex because, well, this is the mob life. Some events feel outlandish, then you discover they’re based on real-world history, one of the show’s most distinctive features.

If that weren’t enough, the impressive all-star supporting cast includes Michael Shannon, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Pitt, and Kelly Macdonald, all of whom play their parts perfectly. Still, the series’ most fascinating aspect is watching Nucky build his massive criminal economy around the sale of illegal alcohol. His story remains compelling through five seasons, meaning you’re as hooked on Season 5 as you are on the premiere episode.

True Detective

Here’s the thing about “True Detective”: The first season ranks among the finest television ever produced. Matthew McConaughey delivers arguably his best performance as Rust Cohle, a nihilistic detective hunting a serial killer, and Woody Harrelson is solid as his weary partner, Martin Hart. The writing and character work are top-notch, the murder mystery is captivating, and the numerous twists, turns, and set pieces are astounding.

“True Detective” Season 1 is amazing. Unfortunately, Seasons 2-4 are not. (Okay, Season 3 was pretty good.) Even with stars like Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Vince Vaughn, Mahershala Ali, and Jodie Foster, the remaining seasons never match the incredible heights the first season set. Or maybe our expectations were simply too high.

That’s not to say they aren’t watchable. Predictably, the performances are strong across the board, and the various mysteries are compelling enough to hold your attention. Where they falter is in the writing. Characters deliver ridiculous dialogue meant to sound deep, but comes across as hackneyed, and the plots often lean on absurdities that leave you scratching your head.

Of course, that just goes to show you how good Season 1 remains — good enough to keep “True Detective” in the top tier of a 10 Best Crime Shows list despite the collective disappointment that followed. With Season 5 on the horizon and Nicolas Cage and Antonio Banderas set to star, maybe there’s still time to right the ship and bring this drama back to the gold standard.

The Penguin

Turning to the comic book realm, “The Penguin” blends Batman with something like “The Sopranos,” telling a sprawling epic about Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell), a rising kingpin who tries to take over Gotham City’s criminal underworld after Matt Reeves’ “The Batman.”

“The Penguin” introduces a cast of fascinating characters, from Salvatore “The Boss” Maroni (Clancy Brown) to the elegant but ruthless Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), each with their own nefarious plans for the city. We learn more about Oz throughout this gangland scuffle as he recalls moments from his traumatic past and through his dealings with a young upstart named Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz).

Sadly, Batman never appears, but it is cool to see the seedier areas of Gotham City where low-level criminals hatch plans to rise to the top. “The Penguin” dazzles as a high-concept thriller with terrific production design and a storyline that enthralls even if you haven’t seen “The Batman.” Still, for all its production values, the show’s success hinges on Colin Farrell. Hidden beneath layers of latex, the veteran actor turns the Penguin into a formidable, if not slightly pathetic, mastermind who’s willing to sacrifice anything and everyone to get what he wants.

The only downside to “The Penguin” is that it’s needlessly laced with brutal violence and strong language, keeping it off-limits for younger viewers eager to see more of Reeves’ dark Batman universe.

Barry

Like “The Sopranos,” “Barry” combines disturbing violence with dark comedy — and it works! Thanks to sharp writing and confident direction, this sly crime drama takes an absurd premise and transforms it into a fascinating examination of guilt, identity, and redemption.

For those unfamiliar, the series follows Barry Berkman (Bill Hader), a contract killer and former Marine who takes an assignment in Los Angeles and discovers an unexpected passion for acting. We follow Barry as he tries to start a new life of artistic freedom, all while trying to flee his criminal past.

Yes, it’s ridiculous. One minute, you’re watching a bunch of method actors prepare for a scene, and the next, you’re witnessing a horrific murder. But that drastic tonal shift is precisely what makes “Barry” so good. Here, we have an intricate character study about a deeply disturbed human being desperately trying to right the ship. It’s “A History of Violence” meets “Get Shorty,” complete with a peek behind the Hollywood curtain.

And, in keeping with the previous entries on this list, the supporting cast is downright killer. Henry Winkler delivers some of his finest work as an eccentric teacher, while Sarah Goldberg is superb as an actress dealing with her own personal demons. Then there’s Anthony Carrigan, who practically runs off with the show as NoHo Hank, a cheerful gangster whose personality clashes with his violent profession. Dark, often brutal, but consistently funny, “Barry” is one of a kind.

Tokyo Vice

If you adore all things Michael Mann, the acclaimed director of films such as “Heat” and “Collateral,” and the creator of TV’s “Miami Vice,” then “Tokyo Vice” is absolutely for you. With Mann directing the pilot episode, this intricate look at Japan’s criminal underground is laced with his trademark realism and epic scope. It’s more of a vibe than a straight-up action thriller. There are plenty of chases, shootouts, and double-crosses, but the series mostly centers on Tokyo itself — the neon-lit streets, hopping nightclubs, bustling newsrooms, and the dark criminal enterprises lurking beneath them all. Not to mention, the complex system holding it all together.

American journalist Jake Adelstein (Ansel Elgort) guides us through Japanese customs and traditions as he works with veteran police detective Hiroto Katagiri (Ken Watanabe) to investigate the dangerous world of the yakuza. Where shows like “Breaking Bad” and “The Sopranos” offer a glimpse into their crime-filled worlds, “Tokyo Vice” presents its dark details from an outsider’s perspective. We’re not exclusively following traditional gangsters or cops. Rather, we experience much of this dangerous world through the eyes of a journalist searching for the truth. As such, a different moral perspective is at play: We root for the good guys to take out the bad guys.

The slower pace may turn off viewers accustomed to the faster-paced storytelling of modern television. Make no mistake, patient viewers will be amply rewarded in the long run. Too bad we never got a Season 3.

The Night Of

We’ve spent plenty of time going over crime stories centered on criminals who, well, know they’re criminals. What happens when an ordinary person gets tapped for a crime he may not have committed?

That’s the central question lurking within “The Night Of,” a gripping drama centered around Naz Khan (Riz Ahmed), a Pakistani-American college student who wakes up next to a murdered woman without any recollection of the previous night. Now, he must face an intricate legal system seemingly working against him, and the experience alters him in ways that are downright disturbing.

Seriously, how does a person move on after being arrested for a murder they may not have committed? Naz’s time in prison fundamentally changes his personality. Only with the help of a broken lawyer (a scene-stealing John Turturro) does he find hope.

Tense and beautifully crafted, “The Night Of” asks difficult questions about racism, America’s justice system, and the media. And while it does suffer from uneven pacing, far too many subplots (you’ll learn more about eczema than you probably want), and a slightly underwhelming conclusion, the journey remains a worthwhile endeavor thanks to strong performances from everyone involved, and even better storytelling.

Sharp Objects

Based on Gillian Flynn’s 2006 novel, “Sharp Objects” stars Amy Adams as Camille Preaker, a troubled journalist who returns to her hometown in Missouri to investigate the murders of two young girls. Simple, right? But Camille also has to confront her domineering mother, Adora (a terrifying Patricia Clarkson), which brings past traumas to the forefront. “Sharp Objects” is pretty bleak, willing to traverse dark, psychological territory en route to a shocking conclusion.

Director Jean-Marc Vallée uses fragmented editing, fleeting images, and nonlinear storytelling to lock viewers inside Camille’s broken mind. Along the way, “Sharp Objects” explores the grotesque nature hidden beneath a picturesque small-town façade. On the surface, everyone appears friendly. The more we learn, the more we see a town engulfed in gossip, resentment, and hate. It’s not the most original approach, and yet, this 2018 drama offers an absorbing eight hours of television, driven by strong performances and uniquely drawn characters.

Did we mention that Patricia Clarkson is scary as hell? As a deeply disturbed mother, the actress manages to be menacing without relying on traditional horror theatrics. Like the town, she appears gracious and well-mannered on the surface, but her mask peels away to reveal a manipulative personality, making her easily the show’s most unsettling character.