5 Must-Watch HBO Max Shows That Are Perfect to Stream in the Summer

There are plenty of splashy shows on HBO Max for you to stream this summer.

Whether your thing is light, fluffy romance like Sex and the City or intense drama like Big Little Lies, the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned platform has a little bit of everything.

Watch With Us has picked out five series that have some kind of summer theme for your viewing pleasure.

Check out our recommendations below.

‘Sex and the City’ (1998-2004)

Heat up your summer with this classic and sexy series that’s stood the test of time. Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) are four single women and best friends living in Manhattan. Together, they juggle work, dating and friendship and share their very different perspectives.

Though it premiered in the ‘90s, SATC is far from a relic — most of the trials and tribulations of the four women are relatable to this day. If you’re looking for something light and fluffy that you can throw on in the background at any time with almost no context, Sex and the City is for you.

‘The White Lotus’ (2021-Present)

If summer has you dreaming of traveling to faraway locales, the hit HBO anthology series is just the ticket. In each season of The White Lotus, a new cast of characters (and a few returning ones) travels to a new location of the White Lotus resort chain.

The show blends comedy and tragedy as it chronicles over a dozen characters as they experience life-changing events that usually have devastating — ad sometimes deadly — consequences. Seasons 1-3 have starred actors like Connie Britton, Walton Goggins, Theo James and F. Murray Abraham. Pack your suitcase and meet us there.

‘Justice League’ and ‘Justice League Unlimited’ (2001-2006)

Summer is big when it comes to superhero content, with the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps and James Gunn’s Superman on the horizon. If you’d like to look back at a simpler (but still high-quality) time of superhero storytelling, we recommend you check out Justice League and its follow-up series, Justice League Unlimited.

Many DC fans consider these versions of Superman (George Newbern), Batman (Kevin Conroy) and Wonder Woman (Susan Eisenberg) to be the ultimate on-screen representation of their comic book faves, and the show also features lesser-known heroes like Hawkgirl (Maria Canals-Barrera), who will be portrayed by Isabela Merced in Gunn’s upcoming film. Don’t let the fact that it’s animated fool you — this is sophisticated, character-driven storytelling that builds a captivating world for any superhero fan.

‘Peacemaker’ (2023-Present)

Another excellent DC project, Peacemaker could not be more different from Justice League — it’s violent, profane and occasionally borderline offensive. But John Cena’s performance as Christopher Smith (aka Peacemaker), a patriotic and jingoistic mercenary who believes in achieving “peace at any cost” is surprisingly deep and nuanced.

It’s funny, exciting and no-holds-barred — pure chaos of the sort that only James Gunn can provide. After Superman premieres on July 11, season 1 of Peacemaker should be your first watch before season 2 premieres on August 21.

‘Big Little Lies’ (2017-2019)

If you’re a parent who’s already stressing about your kids’ return to school at the end of summer, take comfort in knowing that it probably won’t be as dramatic as the day that kicks off the events of Big Little Lies.

When Jane Chapman (Shailene Woodley) takes her son to school for the first time in the wealthy neighborhood of Monterey, California, he is accused of hurting the daughter of the wealthy and volatile Renata Klein (Laura Dern). Lines are drawn and secrets are revealed as other mothers (played by Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Zoë Kravitz) choose sides in the conflict, leading to explosive drama that ends with a deadly surprise.