Travel Back in Time: Best 15 History TV Shows on Max for History Buffs May 2024

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Written By William Butterworth

Will Butterworth first started reporting on entertainment news when he was a kid in Barney pajamas giving news reports to his parents while sitting in a cardboard box. Now, he still sits in a cardboard box, but his audience has grown in number (at least that's what his mom tells him). Entertainment junkies unite!

History TV shows allow us to have an intimate understanding of the show’s topic. Secrets revealed, new mysteries formed, and the best and worst of humanity examined. Take a look at some of the most gripping history TV shows streaming on Max.

Warrior (2019-)

Warrior
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery.

Warrior offers viewers a glimpse into life in San Francisco in the 1800s. Not only does it show the wild town that the city used to be, but it also dives deep into some of the Chinese politics going on at the time.

Band of Brothers (2001)

Band of Brothers
Image Credit: Home Box Office.

Easy Company is one of the most famous WWII divisions in American history. Band of Brothers follows the division’s real-life missions that came with high stakes. From Operation Overlord to V-J Day, you’ll see the stories of the men who made up Easy Company in intimate detail.

Chernobyl (2019)

Chernobyl
Image Credit: HBO.

The tragedy of Chernobyl comes to life in this gripping TV mini-series. You’ll have a hard time not binging through the entire thing in one sitting. From the devastating effects it had on those who lived there to the steps taken by the government to contain the problem, the series offers an in-depth look at what happened that night, and the following days, like nothing before.

Deadwood (2004-2006)

Deadwood
Image Credit: HBO.

The 1800s were a rough time in the West. Modernization was slow to come to frontier towns, and that left them open to crime and corruption. Deadwood focuses on that time in history with gripping action and sordid stories.

White House Plumbers (2023)

White House Plumbers
Image Credit: HBO.

One of the most controversial moments in a President’s history was the Watergate Scandal. White House Plumbers shines a light on how Nixon assigned spies to leak information to the media and how his plans all came crumbling down around him.

Perry Mason (2020-2023)

Perry Mason
Image Credit: HBO.

Besides following the rise of private investigator Perry Mason to the district attorney’s office, the show also offers a glimpse into life in the 1930s. From fashion and music to politics, Perry Mason blends crime with a historic backdrop.

The Pacific (2010)

The Pacific
Image Credit: HBO.

If you loved Band of Brothers, then you need to check out The Pacific. It uses a similar method of storytelling but sheds light on a group of marines who fought the Japanese. It also takes a look at how some soldiers went home to sell war bonds and their struggle with being home instead of fighting alongside their brothers in the army.

Rome (2005-2007)

Rome
Image Credit: HBO.

Rome offers a glimpse into what might have been going on during the transition between the Republic era and the Imperial era of Roman history. Not only do you see famous historic characters like Julius Caesar and Augustus, but you also see the chaos of Rome through fictional characters, too.

Our Flag Means Death (2022-)

Our Flag Means Death
Image Credit: HBO Max.

Stede Bonnet decides to leave his wealth behind and take up pirating on the high seas. Not only does the show follow the life of Stede Bonnet, but it also delves into life during the early 1700s.

Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014)

Boardwalk Empire
Image Credit: Paul Schiraldi Photography.

It’s Prohibition time in Boardwalk Empire. Not only do viewers get a look at how enterprising individuals performed bootlegging, but they also get a taste of the politics at the time.

The Knick (2014-2015)

The Knick
Image Credit: Cinemax.

Medicine in the early 1900s saw several breakthroughs. This show dives deep into a set of characters that run the Knickerbocker Hospital in New York. It’s a taste of life in the 1900s and how they practiced medicine.

John Adams (2008)

John Adams
Image Credit: HBO.

John Adams was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and its second president. This mini-series follows his life in intimate detail.

Forbidden History (2013-)

Forbidden History
Image Credit: Forbidden History Productions.

History is always written by the victors. Which means tales of lost relics, civilizations, and peoples abound. This series takes a deep dive into discovering stories nearly lost to time. These are the stories you’re not meant to know.

Ghost Adventures (2008-)

Ghost Adventures
Image Credit: Travel Channel.

Love ghosts and their part in history? This series is for you. A team of paranormal investigators goes to some of the most haunted places in the world to uncover its secrets.

100 Years of Warner Bros. (2023)

100 Years of Warner Bros
Image Credit: HBO Max.

If you’re a fan of Warner Bros. films, then you need to check out this documentary. It follows the company’s beginnings and how it’s turned into a massive movie studio producing some of the best franchises and films ever made.

The 20 Best Science Fiction Movies of All Time: Enter a World Beyond Your Imagination

Star Wars A New Hope Lucasfilm LTD
Image Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.

Get ready to explore galaxies far, far away and other realms beyond your imagination! Whether you’re a sci-fi nerd or just a major cinephile, we know you’re going to love these 20 best science-fiction movies of all time. From space battles to time travel, this list has it all. Grab your popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the greatest sci-fi films in this universe or any other.

The 20 Best Fantasy Movies of All Time: Enter a World Beyond Your Imagination

Lord Of The Rings Fellowship New Line Cinema
Image Credit: New Line Cinema.

Get ready to be enchanted as we explore the realm of fantasy films! Immerse yourself in captivating worlds and epic adventures with my handpicked selection of the 20 greatest fantasy movies ever made. From Middle Earth’s mystical landscapes to The Green Mile’s emotional depths, this list promises to transport you to extraordinary realms.

The 20 Best History Movies of All Time: Relive the Past Through the Magic of Film

Hidden Figures
Image Credit: Hopper Stone/Hopper Stone, SMPSP – © TM & © 2017 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

Calling all history buffs and movie lovers! Get ready for a cinematic time travel experience with our top 20 history movies. From Schindler’s List’s powerful Holocaust narrative to the groundbreaking Hamilton musical, these films will immerse you in the most significant moments of human history. Prepare for a historical adventure like no other- and you won’t even need to leave your couch!