For a 2024 Max watchlist, start with True Detective, The Penguin or House of the Dragon if you want a series, and consider Wonka for a movie. This is a curated shortlist, not a definitive critics’ ranking: the recommendations combine editorial judgment with clearly labeled popularity and streaming-performance signals. Max’s catalog changes, so check availability in your country before settling on a title.
How this shortlist was chosen
There is no single, cited ranking that establishes the “best” movies and shows on Max from 2024. The titles below are selected for different reasons: editorial fit, IMDb user interest, or a place in TVision’s streaming-performance list. Those measures are not interchangeable. IMDb’s 2024 popularity rankings used IMDbPro STARmeter rankings based on actual page views; TVision’s Power Score incorporates attention, the amount of program time available, program reach and app reach. Neither supplies a critical-quality score or Max-only viewing totals.
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IMDb said its service had more than 250 million monthly visitors in 2024, providing scale for its page-view-based popularity signal. That does not make its rankings Max viewing figures. Its movie and show lists cover titles across platforms, so a ranking alone also does not prove that a movie streamed on Max.
Shows to consider
True Detective — for a crime series with major IMDb interest
IMDb ranked True Detective No. 1 on its 2024 Most Popular Shows list. That makes it the strongest IMDb popularity pick in this shortlist, not a measured Max audience winner or a verdict on its quality. It suits viewers looking for a crime drama in series form rather than a one-sitting movie.
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The Penguin — for a comic-book crime drama
The Penguin ranked No. 3 on IMDb’s 2024 Most Popular Shows list. Its placement is a user page-view signal across IMDb, not evidence of Max’s own viewing totals. Choose it if a serialized, crime-focused comic-book story is more appealing than a documentary or feature film.
House of the Dragon — for a fantasy series
IMDb placed House of the Dragon at No. 5 among its most popular shows of 2024. As with the other IMDb picks, the ranking reflects page views rather than critical quality or Max-specific streaming performance. Its series format makes it a longer commitment than a film.
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TVision’s 2025 report, covering Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2024, published a top 20 streaming-shows ranking with no Max title among its entries. That is only an observation about that report’s top 20; it does not mean that Max shows were unwatched or that they failed to attract audiences.
Movies to consider
Wonka — the clearest TVision-linked Max movie pick
TVision ranked Wonka No. 9 in its 2024 streaming-movie list and labeled it a Max title. This is a streaming-performance signal based on TVision’s Power Score, which combines attention and reach measures; it is not a Max-only audience total or a critical rating. If you want a single movie rather than a series, it is the most directly supported film choice in this list.
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Dune: Part Two — a popular movie to check for availability
Dune: Part Two ranked No. 2 on IMDb’s 2024 Most Popular Movies list. IMDb’s all-platform ranking makes it a popular title to consider, but does not establish that it was available on Max in a particular place or at a particular time. Check your local Max catalog before choosing it.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Joker: Folie à Deux — IMDb popularity picks, not confirmed Max listings
IMDb’s 2024 all-platform movie list ranked Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga No. 3 and Joker: Folie à Deux No. 4. Those rankings are page-view popularity signals, not quality scores, and they do not establish Max availability. Treat both as titles to look up in your region rather than guaranteed Max recommendations.
Rank #4
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Choose by mood and viewing time
| Title | Format and genre | Why it is on the list | What the evidence does—and does not—say |
|---|---|---|---|
| True Detective | Series; crime drama | IMDb popularity | No. 1 on IMDb’s 2024 Most Popular Shows list; not Max viewing data or a quality rating. |
| The Penguin | Series; crime / comic-book drama | IMDb popularity | No. 3 on IMDb’s 2024 Most Popular Shows list; not Max viewing data or a quality rating. |
| House of the Dragon | Series; fantasy | IMDb popularity | No. 5 on IMDb’s 2024 Most Popular Shows list; not Max viewing data or a quality rating. |
| Wonka | Movie | TVision streaming performance | No. 9 on TVision’s 2024 streaming-movie list, labeled a Max title; its Power Score is not a Max-only audience total or critical score. |
| Dune: Part Two | Movie | IMDb popularity | No. 2 on IMDb’s 2024 Most Popular Movies list; the ranking does not confirm Max availability. |
| Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga | Movie | IMDb popularity | No. 3 on IMDb’s 2024 Most Popular Movies list; the ranking does not confirm Max availability. |
| Joker: Folie à Deux | Movie | IMDb popularity | No. 4 on IMDb’s 2024 Most Popular Movies list; the ranking does not confirm Max availability. |
For a quick movie pick with a direct TVision Max label, try Wonka. For a series, use the IMDb placements to distinguish the crime-oriented True Detective and The Penguin from the fantasy setting of House of the Dragon. The IMDb list does not establish which show is better; it only indicates relative page-view interest among IMDb users.
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Max says its programming includes HBO, Max Originals, Warner Bros., DC, Discovery and other brands, and notes that some titles are available for a limited time. A title’s 2024 association with Max is therefore not a promise that it remains in the catalog, and availability can differ by territory. Check Max’s catalog and programming help page and the service in your own region before planning a watch.
Quick Recap
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- Unlimited movies, TV shows, and more. Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime.
- Give the gift of entertainment so your friends and family can stream unlimited films and Netflix original series. Whether your loved one already has a Netflix account or they will be creating a new account, they can use a Netflix gift card toward their membership.
- No credit card is required to redeem a gift code.
- Codes are applied to your account as a gift balance. Gift codes can be added to any plan, regardless of the amount.
- Redemption: Online
Sources and what their rankings mean
- IMDb’s 2024 Most Popular Movies, Shows, and Stars announcement (Dec. 3, 2024) describes its IMDbPro STARmeter, page-view-based method and publishes the movie and show rankings.
- TVision’s 2025 report covers Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2024; it lists Wonka No. 9 among streaming movies and explains the multi-factor basis of its Power Score.
- Max’s help page describes the programming brands in its catalog and warns that some titles are available for a limited time.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
