20 Best Biography TV Shows on Max 2026
Explore Max’s top biography and true-story series, from Temple Grandin and John Adams to The Jinx, We Own This City, and more.
If you’re looking for gripping true stories, layered character studies, and larger-than-life figures, Max has a deep bench of series that fit the bill. From the emotional strength of Temple Grandin to the dark, twisty reporting behind The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, these shows prove that biography can be just as bingeable as any thriller. You’ll also find prestige drama like John Adams, hard-hitting crime stories such as We Own This City, and stranger-than-fiction picks including Evil Lives Here. With newer additions like The Dark Wizard and Portobello, this lineup spans biography, drama, documentary, action, and crime in a way that keeps the watchlist fresh.
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01
Temple Grandin
biography · drama
A biopic of Temple Grandin, an autistic American who has become one of the leading scientists in humane livestock handling.
Directed by Mick JacksonCast Claire Danes, Julia Ormond, David Strathairn, Catherine O'Hara, Stephanie FaracyMax -
02
The Dark Wizard
documentary · action · biography
An unflinching portrait of Dean Potter, the world's most influential and controversial climber, base jumper and highline walker, who achieves jaw-dropping feats while battling his inner demons.
Directed by Peter Mortimer, Nick RosenCast Dean Potter, Dean Fidelman, Timmy O'Neill, Jim Hurst, Eric PerlmanMax -
03
The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst
documentary · biography · crime · mystery
Robert Durst, scion of NY's billionaire real-estate family, has been accused of three murders but has evaded justice for over 30 years. Durst speaks in this true crime series, revealing secrets of a case that has baffled authorities.
Directed by Andrew JareckiCast Deirdre Roberts, Paul Blumenthal, Gary Napoli, Brad Blumenthal, Michael Simon HallMax -
04
Evil Lives Here
documentary · biography · crime
The true stories of people who lived with a killer. How well do you really know your family? Would you recognize the warning signs? Or would you become entangled in evil?
Directed by Phoebe Kwong, Joel Pincosy, J. Tom Pogue, Colin Herlihy, Justin Lee StanleyCast James M. Reilly, T.J. Craig, Robert Levey II, Kathy-Ann Hart, Brian VadimHuluMax -
05
We Own This City
biography · crime · drama
The story of the rise and fall of the Baltimore Police Department's Gun Trace Task Force — and the corruption and moral collapse that befell an American city in which the policies of drug prohibition and mass arrest were championed at the expense of actual police work.
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus GreenCast Jon Bernthal, Wunmi Mosaku, Jamie Hector, Josh Charles, McKinley Belcher IIIMax -
06
John Adams
biography · drama · history
Adapted from David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, this lavish seven-part miniseries chronicles the life of Founding Father John Adams, starting with the Boston Massacre of 1770 through his years as an ambassador in Europe, then his terms as vice president and president of the United States, up to his death on July 4, 1826.
Directed by Tom HooperCast Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, John Dossett, Stephen Dillane, Sarah PolleyMax -
07
Our Flag Means Death
action · adventure · biography · comedy · history · romance
After trading in the seemingly charmed life of a gentleman for one of a swashbuckling buccaneer, Stede Bonnet becomes captain of the pirate ship Revenge. Struggling to earn the respect of his potentially mutinous crew, Stede’s fortunes change after a fateful run-in with the infamous Captain Blackbeard. Stede and crew attempt to get their ship together and survive life on the high seas.
Directed by Fernando Frias, Andrew DeYoung, Nacho Vigalondo, Bertie Ellwood, Amber TemplemoreCast Rhys Darby, Joel Fry, Samson Kayo, Matthew Maher, Nathan FoadMax -
08
Portobello
biography · crime · drama · history
Tells the story of Enzo Tortora, the famous host of the television program "Portobello", accused by some collaborators of justice of being part of a Camorra organization dedicated to drug trafficking.
Directed by Marco BellocchioCast Fabrizio Gifuni, Barbora Bobulova, Romana Maggiora Vergano, Lino Musella, Claudio BureiMax -
09
Spacey Unmasked
documentary · biography · crime
Follows the life of Kevin Spacey from his childhood to his emergency success on Broadway and his rise to stardom, through to his spectacular fall from grace as he faces accusations of sexual harassment and abuse.
Directed by Katherine Haywood, Ben SteeleCast Kevin Spacey, Randall Fowler, Andy Holtzman, Adam B. Vary, Daniel Alfonso ContrerasMax -
10
Julia
biography · drama
Through Julia Child’s life and her singular joie de vivre, the series explores a pivotal time in American history – the emergence of public television as a new social institution, feminism and the women's movement, the nature of celebrity and America's cultural evolution.
Directed by Melanie Mayron, Jenée LaMarque, Scott Ellis, Erica Dunton, Charles McDougallCast Sarah Lancashire, David Hyde Pierce, Bebe Neuwirth, Fran Kranz, Fiona GlascottMax -
11
Love & Death
biography · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Candy and Pat Montgomery and Betty and Allan Gore — two churchgoing couples — enjoy their small town Texas life... until an extramarital affair leads somebody to pick up an axe.
Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter, Clark JohnsonCast Elizabeth Olsen, Jesse Plemons, Lily Rabe, Patrick Fugit, Krysten RitterNetflixMax -
12
Who the (Bleep) Did I Marry
documentary · biography · crime
Pull back the curtain on bizarre double lives and see the real stories of men and women who thought they were happily married, until the day they uncovered a shocking secret about their spouse leading them to wonder who it is they really fell in love with.
Directed by Mary Bissell, Justin Wolfe, Justin Wolf, Valerie Haselton DrescherCast Matt Gulbranson, Annie K. Fox, T. Anthony Quinn, Jonathon Ruckman, Benjamin LoehPeacock PremiumMax -
13
The Staircase
biography · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
An exploration of the life of Michael Peterson, his sprawling North Carolina family, and the suspicious death of his wife, Kathleen Peterson.
Directed by Antonio Campos, Leigh JaniakCast Colin Firth, Toni Collette, Michael Stuhlbarg, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sophie TurnerNetflixMax -
14
Conspiracy
biography · drama · history · war
At the Wannsee Conference on January 20, 1942, senior Nazi officials meet to determine the manner in which the so-called "Final Solution to the Jewish Question" can be best implemented.
Directed by Frank PiersonCast Clare Bullus, Stanley Tucci, Simon Markey, David Glover, David WilloughbyMax -
15
The Wizard of Lies
biography · crime · drama
A look behind the scenes at Bernie Madoff's massive Ponzi scheme, how it was perpetrated on the public and the trail of destruction it left in its wake, both for the victims and Madoff's family.
Directed by Barry LevinsonCast Robert De Niro, Diana Henriques, Nathan Darrow, Alessandro Nivola, Michael KostroffMax -
16
My Strange Addiction
documentary · biography · reality-tv
My Strange Addiction is an American documentary television series that premiered on TLC on December 29, 2010. The series focuses on people with unusual compulsive behaviors. These range from eating specific non-food items to ritualistic daily activities to bizarre personal fixations or beliefs.
Directed by Joseph R. FitzgeraldCast April BruckerHuluMax -
17
The Topurias
short · biography
Ilia Topuria is one of the biggest stars in MMA. This documentary explores his personal side and reveals a side of the champion never seen before.
Cast Sergio Ramos, Omar Montes, Ilia TopuriaMax -
18
White House Plumbers
biography · drama · history
The true story of how Nixon’s own political saboteurs and Watergate masterminds accidentally toppled the Presidency they were zealously trying to protect.
Directed by David MandelCast Woody Harrelson, Justin Theroux, Lena Headey, Domhnall Gleeson, Kim CoatesMax -
19
Allen v. Farrow
documentary · biography · crime
The story of one Hollywood's most notorious and public scandals: the accusation of sexual abuse against Woody Allen involving Dylan, his then 7-year-old daughter with Mia Farrow; their subsequent custody trial, the revelation of Allen’s relationship with Farrow’s daughter, Soon-Yi; and the controversial aftermath in the years that followed.
Directed by Kirby Dick, Amy ZieringCast Ronan Farrow, Amy ZieringMax -
20
What Happened, Brittany Murphy?
documentary · biography · crime · mystery
An in-depth, intimate character portrait exploring the life and career and mysterious circumstances surrounding the tragic death of 90’s actress and rising star, Brittany Murphy. The series goes beyond the conspiracy theories and headlines, featuring new interviews by those closest to Brittany and new archival footage.
Directed by Cynthia HillCast Lisa Frantz, Paige Westbrook, Alex Hodgins, Ansa Woo, Yiseth BrendlingerMax
Wrapping Up
Whether you want a factual deep dive, a prestige drama, or a true-crime series that keeps you guessing, this collection makes it easy to find something worth starting tonight. The mix of classic favorites and newer releases gives you a broad snapshot of the platform’s strongest character-driven stories. Bookmark this page and check back when you’re ready for your next watch, because it’s updated regularly as Max’s lineup changes. That way, you can keep returning to the latest standouts without hunting through the catalog again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
Do I need a Max subscription to watch these?
Yes — every title on this list is currently available on Max. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these biography shows ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the biography titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.
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Last updated: September 4, 2026