20 Best Romance TV Shows on Max 2026
Find the most romantic Max TV picks, from Friends and Sex and the City to The Vampire Diaries, House of the Dragon, and Heated Rivalry.
If you’re searching for the best romance TV shows on Max, this list brings together everything from swoony comedies to messy, high-stakes love stories. You’ll find classic comfort watches like Friends and Sex and the City, alongside darker, more dramatic picks such as The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, and House of the Dragon. There’s also sharp, slow-burn chemistry in The Big Bang Theory, while Rome blends power, politics, and passion in a way that still feels bold. And with newer buzz-worthy additions like Heated Rivalry, the lineup balances nostalgia, fandom favorites, and fresh options across drama, fantasy, action, and adventure.
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01
House of the Dragon
Won 2 Emmys Outstanding Drama Series (2023) · 15 nominations
action · adventure · drama · fantasy · romance
The Targaryen dynasty is at the absolute apex of its power, with more than 15 dragons under their yoke. Most empires crumble from such heights. In the case of the Targaryens, their slow fall begins when King Viserys breaks with a century of tradition by naming his daughter Rhaenyra heir to the Iron Throne. But when Viserys later fathers a son, the court is shocked when Rhaenyra retains her status as his heir, and seeds of division sow friction across the realm.
Directed by Clare Kilner, Geeta Vasant Patel, Miguel Sapochnik, Greg Yaitanes, Loni PeristereCast Matt Smith, Emma D'Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Sonoya Mizuno, Kurt EgyiawanMaxMore details on IMDb → -
02
The Big Bang Theory
Won 10 Emmys 4x Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series · 55 nominations
comedy · romance
Physicists Leonard and Sheldon find their nerd-centric social circle with pals Howard and Raj expanding when aspiring actress Penny moves in next door.
Directed by Mark Cendrowski, Anthony Rich, Peter Chakos, Nikki Lorre, Howard MurrayCast Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal NayyarMaxMore details on IMDb → -
03
The Vampire Diaries
drama · fantasy · horror · mystery · romance · thriller
The story of two vampire brothers obsessed with the same girl, who bears a striking resemblance to the beautiful but ruthless vampire they knew and loved in 1864.
Directed by Chris Grismer, Joshua Butler, Michael A. Allowitz, Marcos Siega, Pascal VerschoorisCast Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Kat Graham, Candice King, Zach RoerigPeacock PremiumMaxMore details on IMDb → -
04
Friends
Won 6 Emmys Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (1996) · 62 nominations
comedy · romance
Six young people from New York City, on their own and struggling to survive in the real world, find the companionship, comfort and support they get from each other to be the perfect antidote to the pressures of life.
Directed by Gary Halvorson, Kevin Bright, Michael Lembeck, James Burrows, Gail MancusoCast Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew PerryMaxMore details on IMDb → -
05
Pretty Little Liars
drama · mystery · romance · thriller
Based on the Pretty Little Liars series of young adult novels by Sara Shepard, the series follows the lives of four girls — Spencer, Hanna, Aria, and Emily — whose clique falls apart after the disappearance of their queen bee, Alison. One year later, they begin receiving messages from someone using the name "A" who threatens to expose their secrets — including long-hidden ones they thought only Alison knew.
Directed by Norman Buckley, Ron Lagomarsino, Chad Lowe, Arlene Sanford, Michael GrossmanCast Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson, Lucy Hale, Shay Mitchell, Sasha PieterseHuluMaxMore details on IMDb →
Not quite it? Ask WattaWatch for romance on Max →
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06
Heated Rivalry
drama · romance · sport
Two of the biggest stars in Major League Hockey are bound by ambition, rivalry, and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understands. What begins as a secret fling between two fresh faced rookies evolves into a years-long journey of love, denial, and self-discovery. Over the next eight years, as they chase glory on the ice, they struggle to navigate their feelings for each other. Torn between the sport they live for and the love they can’t ignore, they must decide if there’s room in their fiercely competitive world for something as fragile – and powerful – as real love.
Directed by Jacob TierneyCast Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, François Arnaud, Callan Potter, Franco Lo PrestiMaxMore details on IMDb → -
07
Sex and the City
Won 7 Emmys Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (2002) · 55 nominations
comedy · drama · romance
Based on the bestselling book by Candace Bushnell, Sex and the City tells the story of four best friends, all single and in their late thirties, as they pursue their careers and talk about their sex lives, all while trying to survive the New York social scene.
Directed by Michael Patrick King, Allen Coulter, Michael Engler, Michael Spiller, Alan TaylorCast Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, David EigenbergMaxMore details on IMDb → -
08
Gossip Girl
drama · romance
An exclusive group of privileged teens from a posh prep school on Manhattan's Upper East Side whose lives revolve around the blog of the all-knowing albeit ultra-secretive Gossip Girl.
Directed by Mark Piznarski, Norman Buckley, Patrick R. Norris, J. Miller Tobin, Joe LazarovCast Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford, Ed WestwickNetflixMaxMore details on IMDb → -
09
One Tree Hill
drama · romance · sport
In Tree Hill, North Carolina two half brothers share a last name and nothing else. Brooding, blue-collar Lucas is a talented street-side basketball player, but his skills are appreciated only by his friends at the river court. Popular, affluent Nathan basks in the hero-worship of the town, as the star of his high school team. And both boys are the son of former college ball player Dan Scott whose long ago choice to abandon Lucas and his mother Karen, will haunt him long into his life with wife Deb and their son Nathan.
Directed by Gregory Prange, Paul Johansson, Mark Schwahn, Joe Davola, Thomas J. WrightCast Bethany Joy Lenz, Sophia Bush, James Lafferty, Lee Norris, Paul JohanssonHuluMaxMore details on IMDb → -
10
ER
Won 23 Emmys Outstanding Drama Series (1996) · 124 nominations
drama · romance
ER explores the inner workings of an urban teaching hospital and the critical issues faced by the dedicated physicians and staff of its overburdened emergency room.
Directed by Christopher Chulack, Jonathan Kaplan, Richard Thorpe, Stephen Cragg, Lesli Linka GlatterCast Noah Wyle, Laura Innes, Laura Cerón, Deezer D, Maura TierneyHuluMaxMore details on IMDb → -
11
True Blood
Won 1 Emmy Outstanding Drama Series (2010) · 16 nominations
drama · fantasy · mystery · romance · thriller
Thanks to a Japanese scientist's invention of synthetic blood, vampires have progressed overnight from legendary monsters to fellow citizens. And while humans have been safely removed from the menu, many remain apprehensive about these creatures "coming out of the coffin." Religious leaders, government officials, and vampire fundamentalists around the world have chosen their sides. But in the small Louisiana town of Bon Temps, the jury is still out.
Directed by Michael Lehmann, Scott Winant, Daniel Minahan, Howard Deutch, John DahlCast Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, Chris BauerHuluMaxMore details on IMDb → -
12
Rome
Won 7 Emmys 15 nominations
action · drama · romance · war
A down-to-earth account of the lives of both illustrious and ordinary Romans set in the last days of the Roman Republic.
Directed by Michael Apted, Mikael Salomon, Allen Coulter, Alan Poul, Steve ShillCast Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, Polly Walker, Kerry Condon, James PurefoyMaxMore details on IMDb → -
13
90 Day Fiancé
reality-tv · romance
Using a unique 90 Day Fiance visa, overseas fiances will travel to the US to live with their partners for the first time. Each couple will have just 90 days to decide to get married or send their international mate home.
Directed by Samantha Hartzband, Jessica Hernandez, Kevin Rhoades, Rogue Rubin, Emily WirthCast Joe Whyte, Angelica McIntyreHuluMaxMore details on IMDb → -
14
The O.C.
comedy · drama · romance
Ryan Atwood, a teen from the wrong side of the tracks, moves in with a wealthy family willing to give him a chance. But Ryan's arrival disturbs the status quo of the affluent, privileged community of Newport Beach, California.
Directed by Ian Toynton, Michael Lange, Michael Fresco, Tony Wharmby, Patrick R. NorrisCast Peter Gallagher, Kelly Rowan, Ben McKenzie, Adam Brody, Rachel BilsonHuluMaxMore details on IMDb → -
15
My Adventures with Superman
animation · action · adventure · comedy · family · fantasy · romance · sci-fi
Twenty-somethings Clark Kent, the bright and driven Lois Lane, and their best friend Jimmy Olsen begin to discover who they are and everything they can accomplish together as an investigative reporting team at the Daily Planet.
Directed by Jen Bennett, Diana Huh, Christina Manrique, Grace Liu, Chris PalmerCast Jack Quaid, Alice Lee, Ishmel Sahid, Max Mittelman, Kiana MadeiraMaxMore details on IMDb → -
16
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 FoadMaxMore details on IMDb → -
17
First and Last
drama · romance
Two couples meet in their twenties, fall in love, and embark on a passionate journey, raising and transforming each other through life's ups and downs until they ultimately part ways.
Directed by Cem Karci, Devrim YalçinCast Özge Özpirinçci, Salih Bademci, Gülçin Kültür Sahin, Serkan Ercan, Sacide TasanerMaxMore details on IMDb → -
18
Insecure
Won 1 Emmy 2x Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series · 14 nominations
comedy · drama · romance
Follows the awkward experiences and racy tribulations of a modern-day African-American woman.
Directed by Melina Matsoukas, Kevin Bray, Prentice Penny, Maurice Marable, Stella MeghieCast Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda SealesMaxMore details on IMDb → -
19
Teen Titans Go!
3 Emmy nominations
animation · short · action · adventure · comedy · drama · family · fantasy · horror · musical · mystery · romance · sci-fi
Robin, Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy and Cyborg return in all-new, comedic adventures. They may be super heroes who save the world every day ... but somebody still has to do the laundry!
Directed by Luke Cormican, Peter Rida Michail, James Krenzke, Ken McIntyre, Dave StoneCast Greg Cipes, Scott Menville, Khary Payton, Hynden Walch, Tara StrongNetflixHuluMaxMore details on IMDb → -
20
Angels in America
Won 11 Emmys 21 nominations
drama · fantasy · romance
Follow six New Yorkers whose lives intersect amidst the AIDS crisis and the rapidly changing socio-political climate of 1985.
Directed by Mike NicholsCast Al Pacino, Mary-Louise Parker, Justin Kirk, Jeffrey Wright, Ben ShenkmanMaxMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
From laugh-out-loud romances to stories where love gets tangled up with danger, politics, and fantasy, this roundup gives you a wide range of options to match your mood. Whether you want a rewatchable classic or something newer to start next, these picks make it easy to find a great fit. Bookmark this page and check back whenever you need a fresh binge, since it’s updated regularly as the catalog changes. If you’re building a watchlist, this is a reliable place to start.
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 romance shows ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the romance titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.