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Max Headroom

1987·Show
14Episodes in2Seasons·TV-PG
69
GoodGoodWatch score

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Max Headroom fingerprint

High energy, funny, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense and thrilling

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension8
  • Adrenaline7
  • Fast Pace6

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Nostalgia6
  • Melancholy5
  • Pathos4

Humor

Plenty of satire and sharp wit

  • Satire & Parody8
  • Wit & Wordplay7
  • Dark Humor6

World

The future, technology, and politics

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • World Immersion8
  • Novelty8

Craft

Standout dialogue and characters

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Intrigue9
  • Dialogue Quality8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Standout visual style and sound design

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Visual Stylization8
  • Sound Centrality8
  • Cinematography7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

Episode ratings

IMDb rating of every episode, one row per season
SeasonEpisode 1Episode 2Episode 3Episode 4Episode 5Episode 6Episode 7Episode 8
IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8

About

Television networks battle one another in an unrelenting ratings war. Whoever controls the airwaves controls the dystopic world in which they broadcast. So when Network 23's star reporter, Edison Carter, uncovers a deadly secret that could shake up the station's dominion over its viewers, the only option is to eliminate Carter before he can make his story public. After Carter's "accident," his mind is uploaded to create the world's first self-aware, computer-generated TV host — Max Headroom! But will Max bow to his creators? Or will he be the key to his human alter ago bringing down a network superpower?
Dystopian CyberpunkSatirical Social CommentaryArtificial IntelligenceCorporate ControlMedia ManipulationTechnological DystopiaIntrigue & MysteryGritty Visuals

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Max Headroom

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Max Headroom legally?

You can watch it free with ads on Hoopla, Plex, and Tubi TV. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Max Headroom worth watching?

69
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 70/100 (IMDb 7.3 and Rotten Tomatoes 92%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Max Headroom rated?

TV-PGViolence

It's rated TV-PG in the United States. Content advisories: violence.

How many seasons does Max Headroom have?

2 seasons

It has 2 seasons with 14 episodes of about 60 minutes each.

Do critics and audiences agree on Max Headroom?

Critics92
Audiences73

Not quite. Critics rate Max Headroom higher (92) than audiences (73). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

When did Max Headroom air?

It ran from 1987 to 1988 and has ended.

What language is Max Headroom in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Max Headroom?

3AUCAUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Max Headroom in 3 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Max Headroom use?

HomageSuspiciously Similar SubstituteCassette FuturismOnly in It for the MoneyWe Will Not Use Photoshop in the FutureWicked CulturedCorrupt ChurchVirtual CelebrityI Can't Believe It's Not Heroin!Ad BumpersThe Guards Must Be CrazyHollywood Hackingand 62 more

TV Tropes lists 74 storytelling tropes for Max Headroom, including Homage, Suspiciously Similar Substitute, Cassette Futurism.