HBO Max’s 6-Part Absurdist Comedy Was Just Called the Year’s Funniest Show, but There’s One Problem

In the world of reboots, sequels and live-action remakes, there’s something special about seeing a true, original idea hit the small screen. On May 28, 2026, however, that’s exactly what Australian actor and comedian Sam Campbell and writer Paddy Young did. On HBO Max, the new comedy series starring Campbell Make That Movie was released, and it’s a true comedic treat, and a must-watch for fans of fellow cringe comedy risk-takers like Tim Robinson and Nathan Fielder.

The series follows a clear-cut premise: Campbell, playing a fictionalized version of himself, is a once hot-shot movie director who’s now scouring the UK for everyday people who have an idea for a feature film. In each episode, Campbell and his ragtag team of producers, filmmakers and an awkward yet rich intimacy director (Aaron Chen), meet an ordinary person with a big movie idea, and do their best to make their project come to life. The premise is simple, but the comedic payoff is huge.

‘Make That Movie’ Is Hitting Comedic Gold

Make That Movie, shot in the fan-favorite mockumentary style, is a comedic force, packing more inventive jokes into six episodes than most sitcoms manage in an entire run. Whether it’s the inept idea-starters who know nothing about film, let alone social interaction, or Sam’s team, who are weirder and more unhelpful than he hoped, the series manages to pack one-liners, comedic twists and laugh-out-loud moments in every aspect of the show. In the first episode, for instance, Sam’s team produce a heist thriller in which a couple suddenly gain the ability to turn into snakes, but only one of them can become a snake at a time. The ambitious project requires CGI, turning regular workers at the printing center into actors, and a number of live snakes to up the ante.

With that said, however, Make That Movie‘s release comes with a twist. Sadly for international viewers, the six-episode series was only broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK, and released on HBO Max solely in Australia. Per FlixPatrol, Make That Movie is surging well on the streaming charts in the country though, reaching up to #5. Of course, the limited release becomes even more frustrating knowing the worldwide success some equally distinctive comedic voices like Robinson and Fielder have had over the years. Among them were Robinson’s’ I Think You Should Leave on Netflix, which earned its own cult following, and Fielder’s The Rehearsal on HBO, which sees non-actors being put into unthinkable scenarios just like Make That Movie. Knowing that Make That Movie follows a similar absurd premise, and uses that same cringe comedy, the series would certainly join in their success if only it were released to a larger audience.

Critical Acclaim for ‘Make That Movie’ Shows Its Potential

In addition to Make That Movie‘s surefire comedy, which would certainly cater to millions of viewers worldwide, the series’ is scoring big with critics. While it hasn’t earned a Rotten Tomatoes score yet, The Guardian called the series “the funniest TV show of the entire year.” “This show is a celebration, not just of bad films in all their various forms, but of comedy as an artform,” wrote Stuart Heritage in his review. “It might be wrong to want it to run and run, because nothing will kill this thing faster than lapsing into formula, but hopefully it’s a sign that Campbell and his uncomprehending face will become a fixture on television for many years to come.”

But while that review certainly gave the series high praise, critics aren’t universally behind the series. To some, the series will only work if you’re a fan of Campbell already, be it from his time on Taskmaster or on the second series of Last One Laughing. “The ever-escalating irreverence isn’t for everyone, naturally,” wrote one review on Rotten Tomatoes. “It’s unlikely to win you over if Campbell’s comedy hasn’t already.” In addition to Campbell, Make That Movie also stars Lara Ricote, Helen Bauer, and David Hargreaves.

Despite a limited release in the UK and Australia, Sam Campbell’s new show Make That Movie is proving to be a force to be reckoned with. Being described as “the funniest TV show of the entire year” is no joke, and it makes the limited release all the more frustrating. With cringe comedy shows in the past receiving critical and public acclaim, here’s hoping Make That Movie can strike a new release deal soon, and make waves on an international scale like it surely deserves.