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Gotham Today
By the People, for the People
HBO's 'The Penguin' Crime Thriller Remains a Must-Watch Binge
The acclaimed 8-episode miniseries is one of HBO's best crime dramas for an easy weekend watch.
Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:38pm
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The Penguin's gritty crime drama and gangster elements are captured in this abstract close-up of shattered glass and glittering shards.Gotham TodayHBO's acclaimed 8-part crime thriller series 'The Penguin', which won 9 Emmys in 2024, remains one of the best shows on the streaming platform for an easy weekend binge. Between its outstanding performances, gritty crime tone with gangster elements, and its ability to make a decades-old franchise feel fresh, it's an absolute must-watch on HBO Max.
Why it matters
The Penguin is a direct sequel to 2022's The Batman film, but it doesn't require viewers to have seen the movie to enjoy the series. It's a spectacular feat that the show can stand on its own as one of HBO's most renowned miniseries of all time, appealing to both hardcore Batman fans and general crime drama enthusiasts.
The details
The Penguin is a tragic origin story of one of the most notorious villains in the DC Extended Universe, Oswald 'Oz' Cobblepot. Famously portrayed by Danny DeVito in 1992's Batman Returns, the character gets a grittier and more realistic portrayal in the HBO version. The story follows Oz as he builds himself up from a mid-level mobster to a criminal kingpin in the fictional Gotham City.
- The Penguin takes place just days after the ending of The Batman film.
- The Penguin premiered on HBO in 2024 and won 9 Emmy awards that year.
The players
Colin Farrell
The lead actor who portrays Oswald 'Oz' Cobblepot, the central character of The Penguin.
Cristin Milioti
The actress who had a breakout performance and won her first Emmy for her role in The Penguin, after previously being known for roles in series like Black Mirror and movies like Palm Springs.
HBO
The premium cable network that produced and aired the acclaimed 8-part crime thriller series The Penguin.
What they’re saying
“The Penguin remains one of the best crime thriller series worth streaming on HBO Max. Thanks to its limited 8-episode run, with each episode ranging from 46 to 68 minutes long, The Penguin is not only one of the best HBO miniseries ever made, but it also serves as an ideal choice for a weekend-long binge.”
— Greg MacArthur, Author
What’s next
There are currently no confirmed plans for a second season of The Penguin, but the series' critical acclaim and popularity could lead to an expansion of the Batman villain anthology on HBO.
The takeaway
The Penguin stands out as one of HBO's all-time great crime drama series, offering an engrossing and gritty take on a classic Batman villain that appeals to both hardcore fans and general audiences looking for a captivating weekend binge.
