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Welcome to our HBO Max hub guide. In this article, you'll find all the latest and most important information on Warner Bros Discovery's (WBD) main streaming service, which has been part of the US streaming market since May 2020.
As one of the world's best streaming services, HBO Max offers a bountiful selection of top-tier TV shows, including The Last of Us and Succession, and magnificent movies like The Batman and Elvis. Its impressive, award-winning suite of content is available at various prices, too, meaning there's a subscription plan for every kind of household.
If you're looking to sign up to HBO Max (or looking to try it out for free), our definitive guide on WBD's primary streamer is here to help you out. Below, you'll find more on its various plans, what TV series and films are currently on offer, what devices support the HBO Max app, the platform's future, and more. So, hop on in!
Where is HBO Max currently available?
Following its initial US launch in May 2020, HBO Max was also made available in South and Latin America countries in June 2021. HBO Max's rollout continued in October 2021, the service being brought to Nordic nations (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland), Spain, and Andorra in October 2021. Then, in March 2022, the streamer debuted in 15 more European territories, including Croatia, Portugal, and Serbia.
Unfortunately for UK dwellers, HBO Max isn't available on British shores – and it's unlikely to make its way across the Atlantic. However, in 2019, HBO signed a four-year contract with UK broadcaster Sky, which allows the latter to air certain HBO-produced movies and TV shows. Sky and Now TV subscribers, then, can access productions like The Last of Us, Succession, Euphoria, and most DC Extended Universe (DCEU) movies. There are rumors that this partnership will be extended before the current licensing deal expires, too.
The complexion of HBO Max and its availability will shift dramatically sometime this year, however. Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is planning to combine HBO Max with Discovery Plus to form a new super streamer, so HBO Max as we know it may not exist by the end of the year. The exact nature of this combined service is unclear, but it's safe to assume that all of HBO Max's content will be shifted onto WBD's new super streamer when it eventually launches.
How much does HBO Max cost?
There are two tiers to choose from: the main, ad-free tier costs $15.99 per month, while a cheaper, ad-supported HBO Max tier costs $9.99 a month. The latter offers access to the same library of movies and TV shows, but subscribers aren't able to download content for offline viewing. Video quality is also capped at 1080p.
The ad-free tier plan puts HBO Max on the more expensive end of the streaming service spectrum. By comparison, Disney Plus prices are $7.99 (with ads) or $10.99 (without ads) / £7.99 / AU$11.99 per month. Meanwhile, Netflix's standard tier costs $15.49 / £10.99 / AU$16.99 per month. To learn more and compare the service to the competition, check out our dedicated HBO Max price guide.
It's also worth noting that all existing direct HBO subscribers get HBO Max for free, as well as those subscribed to the channel via the following:
- Altice One
- Atlantic Broadband
- Apple TV
- AT&T TV
- AT&T U-verse
- Cox
- DIRECTV
- Optimum
- RCN
- Spectrum
- Suddenlink
- Verizon FIOS
- WOW!
- Xfinity
- Hulu
Incidentally, if you're also subscribed to HBO through a third-party app or service, the HBO Max help site confirms subscribers get HBO Max ad-free for nothing. Those third-party apps and services are: Amazon Appstore, Apple, Google Play, Roku Channel Store, Samsung TV, WarnerMedia, Consolidated Communications, Liberty, North State, Optimum, Service Electric Cablevision, Verizon Fios, and Ziply Fiber.
Those subscribed to HBO through AT&T-related services can also watch HBO Max content for no additional cost. AT&T now has a dedicated page on deals that include access to the streamer.
How long these arrangements will last is unclear. WBD executives have said HBO Max prices will soar once it's merged with Discovery Plus. The ad load on HBO's cheaper, ad-supported subscription tier could also potentially double. We'll update this page when we know more about how the move will affect HBO Max pricing.
Is there a HBO Max free trial?
The short answer is no. There was a time when potential subscribers could try HBO Max for seven days before committing, but that option is no longer available.
Having said that, if you're accessing the streamer in a country that has only recently gained access to the service, HBO may still be offering a free trial. Take a read of our HBO Max free trial article for more.
HBO Max movies: what’s worth watching?
HBO Max is pretty phenomenal when it comes to movie selection. Netflix's movie library may contain notable highlights from other studios (check out our pick of the best Netflix movies), HBO Max offers tons of amazing movies from Warner Bros' own back catalog.
That means you'll get a massive range of DC Comics movies, ranging from Batman (1989) to Joker and The Dark Knight to Aquaman as soon as you sign up. Genre movies are generally very well-repped on HBO Max, with The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix trilogies currently available to stream. Take a look at our dedicated guide to the best HBO Max movies for our top-tier choices, or our new HBO Max movies list for the latest additions.
One of HBO Max's bespoke channels features Studio Ghibli movies, giving subscribers access to all of the animated films from the legendary studio. Another channel – TCM (Turner Classic Movies) – provides plenty of classics to enjoy, such as Citizen Kane and All The President's Men.
Basically, you'll never run out of things to watch. Subscribers don't get access to day-and-date movie releases – which saw the likes of Dune and The Matrix Resurrections released directly onto the streamer in tandem with their theatrical debuts – anymore, but HBO Max still gives Netflix and Disney Plus a run for their money when it comes to blockbusters.
HBO Max shows: what’s streaming?
HBO's original series are at the core of the offering here, with everything from The Wire and The Sopranos to Game of Thrones and Chernobyl.
However, HBO isn't just known for its riveting dramas. Comedies like Curb Your Enthusiasm and Veep exist on the platform alongside documentaries like McMillions and The Case Against Adnan Sayed. HBO's rich history of stand-up specials is also showcased, with some of the biggest comedians in America represented.
What's more, older shows from Warner's archive (and beyond) help supplement HBO's TV offering. Rick and Morty's first four seasons can be streamed, while HBO Max has the exclusive rights to show Friends and South Park in the US. The Big Bang Theory, The Middle, Young Sheldon, The Nanny, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air are among the sitcoms you can equally enjoy.
You'll also find loads of great animated shows. Batman: The Animated Series is a '90s classic, and it's joined by the Superman show and the more futuristic Batman Beyond. If you're craving anime, Crunchyroll has a channel on HBO Max that offers a broad selection, while access to Cartoon Network encompasses shows like Steven Universe and Dexter's Laboratory.
Import shows include the original UK version of The Office, crime drama Gomorrah, and recent seasons of Doctor Who, though the BBC's Time Lord is heading to Disney Plus some time in 2023 following a new agreement.
Finally, HBO Max has numerous critically-acclaimed and award-winning original series. Succession (whose fourth and final season kicks off on March 26), Euphoria, House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, and The Flight Attendant are just a few of the streamer's premium TV gems.
It's not yet clear how WBD's forthcoming super streamer will manage HBO Max's stellar TV offerings, but we'd wager that the platform's biggest shows will make the transition the service reportedly called 'Max'. For more recommendations encompassing HBO Max's delightful suite of TV content, check out our best HBO Max shows.
HBO Max vs HBO: what’s the difference?
The difference simply comes down to the range of programming subscribers have access to. By subscribing to just HBO, you'll get every original series and movies that the premium channel is known. By contrast, HBO Max gets you more than double the content. That includes everything on HBO, numerous other channels – such as Adult Swim and kid-friendly content – and HBO Max's own range of originals.
Essentially, there's no reason to get HBO over HBO Max. They cost the same, but you get more stuff with the latter.
What devices is HBO Max available on?
Here's a list of officially HBO Max-supported devices. There's no limit to how many you can use with the streaming service but, for security reasons, the number of simultaneous streams permitted is capped at three.
- PlayStation 4/PlayStation 5
- Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X
- Roku (OS 10.0 and later)
- Cox Contour 2 and Contour Stream Player
- iOS (12.2 or later)
- Android (5.0 or later)/Android TV
- Chromecast
- Apple TV 4K or HD
- Chrome/Firefox/Microsoft Edge
- Xfinity X1 and Flex
- Samsung Smart TVs (models released since 2016)
HBO Max app features explained
For starters, HBO Max lets you download content for offline viewing. It also has a PIN system for parental control, personalized profiles, and brand-based content hubs similar to how Disney Plus categorizes Star Wars movies and Marvel films. As mentioned earlier, these include TCM, Studio Ghibli, DC, Crunchyroll, Looney Tunes, and Sesame Workshop.
Subscribers also have the option of 'co-viewing' homepages that represent the tastes of multiple people in your home. The homepage has themed selections of content to enjoy, too, if you're a little sick of Netflix's algorithmic recommendations.
Does HBO Max support 4K streaming?
Yes. HBO Max has supported 4K streaming on a selection of compatible devices (see the list below) since December 2020. However, you'll have to subscribe to the ad-free tier of the service to watch shows and movies with this video quality.
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube
- Android TVs, including AT&T Streaming Box
- Apple TV 4K
- Xbox Series X
- Sony PS5
- Google Chromecast Ultra and Chromecast with Google TV
- Roku Ultra 4800x, Roku 4k TVs, Roku Premiere, and Roku Streaming Stick Plus
- Xfinity X1 (Xi6) and Flex
Could HBO Max win the streaming wars?
HBO is a name synonymous with prestige TV. With HBO Max, that association is equally as big of an asset to WBD, with the streamer building on some of the best TV of the last two decades and providing a home for WBD's 100-year-plus catalog of content. Not all streaming services will survive this content war, but HBO Max has a lot in its corner, especially with its big investment in blockbuster movies.
It's already a great streaming service, but the question is whether its originals make it stand out in an overpopulated US streaming landscape, especially when the price of entry is still relatively high. For our money, HBO Max's TV offering makes the streamer worth the price, but WBD's ambitious on-demand plans have put HBO Max in an uncertain position for the future. Whether its new-look platform can topple Netflix as the king of the streaming landscape, then, remains to be seen.
If you'd like to research some other streamers, have a look at our guides to Peacock TV, Paramount Plus, Apple TV Plus, and Hulu.