HBO Max: movies, TV shows, price, free trial, and more explained

HBO Max might not be long for this world. Warner Bros Discovery’s (WBD) biggest streamer is one of the most popular services around; one that carries a huge selection of highly-rated movies and TV shows to stream at fairly affordable prices.

So, why is WBD considering getting rid of it? The entertainment behemoth is due to announce HBO Max’s streaming successor very soon, which will see HBO Max and Discovery Plus merged into one super-streamer. It’s unclear whether HBO Max will continue to exist as a singular entity once that reveal is made, too. In short: this could be your last chance to try WBD’s main streamer out before its sun-setted.

If you’re interested in signing up to one of the world’s best streaming services in the meantime, you’ll need to know everything about the platform before doing so. Below, we’ve compiled all of the most important information about HBO Max, including its variety of subscription plans, TV and film offerings, how it compares to its streaming rivals, and more. Let’s dig in.

Where is HBO Max currently available?

The first thing you need to know is where HBO Max is available. It originally launched in the US in May 2020, before releasing in South and Latin America the following June. Its rollout continued in October 2021 – the service arriving in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Spain, and Andorra. Lastly, HBO Max debuted in 15 more European territories, including Croatia, Portugal, and Serbia, in March 2022.

As mentioned in our introduction, HBO Max’s worldwide availability will dramatically shift in the coming weeks and months. WBD’s plan to combine HBO Max with Discovery Plus means HBO Max might not exist in its current form by the end of 2023 (or earlier). Hopefully, we’ll find out more details about HBO Max’s future and/or fate when WBD announces its new mega-streaming service on Wednesday, April 12.

HBO Max price: how much does it cost?

Potential HBO Max subscribers have two tiers to choose from: the ad-free tier, which costs $15.99 per month, and an ad-supported tier that’ll set you back $9.99 a month. The ads-based plan give you access to the same library of movies and TV shows, but you can’t 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. The price of Disney Plus is $7.99 (with ads) or $10.99 (without ads) per month. Meanwhile, Netflix‘s standard tier costs $15.49 a 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 anyone who subscribes to HBO using the below platforms:

• Altice One
• Atlantic Broadband
• Apple TV
• AT&T TV
• AT&T U-verse
• Cox
• DIRECTV
• Optimum
• RCN
• Spectrum
• Suddenlink
• Verizon FIOS
• WOW!
• Xfinity
• Hulu

If you’re subscribed to HBO through a third-party app or service, the HBO Max help center confirms users can get HBO Max ad-free for nothing. These 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. 

Subscribing to HBO through AT&T-related services lets you watch HBO Max content for no additional cost, too. AT&T now has a dedicated page on deals that include access to the streamer.

What’ll happen to HBO Max prices when WBD’s super streamer arrives? Executives have said HBO Max prices will soar in 2023 once it merges with Discovery Plus, while the ad load on HBO’s cheaper, ad-supported subscription tier could potentially double. We’ll update this section when we know more.

Is there a HBO Max free trial?

The short answer is no. Potential subscribers used to be able to try HBO Max for seven days before deciding whether to sign up, but that’s no longer an option. For more details on when such a trial might return, our HBO Max free trial article has you covered.

HBO Max movies: DCEU, Elvis, Dune, and more

HBO Max is stuffed with plenty of critically-acclaimed and highly-rated movies. Netflix’s library might contain notable highlights from other studios (check out our pick of the best Netflix movies), but HBO Max offers tons of amazing films from Warner Bros’ own back catalog.

So, what’s on offer? For one, an eclectic range of DC Comic movies, including Batman (1989), Joker, The Dark Knight, Aquaman, and Black Adam. Genre movies are generally well represented, with The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix trilogies also available. Take a look at our dedicated guide to the best HBO Max movies for our top-tier choices and our new HBO Max movies list for the newest movies to hit the platform.

One of HBO Max’s bespoke channels features Studio Ghibli movies, which gives subscribers access to every animated film from the legendary studio. Another channel – TCM (Turner Classic Movies) – delivers plenty of classics, such as Citizen Kane and All The President’s Men. 

Unfortunately, you won’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. However, HBO Max still gives Netflix and Disney Plus a run for their money when it comes to blockbusters.

HBO Max shows: Succession, The Last of Us, and more

HBO’s original series are some of the best around, with The Wire, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, Chernobyl just four of its most popular offerings.

HBO isn’t only known for its riveting dramas, though. Comedies including 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 US comedians’ live shows available to stream.

Older shows from Warner’s archive (and beyond) help supplement what HBO provides. Rick and Morty‘s first four seasons can be streamed, while HBO Max has the exclusive rights to 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 enjoy as well.

Great animated shows like Batman: The Animated Series is a ’90s classic, the Superman show and the more futuristic Batman Beyond can be beamed right into your living room, too. And, if you’re after some 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. However, the BBC’s Time Lord is heading to Disney Plus some time in 2023 following a new agreement, so it’s unclear whether it’ll warp away from HBO Max later this year.

Finally, HBO Max has numerous critically-acclaimed and award-winning original series of its own. Succession, Euphoria, House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, and The Flight Attendant are just a few of the streamer’s premium TV gems. 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 comes down to the range of programming you can access. Subscribing to HBO will allow you to stream every original series and movies that the premium channel has. Meanwhile, HBO Max gets you more than double the content. You won’t only gain access to HBO Max’s originals line-up, but you’ll get everything on HBO and numerous other channels, such as Adult Swim.

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?

Want to know what devices support HBO Max via web browsers or its app? Read the list below:

• Android (5.0 or later)
• Android TV
• Apple TV 4K or HD
• Chromecast
• Chrome/Firefox/Microsoft Edge
• Cox Contour 2 and Contour Stream Player
• iOS (12.2 or later)
• PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
• Roku (OS 10.0 and later)
• Samsung smart TVs (2016 models or later)
• Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X
• Xfinity X1 and Flex

There’s no limit to how many you can use with the streaming service. However, it’s worth noting that, for security reasons, the number of simultaneous streams permitted is capped to three.

HBO Max app: what features are available?

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 can ‘co-view’ homepages that represent the tastes of multiple people in your home, too. The homepage also has themed selections of content to enjoy, if you’re a little sick of Netflix’s algorithmic recommendations.

Does HBO Max support 4K streaming?

Yes. HBO Max supports 4K streaming on a selection of compatible devices. However, you’ll have to subscribe to the ad-free tier to watch shows and movies with this video quality. You’ll also only be able to stream in 4K on one of the below devices:

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube
• Android TVs, including AT&T Streaming Box
• Apple TV 4K
• Google Chromecast Ultra and Chromecast with Google TV
• PlayStation 5
• Roku Ultra 4800x, Roku 4k TVs, Roku Premiere, and Roku Streaming Stick Plus
• Xbox Series X
• Xfinity X1 (Xi6) and Flex

Is HBO Max worth the money?

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 us, HBO Max’s superb TV line-up makes the streamer worth the price, but WBD’s ambitious on-demand plans mean HBO Max’s future is uncertain. Of course, it could still be offered as a single platform – much like Discovery Plus will be – alongside WBD’s super streamer. Until we know more, though, HBO Max could be the first streaming service to officially drop out of the streaming wars – and that would be a sad day for all, not least its current userbase.