HBO Max: Movies, shows and everything about the streaming service explained

HBO Max: Movies, shows and everything about the streaming service explained

What is HBOMax? The still-young streaming service, which launched in the US in May XNUMX, is essentially Warner Bros' attempt to take on Netflix and Disney in the streaming space.

Unlike existing HBO Now and HBO Go services, however, HBO Max has a more extensive lineup of content, including the full slate of traditional HBO-produced shows (such as The Sopranos and The Wire) as well as new HBO Originals. (such as Succession and Euphoria) and an extensive movie library.

New HBO shows also land on HBO Max as they air, making it a truly massive service. And it should be, for the cost of €14.99 per month.

Here's an overview of HBO Max: what it is, how much it costs, what's free on the service, and whether you need to sign up in XNUMX.

Today's best HBO Max deals

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Where is HBO Max free today?

Originally released only in the US, HBO Max is now also free in the northern countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland), as well as in Spain and Andorra.

As of March 6, XNUMX, the transmitter will begin to be incorporated in fifteen more European territories, including Portugal, Poland, the Netherlands and Croatia. Another XNUMX areas, including Greece and Turkey, are expected to have access to the service by the end of this year. WarnerMedia plans to expand HBO Max to XNUMX countries by XNUMX.

However, UK audiences will have to wait a bit longer to access HBO Max. HBO signed a 4-year contract with the British broadcaster Sky in XNUMX, which allows the latter to transmit certain movies and TV shows produced by HBO, with which HBO Max will surely not exceed other side of the pond until such time as this association is concluded. in two thousand and twenty-four.

That said, the absence of HBO Max in the UK doesn't entirely deprive UK viewers of HBO-produced content. As previously mentioned, many of the studio's biggest properties are free to watch via a compatible Sky subscription (or Now TV), with only a handful of movies and TV shows, such as The Fallout and South Side, exceptions to the rule.

How much does HBO Max cost?

There are currently 2 free HBO Max subscription levels. The premium tier without ads costs €99 (about €XNUMX / AU$XNUMX) per month, while a cheaper tier with ads costs €XNUMX (about €XNUMX / AU$XNUMX) per month. month.

The latter offers access to the exact same library of movies and TV shows, though subscribers can't download content for offline viewing, and video quality is also capped at 1080p.

HBO Max Price

(Image credit: Warner Media)

That overriding price of catorce.99 puts HBO Max at the more expensive end of the streaming service spectrum, though it's also the same price as HBO Now (and the former offers a significantly better entertainment package for the consumer). 'dinero).

By comparison, as of 99, Disney Plus costs €XNUMX / €XNUMX / AU$XNUMX per month, while Netflix's standard tier costs €XNUMX. / € nine and ninety-nine / AU € sixteen and ninety-nine AU € per month. To learn more and compare with the competition, check out our dedicated HBO Max cost guide.

It's also worth noting that any and all existing HBO direct subscribers will receive HBO Max for free, including those who subscribe to the channel through the following:

By the way, if you're also a subscriber to HBO Now through a third-party app or service (see next list), the HBO Max help site states that subscribers get HBO Max for free: Apple, Google Play, Samsung TV , Hulu, Verizon, Optimum, Consolidated Communications, and Liberty.

As previously noted, HBO subscribers through AT&T-related services can also watch all the HBO Max content they want at no additional cost. AT&T now has a page dedicated to deals that include streaming access.

Is there a free HBO Max trial?

Sorry folks, while you could have tried HBO Max for 7 days already before committing, that alternative is no longer available. That said, if you're accessing the streamer in a country that recently gained access to the service, HBO may still offer a free trial.

Read our HBO Max free trial article for more information.

HBO Max movies: what's worth watching?

Zack Snyder's Justice League

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

As expensive as it is, HBO Max is pretty awesome when it comes to movie selection. While Netflix's movie library always has plenty of highlights from other studios, the foundation from which HBO Max works includes many incredible films from Warner Bros. history, which means it gets an extensive range of DC Comics movies, from Batman (XNUMX) to Joker, The Dark Knight and Aquaman, right out of the box.

Genre movies generally do really well on HBO Max as well, with The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix trilogies now free to stream. Take a look at our dedicated guide to the best HBO Max movies for the latest additions.

One of the channels adapted from HBO Max is Studio Ghibli Movies, which gives subscribers access to any and all animated movies from the legendary studio behind Spirited Away (except Grave of the Fireflies). Another channel is TCM (Turner Classic Movies): the latter may not be as concrete as The Criterion Channel, but you won't be short of traditional movies to enjoy, from Citizen Kane to All The President's Men.

Basically, you will never run out of things to watch on HBO Max. Although subscribers in XNUMX are no longer going to have access to day-to-day movie premieres (which saw Dune and The Matrix Resurrections released direct-to-streamer), HBO Max still gives Netflix and Disney Plus more you a run for your money. when it comes to blockbusters.

HBO Max shows: what's streaming?

succession season 3

(Image credit: HBO)

Check out our list of the best HBO Max shows for recommendations on the platform's TV highlights. Clearly, HBO original series are at the heart of the offering here. Everything from The Wire to The Sopranos and miniseries like Show Me A Hero and The Night Of are free to stream, but HBO isn't just known for its dramas, naturally. There are also comedies like Curb Your Enthusiasm and Veep, as well as reports like McMillions and The Case Against Adnan Sayed. HBO's rich history of stand-up singulars is also on the line, with some of America's most essential comedians represented.

Additionally, older shows on the Warner Records platform (and more there) help fill out HBO's TV offering. The first 4 seasons of Rick and Morty can be streamed, for example, and 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 some of the comedies that you can enjoy on the service.

You will also find many excellent animated shows here. Batman: The Animated Series is a traditional of the nineties, added to the Superman show, like the more futuristic Batman Beyond. If you're in the mood for anime, Crunchyroll has a channel on HBO Max that offers a wide selection to enjoy, while access to Cartoon Network includes shows like Steven Universe and Dexter's Laboratory.

Imported shows include new seasons of Doctor Who, The Office (UK) and crime drama Gomorrah.

And finally, HBO Max has a set of original series that are expected to grow tremendously in the near future. Succession, Euphoria, Raised By Wolves, The Flight Attendant and Search Party are some of the streamer's emerging gems.

HBO Max vs. HBO: what's the difference?

HBO has reduced its streaming options to HBO Max and HBO only starting at XNUMX, primarily to avoid confusion. The difference is simply in the plurality of programs that subscribers have access to. By subscribing to just HBO, you'll get all of the original series the premium channel is known for, like its movies. More HBO Max brings you more than twice the content, including shows like Friends, Adult Swim, kids' entertainment and Max's own line of originals.

There's really no reason to get HBO over HBO Max: they cost the same and you get more with the latter.

HBO Max Devices & Apps: How Can You Stream It?

hbo max devices

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Here is the list of officially supported devices that you can use with HBO Max. There is no limit to the number of devices you can use with the streaming service, but for security reasons, the number of supported simultaneous streams is limited to 3.

HBO Max App Features - Downloads & Recommendations Explained

hbo max app features

(Image credit: HBO Max)

HBO Max lets you download content for offline viewing. It also has a PIN system for parental controls, tailored profiles, and brand-based content hubs akin to how Disney Plus rates Star Wars and Marvel; As previously mentioned, these include TCM, Studio Ghibli, DC, Crunchyroll, Looney Tunes, and Sesame Taller.

Subscribers also have the ability to "co-view" landing pages that represent the tastes of multiple people in their household. The home page also offers selections of content themes to enjoy if you're a little fed up with Netflix's algorithmic recommendations.

Does HBO Max support 4K streaming?

Yes. As of December 4, HBO Max accepts 4K streaming on select XNUMXK-capable devices (see list now), but only if subscribers are signed up for the ad-free tier of the service.

Could HBO Max win the streaming war?

HBO Max logo on a smart TV

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HBO is an eponymous name in prestigious TV, from shows like Oz and The Sopranos to Game of Thrones and Chernobyl. With HBO Max, that's sure to mean something more, but that combination is still a huge plus. In the "Peak TV" era, HBO held its own, spawning Succession and Watchmen and continuing to be the center of TV talk as an ongoing arms race raged around it.

That's what HBO Max is all about: the best television of the last 2 decades, combined with each and every one of the essential brands that Warner can offer you. Not every single streaming service will survive this content war, but HBO Max has a lot going for it, especially with its heavy investment in blockbuster movies throughout XNUMX.

It's already a huge streaming service: The question is whether its originals are going to make it stand out in a crowded US streaming landscape, especially when the cost of admission is partly high.

Today's best HBO Max deals

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