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Curious about Max? From hit shows and movies to documentaries, comedy specials and more, the streaming giant has enough content to keep everyone at home entertained. Keep reading to learn more about Max, including subscription plans, pricing, streaming offers, and how to get a free trial.
What is Max?
Max is a relatively new streaming platform that combines HBO and Discovery channels including Max Originals, B/R Sports, DC, ID Network, TNT, TCM, TLC, Discovery, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, OWN, Food Network, HGTV and Channel Trvl.
HBO Max was launched by Warner Bros in 2020, replacing HBO Go. The streamer gained a huge following at the start of the pandemic, specifically because every 2021 Warner Bros. movie arrived on HBO Max on the same day it was released in theaters. Last year, HBO Max and its sister streamer, Discovery+, reached a combined 96.1 million subscribers.
Warner Bros. Discovery decided against merging HBO Max and Discovery+ into one streaming platform and instead launched Max, a mega-streamer that combines programming from HBO and Discovery.
Discovery+ is still available as a standalone platform, but another expansion could be in the works. Disney and Warner plan to launch a streaming bundle with Disney+, Hulu and Max, according to Deadline.
What to watch on Max
Whether you love TV, movies, or a mix of both, Max has the kind of streaming library that's tailored for binge-watchers. Some of the new and upcoming releases to hit the Max include; Hacks Season 3 and the new series, Pretty Little Liars: Summer Schoolwhich premiered on May 9, along with its current seasons Status, True detective, Selena + Restaurant and House of the Dragon Season 2 will premiere on June 16, Lady Gaga's Chromatica Ball The concert tour stops on May 25 and a new season of it Euphoriawhich is expected to premiere in 2025.
TV buffs can also binge episodes of fan favorites such as Curb your enthusiasm, Succession, The last of us, The White Lotus,…And just like that, Barry, Pretty Little Liars: Original SinSelena + Chef, along with must-watch movies and documentaries like The Jinx: Part Two, Quiet on set, Wonka, Priscilla, Aquaman: And the Lost Kingdom, The Color Purple, Oprah & The Color Purple: Journey Blue beetle, Barbie, The Gilded Age, Sympathon, Girls on the bus, Conan has to go, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks, House of Hammer, Hillsong: Megachurch Exposed, Johnny vs. Amber, Love to Love You, Donna Summer, The Weeknd: Live at Sofi Stadium, Love, Lizzo, Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over, Everything that breathesand All Beauty and Bloodshed.
Matt Smith as Demon Prince Targaryen in HBO's 'House of the Dragon'
Courtesy of HBO
Also streaming on Max: Abbott Elementary, Gold Rush, Rick and Morty, The Haunted Museum, Yellowstone Wardens, Fixer Upper: The Hotel, Property Brothers: Forever Home, Gossip Girl, South side, Station Eleven, The ladderand Peacemaker.
90 Day Fiancé, Sister Wives, 1000 pound sisters, Big Fat Fabulous, Diners, Drive-Ins and Diving, My strange addiction, Evil lives here, Very scary people, Secret Minor, People investigate, Ghost Busters, Ghost Adventures: House Hall and Ghost Brothers: Lights Out.
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Real Time with Bill Maher is on Max, as well as numerous movies, classic episodes of beloved sitcoms such as Swallow, The Fresh-Prince of Bel Air and The friends, along with kid-approved and family-friendly shows including Sesame Street, Ben 10, Looney Tunes Cartoons and Harry Potter movie franchise.
How much does Max cost?
Max has been expanded to three subscription levels: ad-supported, commercial-free, and completely ad-free. The platform also allows you to watch some episodes for free. Paid Max subscriptions start at $9.99 ($99.99 per year) for ad-supported streaming or $15.99 ($149.99 per year) for ad-free viewing.
The ad-free Ultimate package is $19.99 per month and includes 4K Ultra HD quality, 100 downloads to watch on the go, and you can stream to up to four devices at once. Join the annual Max plan to save up to 20% off. Annual plans start at $99.99.
Lamar Johnson, Keivonn Woodard, Bella Ramsey, Pedro Pascal in 'The Last of Us'.
Liane Hentscher/HBO
With our ad-supported and ad-free streaming plans, you can enjoy more than 13,000 hours of entertainment, exclusive access to must-see movies, all your HBO favorites — and you can stream from up to five different profiles, which it is great if there are many people in your household.
What is only available in the ad-free plan? With Max's ad-free plan, users can stream certain movies in 4K, download content for offline viewing, and stream from other countries. Streaming outside the US? Access Max via ExpressVPN.
Does Max offer a free trial?
Unfortunately, Max doesn't offer free trials, but the streaming giant has free episodes and pre-announced deals, like the 40% off deal from earlier this year and a $1.99/month deal for Black Friday 2023. You never know when The platform is starting another streaming deal, but there are ways to get Max for free right now.
Already subscribed to HBO? You may already have Max for free through Samsung TV, Roku, Verizon Fios, DirecTV, and other cable or live TV streaming platforms. Not sure? Click here to find out if you already have access to Max. Otherwise, you can score a free path to Max through platforms like DirectTV Stream. AT&T quietly removed the HBO Max bundle deal from its wireless plans in 2022, and Prime Video doesn't currently offer a free trial, but customers still have access to free Max with select plans, and Cricket Wireless currently offers a free Max with unlimited plan $60.
Can you get a free trial on Max through Hulu? Unfortunately, no. But Hulu subscribers can add Max as an extra channel for an extra $15.99 a month.
DirecTV currently offers monthly streaming plans for less than $80/month to stream 75+ channels. Entertainment, Choice, and Ultimate plans are priced from $74.99 to $149.99 per month when you lock in the price for 24 months.
The Choice program includes 105+ live and local TV channels, DVRs, sports channels (ACC Network, Big Ten Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, Bally's, SEC Network, etc.) and more. DirecTV customers can also add Max, Showtime, Starz and other channels for an additional fee.
DirecTV's Premiere Plan on sale for $149.99/month ($159.99) includes free Max, Starz, Paramount+ with Showtime and Cinemax plus all the cheaper tiers, plus over 140+ live and local channels, 65,000+ on-demand titles, unlimited DVR recording, local sports networks and many more perks.
How to subscribe to Max Through Prime Video
Prime Video has added Max to its lineup of channels, which includes Paramount+, Starz, BET+, AMC+, Discovery+ and other streamers you can add to your subscription. Max is available ad-free for $15.99/month, but Prime Video doesn't currently offer a free trial of Max (you can still enjoy a free trial on Prime, though). Prime Video has a bundle offer with Max and Cinemax for $20.99 ($25.99)
Prime Video is one of the many perks included with Amazon Prime memberships. If you're not a Prime member, click here to start your 30-day free trial ($14.99/month after free trial ends).
In addition to Prime Video, membership includes free shipping on millions of items, a subscription to Amazon Prime Music, and other member benefits.
In 2022, Prime Video beat Netflix to become the No. 1 subscription streaming platform in the US. The platform features Amazon Originals such as Fallout, Your idea, Motel, Ricky Stanicky, Upgraded, Role game, Saltburn, Reacher, Sound of Freedom, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Daisy Jones & The Six, Swarm, The authority, Harlem, Riches, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Wheel of Time, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, The Boyz, Someone I used to know, The people we hate in marriage, My Policeman and music, fashion and sports programs such as Taylor Swift's Eras TourKendrick Lamar's Paris The Big Steppers Tour by Rihanna Savage x Fenty Vol. 4, March Madness, MLB, NBA, WNBA and Thursday Night Football. You'll also find paid episodes of hits like RuPaul's Drag Race, Yellowstonee and must-watch movies like Dune 2, Maid, Lisa Frankenstein and Ghost Busters: Frozen Empire on Prime Video.
