HBO Max Review: Best Streaming for Movies

Key takeaways

HBO Max (formerly Max) starts at $10.99/mo. with Ads, or $18.49/mo. without Ads
HBO Max offers original, critically acclaimed TV series with an impressive library of timeless movie favorites
Bundle HBO Max with Disney+ and Hulu for even more savings, or add it to your current TV or streaming plan

Editor’s Note: Pending regulatory approval, Netflix agreed to buy HBO Max and Warner Bros. Studios. The deal won’t be finalized until 2026, but be on the lookout for any communication from your streaming providers.

Jump to:

HBO Max pros and cons

HBO Max plans and prices

HBO Max vs. other streaming services

HBO Max movies

HBO Max TV shows

HBO Max kids programming

HBO Max FAQs

HBO Max is the fourth-most-popular streaming service globally, according to FlixPatrol. Previously known as “Max,” the platform is a combination of legacy HBO programming, new and original content, movies and TV shows.

HBO Max pros and cons

What we like about HBO Max

Best selection of movies of any streaming service
A large back catalog of shows from the HBO channel
Easy-to-navigate interface

Things to consider

Limited live TV options
Cap on offline downloads

HBO Max plans and prices

You can pay for HBO Max plans by the month or by the year, but you’ll save up to 25% (or up to $60.00/yr.) with an annual subscription. HBO Max bundles for Disney+ and Hulu can also save up to $23.98/mo., compared to purchasing each subscription separately.

Plan	Price*	Benefits
HBO Max Basic with Ads	$10.99/mo. ($109.99/yr.)	Stream on two devices at once HD picture quality
HBO Max Standard	$18.49/mo. ($184.99/yr.)	No Ads (except live content) Stream on two devices at once HD picture quality Stream live sports
HBO Max Premium	$22.99/mo. ($229.99/yr.)	No Ads (except live content) Stream on four devices at once 4K picture quality available Stream live sports
Bundle HBO Max Basic with Ads, Disney+ Basic and Hulu with Ads	$19.99/mo.	Stream HBO Max on two devices at once HD picture quality
Bundle HBO Max Standard, Disney+ Premium and Hulu without Ads	$32.99/mo.	No Ads Stream HBO Max on two devices at once HD picture quality
HBO Max Student Discount	$5.49/mo.	Stream on two devices at once HD picture quality Stream on two devices at once

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Updated as of 12/05/25.

Allconnect’s expert take

HBO Max is a top streaming service that offers a robust movie library on par with Netflix or Hulu. What really sets HBO Max apart from other streaming providers is that it offers dozens of high-quality original programs plus binge-worthy favorites like Friends and The Big Bang Theory.

HBO Max vs. other streaming services

HBO Max costs are fairly aligned with other top-ranking streaming platforms. For an equivalent comparison, the following table reveals the price of similar “no Ads” services by monthly price, and the number of TV shows and movies available.

Service	Price*	# of movies**	# of TV shows**
HBO Max Standard (no ads)	$18.49 – $22.99/mo.	2,000+	600+
Netflix (no ads)	$17.99 – $24.99/mo.	3,600+	1,800+
Hulu (no ads)	$18.99/mo.	1,200+	1,300+
Prime Video (no ads)	$11.98/mo. ($2.99/mo. with existing Amazon Prime subscription)	20,000+	2,700+
Disney+ (no ads)	$18.99/mo.	1,300+	500+

Do you automatically get HBO Max if you already have the HBO channel?

Yes, HBO subscribers automatically get access to HBO Max at no extra charge.

If you get HBO through your TV provider, including AT&T, Cox, DIRECTV, Hulu Live TV, Optimum, Spectrum, Verizon Fios or Xfinity, you already have access. Just download and open the HBO Max app and sign in with your TV login. (You can find a complete list of providers here.)

HBO Max movies

HBO Max has one of the strongest collections of movies on any streaming service. But having a lot of movies doesn’t matter if they aren’t ones that people want to watch. Fortunately, HBO Max carries sought-after popular titles across multiple genres, from rom-com and kid-friendly films, to horror, documentary and dramas.

Here are some of the most popular movies and collections on the service right now:

Studio Ghibli films: Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Princess Mononoke (English dubs and Japanese versions available)
DC Universe: The Dark Knight, Joker, Aquaman, Wonder Woman and Justice League (including the “Snyder Cut” in 2021)
Foreign/international: Films from The Criterion Collection, including The 400 Blows, 8 ½ and Tokyo Story
Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist and Rurouni Kenshin from Crunchyroll
Classics: Citizen Kane, Gone With the Wind and Casablanca, curated by TCM
Enduring fan favorites: Alien, Apocalypse Now, Fight Club, Goodfellas, Good Will Hunting, Harry Potter movies, Jaws, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Titanic
Documentaries: Because HBO Max has HBO’s entire catalog, you’ll get access to the premium network’s long list of award-winning docufilms

HBO Max TV shows

While HBO Max has fewer TV shows than other streaming services, it offers some of the highest-caliber series of any platform.

In addition to classic HBO shows like Game of Thrones, Westworld and The Sopranos, HBO Max has added classics like Friends, The Big Bang Theory and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to the mix.

HBO Max kids programming

HBO used to be known as the channel for cutting-edge content that pushes boundaries, and many of its programs still do. However, HBO Max also has plenty of family-friendly selections, parental control settings and kid-specific profiles that make it great for households with little ones.

Sesame Street, Barney’s World and Looney Tunes are all present on the platform for its youngest viewers, while slightly older kids can find family favorites like Harry Potter, Spy Kids and Minecraft.

HBO Max FAQs

Is there a way to get HBO Max for free?

Yes. HBO Max is included at no extra charge with various internet plans and subscription services, including AT&T Fiber (1,000 Mbps or more), certain AT&T Mobile plans and the DoorDash annual plan.

What devices can stream HBO Max?

You can stream HBO Max on Android TVs, Apple TV, PlayStation 4, Samsung TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick and Xbox One.

How many devices can stream HBO Max at once?

You can stream HBO Max on up to two devices at the same time with a Basic or Standard plan, or up to four devices with a Premium subscription. HBO Max also lets you create up to five profiles, with options for different parental settings on each one.

Can you download shows and movies for offline viewing?

Yes. You can download most HBO Max movies and shows to watch offline on a phone or tablet. HBO Max lets you keep 30 downloads at once with a Standard subscription or up to 100 with a Premium account.