Since HBO Max’s release in late May, it’s been a source of intrigue in the business trades, mainstream press, and online geek community. In its first month, it gained over four million new subscribers. And, despite the multiple pandemic postponements, there’s still a “Friends” reunion special to look forward to…well, someday.

 

With many new and exciting releases, now is the perfect time to consider how this massive streaming service may be right for you. 

What is HBO Max?

HBO Max is an on-demand streaming service from AT&T’s WarnerMedia. It caters to current HBO subscribers as well as new users featuring 10,000-plus hours of premium content.

What’s the difference between HBO Max, HBO Go, and HBO Now?

It’s a question that’s lingered ever since the creation of this powerhouse streaming option. At its core, HBO Max looks to replace HBO Go, as well as HBO Now.

For years, the HBO Go app was included with a paid subscription to HBO.

• HBO Go is basically a thing of the past. According to HBO, the free app is “no longer available on most devices.” But, don’t let that worry you. If you subscribe to HBO, you automatically get HBO Max.

HBO Now is the premium cable provider’s standalone app that allows subscribers to watch original shows like “Game of Thrones” and “Lovecraft Country” without the requirement of a cable TV package.

• Anybody with the standalone version has HBO Max. Just sign in with your HBO Now email and password.
• HBO Now itself has been rebranded into the HBO App on Amazon Fire tablets, Amazon Fire TVs, and Roku delivering just HBO original content. Unfortunately, these users will not be able to access the full library of HBO Max. 

How to Watch: www.hbo.com/video/specials/brand/videos/hbo-vs-hbo-max

How much is it per month?

Where Hulu and Netflix cost $11.99 and $12.99 a month (plus applicable taxes) without commercials, respectively, HBO Max is much pricier.

After a 7-day free trial for new customers, you can expect a bill of $14.99 a month (plus applicable taxes) to enjoy the service without ads. But, an ad-supported plan is rumored to be on the way. We will be keeping an eye out for more information as it becomes available and quickly share it with you.

Is the cost of HBO Max worth it?

So, the big question: is HBO Max worth the price tag? If you are looking for extensive, endless hallways of video content to enjoy, then you have just tapped one of the service’s main strengths. The HBO Max library features all of HBO’s shows, movies, and specials. What makes HBO Max special is the addition of WarnerMedia’s film and television properties from Warner Bros., DC, CNN, TNT, TBS, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, and Adult Swim, among others. There’s something here for everyone to enjoy.

Also featured is a mix of exclusive original series, third-party licensed programs, and movies blended in for deeper exploration. Let’s break it down even further.

What movies can you choose from? 

There are over 600 movies available in the HBO Max library at any given time. That may seem overwhelming but the selection of films span old and new, dramas and comedies; pompous and popcorn. Each month, new titles are added and subtracted.

For example, “Cats The Musical” hit HBO Max at the beginning of October. Here’s what else you can check out:

Recent hits

2019’s “Ad Astra” starring Brad Pitt and “JoJo Rabbit,” which won writer/director Taika Waitii an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay last year.

Science-Fiction

With “The Matrix 4” in development and headed to theaters in 2022, it’s a good thing “The Matrix Trilogy” joined the service this month.

The Classics

Everything from 1939’s award-winning epic “Gone with the Wind” to 1958’s “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” to 1969’s “Midnight Cowboy” is accessible.

Newer Classics

Recently added to the lineup is 1985’s “The Color Purple,” 1995’s “Se7en,” 1997’s “Boogie Nights, and “2009’s “Sherlock Holmes” starring Robert Downey Jr.  

Comedies

For those who adore “Schitt’s Creek,” you might want to check out Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara in Christopher Guest’s “Best in Show.”

Romantic Comedies

In October, the creme de la creme of rom-coms joined the fun in the form of “Dirty Dancing,” “Boomerang,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “You’ve Got Mail.”

Horror

Create an instant Halloween binge playlist — start with “Alien,” “Anabelle,” and “American Werewolf in London.” End on scary options new to Max this month like “The Hills Have Eyes” and 2019’s “Us.”

Documentaries

Nonfiction lovers don’t need to worry. Docs are well represented. In October, “John Lewis: Good Trouble” airs on HBO Max. So does “Siempre, Luis,” which tells the story of “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda’s activist father.

What about television shows? 

Thanks to HBO, WarnerMedia, and AT&T’s other properties, Max’s TV content is seriously impressive.

The Juggernauts 

With the click of a remote or a mouse, the biggest comedy and drama — maybe of all time — will materialize before your very eyes.

• “Friends”: Remember when the Central Perk gang’s adventures disappeared from Netflix? That’s because “Friends” headed to HBO Max. All ten seasons are available to binge all day every day.
• “Game of Thrones”: “GoT’s” eight-season run is over. But is it, really? Here you can discover it for the first time or relive it catching all of your favorite moments. 

But wait, there’s more

The 10,000 hours of premium content also features a mixture of hit-coms and dramas, in-your-face animated series, the buzziest of sci-fi dramas, and the GOAT children’s educational series.

Sitcoms and Comedies

Geeks rule. All seasons of “The Big Bang Theory” and “Silicon Valley” are clickable this very moment.

Dramas

Weekend binges are required viewing for everything from “The Wire” and “Boardwalk Empire” to “The O.C.” and “Luther.”

Adult Animation

Adult Swim’s “Rick and Morty,” Former DC Universe series “Harley Quinn,” as well as Comedy Central’s “South Park” are animated and available.

News and Docuseries

Follow Amy Schumer while she’s pregnant and on the road doing stand-up comedy in “Expecting Amy.” Or receive the latest news wrapped up in a funny package with shows like “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” and “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.”

For the Kids

“Sesame Street.” Enough said. Actually, there’s a whole Sesame Workshop hub full of original content made especially for kids.

Best New Shows

From HBO, “Perry Mason,” “I May Destroy You,” ”Succession,” “Euphoria,” and “Lovecraft Country” have created critical acclaim, social media, award show buzz. From the CW, the entire first season of “Nancy Drew” is live. Catch up on this supernatural mystery before the second season drops in 2021.

Superhero Central 

While Disney+ is the home of Marvel superheroes, HBO Max is the place to find rival super-powered icons from the DC Universe as well as the DCEU (the connected movies of the DC Extended Universe).

Movies

Henry Cavill and “Man of Steel” landed on HBO Max in October. The reigning Superman’s debut effort touches down next to blockbuster titles “Wonder Woman,” Michael Keaton’s “Batman,” “Suicide Squad,” and even “Green Lantern,” which stars Ryan Reynolds. The Joss Whedon/Zack Snyder hybrid 2017 version of “Justice League” is part of the all-star lineup, but more on that in just a moment.

Television

While most of Warner Bros.’ DC series stream on Netflix (“Arrow,” “The Flash,” “Legends of Tomorrow,” “Black Lightning”), new deals mean CW’s “Batwoman” ends up on HBO Max. Greg Berlanti — creator of the shows just mentioned, will debut a new exclusive series centering on Green Lantern.

Exclusive Originals 

The bigger the streaming channel, the bigger the exclusives. When HBO Max made its debut, it had a decent slate including “Love Life,” which focused on Anna Kendrick and her character’s romantic journey.

The “Friends” reunion special is still in the mix. But there are more ways HBO Max looks to reel you in: