Max Review

(HBO) Max logo black
Max
4 out of 5 stars
4
  • pro
    Max series and WarnerMedia movies
  • pro
    Lots of highly-anticipated content
  • con
    Not a standalone service
Chantel Buchi
Aug 08, 2023
Icon Time To Read4 min read

Max (formerly HBO Max) is a newer streaming platform with 10,000 hours of content that everyone is going crazy for, such as The Last of Us.

If you want to watch the newest movies fresh from the theaters, like Barbie, then look no further.

Max is a combination of classic Max series, WarnerMedia movies, as well as new Original content. And now, because of its merge with Warner Bros Discovery Inc., Max provides content from platforms like the Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, and the Travel Channel. 

You get all this for $10–20 per month! But read on to see if this is your next subscription.

How much does Max cost?

It’s less than the price of an Uber Eats meal.

Max is well worth the price if you ask us. There is so much new, original, and exclusive content that there’s no chance you and your family will get bored.

So, $10–$20 a month for new release Warner Bros. movies, all older Max content, and new Max content? Yes. Yes, please.

And Max recently launched their new limited ads service. You can save $6 per month by watching no more than four minutes of ads per hour. (But we think it's worth spending the extra $6 for no interruptions.)

A lot of services nowadays throw in Max for free with your TV plan. You can get Max for free for three months with DIRECTV. If you're on the lookout for a cable TV provider, Optimum TV, Spectrum TV, and Cox TV include a complimentary subscription to Max, as well.

How much is Max a month?
Service
Monthly price
Details
Max (With Ads)
$9.99/mo.
Max (Ad-Free)
$16.99/mo.
Max (Ultimate Ad-Free)
$19.99/mo

Does Max have a contract or fees?

No contract or fees at all. You can cancel whenever you’d like.

Which TV shows and movies does Max have?

It’s a unique streaming service with old, new, and original content

With Max, you’ll get lots of excellent WarnerMedia shows and movies, a selection of other acquired series and films (like Friends and Gossip Girl), and new original content that everyone is raving about. (Jump down to the Original content in the section below.)

And on December 15th, you'll be able to stream the largest global film release of 2023, Barbie, from the comfort of your very own Dreamhouse.

Max also has a feature that allows you to browse Max's content by "Brand Spotlight" like TLC or Cartoon Network.

Max brand spotlight screenshot

Max's excellent on-demand library includes the following movies for winding down at night:

  • Avatar: The Way of Water
  • The Batman
  • Space Jam: A New Legacy
  • King Richard
  • Pulp Fiction
  • Amsterdam
  • Harry Potter (entire collection)
  • Dune
  • DC Universe Films
  • Shazam! Fury of the Gods
  • Jennifer's Body
  • Elvis
  • Dear Evan Hansen
  • In the Heights
  • Edward Scissorhands
  • Grease
  • Caddyshack
  • Studio Ghibli Films

Max used to have more fresh, recently-released-from-theaters content, but we think their library is still worth checking out.

Max content screenshot

Max includes the following TV shows to watch while you're working from home or waiting in a long line:

  • The Flight Attendant
  • Euphoria
  • And Just Like That...
  • Love & Death
  • Rick and Morty
  • We Own This City
  • Insecure
  • Silicon Valley
  • Reno 911!
  • Eastbound & Down
  • Fringe
  • Big Little Lies
  • The Murders at Starved Rock
  • The Wire
  • Girls
  • South Park

What Original content does Max have?

Lots of anxiously-awaited TV shows and movies, both new and Original

Max is one-of-a-kind because it gives you access to newly-released Warner Bros. movies, but Max is also getting attention for its Originals.

Max’s Originals include the following:

  • The White Lotus (with Jennifer Coolidge, Aubrey Plaza, and Sydney Sweeney)
  • Love & Death (with Elizabeth Olsen and Jesse Plemons)
  • The Flight Attendant (with Kaley Cuoco and Michiel Huisman)
  • The Gilded Age (with Christine Baranski)
  • Euphoria (with Zendaya)
  • Barry (with Bill Hader)
  • The Survivor (with Ben Foster and Danny DeVito)
  • Free Guy (with Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne Johnson)
  • Mare of Easttown (with Kate Winslet)
screenshot max

How does Max compare to other streaming services?

It's safe to say that Max is one of the most expensive on-demand services on the market, but you get what you pay for. 

Netflix is the same or more expensive (depending on which plan you choose), but it has close to 6,000 titles while Max has just over 1,000.

But we dare say that Max has more well-made, cinematic content than the services that are a little bit on the cheaper side, like Disney+, Peacock, Paramount+ or Hulu. If you'd like to know more, check out the top on-demand streaming services.

How does Max compare to competitors?

Service
Price
Details
(HBO) Max logo black$9.99-$209.99
PeacockTV$7.99-$139.99*
Netflix$6.99-$30.98
Disney Plus$9.99-$159.99
Hulu$7.99-$17.99
Paramount+$7.99-$119.99
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
* Change plans anytime.

Which devices are compatible with Max?

You’re going to want to watch The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on your road trip, or your kids are going to need to be entertained with Looney Tunes while you’re grocery shopping.

It’s no question we need our streaming services on the go.

Max is available on most popular streaming devices. When Max made its debut in May 2020, it was only compatible with a few devices. We're happy to see that's changed.

But Max is available for the following devices:

  • iPhone, iPad
  • Android smartphones and tablets
  • Apple TV (4th gen. and later)
  • Android TV
  • Amazon Fire tablets (4th gen. and later)
  • Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Amazon Fire TV Cube
  • Chromebooks
  • Chromecast
  • Mac and PC browsers
  • PlayStation 4
  • Roku
  • Xbox One
  • Samsung TV (2016+)

Just open the Max app, sign in, and you can start watching all the classic films and Max original series you want.

We should also mention that Max suggests you have at least a 5 Mbps internet connection while using the app. If you are looking for a reliable internet provider, check out our favorite internet providers for streaming.

Recap: Is Max worth it?

For new movies and fanastic series straight to your TV? Of course it is.

When you subscribe to Max, you’ll get all of Max's older content (like Game of Thrones), Max's new Originals, Warner Bros. movies, and other content (like Fresh Prince of Bel-Air). You get all this for $10–$20, or the price of two coffees.

Let's break down what you'll get with your new Max subscription:

  • The entire Max service
  • WarnerMedia shows and movies (including brand new releases)
  • Discovery+ content including platforms like TLC, Discovery Inc, HGTV, and The Travel Channel.
  • A selection of other acquired series and films like The Big Bang Theory, Friends, and Joker.
  • New Max original content like Love & Death, Reality, and Warrior.

You might have found the next streaming service for you and your family. But if you aren’t feeling the idea of becoming a Max subscriber, check out our full reviews on Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime.

FAQs

Yes, you can cancel anytime through the website or mobile app. The subscription will auto-renew each month until you cancel so be sure to cancel a few days before the next billing cycle so you're not charged. 

Watch Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on Hard Knocks on the streaming service, Max. 

The first of five episodes will air on August 8, 2023 at 8–9 p.m. (MDT), and each episode afterward will air on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. (MDT).

Chantel Buchi
Written by
Chantel is all about finding the best tv or streaming service to watch as many football games as possible to keep her Fantasy Football team in check. A former TV and Streaming Tech Reporter for Reviews.org, she has also worked for NFL Network and The Alliance of American Football. Before that, she received a B.A. of Communication at the University of Utah and an M.S. in Sports Journalism at USC. Go Utes and Fight On.

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