HBO Max might be the freshest face on the streaming block in Australia, but with over 30 years of hits under the studio's belt, and more released every month, it's not as easy as you'd think to land on something to watch. We're rounding up the best of the best from HBO's prolific streaming library, with more recommendations coming every month.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Brodie's brief: A refreshingly upbeat Westerosi tale
Brodie's rating:
If, like me, you're a bit fatigued by the relentlessly grim Game of Thrones universe, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a surprisingly chipper antidote.
Set a century before the events of Game of Thrones and about a century after House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms begins with the death of a young squire's mentor. Before his untimely death, Ser Arlan Pennytree allegedly knighted his squire, Dunk. But with no one present at the ceremony, Dunk has a hard time having his knighthood recognised. Enter Egg, a mysterious and hopeful young lad who quickly becomes Dunk's squire and biggest cheerleader.
As Ferg said in his review, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms offers a "less-is-more approach to Westeros". There are only six episodes in the first season, each only around thirty minutes a piece and each one is about as far from the Red Wedding as you can get.
Creator: George R.R. Martin | Cast: Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, Tanzyn Crawford Daniel Ings, Bertie Carvel, Sam Spruell, Finn Bennett.
Language: English | Rating: MA15+
Genre: Funtasy
Available on: HBO Max
IT: Welcome to Derry
Brodie's brief: Better and scarier than expected.
Brodie's rating:
Set 27 years before the most recent IT movies from Andy Muschietti, IT: Welcome to Derry turns back the clock for a look at what life was like in Derry, Maine, when Pennywise the Dancing Clown last stopped by back in 1962.
Welcome to Derry is a little guilty of retreading similar ground as the original story but once it takes off, it's different enough that you won't see what's coming next. So far, the series is a lot scarier than both chapters of the modern film remake, too. - Brodie Fogg
Creator: Andy and Barbara Muschietti | Cast: Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, Blake Cameron James, James Remar and Bill Skarsgård
Language: English | Rating: MA15+
Genre: Coulrophobe's worst nightmare
Available on: HBO Max
At the time of writing, HBO Max are offering a seven-day free trial when you sign up via Prime Video.
Click here to trial HBO MaxYou can save up to 17% off your bill by subscribing annually. Check out the latest HBO Max deals here for this and other money-saving offers.
Sex and the City
Georgia's judgement: You just can't replace Samantha.
Georgia's rating:
After six seasons, two god-awful movies and one spin-off that nobody remembers, you would think that the Sex and the City fountain had truly run dry but against all common sense, the HBO reboot series And Just Like That... went ahead without the series' sex positive MVP, Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall) in 2021. Sure, there were some long overdue changes made for the reboot, not the least of which added a bit of diversity to the main cast; Sara Ramirez's Che Diaz a "non-binary, queer stand-up comedian who hosts a podcast," but it sometimes feels too little too late. The release of the reboot got us in the mood to binge all six seasons of the pro-Samantha Jones original series (potentially followed by a wine-fuelled hate watch of the two movies). The entire original Sex and the City and the reboot series And Just Like That... are both available to stream on Foxtel Now and HBO Max. - Georgia Dixon
Creator: Darren Star | Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis
Language: English | Rating: MA15+
Genre: Samantha
Available on: HBO Max and Foxtel Now
The Rehearsal
Brodie's brief: He's like a modern-day Einstein.
Brodie's rating:
Comedian Nathan Fielder has built a career "helping" struggling small businesses turn things around with unhinged and elaborate schemes. If Fielder proved anything over four seasons of Nathan for You, its that he's utterly obsessed with upping the stakes with every subsequent episode and season. His latest series The Rehearsal is an extension of his previous work except this time it's not businesses he's helping but the personal lives of his curious cast of subjects in the first season, and the commerical aviation industry in the second.
Fielder's extensive and increasingly complicated simulations are designed to leave nothing to fate. Of course, real life isn't as predictable as we'd all like to imagine, and that's where Nathan finds himself at home, in the absurd and unexpected. - Brodie Fogg
Creator: Nathan Fielder | Cast: Nathan Fielder
Language: English | Rating: M
Genre: Loneliness
Available on: HBO Max
The West Wing
Brodie's brief: Gilmore Girls for politics nerds.
Brodie's rating:
If your first contact with Aaron Sorkin was with the more contemporary, The Newsroom, then forget everything you know and head back to the late 90s/early 2000s for this feelgood political drama about the President of the United States (Martin Sheen) and the staffers, advisers and family that support him. - Brodie Fogg
Creator: Aaron Sorkin | Cast: Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, Richard Schiff, Rob Lowe, Janel Moloney, Dulé Hill, Jimmy Smits
Language: English | Rating: PG
Genre: Light-hearted political drama
Available on: HBO Max and Stan
Regular Show
Brodie's brief: Baby's first slacker sitcom
Brodie's rating:
Regular Show sits alongside Adventure Time as the kind of kids show that's perfectly acceptable for all ages but particularly enjoyed by adults thanks to some truly top-notch comedy. If you can't possibly handle another episode of Paw Patrol, give Regular Show a whirl. - Brodie Fogg
Creator: J.G. Quintel | Cast: J.G. Quintel, William Salyers, Sam Marin, Janie Haddad Tompkins
Language: English | Rating: PG
Genre: Actually funny comedy for kids
Available on: HBO Max
The Penguin
Brodie's brief: Two killer lead performances.
Brodie's rating:
The Penguin picks up just a week after The Batman's end and shows Oswald Cobb officially attempting to assert leadership over the Falcone Crime Syndicate. However, as more suitors emerge from the shadows, including Falcone's own son and daughter (recently rehabilitated Arkham patient, Sofia Falcone,) the Penguin's shaky alliances are more fragile than ever. The Penguin only has one season but it's a chilling watch and will tide you over until Part Two of Matt Reeves' The Batman.
Creator: J.G. Quintel | Cast: J.G. Quintel, William Salyers, Sam Marin, Janie Haddad Tompkins
Language: English | Rating: PG
Genre: Actually funny comedy for kids
Available on: HBO Max
Los Espookys
Alex's analysis: Creepy capers!
Alex's rating:
Los Espookys is perhaps best described as a reverse Scooby Doo dealio. Renaldo and his friends are horror enthusiasts who specialise in creating spooky situations for those who need. For example, in the first episode fake an exorcism for a priest losing relevance in the community. Strange and utterly surreal at times, Los Espookys is a blast - Alex Choros
Creators: Julio Torres, Ana Fabrega, Fred Armisen | Cast: Bernardo Velasco, Cassandra Ciangherotti, Ana Fabrega, Julio Torres | Language: English | Rating: MA15+
Genre: Reverse Scooby Doo
Available on: HBO Max
The White Lotus
Anula's notions: You'll be hanging from every cliff waiting to see how this pans out.
Anula's rating:
Join the upper echelon of privilege at The White Lotus resort in Hawaii, for one of the most suspenseful watches of late. Through expert storytelling, the lives and paths of several hotel guests and staff interlope and overlap, only further cementing the complete disassociation between the 1% and the rest of the world.
Be ready to hate characters, root for them, and be kept on the edge of your couch waiting to see how this holiday ends. And whom it ends. - Anula Wiwatowska
Creators: Mike White | Cast: Murray Bartlett, Connie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge | Language: English | Rating: MA 15+
Genre: Thriller/Drama
Available on: HBO Max
Sharp Objects
Alex's analysis: A dark, gripping psychological thriller
Alex's rating:
Based on Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn's debut novel, Sharp Objects follows alcoholic crime reporter Camille Preaker (Amy Adams) as she returns to her hometown to investigate the murder of two young girls. While the series is the very definition of a slow burn, it grips you with its haunting Southern Gothic atmosphere and top tier performances - Alex Choros
Creators: Marti Noxon | Cast: Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Messina, Eliza Scanlen, Matt Craven | Language: English | Rating: MA15+
Genre: Southern Gothic Psychological Thriller
Available on: HBO Max
Succession
Alex's analysis: A great show about bad people .
Alex's rating:
Totally not a show about the Murdochs, Succession follows a dysfunctional family who own one of the world's largest media companies. While somewhat of a satire, the way in which it bounces between a black comedy about rich wankers to a family drama where you find yourself caring about characters you hate is enough to give you whiplash. Succession takes a few episodes to find its feet, but the more you watch it, the better it gets. Even if you'd want to punch half the characters in the face if you ever met them in real life - Alex Choros
Creators: Jesse Armstrong | Cast: Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook | Language: English | Rating: MA15+
Genre: Why do I hate everyone but-still keep watching?
Available on: HBO Max
Big Little Lies
Jacqui's gist: People who don't usually watch domestic drama are watching Big Little Lies and loving it for its gripping narrative and frank exploration of violence against women.
Jacqui's rating:
What seems to start as a cat-fight between some rich and some not-so-rich mothers in the town of Monterey takes a darker turn that will eventually lead to a violent death. Big Little Lies features a stellar cast including Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon, but what really stands out is the complex characterisation of the women. They're flawed, neurotic and sometimes even nasty. But you will be left with a profound sense of respect for all of them - Jacqui Dent
Creator: David E. Kelley | Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Alexander Skarsgård, Adam Scott | Language: English | Rating: MA15+
Genre: Domestic drama
Available on: HBO Max
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Anula's notions: It just wouldn't be Larry David if it wasn't excruciatingly painful. If you like Seinfeld and cringe-worthy moments, watch this.
Anula's rating:
Curb Your Enthusiasm follows the infamous Larry David in his menial Hollywood life. The awkward and judgmental guy is always getting himself into a pickle, which could easily be avoided if he just shut his god damn mouth.
Be ready to scream "why the **** would you say that!" and many other profanities as we trail Larry through his only somewhat dramatised, unfiltered existence - Anula Wiwatowska
Creator: Larry David | Cast: Larry David, Jeff Garlin, Cheryl Hines, Susie Essman, J. B. Smoove | Language: English | Rating: MA15+
Genre: Cringe
Available on: HBO Max
Barry
Anula's notions: Actor/Waiter tropes are played out, try Actor/Hitman on for size.
Anula's rating:
Barry (Bill Hader), who kills people for a living discovers the love of acting while searching for his latest hit. He loves it so much that he's willing to pack up shop and leave his old life behind, but it turns out that life isn't done with him, and also he's not a very good actor.
This might be marketed as a comedy, but it's heart warming and wrenching at times too. - Anula Wiwatowska
Creators: Alec Berg, Bill Hader | Cast: Bill Hader, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg, Glenn Fleshler, Anthony Carrigan, Henry Winkler | Language: English | Rating: MA15+
Genre: ComeDramThrillerdy
Available on: HBO Max
Game of Thrones
Jacqui's gist: It's Game of Thrones!
Jacqui's rating:
Do I even need to tell you about Game of Thrones? For years now it's been a cultural phenomenon - and for good reason. The show is extremely addictive, with high production values and plot twists that continue to shock and excite the world over. Game of Thrones fans love the fact that anything could happen and anyone could die, which definitely makes for compelling viewing - if you can handle the heartbreak.
Every time a new season of Game of Thrones comes out Australia leads the world in illegal downloads, mainly because it was locked away on Foxtel's premium cable service. Now you can stream every season of Game of Thrones and its spinoffs on HBO Max. - Jacqui Dent
Creators: David Benioff, D. B. Weiss | Cast: Sean Bean, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams, Peter Dinklage, Alfie Allen | Language: English | Rating: MA15+
Genre: Game of Thrones
Available on: HBO Max
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Min. cost $82
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Min. cost $114
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More streaming deals
Looking for something to stream tonight but don't want to pay full price? We've rounded up the best deals from Australia's major streaming services.
- Binge deals: From $4 per month
- Kayo deals: $1 for one month or seven days free
- Netflix deals: Bonus Netflix with Optus NBN
- Foxtel packages and deals: Save up to $55 per month
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Brodie Fogg
Managing Editor - Streaming
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