5 Best New HBO Max Series To Watch This Week (October 5–9, 2026)

Published Oct 5, 2026, 9:14 PM EDT

Greg is a Lead TV Writer & Critic at Screen Rant with expertise in new streaming releases. He's published over 3000 articles at SR, including weekly recommendation guides and dozens of reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. He previously worked in Development at ABC Television & Lawrence Bender Productions.

Greg majored in Film Production at Chapman University's Dodge College. Greg also has years of broadcast TV production experience at major networks such as NBC, TNT, and ESPN. He currently lives in Greater Boston.

The five best new series to binge-watch on HBO Max this week, October 5–9, 2026, include a critically acclaimed legal thriller and an epic superhero drama on the heels of its season 1 finale. Now is a great time to be an HBO Max subscriber – before it is expected to combine with Paramount+ under one streaming umbrella in the near future – thanks to a slate of new releases, ranging from premieres to finales.

This week, some of the best shows to stream now on HBO Max range from a dramedy series about a mid-life crisis to a reality series with spooky vibes and a hidden gem animated series based on a novel by Anthony Bourdain. Other notable HBO Max series to keep an eye out for this Fall 2026 include the true crime docuseries The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story and The Gilded Age season 4, which premieres on November 1. In the meantime, here's what we're watching on HBO Max this week.

Youth

Youth is one of the most popular new HBO original series on the platform right now, following its 2-part premiere on September 20. Currently ranking at #6 on HBO Max's U.S. viewership list, the dramedy series follows a 50-year-old divorcee named Alex played by Sharon Hogan, who also created the series, as she navigates modern dating while also taking care of her family, both older and younger. Youth has a near-perfect 96% Rotten Tomatoes score and releases new episodes every Sunday through November 1.

Scariest House In America

Scariest House in America is another top trending show on HBO Max right now, ranking #5 in the U.S. at the time of writing. The reality series is hosted by Retta, who takes viewers on an inside tour of some of the most eerie and unsettling houses all around the United States. The series, which is perfect for those looking for something spooky-themed but not necessarily frightening, premiered back in 2024 and is currently halfway through its third season. If you're looking to break into the Halloween spirit, this is a good choice now on HBO Max.

Get Jiro

Get Jiro quietly premiered on HBO Max on Saturday, October 3, under the [adult swim] brand. The series is based on the graphic novel of the same name written by the late celebrity chef, Anthony Bourdain, which centers on a mysterious sushi chef in a not-so-distant future Los Angeles. Combining action, mystery, and comedy, this genre-blending animated series debuted to an 83% Rotten Tomatoes score and features performances by Titus Welliver, Alison Pill, and Brian Tee. New episodes of Get Jiro are set to drop on HBO Max throughout October and November.

Lanterns

Lanterns season 1 officially dropped its finale episode on Sunday, October 4, making the complete 8-part series available to binge from start to finish for the first time ever on HBO Max. The acclaimed series rewrites the origin story of John Stewart and Hal Jordan, two of the most prolific members of the intergalactic police squad known as the Green Lanterns. The series was co-created by Damon Lindelof, Tom King, and Chris Mundy, and stars Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler, featuring a grounded crime mystery story with exciting superhero elements. If you've been waiting to binge all eight episodes of Lanterns, the time has finally come.

War

War, a legal drama set in London, is the best new show to binge-watch on HBO Max this week. Marketed towards Succession and Industry fans, War features a great ensemble cast led by Dominic West and Sienna Miller and boasts an impressive 87% Rotten Tomatoes score. The series has already been renewed for a second season even though only one of its eight first-season episodes has been released so far, and follows two law firms clashing over a divorce case that's making plenty of headlines. If you're looking for your next HBO Max prestige binge, War is perfect to get started on this week.