The platform has had a strong start in 2026, with both The Pitt and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms attracting rave reviews, and there is more to come. The platform is soon to have some new releases joining the best TV shows on HBO Max, including some highly-anticipated show finales and original series from exciting creative teams.
Hacks (Season 5)
Coming To HBO Max: April 9th
With a 99% positive critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Hacks has often been described as one of HBO Max’s best TV shows. The platform has risen above other streaming locations for its dramas, and Hacks is a comedy drama that follows the evolving relationship between stand-up comedian, Deborah (Jean Smart), and her writer, Ava (Hannah Einbinder.)
The show is just as emotionally intense as it is hilarious, presenting both a perfect satire of the entertainment industry, and a rare story of female solidarity. Among its many awards and nominations, Hacks was nominated for four consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series, winning the award for season 3.
Hacks showrunner Lucia Aniello revealed that the ending for the show was long-planned, with the final scene included in the original pitch.
After season 4’s shocking twist in which Deborah was falsely reported to be dead, Hacks is officially ending with season 5, which must deliver a satisfying conclusion as Deborah and Ava try to secure Deborah’s legacy in Las Vegas. The new episodes of Hacks season 5 will stream weekly beginning on April 9th, with the finale set for May 28th.
Stuart Fails To Save The Universe
Coming To HBO Max In 2026
The Big Bang Theory may not always have aged well, but it remains a beloved comedy show for viewers who have followed the characters from the beginning. The series was often made by its supporting characters, often played by sci-fi legends, but the comic book store owner, Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman,) became a fan favorite over the show’s 12 seasons.
The Big Bang Theory featured the occasional dream sequence, but it stayed away from entering real sci-fi, so the upcoming spinoff, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, is treading new ground for the franchise. The series will follow Stuart as he damages a device created by Leonard and Sheldon, and is tasked with avoiding a multiverse Armageddon.
One of the major questions surrounding the show was always whether any original main characters would reprise their roles, and Kaley Cuoco addressed Penny’s return in the Big Bang Theory spinoff, fuelling rumors. So far, the show has not confirmed a release date, but Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is expected to arrive on HBO Max in 2026.
Half Man
Coming To HBO Max: April 23rd
After appearing in several small TV roles, the writer and stand-up comedian Richard Gadd had an explosive entry into streaming with his terrifying Baby Reindeer, based on the true story that inspired one of his stage shows. With Baby Reindeer getting multiple awards and a 99% positive rating from Rotten Tomatoes critics, his next TV projects were certain to attract attention.
Gadd’s upcoming TV show, Half Man, is a co-production between HBO and the BBC, and is set to arrive on HBO Max on April 23rd. The six-part miniseries will explore the relationship between two estranged brothers, played by Jamie Bell (Snowpiercer) and Gadd himself. The first images of Half Man are intriguing, showing the two men having an intense conversation in a diner.
Half Man was originally called Lions.
While the exact plot has been kept under wraps, the show is believed to center on flashbacks in the aftermath of a fight that occurs when one brother shows up at the other’s wedding. Baby Reindeer achieved notoriety due to the fact that it was based on a true story, and it has not yet been confirmed if Half Man is also based on real events.
Lanterns
Coming To HBO Max: August 2026
The upcoming superhero show Lanterns is not what James Gunn fans were expecting, but this is likely to be a good thing. The DC universe is set to expand its lore through TV shows, and when it was announced that a show would center on the Green Lantern Corps, many viewers likely had a specific aesthetic in mind.
However, the trailer was dark, gritty, and had none of the expected supersuits, power rings, or much green at all. This suggests that rather than lean into the typical superhero tropes, the show might be taking DC storytelling in a different direction. Another possibility is that the trailer is deliberately hiding the most explosive moments, making the series a must-watch for curious fans.
With shows like The Boys rewriting the rules, the superhero genre has become a much more creative place. Gunn compared Lanterns to True Detective, so it is possible that the trailer accurately represents the series. However, this may be controversial among fans who enjoy the story’s far-fetched elements. We will all find out in August when Lanterns is set to stream.
How To Survive Without Me
Expected To Arrive On HBO Max In 2026 or 2027
Image courtesy of Everett Collection
After becoming a household name after playing Penny in The Big Bang Theory, Kaley Cuoco has had an extremely successful TV career. Her murder mystery The Flight Attendant became a streaming hit, and her next show is already attracting attention. How to Survive Without Me is a drama centering on a family trying to keep going after the death of the matriarch.
The HBO series has a promising future after a $21m tax credit from the California Tax Commission, and has reportedly begun production in Los Angeles. Cuoco plays the family’s eldest daughter, and the cast also includes Joshua Jackson, Ray Romano, and Julia Schlaepfer. It is expected to arrive on HBO Max in 2026 or 2027, though this timeframe could change.
Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America
Coming To HBO Max: June 26th
Larry David has been described as a “sitcom mastermind” after his groundbreaking hit Seinfeld became an icon in the genre. His follow-up, Curb Your Enthusiasm, in which he plays a fictionalized version of himself, is credited for rewriting the rules for sitcoms by improvising rather than following a rigid script. It is understandable, then, that Larry David’s new HBO show is going to be a must-watch.
Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America is a sketch show that offers a comedic take on some of America’s biggest historical events, with an appearance by former President Barack Obama as well as other famous figures and longtime Larry David collaborators. It will come to HBO Max on June 26th this year.
Euphoria (Season 3)
Coming To HBO Max: April 12
While many TV shows are greatly anticipated, Euphoria‘s season 3 is expected to take over the world. From its first season, the show became one of the most controversial on HBO Max for its depictions of sex, drugs, and coercion, including one character filming his multiple instances of statutory rape. Euphoria has since become even wilder, and it is set to end with an explosive finale.
It has been confirmed that Euphoria‘s season 3 will be its last, and the trailer has drawn much speculation over the fate of the characters, especially Rue (Zendaya.) The trailer shows her acting as a drug mule in Mexico, being arrested, and fearing for her life, with many viewers predicting that she will die, either at the hands of a gang or of an overdose.
Like its previous two seasons, Euphoria‘s final season will have eight episodes, and they will be released weekly, with the first arriving on HBO Max on April 12th, and the finale happening on May 31st. The show is the fourth most-watched HBO series since 2004, and has received multiple Emmy Award nominations and wins, with both Zendaya and Colman Domingo’s performances being praised.