Is HBO Max Worth It? Secrets & Savings You Should Know

HBO Max doesn’t yet have the name recognition of Netflix or Disney Plus, but the streaming service has something the other guys don’t — every Warner Bros. show and movie. And they outperformed the competition at the Emmys in 2022 for their original programming. But still … is HBO Max worth it?

We’ll tell you how much you can expect to pay for HBO Max, what you get with a subscription, whether there’s a free trial, how to get some discounts, and how to maximize your account.

 

How much does HBO Max cost?

There’s a base-level HBO Max plan that includes ads and another one without ads that costs an extra $5/month. Here are the subscription options:

• HBO Max base plan: $9.99/month
• HBO Max ad-free plan: $14.99/month

NOTE: You can get HBO Max as an add-on to your Hulu subscription, but the plan costs you the same. (If you want to know more about Hulu, here is every Hulu hack you should know.)

 

Is there an HBO Max free trial?

Although there’s not technically an HBO Max free trial, you can enjoy some of their content without a subscription. So I guess there’s kind of a trial? It never expires, and it never asks for a credit card.

You can try out a few HBO Max shows by clicking over to play.hbomax.com. That means watching the first episode of their original series like House of Dragons without having to pay a cent.

 

Are there any HBO Max coupons or discounts?

If you’re not in a hurry to get an HBO Max subscription, they offer big discount promotions from time to time. In January and September/October 2022, you could get 40% off an HBO Max subscription if you paid for the year. They’ve even cut their ad-free subscription by 50% for six months in March 2022 and June 2021.

TIP: If you can’t wait for a deal, you can always pay for a yearly subscription, which is $99.99/year or $149.99/year. Both will get you a savings of 16% overall.

 

How do I use HBO Max promo codes?

If you’ve got an HBO Max promo code, you’ll be able to redeem it by using the HBO Max promo code website. Getting a promo code is rare, but they can get you discounts of up to 20% a month for a year if you can get one.

 

 

Can I get HBO Max with my cable provider?

If you have HBO through your cable provider, you might have a free subscription to HBO Max. All you need to do is install the HBO Max app on your device or TV, select “Sign in with a Provider,” and enter your information.

Here are all the companies that can give you an HBO Max account with your monthly cable subscription:

• AT&T
• Cox
• DIRECTV
• DISH
• Optimum
• Optimum TV
• Spectrum
• Verizon Fios
• WOW!
• Xfinity (provided by Comcast)

 

What exclusive content is available on HBO Max?

Is HBO Max worth it? If you’re a big-time Friends fanatic, the fact that they’re the home to Ross, Monica, Rachel, Joey, Chandler, and Phoebe is reason enough to subscribe.

Since HBO Max is owned by WarnerMedia, there are tons of shows and exclusive content that you can only watch on HBO Max. Here are a few of the more popular shows that you can watch on HBO Max:

• Game of Thrones
• House of Dragons
• Friends
• Succession
• Euphoria
• Peacemaker
• Barry
• Westworld

NOTE: HBO Max is merging with Discovery Plus in Summer 2023, which means that there’s gonna be plenty more exclusive content for you to enjoy with HBO Max.

 

Does HBO Max still get same-day movie releases?

In 2021, HBO Max offered a great service that allowed you to watch movies that were released in theaters through their platform. This included movies like The Matrix 4, Space Jam: A New Legacy, Mortal Kombat, and Dune.

While HBO Max isn’t doing this simultaneous release anymore, you don’t have to wait very long for Warner Bros. movies to hit HBO Max. We used to wait MONTHS to watch movies at home, and now, all Warner Bros. movies will hit HBO Max just 45 days after they premiere in theaters.

Here are just a few of the 2021/2022 movies that are on the HBO Max movie list:

• Elvis
• The Batman
• Moonfall
• Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
• Dear Evan Hansen
• King Richard
• Free Guy

 

What content is available on HBO Max for kids and teens?

HBO Max has an exclusive contract with Cartoon Network, Sesame Street, Studio Ghibli, and DC, so there are lots of fandoms represented in their content channels. Here are some of the best shows and movies you can watch on HBO Max:

• Adventure Time
• Steven Universe
• Over the Garden Wall
• We Bare Bears & We Baby Bears
• Teen Titans Go!
• Craig of the Creek
• Chowder
• Spirited Away
• Scooby-Doo
• Kung Fu Panda
• Young Justice
• Wonder Woman 1984

 

How do I find all the new content on HBO Max?

The easiest way to find all the new content on HBO Max is by going to their “Just Added” page. Every month, HBO Max is adding new content for users to watch. Which is another reason how HBO Max is making a subscription worth it.

NOTE: They also have a “Last Chance” page where you can easily browse a list of shows that are leaving the platform soon — as well as when they’re leaving.

 

What devices can I stream HBO Max on?

You can stream HBO Max on all your favorite devices. Here are all the devices that’ll let you watch your favorite HBO Max shows:

• Amazon Fire Tablets, Sticks, Cubes, and Smart TVs
• Android phones, tablets, and TVs
• Apple TV and devices (iPhone, iPad, and Macs)
• Chromebooks
• Chromecast
• LG Smart TVs
• PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
• Roku streaming devices
• Samsung TVs
• VIZIO Smart TVs
• Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S

NOTE: You can easily connect your HBO Max account to your TV by using the HBO Max TV Sign In website. When you open the HBO Max app on your TV, you’ll get a code that you can enter onto your computer and automatically sign into your HBO Max account.

 

 

How can you watch HBO Max offline?

If you’re going on a long trip without Wi-Fi for a few hours, you can download some of your favorite content on HBO Max by hitting the download button (an open box with an arrow pointing down) on the show or movie you want to watch.

Content that you download will be available on your device for 30 days if you haven’t started watching, and once you start watching, you’ll have 48 hours to watch.

 

Can you watch live TV on HBO Max?

HBO Max has lots of TV shows, but there are no live TV channels that are part of the service. But any current shows will be available on HBO Max within 24 hours of being broadcast on cable.

For shows that premiere first on cable channels, HBO Max promises that they’ll be on the streaming service within 24 hours.

But if you’re looking for ways to watch TV for free, there are plenty of other options out there.

 

Are there any extras you can get with HBO Max?

Some shows and movies have extras — kind of like you’d expect to see on DVD or Blu-Ray discs back in the day. Just find the piece of content that you want to watch and head over to the “Extras” page to find things like trailers or behind-the-scenes videos.

Not every piece of content has extras, so keep a lookout for the tab if you’re looking for more content.

 

How do I cancel my HBO Max subscription?

HBO Max will auto-renew until you cancel it, so if you’ve decided that it’s not worth it, you can shut it down. The cancellation process is a little different depending on whether you’re using the web or the HBO Max app.

How to cancel HBO Max on the web:

• Sign in to HBO Max
• Click your name in the upper right-hand corner
• Click Settings > Manage Subscription
• Choose “Cancel Subscription”

How to cancel HBO Max on the app:

• Sign in to HBO Max
• Click the circle with a letter in it in the upper right-hand corner
• Click the gear icon in the upper right corner
• Tap Subscription > Manage Subscription
• Choose “Cancel Subscription”

To change your subscription type from ad-free to basic or basic to ad-free, you’ll go to the same menu, but instead of “Cancel Subscription,” you’re going to switch your subscription to your preferred type. You can upgrade or downgrade your subscription when you’d like, but your subscription type will change at the end of your billing period.

TIP: Cancel two days before your subscription renewal date to make sure you aren’t charged for another month. And no, deleting the app from your phone won’t cancel your subscription.