HBO Max is a lot of things, but being cheap is not one of them. Indeed, one of the best best streaming services around is also one of the most expensive ones to subscribe to, so having the option to try it before you sign up would be most welcome.
Unfortunately, a free trial for HBO Max isn't currently available, so you'll have to open an account if you want to see what all of the fuss is about. That said, there are ways to save some money if you purchase a monthly or yearly subscription — and I'll tell you more about those options in this guide, So, read on for more details.
HBO Max free trial: is one available?
As I mentioned up-top, an HBO Max free trial isn't available right now — in fact, one hasn't been around for quite some time.
When HBO Max made its initial bow in the US, a seven-day free trial was offered as a way of enticing people to sign up to it over, say, Netflix or Prime Video. Disappointingly, said trail was discontinued when the service was rolled out internationally and, barring a brief return in mid-2024, it hasn't been seen since.
Of course, it could make a comeback if Paramount Skydance's buyout of Warner Bros. (and HBO Max as part of that package) is approved. Until that possible deal is given the go-ahead, though, there's no free trial to take advantage of.
Are there other ways to get a HBO Max free trial?
Yes, but only in the US. Consumers stateside can sign up to one of Cricket Wireless' $60 a month unlimited plans and get a 12-month subscription for HBO Max's Basic With Ads plan for no extra cost. Sure, you'll have to sit through the odd advert or two, but that's a small price to pay if it means you'll save yourself $120.
Previously, an HBO Max free trial was also offered as part of certain Hulu plans. Unfortunately, one of the best streaming deals hasn't been offered for some time. With Hulu being further integrated into Disney+, I imagine it'll never return, too.
What's the cheapest way to get HBO Max without a free trial?
The best way to save some money is to sign up to one of HBO Max's annual plans.
My HBO Max price guide is packed with more details on every tier. Essentially, though, you can save up to 20% by committing to an annual plan rather than paying monthly. For the ad-supported plan, you'll need to pay $109.99 for the year in the US and AU$119.99 for 12 months in Australia.
An annual deal isn't available in Canada, but you can sign up to a monthly plan for $10.99. Similarly, there isn't an cheap annual plan for UK users to sign up to, so your best bet is signing up for the rolling monthly Standard with Ads plan, which costs £9.99 a month and works out at just under £120 for the year.
The cheapest Saver Plan in the UK is HBO Max Standard with Ads and TNT Sports, which will cost you an eye-watering £335 for a 12-month subscription. However, if you're a Sky Ultimate TV owner, HBO Max is now included as part of your package. Interested in this huge money-saving deal? Check out the £22 per month Sky Ultimate TV bundle now.
Not sold on any of those deals? The only other option available to you is adding a family or friend to your account, or getting yourself added to one of theirs.
Indeed, with HBO Max's password crackdown having rolled out worldwide, those who live in a different household to you can no longer access your account and vice versa. If you or they still want to use it, and if everyone lives in the US, you or they will need to fork out $7.99 a month to be added as an extra member to their subscription — or, again vice versa. As of July 2026, this feature isn't available in the UK. Once it is, I'll update this section.
Finally, you can check out some of the best films and TV series for free via the HBO Max free episodes section of its website. Again, though, this is US-only, so you'll have to be based in the states to use it.
What can I watch on HBO Max?
Some of the finest movies and TV shows ever created, that's what.
HBO Max is home to everything that HBO, aka the multi-award-winning cable network, has ever produced. A seemingly infinite number of classic movies and more recent big-screen offerings, plus numerous HBO Max Movie and TV Originals, are also just a button push or a mouse click away.
Here's a small slice of what you can stream if you sign up today:
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (TV show)
- A Minecraft Movie (movie)
- Barbie (movie)
- Batman (various movie series)
- Creature Commandos (TV show)
- The Chair Company (TV show)
- Dune (movie series)
- Euphoria (TV show)
- Final Destination (movie series)
- Friends (TV show)
- Game of Thrones (TV show)
- The Gilded Age (TV show)
- Godzilla (movie series)
- Hacks (TV show)
- Harry Potter (movie series)
- Heated Rivalry (TV show)
- House of the Dragon (TV show)
- It: Welcome to Derry (TV show)
- The Last of Us (TV show)
- The Lord of the Rings (movie series)
- One Battle After Another (movie)
- Peacemaker (TV show)
- The Penguin (TV show)
- The Pitt (TV show)
- Rooster (TV show)
- Sex and the City (TV show)
- Sinners (movie)
- The Sopranos (TV show)
- Succession (TV show)
- Superman (various movie series)
- Task (TV show)
- The Wire (TV show)
- Westworld (TV show)
- The White Lotus (TV show)
- Wonder Woman (movie series)
For more HBO Max-based coverage, check out our guides on Lanterns, Creature Commandos season 2, the forthcoming Harry Potter TV adaptation, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2.
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