Here Are the Best TV Shows to Stream this Weekend on HBO Max, Including ‘Lady in the Lake’

Looking for something new to watch this weekend? Max has added a bunch of fresh titles, including dramatic series, animated shows for kids, documentaries about true crime, travel programs, and shows about design. The list below features only the newest additions from this week and late September, so you can start watching something current without having to search for it.

Every show description details what it’s about and who made it-including the cast, hosts, or important creators-with specific information like the original story, production companies, and how each episode is structured. Just choose a show, press play, and you’re ready for the weekend.

‘Lady in the Lake’ (2024)

As a huge fan of detective stories, I’m really excited about ‘Lady in the Lake’. It’s set in 1960s Baltimore and centers around an ambitious reporter – me, if I had a chance! – who gets completely absorbed by two disturbing deaths. These aren’t just simple cases, though; they quickly expose all the hidden tensions within the city – the politics, the crime, and how the media plays into it all. The show is based on Laura Lippman’s novel, and thankfully, they’ve kept the fantastic atmosphere of a 1960s newsroom and the way the story unfolds through these two connected mysteries.

This limited series was made by director Alma Har’el and stars Natalie Portman and Moses Ingram. Y’lan Noel and Brett Gelman are also featured in supporting roles. Har’el and her team crafted the series as a complete, standalone story, paying close attention to the historical setting and the inner lives of the characters.

‘Krypto Saves the Day!’ (2025– )

‘Krypto Saves the Day!’ is a show about Superman’s superdog, Krypto, and his funny adventures in Metropolis. Each episode features short, simple stories where Krypto gets into a little trouble, tries his best to be a “good boy,” and often ends up helping to save the city. The show is designed for younger audiences, with each adventure being self-contained and easy to follow. Watch Krypto in action!

The show’s directors include David Gemmill, and it’s produced by Michael Baum and Ryan Kramer. It falls into the Kids & Family genre and is part of the larger DC lineup on Max. It provides a fun, comedic take on superhero adventures, but with a canine twist.

‘Mysteries of the Abandoned’ (2017– )

This ongoing documentary series explores abandoned large-scale structures, decaying buildings, and empty towns, revealing the reasons for their creation-and eventual abandonment. Each episode uses a combination of engineering studies, historical video, and on-site filming to tell the complete story of these places, from their beginnings to their decline.

Starting on the Travel Channel and growing with several seasons and versions focused on the U.S., this series examines the design and historical factors behind buildings’ construction, deterioration, and eventual abandonment. Recent installments continue the in-depth, case-study approach, combining insights from experts with detailed investigations of the locations themselves.

‘The Real Murders on Elm Street’ (2024– )

‘The Real Murders on Elm Street’ delves into actual crime cases that strangely resemble frightening nightmares. The show follows detectives as they work to separate truth from speculation. Each episode carefully pieces together the story, using interviews, official case files, and historical footage to trace events from the initial report all the way to how the case was solved.

I’m really excited that Grandma’s House Entertainment is bringing this anthology back for Investigation Discovery! What I love about it is how each new installment really dives into the cases, showing us how the detectives worked, hearing directly from the survivors, and laying everything out with a clear timeline. I’ve also heard that even more cases are being added in early October, which is fantastic news!

‘The Friday the 13th Murders’ (2025– )

A new true-crime series, ‘The Friday the 13th Murders’, explores murders connected to the well-known date, looking at how beliefs about bad luck compare to what actually happened. The first episode focuses on a teenager obsessed with serial killers whose night takes a terrible turn, and future episodes will examine other crimes that occurred on that date.

As part of Investigation Discovery’s October lineup of crime programming, the show is presented as a documentary series unfolding each week. Promotional materials highlight its focus on true crime and documentaries, and the first episode immediately establishes that it’s based on real events.

‘Where We Call Home’ (2020– )

‘Where We Call Home’ follows homeowners and designers as they creatively convert unique buildings-like factories, firehouses, and storefronts-into amazing homes. Each episode shows the entire process, from the initial idea and construction to the final reveal, emphasizing how to cleverly repurpose buildings and find workable solutions for challenging spaces.

This series comes from the Magnolia brand and has run for several seasons, showing how homes are designed and built while also tackling challenges with budgets and space. Recent updates confirm that new episodes are still being released, with a focus on creative renovations and how people actually *live* in their homes. It’s a blend of beautiful design and practical solutions, documenting architectural storytelling and lived-in functionality.

‘Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain’ (2025– )

As a total movie and travel buff, I’m really excited about this new docuseries! It’s hosted by Eva Longoria and it’s eight episodes long. Basically, it’s a deep dive into Spain, looking at everything from the amazing cities like Barcelona and Madrid, to the incredible food and the personal stories of the people who live there. It’s not just a travel show, though; it really blends travel, culture, and cuisine, and it’s all told from a really personal, first-person perspective. I think it’s going to be fantastic!

Eva Longoria acts as the host and guide throughout the series. The show’s descriptions highlight the importance of history, local customs, and modern lifestyles, positioning it as a travel and cultural experience that builds on her previous work exploring food and travel.

‘My Happy Place’ (2025– )

This candid travel show features famous faces returning to places that are personally significant, sharing the stories and important moments connected to each location. Each episode blends beautiful scenery with intimate, personal tales, using each setting to tell the story of a person’s life.

Created by Boardwalk Pictures, the show showcases a variety of performers-such as Alan Cumming and Taraji P. Henson-each telling their stories directly to the audience. It’s structured around personal, in-depth talks, beautiful visuals that really capture the setting, and episodes that each focus on a different guest star and their experiences.

‘Good Cop/Bad Cop’ (2025– )

‘Good Cop/Bad Cop’ is a funny crime show centered around two sibling detectives. They investigate cases in a small town, dealing with quirky residents and a tricky dynamic with their police officer father. The show combines self-contained weekly mysteries with ongoing stories about the detectives’ family life and relationships.

The series was created by John Quaintance and stars Leighton Meester, Luke Cook, Devon Terrell, and Clancy Brown. John Quaintance and Trent O’Donnell served as executive producers. The first season, consisting of eight episodes, was produced by Future Shack Entertainment, Jungle Entertainment, and ITV Studios.

‘Women Wearing Shoulder Pads’ (2025– )

As a movie lover, I recently discovered a really fun Spanish-language film called ‘Women Wearing Shoulder Pads’. It’s a dramedy that centers around a well-off woman originally from Ecuador. The story follows her as she juggles family drama, a new romance, and a surprisingly quirky career in advertising-and believe it or not, there are even guinea pigs involved! It’s a really clever and satirical look at how she reinvents herself, both personally and professionally, as she navigates modern city life. I found it to be a really engaging and fresh take on familiar themes.

Created by Cinema Fantasma, the series will launch with information about the actors and creative team being revealed as each episode is released. Initial descriptions suggest it’s a story focused on the characters and their relationships at work, all while exploring themes of culture and social class.

Tell us which of these you’re starting first on Max this weekend in the comments!

2025-10-03 23:50