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

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HBO Max is adding lots of new shows and movies this weekend! You’ll find everything from the beginnings of beloved stories to returning favorites like medical dramas, plus popular cartoons. Whether you’re into epic fantasy like ‘Game of Thrones’ or fast-paced racing, there’s something for everyone. These are some of the most popular and trending titles currently available on the streaming service.

‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ (2026)

A new ‘Game of Thrones’ series will debut on HBO Max on January 18, 2026. It takes place about ninety years before the original show and follows the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall and his companion, Egg. The story is set during the peak of the Targaryen dynasty’s rule over Westeros and is based on George R.R. Martin’s popular ‘Tales of Dunk and Egg’ novellas.

‘The Pitt’ (2025–)

The medical drama ‘The Pitt’ debuted on January 9, 2025, and quickly gained a loyal following. Its second season became available for streaming on January 8, 2026, continuing to examine the difficulties within the U.S. healthcare system. Featuring Noah Wyle, the show offers a realistic portrayal of life inside a busy Pittsburgh hospital, focusing on the personal and professional struggles of the doctors and nurses who face challenging cases and systemic problems every day.

‘Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings’ (2018)

‘Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings,’ which first aired in 2018, is coming to the platform this week for racing fans. The show features the exciting and risky world of unsanctioned street racing, where drivers compete on unprepared tracks. Success depends on a driver’s skill and their ability to tune their car to handle challenging, unpredictable surfaces. Each episode follows the intense competition and mechanical difficulties faced by racing teams from around the country.

‘Primal’ (2019)

‘Primal,’ an animated series that debuted in 2019, is still a popular show on HBO Max. Created by Genndy Tartakovsky, it tells the story of a caveman and a T-Rex who unexpectedly become allies in a prehistoric world. The show relies heavily on stunning visuals and sound to convey its story, using very little dialogue. Critics praise ‘Primal’ for its unique art style and the powerful emotions conveyed through the characters’ actions, even without words.

‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ (2025)

‘IT: Welcome to Derry,’ set to launch in 2025, is already generating significant buzz. This series acts as a backstory to the recent ‘IT’ movies, delving into the sinister past of the town of Derry, Maine. It reveals how the terrifying evil that plagues the town every 27 years first began, and what happened before the events of the films. The show expands on the established horror story with new characters and a deeper look at the town’s history.

‘Task’ (2025)

The new crime drama ‘Task,’ which premiered in 2025, is quickly becoming one of the most popular shows on the streaming service. The series follows a dedicated team of detectives who investigate challenging and complex crimes in the city. It delves into the difficult choices these detectives face, both personally and professionally, as they work to solve cases while dealing with complicated social and political issues. Its growing popularity shows that viewers are really drawn to realistic, character-focused crime shows on the platform.

‘Peacemaker’ (2022–)

Launched in 2022, ‘Peacemaker’ quickly became a hit and remains one of the service’s most popular shows. The series stars John Cena as the title character, a flawed hero who’s willing to do whatever it takes – even use extreme violence – to achieve peace. Picking up after the events of the DC movies, Peacemaker joins a secret black-ops team tasked with protecting national security. The show is known for its distinctive blend of dark humor, thrilling action, and well-developed characters.

‘Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake’ (2023–)

Premiering in 2023, ‘Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake’ is quickly gaining popularity on the platform. This spin-off to the popular ‘Adventure Time’ follows Fionna the Human and Cake the Cat as they journey through different universes. Joined by Simon Petrikov, they face challenging obstacles and explore themes of self-discovery and change. The series builds upon the original ‘Adventure Time’ story with a more grown-up tone, but keeps the same charming and imaginative visual style.

‘Smiling Friends’ (2020–)

Since it first aired in 2020, ‘Smiling Friends’ has consistently been popular on the streaming platform. The show centers around the staff of a small company whose job is to make people happy in a strange and often dreamlike world. The main characters, Charlie and Pim, meet a lot of unusual people as they try to fix their often strange and upsetting problems. It’s known for its unique way of telling stories and its mix of different animation techniques.

’90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way’ (2019–)

Premiering in 2019, ’90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way’ is still a popular show this week. It flips the script of the original ’90 Day Fiancé’ by following Americans who move to other countries to be with their partners. The series captures the challenges these couples face as they navigate different cultures, legal requirements, and personal issues while trying to build a life and get married abroad. Its realistic look at the difficulties of moving to a new country keeps viewers engaged and makes it a standout within the ’90 Day Fiancé’ franchise.

Share which of these series you plan to binge-watch first in the comments.

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2026-01-17 06:15