The 15 Best Shows to Binge on HBO Max in October 2025

HBO Max is offering a wide variety of content in October, including new premieres, popular original series, and beloved classics. You’ll find shows spanning multiple genres – drama, comedy, animation, documentaries, and reality TV. From thrilling origin stories to witty comedies and adventures around the world, there’s something for everyone to add to their watchlist this month.

Here are 15 top shows you can stream on HBO Max in October 2025, selected from this month’s offerings. We’ve included important information about the storylines, actors, and people who made them, so you can quickly find something to watch based on what you’re in the mood for.

‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ (2025)

Set in the 1960s, ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ delves into how the evil that plagues the small town of Derry, Maine, began – years before the story of the Losers Club. This series builds on Stephen King’s ‘IT’ by showing previous instances of fear and violence, and the increasing evidence that a terrifying creature is lurking in Derry’s streets and underground sewers.

Created for HBO with the involvement of Andy and Barbara Muschietti, this prequel brings back Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise. The cast also features Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige, and the story – written by Jason Fuchs and Brad Kane – introduces fresh characters and events that tie into the established lore familiar to fans of the original series.

‘The Chair Company’ (2025)

‘The Chair Company’ centers around William Ronald Trosper, an ordinary office employee whose embarrassing mistake leads to a complicated web of corporate secrets. This eight-episode comedy explores the cutthroat world of office politics and the fallout from PR nightmares, as Trosper tries to fix things, but only ends up making them worse.

The series was created by Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin for HBO, and features Tim Robinson, along with Lake Bell, Sophia Lillis, Will Price, Joseph Tudisco, and Lou Diamond Phillips. Andrew DeYoung and Aaron Schimberg directed the episodes, while Adam McKay and Todd Schulman served as executive producers, shaping the show’s unique mix of awkward humor and intriguing conspiracies.

‘Good Cop/Bad Cop’ (2025)

‘Good Cop/Bad Cop’ takes place in the quiet town of Eden Vale and centers on brothers Lou and Henry Hickman-both detectives, but with very different approaches to police work. Their father is the police chief and oversees them. The cases they investigate range from minor offenses to more serious and complex situations, pushing the brothers to deal with both personal family issues and the stress of their jobs.

I’ve been completely hooked by this series! It was brought to life by John Quaintance earlier this year, and I just adore watching Leighton Meester as Lou – she plays the experienced, rule-following detective so well. Luke Cook is fantastic too, as Henry, the kind-hearted but often clumsy partner. And Clancy Brown is perfect as the tough, no-nonsense chief. The directors, like Trent O’Donnell, really nail the balance between funny character moments and the intriguing small-town mystery. It’s a brilliant combination!

‘The Friday the 13th Murders’ (2025)

This true-crime documentary series investigates actual events connected to the famously superstitious date, Friday the 13th. It uses case files, interviews with people involved, and expert opinions to distinguish between stories and the truth. Each episode looks back at incidents that happened on Friday the 13th, carefully outlining what happened and the reasons they became famous news stories and urban legends.

The show is carefully constructed by investigative producers, featuring narration and insights from forensic experts. It uses both original footage from the past and recreated scenes to help viewers understand why events unfolded and what the results were. Directors combine interviews with footage shot on location, and writers build each episode around a clear, step-by-step explanation of the facts – showing what happened and why these stories continue to resonate.

‘Mr Mikami’s Classroom’ (2025)

‘Mr Mikami’s Classroom’ follows Takashi Mikami, a new graduate from the University of Tokyo, as he begins working at Japan’s Ministry of Education. He’s full of ideas for improving things, but quickly discovers that the system is resistant to change due to deeply rooted bureaucracy and political obstacles. The drama highlights the struggles he faces internally and the personal sacrifices he makes while trying to implement change within such a strict and unyielding system. It focuses on the conflicts that arise when trying to push for reform.

Originally based on work by Roba Shimori and first shown in Japan earlier this year, the show features Tôri Matsuzaka in the lead role, alongside Riho Yoshioka, Daiken Okudaira, and Aju Makita. Yôhei Miyazaki directed the series, and the story follows Mikami’s ideas, the challenges he faces getting them approved, and the deals and concessions he makes along the way.

‘Who Saw the Peacock Dance in the Jungle?’ (2025)

This thrilling drama follows Komugi, a former police officer, as she investigates her father’s death after finding a mysterious message. Teaming up with a lawyer, she begins to reveal a complex scheme of lies, linking past hurts to current threats.

The series, inspired by Asami Rito’s manga and created for TV Asahi, stars Madeleine Marie as Komugi, and is directed by Takahiro Aoyama. This adaptation maintains the core mystery from the original manga, but also develops the side characters and legal aspects of the story. Asami Rito contributed to the writing process, helping to craft the televised version of the mystery.

‘Ignite’ (2025)

‘Ignite’ centers around Ryo Uzaki, a young lawyer driven by a desire for justice stemming from his father’s death in a car accident. As he takes on various cases, Ryo uncovers conspiracies and finds himself in dangerous situations, turning courtroom drama into an exciting action-thriller.

This series is a production of TV Asahi, featuring Shôtarô Mamiya as Uzaki, alongside Moka Kamishiraishi. The episodes are directed by filmmakers such as Michihito Fujii and Hiroto Hara. The writing team builds each story arc around clues, legal strategies in the courtroom, and the personal reasons behind Uzaki’s decisions.

‘Survival of the Beast’ (2025)

This reality series features adventurer Max Djenohan as he observes how animals behave to overcome tough survival situations in extreme environments. Each episode takes inspiration from creatures – like elephants or big cats – and applies what they do to help people find water, shelter, and food when they’re in the wild.

Filmed in various places around the world for Animal Planet, this production is directed by Rob Sixsmith. The team records real-world tests and talks with experts, and the writers build each episode around a specific animal’s ability to adapt-and how we can use those same methods, one step at a time.

‘Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain’ (2025)

Actress and producer Eva Longoria takes a journey across Spain, discovering its diverse regional foods, cooking styles, and the people who create them. From the lively markets of Barcelona to the seaside kitchens of Galicia, the series links traditional dishes with tales of culture and new ideas.

This eight-episode travel series, created by CNN Originals, features well-known chefs like Ferran Adrià and Victor Arguinzoniz. Eva Longoria leads the story and also works as a producer. The directors showcase kitchens and beautiful scenery, providing the backdrop for interviews and cooking demonstrations in various parts of the world.

‘Baylen Out Loud’ (2025)

‘Baylen Out Loud’ follows Baylen Dupree as she shares what’s happening in her life, including both her career and personal journey with family and her fiancé, Colin Dooley. The series highlights what it’s like to live with Tourette syndrome and the important people who support her.

Created for TLC, the show regularly features Dupree’s family – his parents and siblings – and often includes scenes from events and get-togethers. Each episode is built around the real-life struggles and successes Dupree faces, and the filmmakers focus on genuine moments and telling the story from Dupree’s perspective.

‘Krypto Saves the Day!’ (2025)

This fun animated series focuses on Krypto, Superman’s trusty dog, as he handles silly, small-scale rescues all over Metropolis. Each episode shows Krypto dealing with common problems-like buses going off course or accidents on rooftops-using his amazing superpowers and a lot of energy.

Created by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Studios, this show is connected to the upcoming ‘Superman’ movie universe, with Ryan Kramer leading the development. The voice cast features actors associated with the character of Clark Kent, and directors such as David Gemmill are crafting short, humorous episodes made for fast-paced, family-friendly entertainment.

‘VGLY’ (2023)

‘VGLY’ is set within the world of Latin trap music and follows up-and-coming artists as they navigate competition, secret negotiations, and difficult decisions regarding their ambitions and relationships. The story centers on a young musician and his friends as they strive for recording opportunities, online popularity, and a chance to become famous.

As a huge cinema fan, I’ve been following the development of this new series for Max. It’s a really collaborative effort, created by a fantastic team including Marcos Bucay, Alejandro Castro Cisneros, Gabriela Remirez de Estenoz, Santiago Espejo, and Jorge Tijerina. The show features Benny Emmanuel as the lead, and he’s supported by a great cast including Crystal Lopez and Sasha González. What I find particularly interesting is how the directors have incorporated both live concert scenes and intimate studio recordings. And the writers have done a brilliant job of exploring the pressures of the music industry and how they impact each character’s journey to success.

‘The Thaw’ (2022)

‘The Thaw’ begins with the discovery of a young mother’s body in a river, launching investigator Katarzyna Zawieja on a case that deeply resonates with her own personal grief. As the investigation unfolds, clues about missing children and surprising personal connections emerge, turning the search for answers into a desperate attempt to piece together the victim’s last moments.

This series, created for HBO Europe, features Katarzyna Wajda in the lead role, alongside Bartłomiej Kotschedoff and Juliusz Chrząstowski. It’s directed by Xawery Żuławski, who worked from scripts written by Marta Szymanek. The show combines the fast pace of a crime investigation with an in-depth look at loss and resilience.

‘Smiling Friends’ (2020)

This animated comedy centers around Pim and Charlie, who work for Smiling Friends Inc. They take on strange and unusual jobs with the goal of bringing happiness to others. Each episode throws them into weird, and occasionally disturbing, scenarios that challenge how positive and patient they can be, all within a very strange and unrealistic world.

Created by Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel for Adult Swim, the show stars both creators as the main voice actors, along with a variety of guest performers. The show’s visual style mixes different art forms and uses sudden, surprising jokes. The writing focuses on simple problems, but finds solutions that are often unexpected and delivered with a dry wit.

‘Impractical Jokers’ (2011)

Impractical Jokers features four close friends-Brian “Q” Quinn, Sal Vulcano, James “Murr” Murray, and Joe Gatto-who compete by giving each other embarrassing challenges to perform with unsuspecting people. Each episode includes punishments for whoever does the worst, leading to creative scenarios and spontaneous reactions.

Created by the comedy group The Tenderloins for truTV, the show is made with Casey Jost as one of the main creative forces. The filming process records genuine reactions in actual places, and editors then piece together footage from multiple cameras, using familiar segments that have kept the show going for many years.

Share your October picks—what will you binge first on HBO Max?

2025-10-03 01:17