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TechRadar

Tom Power

HBO Max free trial: is there one, what deals are available, and more big questions answered

HBO HBO Max Max (Organization) Hulu United States

It's one of the biggest questions on many people's mind these days. That being, does HBO Max offer a free trial for new and returning customers?

In short: no, but we always live in hope Warner Bros. will change tack at some point. And, with Black Friday 2025 approaching fast over the horizon, the entertainment giant might not only slash the price of its various subscription tiers (temporarily, anyway), but also bring back the HBO Max free trial for consumers.

I'll update this guide if said trial period returns after a multi-year hiatus. In the meantime, there's lots for you to read up on about the history of this free trial offering on one of the world's best streaming services, so scroll on to find out more.

HBO Max free trial: is one available?

It: Welcome to Derry, HBO Max's newest TV hit, can't be watched without subscribing to the service (Image credit: HBO Max )

Nope. Apart from an all-too-brief return in mid-2024, HBO Max hasn't given you the chance to try before you buy for many years.

When it first launched in the US, users could take advantage of a seven-day trial period. However, it was discontinued before HBO Max was rolled out in other territories. As of November 2025, there's no word on if it'll ever come back again, so the only way you can try out HBO Max is actually signing up to the service.

Are there other ways to get a HBO Max free trial?

2025's Superman movie took flight on HBO Max in September (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios)

Yes. In the US, customers who sign up to one of Cricket Wireless' $60 a month unlimited plans can get a 'free' ad-supported subscription to HBO Max as part of the package.

Okay, that means you'll have to watch the odd advert or two while you stream the best HBO Max shows and best HBO Max movies around. However, considering you get this at no extra cost, it's not to be sniffed at.

That's the only deal that's available right now, too. Previously, you could get a free trial for HBO Max via your Hulu plan, but one of the best streaming deals hasn't been offered to consumers for a while. Sad faces all around.

What's the cheapest way to get HBO Max without a free trial?

The Chair Company, Tim Robinson's new surreal comedy, is also out now on HBO Max (Image credit: Sarah Shatz/HBO)

Ahead of Black Friday 2025, you can save up to 20% by committing to an annual plan across HBO Max's various subscription tiers. Starting at $99.99 a year for its ad-supported plan, you can go ad-free for the year for $149.99, too. Alternatively, HBO Max's Ultimate Ad-Free plan – i.e. the only way to watch content in 4K – will set you back $199.99 for 12 months.

Once HBO Max's password crackdown plan rolls out worldwide, anyone who lives in a separate household to you won't be able to access to your account anymore. If they want to continue doing so, you (or, rather, they!) can part with $7.99 a month to add an extra member to your subscription and stream its content to their heart's, well, content.

Alternatively, you can can check out some of the best films and TV series on HBO Max for free via the Free Episodes section of its website. There, you can watch the premieres of hit shows including The Last of Us, Euphoria, House of the Dragon, and Peacemaker to see if they're the kind of show you'd enjoy. That way, you can determine if it's worth signing up to HBO Max or not.

What can I watch on HBO Max?

Sinners is well worth streaming on HBO Max (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Some of the finest films and TV series 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: