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

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Is there a way to get HBO Max for free? TechRadar explains all

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Want to try HBO Max before you buy? Let us tell you if you can (Image credit: rafapress / Shutterstock.com)
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It's been a long time since an HBO Max free trial was offered to new and returning customers. But, the start of a new year brings fresh hope that it could be revived.

So, is there a free trial available right now for HBO Max? You'll need to read on to find out if one of the world's best streaming services will grant you access to its suite of content without spending any money. So, hop to it!

HBO Max free trial: is one available?

Robby and Samira looking at a monitor off-camera as they fight to save someone's life in The Pitt season 2

No, you can't watch season 2 of The Pitt using an HBO Max free trial offer (Image credit: Warrick Page/HBO)

In short: no. When HBO Max launched in the US, consumers were able to take advantage of a seven-day trial period. However, that was discontinued before HBO Max was rolled out in other territories.

Aside from a brief return in mid-2024, it hasn't been seen since. If you were hoping it would be made available again in January 2026, or as a way for Warner Bros. to entice you back ahead of Netflix's massive $82.7bn deal for Warner potentially being given the go-ahead – HBO Max will reportedly continue to exist as a separate streamer if the deal is approved – then, you'll be sorely disappointed.

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

Leonardo DiCaprio's Bob wielding a rifle in One Battle After Another

The multi-award-winning One Battle After Another is now available to watch on HBO Max (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Yes. In the US, customers who sign up to one of Cricket Wireless' $60 a month unlimited plans can get a 12-month subscription for HBO Max's Basic With Ads plan for no extra cost. That represents a saving of $120, which isn't shabby at all.

Okay, you'll have to sit through the occasional ad break while watching the best HBO Max shows and best HBO Max movies around. However, considering you're gaining access to Warner Bro Discovery's super streamer for 'free', it's not to be sniffed at.

Previously, an HBO Max free trial was also offered as part of certain Hulu plans, but one of the best streaming deals hasn't been offered to consumers for a while.

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

Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Grigoryevich Rozanov (Connor Storrie) in Heated Rivalry season 1

Heated Rivalry has been a tour de force on HBO Max since its first season was released (Image credit: Sabrina Lantos/HBO Max)

For starters, 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 also go ad-free for 12 months for $149.99. Alternatively, HBO Max's Ultimate Ad-Free plan – i.e. the only way to watch content in 4K – will set you back $199.99 annually.

With HBO Max's password crackdown rolling 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.

Lastly, you can can check out some of the best films and TV series on the streaming platform for free via the HBO Max free episodes section of its website. Premieres for some hit shows including The Pitt, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, and Hacks are available to watch, so you can see if they're the kind of show you'd enjoy before you sign up.

What can I watch on HBO Max?

A still from Sinners, one of the best new Hulu movies, of the Smokestack twins wearing blue and red hats

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:

For more Max-based coverage, check out our guides on House of the Dragon season 3, Creature Commandos season 2, Euphoria season 3, and the forthcoming Harry Potter TV adaptation.

Tom Power
Senior Entertainment Reporter

As TechRadar's senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You'll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.


An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as this Moon Knight TV spot.


Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.

Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.

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