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

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HBO Max is stacking October with a mix of brand-new premieres, buzzy originals, and fan-favorite staples across drama, comedy, animation, docu-series, and reality. Whether you want a spine-tingling prequel, a sharp workplace comedy, or a global travel series, there’s plenty landing this month to fill out your watchlist.

Below are the 15 best shows available to stream on HBO Max in October 2025, pulled from this month’s lineup. You’ll find key details on plots, casts, and creators so you can jump straight to what fits your mood.

‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ (2025)

‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ (2025)
Warner Bros. Television

Set in the 1960s, ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ explores the origins of the evil that haunts the small Maine town decades before the Losers Club’s story. The series expands the world of Stephen King’s ‘IT’, tracing earlier cycles of fear and violence and the mounting signs that something monstrous stalks Derry’s streets and sewers.

Developed for HBO with Andy and Barbara Muschietti involved on the creative side, the prequel features Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise. The ensemble includes Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige, with scripts by Jason Fuchs and Brad Kane that connect new characters and incidents to the mythology fans know from the later timeline.

‘The Chair Company’ (2025)

‘The Chair Company’ (2025)
Hyperobject Industries

‘The Chair Company’ follows William Ronald Trosper, a mid-level office worker whose humiliating blunder spirals into a labyrinth of corporate schemes. The eight-episode comedy digs into workplace politics and image-management disasters as Trosper navigates escalating fixes that only make his situation worse.

Created by Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin for HBO, the series stars Robinson alongside Lake Bell, Sophia Lillis, Will Price, Joseph Tudisco, and Lou Diamond Phillips. Episodes are directed by Andrew DeYoung and Aaron Schimberg, with executive producing from Adam McKay and Todd Schulman guiding the show’s blend of cringe and conspiracy.

‘Good Cop/Bad Cop’ (2025)

‘Good Cop/Bad Cop’ (2025)
Future Shack Entertainment

Set in the small town of Eden Vale, ‘Good Cop/Bad Cop’ pairs siblings Lou and Henry Hickman—both police detectives with clashing methods—under the supervision of their father, the chief. Cases veer from petty crimes to darker twists, forcing the duo to balance family baggage with on-the-job pressure.

The series was created by John Quaintance and launched earlier this year, with Leighton Meester as seasoned, by-the-book Lou and Luke Cook as well-meaning but hapless Henry. Clancy Brown appears as the gruff chief, and directors such as Trent O’Donnell set the tone with episodes that juggle character comedy and small-town mystery.

‘The Friday the 13th Murders’ (2025)

ID

This true-crime docu-series examines real incidents tied to the superstition-soaked date, moving through case files, witness interviews, and expert analysis to separate lore from fact. Each episode revisits events that occurred on Friday the 13th, mapping timelines and the circumstances that gave rise to headlines and urban myths.

Structured by investigative producers with voice-over narration and forensic specialists, the show uses archival footage and reenactments to clarify motives and outcomes. Directors stitch together interviews and location shoots, while writers lay out a case-by-case framework that highlights what actually happened and why those stories endure.

‘Mr Mikami’s Classroom’ (2025)

‘Mr Mikami’s Classroom’ (2025)
TBS

‘Mr Mikami’s Classroom’ centers on Takashi Mikami, a recent University of Tokyo graduate who joins Japan’s Ministry of Education with reformist ideals, only to run into entrenched bureaucracy and political resistance. The drama spotlights internal conflicts and the personal costs of pushing change through a rigid system.

Adapted from Roba Shimori’s work and aired in Japan earlier this year, the series stars Tôri Matsuzaka with support from Riho Yoshioka, Daiken Okudaira, and Aju Makita. Yôhei Miyazaki directs, with scripts that track Mikami’s proposals, policy hurdles, and the alliances and compromises that shape his path.

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

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

In this suspense drama, a former police officer named Komugi reopens a family tragedy after discovering a cryptic note about her father’s death. Working with a lawyer, she uncovers a deeper web of deception that connects old wounds to present-day danger.

Based on Asami Rito’s manga and produced for TV Asahi, the series features Madeleine Marie as Komugi under the direction of Takahiro Aoyama. The adaptation keeps the investigative spine of the source while expanding supporting roles and legal angles, with Rito involved on the writing front to shape the televised mystery.

‘Ignite’ (2025)

‘Ignite’ (2025)
BABEL LABEL

‘Ignite’ follows young attorney Ryo Uzaki, whose pursuit of justice is fueled by the unresolved crash that killed his father. Cases lead him through conspiracies and high-risk confrontations, pushing legal strategies into action-thriller territory.

The series comes from TV Asahi with Shôtarô Mamiya as Uzaki and Moka Kamishiraishi co-starring. Episodes are directed by filmmakers including Michihito Fujii and Hiroto Hara, and the writing team structures each arc around evidence trails, courtroom maneuvers, and the personal stakes driving Uzaki’s choices.

‘Survival of the Beast’ (2025)

‘Survival of the Beast’ (2025)
Survival of the Beast

This unscripted series follows adventurer Max Djenohan as he studies animal behavior to solve survival challenges in harsh environments. Episodes translate lessons from species like elephants or big cats into human strategies for finding water, shelter, and food in the wild.

Shot across global locations for Animal Planet, the production is led by director Rob Sixsmith. The crew documents field experiments and expert consultations, while writers frame each challenge around a single creature’s adaptive skills and how those techniques can be applied step by step.

‘Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain’ (2025)

‘Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain’ (2025)
Hyphenate Media Group

Actress and producer Eva Longoria travels through Spain to explore regional cuisines, culinary traditions, and the people behind them. From bustling Barcelona markets to coastal kitchens in Galicia, the series connects local dishes with stories of heritage and innovation.

Produced as a CNN Original Series, the eight-part travelogue includes appearances from acclaimed chefs such as Ferran Adrià and Victor Arguinzoniz. Longoria guides the narrative and serves as a producer, while directors capture kitchens and landscapes that frame interviews and cooking segments across diverse regions.

‘Baylen Out Loud’ (2025)

‘Baylen Out Loud’ (2025)
Michael Levitt Productions

‘Baylen Out Loud’ documents creator Baylen Dupree’s daily life and milestones, from professional opportunities to personal developments with family and fiancé Colin Dooley. The series spotlights her experiences living with Tourette syndrome and the support network around her.

Produced for TLC, the show features Dupree’s parents and siblings as recurring figures and includes sequences at events and family gatherings. The production team shapes each episode around real-time challenges and achievements, with directors and editors emphasizing candid interactions and first-person storytelling.

‘Krypto Saves the Day!’ (2025)

‘Krypto Saves the Day!’ (2025)
Krypto Saves the Day!

This animated short-form series puts Superman’s loyal dog Krypto at the center of lighthearted rescues around Metropolis. Episodes follow Krypto tackling everyday crises—from wayward buses to rooftop mishaps—using his super-powered toolkit and boundless enthusiasm.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Studios, the show ties into 2025’s ‘Superman’ film universe with Ryan Kramer overseeing the project. Voice talent includes appearances connected to Clark Kent, and directors like David Gemmill guide compact, gag-driven installments designed for quick, kid-friendly viewing.

‘VGLY’ (2023)

‘VGLY’ (2023)
Exile

Set inside the Latin trap scene, ‘VGLY’ tracks aspiring artists carving paths through rivalries, back-room deals, and hard choices about fame and loyalty. The story follows a young performer and his circle as they chase studio time, streaming traction, and a shot at breakout success.

Developed for Max with creators including Marcos Bucay, Alejandro Castro Cisneros, Gabriela Remirez de Estenoz, Santiago Espejo, and Jorge Tijerina, the series stars Benny Emmanuel with Crystal Lopez and Sasha González among the ensemble. Directors stage concert sequences and studio sessions, while the writers map the industry pressures shaping each character’s rise.

‘The Thaw’ (2022)

‘The Thaw’ (2022)
Magnolia Films

‘The Thaw’ opens with the discovery of a young mother’s body in a river, sending investigator Katarzyna Zawieja into a case that reflects her own recent loss. Leads point to missing-child clues and personal connections, turning the inquiry into a race to reconstruct the victim’s final days.

Produced under the HBO Europe banner, the series stars Katarzyna Wajda with Bartłomiej Kotschedoff and Juliusz Chrząstowski supporting. Xawery Żuławski directs from scripts by Marta Szymanek, blending procedural momentum with a character study of grief and determination.

‘Smiling Friends’ (2020)

‘Smiling Friends’ (2020)
Six Point Harness

This animated comedy follows Pim and Charlie, employees at the company Smiling Friends Inc., who accept oddball assignments to “make people smile.” Each episode sends them into bizarre, sometimes unsettling situations that test their optimism and patience in a surreal version of reality.

Created by Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel for Adult Swim, the show features both creators as lead voice actors alongside guest performers. The production’s art direction leans into mixed media and abrupt visual gags, while the writing room builds episodes around compact problems with unexpected, often deadpan solutions.

‘Impractical Jokers’ (2011)

‘Impractical Jokers’ (2011)
NorthSouth Productions

‘Impractical Jokers’ stars four longtime friends—Brian “Q” Quinn, Sal Vulcano, James “Murr” Murray, and Joe Gatto—who challenge one another to hidden-camera dares in public. Each round adds punishments for the lowest-scoring member, producing elaborate setups and improvised interactions.

Developed by the comedy troupe The Tenderloins for truTV, the series is produced with Casey Jost among its key creatives. Filming captures live reactions in real locations, while editors assemble multi-camera footage and recurring formats that have sustained the show across many seasons.

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

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