Here Are the Best TV Shows to Stream this Weekend on HBO Max, Including ‘Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking’

Looking for something new (and newly arrived) to queue up? Here are ten fresh and notable series that just landed on Max this week, spanning spooky prequels and sports docs to food competitions, animated family comedies, and gear-head builds—pulled straight from this week’s release lists so you can jump in without the scroll.

‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ (2025–)

Set in 1962, this prequel to the ‘It’ films explores Derry’s dark history and the early terror tied to Pennywise. The series is created by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, with Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane as showrunners and Benjamin Wallfisch composing the score. The cast includes Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, James Remar, and Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise. Storylines touch events like the burning of the Black Spot and connect to Stephen King’s wider mythology, with Andy Muschietti directing multiple episodes.

‘Alex vs ARod’ (2025)

This three-part sports docuseries charts Alex Rodriguez’s rise, controversies, and reinvention through new interviews and extensive archival footage. Directed by Gotham Chopra, it features perspectives from teammates, managers, journalists, and family members. Episodes address high-profile suspensions, media scrutiny, and what followed after Rodriguez’s playing career. The portrait contrasts public “A-Rod” with private “Alex,” focusing on ambition and accountability.

‘Haha, You Clowns’ (2025–)

Arriving early in the week, this family dramedy follows a widowed father raising three teenage sons while they navigate grief and everyday challenges together. The series blends slice-of-life storytelling with coming-of-age arcs for the boys. Early synopses highlight a balance of gentle humor with the realities of loss. Expect an ensemble dynamic centered on a dad determined to keep the family moving forward.

‘Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking’ (2024–)

Teams of pastry pros craft fantastical desserts on Wizarding World sets, hosted by James and Oliver Phelps with guest appearances from ‘Harry Potter’ alumni. Judges weigh execution, flavor, and showmanship on large-scale, story-driven showpieces. Challenges often involve intricate chocolate work, sugar sculpture, and cinematic theming inspired by creatures, spells, and iconic scenes. Each episode mixes technical skill with playful, lore-based prompts.

‘In the Eye of the Storm’ (2024–)

This eyewitness-driven docuseries reconstructs tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and other extreme events using first-person video, surveillance footage, and emergency-services audio. Survivors, first responders, and meteorologists provide context on decision-making and preparedness. Episodes trace the timeline of each disaster to show how conditions escalated and how agencies responded. The framing emphasizes both the human impact and the science behind severe weather.

‘Expedition Files’ (2024–)

Josh Gates revisits famous enigmas—abductions, disappearances, and cryptic artifacts—with new testimony and modern analysis. Each case re-examines primary sources, tests competing explanations, and consults specialists across forensics, aerospace, and history. The format aims to separate lore from verifiable findings while surfacing fresh leads. It’s a case-file approach that complements Gates’ globe-spanning investigations.

‘Let’s Go, Bananas!’ (2024–)

This animated family comedy follows three households as narrated by their kids, with short, high-energy stories about school, siblings, and big feelings. Created by Tim Bain and Dustin Ferrer, episodes use quick cuts, playful cutaways, and musical stings. The show leans on kid logic and imaginative solutions to everyday problems. Voice performances add a sketch-comedy rhythm to each vignette.

‘Build for Off Road’ (2024–)

Host and fabricator Ian Johnson designs and tests rigs from rock crawlers to pre-runners, walking through drivetrain choices and suspension geometry. Episodes feature body swaps, tube-chassis work, transfer-case builds, and axle upgrades with clear step-by-step shop segments. Partner projects bring in specialists like Factory Five Racing for ambitious assemblies. Trail shakedowns cap each build to show how the engineering holds up in real conditions.

‘Wardens of the North’ (2023–)

Following Michigan conservation officers, this series blends patrol ride-alongs with investigations into poaching, off-road violations, and backcountry rescues. Episodes highlight seasonal rhythms across the Upper Peninsula and Great Lakes, from ice-fishing checks to bear-country safety. Officers explain procedures, evidence collection, and community outreach designed to protect wildlife and visitors. Many stories track a case from initial tip to citations or court outcomes.

‘Tom & Jerry Gokko’ (2022–)

Produced in Japan, this run of short ‘Tom and Jerry’ cartoons keeps the classic cat-and-mouse chase with rapid-fire, gag-forward comedy. The shorts favor minimalist setups, visual slapstick, and musical timing that harken back to the franchise’s roots. Local creative teams add anime-adjacent pacing and expressive flourishes while preserving largely wordless humor. Episodes are bite-size, each built around the duo’s timeless rivalry.

Tell us what you’re streaming first—and which new arrival surprised you—down in the comments!