‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ Tops HBO Max’s Top 10 Most-Watched Shows List This Week

HBO Max is having one of those weeks where every corner of the service seems to be buzzing, from horror prequels and crime dramas to animated cult favorites and sports documentaries. Whether you’re into supernatural terror in small-town Maine, sharp late-night political comedy, or intimate reality storytelling, the current lineup mixes brand-new premieres with long-running staples that already have loyal audiences. Here’s a look at the shows everyone seems to be streaming right now and what each one is actually about, so you can decide which one to start next.

10. ‘Baylen Out Loud’ (2025– )

‘Baylen Out Loud’ is an unscripted reality series that follows Baylen Dupree, a young creator living with Tourette syndrome, as she navigates independence, work and relationships. The show documents her daily routines, family interactions and professional opportunities, emphasizing the challenges and humor that come with visible vocal and motor tics. Produced for a cable lifestyle network, episodes are made available for next-day streaming on HBO Max, where they reach a broader audience beyond the original channel. The first season quickly became one of the most-watched new unscripted series in its demographic, leading to an early renewal for more episodes. Coverage of the show often notes its role in increasing visibility and understanding of Tourette syndrome through a personal, ongoing narrative.

9. ‘Alex vs ARod’ (2025)

‘Alex vs ARod’ is a documentary series that traces baseball star Alex Rodriguez’s path from a highly touted young player to one of the sport’s most scrutinized figures. Structured as a multi-part biography, it covers his early life, professional rise, performance-enhancing drug scandal and eventual reinvention in business and broadcasting. The series was directed by Gotham Chopra and Erik LeDrew, filmmakers known for sports-focused documentaries, and features interviews with Rodriguez, family members, former teammates and managers. Airing on HBO with on-demand access through HBO Max, it uses extensive archival footage and new sit-down conversations to place Rodriguez’s career in the context of modern professional sports. Promotional materials categorize it under sports, biography and documentary programming within the service’s library.

8. ‘Task’ (2025)

‘Task’ is a limited crime drama miniseries set in the working-class suburbs around Philadelphia and created by Brad Ingelsby, the writer behind ‘Mare of Easttown’. The story follows FBI agent Tom Brandis, played by Mark Ruffalo, as he leads a task force investigating a string of violent robberies linked to a seemingly ordinary family man portrayed by Tom Pelphrey. Over seven episodes, the show tracks parallel storylines inside the investigation team and within the robbers’ family, emphasizing how economic pressure and personal history shape their decisions. Produced by HBO, episodes premiere weekly on the network and then stream on HBO Max as part of its original-series slate. Marketing and early coverage highlight its grounded portrait of law enforcement work and its connections to the broader fictional universe shared with other Ingelsby projects.

7. ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ (2014– )

‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ is a half-hour news-comedy series that delivers a weekly deep dive into one main topic alongside shorter segments on other stories. Hosted by John Oliver, the show combines detailed research with long-form explanations of issues that range from domestic policy and international affairs to technology and pop culture. Each episode typically features a main report supported by archival footage, graphics and on-the-ground interviews, followed by digital-only web extras that extend the coverage. The series streams on HBO Max after its Sunday-night HBO broadcast and maintains a large online presence through officially released clips. At the most recent television awards, it again received major recognition for writing in the variety category, underscoring its continuing influence in late-night political satire.

6. ‘I Love LA’ (2025– )

‘I Love LA’ is a character-driven comedy about a close-knit group of friends in Los Angeles who reunite after time apart and find that ambition, romance and old habits still tie them together. Created by and starring Rachel Sennott, the show focuses on lead character Maia and four friends whose careers and relationships intersect across the city’s creative and social scenes. The ensemble cast includes performers from film and television, with recurring guest roles adding new perspectives to the friend group’s dynamic. Produced as an HBO original, its first season airs weekly on HBO with episodes available on HBO Max shortly after broadcast. Promotional materials emphasize its focus on friendship, co-dependence and the realities of trying to “make it” in modern Los Angeles.

5. ‘Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake’ (2023– )

‘Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake’ is an adult-aimed animated spin-off of ‘Adventure Time’, centered on the gender-swapped counterparts Fionna the Human and Cake the Cat, along with Simon Petrikov. The series follows Fionna and Cake as they move from a seemingly ordinary, magic-free world into a multiverse of different realities tied to the Land of Ooo. Showrunner Adam Muto and the original creative team use the spin-off to explore more complex emotional arcs while still keeping the surreal humor and fantasy concepts of the main franchise. New episodes stream on HBO Max, where multiple languages and regional releases have gradually expanded its global audience. Recent seasons have also drawn attention for their inclusive character writing and ongoing connections to other ‘Adventure Time’ projects and comics.

4. ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ (2003– )

‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ is a weekly late-night talk show that combines a topical monologue, one-on-one interviews and a panel discussion focused on politics and current events. Hosted by comedian and commentator Bill Maher, the show’s format mixes pre-planned segments with unscripted debate among journalists, politicians, entertainers and subject-matter experts. Produced by HBO, new episodes are broadcast live on Friday nights and then available to stream on HBO Max. Recent audience data show that it remains one of HBO’s most-watched ongoing series, with additional simulcasts expanding its reach across other outlets.

3. ‘Smiling Friends’ (2020– )

‘Smiling Friends’ is an adult animated series about a tiny company whose mission is to make people smile, no matter how strange the clients—or their problems—may be. Co-created by Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel, it follows employees Pim, Charlie and their coworkers as they travel through bizarre scenarios that mix traditional animation with 3D, stop-motion, live-action and other techniques. Originally produced for Adult Swim, past seasons and specials stream on HBO Max, and a new season has just started airing with fresh episodes added to the platform after broadcast. The series has built a strong online following thanks to its short runtime, dense visual gags and anthology-style stories that are easy to binge in one sitting.

2. ‘The Chair Company’ (2025– )

‘The Chair Company’ is an offbeat comedy-thriller about Ron Trosper, a mid-level office worker whose humiliating incident at a furniture company pulls him into a far-reaching corporate conspiracy. Created by Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin, the series blends workplace satire with mystery elements as Ron’s investigation spirals far beyond his original embarrassment. The show is produced by Hyperobject Industries and HBO, with episodes running under an hour and releasing weekly on HBO and HBO Max. Early viewership has been strong, with the premiere drawing well over a million viewers across platforms and quickly climbing the service’s comedy charts.

1. ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ (2025– )

‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ is a supernatural horror series set in the town of Derry, Maine, years before the events of the recent ‘It’ films. The show follows new families and a group of local kids as they begin to notice disappearances and disturbing phenomena tied to the entity that will become Pennywise. Developed by Andy and Barbara Muschietti with Jason Fuchs, it adapts interludes and backstory from Stephen King’s original novel into a full-length series. Episodes air on HBO and are available to stream on HBO Max, where the premiere quickly drew millions of viewers and became one of the platform’s biggest recent debuts.

Tell us which of these shows you’re streaming right now on HBO Max and share your thoughts in the comments.