‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ Continues to Top HBO Max’s Top 10 Most-Watched Shows of the Week List

Subscribers are flocking to the streaming service this week to catch up on a mix of holiday specials and highly anticipated premieres. The current lineup features everything from gritty horror prequels to comforting cooking competitions that capture the festive spirit. Viewers are clearly dividing their time between nostalgic classics and fresh releases that have dominated social media conversations. This variety highlights the platform’s strategy of blending premium drama with popular reality programming.

‘Holiday Baking Championship’ (2014–)

This seasonal favorite returns to pit talented bakers against one another in a quest to create the most impressive holiday treats. Jesse Palmer hosts the festive competition while judges decide who moves forward based on taste and presentation. The series offers plenty of sweet inspiration for viewers looking to upgrade their own winter desserts. It remains a consistent performer during the winter months due to its cozy atmosphere and high stakes.

‘Hard Knocks In Season’ (2021–)

The cameras follow an NFL team throughout the regular season to provide an intimate look at the challenges of professional football. Viewers get unprecedented access to the locker room dynamics and the personal lives of the players. The current season focuses on the intense pressure to secure a playoff spot as the year comes to a close. This documentary series continues to be the gold standard for sports journalism on television.

‘Smiling Friends’ (2020–)

Pim and Charlie work for a small charity dedicated to bringing happiness to the weird and colorful inhabitants of their city. The animated series utilizes a unique blend of visual styles and surreal humor that appeals to adult audiences. Each episode presents a new bizarre challenge that forces the optimistic duo to solve complex personal problems. The show has gained a cult following for its unpredictable storytelling and rapid pacing.

‘Baylen Out Loud’ (2025)

Internet personality Baylen Levine brings his chaotic energy and prank-filled lifestyle to a longer format in this reality series. The show follows him and his friends as they navigate their daily lives while planning elaborate stunts. Fans of his online content tune in to see the behind the scenes dynamics of his creative process. It captures the humor and youthful rebellion that made him famous on social media platforms.

‘Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas’ (2025)

Guy Fieri assembles an elite group of chefs for this specific holiday iteration of the popular bracket-style cooking competition. The culinary masters must utilize random ingredients to create festive dishes that impress a panel of blind judges. The randomness of the randomizer machine adds an element of chaos that keeps the chefs on their toes. This special event combines the tension of high-level competition with the visual flair of Christmas celebrations.

‘I Love LA’ (2025)

This new series explores the glamorous and often cutthroat social scene of Los Angeles through the eyes of its ambitious protagonists. The narrative weaves together storylines about career aspirations and romantic entanglements in the entertainment industry. Viewers are drawn to the stunning cinematography that captures the beauty of the California coastline. It offers a modern look at the pursuit of fame and the price of success in the city of angels.

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

This spinoff of the beloved animated franchise focuses on the gender-swapped versions of Finn and Jake as they embark on multiverse adventures. Simon Petrikov joins the duo on a journey of self-discovery that deepens the lore of the original series. The show balances whimsical action with mature themes about identity and moving on from the past. Critics have praised the animation style and the emotional depth of the writing.

‘Mad Men’ (2007–2015)

The acclaimed period drama set in the 1960s advertising world continues to find new audiences years after its finale. Don Draper navigates the changing social landscape of America while managing his complicated personal life and high-pressure career. The series is renowned for its historical accuracy and the complex development of its ensemble cast. It serves as a character study of a man trying to outrun his past while selling the American dream.

‘Heated Rivalry’ (2025)

This adaptation brings the intense relationship between two rival hockey players to the screen with palpable chemistry. The story follows their secret romance that spans years of competing against each other for the ultimate prize in sports. Fans of the genre appreciate the balance between the gritty on-ice action and the emotional vulnerability of the main characters. The series explores themes of public image and the sacrifices required for professional greatness.

‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ (2025)

The terrifying origins of Pennywise the Clown are explored in this prequel series set in the town of Derry during the 1960s. A group of unsuspecting children must band together to survive the malevolent force that haunts their community. The show expands the mythology of the Stephen King universe by revealing how the curse began. It delivers the same blend of jump scares and psychological horror that made the films a global phenomenon.

Tell us which of these trending series you plan to binge this weekend in the comments.