Here Are the Best TV Shows to Stream this Weekend on HBO Max, Including ‘Until I Destroy My Husband’s Family’

From new imports to prestige crime and family dramas, Max has loaded up this weekend with a fresh batch of series landing today, Friday, October 17, plus a couple that hit earlier in the week—perfect timing for a couch marathon. Below you’ll find quick, fact-focused rundowns: what each title is about, the key cast and creative team, and when it drops so you can plan your queue. All dates and lineups come from this week’s rollout details.

‘True Beauty’ (2024)

The hit adaptation of Yaongyi’s webtoon follows Lim Ju-kyung, a high-school student who reinvents herself through makeup while juggling secrets, friendships, and a complicated love triangle. The main cast features Moon Ga-young, Cha Eun-woo, and Hwang In-youp, with direction by Kim Sang-hyeop and scripts by Lee Si-eun. The series blends school romance with themes of self-acceptance and bullying. It arrives on Max on Friday, October 17.

‘The Thaw’ (2022)

This Polish noir procedural (Polish: ‘Odwilż’) tracks Detective Katarzyna Zawieja as she investigates the death of a young woman and the disappearance of her newborn, an inquiry that threads through local institutions in Szczecin. The series stars Katarzyna Wajda, Bartłomiej Kotschedoff, and Cezary Łukaszewicz. Created by Marta Szymanek and directed by Xawery Żuławski, it’s an HBO Europe production. New episodes land on Friday, October 17.

‘Vivant’ (2023)

A high-stakes Japanese thriller, ‘Vivant’ begins with an accounting anomaly that pulls salaryman Yūsuke Nogi into an international conspiracy. The ensemble includes Masato Sakai, Hiroshi Abe, Fumi Nikaidō, Tori Matsuzaka, Kōji Yakusho, and Kazunari Ninomiya, with narration by Megumi Hayashibara. Episodes are directed by Katsuo Fukuzawa and others, with scripts credited to a writers’ room including Hiroyuki Yatsu. It joins Max on Friday, October 17.

‘Ignite’ (2025–)

Titled ‘Ignite: Hō no Muhōmono’ in Japan, this legal drama follows rookie lawyer Ryō Uzaki as he pivots to law after his father’s death and takes on cases against powerful adversaries. Shotaro Mamiya leads the cast alongside Moka Kamishiraishi, Ryoki Miyama, and Tōru Nakamura. Structured as an 11-episode serialized run from TBS, it mixes courtroom battles with ongoing personal backstory. It premieres on Max on Friday, October 17.

‘Mr Mikami’s Classroom’ (2025)

This TBS “Sunday Theater” series stars Tori Matsuzaka as Takashi Mikami, a Ministry of Education elite reassigned to a private high school where he confronts systemic problems in Japan’s education sector. Direction is shared by Yōhei Miyazaki, Koya Shimada, and Sakura Komaki from scripts by Roba Shimori. The show aired in Japan across a single winter season and features a large student ensemble. It lands on Friday, October 17.

‘Beach Cottage Chronicles’ (2022)

A Magnolia Network docuseries, ‘Beach Cottage Chronicles’ spotlights the design and architecture of waterfront cottages across the U.S. Each short episode focuses on one property’s history, renovation approach, and coastal setting. The production rotates directors and producers, with executive producers Roxy Hunt and Tony Castle across seasons. New installments arrive Friday, October 17.

‘Light of My Lion’ (2024)

This Japanese family drama follows brothers Hiroto, a city-hall employee, and Michito, an autistic artist, whose lives change when a mysterious boy nicknamed “Lion” appears. The principal cast includes Yuya Yagira and Ryota Bando, with Asuka Saitō in support. Scripts are by Kōji Tokuo and Yoshino Ichinohe, and episodes are directed by Toshio Tsuboi, Takahiro Aoyama, and Izumi Masahide. It joins Max on Friday, October 17.

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

Based on Rito Asami’s josei manga, the series follows Komugi as she unravels a conspiracy after her ex-cop father’s murder on Christmas Eve. The cast includes Suzu Hirose, Kenichi Matsuyama, and Win Morisaki across a 10-episode arc. Known in Japan as ‘Kujaku no Dansu, Dare ga Mita?,’ it features an investigative structure set in media and law-enforcement circles. It bows on Max on Friday, October 17.

‘Grand Maison Tokyo’ (2019)

A culinary drama headlined by Takuya Kimura, the series follows disgraced chef Natsuki Obana as he partners with chef Rinko Hayami to chase three Michelin stars after a career-wrecking incident. The supporting cast includes Kyōka Suzuki, Yūta Tamamori, and Aki Asakura. Written by Tsutomu Kuroiwa and directed by Ayuko Tsukahara, Daisuke Yamamuro, and Takahiro Aoyama, it originally ran 11 episodes in Japan. It arrives to stream on Friday, October 17.

‘Until I Destroy My Husband’s Family’ (2024)

This dark revenge drama centers on Minori, who discovers her husband’s long-term affair and orchestrates a plan to upend his lover’s family through social pressure and legal guardianship. Marika Matsumoto and Terunosuke Takezai lead the cast. Episode guides note a serialized scheme that leverages parenting and community systems as pressure points across the run. It debuts on Max on Friday, October 17.

Tell us what you’re pressing play on first this weekend—and why—in the comments!