Separate from the HBO library of shows like The Sopranos or The Wire, HBO Max Originals were designed to draw a broader audience to the streaming service. In a short period of time, the HBO Max Original brand has produced some must-see shows that are required viewing for subscribers. In no particular order, we’ll break down the best of the brand.

This new year, the expansive content library of HBO Max is all set to undergo a massive overhaul, welcoming all sorts of new titles in January 2026, including a host of science fiction films, along with several action classics.

HBO Max adds great new shows every year, and Task is one of the highlights of 2025. The well-crafted crime drama from Mare of Easttown writer-creator Brad Ingelsby is a cat-and-mouse tale starring Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey, who play an FBI agent investigating a string of robberies and an unassuming family man involved in them.

The Enchanted Cottage, a 1945 fantasy romance with a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, is now easier to watch thanks to HBO Max.

If you have a valid cable login, you can watch New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen on CNN or CNN.com. The special will also be streaming on CNN’s new streaming service, CNN All Access, which is currently available for $34.99 for the first year (or $3.50 a month ).