Get ready, Europe! HBO Max is gearing up for a major expansion, and the launch dates are finally here. Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein will welcome the streaming service on January 13, 2026. This marks a significant step in HBO Max's global journey, bringing a wealth of content to new audiences. But what about the UK? We'll get to that.
HBO Max, already available in over 100 territories, is a treasure trove of entertainment. It offers a vast library of content from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, the DC Universe, and Max Originals. Think of it as a one-stop shop for your viewing pleasure.
With Germany and Italy being key markets, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is pulling out all the stops with a slate of exciting new originals. From Germany, we're getting 4 Blocks Zero, a prequel to the acclaimed gangster drama 4 Blocks, and Banksters, a heist drama inspired by true events. But here's where it gets controversial...these are the first steps to the content available on the service, which will be the reason to subscribe or not.
Also on the horizon for 2026 are:
- A documentary by the Beetz Brothers about the theft of the 'Big Maple Leaf' gold coin from Berlin's Bode Museum.
- A thriller series from Jantje Friese and Baran Bo Odar, the creative minds behind Dark, that reimagines the dark tales of 'Struwwelpeter'.
From Italy, we can look forward to:
- A scripted show based on the 2011 murder of Melania Rea, starring Maria Esposito.
- Portobello, a show about Italian TV host Enzo Tortora's fight to clear his name after being wrongfully accused of mafia ties in the 1980s, which launches on February 20.
And that's not all! There will also be documentaries such as Gina Lollobrigida: Diva Contesa, which chronicles the battle over the legacy of a cinema icon, and Saman, a story about a young Pakistani woman's struggle for freedom.
And this is the part most people miss... HBO Max is also securing deals for local and international films. In Germany, expect content from Leonine Studios and Constantin Film, along with German Warner Bros. Pictures productions like Wunderschöner. Italy will exclusively showcase Nonostante, the latest film directed by and starring Valerio Mastandrea, and in February, Daniele Barbiero’s film debut starring Lorenzo Zurzolo and James Franco, Squali, will be added.
At launch, subscribers can look forward to a fantastic selection of content, including The Pitt, IT: Welcome to Derry, House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, The White Lotus, Euphoria, Industry, and the new French original The Seduction. Plus, on January 19, the Game of Thrones prequel series Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will be added.
But wait, there's more! HBO Max will also be home to blockbuster movies like Superman, The Batman, Dune, and the Harry Potter films, with Weapons and The Conjuring: Last Rites coming soon. And if you're a fan of classic TV, you'll find shows like Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and Rick and Morty, along with documentaries and unscripted series.
Sports fans, rejoice! HBO Max will offer the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina from February 6-22 across all subscription plans. The Australian Open and Roland-Garros tennis slams will be available as add-ons, along with the Tour de France. Germany and France will have access to World Championships and World Cup winter sports events, while Italian subscribers will get English FA Cup and UFC coverage.
JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games at WBD, sums it up perfectly: "We are thrilled to bring HBO Max and the stories that stick with you to new countries across Europe this January."
But here is the question for you: Are you excited about the upcoming HBO Max launch in these new territories? What shows or movies are you most looking forward to watching? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
And for those in the UK and Ireland, WBD plans to complete the European rollout in "early 2026." With 128 million streaming subscribers, HBO Max is poised to become a major player in the European streaming landscape.
