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TechRadar

Tom Power

HBO Max free trial: is there one, what deals are available, and more big questions answered

HBO HBO Max Max (Organization) Hulu United States

HBO Max has finally made its long-awaited debut on UK shores. And, with its arrival on March 26, British customers and those in other nations might be wondering if its free trial offer has been brought back to celebrate the occasion.

In short: no, it hasn't. However, regardless of whether you live in the UK or elsewhere, there are ways to save money if you sign up to one of the world's best streaming services. If you're looking to take the plunge and sign up to the super streamer, then, here's all you need to know about why a HBO Max free trial isn't available — and how to keep the cost down if you still plan on subscribing.

HBO Max free trial: is one available?

The Pitt is finally available to watch on UK shores via HBO Max (Image credit: Warrick Page/HBO)

As I mentioned in this article's introduction, HBO Max doesn't currently offer the chance to try before you buy — and it hasn't for almost two years now.

Indeed, when it first launched in the US, consumers had the opportunity to make use of a free trial offer that lasted for seven days. Unfortunately, it was discontinued when the service was rolled out internationally and, barring a brief return in mid-2024, it hasn't been seen since.

There's every chance that it could make a comeback, especially if Paramount Skydance's buyout of Warner Bros. (and HBO Max as part of that package) is approved. For now, though, you'll have to pay to access HBO Max's vast library of content.

Are there other ways to get a HBO Max free trial?

The multi-Academy Award winner One Battle After Another is available to stream on HBO Max (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Yes, but only in the US. Customers who live here can sign up to one of Cricket Wireless' $60 a month unlimited plans and get a 12-month subscription for HBO Max's Basic With Ads plan for no extra cost. Sure, you'll have to sit through the odd advert or two, but that's a small price to pay when this deal will save you $120.

Previously, an HBO Max free trial was also offered as part of certain Hulu plans. Unfortunately, one of the best streaming deals hasn't been offered for some time. With Hulu being further integrated into Disney+, it's increasingly unlikely that deal will ever return, too.

What's the cheapest way to get HBO Max without a free trial?

Steve Carell's new comedy show Rooster has clucked its way onto HBO Max (Image credit: HBO Max)

When it comes to subscribing to HBO Max, the best way to keep costs down is signing up to an annual plan.

Our HBO Max price guide is packed with more details about this specific tier but, essentially, if you're interested in signing up for 12 months, you can save up to 20% by committing to an annual plan.

For the ad-supported plan, you'll need to pay $109.99 for the year in the US and AU$119.99 for 12 months in the US. An annual deal isn't available in Canada, but you can sign up to a monthly plan for $10.99.

Similarly, there isn't an cheap annual plan for UK users to sign up to, so your best bet is signing up for the rolling monthly Standard with Ads plan, which costs £9.99 a month and works out at just under £120 for the year.

The cheapest Saver Plan in the UK is HBO Max Standard with Ads and TNT Sports, which will cost you an eye-watering £335 for a 12 months subscription. However, if you're a Sky Ultimate TV owner, HBO Max is now included as part of your package. Interested in this huge money-saving deal? Check out the £22 per month Sky Ultimate TV bundle now.

UK users can now access a whole host of DC comic book movies, including 2025's Superman film (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

The other major option available to you is to get added as an extra member to a friend or family's HBO Max account.

With HBO Max's password crackdown rolling out worldwide, you're no longer able to access HBO Max if you live in a separate household to the account holder. If you still want to use it and live in the US, you'll need to pay $7.99 a month to be added as an extra member to their subscription. As of March 2026, this feature doesn't seem to be available in the UK. Once it is, I'll update this section.

Finally, you can check out some of the best films and TV series for free via the HBO Max free episodes section of its website. Again, though, this is US-only, so you'll have to be based in the states to make use of it.

What can I watch on HBO Max?

2026's Wuthering Heights movie will premiere on HBO Max in the not too distant future (Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Some of the finest movies and TV shows ever created, that's what.

HBO Max is home to everything that HBO, aka the multi-award-winning cable network, has ever produced. A seemingly infinite number of classic movies and more recent big-screen offerings, plus numerous HBO Max Movie and TV Originals, are also just a button push or a mouse click away.

Here's a small slice of what you can stream if you sign up today: