January is usually a recovery month, post-holiday slowdown, colder nights, and more excuses to stay in. Luckily, HBO Max is kicking off 2026 with a lineup that makes staying on the couch feel like a smart life choice. From prestige dramas and buzzy A24 films to sports, documentaries, and long-running favorites, the platform is stacking the calendar early. Whether you’re craving awards contenders, comfort rewatches, or something completely unexpected, this month’s slate offers a little bit of everything. Here’s a closer look at 15 of the best new movies and shows landing on HBO Max in January 2026.
15. I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not
HBO Max opens the month with a revealing documentary centered on one of comedy’s most complicated figures. I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not traces Chase’s rise from original Saturday Night Live breakout to leading man in films like Caddyshack and Fletch, while also examining the controversies that shaped his later years.
Featuring candid interviews and rare archival clips, the film doesn’t shy away from the friction between Chase and his collaborators. It’s part celebration, part reckoning, an honest portrait of a performer whose influence on American comedy is undeniable, even if his reputation remains divisive.
14. If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You
A24 brings its signature blend of discomfort and dark humor with this sharp psychological dramedy. Rose Byrne stars as Linda, a mother spiraling through postpartum depression, marital tension, and the stress of a child facing mysterious health issues.
The supporting cast, Conan O’Brien, Danielle Macdonald, Christian Slater, and A$AP Rocky, adds unexpected texture to an already layered story. It’s emotionally raw but laced with biting wit, the kind of bold storytelling A24 has made its trademark. Expect difficult themes handled with intelligence and nerve.
13. Beat Bobby Flay, Season 40
Forty seasons in, and Bobby Flay is still defending his culinary throne. The latest installment of the Food Network favorite continues its format: talented chefs compete for the chance to challenge Flay in a head-to-head showdown.
What keeps the show fresh is its evolving twists, new guest judges, inventive ingredients, and high-pressure creativity. It’s equal parts competition and celebration of craft, and for food lovers, it remains endlessly watchable comfort TV.
12. 33 Photos from the Ghetto
This HBO Original documentary offers a sobering look at history through an intimate lens. It centers on rare civilian photographs taken inside the Warsaw Ghetto during the 1943 uprising, images captured by Polish firefighter Zbigniew Leszek Grzywaczewski.
The documentary contextualizes the photographs with expert insight and historical analysis, bringing humanity to one of World War II’s most devastating chapters. It’s powerful, difficult viewing, but essential for anyone interested in personal perspectives on global tragedy.
11. Have I Got News For You, Season 4
The long-running British panel show returns with more sharp-tongued commentary and quick-fire satire. Each episode dissects the week’s headlines through the lens of comedians and guest panelists who never let the news take itself too seriously.
Season four continues the tradition of blending humor with political awareness. It’s irreverent, sometimes chaotic, and consistently clever, perfect for viewers who prefer their current events served with a heavy dose of sarcasm.
10. The Smashing Machine
Dwayne Johnson takes on one of his most demanding roles yet in this biographical drama about MMA fighter Mark Kerr. Directed by Benny Safdie, the film explores Kerr’s meteoric rise and the personal struggles that followed.
With Emily Blunt and a cast that includes real figures from the fighting world, the film leans into emotional grit as much as physical intensity. Early awards buzz suggests this may mark a defining moment in Johnson’s dramatic career.
9. Real Time with Bill Maher, Season 24
Bill Maher’s political talk show returns for another year of pointed monologues and heated roundtable debates. Season 24 promises the same mix of humor, provocation, and cultural commentary that has defined the series for decades.
Whether you tune in for thoughtful analysis or spirited disagreement, the show remains a lightning rod. Love him or argue with him, Maher continues to spark conversations long after the credits roll.
8. Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
Comedy icon Mel Brooks gets the documentary spotlight in this two-part tribute directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio. The film chronicles Brooks’s journey from early television writing to legendary films like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.
Packed with archival footage and interviews, the documentary celebrates Brooks’s fearless humor and enduring cultural impact. It’s both nostalgic and surprisingly contemporary, reminding viewers how groundbreaking his satire truly was.
7. A Knight in the Making, Season 1
This new fantasy drama takes a more intimate approach to medieval storytelling. Rather than focusing on kingdoms and epic battles, it follows a young squire determined to earn his place as a knight.
Character growth and personal stakes drive the narrative, supported by detailed world-building and cinematic production design. It’s a thoughtful addition to the genre, emphasizing mentorship, loyalty, and ambition over spectacle alone.
6. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Season 1
The Game of Thrones universe expands once again with this prequel based on George R.R. Martin’s “Dunk and Egg” novellas. Set roughly a century before the events of the original series, it follows Ser Duncan the Tall and his young companion, Egg.
With shorter episode runtimes and a tighter narrative focus, the series offers a more personal look at Westeros. Expect adventure, political tension, and the rich lore that has made the franchise a global phenomenon.
5. Industry, Season 4
The finance world grows even more ruthless in the latest season of Industry. Harper and Yasmin navigate shifting alliances and high-risk deals, while new players complicate the power structure.
Season four digs deeper into ambition, identity, and the emotional cost of success. With sharp writing and morally complex characters, the series continues to stand out in the crowded prestige-TV landscape.
4. The Pitt, Season 2
This Emmy-winning medical drama returns for another real-time shift inside Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. Each episode unfolds over a single hour of a 15-hour hospital day, creating relentless pacing.
Season two raises the stakes with a Fourth of July setting and new additions to the medical team. The format keeps tension high, while character-driven storytelling anchors the chaos in emotional realism.
3. Classic Films and Franchise Favorites
January also brings a wave of beloved movies to the platform. Critically acclaimed dramas like Moonlight and A Most Violent Year join blockbuster franchises including Twilight and John Wick.
Whether you’re revisiting old favorites or discovering them for the first time, these additions broaden the month’s appeal. It’s a strong mix of prestige cinema and crowd-pleasing hits.
2. Live Sports Streaming
HBO Max continues expanding its live sports offerings with NHL games, college basketball matchups, U.S. women’s soccer, and major wrestling events. Highlights include marquee hockey clashes and key conference basketball games.
The service also provides analysis segments and replay options, making it easy to keep up with the action. For sports fans, it’s shaping up to be one of the busiest months of the season.
1. Animated and Reality TV Premieres
Animation and unscripted programming round out the lineup. New seasons of fan favorites like Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal and Totally Spies arrive alongside reality staples, including 1000-lb Sisters and Worst Cooks in America.
The variety ensures there’s something lighter to balance the heavier dramas and documentaries. Whether you’re after adrenaline-fueled animation or chaotic kitchen mishaps, January’s slate keeps things entertaining.
HBO Max isn’t easing into 2026; it’s charging ahead with a lineup that covers nearly every genre imaginable. From award-worthy dramas and thoughtful documentaries to fantasy epics and comfort-food reality TV, the platform is clearly aiming to satisfy a wide range of tastes. If January sets the tone for the year, subscribers have plenty to look forward to. Grab a blanket, update your watchlist, and prepare for a month packed with stories worth staying in for.