Top 5 Must-Watch HBO Max Shows This Week: Dec 29–Jan 4, 2026

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Looking for something great to watch on HBO Max between December 29th and January 4th, 2026? Here are five top shows – including popular series leaving soon, current hits, and some surprisingly good older shows you might have missed.

This is just one of Ebaster’s latest guides to help you find your next TV show or streaming series, whether it’s brand new or a beloved classic. Don’t forget to check out our other guides this week for Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, and Paramount+, and let us know what you’re watching in the comments!

It’s Florida, Man

The HBO Max comedy series It’s Florida, Man is continuing to release new episodes, making it one of the few originals still doing so as 2025 comes to a close. It first appeared quietly in October 2024 and returned in late November 2025, offering HBO subscribers a funny way to start the new year.

This hilarious comedy series, executive produced by Danny McBride, tells the unbelievable but true stories of people living in Florida. Like the show Drunk History, it blends real interviews with funny, acted-out versions of the events.

The comedy series It’s Florida, Man boasts a fantastic lineup of guest stars, including Haley Joel Osment, Adam Devine, Simon Rex, Sam Richardson, Shea Whigham, Johnny Knoxville, Jake Johnson, and Chet Hanks. With only 12 episodes and the season finale arriving this Friday, it’s the perfect new comedy to watch on HBO Max this week.

Tokyo Vice

Many consider Tokyo Vice to be one of the best, yet most overlooked, original series on HBO Max. This captivating crime drama boasts a compelling story, a talented cast including Ansel Elgort and Ken Watanabe, and stunning visuals that beautifully capture the atmosphere of Tokyo, Japan.

In the series Tokyo Vice, Ansel Elgort stars as Jake Adelstein, an American journalist who takes a job with a leading Tokyo newspaper in the 1990s. He unexpectedly finds himself getting involved with a notorious and influential yakuza crime syndicate. The show, which has two seasons totaling 18 episodes, primarily focuses on Adelstein’s early experiences and attempts to establish himself as a respected journalist in season one. Season two then explores the complex world of the yakuza and the conflicts between different gangs.

I think Tokyo Vice was a seriously underrated and unfairly canceled show on HBO Max. If you enjoy gritty crime thrillers, gangster stories, or classic film noir, you’ll likely love this modern gem of a series.

Ballers

From 2015 to 2019, HBO’s Ballers quickly became known as a modern take on Entourage, offering the same highly addictive viewing experience over its five seasons. With Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson delivering a standout performance, the show is a captivating watch, especially for those who love sports or dramas about the entertainment industry.

You used to be able to watch Ballers on Netflix, but right now it’s only streaming on HBO Max – though that could change. The show stars Dwayne Johnson as Spencer Strasmore, a former football player who’s now a successful sports agent, handling some of the biggest and most demanding athletes around.

Featuring a talented cast including John David Washington, Rob Corddry, Christopher McDonald, and Omar Benson, Ballers also includes exciting cameos from stars like Steph Curry and Julian Edelman. This show is consistently entertaining on HBO Max thanks to its fast-moving plot and easygoing style, making it a great choice for repeat viewings.

House Of The Dragon

Now is the perfect time to watch or re-watch House of the Dragon, especially with the premiere of HBO’s new series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, coming up on January 18, 2026.

Both A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and House of the Dragon are prequels to Game of Thrones. However, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms takes place after the events of House of the Dragon, which first aired in 2022. With the third season of House of the Dragon also expected in 2026, fans of Game of Thrones have plenty to look forward to.

As a huge fantasy fan, I’ve been completely hooked on House of the Dragon. It’s already racked up 2 Emmys after just two seasons – eighteen episodes so far – and the great news is HBO has already greenlit seasons 3 and 4! Honestly, if you’re into big, sweeping fantasy dramas, this is one series you absolutely shouldn’t miss on HBO.

The Alienist

If you’re looking for a really gripping historical drama to watch, I highly recommend The Alienist on HBO Max! It’s a fantastic murder mystery with two seasons and 18 episodes total—perfect for a week-long binge before it leaves the platform on January 8, 2026. You won’t regret it!

Starring Daniel Brühl as a psychologist specializing in mental illness – known as an ‘alienist’ in late 1800s New York – The Alienist is an Emmy Award-winning series featuring strong performances from Dakota Fanning, Luke Evans, and Robert Wisdom. Brühl plays Laszlo Kreizler, who teams up with John Moore, an illustrator portrayed by Evans, to solve a series of murders committed by a serial killer.

If you’re like me and love a good, dark crime thriller, I highly recommend checking out The Alienist on HBO Max this week. It’s a fantastic binge-watch, and honestly, you should catch it now because it’s leaving the platform in about a week!

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2025-12-31 01:39