Quick Read
- Brazilian drama ‘Madam Beja’ premiered its first five episodes on HBO Max on February 2, with new episodes weekly.
- Emmy-winning animated series ‘Primal’ Season 3 is currently streaming with new episodes every Sunday.
- The docuseries ‘Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!’ holds a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and is available for binge-watching.
- Classic series ‘Friends’ and ‘The Sopranos’ remain top comfort and prestige viewing choices on HBO Max.
- Key HBO Max premieres for 2026 include ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Season 2, ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, and ‘Hacks’ Season 5, all slated for July 1.
LOS ANGELES (Azat TV) – As February 2026 unfolds, HBO Max is capturing viewer attention with a mix of fresh releases, critically acclaimed returning series, and enduring classics, while also gearing up for a robust slate of highly anticipated premieres later in the year. This week, new Brazilian costume drama Madam Beja and the Emmy-winning animated series Primal are leading binge-watching trends, alongside beloved mainstays like Friends and The Sopranos, according to Screen Rant.
The platform’s strategy appears to be balancing immediate, globally trending content with the consistent appeal of its deep library and powerhouse original productions set for future release. This approach ensures a dynamic viewing experience for subscribers, from weekly drops of new international dramas to the long-awaited returns of fan-favorite sagas.
This Week’s Top HBO Max Binge Picks
For the first week of February 2026, HBO Max offers a diverse array of series perfect for binge-watching. Leading the charge is the brand new Brazilian costume drama, Madam Beja. This epic telenovela, which launched its first five episodes on February 2, is set in the 19th century and follows a woman who establishes a luxurious brothel after facing societal shame. With new batches of five episodes dropping every Monday until late March, Madam Beja is quickly gaining traction as a potential global hit for the streamer, available in Portuguese with English subtitles and dubbed audio options.
Another series drawing significant international viewership is the adult animation hit, Primal. Its third season debuted in mid-January, with new episodes releasing every Sunday until mid-March. The TV-MA rated series, which won five Emmys including Outstanding Animated Program in 2021, tells the compelling story of a caveman and a dinosaur who forge an unlikely bond for survival after shared tragedies.
For comedy enthusiasts, the critically acclaimed two-part docuseries Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! is a must-watch. Co-directed by Judd Apatow, this documentary chronicles the extraordinary life and career of comedy legend Mel Brooks. Boasting a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the series features extensive archival footage and new interviews with prominent comedians, offering a definitive look at Brooks’s influential legacy.
The enduring appeal of classics also continues to drive engagement. The iconic 1990s sitcom Friends remains a top comfort show, with all ten seasons and 235 episodes available for streaming. Featuring the immortalized cast including Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, and Courteney Cox, Friends maintains its massive streaming success. Similarly, The Sopranos, widely regarded as one of the greatest TV shows of all time, continues to be a cornerstone of HBO Max’s prestige offerings. With 21 Emmy Awards, including two for Outstanding Drama Series, the mob drama starring James Gandolfini and Edie Falco is a perennial favorite for fans of modern classic television.
Anticipated Returns: Major HBO Max Premieres in 2026
Beyond its current trending content, HBO Max has a strong lineup of returning and new series scheduled for 2026, promising to further solidify its position as a premium streaming destination. While specific dates for some highly anticipated shows in March are still to be determined, the calendar reveals significant releases later in the year.
March is expected to see the return of the cult favorite The Comeback for its third season, alongside the premiere of a new series titled Rooster. These additions will bolster the platform’s early 2026 original content.
The summer will bring a wave of high-profile premieres on July 1, according to Rotten Tomatoes. Fans of George R.R. Martin’s universe can look forward to the second season of Dune: Prophecy and the third season of the critically acclaimed House of the Dragon. Both series are expected to continue expanding their intricate narratives and visual spectacle. Comedy fans will also rejoice with the return of multiple Emmy-winning series: Hacks will launch its fifth season, and The Gilded Age will present its fourth season, continuing its lavish period drama.
Additionally, July 1 will mark the debut of several new HBO Max originals, including Half Man, Lanterns, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, and War. An untitled Larry David project is also slated for release on the same date, signaling a busy mid-year for the streaming service.
HBO Max’s Strategy: Blending Classics with New Originals
HBO Max’s consistent presence in both ‘trending now’ lists and future premiere calendars underscores its dual strategy: leveraging its legacy of critically acclaimed, award-winning content while continuously investing in new, diverse original programming. The platform’s ability to offer everything from Brazilian telenovelas and animated dramas to high-budget fantasy and satirical comedies ensures a broad appeal, catering to varied tastes and age demographics. This blend of established favorites and fresh narratives positions HBO Max to maintain strong subscriber engagement throughout 2026, reaffirming its role as a key player in the competitive streaming landscape.
The combination of globally accessible new content like ‘Madam Beja’ and the strategic scheduling of tentpole returns such as ‘House of the Dragon’ demonstrates HBO Max’s commitment to a diversified content portfolio, aiming to attract and retain a wide international audience.