The top 3 new HBO Max series to binge-watch this weekend, October 16–18, 2026, range from an Emmy-winning comedy show to a celebrated period drama. While major HBO streaming titles like Youth, War, and Collison continue to dominate global streaming charts as some of HBO Max’s best new series to watch earlier this week, the following three series all have plenty of episodes that are ready to dive into right now. That means HBO Max subscribers won’t have to wait for new weekly installments and can enjoy them all weekend long.
ScreenRant’s first recommendation for what to watch on HBO Max this weekend is a celebrated satirical comedy series with one of the most recognizable faces in comedic news. Our second choice is still the #1 most-watched HBO series worldwide, even though its season 1 finale dropped nearly two weeks ago and a second season has yet to be confirmed. Finally, the best show on HBO Max to binge-watch this weekend is a critically acclaimed period drama series with an 89% Rotten Tomatoes score on the verge of releasing its fourth season.
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is the #1 most-watched HBO Max series in the U.S. at the time of writing. Widely considered one of the best comedy talk shows of the 21st century, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is currently nearing the end of its 13th season and has produced just under 400 episodes since it premiered back in 2014. The historic run of this comedic news series, known for Oliver’s sharp wit, educated stances, and biting satire, will go down as one of the best shows of its kind ever made, as evidenced by its 32 Emmy wins.
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver has recently dived into current event topics such as the Secret Service, elections in Brazil, and UnitedHealth Group with Luigi Mangioni’s upcoming sentencing. Always blending hard-hitting commentary with laugh-out-loud comedic bits, John Oliver is always a safe bet on HBO Max. Now is the perfect time to catch up on the newest episodes of Last Week Tonight ahead of its season 13 finale later this month.
Lanterns
Lanterns is still HBO Max’s #1 most-watched series worldwide nearly two weeks after its season 1 finale aired, and yet it has still not been renewed for a second season despite its massive viewership and 91% Rotten Tomatoes score. While viewers, mostly longtime DCU fans, have been less enthusiastic about the series than critics, as evidenced by its 68% RT audience score, Lanterns is still one of HBO’s best new original series of the year with standout performances across the board, especially its two leads, Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler.
Lanterns offers a very grounded and gritty murder mystery in its opening episodes before diving more deeply into its superhero elements as Pierre’s new recruit John Stewart is reluctantly trained by Chandler’s intergalactic cop Hal Jordan to take his place. What unfolds is some of the most imaginative storytelling currently available on HBO Max, thanks to the legendary collaboration by co-creators Damon Lindelof (The Leftovers), Tom King (Supergirl), and Chris Mundy (True Detective).
The Gilded Age
The Gilded Age is our top recommendation to binge-watch on HBO Max this weekend ahead of its season 4 premiere on Sunday, November 1. Even if you haven’t seen a single episode of the previous three seasons, now is the perfect time to start watching The Gilded Age in order to catch up in time for the latest season. The acclaimed historical drama series has been nominated for 15 Emmys, winning once for its debut season in 2022, and has earned an 89% Rotten Tomatoes score.
The Gilded Age takes place during the 1880s in New York City, a time of great industrial change. The series centers on the high society of the era, specifically on the clashes between historically wealthy families and the Russells, who come into new wealth at the beginning of the series. The HBO Max series features a great ensemble cast led by Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Nathan Lane, and more, and is a fascinating glimpse of a forgotten era with immaculate production and costume design, much like Mad Men.
The Gilded Age – Season 4
- Release Date
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November 1, 2026
- Network
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HBO
- Episodes
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8
