When HBO Max launched in May 2020, it was an exciting proposition for film and TV fanatics: luring in devotees of the HBO brand and boasting 10,000 hours of high-quality content. Better still, the HBO Max free trial offered users a whole week of access to this suite of content at absolutely zero charge.
But is anyone still eligible for an HBO Max free trial? And if not, what’s the cheapest way to subscribe on its website? Read on below and we’ll break it all down for you.
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HBO Max free trial: why can't I get one?
From the platform’s launch in May 2020 until early December, the HBO Max free trial was available to help uncertain newbies decide whether the fledgling streaming service was for them. It provided 7 days of complimentary access, not only to Warner Brothers' 100-year-old film library, but iconic HBO series like The Sopranos, and third-party content from the likes of New Line Cinema and Studio Ghibli.
The reason for axing the trial (just like Disney Plus did last year)? A WarnerMedia representative only said that “we frequently update and iterate our offers to provide flexible ways for potential subscribers to access all that HBO Max has to offer,” and noted that they were following a precedent already set by Disney Plus and Netflix.
The announcement came shortly before the release of Wonder Woman 1984, which was made available both in cinemas and through HBO Max. And if you were hoping it may be introduced in time to watch Justice League (the Snyder Cut) - all four hours of it! - then we're afraid that the service hasn't played ball.
Halting the free trial at a time when the pandemic had crippled theatrical exhibition was a way to recoup some of that lost box-office revenue, while equally baiting film fans with the exclusive release of a popular property. And it will be hoping to keep subscribers hooked by replicating this approach with all 17 of its 2021 releases.
What's the cheapest way to get HBO Max without a free trial?
WarnerMedia's VOD platform certainly was one of the pricier streaming services out there in comparison to the likes of Hulu, Netflix, and Disney Plus. That was until it announced a new plan in June 2021, offering a With Ads plan for $9.99 a month. Depending on what you're after from your HBO Max subscription, this could be a great choice for those on a budget.
While you will be inundated with ads and will miss out on some content, this cheaper HBO Max price still gets you tons of TV shows, movies, and other exclusive titles.
Alternatively, you can pay a monthly rate of $14.99 to get all this without ads in its Ad-Free plan, and also be able to watch brand new WarnerBro releases at home on the same day as their cinematic release at the movies. You'll also be able to watch titles in 4K as well as HD, and download to watch offline anytime.
You can save money by committing to an annual plan rather than its monthly rate - With Ads will cost you $99.99 a year, while Ad-Free will cost $149.99 a year.
It's worth noting you can significantly reduce that amount, or even get HBO Max for free if you qualify.
If you’re subscribed to HBO or HBO Now already, and signed up via one of the providers listed here, then hallelujah amen! You’ll have absolutely free access to HBO Max, too – just download the HBO Max app and sign in using your existing details.
Promotions are regularly updated, so check its website for the latest offers.
And while the HBO Max free trial has gone – for now – potential subscribers can still check out some of their biggest shows for nothing. Just visit the ‘Free Episodes’ section of its website to enjoy a small sample of their content: ranging from DC’s Doom Patrol, Game of Thrones, and Euphoria, to Max Originals like Raised by Wolves, Love Life, and The Flight Attendant.
What can I watch on HBO Max?
Pure TV gold. It’s got everything HBO ever produced, including critically acclaimed hits like The Wire, Westworld, Six Feet Under, and Sex and The City, while being the exclusive home to immensely popular sitcoms like Friends (and the subsequent Friends: The Reunion), and The Big Bang Theory.
It also hosts films from dozens of major studios, for example, Paramount Pictures, MGM, and Warner Bros, which means viewers can immerse themselves in cinema classics from the Hollywood Golden Age (Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz) all the way up to contemporary blockbusters like 2019’s Joker, and the award-winning anime of Studio Ghibli.
Most exciting is that Warner Brothers 2021 films are all heading to HBO Max day-and-date with their theatrical release – meaning you won’t have to wait a second to stream mind-blowing new movies like Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, The Matrix 4, and Godzilla vs. Kong.
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