HBO Max officially launched in Aotearoa on June 16, bringing together HBO Originals, Warner Bros blockbuster films, Max Originals, DC franchises and premium factual entertainment.
This includes the TV series House of the Dragon, with season three launching on June 22, at the same time as its US premiere.
Steve Toussaint, who plays Lord Corlys Velaryon in the hit series, arrived in Auckland to help celebrate the HBO Max launch.
Originals, movies and classics
In addition to George R.R. Martin’s other Westeros-based series Game of Thrones and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, subscribers can enjoy HBO Originals such as:
- Euphoria
- The Last of Us, Succession
- The White Lotus, Rooster
- DTF. St Louis
- Industry
- Task
- The Sopranos
- The Wire and True Detective
- Max Originals including Emmy and Golden Globe-winning The Pitt and And Just Like That…
Subscribers can also stream Warner Bros.’ movies, including:
- Recent Oscar-winning films One Battle After Another and Sinners
- Blockbusters like Wuthering Heights
- Franchises including Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings and the DC Universe
- TV shows like Friends, The Big Bang Theory and Rick and Morty
More to come
The second half of 2026 will see the arrival of brand new shows including:
- Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness (with Michelle and Barack Obama as executive producers – June 27)
- Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (from The Big Bang Theory universe – July 24)
- Lanterns (from DC Studios – August 17)
- Youth (from Sharon Horgan)
- The fourth season of The Gilded Age
- The first season of the HBO Original Harry Potter series, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, debuting at Christmas
Directly to NZ
Michael Brooks, managing director Australia and New Zealand, Warner Bros. Discovery, says: “Today is an incredibly exciting moment for Warner Bros. Discovery as HBO Max officially launches in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“HBO content is creative, brave and has an innovative streak, which are also some of the characteristics the world has come to know and love New Zealand for. Our HBO and Warner Bros. content has always performed strongly with Kiwi audiences. We are thrilled to now bring that content directly to New Zealand.
“From House of the Dragon and The White Lotus through to Harry Potter, DC and our award-winning film slate, HBO Max offers an extraordinary depth of storytelling for Kiwi audiences from day one – with even more to come throughout 2026,” Brooks adds.
Reaching more fans than ever
Jason Monteiro, APAC streaming lead, Warner Bros. Discovery, says: “The APAC region has played a key role in HBO Max’s impressive global growth. With today’s launch in New Zealand, as well as in Vietnam, Cook Islands and Tokelau, the service is now available in more than 35 markets in the region, reaching more fans with our premium content than ever before.”
HBO Max is available on both standard and premium plans, with monthly and annual subscription options available.
Prime Video has been confirmed as launch partner, with HBO Max available as a subscription for customers who want to subscribe, be billed and watch via the Prime Video app.
The platform also includes accessibility features such as audio description, subtitles and screen readers, alongside parental controls including age-based kids’ profiles and Kid-Proof Exit.
