5 HBO Max Shows Worth Watching This Week

Key Takeaways

• Richard Gadd's Half Man is already generating buzz after just two episodes, exploring toxic masculinity and codependency
• Euphoria Season 3 finally arrives, taking the series in a surprising new direction
• HBO Max's 52-week programming strategy aims to keep subscribers engaged year-round

Looking for something to watch after a long day? HBO Max has a solid mix this week. The streaming service continues its push toward what CEO Casey Bloys calls "appointment television," with fresh originals dropping alongside catalog favorites. For the week of May 5-10, 2026, here are five shows worth your time.

Half Man: Richard Gadd's Brutal Follow-Up to Baby Reindeer

If Baby Reindeer kept you up at night, Half Man will do worse. Richard Gadd, the Emmy-winning creator and star of Netflix's stalker drama, has brought his latest project to HBO Max. The limited series started streaming weekly on April 30, and two episodes in, it's already clear this is something special.

Gadd plays Ruben, a volatile and frightening figure whose relationship with Niall (Jamie Bell of Billy Elliott) forms the show's dark center. The story unfolds largely in flashback, tracing their bond from childhood. Niall was a sensitive bookworm who got bullied. Ruben was an aggressive delinquent who became his protector. And then his controller. That dynamic persists into adulthood, whether Niall wants it or not.

The six-episode run continues every Thursday through May 28. Directors include Alexandra Brodski, with a cast that also features Mitchell Robertson, Stuart Campbell, and Neve McIntosh.

“Richard Gadd really made Baby Reindeer look like child's play with this. Half Man is viscerally brutal.”

— Viewer reaction on X

Euphoria Season 3: The Long-Awaited Return

After years of delays, Euphoria is back. Season 3 picks up Rue's story, though early reactions suggest the show has shifted tone significantly. Some fans are confused by the direction. Others are intrigued.

The premiere apparently features Cassie surrounded by $50,000 worth of floral arrangements, a detail that went viral almost immediately. Whether that signals the show's continued excess or something more intentional remains to be seen.

100 Foot Wave: Surfing at Its Most Dangerous

For something completely different, 100 Foot Wave follows big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara and his quest to ride the largest waves on the planet in Nazaré, Portugal. It's a documentary series that works whether you care about surfing or not. The waves are terrifying. The people who chase them are either brave or insane. Maybe both.

Common Side Effects: Adult Swim's Animated Entry

Adult Swim's Common Side Effects brings animation to the mix. The show targets viewers who want something lighter in tone but still sharp. It's the kind of series you can put on without full concentration but rewards attention when you give it.

What HBO Max's Strategy Tells Us

These picks reflect HBO Max's broader programming shift. The service reached 132 million global subscribers at the start of 2026 and is targeting 150 million by year's end. To get there, the company is pursuing what it calls a "52-week" strategy: fresh original content every week of the year.

“We're leaning into more cost-efficient yet elevated and high-quality stories with a greater number of episodes that can return each year.”

— Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content

The result is a mix of prestige limited series like Half Man, returning franchises like Euphoria, and documentary and animated content that fills gaps between tentpole releases. It's a content calendar designed to keep subscribers from canceling between big releases.

The Full Watch List for May 5-10

1. Half Man (new episodes Thursdays through May 28)
2. Euphoria Season 3 (streaming now)
3. 100 Foot Wave (full series available)
4. Common Side Effects (Adult Swim animated series)
5. Various catalog titles for slower-paced viewing

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Half Man air new episodes?

Half Man releases new episodes every Thursday on HBO Max, with the six-episode run concluding on May 28, 2026.

Is Euphoria Season 3 worth watching if I stopped after Season 2?

Early reactions are mixed. The show has apparently shifted tone significantly, so fans of the original vibe may want to sample an episode before committing.

How many subscribers does HBO Max have in 2026?

HBO Max (now Max) had 132 million global subscribers at the start of 2026 and is targeting 150 million by year's end.

Who created Half Man?

Richard Gadd, the Emmy-winning creator and star of Netflix's Baby Reindeer, created and stars in Half Man.

Source: How-To Geek