3 HBO Max Shows You Need to Binge This Weekend

The streaming home of some of the biggest television hits of all time, HBO Max boasts a massive collection of acclaimed shows that make for great weekend binges. From landmark classics to more recent breakouts, the streamer has something to offer everyone. Right now, the Warner Bros. Discovery streaming service is being dominated by the second season of a certain James Gunn DCU show, but while Peacemaker Season 2 is ruling the roost as HBO Max’s top series, it’s not the only thing worth watching on the service this weekend. Without further ado, here’s a look at three great shows we think you should binge on HBO Max this weekend.

For more recommendations, be sure to check out our lists of the best shows and movies on HBO Max.

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US HBO Max.

1

‘Peacemaker’ (2022 – Present)

Oh, have we mentioned this one already? Well, just in case you’re one of the few people who haven’t caught up on Peacemaker’s first season, now’s the perfect time to binge all eight Season 1 episodes. Created by James Gunn, Peacemaker is a DC superhero show starring John Cena as Chris Smith / Peacemaker. The show’s second season, which is currently ongoing, brings the character (and the series) into the DCU continuity, picking up after the events of the movie Superman, as Chris explores an alternate universe where he is celebrated as a hero. But before that, Season 1 followed the titular antihero as he joined a black ops squad tasked with hunting down a parasitic butterfly-like species, with disastrous consequences. Besides Cena, the show also features Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Robert Patrick, and more in key roles.

Peacemaker’s first season was an unexpected but welcome hit that earned positive reviews and multiple accolades. Anchored by Cena’s stellar lead performance, it’s a silly and endlessly entertaining watch that’s easily one of the most beloved shows on HBO Max right now. Season 2 looks poised to repeat the first season’s success, bringing back all the brutality, comedy, and surprising emotional depth that made Season 1 so popular while entering a new, redefined era for the character.

2

‘The Gilded Age’ (2022 – Present)

Created and written by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, The Gilded Age is a historical drama set in New York City in the 1880s, the titular Gilded Age. Chronicling the momentous economic and social changes of the period, the series stars Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook, a young orphaned woman who belongs to an old-money family that finds itself in conflict with their new-money neighbors, the Russells. The show’s ensemble cast includes Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Taissa Farmiga, Jack Gilpin, Cynthia Nixon, Christine Baranski, and more.

The Gilded Age premiered its first season in January 2022 to favorable reviews, and it’s only gotten better with each subsequent season. The show completed its third season, which deals with conflicts surrounding arranged marriage, divorce, and personal independence, on August 10, 2025, and it has been the best-received so far, earning near-universal acclaim. An engaging costume drama that deals with key social issues of its time period, the series has earned numerous accolades, including seven Emmy nominations, and a fourth season is currently in the works.

3

‘The Pitt’ (2025 – Present)

Created by R. Scott Gemmill, The Pitt is a medical procedural drama that reunites Gemmill with fellow ER producers John Wells and Noah Wyle. Wyle also stars in the series, playing lead character Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, and the show follows the daily trials faced by the emergency department staff of the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. Besides Wyle, the show also stars Tracy Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, Katherine LaNasa, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, and Shabana Azeez.

The Pitt premiered in January 2025 to critical acclaim, earning praise for its writing, direction, and performances. A realistic drama that addresses the challenges faced by healthcare workers in the post-COVID-19 era, the show is an engaging and eye-opening watch that has been hailed as an accurate representation by members of the medical community. The series received numerous accolades as well, including 13 Emmy nominations and four Television Critics Association Awards, and a second season is scheduled to premiere on January 8, 2026.