Top 10 Upcoming Movies and TV Shows on HBO Max (October 1-10)

HBO Max is going big this October, and the first ten days alone are packed with fresh additions. Spooky season is clearly the theme, with horror classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street films, Poltergeist, and The Shining joining the library on day one.

The streamer is also launching the legal drama War with Dominic West and Sienna Miller. Evil Dead Burn makes its streaming debut, and Rage returns for Season 2. Those big names aren’t on this list, though. Instead, here are ten other picks from October 1-10 worth your time.

October 1 – The Royal Tenenbaums

Wes Anderson‘s 2001 comedy-drama follows a family of former child geniuses who have all grown up into disappointments. When their estranged father, Gene Hackman’s Royal, fakes a serious illness to win his way back into their lives, chaos follows.

With Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Bill Murray in the cast, expect dry humor and plenty of heart. The Royal Tenenbaums is the perfect cozy fall watch for anyone who needs a break from all the Halloween horror.

October 2 – The Torment Season 1

This new HBO Original is a crime drama about a disgraced journalist who heads back to her hometown to dig into the unsolved disappearance of a childhood friend. It’s a familiar setup on paper, but HBO has a strong track record with slow-burning small-town mysteries.

In The Torment, expect buried secrets, uneasy reunions, and a lead character with something to prove. If you love a good whodunit that rewards patience, this one deserves a spot on your watchlist.

October 3 – Impractical Jokers

Impractical Jokers is back with the first half of Season 13. The format of the truTV prank show hasn’t changed much, and that’s a good thing. The Jokers dare each other to do embarrassing things in public (sometimes they even cross the line), and whoever refuses the most gets hit with a brutal punishment at the end of the episode.

Expect awkward moments with total strangers, a lot of laughing at each other’s expense, and zero serious drama. It’s easy comfort viewing.

October 4 – Get Jiro! Season 1

Based on the graphic novels by the late Anthony Bourdain and Joel Rose, this Adult Swim animated series is set in a near-future Los Angeles where chefs hold all the power and people will kill for a restaurant reservation.

Brian Tee voices Jiro, a mysterious sushi chef on a bloody quest for revenge. Expect violent action, dark humor, and a sharp take on food culture. Get Jiro! hits HBO Max a day after its Toonami premiere.

October 5 – 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way Season 8

TLC’s popular spinoff flips the usual 90 Day Fiancé formula. Instead of bringing a foreign partner to the US, these Americans in The Other Way pack up their lives and move abroad to be with the person they love.

That means culture shock, language barriers, money troubles, and family members who aren’t fully on board. Expect plenty of arguments and a few sweet moments too. Fans of the franchise will know exactly what they’re signing up for.

October 6 – Crazy Rich Asians

Jon M. Chu’s 2018 romantic comedy follows Constance Wu‘s Rachel, a New York economics professor who travels to Singapore with her boyfriend, Henry Golding‘s Nick, only to learn his family is ridiculously wealthy.

Worse, his mother, played by Michelle Yeoh, doesn’t think she’s good enough. Crazy Rich Asians has gorgeous visuals, big laughs, and a lot of heart. With so much horror on HBO Max this month, this feel-good hit is the perfect palate cleanser for a lighter movie night.

October 7 – The Serial Killer Connection

The Serial Killer Connection is a three-part Investigation Discovery docuseries that tells a truly unusual story. Kara Robinson Chamberlain escaped from serial killer Richard “Marc” Evonitz as a teenager, and Bonnie Lou was once married to him without knowing his dark secret.

Years later, social media brings the two women together, and they team up to uncover the full extent of his crimes. This is going to be a gripping emotional watch for true crime fans. New episodes roll out weekly.

October 8 – Sin City Rehab Season 2

Alison Victoria of Windy City Rehab fame returns to Las Vegas for another season of her HGTV renovation series. This time, the properties are bigger, the timelines are tighter, and the risks are higher.

Along with multi-million-dollar projects and risky flips, she’s also juggling new business partners and some big egos. You can see stunning makeovers mixed with plenty of stress in Sin City Rehab Season 2. If you love home renovation shows with a side of drama, this one delivers.

October 9 – The Housemaid

Based on Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel, Paul Feig’s thriller The Housemaid stars Sydney Sweeney as Millie, a young woman with a troubled past who takes a job as a live-in maid for the wealthy Winchesters.

Amanda Seyfried‘s Nina seems a little off, and what looks like a dream job quickly turns into a dangerous game. Every actor’s performance in The Housemaid is nothing but sublime. Moreover, the film’s dark and suspenseful tone makes it an ideal fit for October movie nights on HBO Max.

October 10 – OWN Spotlight: Mothers & Daughters: Torn Apart with Iyanla Vanzant

Life coach Iyanla Vanzant, best known for Iyanla: Fix My Life, returns with a new OWN special filmed in front of a live studio audience. She works with three generations of mothers and daughters as they face painful truths and try to break harmful family patterns.

You can expect raw emotions, honest conversations, and some tears. It premieres on OWN on October 9 and streams on HBO Max the following day.

Which of these shows are you the most excited for? Let us know in the comments below!