15 Best Shows to Binge on HBO Max in October 2025

As October settles in, HBO Max is filling the month with new premieres and fresh arrivals across comedy, horror, animation, docu-series, and international drama. There’s a big focus on 2025 debuts—some brand-new Max and HBO projects alongside buzzy imports—so your queue can swing from workplace absurdity to globe-trotting food docs without missing a beat.

Below, you’ll find a curated list of the 15 most binge-ready shows hitting HBO Max this month. To choose them, we prioritized the most recent releases first, then spotlighted original productions, followed by notable classics. Each entry includes quick, useful details on premise, cast, and key creatives so you can jump in with confidence.

‘The Chair Company’ (2025)

Tim Robinson headlines this HBO comedy as William Ronald Trosper, an office worker whose career nosedive triggers a spiral of corporate intrigue after a mortifying mishap. The series rolls out weekly across eight episodes beginning October 12, blending workplace mayhem with serialized twists as Trosper navigates damage control and increasingly bizarre company politics.

Created by Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin, the show is directed by Andrew DeYoung and Aaron Schimberg, with executive producers Adam McKay and Todd Schulman. The cast features Lake Bell, Sophia Lillis, Will Price, Joseph Tudisco, and Lou Diamond Phillips.

‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ (2025)

Set in the 1960s, this prequel explores the origins of Pennywise and the earlier terrors that haunt the town of Derry, paving the way for the later clash familiar to fans of the saga. The series expands the mythology with a period backdrop that traces how fear first took root in the community.

Andy and Barbara Muschietti shepherd the project, with Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise and ensemble players including Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige. Jason Fuchs and Brad Kane serve as writers, with the series debuting October 26.

‘Good Cop/Bad Cop’ (2025)

Set in the small town of Eden Vale, detective siblings Lou and Henry Hickman juggle offbeat cases while trying to mend a strained family dynamic under the watch of their police-chief father. The tone pairs quirky mysteries with character-driven family beats across case-of-the-week stories.

Created by John Quaintance, the series stars Leighton Meester as veteran detective Lou and Luke Cook as her well-meaning but fumbling brother Henry. Clancy Brown appears as the no-nonsense chief, with Devon Terrell in a key supporting role and Trent O’Donnell directing the pilot.

‘Krypto Saves the Day!’ (2025)

This animated short-form series follows Krypto, Superman’s super-powered dog, sprinting through bite-size rescues around Metropolis—from runaway buses to rooftop mishaps—each episode built for quick, kid-friendly laughs. The storytelling links to the 2025 ‘Superman’ film, keeping action light and accessible.

Developed by Ryan Kramer for Warner Bros. Animation and DC Studios, the production team includes producer Michael Baum. David Gemmill directs select segments, and the shorts began rolling out August 8 with entries like ‘School Bus Scuffle’.

‘The Friday the 13th Murders’ (2025)

This docu-series examines real crimes and disasters tied to Friday the 13th dates, unpacking how superstition, circumstance, and human choices intersected in headline-grabbing cases. Episodes combine archival material, reenactments, and expert commentary to map each event’s timeline.

The production leans on investigators, forensic specialists, and witness testimony to place facts over folklore. Voice-over narration supports a case-by-case structure that emphasizes evidence gathering, causality, and myth-busting.

‘Baylen Out Loud’ (2025)

The TLC reality series follows creator Baylen Dupree as she documents life with Tourette’s, her path toward independence, and the support system that includes her parents, five siblings, and fiancé Colin Dooley of the U.S. Air Force. The show tracks family milestones and public appearances across a year of personal growth.

Dupree leads the cast as herself, with family members—Julie, Allen, and others—regularly featured. Episodes include appearances tied to events like Tic Con, while directors structure storylines around day-to-day challenges and major life decisions.

‘Mr Mikami’s Classroom’ (2025)

A recent University of Tokyo graduate, Takashi Mikami joins Japan’s Ministry of Education and confronts entrenched bureaucracy, reform battles, and political pressure. The narrative explores institutional friction as Mikami pushes for change from within the system.

Adapted from Roba Shimori’s work and broadcast by TV Asahi, the series stars Tôri Matsuzaka as Mikami with Riho Yoshioka, Daiken Okudaira, and Aju Makita in supporting roles. Yôhei Miyazaki directs, with Shimori credited for the original concept and scripting.

‘Who Saw the Peacock Dance in the Jungle?’ (2025)

After discovering a cryptic note about her father’s death on Christmas, former police officer Komugi reopens old wounds and uncovers a wider conspiracy that threads through her past. The series blends procedural sleuthing with psychological drama.

Based on a manga by Asami Rito and adapted by TV Asahi, the show stars Madeleine Marie as Komugi. Takahiro Aoyama directs episodes, with Rito and a writing team expanding the page-to-screen mystery over a serialized arc.

‘Ignite’ (2025)

Young attorney Ryo Uzaki channels the trauma of losing his father into a relentless legal crusade that pushes him into high-stakes investigations. Episodes move between courtroom strategy and action-driven pursuits as Uzaki stretches the boundaries of lawful advocacy.

The TV Asahi production stars Shôtarô Mamiya as Uzaki, with Moka Kamishiraishi co-starring. Direction is by Fujii Michihito and Hara Hiroto, while the writing team constructs interconnected cases that reveal deeper personal motives.

‘Survival of the Beast’ (2025)

Adventurer Max Djenohan tests survival skills inspired by animal behavior—digging for water like elephants or mimicking predator tactics—across a slate of extreme environments worldwide. Each episode centers on a single challenge designed to translate wildlife strategies into human endurance.

Produced for Animal Planet and premiered May 3, the series features Djenohan on-camera with Rob Sixsmith directing. Episodes include field setups, gear breakdowns, and expert insights into the biological logic behind each approach.

‘My Happy Place’ (2025)

This travel-and-reflection docu-series invites different celebrities each episode—names include Alan Cumming, Taraji P. Henson, Simu Liu, and Billy Porter—to revisit formative places from their lives and share the stories connected to those locations. The format blends on-site conversation with personal archives.

Each installment is guided by the featured guest, with directors focusing on intimate interviews and scenic location work. The production emphasizes candid storytelling, weaving past experiences into present-day perspective.

‘Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain’ (2025)

Actress and producer Eva Longoria travels through Spain—from Barcelona and San Sebastián to Galicia and Andalusia—to explore regional cuisines, culinary traditions, and her own heritage ties. Episodes pair visits to local kitchens with conversations about history and culture.

A CNN Original Series production, the eight-episode run features appearances from culinary figures including Ferran Adrià and Victor Arguinzoniz. Longoria co-produces, while directors and writers structure each region’s story around signature dishes and community voices.

‘VGLY’ (2023)

Set within Latin trap’s competitive scene, the series follows a group of young artists battling betrayals and industry hurdles on the road to fame. Music-driven sequences and street-level drama frame the characters’ creative choices and personal risks.

Developed for Max with creators Marcos Bucay, Alejandro Castro Cisneros, Gabriela Remirez de Estenoz, Santiago Espejo, and Jorge Tijerina, the show stars Benny Emmanuel as Vgly with Crystal Lopez and Sasha González among the ensemble. Production highlights include performance set-pieces and studio-to-stage storylines.

‘Smiling Friends’ (2020)

At Smiling Friends Inc., optimists Pim Pimling and Charlie Dompler take on increasingly odd “make-someone-happy” assignments in a surreal, sketch-adjacent animated world. Episodes deliver standalone misadventures that bend reality while sticking to character-driven gags.

Created by Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack for Adult Swim, the voice cast includes Cusack (Pim) and Hadel (Charlie), with contributions from Marc M. and guests such as Tom Fulp. Direction and writing emphasize tightly paced humor and distinctive visual design.

‘Teen Titans Go!’ (2013)

This long-running Cartoon Network series follows Robin, Cyborg, Starfire, Raven, and Beast Boy as roommates tackling villains, schoolyard rivalries, and everyday chaos in Jump City. The show balances superhero action with slice-of-life antics across short, punchy episodes.

Developed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, the voice cast features Scott Menville (Robin) and Greg Cipes (Beast Boy), among others. Production leans into musical numbers, meta-jokes, and a broad guest roster from across the DC animated world.

Share your picks for what you’re streaming first on HBO Max this October in the comments!