Best TV Shows to Stream this Weekend on HBO Max, Including ‘Who Saw the Peacock Dance in the Jungle?’

If your queue needs a refresh, this weekend’s Max lineup brings a wave of buzzy imports, prestige crime, and comfortable docs—many titles landing together on Friday, October 17—so you can jump in knowing what each show is about, who’s involved, and why it’s noteworthy in its lane.

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

This live-action adaptation of Rito Asami’s josei manga follows Komugi, who begins probing a media-world conspiracy after her ex-cop father is killed on Christmas Eve. The cast includes Suzu Hirose, Kenichi Matsuyama, and Win Morisaki across a 10-episode investigative arc. Listed under its Japanese title ‘Kujaku no Dansu, Dare ga Mita?,’ the series structures its mystery around newsroom intrigue and family secrets. New episodes hit Max beginning Friday, October 17.

‘Ignite’ (2025)

‘Ignite: Hō no Muhōmono’ centers on rookie lawyer Ryō Uzaki, who pivots to law after his father’s death and joins the Peace Law Office, taking on cases against powerful adversaries. Shotaro Mamiya stars, with Moka Kamishiraishi, Ryoki Miyama, and Tōru Nakamura in the ensemble. Produced for TBS and framed as an 11-episode serialized legal drama, it mixes courtroom maneuvering with character backstory. It arrives on Max on Friday, October 17.

‘Mr Mikami’s Classroom’ (2025)

This education-system drama stars Tori Matsuzaka as Takashi Mikami, an elite Ministry of Education bureaucrat reassigned to teach at a private high school. His new post forces confrontations with entrenched power and spurs reform arcs among students and staff. Directed by a team including Yōhei Miyazaki, Koya Shimada, and Sakura Komaki, and written by Roba Shimori, it originally aired in Japan’s Sunday-theater slot. Max adds the series on Friday, October 17.

‘Light of My Lion’ (2024)

Set around brothers Hiroto, a city-hall employee, and Michito, an autistic artist, the story pivots when a mysterious boy nicknamed “Lion” enters their lives. The show blends family drama with art-world elements, incorporating works from a real-life painter into its production. Writing is credited to Kōji Tokuo and Yoshino Ichinohe, with direction by Toshio Tsuboi, Takahiro Aoyama, and Izumi Masahide. It begins streaming on Max on Friday, October 17.

‘Vivant’ (2023)

A high-stakes thriller from TBS, ‘Vivant’ tracks salaryman Yūsuke Nogi as an accounting anomaly pulls him into an international conspiracy. The ensemble features Masato Sakai, Hiroshi Abe, Fumi Nikaido, Tori Matsuzaka, Koji Yakusho, and Kazunari Ninomiya. Directed by Katsuo Fukuzawa with additional episodes by Yōhei Miyazaki and Akiko Kato, it blends corporate intrigue, espionage, and field ops over a 10-episode run. Episodes roll onto Max starting Friday, October 17.

‘True Beauty’ (2024)

Adapted from Yaongyi’s hit webtoon, ‘True Beauty’ follows Lim Ju-kyung as she reinvents herself through makeup while juggling friendship, romance, and secrets. The principal cast includes Moon Ga-young, Cha Eun-woo, and Hwang In-youp, with direction by Kim Sang-hyeop and script by Lee Si-eun. The production balances school-romance beats with themes of self-acceptance and bullying. It lands on Max on Friday, October 17.

‘The Thaw’ (2022)

Known in Polish as ‘Odwilż,’ this crime drama follows Detective Katarzyna Zawieja as a suspicious death and a missing newborn lead to a wider investigation in Szczecin. The series stars Katarzyna Wajda, Bartłomiej Kotschedoff, and Cezary Łukaszewicz. Created by Marta Szymanek and directed by Xawery Żuławski, it’s an HBO Europe production with a character-driven procedural spine. Max adds the series on Friday, October 17.

‘Until I Destroy My Husband’s Family’ (2024)

This dark revenge serial centers on Minori, who uncovers her husband’s long-term affair and methodically targets his lover’s family. The story weaponizes social ties and guardianship systems to escalate the fallout. Cast highlights include Marika Matsumoto and Terunosuke Takezai, with episodes credited to writers such as Mana Akaishi and directors including Takehito Muroi. It becomes available on Max on Friday, October 17.

‘Grand Maison Tokyo’ (2019)

A culinary drama about disgraced chef Natsuki Obana, ‘Grand Maison Tokyo’ follows his partnership with chef Rinko Hayami as they strive for three Michelin stars. Takuya Kimura leads alongside Kyōka Suzuki, with support from Yūta Tamamori and Aki Asakura. Written by Tsutomu Kuroiwa and directed by Ayuko Tsukahara, Daisuke Yamamuro, and Takahiro Aoyama, the production involved supervision by noted chefs such as Shuzo Kishida. It joins Max on Friday, October 17.

‘Beach Cottage Chronicles’ (2022)

This Magnolia Network docuseries spotlights waterfront homes, tracing each cottage’s design choices, renovation steps, and setting. Episodes typically focus on one property, showcasing materials, layouts, and period detail—such as the restoration of New Jersey’s “Lighthouse Cottage.” A rotating team produces and directs, with executive producers Roxy Hunt and Tony Castle across seasons. New installments arrive on Max on Friday, October 17.

Tell us what you’re pressing play on first—and why—in the comments below!