You’ve waited a long time. Honestly, too long. After the chaos of the first season wrapped up in 2022, Christopher Smith basically vanished while James Gunn went off to run the entire DC universe and film a Superman movie. But the wait is finally over. John Cena is back, the dancing is (hopefully) weirder, and the release schedule is a bit different than the midnight drops we used to get during the first season’s run.
If you are staring at your Max app wondering why the new episode isn't there yet, you aren't alone. Timing is everything, especially when you're trying to avoid spoilers from the "East Coast elites" who get to see everything three hours early.
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What time does Peacemaker come out on Max?
For Season 2, Max has shifted things around. Instead of the typical 3:00 AM ET / 12:00 AM PT release window that many streaming platforms use to dump their content in the middle of the night, Peacemaker is following a "prime time" model.
New episodes of Peacemaker season 2 release at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT on Thursday nights.
This is a huge win for people with jobs. You don't have to stay up until three in the morning or wake up early to catch the episode before someone on Twitter ruins the big cameo. If you’re in the Central Time zone, that’s 8:00 PM. Mountain Time? 7:00 PM. It’s basically built for a watch party.
The Full Release Calendar
James Gunn wrote all eight episodes of this season, and he’s directed three of them personally. Because the show is now officially tethered to the new DCU (following the events of the 2025 Superman movie), the rollout is being treated like a major event. They are sticking to a strict weekly schedule to keep the conversation going. No binge-dropping here.
The season kicked off on August 21, 2025, and it’s running straight through the fall. Here is how the rest of the season looks:
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- Episode 1: August 21 ("The Ties That Grind")
- Episode 2: August 28 ("A Man Is Only as Good as His Bird")
- Episode 3: September 4 ("Another Rick up My Sleeve")
- Episode 4: September 11 ("Need I Say Door")
- Episode 5: September 18 ("Back to the Suture")
- Episode 6: September 25
- Episode 7: October 2
- Episode 8 (Finale): October 9
Why the schedule changed from Season 1
It’s kinda interesting why we had to wait three years for this. When the first season dropped, it was a spin-off of The Suicide Squad. It was a gamble. It turned out to be a massive hit, but then the world changed. Gunn and Peter Safran took the keys to DC Studios, and suddenly Peacemaker had to be retooled to fit into a brand-new continuity.
Frank Grillo joining as Rick Flag Sr. is a massive deal. It connects the show directly to the Creature Commandos animated series and the Superman film. Because of that "connective tissue," the release time was moved to 9:00 PM ET to mirror the way HBO handles its "Prestige" Sunday night shows like The Last of Us or House of the Dragon. Max wants this to be the show everyone is talking about at the exact same time.
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How to watch without spoilers
If you aren't on the East Coast, the 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT drop means the internet becomes a minefield the second the clock strikes nine.
- Mute Keywords: If you use X (formerly Twitter), mute "Peacemaker," "Vigilante," "Eagly," and "James Gunn."
- Check the Episode Title: Episode 3, "Another Rick up My Sleeve," is already causing a stir because of the Rick Flag Sr. connection. If you see that name trending, run.
- The Max Interface: Sometimes the "Just Added" rail on Max is slow. If you don't see the episode right at 9:00 PM ET, search for "Peacemaker" manually. It usually forces the app to refresh its metadata.
Actionable Next Steps
To make sure you're ready for the next Thursday drop, here is what you should do:
- Sync Your Watch: Set a recurring alarm for 8:55 PM ET on Thursdays so you can have the app open and the snacks ready.
- Check Your Subscription: Max has been shuffling plans. Ensure your account is active; if you're on the Disney+/Hulu/Max bundle, the episode should show up in the Max section simultaneously.
- Rewatch the Intro: Seriously. There’s a new dance sequence for Season 2 that supposedly has "Easter eggs" hidden in the choreography that hint at the finale.
Whether you're here for the ultra-violence or just to see what kind of music ends up on the soundtrack this year, knowing exactly what time does peacemaker come out is the only way to stay ahead of the curve. Keep those Thursdays clear through October.