Look, we all know the drill. You open the app, scroll for twenty minutes until your dinner gets cold, and end up re-watching The Sopranos for the ninth time. I've been there. But honestly, if you're wondering what to watch on HBO right now, you picked the absolute best time to ask. January 2026 is hitting different. We aren't just getting the usual trickle of "prestige" dramas; we’re seeing a massive pivot toward shows that actually feel human and movies that remind us why we pay for these subscriptions in the first place.
The Westeros We Actually Needed
Everyone was bracing for more dragon fire, but HBO pulled a fast one on us. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiered on January 18, and it’s basically the "indie movie" of the Game of Thrones universe. Forget the sprawling political maps and the 400 characters you need a genealogy degree to track.
This is about Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his tiny, bald squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). It’s a road trip. In Westeros. It’s gritty, it’s muddy, and it’s surprisingly funny. One critic over at TechRadar even called it a "slam-Dunk," which is a pun I wish I’d thought of first. If you’re tired of the "world-ending stakes" fatigue that’s been killing fantasy lately, this is your palette cleanser.
Why Industry is Still the Meanest Show on TV
If you haven't started Industry, what are you doing with your life? Season 4 just dropped on January 11. It’s still the most stressful hour of television available. Harper and Yasmin are basically globetrotting now, dealing with high-stakes fintech drama. Kit Harington is back as Sir Henry Muck, and seeing him trade the Night's Watch for a boardroom is kinda hilarious in a "he's actually really good at being a jerk" way. It’s fast. It’s mean. It makes me glad I don't work in finance.
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The A24 Takeover
HBO Max (or Max, whatever we’re calling it this week) has leaned hard into their partnership with A24, and the January lineup proves it. If you want a movie that’ll make you think—or maybe just make you feel a little uneasy—you’ve got options.
The Smashing Machine arrives on January 23. This is the one where Dwayne Johnson actually acts. Like, really acts. He plays Mark Kerr, the MMA legend, and it’s directed by Benny Safdie. Expect zero jungle jokes and a lot of raw, uncomfortable emotion. Then there’s If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (January 30). Rose Byrne plays a mom who’s basically at a 10/10 stress level at all times. It’s a comedy-drama, but let’s be real, it’s mostly a "life is hard" drama that hits way too close to home.
The Return of the Medical Drama
Wait, don't roll your eyes. The Pitt is actually good. Season 2 started on January 8. I know, "another hospital show," right? But Noah Wyle and John Wells (the ER legends) have made something that feels way more urgent than your average procedural. It’s set in Pittsburgh, and it captures that specific, exhausted energy of a modern trauma center without feeling like a soap opera. It’s currently sitting at the top of the charts for a reason.
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What's Coming Down the Pipeline?
Since we're looking at what to watch on HBO, we have to talk about the 2,000-pound gorilla in the room: Euphoria Season 3. The trailer just dropped, and it confirmed an April 11 premiere. There’s a massive time jump. Rue is out of high school, Cassie is apparently doing OnlyFans, and the whole thing looks like a neon-soaked film noir. It’s been four years since the last episode, so the hype is bordering on dangerous.
Also, keep an eye out for:
- Rooster: A comedy starring Steve Carell as an author on a chaotic college campus. It’s from the guy who made Ted Lasso, so expect some heart.
- Lanterns: This is James Gunn’s big DC swing. They’re describing it as a True Detective style mystery but with Green Lanterns.
- House of the Dragon Season 3: Targeted for August. It's going to be a bloodbath.
The "I Just Want to Turn My Brain Off" Section
Sometimes you don't want a "masterclass in book-to-show adaptation" like the hockey-centric Heated Rivalry (which, by the way, is fantastic if you want a secret-love-story-on-ice vibe). Sometimes you just want to see something familiar. HBO just added the John Wick trilogy, Fargo, and Ex Machina. They also dropped a two-part documentary on Mel Brooks called The 99-Year-Old Man! on January 22. It’s Judd Apatow directing, so it’s a total love letter to comedy.
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Quick Hits: Don't Sleep on These
- 33 Photos From the Ghetto (Jan 27): A heavy but essential documentary about the Warsaw Ghetto uprising.
- Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal Season 3: If you like animation that doesn't need words to break your heart.
- Real Time with Bill Maher: Season 24 started on January 23. You know what to expect there.
The reality is that HBO is no longer just the "serious drama" channel. It’s a weird, sprawling library that somehow manages to fit 1000-lb Sisters right next to Succession-level hits.
Next Steps for Your Queue:
Start with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to see if the "smaller" Westeros works for you. If you’re in the mood for a movie, mark January 23 on your calendar for The Smashing Machine. If you need a binge that’ll make you feel better about your own life choices, jump into Industry from the beginning before you get spoiled on the Season 4 twists.