Some streamers may choose to pace themselves at the beginning of 2026, but not HBO Max. Instead, HBO and its official streaming service are kicking off the year with two of its best original series and debuting a new show. That made it really easy for Watch With Us to pick the three must-watch HBO Max shows you need to stream in January 2026. Our picks include the reigning Emmy winner for Outstanding Drama, a show on the rise and the latest spinoff from HBO's biggest franchise.