HBO Max To Launch May 27th

WarnerMedia announced early Tuesday morning that its new streaming platform HBO Max will officially launch May 27th,  and has unveiled its slate of premium Max Originals that will be available to viewers on premiere day. 

At launch, HBO Max will have more than 10,000 hours of content, with new original shows that include the scripted comedy "Love Life," starring Anna Kendrick; Sundance 2020 Official Selection feature documentary "On the Record"; underground ballroom dance competition series "Legendary"; "Craftopia," hosted by YouTube sensation LaurDIY; the all-new "Looney Tunes Cartoons," from Warner Bros. Animation; and Sesame Workshop’s "The Not Too Late Show with Elmo."

Upcoming original programs will include "The Flight Attendant," starring and executive produced by Kaley Cuoco, from Berlanti Productions and based on the novel by New York Times bestselling author Chris Bohjalian; the "Friends" unscripted cast reunion special; all-new original episodes of the critically acclaimed DC fan favorite "Doom Patrol;" the return of the critically beloved mystery comedy "Search Party" with a brand new season; the three-part documentary series "Expecting Amy," an unfiltered and intimate view into comedian Amy Schumer’s life on tour creating a stand-up special during her difficult pregnancy; sci-fi series "Raised by Wolves" from director and executive producer Ridley Scott; the adult animated comedy "Close Enough," from J.G. Quintel (creator of Cartoon Network’s Emmy-winning "Regular Show"), a look at the surreal life of a millennial family living with roommates; and "Adventure Time: Distant Lands- BMO," the first of four breakout specials resurrecting Cartoon Network’s Emmy and Peabody award-winning franchise "Adventure Time."

“Our number one goal is having extraordinary content for everyone in the family, and the HBO Max programming mix we are so excited to unveil on May 27th will bear that out,” said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of Warner Media Entertainment and Direct-To-Consumer. “Even in the midst of this unprecedented pandemic, the all-star teams behind every aspect of HBO Max will deliver a platform and a robust slate of content that is varied, of the highest quality, and second to none. I’m knocked out by the breadth and depth of our new offering, from the Max originals, our Warner Bros library and acquisition titles from around the world, and of course the entirety of HBO.”

“Consumers will quickly see that HBO Max is set apart by a foundation of loved brands built over decades but stitched together with a distinctive voice and product experience,” added Kevin Reilly, Chief Content Officer, HBO Max, President, TNT, TBS, and truTV. “Our team has meticulously selected a world class library catalogue and collaborated with top creators across all genres to offer a monthly cadence of original series and movies that we will program and promote for cultural impact.”

“It is thrilling to be approaching the launch of HBO Max so we can finally share the first wave of content our teams have been developing in partnership with a group of unparalleled creators,” said Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content, HBO Max. “The originals slate available at launch represents a diverse range of unique voices emblematic of the quality and scope of our programming still to come.”

HBO Max will be bundled with the HBO service including all of HBO’s premium originals such as "Westworld," "Big Little Lies," "Game of Thrones," "Sex and the City," "Veep," "The Wire," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Insecure," "Succession," "Watchmen," "Barry," "Euphoria," "The Jinx," "The Sopranos" and more.

Highlights of the WarnerMedia portfolio of programming and acquisitions that will be available on day one include the libraries of "Friends;" "The Big Bang Theory"; "Doctor Who"; "Rick and Morty"; "The Boondocks";"The Bachelor"; "Sesame Street"; "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"; CW shows such as "Batwoman," "Nancy Drew," and "Katy Keene"; the first season of DC’s "Doom Patrol"; "The O.C."; "Pretty Little Liars"; the CNN catalog of "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown"; and much more. Soon after, the platform offering will continue to grow adding the libraries of "South Park," "Gossip Girl," "The West Wing," and more within the first year of launch.

In addition to series, specials, and docs, HBO Max will feature a library of more than 2,000 feature films within the first year. Audiences will be able to watch 700 blockbuster films via the HBO service, including "Crazy Rich Asians," "A Star is Born," "Aquaman," and "Joker," as well as films acquired specifically for HBO Max via Warner Bros., the Criterion Collection, and the acclaimed Studio Ghibli. Streaming for the first time ever in the U.S., 20 films from Japan’s legendary Studio Ghibli animation house will be available on HBO Max at launch, including Academy Award winner "Spirited Away" and Academy Award nominees "Howl’s Moving Castle" and "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya," as well as fan favorites "My Neighbor Totoro," "Princess Mononoke," "Ponyo," and "Kiki’s Delivery Service." 

In addition to the premium acquired content on the platform, the WarnerMedia portfolio gives HBO Max the opportunity to curate from 100 years of the most iconic films ever made, as well as access to a library of new theatrical hits. Available films will include "Casablanca," "The Wizard of Oz," "The Matrix," "The Goonies," "When Harry Met Sally," "The Lord of the Rings," "Citizen Kane," "Gremlins," and the Lego movies, along with every DC film from the last decade, including "Wonder Woman," "Justice League," and every Batman and Superman movie from the last 40 years.