HBO Max Is Back: No Free Trial, But There Are Smart Ways To Add-On and Find Discounts

How to get a HBO Max free trial when available: The Amazon Prime with HBO Max workaround for trying the platform for 7 days (Sometimes offered)

Please note that this workaround is only occasionally offered. Right now, it is unavailable to access.

While HBO Max doesn’t offer a free trial in 2025, sometimes there is a workaround to get a HBO Max free trial with Amazon Prime Video. Amazon Prime offers a 30-day free trial of its membership to new subscribers, which (if the offer is live) allows you access to their expedited shipping services and access to Prime Video for 30 days.

While using the 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime Video (when and if the HBO Max free trial is offered here), you can select to add HBO Max to Prime Video for free for 7 days when it is available.

Platforms and apps where HBO Max can be added or offered as an additional perk or bundle

While HBO Max doesn’t offer a free trial for standalone new subscribers, prospective customers can access the streaming service as a free perk or add-on in a few spots at no additional cost.

The DoorDash HBO Max add-on perk

If you have an annual subscription with DoorDash, you’re in luck; you’ll get HBO Max With Ads for free

DoorDash partnered with HBO Max in 2024 and offered an incredible perk: New and existing DoorDash annual subscribers can get ad-supported HBO Max (aka HBO Max With Ads, known as the Basic Plan) at no additional cost.

Also, if you're a DoorDash annual subscriber, you can upgrade to a HBO Max Ad-Free subscription (the Standard Plan) for just an additional $10.99 per month—a HBO Max Standard plan is usually $16.99 per month.

And yes, this will still be offered to DoorDash annual subscribers in 2025.

• A DoorDash annual plan costs $96.00 for the year, which is a lowly $8.00 per month. You’ll get free access to an ads-supported HBO Max subscription.
• You can upgrade to a HBO Max Without Ads (HBO Max Standard Plan) for only an additional $10.99 per month.

The unique Cricket Wireless Unlimited perk

Cricket Wireless will give you HBO Max as a free perk with it's unlimited plan

Cricket Wireless partnered with HBO Max and offers an exceptional deal: If you have an unlimited $60 per month Cricket Wireless, you’re given a HBO Max With Ads (Basic Plan) subscription at no additional cost. Existing Cricket subscribers can change their wireless plan to get the free HBO Max add-on perk, and new subscribers can also easily access the perk.

• The Cricket Wireless unlimited plan is $60.00 and gives you free access to HBO Max With Ads while you’re subscribed to Cricket Unlimited.

An on-demand content library of epic proportions: The Disney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle

A new Hulu bundle with an outrageous library

A new bundle made its way to streaming platforms. The epic Disney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle gives you access to three libraries with thousands of TV shows and movies. And while it’s missing live TV streaming options, this package is built for you if you’re a cinephile who likes sifting through unlimited content. This bundle will get you HBO Max, and everything with the Hulu and Disney Plus on-demand content library.

• The Disney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle is $16.99 per month with ads, or $29.99 per month without ads.

What To Watch With HBO Max in October 2025

HBO Max Originals - New Series

• Sat. 10/6 – SMILING FRIENDS, Season 3 (Adult Swim)
• Wed. 10/9 – Vgly, Season 2 (Max Original)
• Thu. 10/10 – The Alabama Solution (HBO Original)
• Sat. 10/12 – The Chair Company, Season 1 (HBO Original)
• Sat. 10/12 – The Snake Catcher, Season 1 (Animal Planet)
• Fri. 10/17 – An Intimate Evening with Adam Pally (HBO Original)
• Fri. 10/17 – The Thaw, Season 3 (Max Original)
• Sun. 10/19 – Anything But Gray, Season 1 (Magnolia Network)
• Tue. 10/21 – Armed Only With A Camera: The Life And Death of Brent Renaud (HBO Original)
• Sun. 10/26 – IT: Welcome to Derry, Season 1 (HBO Original)
• Tue. 10/28 – Country Doctor (HBO Original)

HBO Max - A24 Film Premieres

• Thu. 10/3 – Bring Her Back (A24)
• Thu. 10/10 – The Substance (MUBI)
• Thu. 10/30 – Sorry, Baby (A24)

HBO Max - Halloween & Horror Collection

• Wed. 10/1 – A Nightmare on Elm Street (plus sequels 2–5)
• Wed. 10/1 – Beetlejuice
• Wed. 10/1 – Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh
• Wed. 10/1 – Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932 & 1941)
• Wed. 10/1 – Edward Scissorhands
• Wed. 10/1 – Hereditary
• Wed. 10/1 – Poltergeist (1982)
• Wed. 10/1 – The Exorcist (1973)
• Wed. 10/1 – The Shining
• Wed. 10/1 – The Sixth Sense
• Wed. 10/1 – Tim Burton's Corpse Bride
• Wed. 10/1 – Trick 'r Treat

HBO Max - Popular Series Returns

• Fri. 10/10 – Impractical Jokers, Season 12A (truTV)
• Wed. 10/15 – 7 Little Johnstons, Season 16 (TLC)
• Wed. 10/15 – Mother May I Murder?, Season 2 (ID)
• Wed. 10/22 – Holmes Family Rescue, Season 3 (HGTV)
• Wed. 10/29 – American Monster, Season 13 (ID)

HBO Max - Classic Films & Blockbusters

• Wed. 10/1 – 50 First Dates
• Wed. 10/1 – Gone Girl
• Wed. 10/1 – Gremlins (1984)
• Wed. 10/1 – Interview with the Vampire
• Wed. 10/1 – The Lobster
• Wed. 10/1 – Uncut Gems
• Wed. 10/22 – Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody

There is no HBO Max free trial in 2025, but there are plenty of streaming providers to choose from and ways to bundle

If a perk or bundle doesn’t appeal to you, DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, Paramount Plus, and YouTube TV all offer free trials and are exceptional platforms for getting your streaming fix. Keep an eye out for a HBO Max free trial offer — just because one isn’t offered now doesn’t mean it’s set in stone.

FAQ

Does HBO Max have a seven‑day free trial in 2025?

Unfortunately, as of October 2025, HBO Max (now officially back to its original name after rebranding) does not offer a 7‑day free trial, or any free trial, for new subscribers directly through its platform. The only exception was a limited spring promotion via Prime Video Channels that expired quite a long time ago on February 22, 2025.

Does HBO Max offer a free trial through Amazon Prime Video?

That seasonal Prime Video workaround is no longer available. Amazon Prime Video no longer offers a 7‑day free trial of HBO Max, and currently, no free‑trial option exists via Prime Channels.

Is HBO Max free for Hulu subscribers?

No, unfortunately. Hulu discontinued any free‑trial crossover deals with HBO Max. There is no longer a free HBO Max trial available through Hulu subscriptions.