While the mega-merger between Warner Bros. and Paramount remains frozen in legal limbo, HBO Max isn’t slowing down. The streaming giant is heading into September with a blockbuster lineup of horror hits, high-profile DC originals, and exclusive documentaries.
Here is everything you need to know about the major releases hitting your screen this month.
Corporate Drama Paused, Streaming Charges Ahead
Behind the scenes, the media landscape is highly unstable. Warner Bros. put itself up for sale last year, with Paramount emerging as the buyer. However, antitrust lawsuits have paused the deal indefinitely.
Fortunately for subscribers, this corporate gridlock won’t affect your watchlist. HBO Max is operating business-as-usual, locking in its programming slate through at least the end of the year.
The Fall Horror Takeover
September marks the start of the fall season, and HBO Max is leaning heavily into horror. The crown jewel of the month's movie slate is Kane Parsons’ Backrooms. Originally a viral YouTube creepypasta project, the liminal-space thriller dominated the box office earlier this year and is now streaming exclusively on the platform.
Additionally, the critically acclaimed horror hit Talk to Me makes its highly anticipated return to streaming. Directed by the Philippou brothers, the inventive thriller has been largely unavailable on major platforms for some time. Classic entries from the Final Destination franchise will also arrive to complement the recently released slasher Bloodlines.
Sunday Night Prestige and Music Icons
On the series front, DC Studios’ Lanterns continues to anchor the coveted Sunday night primetime slot. The series offers a dark, grounded take on Green Lantern lore, starring Kyle Chandler as veteran Hal Gordon and Aaron Pierre as recruit John Stewart.
Music fans also have a major release to look forward to. The documentary series Jay-Z in 8 premieres on September 18. The eight-episode series follows the legendary rapper and entrepreneur in Paris as he sits down with iconic producer Rick Rubin to discuss his enduring legacy.
Finally, sports fans can access live coverage of the FIBA Women’s World Cup, depending on their subscription tier. Despite the corporate uncertainty looming overhead, HBO Max is proving it still has the content engine to dominate the streaming wars this fall.
