Best shows on HBO Max right now: what to start before Feb. 14

With Valentine’s Day falling on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, many viewers are leaning into shorter seasons, weekly appointment TV, or a “one great completed series” binge. The service’s current mix is unusually strong: a new fantasy spinoff with an easy entry point, returning dramas that move fast, and a romance breakout that’s pulling in viewers outside its usual lane.

Below are the best picks to start now, grouped by mood and time commitment.

Best shows on HBO Max: the quick-start winners

If you want something that hooks fast and doesn’t require homework, start here:

• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: A tight, character-first fantasy road story with smaller stakes and a clearer starting line than most sprawling epics.

• The Pitt (Season 2): High-pressure hospital drama that keeps episodes feeling urgent and consequential.

• Industry (Season 4): Ambition, status anxiety, and sharp dialogue in a workplace pressure cooker.

• Heated Rivalry: A romance-forward series with real momentum—less “slow burn,” more “can’t stop the next episode.”

The new fantasy that actually feels welcoming

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the rare franchise expansion that’s designed to be approachable. It’s built around two leads—an honorable knight and his sharp young companion—so even when politics swirl in the background, the emotional spine stays clear. The season is lean and brisk, which makes it an easy “one episode a night” watch leading into the holiday weekend.

It also lands in a sweet spot for couples or friends watching together: enough intrigue to talk about, enough humor and heart to avoid feeling relentlessly grim.

Returning dramas with the best week-to-week payoff

If you like shows that reward attention but don’t drag, the best current “appointment” choices are:

The Pitt
This is a stress test in narrative form: difficult calls, messy tradeoffs, and consequences that ripple. It’s a great pick if you want a show that feels present-tense—like you’re watching decisions happen in real time rather than being set up for a twist.

Industry
The story is still fueled by incentives and ego, but what makes it bingeable is how personal the fallout becomes. Friendships, romances, and alliances keep colliding with ambition, and the writing is confident enough to let scenes breathe without losing pace.

Completed prestige series that still dominate

If you’d rather avoid waiting for weekly episodes, the strongest “start-to-finish” options remain the classics that hold up on rewatch—or finally justify the hype if you’ve never started:

Succession is still the cleanest blend of dark comedy and ruthless family drama, with episodes that feel like tight little disasters.
The Wire is patient and sprawling, but it’s one of the most rewarding long-form stories if you can commit to its rhythm.
The Sopranos remains a benchmark for character complexity and moral drift.
Chernobyl is a short, devastating limited series when you want something intense that ends decisively.

These are ideal “shared” watches because each one gives you a clear stopping point after an episode—while still making it hard not to hit play again.

Comedy and lighter picks for in-between plans

Not every “best show” needs to be heavy. If you’re juggling work, dinners, and Valentine’s plans, lighter series can fit into shorter viewing windows:

Veep is rapid-fire and endlessly rewatchable when you want sharp laughs.
Barry starts as a dark comedy and keeps evolving, with tight seasons that binge cleanly.
Hacks balances comedy with real emotional stakes and works well as a two-episode nightly routine.
Harley Quinn is chaotic comfort viewing with surprising warmth underneath the jokes.

What to watch next week

If you want the most satisfying run-up to Feb. 14, match the pick to your schedule:

• Short on time: choose a limited series like Chernobyl.

• Weekend binge: pick Succession or Barry and commit to a season.

• Weekly ritual: keep pace with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms or The Pitt.

• Couples-friendly: go with Hacks or The White Lotus for conversation starters.

Sources consulted: TV Guide; Rotten Tomatoes; People; FlixPatrol