TL;DR: The Max Cheat Sheet
- Best for the "Not Quite Ready for Game of Thrones" Crowd: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — It’s Westeros, but with a lot more heart and a lot less... well, you know.
- Best for the Teen/Parent Binge: Schitt's Creek — It’s the ultimate "growing up" show that actually makes you feel good.
- Best for Drama Lovers: The Pitt — Noah Wyle is back in a hospital, and it’s the medical drama we’ve been waiting for.
- Best for Younger Kids (That Won't Melt Your Brain): Sesame Street (obviously) and Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai.
It’s February 2026. The "new year, new me" energy has officially collided with the "it’s freezing and I just want to sit on the couch" reality. If your family is like most in the Screenwise community, you’ve probably cycled through your Netflix queue and are looking at Max (formerly HBO Max, for those of us still adjusting) wondering if there’s anything new that isn’t just "Euphoria" levels of stress or "Cocomelon" levels of brain rot.
Max has always been the "prestige" streamer, which is parent-code for "shows that are actually good but might have a random scene that makes you scramble for the remote when your ten-year-old walks in." But in 2026, the library has shifted. We're seeing a return to character-driven stories and some surprisingly solid family-friendly entries into massive franchises.
Here is the breakdown of what is actually worth the bandwidth this month.
If you’ve been shielding your kids from the "incest and dragons" vibe of House of the Dragon, I have good news. The newest spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is finally here, and it’s a different beast entirely.
Based on George R.R. Martin’s "Dunk and Egg" novellas, this show follows a massive, naive knight and his diminutive, spunky squire. It feels more like a classic adventure story than a political bloodbath.
The Screenwise Take: While it’s still rated for older audiences (TV-14), it lacks the sheer nihilism of the main series. It’s a great "bridge" show for parents with 12-to-15-year-olds who want to be part of the cultural conversation without seeing things they can't unsee. It’s about chivalry, friendship, and finding your way in a world that doesn’t always reward being "good."
Check out our guide on navigating the Game of Thrones universe with teens
I know, I know—this show ended years ago. But since it moved to Max, it has seen a massive resurgence in the Screenwise community data. We’re seeing a huge spike in families with middle-schoolers and high-schoolers watching this together.
Why? Because in a world of "Ohio" memes and weird internet subcultures, Schitt's Creek is a masterclass in emotional intelligence. It starts as a comedy about "rich people losing everything" (which kids find hilarious) and turns into a story about what it actually means to love your family and your community.
The Screenwise Take: There is some "adult" humor, but it’s almost always about the characters’ growth rather than being shock-value trash. If you have a kid who feels like an outsider, David Rose is the hero they didn't know they needed. It’s a safe, warm, and genuinely funny binge for the 12+ crowd.
Remember when medical shows were about doctors actually trying to solve problems instead of just sleeping with each other in the breakroom? The Pitt is Max’s big 2026 swing at a realistic, gritty, but hopeful medical drama. Starring Noah Wyle (the OG from ER), it focuses on a modern hospital in Pittsburgh.
The Screenwise Take: This is perfect for the "future doctor" in your house or for teens who are tired of the hyper-stylized "Gen Z" dramas. It deals with real-world issues—healthcare costs, AI in medicine, and burnout—without being preachy. Ages 14+ due to medical intensity and some heavy themes.
Max still holds the crown for animation that adults can actually enjoy without wanting to poke their eyes out.
This isn't your toddler's Adventure Time. It’s a bit more mature, a bit more meta, and deals with themes of identity and finding your purpose. It’s the perfect show for that "tween" phase where they feel too old for cartoons but aren't quite ready for The Last of Us.
If you want to introduce your kids to 80s nostalgia without the trauma of the original movie’s blender scene (if you know, you know), this animated prequel is fantastic. It’s set in 1920s Shanghai and is visually stunning. It’s spooky but safe for the 8-12 crowd.
Ask our chatbot for more non-brain-rot animation recommendations
Let's be real—not everything on Max is a winner. Just because it has a high rating on Rotten Tomatoes doesn't mean it's right for your living room.
- The "Reality" Trap: Max has absorbed a lot of Discovery+ content. While Magnolia Network stuff is usually safe, be wary of the "trashy" reality shows that are now front-and-center. They are designed with high-dopamine loops that can make it hard for kids (and adults) to turn off.
- The Last of Us Season 2: It’s the biggest show on TV right now, but it is bleak. If your kid is already struggling with "world-is-ending" anxiety, maybe skip the fungal apocalypse for now.
When you're looking at Max, the ratings can be a bit deceptive because the "HBO" brand used to mean "Adults Only." Here’s how to navigate it:
- TV-MA on Max: Usually means it. Unlike some Netflix TV-MA shows that feel like they’re trying too hard, Max’s MA content often features heavy graphic violence or very explicit themes. Use the Screenwise guide to parental controls to lock these profiles down.
- The "Teen" Sweet Spot: Look for the "DC" section. Shows like My Adventures with Superman are pure, high-quality storytelling that hits the 10-14 age range perfectly.
One thing we see in our community data is that Max shows often lead to "rabbit hole" behavior. A kid watches A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and immediately wants to go to YouTube to watch "lore" videos.
This isn't necessarily bad! It can lead to an interest in history, storytelling, or even game design. But be aware that the YouTube algorithm for "Game of Thrones" or "DC" content isn't always as curated as the show itself. If they're digging deeper, maybe point them toward the actual books like The Hedge Knight by George R.R. Martin.
Max in 2026 is less of a "prestige-only" club and more of a mixed bag. The key is intentionality.
Don't just let the "Auto-play" feature decide your family's evening. If you're going to do the Westeros thing, make it an event. If you're binging Schitt's Creek, talk about why the characters are acting the way they are.
Screen time doesn't have to be "time off" from parenting; it can be a way to connect, as long as the content isn't just filling space.
- Audit your profiles: Make sure your 10-year-old isn't one click away from True Detective.
- Pick a "Family Binge": Start with Schitt's Creek or A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
- Check the Data: Take the Screenwise Family Survey to see how your family's streaming habits compare to other intentional parents in your community.
Ask our chatbot for a personalized Max watch list based on your kids' ages