TL;DR: Max (formerly HBO Max) is the heavy hitter of streaming. It’s the undisputed home of the best animation on the planet—think Studio Ghibli, Sesame Street, and the entire Cartoon Network library. However, it also houses some of the most graphic adult content available (we're looking at you, Euphoria). If you don’t set up your parental PINs correctly, your seven-year-old is exactly two clicks away from the Red Wedding.
Set up Max parental controls now
By now, we’ve all lived through the identity crisis. First, it was HBO Go and HBO Now. Then it was HBO Max. Now, it’s just Max. In 2026, the branding has finally settled, but the content library is more massive than ever.
It’s a Frankenstein’s monster of media: you’ve got the prestige "prestige" TV from HBO, the blockbuster movies from Warner Bros. (including the entire Harry Potter and DC Universe catalogs), the "comfort food" reality junk from Discovery and HGTV, and the gold-standard kids' programming from Sesame Workshop and Cartoon Network.
For an intentional parent, Max is a double-edged sword. It has the highest "quality" content for kids—meaning less "brain rot" than the weird corners of YouTube—but it also has the highest "danger" level for accidental exposure to adult themes.
While Disney+ owns the "magic," Max owns the "cool."
- The Animation Flex: Between Adventure Time and The Amazing World of Gumball, Max has the shows that kids actually find funny without being mind-numbingly repetitive for parents.
- The "Big Kid" Gateway: For the 10-12 age bracket, Max is where they find the DC Cinematic Universe and the middle-grade Harry Potter films. It feels a bit more grown-up than the Mickey Mouse clubhouse.
- Studio Ghibli: If your kid has moved past CoComelon and you want them to experience actual art, My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away are exclusive here. It’s the "aesthetic" content that even teens don't mind being caught watching.
If you're going to pay the monthly subscription, make sure they're watching the good stuff. Here’s the Screenwise-approved breakdown.
For the Preschool Crowd (Ages 2-5)
Forget the weird AI-generated nursery rhymes on other platforms. Max has the goat.
- It’s still the gold standard for emotional intelligence and early literacy. No notes.
- Technically a website, but many of its featured books have animated counterparts or segments on Max’s educational hubs.
- If your toddler is obsessed with cars and you’re tired of the same three episodes of other "vehicle" shows, this is surprisingly high-quality and focuses on teamwork.
For the Elementary Squad (Ages 6-11)
This is where Max really shines. They have content that respects a kid's intelligence.
- It’s chaotic, meta, and genuinely hilarious. It’s one of the few "kids" shows that a 35-year-old can watch without wanting to scroll on their phone.
- Wholesome, funny, and great for teaching social dynamics. It’s the "low-stress" choice for kids who get overstimulated by louder cartoons.
- A masterpiece of storytelling about empathy, identity, and complex emotions. If you haven't sat down to watch this with your kid, you're missing out.
For the "I'm Basically An Adult" Teens (Ages 13+)
- It’s brutal and heavy, but for older teens, it’s a masterclass in storytelling and ethics. Just be prepared to talk about... well, everything.
- Technically a network show, but often streaming here. It’s the perfect "co-watching" show for families with teens. It’s funny, smart, and safe.
- Darker and more serious than the Marvel stuff, making it a hit with the "emo" or "gritty" teen demographic.
Here is the no-BS reality: Max is built on the back of HBO’s legacy, which is built on the back of "Sex, Violence, and Dragons."
Unlike Disney+, which is "safe by default," Max is "dangerous by default." If you create a generic profile for your child without restrictions, the algorithm might suggest Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon simply because they are popular.
The Parental Control Checklist
- Kid Profiles: You must create a specific Kid Profile. Max allows you to set the rating limit (e.g., TV-Y, TV-G, PG, etc.).
- Profile PINs: This is the most important step. You need to lock your adult profile with a 4-digit PIN. Kids are tech-savvy; they know that the "cool" shows are on Mom and Dad’s profile. If your profile isn't locked, your parental controls on their profile are essentially useless.
- The "Exit" Problem: Max's interface can sometimes be "leaky." When a show ends, the "Up Next" feature might occasionally pull from broader categories. Always keep an eye on the "Recently Watched" list to see if they've wandered off the path.
We talk a lot about "brain rot" at Screenwise—those low-effort, high-stimulation videos that turn kids into zombies. Max is generally the antidote to this. Because most of their content is produced by major studios (Warner Bros, Cartoon Network, Ghibli), the production value is high, the pacing is intentional, and the stories have actual arcs.
However, be wary of the Discovery+ side of the app. While MythBusters is fantastic, there is a lot of "trash TV" reality content (ghost hunters, extreme couponing, etc.) that isn't "harmful" but is definitely the digital equivalent of eating a bag of Cheetos for dinner. It’s fine in moderation, but it’s not "enriching."
If your kid sees something they shouldn't on Max—and let’s be real, it happens—don't panic. Max is a great place to have the "Context Conversation."
If they catch a glimpse of a trailer for a horror movie or a violent show, use it as a moment to explain intent. "That show is made for adults because it deals with themes that are too heavy for kids to process yet. It’s like trying to run a marathon before you can walk."
Also, talk about the business of streaming. Why does Max keep changing its name? Why do some shows disappear? (Looking at you, tax write-offs). It’s a great way to build media literacy.
Max is arguably the best streaming service for families who value quality over quantity. You get the best educational content for the little ones and the best "artistic" animation for the big kids.
But you cannot be a "lazy" parent with Max. You have to do the work upfront to lock down the profiles. If you do that, it’s a goldmine. If you don't, you're basically giving them a key to a R-rated movie theater.
Next Steps:
- Open your Max app right now.
- Check if your child is on a "Kid Profile."
- Put a PIN on your own profile.
- Go watch My Neighbor Totoro with them. It’s a core memory waiting to happen.
Check out our full guide on the best animated movies for kids