Quick housekeeping: HBO Max rebranded to just "Max" in 2023, but most of us still slip and call it HBO Max because old habits die hard. Either way, we're talking about the same streaming service that combines HBO's prestige content with Discovery's reality TV empire, Warner Bros movies, and a growing library of originals.
Unlike Netflix's "throw everything at the wall" approach or Disney+'s squeaky-clean brand, Max occupies this interesting middle ground. It's got the edgy HBO stuff your teens might be sneaking (hello, Euphoria), but also a surprisingly solid collection of family-friendly originals that don't feel like they were focus-grouped to death.
The challenge? Max doesn't exactly shout about its family content. You have to dig past Game of Thrones and true crime docs to find the good stuff. That's where this guide comes in.
Here's the thing about Max originals for families: they tend to have actual budgets and production values. These aren't the direct-to-streaming movies that look like they were filmed in someone's garage. We're talking quality animation, solid writing, and shows that won't make you want to throw your remote through the TV.
The other advantage? Max originals often take creative risks that Disney+ won't touch. They're not afraid of slightly darker themes, more complex storylines, or characters who aren't perfectly likeable. For families with older kids who are aging out of the Disney aesthetic but aren't ready for full HBO content, this sweet spot is gold.
Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake (Ages 10+)
If your kid loved the original Adventure Time, this spinoff is surprisingly sophisticated. It deals with existential themes and multiverse stuff that'll go over younger kids' heads, but for tweens and teens, it's genuinely thoughtful sci-fi wrapped in candy-colored animation. Fair warning: there's some mild language and darker themes than the original series.
Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai (Ages 8+)
An animated prequel to the 1984 movie that's way better than it has any right to be. Set in 1920s Shanghai, it follows young Mr. Wing (yes, the shop owner from the movie) and baby Gizmo on an adventure across China. The animation is gorgeous, the action sequences are legitimately exciting, and it manages to honor the original film without being a nostalgia cash-grab. My only complaint? Some episodes lean heavy on the slapstick violence, so know your kid's tolerance.
Batwheels (Ages 3-7)
For the little ones: talking Batmobiles solving crimes. It's exactly what it sounds like, and if your preschooler is into vehicles and superheroes, this is shockingly well-done. The episodes are short (11 minutes), the lessons are age-appropriate without being preachy, and honestly, the voice acting is solid. This is what you put on when you need 20 minutes to make dinner and don't want to feel guilty about it.
The Fungies! (Ages 6-10)
A weird, wonderful show about mushroom creatures in prehistoric times doing science experiments. It's got that Adventure Time energy but skews younger and is genuinely educational about scientific thinking. The animation style is divisive (very wiggly and psychedelic), but kids seem to love it. Great for sparking conversations about curiosity and experimentation.
Sesame Street (Ages 2-6)
Yes, technically an HBO original now (HBO funded new episodes starting in 2016). If you've been defaulting to YouTube clips, the full episodes on Max are worth it. They're still doing the work of early childhood education better than almost anyone, and the celebrity cameos are actually entertaining for parents. Plus, no algorithm pushing you toward increasingly unhinged Elmo content.
Let's be real: not everything is a winner.
Jellystone! is a reboot of classic Hanna-Barbera characters (Yogi Bear, etc.) that's... fine? It's chaotic and colorful, and some kids love it, but it feels like it's trying too hard to be random and wacky. If your kid is into that energy, great. If not, you're not missing much.
Tig N' Seek has a great premise (a cat and dog detective duo) but the execution is grating. The main character's voice is designed to be annoying, and mission accomplished, I guess?
The Fungies! (mentioned above) is genuinely good, but the art style is so aggressively weird that some families will bounce off it immediately. Worth trying, but don't force it.
Ages 3-6: Stick with Batwheels and Sesame Street. Max's preschool offerings are limited but solid.
Ages 7-10: The Fungies!, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, and honestly, this is where you can start dipping into the broader Max library of non-originals like classic Looney Tunes or Studio Ghibli films.
Ages 11+: Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake is the standout, but this age group can also handle some of the DC animated movies and shows that aren't technically "kids' content" but aren't adult HBO fare either.
Family movie nights: Max has some solid original films, but honestly, their strength is more in the Warner Bros catalog (Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, DC movies). For originals, An American Pickle is quirky and mostly family-friendly for teens, but most Max original films skew adult.
The interface is not kid-friendly. Unlike Disney+ or Netflix, Max doesn't have a great kids' mode. You'll need to set up profiles carefully and maybe even use parental controls
to keep your 8-year-old from stumbling onto The Last of Us.
Content warnings are inconsistent. Max's rating system exists, but it's not always granular enough. A TV-PG show might have some surprisingly mature themes or language that wouldn't fly on Disney+. When in doubt, watch the first episode yourself or check Common Sense Media.
The ad-supported tier is rough for kids. If you're on the cheaper plan with ads, be aware that the commercials aren't curated for kids' content. Your 6-year-old watching Batwheels might see a trailer for a horror movie. Not ideal.
Limited but growing. Max's family originals library is smaller than Netflix or Disney+. You'll burn through the good stuff relatively quickly, then you're into the back catalog of non-originals.
Max isn't trying to be the family streaming service, and that's actually kind of refreshing. The originals they do make for families tend to have more creative freedom and higher production values than the endless content mills of other platforms.
Is it worth subscribing just for the family originals? Probably not, unless you're also into HBO's prestige TV or Warner Bros movies. But if you already have Max (or you're considering it), don't sleep on shows like Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai or Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake. They're legitimately good television that respects both kids' and parents' intelligence.
The real value of Max for families is in its combination of originals and catalog content. You get Sesame Street, Studio Ghibli films, classic Looney Tunes, Harry Potter, and quality originals all in one place. That's a pretty solid package, even if you have to do more curation work than on other platforms.
Start here: If you're not sure where to begin, try Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai for ages 8+ or Batwheels for younger kids. Both are easy entry points that showcase what Max does well.
Set up profiles properly: Take 10 minutes to create a kids' profile with appropriate restrictions. Max's default settings are way too permissive for younger viewers.
Explore the catalog: Don't just stick to originals. Max's real strength for families is the combination of new and classic content. Check out what else is worth watching on Max.
Balance it out: Max originals are great, but they're not a complete media diet. Make sure your family time includes other activities beyond streaming, whether that's board games, outdoor time, or just talking at dinner without devices.