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With the May launch of HBO Max, WarnerMedia has entered the streaming wars in a major way. But what exactly sets this new offering apart from others we've already seen (Peacock, Disney+, Apple TV, etc.)? Great question! For starters, there is a ton of original content underway — HBO Max's very first feature film An American Pickle is slated to air Aug. 6, while the much anticipated Gossip Girl reboot has a tentative summer 2021 date attached. In the meantime, subscribers will have access to a huge archive of Criterion Channel films (many featured in my 25 picks) as well as the rare and much-sought-after Studio Ghibli catalog, and, lastly, all the perks you'd get with a regular HBO subscription (including the ability to watch the latest week-to-week episodes of the superb I May Destroy You).
Confused about all the HBO properties that exist? You are not alone! Take a gander at our handy guide that unpacks the major differences between HBO Max and HBO Now. Really, if you're looking for one takeaway, make it this: HBO Max has a lot of very good movies that you can watch right this second! The proof is below: