The Best HBO MAX Deals This May: Save Up To 50%

Max, the streaming service you might fondly remember as HBO Max, stands tall as a giant in the streaming world. It's the go-to destination if you're looking for that potent mix of premium, award-winning HBO Originals like House of the Dragon and The Last of Us, blockbuster movies fresh from Warner Bros., iconic series like Friends, and even favorites from the Discovery universe, including hits from HGTV, Food Network, and TLC. Add in exclusive HBO Max Originals and a deep library spanning DC Comics, Turner Classic Movies, and Studio Ghibli, and you've got a seriously comprehensive entertainment package.

With such a high-quality lineup, HBO Max often comes with a price tag that reflects its premium status, positioning it among the more expensive options in the increasingly crowded streaming market. But just because it offers top-tier entertainment doesn't mean you have to pay top dollar. Savvy streamers and deal hunters know there are ways to get access without breaking the bank, whether through special promotions, bundles, or understanding the different plan options. That's exactly what this guide is for – helping you navigate the costs and find the best Max deals and discounts available right now.

Here at DealNews, our team spends its days tracking down and verifying the best offers across the web. We're dedicated to helping you save money, so you can enjoy all the binge-worthy shows and movies HBO Max has to offer, knowing you got the smartest deal possible. Let's explore how you can save.

Best Max Deals

Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle w/ Ads

$16.99/month

Stream all your favorites from Disney+, Hulu, and Max for just $16.99 per month - as long as you don't mind ads, this is a great deal and provides a $13 savings each month over buying each service separately.

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Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle Ad-Free

$29.99/month

If you cant stand ads in your premium content, this shiny bundle is for you! You'll get Max, Hulu, and Disney+, all without ads, for $29.99 per month. That means a savings of $22 per month compared to getting each service ad-free separately.

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Max Streaming Service Student Discount

$4.99/mo.

Students who wish to consume all the Max content they can get their hands on can do so and save 50% to boot in 2025! You'll have to be a student at an accredited college or university and verify your status through UNiDAYS. Once you have the discounted subscription, it'll automatically renew at that rate each month for 12 months unless you cancel. Note this discount only applies to the Max With Ads monthly plan, which offers unlimited access to all of HBO including hit series, movies, news, sports, and more. Watch in full HD resolution on up to two devices at once with this plan.

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Max Annual Plans

Up to $41 off

Save up to $41 a year by signing up for a Max yearly plan instead of a monthly one in 2025. To see the savings options, go to the Yearly tab on the landing page. Here are the plan offerings and what you'll pay annually vs monthly:

• Ultimate Ad-Free: Save $41 ($209.99 on yearly plan; $251.88 on monthly plan)
• Ad-Free: Save $33 ($169.99 on yearly plan; $203.88 on monthly plan)With Ads: Save $19 ($99.99 on yearly plan; $119.88 on monthly plan)

Note that your subscription will auto-renew every 12 months at the then-current yearly price until you cancel.

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Netflix & Max With Ads Streaming Bundle at Verizon

$10/month

Verizon customers can get Netflix Standard with Ads and Max with Ads for just $10 per month added to eligible plans in 2025. (Scroll down the page to see this listed under the perks section.)

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Max Subscription on Sling TV

50% off + $5 off monthly

Max is now available on Sling TV and when you sign up, you'll get 50% off your first month of the service. After that, you'll save $5 each month as long as you're subscribed to Sling and Max. Note that you'll have to subscribe to Sling Blue or Sling Orange & Blue in order to take advantage of this deal. After your first month, you'll pay $57.97 per month for Sling Blue and Max or $72.98 per month for Sling Orange & Blue and Max.

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Max, Paramount+ w/ Showtime, and More on DIRECTV

Free 3-month trial

You'll need to subscribe to the DIRECTV Ultimate package but when you do, you'll get 3 months of 5 different streaming services for free in 2025. Those services include Max, Cinemax, Paramount+ with Showtime, Starz, and MGM+. Note that after the trial period, all of the channels will automatically renew at the then-current rates ($16.99 per month for Max; $12.99 per month for Paramount+ with Showtime; $10.99 per month each for Starz and Cinemax; and $6.99 per month for MGM+ at the time of publishing). If you aren't sold on any of them, be sure to cancel your subscriptions before the trial is up to avoid being charged.

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What HBO Max Deals Are Available This May?

Let's cut to the chase: If you're searching for a traditional, widely available discount code to simply type in at the HBO Max checkout for a percentage off, you're unlikely to find one that works. While HBO Max technically has the capability to accept codes, general-use promotional codes aren't a common offering for the service right now. Many sites might list codes, but these are often just highlighting standard deals or are long expired.

But don't despair, deal seeker. Just because universal codes aren't floating around doesn't mean you can't save money on Max. There are several other legitimate ways to get a discount, ranging from paying annually to specific eligibility offers and bundling opportunities. We'll dive into the details of these actual savings methods, like student pricing and bundle deals, a bit later in this guide, so keep reading to find out how you can score Max for less.

Limited-Time Offer: Save 30% on Annual Plans (Ends May 7, 2025)

Act fast! Max is currently running a special promotion offering 30% off the first year of any of its annual plans – which already offer 15% to 20% savings on monthly payments (more on that next). This deal is available to new and returning customers signing up via max.com, Apple, Roku, or Samsung, and to new customers signing up via Amazon Fire or Google Play. This offer ends on May 7, 2025.

The discounted first-year prices are:

• Basic With Ads Annual: $79.99 (Usually $99.99)
• Standard Annual: $139.99 (Usually $169.99)
• Premium Annual: $169.99 (Usually $209.99)

You'll be billed the full discounted amount upfront for the year. It's important to remember that after this first promotional year, your subscription will automatically renew at the standard annual price (currently $99.99, $169.99, or $209.99 respectively, plus tax) unless you cancel beforehand. Also, if you decide to switch plans during your discounted year, you'll lose the promotional rate. This offer can only be redeemed once per account.

Standard Savings: Pay Annually

Outside of special promotions, one of the simplest and most consistent ways to save is by opting for a standard annual subscription instead of paying month-to-month. HBO Max offers a regular discount on all three of its tiers if you pay for a full year upfront, typically saving you 16% or more compared to the monthly cost over 12 months (around $20-$42 saved annually, depending on the tier). If you miss the limited-time 30% off deal, this is still a reliable way to save.

Get 50% Off With the Student Discount

College students enrolled at accredited institutions can score a significant discount. HBO Max offers its With Ads plan for just $4.99 per month, which is 50% off the regular $9.99 monthly price. To get this deal, you need to verify your student status through UNiDAYS. Once verified, you'll receive a code to apply during signup. This discounted rate is typically valid for up to 12 months, after which you may need to re-verify or the plan will revert to the standard price.

Bundle Max with Disney Plus and Hulu

If you're interested in multiple streaming services, bundling can offer substantial savings. Max is available in a popular bundle alongside Disney Plus and Hulu. If you'll put up with ad breaks in the name of saving even more, sign up for the Trio Basic (With Ads) bundle for $16.99 per month. Trio Premium eliminates almost all ads from the three platforms, minus limited commercials during live events, for $29.99 monthly.

Both bundles offer significant savings (around 42-43%) compared to subscribing to each service individually.

Check Offers From Your Existing Service Providers

It's always worthwhile to investigate potential perks from services you already pay for. Deals can sometimes be found through mobile phone, internet, or cable TV providers.

Companies like Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Cricket Wireless have, at various times, offered HBO Max access or discounts, often tied to specific (usually premium or older unlimited) plans. These promotions change frequently, so check your current mobile plan details or contact your carrier directly to see if Max is included or available as a discounted add-on.

Similarly, companies like DIRECTV/DIRECTV Stream, Cox, Xfinity, or Spectrum might include HBO Max access with certain packages or offer promotional add-on deals. Check your provider's current offers or your account portal for possibilities.

Can You Watch HBO Max for Free?

The short answer is: yeah, kinda. Unfortunately, the days of a standard, widely advertised free trial directly from the Max website are over; that option was discontinued back in 2020. However, you might still be able to snag a limited-time free trial through specific partners if you're a new HBO Max subscriber trying it via their platform.

Here are the most common ways to skip paying for Max:

Free Episodes and Movies on Max.com

Max occasionally offers a selection of episodes from popular series (both HBO and Max Originals) and sometimes even full movies to watch completely free directly on their website, no subscription required. You can usually find these under a "Watch Free" or similar collection link (like max.com/collections/watch-free). This is a great way to sample a show you're curious about, like the first episode of a hit series, before committing to a paid plan. Keep in mind this isn't a free trial of the entire service; it's a limited, rotating selection of content made available for promotional purposes. You won't get access to the full library or new releases this way.

7-Day Free Trial via Amazon Prime

If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can add Max as a channel directly within the Prime Video app or website. Amazon frequently offers a 7-day free trial of the Max channel add-on for eligible Prime members who haven't subscribed to Max through them before.

7-Day Free Trial via Hulu Add-Ons

Hulu subscribers can also integrate Max into their existing plan. Like Amazon, Hulu often provides a 7-day free trial of the Max add-on for qualifying subscribers adding it for the first time through Hulu's platform.

Bundled Trials from TV or Other Providers

Less commonly, certain live TV streaming services (like DIRECTV Stream) or other promotional partners might run limited-time offers that include a free trial period for Max (sometimes longer than 7 days) when you sign up for their main service or a specific bundle. These require checking the provider's current promotions.

Max Plans and Pricing in 2025

Okay, let's talk plans. Max gives you choices, which is great, but sometimes choices lead to that head-scratching moment of "Which one is actually right for me?". It really boils down to what you value most: the lowest possible price, an ad-free binge session, or the absolute best picture quality for those epic movie nights.

Max offers three main flavors, all serving up the same delicious content library but with different sprinkles (and price tags). Plus, they dangle a carrot for commitment – pay yearly, and you'll save some cash, especially with their current limited-time deal.

Here's the scoop on the Max tiers, what they'll cost you, and what goodies come with each:

The "With Ads" plan is your straightforward, budget-conscious entry point. You get all the shows and movies, but you'll have commercial breaks, kind of like regular TV. It's perfect if you don't mind interruptions and just want access to the goods. Jumping up to "Ad-Free" is for the binge-watchers who find commercials the ultimate buzzkill. You also get the handy ability to download shows for those times Wi-Fi is MIA, and it unlocks the door to adding live sports via the B/R Sports add-on.

The "Ultimate Ad-Free" tier is the splurge. It's tailor-made for folks with a nice 4K TV setup who want that cinema-like experience at home, complete with immersive sound. The extra streams make it better for larger households (though remember Max is cracking down on sharing outside the home), and the massive download limit is great for frequent travelers or families loading up devices. Both ad-free plans throw in the CNN Max live feed for news junkies. And remember, if live sports are your jam, you'll need one of the two ad-free plans plus shell out an extra ten bucks a month for that B/R Sports access.

When Is the Best Time to Save on Max?

While you can find ways to save on Max year-round, certain periods tend to offer more potential for special promotions. Keep an extra close eye out during major shopping holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday in late November; streaming services often roll out deals for new subscribers around this time, sometimes offering discounted rates for the first few months. The Back-to-School season (roughly August-September) can also be a good time to check, especially if you might qualify for the student discount, as it sometimes gets extra promotion then.

And don't forget the current limited-time 30% off annual plans deal ending May 7, 2025.

What Have Discounts Looked Like in the Past?

Max, and HBO Max before it, has offered various types of discounts over the years, giving us clues about what kinds of savings might pop up again. We've seen introductory offers when the service first launched or rebranded, often giving new users a percentage off for their first few months. Targeted email promotions offering significant discounts, like 50% off the ad-free plan for up to six months, have also been sent to former subscribers to lure them back.

While the standard 7-day free trial offered directly by Max is a thing of the past, partner platforms like Amazon and Hulu still frequently offer short trial periods for the Max add-on. Major sales holidays like Black Friday have also historically brought temporary price cuts or special bundle inclusions. So, while the exact deals change, Max has a history of using limited-time offers, partner trials, and targeted discounts beyond its standard annual and student savings.

What Are My Payment Options?

Max accepts several common payment methods when you subscribe directly through their website. Typically, you can pay using major credit cards (like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and debit cards. They also usually accept PayPal.

If you subscribe through a third-party provider (like Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Roku Channel Store, Amazon Appstore, or directly via Hulu/Prime Video channels), you'll use the payment method associated with that account. So, if you sign up via your iPhone, you'll likely be billed through your Apple account's payment method. Always check the payment options available during the specific sign-up process you choose.

How Do I Cancel My Subscription?

Decided to take a break from Max? No problem, canceling is usually straightforward, but the most important step is figuring out who actually bills you for the service. Max subscriptions can be billed directly through Max itself, or through third parties like Apple, Google Play, Roku, Amazon, Hulu, or your TV/internet/mobile provider. Deleting the Max app from your device will not cancel your subscription or stop the charges. You need to cancel through the appropriate billing platform.

Here's a general guide:

1. Identify Your Biller: The easiest way is to log in to your Max account on a web browser. Go to your profile, then click on "Subscription." It should clearly state who your subscription is billed through near the top of the page. You can also check your bank or credit card statements.
2. If Billed Directly by Max: While logged into your subscription page on max.com, look for an option like "Cancel Your Subscription." Click it. Follow the prompts to confirm you want to cancel. Max will typically show you the date your subscription will end (usually at the end of your current billing cycle).
3. If Billed by a Third Party: If your subscription page says you're billed through Apple, Google Play, Roku, Amazon, Hulu, your TV provider, etc., you must cancel through that specific service. You won't see a cancel option directly on the Max website. Fortunately, the instructions are essentially the same: go to the specific platform's subscriptions or account settings area, find Max, and follow the prompts.

Once you've successfully canceled, you can typically continue watching Max until the end of your current paid billing period. Don't worry, if you get the itch to re-subscribe later, reactivating your account is usually just a few clicks away.

Upcoming Releases This Month

Max keeps the hits coming throughout the year, and Spring/Early Summer 2025 looks particularly exciting. Mark your calendars for May 15th when Duster premieres. This new series, set in 1972 and co-created by J.J. Abrams, stars Josh Holloway (Lost) as a getaway driver tangled up with the first Black female FBI agent. Film buffs will want to catch the Oscar-winning epic The Brutalist, starring Adrien Brody, which lands on Max on May 16th.

Get ready for more globe-trotting laughs when the second season of Conan O'Brien Must Go drops on May 8th. Later in the month, the ladies are back in NYC as And Just Like That... returns for its third season on May 29th. Finally, rounding out the month on May 31st is the HBO Original film Mountainhead, written and directed by Succession creator Jesse Armstrong and starring Steve Carell and Jason Schwartzman in a story about wealthy friends snowed in during a crisis. Keep an eye on Max's schedule, as more premiere dates for anticipated returning series like The Righteous Gemstones and The Gilded Age are expected later in the year.

Is Max Worth It This Year?

So, after exploring the plans, the content, and the deals, the big question remains: Is a Max subscription actually worth the money in 2025? Let's be frank, HBO Max sits on the higher end of the streaming price scale, especially if you opt for the ad-free or ultimate tiers. You can definitely find cheaper ways to get some streaming content. However, Max plays in the premium league for a reason. Its library, anchored by the unparalleled quality of HBO Originals and bolstered by blockbuster Warner Bros. movies, beloved classics, and popular Discovery reality shows, is genuinely hard to beat for sheer breadth and quality.

If you're someone who craves shows like The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, The White Lotus, or Hacks, wants access to major movie releases after their theatrical run, and enjoys dipping into home improvement or cooking shows, Max packs a massive punch. Features like offline downloads (on ad-free plans), the potential for stunning 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos visuals (on the Ultimate plan), and the inclusion of CNN Max add tangible value. The optional B/R Sports add-on also caters to live sports fans, though that comes at an extra cost.

Ultimately, the "worth it" calculation often comes down to how much you'll actually watch and whether you can snag a discount. If you can get HBO Max for less, its case becomes significantly stronger, especially for savvy streaming fans and deal seekers like our readers.

What Else To Consider

You might wonder how we track down all these savings opportunities. Here at DealNews, finding and verifying the best deals is our bread and butter, and we've been doing it for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of expert deal curators constantly scours the internet, monitors official announcements from Max and its partners, and checks various providers to uncover the latest discounts, promotions, and free trial opportunities.

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