What’s New on HBO Max This December: Big Premieres, Music Box Docs, Comedy Specials & Blockbuster Films

HBO Max is closing out the year with one of its most stacked December lineups yet—packed with buzzy documentaries, long-awaited films, major HBO Original premieres, and a comedy special guaranteed to melt your brain (in the best way). Whether you’re into music deep-dives, NFL drama, A24 artistry, or nostalgic comebacks, this month’s slate has something for every corner of fandom.

Here’s everything coming to HBO Max this December, broken down by category so you don’t miss a single premiere.

🎤 Specials

Sarah Squirm: Live + In The Flesh

Debuts December 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET

Sarah Sherman—better known as her chaotic, unhinged alter ego Sarah Squirm—returns to the screen in her first HBO stand-up special. Fresh off four seasons on Saturday Night Live, Sherman unleashes an hour of body horror comedy, grotesque confessions, and jokes that “leave scars on your soul.”

Credits: Performed & EP’d by Sarah Sherman. Executive Producers include Lorne Michaels, Hilary Marx, Taylor Segal, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Josh Safdie, Matthew Vaughan, Dan McManus, and Jack Bensinger.

Directed by Cody Critcheloe.

This one is messy. It’s loud. It’s unforgettable. Ideal for fans of offbeat, boundary-breaking comedy.

🏈 Series

Hard Knocks: In Season with the NFC East

Debuts December 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET

The Emmy-winning Hard Knocks franchise takes on the NFL’s most storied division: the NFC East. The season follows the defending Super Bowl LIX Champion Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and the Washington Commanders through the final stretch of the NFL season.

Expect raw locker-room access, emotional highs, crushing injuries, and unfiltered behind-the-scenes drama. Narrator: Liev Schreiber.

🎬 Documentaries

Paul Anka: His Way

Debuts December 1 at 9:00 p.m. ET

A sweeping look at the life of musical legend Paul Anka—from teen idol to industry titan. The documentary blends biography, road-movie energy, and seven decades of reinvention from one of music’s most enduring names.

Featuring: never-before-seen archive, personal stories, and genre-defining milestones.

Credits: Directed by John Maggio. Produced by Ark Media & Blue Ant Studios with a powerhouse list of executive producers, including Caroline Kimmel, Irving Azoff, Randy Lennox, Dorin Razam, and more.

Architecton (A24 Documentary)

Debuts December 4

A24 steps into philosophical territory with visionary director Victor Kossakovsky. Architecton is a meditative exploration of concrete, stone, and the materials that shape humanity’s past—and the world we’ll build next.

A must-watch for architecture lovers, environmental thinkers, and fans of slow, visually stunning cinema.

Music Box: It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley

Debuts December 4 at 9:00 p.m. ET

The enigmatic musician Jeff Buckley gets the Music Box treatment. Through rare footage and intimate interviews, the film explores his meteoric rise, his hauntingly beautiful voice, and the tragic loss that turned him into a legend.

Credits include: Plan B Entertainment, Topic Studios, Fremantle, and executive producer Brad Pitt.

A soulful, emotional dive for anyone who still gets chills from Grace.

Music Box: Wizkid — Long Live Lagos

Debuts December 11 at 9:00 p.m. ET

A celebration of Afrobeats global superstar Wizkid, this documentary tracks his rise from Lagos to worldwide stardom—while exploring how he’s rewriting how Africa is seen (and heard) around the globe.

Featuring high-energy performances, intimate moments, cultural commentary, and a visionary look at post-colonial identity through music.

Music Box: Counting Crows — Have You Seen Me Lately?

Debuts December 18 at 9:00 p.m. ET

An emotionally raw portrait of Adam Duritz, frontman of the Counting Crows. The documentary digs into the emotional weight of early fame, the struggle to follow a massive debut, and the creative journey that shaped one of the most influential bands of their era.

Directed by Amy Scott and produced by Ringer Films.

Music Box: Happy And You Know It

Debuts December 25 at 9:00 p.m. ET

A surprisingly joyful deep dive into toddler pop—yes, the genre that takes over every parent’s playlist. Featuring The Wiggles, Laurie Berkner, and musicians shaping a new generation of kids’ entertainment, the documentary even explores how AI is reshaping children’s music.

Fun, weird, informative, and a perfect holiday release.

🎞️ Films

The Family McMullen (Warner Bros.)

Debuts December 5

Cast: Connie Britton, Edward Burns, Michael McGlone, Tracee Ellis Ross, Halston Sage, Juliana Canfield, Pico Alexander, Brian d’Arcy James.

A long-awaited return to the world of The Brothers McMullen—30 years later. The new film revisits the McMullen family as they navigate love, loss, and complicated relationships in classic Edward Burns storytelling fashion.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues

Debuts December 12

Cast includes: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner.

Director: Rob Reiner.

The iconic band reunites for one last concert after a 15-year hiatus. Expect absurdity, satire, and the hilarious chaos only Spinal Tap can deliver.

Ne Zha II (A24)

Debuts December 20

Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Crystal Lee, Vincent Rodriguez III, Aleks Le.

Director: Jiao Zi.

The sequel to the hit animated fantasy returns with big emotions, breathtaking action, and a coming-of-age story rooted in mythology. With a high-stakes threat looming, Ne Zha must become the hero humanity needs.

TITLES COMING TO HBO MAX IN DECEMBER

This list may not be comprehensive and is subject to change.

December 1

• 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After: Pillow Talk, Season 9 (TLC)

• Adult Swim Yule Log (Adult Swim)

• Adult Swim Yule Log 2: Branchin' Out (Adult Swim)

• Atomic Blonde

• Battle of the Sexes

• Bright Leaf

• Christmas with the Kranks

• Dames

• DeLorean

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

• Girls Trip

• Gunsmoke in Tucson

• Hidden Figures

• I'll See You in My Dreams (1952)

• Illegal

• Jim Thorpe: All-American

• Jimmy the Gent

• Key Largo

• Kid Galahad

• Larceny Inc.

• Law of the Badlands

• Little Caesar

• Liz and the Blue Bird

• Lu Over the Wall

• Mad Men, Seasons 1–7

• Mandalay

• Millennium Actress

• Mind Game

• Miss Congeniality

• Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous

• Mission to Moscow

• My Dream is Yours

• Ne Zha

• Night and Day

• Paul Anka: His Way (HBO Original)

• Perfect Blue

• Pierrot le fou

• Racket Busters

• Riffraff

• Romance on the High Seas

• Santa Fe Trail

• Shin Godzilla (GKIDS)

• Shining Victory

• Shoeshine

• Sing and Like It

• Song of My City

• Summer Wars

• Table 19

• Taking Woodstock

• The Color Purple (1985)

• The Colors Within

• The Damned Don't Cry

• The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

• The Goonies

• The Matrimonial Bed

• The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

• The Sea Wolf (1941)

• The Seventh Victim

• The Shop Around the Corner

• They Won't Believe Me

• Tiny Furniture

• Trouble Along the Way

• Walk Softly, Stranger

• Walk the Dark Street

• Wedding Crashers

• Wilson

• Wolf Children

• X-Men: First Class

December 2

• Capital One MLB Open

• Chopped: Volume 4, Season 63 (Food Network)

• Hard Knocks: In Season with the NFC East (HBO Original)

• New Orleans: Soul of a City (CNN Original Series)

• “The Hidden Homeless,” The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper (CNN Original)

December 3

• Fixer to Fabulous, Season 7 (HGTV)

December 4

• About Face, Season 1 (TLC)

• Architecton (A24)

• Cheap A$$ Beach Houses, Season 1 (HGTV)

• Dunkman, Season 1

• Dylan's Playtime Adventures, Season 1D (Max Original)

• It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley (HBO Original)

December 5

• Batwheels, Season 3A (Cartoon Network)

• House Hunters International: Volume 9, Season 205 (HGTV)

• House Hunters: Volume 10, Season 247 (HGTV)

• The Family McMullen (2025)

December 7

• The Christmas Showdown (OWN)

December 8

• 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, Season 8 (TLC)

December 9

• Bugs Bunny Builders, Season 2I (Cartoon Network)

• Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House (Magnolia Network)

December 11

• Wizkid: Long Live Lagos (HBO Original)

December 12

• Sarah Squirm: Live + In The Flesh (HBO Original)

• Spinal Tap II: The End Continues

• Stolen Children (HBO Original)

• This Is Spinal Tap

December 13

• Vantara: Sanctuary Stories, Season 1 (Animal Planet)

December 14

• Toad and Friends, Season 1D

• Very Merry Mystery (OWN)

December 15

• Assassination in the Valley of the Kings (Discovery)

• The Bold Type, Seasons 1–5

• Tony Shalhoub Breaking Bread (CNN Original Series)

• Truck U, Season 21

• White House Christmas (HGTV)

December 16

• The Secrets We Bury (ID)

• “MisinfoNation: White Genocide,” The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper (CNN Original)

December 17

• Obsession: The Murder of a Beauty Queen (HBO Original)

December 18

• Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately? (HBO Original)

• Saving Yellowstone with Dennis Quaid, Season 1 (Animal Planet)

December 19

• House Hunters: Volume 10, Season 248 (HGTV)

• Teen Titans Go!, Season 9F (Cartoon Network)

December 20

• Adult Swim's The Elephant (Adult Swim)

• Ne Zha II (A24)

December 21

• Secrets in the Sand, Season 2 (Science)

December 22

• Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires (2025)

• The Last Captains, Season 1 (Discovery)

December 23

• “The Exorcists,” The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper (CNN Original)

December 24

• Guy’s Grocery Games, Season 40 (Food Network)

December 25

• Happy And You Know It (HBO Original)

December 26

• Heaven (HBO Original)

December 27

• Junk or Jackpot?, Season 1 (HGTV)

December 28

• Home Reimagined, Season 1B (Magnolia Network)

• My Pet Ate What!?, Season 1 (Animal Planet)

December 29

• Celebrity IOU, Season 11 (HGTV)

• Two Guys Garage, Season 24

December 31

• Building Outside the Lines, Season 3 (Magnolia Network)

LIVE SPORTS IN DECEMBER

Live Sports available only on select plans. Plan availability varies by subscription provider. Select games are available, and blackouts may apply. All times listed in ET. Pre- and post-event programming and condensed replays may be available.

College Football Playoffs

• December 20 — CFP Game, 3:30 p.m. ET

• December 20 — CFP Game, 7:30 p.m. ET

U.S. Soccer

• December 1 — USWNT vs Italy, 7:00 p.m. ET

World Sevens Tournament

• December 5 — Session 1 Matches (4 Matches), 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET

• December 6 — Session 2 Matches (4 Matches), 11:10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET

• December 6 — Session 3 Matches (4 Matches), 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET

• December 7 — Semi Final Matches (2 Matches), 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET

• December 7 — 3rd Place Match, 3:00 p.m. ET

• December 7 — Championship Match, 4:30 p.m. ET

NHL on TNT (selected dates)

• December 3 — Buffalo Sabres vs Philadelphia Flyers, 7:30 p.m. ET

• December 3 — Utah Mammoth vs Anaheim Ducks, 10:00 p.m. ET

• December 9 — Vegas Golden Knights vs New York Islanders, 7:00 p.m. ET

• December 9 — Colorado Avalanche vs Nashville Predators, 9:30 p.m. ET

• December 10 — New York Rangers vs Chicago Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m. ET

• December 10 — Los Angeles Kings vs Seattle Kraken, 10:00 p.m. ET

• December 16 — Edmonton Oilers vs Pittsburgh Penguins, 7:00 p.m. ET

• December 16 — Colorado Avalanche vs Seattle Kraken, 10:00 p.m. ET

• December 17 — Utah Mammoth vs Detroit Red Wings, 7:30 p.m. ET

• December 17 — New Jersey Devils vs Vegas Golden Knights, 10:00 p.m. ET

• December 23 — Pittsburgh Penguins vs Toronto Maple Leafs, 4:00 p.m. ET

• December 23 — Dallas Stars vs Detroit Red Wings, 6:30 p.m. ET

• December 23 — Philadelphia vs Chicago Blackhawks, 9:00 p.m. ET

College Basketball (selected dates)

Men’s Big East

• December 1 — St. Francis vs Xavier, 7:00 p.m. ET

• December 2 — Eastern Michigan vs Butler, 7:00 p.m. ET

• December 2 — Nicholls State vs Creighton, 9:00 p.m. ET

• December 3 — UMBC vs Georgetown, 8:00 p.m. ET

• December 5 — Cincinnati vs Xavier, 7:30 p.m. ET

• December 6 — Rhode Island vs Providence, 12:00 p.m. ET

• December 6 — Boise State vs Butler, 2:00 p.m. ET

• December 6 — Arkansas Pine Bluff vs DePaul, 9:00 p.m. ET

• December 9 — Brown vs Providence, 7:30 p.m. ET

• December 12 — Missouri State vs Xavier, 7:00 p.m. ET

• December 13 — Iona vs St. John’s, 12:00 p.m. ET

• December 13 — Providence vs Butler, 2:00 p.m. ET

• December 13 — Pittsburgh vs Villanova, 4:30 p.m. ET

Men’s Big 12

• December 13 — Santa Clara vs Arizona State, 7:00 p.m. ET

• December 19 — Abilene Christian vs BYU, 9:30 p.m. ET

• December 21 — Southern vs Baylor, 1:00 p.m. ET

• December 28 — Winthrop vs Texas Tech, 2:00 p.m. ET

Women’s Big East

• December 28 — Connecticut vs Butler, 4:00 p.m. ET

• December 28 — Creighton vs Georgetown, 6:00 p.m. ET

ALL ELITE WRESTLING (AEW) IN DECEMBER

• December 3 — AEW Dynamite, 8:00 p.m. ET

• December 6 — AEW Collision, 8:00 p.m. ET

• December 10 — AEW Dynamite, 8:00 p.m. ET

• December 13 — AEW Collision, 4:30 p.m. ET

• December 17 — AEW Dynamite, 8:00 p.m. ET & AEW Collision, 10:00 p.m. ET (plus AEW Countdown to World’s End 2025, 11:00 p.m. ET)

• December 19 — Classic AEW slate: Dynamite, Rampage and Battle of the Belts from 2022 (holiday marathon)

• December 20 — AEW Collision, 2:30 p.m. ET

• December 24 — AEW Dynamite – Dynamite on 34th Street, 6:00 p.m. ET

• December 25 — AEW Collision – Collision Christmas, 9:00 p.m. ET

• December 27 — AEW World's End PPV, 8:00 p.m. ET

• December 31 — AEW Dynamite – Dynamite New Year Smash 2025, 8:00 p.m. ET

Reminder: This schedule is subject to change. Check HBO Max or your subscription provider for the latest availability, regional restrictions, and exact start times.

⭐ Final Thoughts: December Is Stacked on HBO Max

HBO Max is closing the year with a powerful mix of comedy, music, docs, prestige filmmaking, and sports storytelling. From the outrageous world of Sarah Squirm to the emotional depth of the Music Box series and blockbuster titles from A24 and Warner Bros., December might be one of HBO Max’s strongest streaming months all year.

Whether you’re bingeing during the holidays or planning a December movie night, this lineup has something that will hit every mood.