A lot of people are going to be happy with their HBO subscriptions in 2026. The year is peppered with returning favorites like Euphoria, House of the Dragon, and The Pitt set to take the stage and entertain with new twists and turns. Meanwhile, long awaited newcomers like Lanterns are playing their cards close to the super suit, so as to surprise and delight. 

Both halves of that spectrum look mighty impressive in the network’s 2026 edition of its annual sizzle reel; and it’s as thrilling as you’d expect. At the same time, there’s a mix of old favorites and promising new delights that have caught my eye – even in the short glimpses you’ll see below: 

Now that I’ve got your attention, let’s talk about the stuff I’m really excited to see from HBO in 2026! (Naturally you HBO Max subscribers are covered here as well. So don’t go flipping the channel just yet.)

Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!

HBO’s history of supporting comedy has shone in a very different way over the past couple years. Providing extensive and insightful documentaries on Garry Shandling and George Carlin in the past, Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! promises the same treatment for a living comedy legend.

A two-part event, much like the ones alluded to above, Brooks’ life and career will be examined – with the man himself helping tell the tale. Considering that the talent behind comedies like The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and Spaceballs also has an autobiography covering the same ground, I wonder what new stories will pop up in this anticipated celebration?

Rooster

Hear me out on this one: a dramedy where Steve Carell is trying to navigate “a complicated relationship with his college age daughter.” That may not sound like much on the outset, but seeing as Ted Lasso and Shrinking co-creator Bill Lawrence is on-board with this HBO project, I’m betting your ears perked up a bit.

That sort of dramedy is something Mr. Carell thrives in. However, it kind of helps your case when you’ve got a clip like this one to show off. Seeing the Anchorman vet semi-awkwardly flirting with Barb and Star go to Vista del Mar’s Annie Mumolo goes a long way with some comedy fans, and I declare myself guilty as charged.

The Gilded Age – Season 4 

While I still need to catch up with The Gilded Age Season 3, the fact that HBO and Julian Fellowes’ period drama endures makes me smile. Seeing as Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is probably the last we’ll see of his other touching drama, keeping up with the Van Rhijns, the Astors, and everyone else in old New York is an even more comforting prospect. 

Also, any series that allows Christine Baranski to wield her wit like an iron fist should be celebrated. Ditto for any series that doesn’t take two years to work on another season of episodes. 

Lanterns 

Oh DC Studios, you’ve got me again. So far DCU Chapter 1: “Gods and Monsters” has impressed me with both its TV and film offerings. 2026 looks to continue that streak, thanks in part to what we saw in the recent Supergirl teaser. The other half of that promising sandwich is due to the snippet for Lanterns showing Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) being a hell of a mentor to up and coming Green Lantern John Stewart (Aaron Pierre).

Using the traditional “put your student in mortal peril to test their heroism” play, Chandler is gruffer than some might expect from Lantern Corps depictions of the past. That in itself makes the new series something to look out for, as one has to wonder how John Stewart may differ in this incarnation.

Dune: Prophecy – Season 2 

Ok, this last one is a pure case of bias. Some of you are counting the days until HBO’s two Game of Thrones spinoffs arrive, and others are looking forward to catching up with Euphoria’s title contradicting exploits. That level of excitement is what I’m carrying for the already mysterious Dune: Prophecy Season 2.

With the balance of power shifting, and all of the wild revelations in the back half of the previous season still haunting my mind, I need to see what’s next. I’ll even forgive the almost two year wait – especially if it pairs well with next December’s Dune: Part Three. Now to figure out if that is Princess Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina) looking dour in that veiled yellow dress, and if so why she looks that way?

HBO’s 2026 does appear to be a big deal on the horizon! Which means anyone also using HBO Max will be in for the same sort of merriment. So be sure to keep your subscription up to date; especially as the holiday season offers a lot of opportunities for prime movie watching.

For more on TV, make sure to check back to That Hashtag Show.

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