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CNET has published a watchlist of 35 HBO Max series, mixing established dramas and comedies with newer titles and upcoming October releases. The supplied material names several shows and October dates, but does not include the complete list of 35 or independently verify the release and Emmy details.
CNET has published a watchlist of 35 HBO Max series, pairing established titles such as The White Lotus and Industry with newer programs including The Pitt and DTF St. Louis. The guide also points readers to three October releases—War, season two of Rage, and the documentary series The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story—though the source material available here does not provide all 35 entries.
The guide’s selections span drama, comedy-drama and documentary programming. Among the listed dramas, The Gilded Age follows newly wealthy New Yorkers seeking acceptance among established society, while The Pitt depicts a hospital emergency department during a 15-hour shift. CNET describes the latter as a contemporary medical drama led by Noah Wyle, whose character is the department’s chief attendant.
Other entries include Heated Rivalry, a six-episode Canadian series about professional hockey players in a secret relationship while competing on opposing teams, and Euphoria, whose third and final installment is described in the source as available on the service. The guide also features Julia, about television chef Julia Child, and DTF St. Louis, a dark comedy-drama involving a mysterious death. CNET says the latter won seven Emmy Awards at the ceremony referenced in its article; the supplied material does not identify the ceremony date or provide a separate awards source.
The October schedule in the source lists War for Oct. 1, Rage for Oct. 9 and The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story for Oct. 11, all in 2026. The descriptions say new episodes of War will arrive weekly; Rage’s second season will have eight half-hour episodes; and the three-part pet-cemetery documentary will release weekly on Sundays. These dates and program details are presented as information from the source material, not independently confirmed here.
Streaming guide · CNET watchlist · September 2026
35 Great HBO Max Shows to Add to Your Watchlist
A genre-spanning viewing guide pairs established favorites with newer series and reported October releases. The available source names only part of the 35-show list, so use this as a snapshot—not a complete lineup.
Established names meet recent picks
The supplied text spans drama, comedy-drama and documentary programming. These short descriptions reflect the source’s framing.
The Gilded Age
Newly wealthy New Yorkers seek acceptance among established society. A fourth season is reported for November, with no specific date given.
The Pitt
A contemporary emergency department drama unfolding across a 15-hour shift, led by Noah Wyle.
Heated Rivalry
A six-episode Canadian series about professional hockey players in a secret relationship on opposing teams.
The White Lotus
A luxury resort’s polished postcard gradually reveals the darker edges beneath its surface.
Industry
Named among the established series in the guide’s mix of continuing and recent titles.
DTF St. Louis
A dark comedy-drama involving a mysterious death. CNET cites seven Emmy wins; the supplied text gives no ceremony details.
Julia
A series about television chef Julia Child.
Euphoria
The source describes its third and final installment as available on the service.
War
Listed for October, with new episodes described as arriving weekly.
Rage
Season two is described as an eight-episode run, with half-hour episodes.
The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story
A three-part documentary series described as releasing weekly on Sundays.
A curated mix
The guide favors series with a new season since 2023 or additional seasons ahead; it is not an official ranking.
Three October dates to check
The schedule below is attributed to the source material. Dates and availability have not been independently confirmed.
War
The source describes episodes arriving weekly.
October 1, 2026Rage
Eight half-hour episodes are reported for the new season.
October 9, 2026The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story
Three parts are described as releasing weekly on Sundays.
October 11, 2026CNET also reports a November return for The Gilded Age season four, without a specific day or year in the supplied text. Streaming plans can change; check current listings near release.
From broad catalog to next pick
The editorial approach emphasizes recent activity and range, helping viewers choose by mood, commitment and release cadence.
Recent or continuing
Selections have a season since 2023 or a renewal for additional seasons, according to CNET.
Choose a lane
Browse drama, comedy-drama and documentary titles rather than one genre alone.
Pick your pace
Compare completed installments, continuing stories and weekly episode schedules.
Confirm details
Check the service’s current listings for timing and availability in your market.
What the supplied source can—and can’t—confirm
The article is a recommendation guide. The available text is incomplete and several schedule details remain unverified here.
Partial list
The material names only a portion of the advertised 35 series, so the complete watchlist cannot be reconstructed from this excerpt.
Dates may shift
October premiere dates and the reported November return are source claims, not a guarantee that schedules remain unchanged.
Awards need detail
The Emmy recognition for DTF St. Louis is attributed to CNET; the excerpt does not identify the ceremony or categories.
Availability varies
The source gives no regional availability details. Confirm titles and release timing in HBO Max listings for your market.
At a glance
What is the CNET HBO Max watchlist?
A 35-show guide mixing dramas, comedies and other series. The supplied excerpt names only some selections.
Which October releases are mentioned?
War on October 1, Rage season two on October 9, and The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story on October 11, 2026—as reported by the source.
Does the guide rank the shows?
The material presents CNET favorites, but does not describe a numbered ranking or scoring system.
Where can I check current details?
Consult HBO Max’s current program listings for the latest schedule and regional availability.
A Guide Across HBO Max Genres
The watchlist gives subscribers a way to sort through a broad catalogue without treating one genre or release as the whole story. Its mix of ongoing series, completed seasons and fresh releases can help viewers choose between a short binge, a continuing drama or a weekly episode schedule. For readers tracking recent awards attention, CNET also uses the Emmy recognition it cites for DTF St. Louis and other shows as a reason to revisit newer titles.
The guide is a recommendation list, not an official ranking or a measure of audience popularity. Its usefulness rests on the range of programs and the concise descriptions, while availability can depend on the date and market. The October titles also give the list a timely component: viewers may use the stated premiere dates to plan what to watch, subject to the schedule being accurate and unchanged.
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How the Watchlist Is Framed
CNET says its selection concentrates on series that have premiered a new season since 2023 or have been renewed for additional seasons. That approach favors shows with recent or continuing activity rather than attempting to catalogue every well-regarded HBO title. It also places established names such as The White Lotus beside comparatively recent entries including The Pitt and Heated Rivalry.
The supplied article text names only a portion of the advertised 35 programs and includes a schedule for October 2026. It also says The Gilded Age is due to return for a fourth season in November, but gives no day or year for that premiere. The descriptions are attributed in the source to news releases and are lightly edited there, so they should be read as programming information rather than independent critical assessments.
“Here are some of our favorite series you shouldn’t wait to watch on HBO Max, plus a look at new releases for October.”
— CNET
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Dates and Full List Need Checking
The source material does not include the complete set of 35 recommendations, so the full scope of the list cannot be described from the text provided. It also does not independently establish whether the October 2026 premiere dates or November return mentioned for The Gilded Age remain current. Streaming schedules may change, and the article provides no regional availability details.
The Emmy statement is attributed to CNET, but the supplied text does not specify the ceremony or award categories. The source also describes some series as ongoing, renewed or returning without supplying every renewal announcement or premiere date. Readers should check HBO Max’s current program listings for the latest schedule and availability.
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Check the Upcoming Release Dates
Based on the schedule in the source, the next listed releases are War on Oct. 1, Rage season two on Oct. 9, and The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story on Oct. 11, all in 2026. The documentary is described as a three-part weekly release, while War is listed for weekly episodes. CNET also says The Gilded Age’s fourth season is expected in November, without giving a specific date.
Those dates should be treated as the schedule reported in the source, not a guarantee that release plans have not changed. Viewers can confirm the latest timing and local availability through HBO Max closer to each premiere.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Key Questions
What is the CNET HBO Max watchlist?
It is a 35-show viewing guide featuring a mix of dramas, comedies and other series. The supplied source names only some of the selections, not the full list.
Which October releases are mentioned?
The source lists War for Oct. 1, season two of Rage for Oct. 9, and The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story for Oct. 11, 2026. The dates have not been independently verified here.
Which series are highlighted in the supplied material?
Named titles include The Pitt, The Gilded Age, Heated Rivalry, The White Lotus, Industry, DTF St. Louis, Julia and Euphoria, along with the three October releases.
Does the list rank the shows?
The supplied material presents the programs as CNET favorites, but it does not describe a numbered ranking or explain a scoring system.
Source: CNET
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