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What's New to Watch on HBO Max the Week of Oct. 2, 2026

Spooky season is in full effect on the streamer this week with a blood-soaked animated series, a twisted live-action anthology, and more.

October 2, 2026
Get Jiro Get Jiro (Credit: HBO Max)

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It's another solid week on HBO Max, especially for horror fans. There's a set of live-action adaptations of Japanese manga master Junji Ito's short stories, a compelling serial killer deep dive, a blood-soaked animated series, and lots more. Here are the three things that you should save to your watchlist, plus everything else coming to the service this week.


This Week on HBO Max: PCMag's Picks

Strange: Junji Ito’s Tales for Sleepless Nights (October 2)

Japanese master of horror Junji Ito has seen his work adapted in numerous mediums, but this live-action anthology series is one of the best ways to get into his twisted world. Ito loves absurd premises, cutting social commentary, and revolting body horror, and stories like "The Rib Woman," where a vain girl undergoes bone-removal surgery to match her rival's thin waist, deliver the chills in a way that nobody else can.

  • Directors: Atsuhiro Yamada, Ryōta Kondō, Yūta Shimotsu

  • Stars: Kanata Hosoda, Nijirô Murakami, Yuri Tsunematsu

  • Genre: Horror

  • Rating: TV-MA

  • IMDB Rating: 5.1/10

Get Jiro (October 4)

Based on the graphic novel by Anthony Bourdain, Get Jiro is a new Adult Swim series that follows the tribulations of a sushi chef in near-future Los Angeles. When Jiro has to kill a customer for his bad manners, he catches the attention of the organized crime groups that run the town, all of which want his unique skills for themselves. The show has been in production for nearly a decade, and it looks really solid, with a great visual style and cameos from several notable chefs.

  • Stars: Brian Tee, Titus Welliver, Alison Pill

  • Genre: Animation

  • Rating: TV-MA

The Serial Killer Connection (October 7)

The crimes of a serial killer can have widespread repercussions. New Investigation Discovery series The Serial Killer Connection explores those through the case of true monster Richard Evonitz, who kidnapped and killed at least three teenage girls in the '80s and '90s. He was caught after his final prospective victim, Kara Robinson, escaped and was able to lead police to him, at which point he took his own life. The show brings together Robinson and Evonitz's ex-wife, who was married to him during many of his crimes, to try to bring closure to the families of his victims.

  • Stars: Bonnie Lou Gower, Kara Robinson Chamberlain

  • Genre: Documentary

  • Rating: TV-14


HBO Max New Releases This Week

October 2

Batwheels - Season 3
Maine Cabin Masters - Season 13
Strange: Junji Ito’s Tales for Sleepless Nights - Season 1
The Torment - Season 1

October 3

Impractical Jokers - Season 13A
Gold Rush - Season 17

October 4

Be My Guest With Ina Garten - Season 8
Get Jiro - Season 1

October 5

90 Day Fiance: The Other Way - Season 8
Sister Wives - Season 21

October 6

90 Day: Hunt for Love - Season 2
Crazy Rich Asians
Sweet Deceit - Season 1
Nepal’s Deadly Floods With Anderson Cooper, The Whole Story With Anderson Cooper

October 7

The Serial Killer Connection

October 8

Sin City Rehab - Season 2
Top of the World

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