The new movie and TV releases coming to HBO Max from August 17 to August 23, 2026, include Mother Mary, Thanksgiving, and many more.
Mother Mary is written and directed by David Lowery. The psychological drama film focuses on pop star Mother Mary reuniting with her estranged friend and ex-costume designer. However, this reunion brought old wounds to the fore, forcing Mary to face her past. The film received mixed reviews and features Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel in key roles.
Also coming to HBO Max is the Eli Roth-directed slasher film Thanksgiving, which follows a small town in Massachusetts as a mysterious masked killer terrorizes it. It happens around the Thanksgiving holiday and also one year after the Black Friday riot, ending in tragedy. The revenge killings keep taking lives one by one, bringing intense twists and turns. The film opened to mostly positive reviews and grossed $46.6 million worldwide on a $15 million budget. Patrick Dempsey, Nell Verlaque, Addison Rae, Jalen Thomas Brooks, and many others play important roles. Moreover, the film’s sequel is currently in development.
Additionally, Season 5 of Abbott Elementary arrives on the streaming platform. The fifth season continues to show the chaotic lives of teachers at a Philadelphia public school, leading to interesting incidents. The season originally ran from October 1, 2025, to April 22, 2026, containing 22 episodes. It features a star cast of Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, and Lisa Ann Walter, among others, playing main roles.
List of all HBO Max releases this week from August 17-23
Below are all the new TV shows and movies being added to HBO Max from August 17-23.
Monday, August 17
Thursday, August 20
- ER: Caught On Camera, Season 1 (TLC)
- Expedition X, Season 12 (Discovery)
Friday, August 21
- Conan O’Brien Must Go, Season 3 (HBO Original)
- Mother Mary (A24)
Saturday, August 22
- Abbott Elementary, Season 5
For more HBO Max content, check out an exciting cast rumor on the Harry Potter TV show.