Chill is in the air and you just might be settling in with your favorite pumpkin-flavored whatever in front of HBO. This post is here to help guide you through the month of October and plan some of your viewing treats. There is plenty of drama, action, and laughs to explore, and even way more content if you venture onto Max. October is traditionally a big month for HBO so get ready for a big listing!
A few quick points:
- The network will start us off on a movie lot with THE FRANCHISE,
- Then off to Kansas with SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE.
- We are also off to Poland and other international sites
- And places unknown like CADDO LAKE and the ROLLER JAM arena.
- Plus, being October, we’re off to favored haunts like Elm Street
- and Jerusalem’s Lot!
HBO Original Series: Here we go starting with the month’s new title. It is set to debut on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 06 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. It is the original HBO comedy series THE FRANCHISE from Armando Iannucci and others. It follows the crew of an unloved franchise movie fighting for their place in a savage and unruly cinematic universe. The comedy series shines a light on the secret chaos inside the world of superhero moviemaking, to ask the question — how exactly does the cinematic sausage get made? Because every f*ck-up has an origin story.
To quickly sort out the cast, there is Himesh Himesh Patel (STATION ELEVEN) as assistant director Daniel and Aya Cash (THE NEWSROOM, The Boys) as a producer named Anita. Joining them are talents playing either crew, studio heads, or actors on set. They include Jessica Hynes as Steph, Billy Magnussen as Adam, Lolly Adefope as Dag, Darren Goldstein as Pat, and Isaac Powell as Bryson. Recurring guest stars include Richard E. Grant as Peter and Daniel Brühl as Eric. Executive producers are Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Brown, and Julie Pastor for Neal Street Productions; Armando Iannucci for Dundee Productions; Jon Brown, and Jim Kleverweis. The pilot was directed by Sam Mendes and written by Jon Brown, who serves as showrunner.
– Season 1 Ep01 – “Scene 31A: Tecto Meets Eye”
Debut Date: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 06 10:01 – 10:31 pm ET/PT with a repeat airing immediately following.
While problems plague the set of the latest Maximum Studios superhero film Tecto: Eye of the Storm, First Assistant Director Dan scrambles to keep the crew afloat amid a series of shakeups.
–Season1 Ep02 – “Scene 36: The Invisible Jackhammer”
Debut Date: SUNDAY, October 13 – 10:01 – 10:31 pm ET/PT with a repeat airing immediately following.
Hoping to wrap on a complicated stunt by the end of the day, Dan faces unsolicited scrutiny from Dag, while Anita asserts herself as the film’s newest producer, and Eric demands more extras.
Beginning the run of its final season, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) to be precise, is SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE. We get seven episodes that take us into early December. Peabody Award-winning and critically acclaimed HBO Original comedy series starring, written, and executive produced by comedian and singer Bridget Everett follows Sam (Everett), a true Kansan on the surface. But, beneath it all, she is struggling to fit the hometown mold. Grappling with loss and acceptance, singing is Sam’s saving grace and leads her on a journey to discover herself and a community of outsiders who don’t fit in but don’t give up, showing that finding your people and finding your voice, is possible. Anywhere. Somewhere. In season three, we see growth against all odds.
At this point, all we have is a teaser – complete with, it looks like, a potty accident between friends.
Don’t worry, we didn’t forget the big, deadly, overbearing presence that has rated big numbers for the brand. There is still some THE PENGUIN to go in October. It resumes on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 06 9:00-10:00 pm ET/PT.
–Season 1 Ep03 – “Bliss”
Debut Date: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 06 (9:00 – 10:02 pm ET/PT)
Hoping to control the future of Gotham’s drug trade, Oz and Sofia must first address the skeletons in their closet. Meanwhile, Victor is torn between his new life and what remains of his old.
–Season 1 Ep04 – “Cent’anni”
Debut Date: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 (9:00 – 10:01 pm ET/PT)
Confronting the events that turned her into “The Hangman” – and led to a decade-long fight to survive in Arkham State Hospital – Sofia makes plans for a more hopeful future.
–Season 1 Ep05 – “Homecoming”
Debut Date: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20 (9:00 – 10:00 pm ET/PT)
–Season 1 Ep06 – “Gold Summit”
Debut Date: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 (9:00 – 10:00 pm ET/PT)
Starring Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb (aka “The Penguin”), the DC Studios series continues filmmaker Matt Reeves’ The Batman epic crime saga that began with Warner Bros. Pictures’ global blockbuster The Batman.
MY BRILLIANT FRIEND is also continuing its saga. Its final season is following Elena Ferrante’s final novel of the story of friends through the ages. It tells the tale of The Story of the Lost Child. Picking up the story on MONDAY, OCTOBER 07 (9:00 – 10:00 pm ET/PT) is episode #5.
–Season 4 Ep05 – “The Fracture”
Debut Date: MONDAY, OCTOBER 07 (9:00 – 09:58 pm ET/PT)
After Elena’s daughter Imma is born, Lila brings Elena’s mother to see the baby, but the visit is unexpectedly cut short when Immacolata collapses. When Nino and Lila take Immacolata to the hospital, Elena finds herself plagued with jealousy. Later, Marcello causes a scene when he insists Immacolata be moved to a clinic.
–Season 4 Ep06 – “The Cheat”
Debut Date: MONDAY, OCTOBER 14 (9:00 – 10:00 pm ET/PT)
As Lila goes into labor, Alfonso confides in Elena while accompanying her to the clinic to visit Immacolata. After a tragic loss – and stunned by Nino’s actions yet again – Elena decides to focus on herself and takes refuge with her daughters at Lila’s, who finally reveals the truth about Nino.
Here is something different – here are the opening credits for the 10 episodes of Season 4.
LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER continues its eleventh season this month on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 06 at 11:00 pm ET/PT. One hot topic for him in this past month had been on the Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER rolls them out beginning FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 at 10:00 pm ET/PT. He gets a lot of pundits & commentators on his show; two you might recognize by name, as of late, were Al Franken and Fran Leibowitz. And God knows, there is a lot for them to talk about.
Original Series Exclusive to Max: Now there are some dramatic series on the slate but I group them in the next category as they hail from around the world. So, the big US-based work that Max can tout here is a competition series. Some of you might just dig ROLLER JAM! Take a look at this –
This first-of-its-kind competition series will feature ten of America’s best roller-skating teams dancing through the decades, as expert judges and pop culture icons decide which team is worthy to win Roller Jam and $150,000. Your host through the six-episode series is Jordin Sparks and judges include Johnny Weir & Terrell Ferguson. You can find it beginning THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10. Hey, I was nice!
HBO International Titles: There are a total of seven international titles arriving on Max. We will tick 
these off going chronologically starting with the return of the series LAS BRAVAS F. C. on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 03. It will roll out a 10-episode second season. Roberto Casas, the best Mexican footballer who has ever played in Europe, who loses everything due to a health problem at the peak of his career thus, returning to his hometown. He becomes the coach of Las Bravas FC, the local women’s football team, training them to win their first championship. His daughter is part of the team, but they don’t know they’re related. So, with a dramedy tone, the Mexican series returns. The next title up comes a day later on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 04. It hails from Poland and is a crime series of four seasons entitled ANGEL OF DEATH 
(Szadź). Commissioner Agnieszka Polkowska is dealing with what looks like on the surface to be a ritual murder. A fellow commissioner is accused and the ugly scenario becomes even worse. The next title to upload to Max is LA MENTE DEL PODER (The Mind of Power). It is in Spanish and comes from Argentina way. It is a psychological thriller in which a psychologist is threatened to manipulate the Argentinian President, who is one of his key patients, into stepping down from office. Sounds intense. Find out beginning MONDAY, OCTOBER 07.
Four more titles to go! How about THE CONFIDANTE? Inspired by true events, this psychological thriller follows Christelle “Chris” Blandin, a rock music-obsessed Parisian, who, after witnessing the harrowing November 13, 2015 terrorist attacks at the Bataclan Theatre, becomes an indispensable resource for survivors. But lines begin to blur, distorting truths in the name of a cause. The four-part miniseries, from France arrives on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11. THE SANCHO CASE is a controversial documentary out of Spain. At the root of it is Daniel Sancho, son of famed Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho. Seems they are raising a fuss because Daniel was sentenced to life imprisonment in Thai courts for the murder of a citizen. I guess it is a big to-do 
on the Iberian peninsula to warrant this examination. The air date is FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18. Just in time for Halloween are SKIN HUNTERS and DARK SOULS AMONG US (Senales del Mas Alla) They appear on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, and THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31 respectively. I can only speculate on what they are about as no factoids have been found regarding either work. The first could be a Polish documentary about Skin Hunters or “Łowcy skór”; those who sell off the identity of a dead person to the highest bidder and the latter a documentary about souls not easily crossing over. But, I could be talking utter BS too. Oh, don’t forget that UZUMAKI from Japan just got started on the Adult Swim Hub.
HBO & Max Theatrical Movies: Five, count them five fresh movie titles in October. I told you it was a big month. We have everything from a WB theatrical release from earlier this year to Max Originals, well after Zaslav stated there wouldn’t be any of those and A24 titles per their agreement deal. Starting us off is a title that fits perfectly in October – a new adaptation of Stephen King’s SALEM’S LOT! It scares us all over again as of THURSDAY, OCTOBER 03. New Line Cinema’s film adaptation of Stephen King’s 1975 bestselling novel Salem’s Lot reunites the producing teams behind the record-breaking horror franchises The Conjuring Universe and the It films. Gary Dauberman writes, directs, and executive produces the film.
Holding true to the source material, we find author Ben Mears returning to his childhood home of Jerusalem’s Lot in search of inspiration for his next book only to discover his hometown is being preyed upon by a bloodthirsty vampire. It stars Lewis Pullman (Ben Mears), Alfre Woodard (Dr. Cody), Makenzie Leigh (Susan Norton), Bill Camp (Matthew Burke), Spencer Treat Clark (Mike Ryerson), Pilou Asbæk (Straker), and John Benjamin Hickey (Father Callahan). Somehow, we never get tired of this King classic.
The Max Original film CADDO LAKE, from producer M. Night Shyamalan and writer-directors Celine Held and Logan George, debuts THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 on Max. The inspiration for this telefilm was sparked after filmmakers Celine Held and Logan George came across a photograph of the real Caddo Lake online, leading to many visits to the cypress forest that rests on the border of Texas and Louisiana. The film was shot in late 2021 and 2022 in and around Karnak, Texas. It stars Dylan O’Brien, Eliza Scanlen, Diana Hopper, Caroline Falk, and Sam Hennings, with Eric Lange and Lauren Ambrose. When an eight-year-old girl mysteriously vanishes, a series of past deaths and disappearances start to link together, forever altering a broken family’s history. What an interesting environment.
Two A24 titles hit next. On FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 you will be able to find TUESDAY on Max. It tells the story of a mother (Julia Louis-Dreyfus, in a profoundly moving performance) and her teenage daughter (Lola Petticrew) who must confront Death when it arrives in the form of an astonishing talking bird. From debut 
filmmaker Daina O. Pusić, The movie is marketed as a heart-rending fairy tale about the echoes of loss and finding resilience in the unexpected. It will debut on HBO on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. The other title, MAXXXINE, will be available to stream on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18 on Max and will make its linear debut on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. It takes place in 1980s Hollywood as an adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past. It stars Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, and Lily Collins, with Giancarlo Esposito and Kevin Bacon. The film is written and directed by Ti West.
The last title is the short-run movie for Josh Harnett. TRAP is a 2024 thriller written, directed, and produced by M. Night Shyamalan. Alongside Hartnett in the work are Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Night Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, and Alison Pill. Cooper Adams (Harnett) takes his teenage daughter, Riley (Donoghue), to pop star Lady Raven’s (Shyamalan) concert as a reward for her good grades. He learns from a vendor that the FBI plans to catch a serial killer known as “the Butcher”, having learned he will be in attendance. Shyamalan catch #1 is that Cooper is revealed to be the criminal himself. If you want to get trapped in this story, check it out when it debuts on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 on Max.
HBO Documentary Films: We jump next to the documentary front. Two multi-parters are being presented by HBO during the month. The two-parter I AM NOT A MONSTER: THE LOIS RIESS MURDERS debuts on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15 (9:00 – 10:30 pm ET/ PT). In 2018, a small-town murder in Minnesota shocked a community when 56-year-old wife, mother, and grandmother Lois Riess (pictured) killed her husband David and went on the run from the authorities. Years later, Lois sits down with the filmmakers 
telling her story for the first time. Lois herself attempts to explain her reprehensible actions which reveals a disturbing family history and a gambling addiction. The other title is BREATH OF FIRE, a four-parter, beginning on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23 (9:00 – 10:00 ET/PT). In 2013, Katie Griggs, a millennial YouTube astrologer, rose to fame as the face of Kundalini yoga, opening the RA MA Institute in Los Angeles, donning a white turban, and reinventing herself as Guru Jagat. This work explores Guru Jagat’s evolution while chronicling the shocking secret history of Kundalini and illuminates the culture of modern spirituality revealing complicated themes of cultural appropriation and the dangers of self-proclaimed gurus.
MAX Documentary Films: Max has an exclusive documentary of its own. You can find LOUDER: THE SOUNTRACK OF CHANGE on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17. It is both a celebration of music and a rallying cry. Produced by Selena Gomez and Stacey Abrams, the documentary takes audiences on a journey across generations, eras, and genres, anchored by a female chorus of musical icons, whose songs, voices, and activism inspired the past and current fight for equality for all. The film also serves as an empowering invitation for us to continue to lift our voices. Featured participants include Chaka Khan, Melissa Etheridge, Linda Ronstadt, H.E.R., Mickey Guyton, Rhiannon Giddens, Kathleen Hanna, Martha Gonzalez, Puja Patel, Suzy Exposito, Clover Hope, and J Wortham.
HBO Original Specials: Sometime in October Seth Myers drops a comedy special. Seth Meyers’ new comedy special debuts on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. The comedian, writer, and host of Late Night with Seth Meyers taped his first HBO comedy gig in front of a live audience at The Vic Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. Once it is packaged up and marketing is released we will get you a premiere date, time, and title for what is now only referred to as the “Seth Myers Original Comedy Special for HBO.” Seth Meyers stated, “Critics say it’s the special my kids will be talking about in therapy twenty years from now!”
Max Original Specials: The Max Original adult animated special VELMA: THIS HALLOWEEN NEEDS TO BE MORE SPECIAL!, from Warner Bros. Animation, debuts THURSDAY, OCTOBER 03 on 
Max. With just 24 hours to bring Velma back, the friends search for a dark spellbook while trying to avoid the wrath of a vengeful spirit. But as the annual Sexy Halloween party nears, Velma and the gang must face their biggest fears… if they all want to make it out alive. It stars Mindy Kaling, Glenn Howerton, Sam Richardson, Constance Wu, and Frank Welker, who was the original voice of Freddie Jones decades ago. There is nothing to see here. I mean, there is no trailer released that I can offer. The poster will do. Sorry, I didn’t get past episode one of the series due to them bastardizing a beloved childhood classic. But, by all means, revel in it if you care too.
Max Kids & Family: Plenty of recognizable characters grace this category. The second season of the animated adventures of the Gremlins has them wreaking havoc yet again in GREMLINS: THE WILD BATCH. Taking place one year after the events of season one, this adventure follows Gizmo, Sam, and Elle as they travel from their home in Shanghai to San Francisco, bringing even more magic, mystery, and Mogwai mayhem. Hot on the trail of a new brood of evil Mogwai, our heroes journey deep into the American West, coming up against new supernatural creatures and picking up a few mysterious characters along the way. Simu Liu joins the main voice cast in season two alongside returning cast members Ming-Na Wen, James Hong, BD Wong, Izaac Wang, AJ LoCascio, Gabrielle Nevaeh and George Takei. The season also features notable guest stars including John Glover — who starred as eccentric billionaire “Daniel Clamp” in Gremlins 2: The New Batch. The fun begins THURSDAY, OCTOBER 03.
These critters are joined on the slate by another iconic beast. Brace yourself for the return of the purple dinosaur when BARNEY’S WORLD arrives on MONDAY, OCTOBER 14. For the first time in 14 years, this 
new animated series featuring original music and updated takes on Barney classics returns for the preschool set. The new show is set in a playground, where Barney is joined by dinos Billy and Baby Bop and their three kid best friends David, Mel, and Vivie. Through action-packed, music-filled adventures together, Barney helps the kids and audiences explore big preschool emotions, showing them how to love themselves, others, and their communities. For a much older crowd comes the next installment in the saga of DC superheroes with JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON INFINATE EARTHS PART THREE. It arrives MONDAY, OCTOBER 21. A who’s who seems to indicate that practically every DC super character makes an appearance, though they don’t all have dialogue.
HBO Sports: Another edition of HARD KNOCKS is not on the slate until December, but if you are hot for sports on Max there are plenty of live events to enjoy including NHL games. Two daily sports commentary shows are out with new content. They are THE DAN LE BARARD SHOW WITH STUGOTZ, weekdays at 11:00 am, and UP & ADAMS FROM FAN DUEL TV weekdays at 2:00 pm. Find them in the Sports Hub on Max.
Other Movies & Shows On HBO or Max: It is October, right? Halloween scarefests abound and Max has a collection of titles to contribute to the season. For example, I tipped you off way back at the beginning you can head to Elm Street because A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985), A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988) and A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989) are all available this month. There is also Freddie Vs Jason (2003), Edge Of Darkness (2010), Gremlins (1984), Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), I Was a Teenage Zombie (1987), and Interview with the Vampire (1994) and more.
In October, HBO Family has a marathon run of HIS DARK MATERIALS complete with the witch Serafina Pekkala. HBO Comedy has a marathon of VEEP starting with S1Ep01 – “Fundraiser” on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 05, and a binge of SEX AND THE CITY. HBO Zone is playing the recently canceled WE’RE HERE in its entirety and IRMA VEP too. And lastly, a real challenge for you, Can you watch the Lord of The Rings trilogy back-to-back-to back in one sitting? On HBO Signature, starting at 7:30 am on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 is The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, followed by The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, followed by The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, which concludes at 4:45 pm. You’ve got nine hours to spend on it?
Next Month’s Tease: Laura Esquivel’s iconic novel gets the HBO treatment. Can you state its title?
Last Month’s Tease: We asked you if you knew which state was the Sunflower State. If you chose Kansas, the location of this month’s SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE then you were right.
Final Clip: Just when it seems there is a lot of Horror and Crime content there is this… here is Julia Louis-Dreyfus in TUESDAY.
Enjoy HBO & HBOWatch!
