HBO Max Report Card 2026: Is this the No. 1 streaming service?

(Image credit: HBO Max; Shutterstock)

For as long as I can remember, HBO Max has reigned supreme at the top of our best streaming services guide. Its position as our No. 1 pick has extended for more than half a decade. It’s held the crown for a very long time. But a king can always be usurped from their throne (just ask any of the cast of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and its numerous spin-offs).Tom’s Guide’s streaming team evaluates the latest movies and TV shows along with the various platforms that house them for a living. That’s why we’ve put together report cards for the biggest streaming services in the U.S., grading each across the most important categories over the past 12 months. These include pricing, overall library, original content, and more.Today, it’s HBO Max’s turn in the spotlight. So, let’s dive in and see if this streamer remains worthy of its No. 1 position in 2026.

(Image credit: Nick Bush for Tom's Guide)Pricing

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