Get Ready to Binge: HBO Max and Discovery+ Announce Must-See New Titles!

Streaming services have become an essential part of our daily entertainment routine, and the upcoming joint venture between HBO Max and Discovery+ promises to be a real treat for all. The highly-anticipated platform, which will be called Max and is set to launch on May 23, has caused quite a buzz among online audiences, who are always on the lookout for the latest and greatest content. With a wide range of new titles recently announced, including action-packed adventures and nostalgia with a modern twist, there's something for everyone to enjoy on this exciting new streaming service. So, get your snacks ready and prepare to embark on a thrilling new entertainment journey!

1. Harry Potter Series

We have some fascinating news! After 6 years since the debut of The Cursed Child play and nearly 12 years since the final installment of the Harry Potter films, we are returning to the magical world of Hogwarts. According to Max, the stories from each of of the 7 Harry Potter books will be adapted into a decade-long series, where each season will focus on one book at a time. A brand new cast will lead the old and new fans on the nostalgic, magical adventure. 

David Heyman, the producer of all eight feature films, is also in talks to executive produce. Although it's still unknown whether the original cast will return to the magical world as cameos, we hope so!

2. The Batman Spinoff

In 2022, Robert Pattinson donned the iconic mask of the Dark Knight and brought the brooding billionaire Bruce Wayne to life in the critically-acclaimed superhero thriller The Batman. The film explored a much darker side of the famous caped crusader and was a huge box office success, raking in a whopping $770.9 million. Given the film's popularity, it came as no surprise when news broke that a TV show centered around the Penguin, played by Colin Farrell in an unrecognizable role as a menacing mobster, was in the works. The series (“The Penguin”) picks up where the film left off, with the Riddler (played by Paul Dano) killing off Carmine Falcone, one of Gotham's top mob bosses, and leaving the city in turmoil, with Oz Cobblepot (aka the Penguin), Falcone's former right-hand man, left to navigate the chaos. Alongside Farrell, the show boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone, Michael Zegen as Alberto Falcone, and Clancy Brown as Salvatore Maroni, a former top mobster in Gotham. The teaser trailer for the series, unveiled during the MAX announcement, has fans eagerly anticipating the expansion of DC's dark universe into new and exciting dimensions! "The Penguin" has been confirmed to debut in 2024, however, the specific release date is still unknown.

3. Another "Game of Thrones" Prequel Series

The world of Westeros is set to expand once again with another prequel to the immensely popular “Game of Thrones” franchise. Following the success of “House of the Dragon”, which provided a detailed look into the Targaryen dynasty, the upcoming series will focus on another member of the infamous family. Titled “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight”, the new show is set a century before the events of “Game of Thrones”. As we originally reported, the series will follow the story of two unlikely heroes who wandered the land of Westeros: Ser Duncan the Tall (AKA "Dunk"), a young, naïve but courageous knight, and his diminutive squire, "Egg" (young Aegon V Targaryen in disguise). The show will be set in a time when the Targaryen family still holds the Iron Throne and the last dragon is still within living memory. The two friends will face great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits as they navigate the treacherous landscape of Westeros. The upcoming series is based on the “Dunk and Egg” novellas by George R.R. Martin. The author will be heavily involved in the production of the show, serving as both a writer and executive producer. Joining him will be Ira Parker, who was a co-executive producer on the first season of “House of the Dragon”. Additionally, Ryan Condal and Vince Gerardis, who both worked on “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon”, will also serve as executive producers. With a talented team of producers and compelling source material, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight” is sure to deliver another captivating viewing experience!

4. "Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge"

Let’s talk about our childhood dreams for a second. We all remember wanting to be a Barbie Doll at some point, with her perfect life, Ken as a boyfriend, and a dreamy pink mansion. Well, hold on to your seats, because HGTV is bringing that dream to life with their new show, "Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge"! The show was announced last month, with HGTV and Barbie hyping us up on their Instagram pages. And just this week, they released the official trailer, which looks epic. "Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge" is a 4-episode home renovation series that will bring a real-life Barbie Dreamhouse to Southern California. Eight teams of HGTV experts will go head-to-head in a renovation battle, redesigning different areas of the house to match Barbie's iconic style. The renovated rooms will be inspired by different eras, with a groovy '60s kitchen, a '70s disco-themed Ken Den, and an '80s master bedroom. And here's the best part: one lucky Barbie fan will get the chance to win a stay in the real-life Barbie Dreamhouse! Supermodel Ashley Graham is set to host this exciting new show, and we can't wait to see her slay it. "Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge" is set to premiere on Max this summer, and we're counting down the days! This show is every Barbie lover's dream come true, and we're here for it.

5. "The Sympathizer" 

The upcoming TV series "The Sympathizer" is based on Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and is set to premiere in 2024. According to the official logline, the show is an espionage thriller and cross-cultural satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his resulting exile in the United States. The show stars Hoa Xuande, who previously starred in the Netflix live-action version of "Cowboy Bebop", as the North Vietnamese spy who becomes embedded in L.A.'s refugee community. Robert Downey Jr. will play multiple roles and also serve as an executive producer. The series is a co-production between HBO, A24, and Rhombus Media, in association with Cinetic Media and Moho Film.

6. "Love and Translation"

If you're wondering whether love is truly a universal language, the new TLC show "Love and Translation" might have the answer for you. The concept of the show is simple -- 3 American men and 12 international women head to a remote paradise island to find romance. But here's the catch: none of the men speak any other languages, and none of the women speak English at all. Without any translators or the ability to speak to one another, the singles are left to rely solely on their senses to help develop a connection and determine their chemistry and attraction. It's like any other dating show, but with a unique twist that will test the power of love and attraction. The newly combined Max streaming service recently announced this exciting new dating series, set to premiere on TLC (a Discovery brand) this winter.

Additionally, fans of the 1984 movie Gremlins will be thrilled to know that an animated prequel series, "Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai", is set to be released on May 23, which is the same day as the launch of Max. Discovery Channel is also launching a new social experiment show called "Survive the Raft", while Octavia Spencer will be leading a true-crime series about the Oregon Highway Murders titled "Lost Women of Highway 20” on Investigation Discovery.

If you're a fan of "The Big Bang Theory", you'll be happy to hear that a new spinoff is currently in development with Chuck Lorre, who co-created both "The Big Bang Theory" and "Young Sheldon", serving as an executive producer. Horror fans can look forward to "The Conjuring" TV series, while animation fans will be excited for the Tiny Toon reboot, "Tiny Toons Looniversity". Documentary lovers can expect the new docuseries "SmartLess: On the Road", based on a popular podcast of the same name, and a new reality show called "How to Be a Bookie". Finally, keep an eye out for an upcoming unscripted series featuring Shaun White and Robert Downey Jr. There's certainly no shortage of exciting new titles to watch out for!