HBO Max to Add 7 New Releases This Week: The 2 to Watch
HBO Max this week (January 18-24, 2026) will add seven new movies and shows to its streaming lineup. Here are the two to watch, in my humble opinion:
The Smashing Machine (2025)
When to Watch: Friday, January 23, 2026
What Kind of Movie: Sports Bio/Drama
Who’s In It: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson (pictured above) stars as MMA champion Mark Kerr who achieved greatness despite drug addiction and a rocky relationship with his girlfriend (Emily Blunt). The film, directed and written by Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems, Good Times), is an absorbing 123 minutes about ambition in the face of human fragility with a standout performance from Johnson who’s generating Oscar buzz for Best Actor. The Rock shows a soft side that no one knew existed; Blunt is also good (as usual) as the long suffering supporter of his dreams.
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! (2026)
When to Watch: Thursday, January 22
What Kind of Show: Documentary/Comedy
Who’s In It: Mel Brooks, Judd Apatow
Director/Writer Judd Apatow presents the incredible 99-year-old story of Mel Brooks in this HBO original documentary. Featuring interviews with Brooks himself as well as Jerry Seinfeld, Ben Stiller and Dave Chappelle, the doc traces the great one’s path from a young comedy writer for Sid Caesar’s The Show of Shows in the 1950s to his ‘2000 Year Old Man’ skits with Carl Reiner to his trailblazing satirical comedies (Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety). Apatow says Mel Brooks may be the funniest man ever – and he may be right.
Shows & Movies Coming This Week to HBO Max
Sunday, January 18
Knight in the Making, Season 1 (HBO)
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Season 1 (HBO Original)
Tuesday, January 20
Street Outlaws: Locals Only, Season 2 (Discovery)
Thursday, January 22
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! (HBO Original)
Friday, January 23
My Haunted Hometown, Season 1 (Travel)
Real Time with Bill Maher, Season 24 (HBO Original)
The Smashing Machine (A24)
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