HBO Max Shakes Up February Streaming With Early Premieres

As February 2026 kicks off, streaming platforms are pulling out all the stops to capture viewers’ attention, with HBO Max leading the charge by mixing early episode drops, fresh international dramas, and a slate of beloved classics. The streaming landscape this month is shaped by both strategic scheduling—thanks in part to the looming Super Bowl LX—and a surge of new and classic content that caters to nearly every taste.

HBO Max, in particular, is making headlines with a rare move for one of its most talked-about series. According to Mashable, the fourth episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms—still buzzing from its recent Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) reveal—will be available to stream two days earlier than usual. Instead of waiting for the standard Sunday 10 p.m. ET slot, fans can catch the episode on Friday, February 6, at 3:01 a.m. ET. The reason? HBO is sidestepping direct competition with Super Bowl LX, which kicks off on Sunday, February 8. It’s not the first time the network has adjusted its schedule for the big game; similar early releases happened with True Detective: Night Country in 2024 and The Last of Us Season 2 in 2025. This year, the drama Industry is also getting an early streaming slot ahead of the Super Bowl.

For those who prefer their Sunday night rituals, there’s no need to worry—A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 4 will still air in its usual 10 p.m. ET slot on February 8. After this week’s temporary shuffle, the series returns to its regular schedule, with episode 5 set for February 15 at 10 p.m. ET. There’s a small catch for eager fans: watching the episode early means a nine-day wait for the next installment, rather than the usual seven. But, as Mashable’s Belen Edwards points out, that’s just more time to revisit earlier episodes and speculate about what’s next in Westeros.

HBO Max’s early drop is just the tip of the iceberg for the platform’s February lineup. Screen Rant highlights five series that are either trending or critically acclaimed, making them perfect binge material for the first week of the month. Among them is Madam Beja, a sweeping Brazilian costume drama that launched its first five episodes on February 2. The series, shot in Portuguese but available with English subtitles and dubbed audio, tells the story of a 19th-century woman who, after being shamed by society, opens a luxurious brothel. With 40 episodes set to release in batches of five each Monday through late March, Madam Beja is poised to become a global hit for HBO Max.

Animation fans have reason to celebrate as well. The Emmy-winning adult animated series Primal is back with its third season, rolling out new episodes every Sunday from mid-January through mid-March. The show, which follows the unlikely bond between a caveman and a dinosaur in a brutal prehistoric world, has been a mainstay on HBO Max’s international charts and continues to draw in viewers with its unique storytelling and intense visuals.

Comedy lovers won’t want to miss Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!, a two-part documentary series co-directed by Judd Apatow. Chronicling the life and legacy of one of comedy’s greatest minds, the docuseries boasts a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and features archival footage alongside interviews with comedy legends. It’s an easy binge—two movie-length episodes that promise plenty of laughs and insights into Brooks’s storied career.

Of course, some classics never go out of style. Friends, the iconic 1990s sitcom, remains a comfort watch for millions, with all 235 episodes available for streaming. The show’s enduring appeal is evident in its continued popularity, and its six Emmy wins (including Outstanding Comedy Series in 2002) speak to its quality. Meanwhile, The Sopranos continues to reign as one of the greatest TV dramas of all time. With 21 Emmys under its belt and a reputation for redefining modern television, the series is a must-see for anyone who hasn’t yet ventured into Tony Soprano’s world.

But HBO Max isn’t the only service rolling out the red carpet for viewers this month. According to Boston.com, February’s streaming landscape is shaped by three major themes: a wave of romantic films for Valentine’s Day, a spotlight on Black filmmakers for Black History Month, and the debut of several notable 2025 films. Romantic classics like You’ve Got Mail (Netflix), When Harry Met Sally (HBO Max), and Notting Hill (Peacock) are back in rotation, setting the mood for love-struck viewers. New romance-based shows such as Netflix’s Love Is Blind (premiering February 10) and HBO’s Like Water for Chocolate (February 15) are also on the horizon.

In honor of Black History Month, streaming services are featuring works by Black directors, including Spike Lee’s Malcolm X (HBO Max), Ava DuVernay’s Selma (Peacock), and Gina Prince-Bythewood’s Love & Basketball (HBO Max). These films offer both historical perspective and powerful storytelling, making them essential viewing for February.

Meanwhile, several 2025 films are making their streaming debuts. Highlights include the Jennifer Lopez musical Kiss of the Spider Woman (February 27, Hulu), the romcom fantasy Eternity (February 13, Apple TV), and the buzzworthy romcom Splitsville (February 6, Hulu). These new arrivals add to an already crowded calendar, giving viewers plenty of options as winter lingers on.

The full list of new releases is extensive, with each platform—Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV, Peacock, and Paramount+—offering a mix of fresh originals and returning favorites. On HBO Max, in addition to the aforementioned series, viewers can look forward to the return of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (February 15), season 2 of Like Water for Chocolate (February 15), and a host of classic films like Life of Pi, Malcolm X, and The Notebook.

In the end, HBO Max’s early streaming gambit for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms serves as a microcosm of the wider streaming wars—networks and platforms are increasingly nimble, willing to adapt their schedules and offerings to keep fans engaged and avoid losing out to major events like the Super Bowl. For viewers, it means more choices, more flexibility, and a February packed with binge-worthy content, whether you’re in the mood for romance, drama, animation, or a deep dive into TV history.

With so much to watch and so little time, the only real challenge is deciding where to start.