New on HBO Max This Week: Top Movies & Series (Nov 2–Nov 8, 2026)

New on HBO Max this week (Nov 2 to Nov 8, 2026), picked for viewers 65 and up: the modern Planet of the Apes movies arrive all at once, there’s a gentle animated film for the grandkids, and three cozy baking and house-hunting series join one very gritty drama from Brazil.

Highlights for the Week

What’s the best new movie on HBO Max this week?

The Planet of the Apes films arrive Nov 2. If you grew up with Charlton Heston on the beach, start with Rise of the Planet of the Apes and watch them in order. They’re much better than you might expect.

Anything for a cozy night in?

Plenty. Holiday Baking Championship returns Nov 3, Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking is back Nov 4, and a new batch of House Hunters International lands Nov 6. No villains, just frosting and floor plans.

What should I skip with the grandkids?

City of God: The Fight Rages On Season 2, starting Nov 8. It’s an excellent Brazilian crime drama, but it’s violent and meant for adults only.

Top New Movies on HBO Max This Week

Nov 2 – Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

A San Francisco scientist, James Franco, raises a brilliant young chimp named Caesar while testing a drug he hopes will help his father, played by John Lithgow. Andy Serkis plays Caesar.

The father-son story gives it more heart than most summer movies, and Lithgow is wonderful. It’s rated PG-13 for action and some animal peril, so check before you share it with younger kids.

Nov 2 – Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

Ten years later, Caesar leads a growing nation of apes in the woods outside San Francisco while a band of human survivors, including Jason Clarke and Gary Oldman, struggle to hold on in the ruined city.

Many people think this is the best of the bunch. It plays like a good old-fashioned western about trust between two sides. There’s more battle violence than in the first film.

Nov 2 – War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

Caesar faces a ruthless military colonel, Woody Harrelson, in the dark closing chapter of the trilogy.

It’s grim at times, almost a war picture, but it gives Caesar’s story a fitting end. Watch the first two first. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) also arrives Nov 2 if you want to keep going.

Nov 4 – Smallfoot (2018)

An animated musical comedy about a young yeti who discovers that humans, the “smallfoot” of legend, are real. Channing Tatum, Zendaya, LeBron James and Common lead the voice cast.

Rated PG and bright, with catchy songs and a nice message about asking questions. This is the grandkid pick of the week on HBO Max.

Top New TV Series on HBO Max This Week

Nov 3 – Holiday Baking Championship Season 13 (2014)

Food Network’s festive baking competition is back for a 13th season, with home bakers taking on holiday-themed challenges each week.

About as cozy as television gets. It’s a good one to have on while you write cards or wrap gifts, and nothing in it will upset anyone.

Nov 4 – Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking Season 3 (2024)

Teams of bakers build magical treats inspired by the Harry Potter films at the Warner Bros. studio outside London. James and Oliver Phelps, who played the Weasley twins, host.

You don’t need to know the books to enjoy the cake engineering. If your grandkids are Potter fans, this is an easy show to share and talk about afterward.

Nov 6 – House Hunters International Volume 10 (2006)