HBO Max Launches in Japan on Prime Video and Hulu on October 1

Last Updated on September 4, 2026 by Scottie Brockenshire

HBO Max lands in Japan on October 1 as a co-exclusive hub inside Prime Video and Hulu Japan. Warner Bros. Discovery announced the move on September 1, ending the service's old exclusive tie-up with U-Next. For viewers it is the simplest legal route to HBO content in Japan yet.

Table of Contents

What Happened

Warner Bros. Discovery said Monday it had struck deals with Amazon's Prime Video and Hulu Japan, which is owned by Nippon Television, and that HBO Max will launch as a dedicated hub inside both apps starting October 1. The rollout follows years of HBO and HBO Max content reaching Japan only through a deal with U-Next, and it is tied to a wider global partnership with Nippon TV that could send Japanese series to HBO Max internationally.

On Prime Video, HBO Max arrives as an add-on subscription in Standard or Premium tiers. On Hulu Japan, the Standard tier is offered at no extra charge, and the companies say they will also explore bringing Nippon TV and Hulu Japan's local content to HBO Max around the world. From October 1, HBO Max will be available in Japan only through these two apps.

Key Facts

Launch date: October 1, as a dedicated HBO Max hub inside both Prime Video and Hulu Japan.
The Standard tier is free for Hulu Japan subscribers at no extra charge; Prime Video sells Standard and Premium as an add-on.
All seasons of HBO series are included: Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, The Last of Us, The White Lotus and Euphoria.
DC and Max Originals round out the lineup: Lanterns, The Penguin, Peacemaker, The Pitt and Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, plus Warner Bros. staples Friends and The Big Bang Theory.
Films include Barbie, One Battle After Another, the Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings collections and DC blockbusters.
The new HBO Original Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, debuts at Christmas.
From October 1, HBO Max in Japan is available only on Prime Video and Hulu Japan.

What It Means

The move removes a big friction point for HBO fans in Japan. Instead of juggling a separate U-Next subscription, they can watch the same library inside an app they may already pay for, which is exactly how WBD has grown HBO Max in other markets. It matters beyond Japan too: the Nippon TV partnership means HBO Max subscribers worldwide could eventually see Japanese titles added to the service's international lineup.

Related Guide

Traveling to Japan and want the full setup? Our step-by-step guide to watching HBO Max in Japan covers every device and how to keep your library on the move.

Source: Warner Bros. Discovery – HBO Max To Launch Co-Exclusively On Prime Video And Hulu In Japan From October 1, and Deadline.

This is a news report, not legal advice. Launch dates, pricing and service availability can change. Check the official services and each platform's Terms of Service.