December brings a diverse wave of films and series to HBO Max. From high-profile documentaries and family favorites to award-winning dramas and cult staples, the month delivers something for every type of viewer. Whether you’re looking to revisit timeless stories or discover fresh titles, these 20 arrivals promise a strong finish to the streaming year.
The Family McCullen (December 5)
IMDb
Set three decades after The Brothers McMullen, the story revisits Barry McMullen in his fifties as he confronts a new wave of romantic complications—alongside the love-life misadventures of his twentysomething children. His brother Patrick and their widowed sister-in-law Molly find themselves caught in their own surprising emotional challenges, creating a multigenerational tangle of relationships.
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (December 12)
IMDb
The once-inseparable members of Spinal Tap, now long estranged, find themselves drawn back together for a final performance. Driven by the hope of securing their legacy in rock ’n’ roll history, the reunion forces them to confront old tensions while chasing one last shot at glory.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (December 1)
IMDb
Based on Jeff Kinney’s bestselling series, Dog Days follows Greg Heffley’s attempts to salvage his summer vacation as everything—from family trips to odd jobs—goes hilariously wrong. The third installment blends slapstick humor with relatable coming-of-age misadventures. Its lighthearted tone makes it a family-friendly staple for the holiday season.
Little Caesar (December 1)
Hidden Figures (December 1)
IMDb
Hidden Figures tells the remarkable true story of three African American mathematicians—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—whose calculations were essential to NASA’s early space missions. The film highlights the barriers they faced and the breakthroughs they achieved in a segregated workplace. Its inspiring narrative continues to resonate with viewers of all ages.
The Goonies (December 1)
A beloved ’80s classic, The Goonies follows a group of adventurous kids who uncover an old pirate map that sends them on a treasure hunt beneath their coastal town. Their journey leads them through booby-trapped tunnels, forgotten hideouts, and confrontations with a crime family determined to stop them. Its blend of humor and heart keeps it a perennial favorite.
Bugs Bunny Builders, Season 2I (December 9)
The show features Looney Tunes characters like Bugs, Lola, and Daffy working on construction projects.
It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley (HBO Original) (December 4)
Jeff Buckley had released just one album before his sudden passing in 1997, yet his influence endures decades later. This documentary assembles never-before-seen footage, intimate voice recordings, and firsthand memories from those who knew him best, revealing a deeper, more personal look at the magnetic artist behind the music.
Battle of the Sexes (December 1)
Mad Men, Seasons 1-7 (December 1)
Jon Hamm in Mad Men (2007)
All seven seasons of Mad Men arrive on the platform, chronicling the rise, reinvention, and unraveling of Don Draper, a brilliant yet enigmatic advertising executive in 1960s America. Through meticulously crafted period detail, the series explores identity, ambition, consumerism, and cultural change. Its layered storytelling and ensemble cast make it one of television’s defining dramas.
“The Exorcists,” The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper (CNN Original) (December 23)
Anderson Cooper leads this in-depth special that examines the history, controversies, and cultural impact of exorcism across the world. Featuring firsthand accounts, expert analysis, and rare archival materials, the program traces how the practice evolved into a global phenomenon. It provides a comprehensive look at faith, fear, and the stories that shaped public perception.
Obsession: The Murder of a Beauty Queen (HBO Original) (December 17)
Lu Over the Wall (December 1)
IMDb
This imaginative anime feature follows Kai, a quiet middle schooler whose life changes when he befriends Lu, a lively mermaid with the power to manipulate water through music.
Gunsmoke in Tucson (December 1)
Gunsmoke in Tucson is a Western centered on three childhood friends whose paths diverge as adults—one becomes an outlaw, another a marshal, and the third is caught in the middle. Their reunion sparks a conflict between loyalty and justice as tensions erupt in the growing town of Tucson.
I’ll See You in My Dreams (1952) (December 1)
Atomic Blonde (December 1)
Set during the final days of the Cold War, Atomic Blonde follows MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton as she navigates a deadly web of espionage in Berlin. Tasked with recovering a sensitive dossier, she must outmaneuver double agents and shifting alliances.
Law of the Badlands (December 1)
Summer Wars (December 1)
Table 19 (December 1)
IMDb / 2016 – Fox Searchlight
After being dumped by the best man through a blunt text message and stripped of her maid-of-honor role, Eloise chooses to attend the wedding anyway. Her decision lands her at the infamous Table 19, where she finds herself grouped with five other guests the bride and groom would rather forget. What begins as an awkward arrangement soon turns into an unexpected gathering of misfits with stories of their own.
