Tag: HBO Max

2026-27 NHL Season Kicks Off: How to Watch Every Game Live on TV and Streaming
Key Highlights
- The 2026-2027 NHL season begins September 29, 2026, featuring an expanded 84-game schedule and the Stanley Cup Final on TNT.
- Cord-cutters need at least two primary streaming services—ESPN Unlimited and HBO Max—to access all national broadcasts, plus a regional sports network solution for local games.
- Annual plan discounts across ESPN Unlimited, HBO Max, Sling TV, and ESPN Select offer savings of 16-17% compared to monthly billing.
Navigating the 2026-2027 NHL Streaming Landscape

The 2026-2027 NHL season drops the puck on September 29, 2026, marking the first time in league history that the regular season opens in September. Five matchups kick off the campaign, including a Stanley Cup rematch between the Florida Panthers and the champion Carolina Hurricanes. The regular season stretches through April 10, 2027, with every team playing 84 games—two more than the traditional 82-game slate. For fans without a traditional cable subscription, accessing the full slate of games remains a multi-service endeavor, though the core streaming architecture remains largely unchanged from the previous season.

National Broadcast Rights and Streaming Counterparts

National television rights are split between the ESPN family of networks and Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT Sports. ESPN will air 100 exclusive regular-season games, with 53 on ESPN and ABC and 47 exclusively on ESPN Select (the rebranded ESPN+). ESPN also carries the first three rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. TNT holds 72 regular-season games and the exclusive rights to the 2027 Stanley Cup Final, with simulcasts on TBS and truTV. NHL Network will air select regional games outside of local markets. For streamers, this translates to a clear but dual-service requirement: ESPN Unlimited unlocks ESPN, ABC, and ESPN Select content, while HBO Max Standard (with the B/R Sports add-on) provides the TNT, TBS, and truTV feeds.

Regional Sports Networks: The In-Market Hurdle

The majority of games—those involving a viewer’s local team—air on Regional Sports Networks (RSNs). Since the shutdown of FanDuel Sports Network, many RSNs have migrated to Prime Video or launched proprietary direct-to-consumer streaming apps. The NHL website maintains a comprehensive directory mapping each team to its broadcaster. Where an RSN lacks a standalone streaming option, fans must turn to virtual multichannel video programming distributors (vMVPDs) such as Fubo or DirecTV Stream, which carry the most extensive RSN lineups but come at a premium price point. Notably, no standalone streaming counterpart exists for NHL Network; accessing those games requires a cable-alternative package with a sports tier, such as Sling TV’s Sports Extra add-on or Fubo’s Pro plan.

Out-of-Market Simplicity and the Best Value Packages

Paradoxically, fans following a team outside their local market face a simpler and cheaper path. ESPN Select (formerly ESPN+) streams virtually every out-of-market regional broadcast for its $139.99 annual fee (a 16% savings over monthly billing), while also hosting 47 exclusive national games. For viewers prioritizing the maximum number of national games at the lowest upfront cost, the Sling TV Orange Season Pass delivers ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT, and TBS for $199.99 over five months (effectively $39.99/month). Most ABC games are simulcast on ESPN3, covering that gap. Sling’s à la carte model also allows adding the Sports Extra pack ($4.99/month) for NHL Network access. Introductory offers on YouTube TV ($44.99/month for six months) and DirecTV Stream’s MySports plan ($44.99/month for six months) provide limited RSN access, while Fubo’s Pro plan ($63.99 first month) offers the broadest RSN coverage for in-market diehards.

Why This Matters

The 2026-2027 season underscores the ongoing fragmentation of live sports rights across direct-to-consumer platforms and traditional linear extensions. The league’s expansion to an 84-game schedule and a September start—likely influenced by global event calendars and arena availability—increases inventory but does not consolidate distribution. ESPN’s rebranding of ESPN+ to ESPN Select and the launch of the flagship ESPN Unlimited service signal a strategic push to bundle linear and digital assets under one subscription roof. Meanwhile, the RSN landscape continues its volatile transition post-Diamond Sports bankruptcy, pushing more local broadcasts toward Prime Video and team-owned apps. For consumers, the “bundle fatigue” is real: achieving full coverage legally requires juggling two to four subscriptions, with total annual costs ranging from roughly $325 (Select + HBO Max annual) to well over $1,000 if a full vMVPD like Fubo is required for RSN access. The next inflection point will be whether the NFL’s emerging streaming deals or further RSN direct-to-consumer launches force a rebundling of these disparate hockey rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch every NHL game with just one streaming subscription?

No. Due to the split of national rights between ESPN and TNT, and the localization of most games on Regional Sports Networks, a single subscription cannot provide complete access. At minimum, you need ESPN Unlimited (for ESPN/ABC/ESPN Select) and HBO Max (for TNT/TBS/truTV), plus a solution for your local RSN if you follow your in-market team.

What is the cheapest way to watch out-of-market NHL games?

The ESPN Select annual plan at $139.99/year (approximately $11.66/month) is the most cost-effective option. It streams all out-of-market regional broadcasts plus 47 exclusive national games. You would still need ESPN Unlimited and HBO Max for the remaining nationally televised games on ABC, ESPN, and TNT.

Does Sling TV carry ABC NHL games?

Sling TV’s Orange plan does not include the ABC broadcast network. However, the article notes that most ABC NHL games are simulcast on ESPN3, which is included in the Orange plan, effectively covering those matchups.
09/27/2026
How to Watch Backrooms: A24 Horror Film Hits Streaming for Spooky Season
Key Highlights
- A24’s horror film Backrooms has grossed over $350 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, becoming the studio’s highest-grossing film in history.
- Directed by 21-year-old Kane Parsons and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, and Mark Duplass, the film is now available to buy or rent digitally for $19.99/$7.99 and streams on HBO Max as of September 25, 2026.
- Multiple HBO Max bundle deals offer savings up to 42%, including Disney+/Hulu/HBO Max for $19.99/month and Verizon/Xfinity bundles combining Netflix, Peacock, and HBO Max.
From Internet Lore to Box Office Phenomenon

Few could have predicted that a feature film adapted from a viral YouTube found-footage series—itself rooted in an unsettling 4chan post—would rewrite A24’s box office records. Yet Backrooms has done exactly that, amassing more than $350 million globally against a modest $10 million production budget. The surprise smash arrives on home viewing platforms this autumn, giving audiences a chance to experience the liminal-space nightmare that originated in the internet’s deepest corridors.

Kane Parsons and a Breakout Ensemble Cast

At the helm is 21-year-old Kane Parsons, the creator of the original YouTube series whose transition to feature filmmaking has drawn widespread acclaim. “Parsons has managed to prove himself as an incredibly talented emerging filmmaker while also establishing the first chapter in what will surely end up becoming a brand new horror franchise,” Mashable’s reviewer writes. The film anchors its otherworldly premise with a grounded ensemble led by Chiwetel Ejiofor as Clark, a furniture shop owner in 1990s Santa Clara Valley who discovers a hidden basement doorway to the endless, fluorescent-lit maze. Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell round out the principal cast, lending emotional weight to the surreal horror.

Digital Purchase, Rental, and HBO Max Streaming Details

Backrooms debuted on digital-on-demand retailers on July 14, 2026, with purchase and rental prices since dropping to $19.99 and $7.99 respectively across Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video. Rentals grant 30 days to start watching and 48 hours to finish once begun. As part of A24’s renewed output deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, the film began streaming on HBO Max on September 25, 2026—timed for the Halloween season. An HBO Max subscription starts at $10.99 per month, though annual plans reduce the effective monthly cost to $9.17 with ads or $15.42 for the ad-free Standard tier.

Why This Matters

The success of Backrooms signals a seismic shift in how horror intellectual property is developed and monetized. What began as collaborative internet folklore—creepypasta, found-footage web series, and community-driven mythmaking—has been validated as a viable pipeline for theatrical blockbusters. A24’s ability to nurture a first-time filmmaker like Parsons while leveraging its Warner Bros. Discovery streaming partnership demonstrates a new model for genre cinema: low-budget, high-concept projects incubated online, then amplified through traditional theatrical windows and premium streaming exclusivity. The film’s performance also reinforces the commercial potency of “liminal space” aesthetics, a visual language born on forums and video platforms that now commands mainstream box office attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I watch Backrooms at home right now?

You can buy or rent the film digitally on Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video for $19.99/$7.99. It is also streaming on HBO Max as of September 25, 2026.

What are the cheapest ways to get HBO Max for Backrooms?

The most economical standalone option is the annual Basic with Ads plan at $109.99/year ($9.17/month). Students can get 50% off Basic with Ads via UNiDAYS ($5.49/month for 12 months). Bundles offer deeper value: Disney+/Hulu/HBO Max with ads for $19.99/month, Verizon myPlan customers add Netflix+HBO Max for $13/month, and Xfinity StreamSaver packages Netflix, Peacock, and HBO Max for $22/month.

Is Backrooms connected to the original YouTube series by Kane Parsons?

Yes. The feature film is directed by Parsons and expands the lore of his viral YouTube found-footage series, which itself originated from a 4chan creepypasta post about the “Backrooms” liminal space concept.
09/25/2026
Emmys 2026 Review: ‘Widow’s Bay’ Sweeps Uneven Night as Mariska Hargitay Hosts Over-the-Top

Emmys 2026 Highlights: ‘Widow’s Bay’ Dominates, ‘The Pitt’ Falls Short of Expectations

“Widow’s Bay” swept the 2026 Emmy Awards, claiming victories in major categories. “The Pitt” also won big, though its haul fell short of pre-show expectations. Mariska Hargitay hosted the ceremony with an over-the-top style that became a talking point of the night.

09/14/2026
Lanterns Episode 5 Recap: What Happened and What Comes Next

Lanterns Episode 5 Recap: Rushville in Ruins as Hal Jordan and John Stewart Face Off

If you need a moment to recover after Lanterns’ fifth episode, you are not alone. Episode 5 delivered a seismic shift, pitting Green Lanterns Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) against Manhunter Zoe Macon (Poorna Jagannathan) in a battle that left Rushville in ruins. The conflict also fractured the partnership between Hal and John, leaving the role of Green Lantern in flux.

What Happened in the Rushville Fight?

A better question might be what didn’t happen. Zoe healed John from wounds sustained when Hal crashed their car, then announced a town-wide kill order on Hal. The citizens of Rushville mobilized to protect the Manhunter in their midst, while Zoe began obliterating sections of the town with the laser satellite introduced in episode 4.

Meanwhile, Hal hunted the Manhunter independently, hoping to deliver Zoe to the Guardians himself. He first sent Antaan (Paul Ben-Victor) and his vengeful alien crew on a wild goose chase to William Macon’s (Garret Dillahunt) compound, claiming Macon was the Manhunter. Macon put on a convincing performance thanks to language and backstory coaching from Zoe, but Antaan uncovered the ruse and killed him. (RIP to Lanterns’ resident exhibitionist wife guy.) Antaan then pursued Zoe, but Hal intercepted him, leaving Antaan to explode in mid-air. (RIP to the “Antaan is Atrocitus” theory.)

Hal vs. John: The Motel Showdown

The heart of the Rushville battle was the knock-down, drag-out fight between Hal and John at the motel. The two clashed over the power ring, unleashing months’ worth of resentment before Zoe leveled the building. In a move both sweet and practical, Hal managed to shield John inside a protective bubble.

In the aftermath, John used Hal’s prone body as bait before sniping Zoe, eliminating the second-greatest threat Hal faced. John, Hal’s greatest threat, remained alive. He claimed both the ring and the lantern from Hal but refused to recite the Oath. Instead, he told Guardian Lianna (Laura Linney) he wanted no further part in the Corps. After his traumatic childhood training, discipline, and sacrifice, putting on the ring felt like nothing. To answer the question Hal posed after their fight: “No, it wasn’t worth it.”

Now Lanterns is both Lantern-less and Manhunter-less. With these two central elements removed, the series must chart a new course.

What Comes Next in Lanterns?

Now that the Manhunter mystery is resolved, Lanterns can pivot to its next major question: Who killed Hal Jordan?

Episode 1 ended with John and Sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald) examining Hal’s corpse at the Rushville football field—ground zero for the Manhunter conspiracy. Episode 6 will likely jump to the 2026 timeline, exploring John’s life after Green Lantern training—“please let him be an architect now!”—and his investigation into Hal’s murder. Viewers also need answers about Hal’s missing decade: Did he stay in Rushville? Did he continue pursuing the married Kerry? Did he remember to feed Earl?

Because Lanterns takes place in 2026, Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), first introduced in Superman, is now the sector’s Green Lantern. Fillion is confirmed for the series, but his role remains unclear: a comedic cameo or an active participant in the murder investigation? Additionally, will the show expand on extraterrestrial characters like Lianna or Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen)? Will the cosmic fear entity Parallax, a Green Lantern franchise staple, finally appear?

Answers arrive in the final three episodes. Until then, a decompress nap feels well earned.

Lanterns streams on HBO Max, with new episodes premiering Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

09/13/2026
Maisie Williams Breaks Silence on Rumored Arya Stark Spinoff

During its original run, Game of Thrones became a cultural phenomenon for HBO, dominating water-cooler conversations worldwide. Although the series finale sparked debate, audience interest in Westeros persisted through subsequent spinoffs. Recent speculation suggested a series centered on Maisie Williams’ Arya Stark might be in development, and the actor has now addressed those rumors directly.

Maisie Williams Responds to Arya Stark Spinoff Rumors

Game of Thrones remains a popular rewatch for HBO Max subscribers, and the expanding franchise has renewed interest in George R.R. Martin’s adaptation. During a recent interview with The Guardian regarding her new film Practical Magic 2, Williams commented on the online discourse surrounding a potential return:

I saw that, too! I was like, huh? I don’t know, really. She would have to be developed in some way because I feel like I’ve changed so much, and I feel like what people loved about Arya is that she was always a child doing things that were quite grownup.

Why an Arya Sequel Faces Creative Challenges

Williams makes a salient point. Like her young co-stars, she matured on screen over eight seasons. The compelling contrast between Arya’s youth and her ruthless pursuit of vengeance defined the character’s appeal; replicating that dynamic now that Williams is 29 years old presents a significant creative hurdle. Based on her remarks, there appear to be no active plans for her to reprise the role.

The Current State of Game of Thrones Spinoffs

The franchise’s spinoff track record has been mixed. While House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms have moved forward, other projects have stalled. The planned Jon Snow sequel was canceled, and the Bloodmoon pilot was filmed but never released. Despite this, fan demand persists for a story exploring Arya’s journey west of Westeros—a region largely uncharted in the show’s lore.

Future of the Franchise on HBO Max

A post-flagship series set after the events of Game of Thrones remains a logical direction for a franchise that continues to command viewer loyalty. For now, Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and House of the Dragon—which recently concluded its third season as part of the 2026 TV schedule—are all streaming on HBO Max. Whether the network greenlights new chapters in this universe remains to be seen.

09/09/2026
Lanterns Reveals Manhunter: Biggest Clues to the Truth Explained

In the fourth episode of Lanterns, the series resolves one of its central mysteries: the identity of the Manhunter hiding in Rushville, Nebraska. After a series of red herrings — including Hector Hammond (Jason Manuel Olazabal), real name Hector Gutierrez, and William Macon (Garret Dillahunt) — the reveal lands on Zoe Macon (Poorna Jagannathan), William’s wife and John Stewart’s (Aaron Pierre) occasional confidant and romantic partner.

Poorna Jagannathan in “Lanterns.” Credit: John Johnson / HBO Max

Zoe Macon Revealed as the Manhunter

The episode cycles through suspects before confirming that Zoe has been operating in plain sight. Her immediate intimacy with John Stewart served as the most significant clue. With two Green Lanterns arriving in Rushville, Zoe faced a direct threat to her cover. Rather than confront them with force, she pursued a calculated strategy: getting close to John to earn his trust. Given that both John and Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) consistently used male pronouns when discussing the hidden Manhunter, it appears neither suspected a woman until the reveal.

Key Clues That Hinted at Zoe’s True Identity

The Romantic Deception Strategy

Episode 4 intensifies the pressure on Zoe’s relationship with John. During a visit to his motel, she frames their encounter as a final goodbye, insisting his only options after confronting Macon are leaving town or dying. She pushes hard for his departure, and when he refuses, she escalates by faking her own death — sending John and Hal on a wild-goose chase toward Hector Hammond.

This manipulation aligns with a pivotal line from Antaan (Paul Ben-Victor), who shares his own experience with a Manhunter. He asks John:

“Have you ever been deceived by someone you love?”

While John and Zoe’s connection may not reach “love,” Antaan’s point holds: the Manhunter exploits romantic intimacy to deceive someone the target is deeply close to.

Macon’s Complicity and the Nurse Backstory

Zoe’s dynamic with William Macon offers further foreshadowing. Macon is aware of the affair yet never retaliates against Zoe or John beyond verbal jabs. For a man who commands a private militia, such restraint is uncharacteristic — unless Zoe holds the upper hand and her infidelity is part of a deliberate plan to divert the Lanterns’ attention.

Macon recounts how he met Zoe: she was a nurse treating his cancer, and shortly after, a mysterious, god-like benefactor cured him. The implication is strong that Zoe herself was that benefactor. As Hal tells John, Manhunters are programmed to exploit societal weak points. A nurse treats people at their most vulnerable, positioning Zoe to build trust throughout Rushville. The town’s empty hospital suggests she cured everyone, proving her power and placing the community in her debt.

What This Means for Rushville

Beyond Macon, his men, and likely Sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald), the question remains: how much of Rushville knows they have an alien benefactor among them? And what lengths will they go to protect her now that her cover is blown?

Where to Watch Lanterns

Lanterns is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes premiering Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

SEE ALSO: ‘Lanterns’ review: Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre shine bright in DC’s sci-fi mystery

09/06/2026
Ernest Harden Jr. Wins First Emmy for ‘The Pitt’ Role as Louie Cloverfield

At 73, veteran character actor Ernest Harden Jr. claimed his first Emmy nomination and win on Sunday, taking home the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series trophy for his portrayal of Louie Cloverfield on HBO Max’s medical drama The Pitt. The victory marks a career milestone for a performer who has spent five decades in supporting roles and guest appearances.

Backstage Reaction: ‘I Am on Cloud 25’

Speaking backstage at the 78th Emmy Awards Night 2, held at the Peacock Theater on September 6, 2026, Harden struggled to contain his emotion.

“I am on cloud 25,” Harden Jr. said backstage. “I’m not saying this is a complete surprise because The Pitt is such a powerful show to come from, but just to get it in your hands is like unreal.”

Harden kept his eyes closed while accepting the award onstage. He dedicated the moment to his late parents.

“I wish my parents were here to see this, they would have been so proud,” he said.

He also thanked the series’ executive producers, including John Wells and star Noah Wyle, for the opportunity.

“They hired me and believed in my talent … and the reason I stayed around was because I was good,” he said.

A Career Spanning Five Decades

Backstage, Harden reflected on a journey that began in 1974.

“I’ve been in the business since 1974, that’s the first time I ever spoke in a film; it was a movie called Three Days of the Condor with Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway,” he said about the Sydney Pollack feature released in 1975. “From then I’ve just been doing my thing, trying to work where I could. I got some beautiful breaks.”

Those breaks included a recurring role on the Norman Lear sitcom The Jeffersons from 1977 to 1979, followed by a leading role opposite Bette Davis in the 1980 TV movie White Mama. The film centered on a poor, elderly white woman (Davis) befriended by a neighborhood kid (Harden).

Accepting the Emmy onstage, Harden dedicated the award to Davis, who received an Emmy nomination for her performance in White Mama but did not win. Davis, a two-time Oscar winner, also holds an Emmy.

“We didn’t make it then but this one is for us!” Harden said.

‘The Pitt’ Marked His Largest TV Role

The Pitt represented the most substantial series role of Harden’s career, spanning 11 episodes across two seasons. The medical drama unfolds in real time, with each season covering a single shift.

Harden recounted the moment he learned his character would die in Season 2.

“One time I said to Noah, am I gonna die because all the wardrobe people and everybody’s stopping me and they’re crying and I’m saying, what’s going on? I plan on being here five years! That’s just five days in The Pitt world,” Harden said of the medical drama whose seasons take place over the course of a single shift each.

“Noah said, ‘Sit right here,’ and he said, ‘America’s gonna cry for you,’ and he wasn’t lying,” he added. “He just said, ‘Trust me.’”

Competitive Field

Harden prevailed in a competitive Guest Actor in a Drama Series category that included fellow The Pitt guest actor Jeff Kober, Colman Domingo for Euphoria, Jeff Hiller for Pluribus, Jonathan Pryce for Slow Horses, and Bradley Whitford for The Diplomat.

09/06/2026
‘Beef,’ ‘DTF St. Louis’ Narrowly Lead a Tight Race for the 2026 Emmys’ Limited or Anthology Series Award

Nominees for the top award are “All Her Fault, “The Beast in Me,” “Beef,” “DTF St. Louis” and “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.”

Source: pagesix.com

08/30/2026
Howard Stern Reportedly Lands Major HBO Max Deal for His SiriusXM Show

Stern is set to bring his honed interviewing skills to cable television.

Source: pagesix.com

08/29/2026
Get Jiro Brings Anthony Bourdain’s Graphic Novel to TV—We Watched the First Two Episodes

Anthony Bourdain’s 2012 graphic novel Get Jiro is coming to Adult Swim as a new animated series, bringing its enigmatic chef protagonist to the screen in a dystopian world governed by culinary rules.

The adaptation has been nearly a decade in the making, involving years of conversations and approvals, a writers’ strike and two years of production. The series was completed after Bourdain’s death in 2018.

Created by filmmakers Alessandro Tanaka and Brian Gatewood, Get Jiro is set in a future Los Angeles where economic collapse has left food as the only major non-virtual experience. As a result, cooking has become the world’s dominant business, and chefs are revered like gods.

A dystopian Los Angeles ruled by chefs

Reservations at the most prestigious restaurants have waiting lists stretching for years, while scarce ingredients have become highly valuable. Hospitality groups operate like crime syndicates, fresh-produce suppliers are treated like drug dealers, and fish markets conduct quiet business using blacklists.

Armed chefs patrol their territories in veste de chef uniforms, threatening anyone who attempts to grow ingredients at home. In this cutthroat society, class divisions separate the Inner Rim, home to the city’s most exclusive restaurants, from the lawless Outer Rim.

That is where Jiro, a mysterious sushi chef voiced by Brian Tee, arrives from Japan to open a restaurant. Despite the city’s rigid social hierarchy, Jiro is determined to serve pristine sushi at the highest level — without soy sauce.

“The spirit and the energy of Bourdain loom very large on this series.”

The first two episodes, viewed at Get Jiro’s SXSW London premiere in June, showcase the series’ detailed animation, editing, cinematography and sound design from the opening scene. The show uses Bourdain’s original concept as a starting point while developing its own visual style, retaining his fascination with both the beautiful and the grotesque.

Clean lines and visceral sound effects make the preparation of salmon, the cooking of rice and the plating of nigiri intensely tactile. Viewers who enjoy kitchen dramas such as The Bear, Boiling Point and Chef, or cinematic food series such as Chef’s Table, may appreciate the attention given to these sequences.

“Obviously, we had to get the food right, because it’s Bourdain,” said series co-creator Tanaka at SXSW. He added that the production recruited Bourdain’s friend Matt Goulding as a food consultant. “He was basically our food guy. Every script, every animatic, every rough cut of every episode went through him,” he said.

Anthony Bourdain’s influence on the animated series

Bourdain’s presence remains central to Get Jiro despite the series being produced after his death. The show includes cameos from chefs David Chang, Eric Ripert and José Andrés, while one major storyline focuses on a rival vegan chef’s empire and features severe commentary on meat substitutes.

Bourdain’s graphic-novel co-writer Joel Rose also joined the writers’ room and wrote an episode of the series.

“He was kind of always there to make sure that we were doing right by Bourdain,” said Tanaka. “The spirit and the energy of Bourdain loom very large on this series.”

The show also reflects Bourdain’s love of cinema, as well as Tanaka and Gatewood’s interest in film. Its references range from the Japanese cinema of Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu to George Miller’s Mad Max films. Each episode is designed around a different genre.

“Bourdain was a huge cinephile. Brian and I also love movies, and so for us, we wanted to explore different genres,” said Tanaka. “We’re constantly making references to movies, cinema history, and to other filmmakers,” he said.

“We have an episode that’s coming up that is a prison episode, and we did it all as one take, which in live action, you see it a lot — you don’t often see that in animation. We use a lot of the tools from film in order to make the show.”

When does Get Jiro premiere?

Get Jiro will premiere with two episodes at midnight on Oct. 3 on Toonami on Adult Swim. The series will then stream on HBO Max beginning Oct. 4. The original graphic novel is available on Amazon.

Readers looking for more film and television news and reviews can sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or receive Mashable push alerts.

Update: Aug. 28, 2026, 9:56 a.m. GMT. This article was first published following Get Jiro’s SXSW London premiere in June and republished after the trailer’s release in August.

08/28/2026