How to Host a Max Watch Party

Virtually watch movies and TV with friends

By
Nick Steinberg
Nick Steinberg
Nick Steinberg
Writer
  • Wilfrid Laurier University
Nick Steinberg has been writing about technology since 2014. His work has appeared in Goliath, Screen Rant, TechRadar, and many more publications.
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Updated on May 5, 2022
Reviewed by
Ryan Perian
Ryan Perian headshot
Reviewed by Ryan Perian
  • Western Governors University
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
lifewire's editorial guidelines

What to Know

  • Install a browser extension to host watch party. Teleparty and Scener are good choices.
  • On the Max site, select and play a show > select Teleparty extension > Start the Party > copy invite URL.
  • On Scener, copy the invite URL or use the theater code to invite friends.

This article explains how to host a watch party on Max (formerly HBO Max) using the Teleparty or Scener browser extension. Both groups (host and watchers) need to use the same extension and have a current subscription.

How to Host an HBO Watch Party

Max doesn't have a built-in feature like Prime's Watch Party, which lets you host virtual viewings with friends and family. In Max's case, you use a browser extension to watch the same movie or TV Show online with family and friends.

After you install a Watch Party extension on your browser, set up a virtual screening. Your friends need to install the same extension on their computers. The instructions and screenshots shown here use the Teleparty extension.

  1. Select the movie or TV show you want to watch and start playing it.

  2. Select the Teleparty extension in the toolbar.

    Teleparty extension icon for HBO Max playback

    If you don’t see the watch party icon in your toolbar, you may need to pin it there first. Open Extensions and make sure that the Pin icon next to Teleparty or Scener is highlighted in blue.

  3. Select Start the Party.

    Start the party button in Teleparty extension

  4. A window opens containing a URL. Copy the link and send it to your friends so they can join the party.

    URL field and Copy URL button to send Teleparty link to friends

  5. Once everyone has joined, press Play to start watching your chosen movie or TV show together. When you're done, press the Disconnect.

    Disconnect button for a Teleparty watch session

On Scener, select Create Private Theater, then copy and share the invite link or use the theater code to invite friends.

What Can I Watch During a Max Watch Party?

Watch Party extensions can be used across Max’s entire library, which means you can watch any movie or TV show available on the service virtually with friends.

Max has a vast content selection that includes HBO’s entire slate of original series, movies, documentaries, and comedy specials. It also includes Max originals and same-day premieres.

Casey Bloys, President of Programming of HBO, speaks onstage at HBO Max WarnerMedia Investor Day Presentation at Warner Bros. Studios on October 29, 2019 in Burbank, California.

Ann Presley/Getty

In addition to new series, you also get access to movies and TV shows from other Warner Media properties, such as Cartoon Network, The CW, and DC Entertainment.

Despite HBO’s reputation as a mature-focused network, Max offers movies and TV shows for all audiences from preschoolers and teens to grownups, so you can find something appropriate for all your friends and family members to watch together.

What Do I Need to Host a Max Watch Party?

To host or join a watch party, all you need is a laptop or desktop computer and a Watch Party extension like Teleparty or Scener.

Teleparty is available for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Opera browsers. You can also install Teleparty on an Android device. Plans for the future include launches for iOS devices, smart TVs, and gaming consoles, so stay tuned.

Scener extension is available only for Google Chrome. Mobile devices can view a host's theatre but can't be the host or co-host of a party.

Teleparty supports an unlimited number of guests and text chat only, while Scener allows 10 guests and text, audio, and video chat.

What Is a Max Watch Party?

The video syncs up so everyone can watch simultaneously, and you can also react in real-time to the on-screen action by typing into a chat field or speaking into your computer's mic and webcam (if this option is available).

Here are the two best extensions to use (both are free to use):

  • Teleparty: This extension allows you to sync movie and TV show playback with an unlimited number of people remotely on Max, as well as Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime and Hulu. Teleparty is free to use, and all you need is a computer and access to Max. Right now, the extension is only available on desktop versions of Google Chrome, Opera, Microsoft Edge, and Android devices, but Teleparty has future expansion plans for smart TVs, gaming devices, and iOS devices.
  • Scener: The Scener is a more feature-rich watch party app that lets you use voice chat and attend public viewings with millions of other attendees. In addition to Max, Scener works with Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Funimation, Vimeo, RiffTrax, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Tubi, and Shudder. The extension is available on Google Chrome only and requires you to create an account.
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