3 terrific HBO Max documentaries to stream this weekend (November 13-15)

Published Nov 12, 2026, 4:17 PM EST After graduating from Marist University with a degree in communications and journalism, Dan Girolamo has over 10 years of experience writing about entertainment and sports. Dan's work can be seen in various publications, including Digital Trends, SportsCasting, and Tom's Guide. Throughout his career, Dan has interviewed several high-profile filmmakers and creatives, including Brendan Fraser, Jamie Lee Curtis, Caitriona Balfe, Frank Grillo, Miranda Cosgrove, Jai Courtney, Chris Columbus and James Cameron. Dan joins How-To Geek as a Senior Editor. When he's not writing about entertainment, Dan is either watching a movie or praying for the New York Knicks to win a championship. One of 2026's new movies on HBO Max has found a substantial audience in streaming. That movie is The Invite, an excellent comedy starring Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton. The Invite hit HBO Max on Oct. 23, and it's seemingly been in the top three ever since. I cannot recommend it enough; it's that good. After streaming The Invite, change things up by checking out HBO Max's prominent documentary section. My first pick is an eye-opening examination of a photographer grappling with a family tragedy. My second pick is a behind-the-scenes look at the best Game of Thrones spin-off. Finally, my top pick of the week covers a memorable NFL quarterback who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 3 Great Photo, Lovely Life A hard but necessary watch Amanda Mustard is a renowned photojournalist who specializes in exposing the truth through her work. It's part of her job, and her photos speak for themselves. In a stunning movie, Mustard turns the camera inward and puts the spotlight on herself. It's not a vanity project. It's quite the opposite. Mustard embarks on an investigation involving her family, specifically her grandfather, Bill Flickinger. As Mustard describes it in the trailer, "My touchy, feely grandpa is actually a pedophile." After returning to Pennsylvania, Mustard investigates how her grandfather, a local chiropractor, had been sexually abusing victims for years. As Mustard dives deeper, she learns that her mother, Debi, was abused by Flickinger, but Debi struggles to acknowledge his actions. Furthermore, Mustard uncovers that Flickinger's wife and the family's religious beliefs contributed to their silence surrounding Flickinger's behavior, while the justice system handed him relatively lenient punishments at best. Great Photo, Lovely Life will put viewers through the emotional gauntlet. At times, you're angry at a system that failed these victims. In other moments, you feel compassion and sympathy toward Mustard and the rest of the victims. Mustard even reaches out to those abused by Flickinger as a way of acknowledging his heinous actions. Credit to Mustard for not holding back, even when it hurt her family. Great Photo, Lovely Life 2 A Knight in the Making Westeros done right To say I was impressed with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms would be an understatement. I absolutely adored it. It is clearly the best Game of Thrones spin-off—sorry, House of the Dragon fans, but it's true. When you have fully developed characters that audiences want to invest in and grow alongside, you've got a winning formula. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is Game of Thrones done right on a small scale. If you've never seen A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, it's based on George R.R. Martin's Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. The central storyline chronicles the unlikely friendship between a lowly hedge knight, Ser Duncan "Dunk" the Tall (Peter Claffey), and his tiny squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). The six-episode first season centers on a tournament in a single village. Dunk wants to make a name for himself by winning the tournament, while Egg wants to prove he's more than just a small boy. If you loved the show, then check out A Knight in the Making, a three-episode documentary that explores the origins of the show and the the making of its first season. I like the simplicity of the series. Being a knight is not just about titles and formalities. A true knight has honor and lives by a code—to protect the innocent. It's a great message for a show I hope runs for many years to come. 1 Kordell Stewart / Slash & Burn Under center with a misunderstood QB When I hear the name Kordell Stewart, I think about a quarterback who could do it all. Stewart first made headlines in the early 1990s as the quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes. Stewart was involved in one of the decade's most memorable plays—a game-winning Hail Mary pass from Stewart to Michael Westbrook that defeated Michigan. After college, Stewart was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who initially used Stewart as a gadget player rather than a traditional quarterback. In 1997, Steelers coach Bill Cowher finally gave Stewart a chance to start. Stewart never looked back, holding the job through the 2001 season. The new NFL Short, Kordell Stewart / Slash & Burn, examines Stewart's rise from bench player to Pro Bowl quarterback, including his appearances as the Steelers' starting quarterback in two AFC Championship games. Like many football fans, you know Stewart was an athletic specimen with a rocket for an arm and the speed of a gazelle. However, the documentary explores a new side of Stewart, especially his life off the field. Stewart believes that false rumors about his sexuality derailed his personal life and affected his on-field performance. Knowing this information now, you get a better understanding of Stewart's struggles. Subscription with ads Yes, $10.99/month Simultaneous streams 2 or 4 More documentaries to check out Once I watch one documentary, I typically follow it up with several more. Since basketball is back, check out Hoop Dreams on HBO Max, which is one of the greatest sports documentaries ever. If you want to switch streaming services, one of Netflix's top documentaries at the moment is Taken: Natalee Holloway.