Where and When to Stream

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

• “The Last of Us” premiered January 15 exclusively on HBO and HBO Max.
• The series is an adaptation of the 2013 post-apocalyptic video game of the same name.
• HBO Max subscriptions cost $10/month with ads, or $16/month fo ad-free playback.

HBO’s highly anticipated adaptation of “The Last of Us” premiered January 15. The series is based on the critically acclaimed post-apocalyptic video game series of the same name.

Set 20 years after the destruction of modern civilization, “The Last of Us” is a heartbreaking journey about humanity and survival against all odds. The series stars Pedro Pascal (“The Mandalorian”) as Joel, and Bella Ramsey (“Game of Thrones”) as Ellie, two characters who must escape brutal killers and monsters in a post-apocalyptic United States. 

Check out the trailer for ‘The Last of Us’

The cast of “The Last of Us” also features Gabriel Luna (“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”) as Joel’s younger brother Tommy, Anna Torv (“Fringe”) as Joel’s partner Tess, and Merle Dandridge (“The Flight Attendant”) as resistance leader Marlene, the same character she voiced in the original video game series.

How to watch ‘The Last of Us’

You can watch “The Last of Us” exclusively on HBO and HBO Max. New episodes will debut Sundays at 9 p.m. ET through March 12.

An ad-supported HBO Max plan costs $10 a month, though this option doesn’t include downloads or 4K quality streaming. To enjoy HBO Max’s full benefits, you’ll need the ad-free plan for $16 a month. You can also save up to 20% annually by paying for a year of HBO Max upfront, which costs $100 (ad-supported) or $150 (ad-free).

The HBO Max app is compatible with most smart TVs, mobile devices, and media players from major brands like Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Chromecast. Check out HBO Max’s website for the full list of supported devices.

Can I watch ‘The Last of Us’ for free?

HBO Max no longer offers a free trial directly through its website, but you can still get a seven-day free trial by signing up for the service as an add-on channel through Amazon Prime Video. 

In order to watch the first season of “The Last of Us” in its entirety without paying, you’ll need to wait to sign up for the trial until the finale airs on March 12. In order to subscribe to the HBO Max add-on channel, you must already be an Amazon Prime member.

How many episodes will ‘The Last of Us’ season one have?

“The Last of Us” season one will have nine episodes in total. Following the series premiere on January 15, new episodes will be released weekly on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET. Each episode will debut at the same time on the HBO cable channel and HBO Max  streaming service.

Here’s a full release schedule for ‘The Last of Us’ season one:

• Episode one – January 15
• Episode two – January 22
• Episode three – January 29
• Episode four – February 5
• Episode five – February 12
• Episode six – February 19
• Episode seven – February 26 
• Episode eight – March 5
• Episode nine – March 12

Has ‘The Last of Us’ been renewed for more seasons?

HBO hasn’t renewed “The Last of Us” for more seasons just yet. However, there is potential for a second season based on 2020’s “The Last of Us: Part II” video game.

The show’s creators hinted at such in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann also remarked that they favor a strong ending over drawing out a series for numerous seasons, suggesting HBO’s “The Last of Us” won’t last as long as other  post-apocalyptic series like “The Walking Dead.”

Is ‘The Last of Us’ worth watching?

Reviews for “The Last of Us” are very positive, with some critics praising it as the “best video game adaptation ever made.” For fans of the video game, post-apocalyptic survival stories, and actor Pedro Pascal, “The Last of Us” season one is well worth a watch.

As of January 20, “The Last of Us” holds a stellar “99% Certified Fresh” score on the review-aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praise the HBO series’ deep dive into the game’s story, the cast’s performances, and the writing.