How to Watch The Invite on HBO Max: Streaming Date, HBO Premiere, Cast and DIRECTV Options
The Invite starts streaming exclusively on HBO Max on Friday, October 23, 2026, and makes its HBO channel premiere on Saturday, October 24, at 8 p.m. ET. Olivia Wilde directed the A24 comedy and stars in it with Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton. DIRECTV customers can watch it in the HBO Max app or catch the HBO premiere if they have HBO on their package.
Here's how to watch, what the movie is about and what HBO Max costs, as of October 16, 2026.
The Invite at a glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| HBO Max streaming date | Friday, October 23, 2026 (exclusive in the U.S.) |
| HBO channel premiere | Saturday, October 24, 2026, 8 p.m. ET |
| Theatrical release | June 26, 2026 (limited); July 10, 2026 (wide) |
| Studio | A24 |
| Runtime | 1 hour, 47 minutes |
| Rating | R |
| Director | Olivia Wilde |
| Writers | Will McCormack and Rashida Jones |
| Stars | Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton |
| On DIRECTV | HBO (channel 501) with an HBO add-on; HBO Max app on Gemini and other devices |
When does The Invite come out on HBO Max?
Warner Bros. Discovery says The Invite begins streaming exclusively on HBO Max in the U.S. on Friday, October 23. New HBO Max movies usually unlock overnight, so it should be in the app by Friday morning. Search “The Invite” in HBO Max and add it to My List now so it shows up on your home screen as soon as it's available.
The movie opened in theaters in late June after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, then went wide on July 10. HBO Max is its first subscription streaming home.
How to watch The Invite with DIRECTV
On the HBO channel
The Invite makes its linear premiere on HBO on Saturday, October 24, at 8 p.m. ET. On DIRECTV satellite, HBO starts at channel 501 (HBO East). You need HBO as a premium add-on or in a package that includes it. If you're not sure, press Guide, go to 501 and see whether it plays, or call 1-855-690-9884 to add it. Our DIRECTV package channel comparison shows which packages carry premium channels.
In the HBO Max app
On a DIRECTV Gemini device, press APPS on the voice remote, open HBO Max (or install it from Google Play), sign in and search for The Invite starting October 23. The HBO Max app also runs on smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, phones, tablets and computers. Some DIRECTV packages have included HBO Max; see how DIRECTV's MyEntertainment package added HBO Max for one example, and check your own plan before you pay for a separate subscription.
What is The Invite about?
Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Olivia Wilde) don't have people over often, and their marriage is on thin ice. When they invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbors, Hawk (Edward Norton) and Piña (Penélope Cruz), down for dinner, the evening spirals into unexpected places. A24 bills it as a night of twists that leaves the couple wondering whether they've reignited the spark or lit the match that burns everything down.
The film is an English-language remake of Cesc Gay's 2020 Spanish comedy Sentimental, also known as The People Upstairs. Will McCormack and Rashida Jones wrote the screenplay, and David Permut, Ben Browning and Megan Ellison produced. It's rated R, so plan on it as an adults-only movie night.
How much is HBO Max in October 2026?
Here are HBO Max's direct U.S. plans, as of this update:
| Plan | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Basic with Ads | $10.99/mo | $109.99/yr |
| Standard | $18.49/mo | $184.99/yr |
| Premium | $22.99/mo | $229.99/yr |
The Invite is included on every plan. Prices exclude taxes, and HBO Max billed through a TV or mobile provider can use different plan names and rates. Our story on HBO Max's latest price increase explains how the current rates came about, students can check the HBO Max student discount, and October 2026 streaming deals rounds up other ways to save.
More new movies on HBO Max this month
A24's The Death of Robin Hood, with Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer, arrives on HBO Max on October 16, and Kate Berlant's stand-up special is in our guide to Kate Berlant: Parmesan. For Halloween picks, see the HBO Max Horror Comes Home collection.
Want HBO, HBO Max and your live channels in one place? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
When does The Invite come out on HBO Max?
The Invite starts streaming exclusively on HBO Max in the U.S. on Friday, October 23, 2026.
When is The Invite on HBO?
It premieres on the HBO channel on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET. On DIRECTV satellite, HBO starts at channel 501 for customers with HBO in their package.
Who stars in The Invite?
Seth Rogen and Olivia Wilde play Joe and Angela, a married couple, and Edward Norton and Penélope Cruz play their upstairs neighbors, Hawk and Piña. Wilde also directed.
How long is The Invite, and what is it rated?
It runs 1 hour and 47 minutes and is rated R.
Is The Invite a remake?
Yes. It's an English-language remake of Cesc Gay's 2020 Spanish film Sentimental, also called The People Upstairs.
How much is HBO Max?
Direct U.S. plans start at $10.99 a month for Basic with Ads. Standard is $18.49 a month and Premium is $22.99 a month, and The Invite is on all three.
Need HBO added to your DIRECTV package before October 24? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 16, 2026 from Warner Bros. Discovery’s September 23, 2026 announcement (HBO Max and HBO premiere dates), A24 (cast, writers, director, runtime and theatrical date), Deadline (synopsis, source film and producers), Rotten Tomatoes and Cinemark (rating and wide release date) and HBO Max plan pricing. Release times, prices, plan benefits and promotions can change and may vary by account, address and billing provider. DIRECTV channel lineups, premium add-ons and package prices vary by address. The Invite, A24, HBO, HBO Max, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.