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Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in The Last of Us.
Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal in "The Last of Us."
  • "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 for 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.

New episodes typically premiere every Sunday, but episode five will hit HBO Max and HBO on-demand a couple of days early on February 10 to avoid competing with the Super Bowl.

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 every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET through March 12. However, episode five will be available on HBO Max and HBO on-demand two days early at 9 p.m. ET on February 10.

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. New episodes are broadcast weekly on HBO every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET. The season finale will air on March 12.

With the exception of episode five, each episode will also debut Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on the HBO Max streaming service. Episode five will start streaming two days early on February 10 to avoid competing with the Super Bowl on February 12.

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 10 (HBO Max), February 12 (HBO)
  • Episode six - February 19
  • Episode seven - February 26 
  • Episode eight - March 5
  • Episode nine - March 12

Has 'The Last of Us' been renewed for season 2?

Yes, "The Last of Us" will return for a second season. HBO officially renewed the series on January 27. The second season is expected to follow the story from 2020's "The Last of Us: Part II" video game.

Though the show will continue, the show's creators, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, told The Hollywood Reporter that they favor a strong ending over drawing out a series for numerous seasons. This suggests that 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?

the last of us hbo
Pedro Pascal plays Joel in "The Last of Us."

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 February 9, "The Last of Us" holds a stellar "97% 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.

How can I play 'The Last of Us' video games?

The Last of Us video game first hit the PlayStaion 3 in 2013, and The Last of Us Part II followed on the PlayStation 4 in 2020. Part I has also been remastered for PS4 and remade with enhanced graphics for the PS5 and PC

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