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'The Last of Us' airs early this week: How to watch

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Liane Hentscher/HBO

If you're not watching "The Last of Us," then you must be living in a bunker deeper than Bill's survivalist basement. But if you have been caught by the Cordyceps craze, we've got some good news for you: Episode 5 of "The Last of Us" premieres tonight. 

The gritty HBO series, based on the popular Playstation video game of the same name, has been grabbing headlines since its debut. But following "Yellowjackets" star Melanie Lynskey's appearance in "The Last of Us" Episode 4, its fanbase seems to be growing faster than an infectious fungus. If you've yet to join the masses, here's how to watch "The Last of Us" for free, and what you need to know about tonight's new episode. 


Top products in this article: 

HBO Max, $10 and up per month 

'The Last of Us Part I' (PS5), $69


Titled "Endure and Survive," Episode 5 of "The Last of Us" sees Joel and Ellie collide with Henry and Sam, while Kathleen (Melanie Lynskey) continues her unknowing search for all four of the accidental fugitives. Based on the trailer, it appears the action in Kansas City is about to heat up. 

This week, due to Sunday's slate of football, Rihanna and the 2023 Puppy Bowl, Episode 5 of "The Last of Us" will be released early on HBO Max and HBO On Demand. Meaning you can stream Episode 5 of "The Last of Us" starting tonight at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

"The Last of Us" is up in viewership overall by 60% since its debut, with last week's episode reaching 7.5 million viewers across HBO Max and linear telecasts. Episode 1 of "The Last of Us" is now streaming totally free on HBO Max. 

If you've yet to join the crowd, it's not too late. Whether you only want to check out Melanie Lynskey's story in "The Last of Us," or are here to find out when the next episode is dropping, keep reading to find out where to watch HBO's "The Last of Us."

Where to stream "The Last of Us"

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Liane Hentscher/HBO

The new video game adaptation is currently streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes typically dropping every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET.

However, tonight's episode of "The Last of Us" will be released early on HBO Max and HBO On Demand. You can stream Episode 5 of "The Last of Us" starting tonight at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The fifth episode will also still air on HBO at its regularly scheduled time. 

How much does HBO Max cost?

An ad-supported HBO Max plan will cost you $10 per month, and an ad-free one will cost $16 per month. 

HBO Max, $10 and up per month 


Where to watch "The Last of Us" for free? 

While HBO Max doesn't currently offer a free trial, you can check out the first episode of select HBO series for free -- including the first episode of "The Last of Us," plus hits like "House of the Dragon," "The White Lotus" and more. 

The Last of Us" Episode 1, now streaming free on HBO Max


Who stars in "The Last of Us" cast?

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Liane Hentscher/HBO

The adaptation of the 2013 Playstation 3 video game stars Pedro Pescal and Bella Ramsey alongside Anna Torv, Gabriel Luna, Merle Dandridge, Melanie Lynskey and more.


The best TV deals right now

Looking to upgrade your viewing experience at home so you can watch the latest shows, this month's big football game, the 2023 Puppy Bowl and more? Keep reading to check out the best deals on 4K TVs, TV stands and more. 

LG G2 series OLED evo Gallery Edition smart TV

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LG via Amazon

According to the brand, this LG TV designed to compete with Samsung's "The Frame" features a gallery design that "hugs the wall." This smart TV is meant to blend in seamlessly with any other wall art you might have. 

The OLED TV features 4K-upscaling, a Filmmaker Mode to enhance your viewing experience with Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos, plus built-in access to Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV plus, Disney Plus and LG channels.

An Amazon customer called the TV "the best 4K panel I've ever owned." "The panel actually does look like wall art hanging in my viewing room," they commented.

65" LG G2 series OLED evo Gallery Edition smart TV, $1,997 (regularly $3,000)


LG OLED C1 series 4K smart TV

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Amazon

We've found another OLED TV option from LG. This smart TV features a brilliant OLED display and a 120 Hz refresh rate. It also uses AI technology to detect changes in scenes and genres, adjusting the display accordingly. This LG TV upgrades your home cinema experience with Cinema HDR, Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos. It includes built-in access to Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+ and LG channels.

It's on sale at Amazon now.

55" LG OLED C1 series 4K TV, $1,239 (reduced from $1,500)


65" TCL Roku smart TV

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TCL via Walmart

This top-rated TCL Roku TV is an ultra-affordable option that uses the user-friendly Roku interface.

"I recently bought this tv last week and I'm really impressed with it amazing picture, great sound and easy set up," wrote a Walmart customer. "If you want a tv that's affordable TCL is the way to go. I don't have anything negative to say about the tv and I would buy TV's again from this brand in the near future."

65" TCL Roku 4K smart TV, $368


50" TCL 5-Series with 4K resolution

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Best Buy

Watch your shows, movies and games in all their glory with this 50-inch TCL set. The 4K TV features QLED technology, 4K resolution and Dolby Vision. 

All those features together improve the sharpness, brightness, color and contrast of an image.

50" TCL 5-Series with 4K resolution, $366 (reduced from $600)


75" Amazon Fire TV Omni series 4K smart TV

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Amazon

This 75-inch Amazon Fire TV offers a 4K UHD display and enhanced color and clarity thanks to Dolby Vision. 

The TV also supports voice control with Amazon Alexa. Its high-quality picture quality and large size make this TV a solid choice for football fans -- plus, it's hard to find such a big screen at such a low price.

75" Amazon Fire TV Omni series 4K smart TV, $720 (reduced from $1,100)


Amazon Fire TV Stick with 4K Ultra HD: $30

Amazon Fire TV Stick with 4K Ultra HD
Best Buy

This Amazon streaming stick with a new Wi-Fi antenna design is optimized for 4K streaming. The Amazon Fire TV Stick pairs with compatible Bluetooth headphones and comes equipped with Alexa-enabled voice-control technology. 

Amazon Fire TV Stick with 4K Ultra HD, $30 (reduced from $50)


Check out all the Essentials streaming guides: 

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