The Best Movies Now on Max
Max may be one of the newest platforms to enter the streaming world, but already it’s one of the best. Not only does the service offer a ton of exclusive content related to its hit properties — like Game of Thrones, The Wire, and The Sopranos — it also has a ton of fantastic films strengthening its online catalog.
Thanks to HBO’s partnerships with standout companies and networks like TCM, Studio Ghibli, and DC, the service has an absolutely stacked selection of films you’re able to choose from.
Whether you’re in the mood for a classic black-and-white monster movie from the ‘30s, a beloved anime film from Hayao Miyazaki, or a recent blockbuster from this past summer, there’s no end to the number of great films you’re able to choose from.
From universally praised films like Citizen Kane and A Clockwork Orange to celebrated modern films like Midsommar and The Peanuts Movie, here are some of the best films you can find currently streaming on Max.
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Updated: February 9.
Horror: Midsommar (2019)
If ever you needed proof that A24 holds a taut monopoly over the horror genre, just look at some of the studio’s most recent films–including Talk to Me, Pearl, X, or 2019’s folk horror film, Midsommar.
After a sudden tragedy up-ends her life, a young woman (Florence Pugh) agrees to attend a strange pagan festival in Sweden with her emotionally distant boyfriend (Jack Reynor) and his two friends (Will Poulter and William Jackson Harper).
A disorienting psychological horror film that merges the magical splendor of The Wizard of Oz with the cult premise of The Wicker Man, Midsommar is a movie able to disgust, intrigue, and enrapture viewers the moment they hit play.
Family: The Peanuts Movie (2015)
Virtually everyone knows the lovable cartoon band known as the Peanuts. Originally created by comic strip writer Charles M. Schultz, the Peanuts soon found their way into several television specials and, more recently, a 2015 animated family movie.
As the downtrodden Charlie Brown (Noah Schnapp) works out ways to impress his mysterious crush (Francesca Angelucci Capaldi), his mischievous dog Snoopy writes an ambitious novel about his attempts to save his own love interest from the villainous Red Baron.
Keeping in line with the cozy warmth of the original comics, The Peanuts Movie is guaranteed to entertain viewers completely unfamiliar with the series and more nostalgic fans alike. A smart, funny, and creative children’s movie, it's also the perfect homage to Schultz’ famed comic strip characters.
Romance: The Notebook (2004)
Admittedly, The Notebook won’t appeal to every single viewer who attempts to watch it. Yet, given its favorable place in pop culture today, most people should make an effort to watch the film at least once in their lifetime.
Reading from a worn notebook to a fellow nursing home resident (Gena Rowlands), an elderly man (James Garner) relates the story of a young couple (Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams) who meet and fall in love in 1940s South Carolina.
Like most Nicholas Sparks adaptations, The Notebook opts for a weightier, melodramatic presentation that shares plenty of similarities to a TV soap opera. As grating as it is for some viewers, at the very least, Gosling and McAdams hit it out of the park in their respective roles.
War: The Pacific (2010)
With its latest companion piece, Masters of the Air, recently debuting on Apple TV+, fans of HBO’s Band of Brothers might think about revisiting the first spin-off to the World War II drama series with 2010’s The Pacific.
In the immediate aftermath of Pearl Harbor, the United States send in the Marines to battle the Japanese military in the Pacific. In the years that follow, the soldiers witness some of the fiercest, most horrific battles of the entire war.
Whereas Band of Brothers focused on the conflict in Europe, The Pacific showcases the similar horrors endured by troops in the Pacific theater of World War II. Facing constant threats in the form of sickening food, viral diseases, and an emboldened enemy that refused to surrender, the Marines of The Pacific undergo a terrifying transformation into cynicism, depression, and trauma-induced anxiety.
Thriller: The Visit (2015)
Spending a week-long visit with their seemingly ordinary grandparents (Deanna Dunagan and Peter McRobbie), a pair of teenage siblings (Olivia DeJonge and Ed Oxenbould) begin to suspect something is very wrong with their elderly family members.
Since getting his start in the early 1990s, director M. Night Shyamalan has had one of the most wildly varied careers of any director working today. Just when it seems like Shyamalan is on the downswing, the filmmaker releases a universally successful movie that entertains a mass audience of viewers.
Falling into this category is 2015’s The Visit. A perversely comedic psychological horror film, The Visit’s unsettling and original premise allows Shyamalan to make something as mundane as elderly retirees seem legitimately terrifying.
Superhero: X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
It’s not an exaggeration to call X-Men: Days of Future Past the best X-Men movie in the series’ continuity. Ranking alongside X2 or X-Men: First Class, the movie features a first-rate story, impeccable acting, and a time-bending story that glossed over canonical inconsistencies in the X-Men’s often murky timeline.
In a nightmarish near future where mutants have been rendered nearly extinct, the remnants of the X-Men send Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) back in time to the 1970s, allowing him to contact a younger Professor Xavier (James McAvoy) and prevent their dystopian reality.
Bridging the narratives of the original X-Men films with the prequel events of X-Men: First Class, Days of Future Past provides an effective conclusion to the X-Men universe as fans knew it, rebooting the series for a new, alternative timeline.
Comedy: Wayne’s World (1992)
One of the most famous comedies of the 1990s, Wayne’s World also ranks among the finest films based on a Saturday Night Live sketch ever made (although when your main competition is A Night at the Roxbury, that’s probably not saying much).
Experiencing their first big break, two regional talk show hosts (Mike Myers and Dana Carvey) sign on to star in a new and improved version of their series, even as they clash with their scheming producer (Rob Lowe).
Like the original SNL sketch series it’s based on, Wayne’s World makes endlessly great use of its main cast, whether it’s Rob Lowe’s slimy businessman antagonist or Myers and Carvey’s fun-loving, proto-Beavis and Butt-Head duo.
Award Winning: Barbie (2023)
Perhaps the most notable release of 2023, Barbie garnered significant mainstream attention months before the film was even released. With a sharp script, A-list cast, and luminous set design, it’s without a doubt the most popular film of the past summer season.
Having grown weary of the glitz and glamor of Barbieland, Stereotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie) and her boyfriend Ken (Ryan Gosling) depart for the real world, learning the pros and cons that come with everyday existence.
In addition to being a hilarious comedy, what makes Barbie such an altogether fantastic film is the level of thematic topics it broaches in its runtime. Deconstructing such issues as feminism, patriarchy, corporate consumerism, individuality, and existentialism, it's one of the weightiest, most thought-provoking, family-friendly films in some time.
Sports: Bull Durham (1988)
One of the best sports comedies most people have never heard of, Bull Durham is that rare sports film that appeases every member of the audience, whether they’re avid fans of baseball or not.
As he prepares to move up to the major leagues, a cocky minor league baseball player (Tim Robbins) receives advice and guidance from an over-the-hill catcher (Kevin Costner) and an avid baseball fan (Susan Sarandon).
Like the musical drama Whiplash, Bull Durham focuses on the idea of talent in and of itself, as well as the importance of nurturing one’s specific gift. Though utilizing a fairly light-hearted tone, the resulting film offers some thoughtful questions about skill, talent, and individual professional aspirations.
Adult Animation: Rick and Morty (2013)
In what might only be described as a late Christmas gift to fans across the globe, the latest season of the sci-fi comedy series, Rick and Morty, has finally arrived on Max. As expected, the latest installment of the series comes loaded with sharp humor, nuanced characterization, and even more absurd adventures for the title characters.
As they continue their search for Evil Morty (Harry Belden) and Rick Prime (Ian Cardoni), universe-hopping adventurers Rick (Cardoni) and Morty (Belden) grapple with an array of challenges in their everyday lives.
While the seventh season may be a bit wobbly in some places, Rick and Morty’s latest installment nevertheless manages to retain the series’ trademark blend between poignant drama, dark comedy, and surreal sci-fi satire.
Fantasy: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
This December, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King celebrates its historic 20th anniversary. The high-water mark of the LOTR saga, The Return of the King broke numerous records when it was originally released in 2003, winning all 11 awards it received an Oscar nomination for – including the Academy Award for Best Picture.
As Frodo (Elijah Woods), Sam (Sean Astin), and Gollum (Andy Serkis) near Mount Doom, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) and the remnants of the Fellowship assist the kingdom of Gondor in combating Sauron’s army.
Concluding the epic journey of the Fellowship of the Ring in grand fashion, The Return of the King also showcases the final battle between Frodo, Aragorn, and their allies and the malevolent forces of Sauron. While the original theatrical version of The Return of the King is available on Max, every viewer in attendance should make an effort to see the Extended Edition at least once in their lifetime.
Drama: Flight (2012)
If ever you needed proof of Denzel Washington’s unparalleled abilities as an actor, simply hit play on his 2012 drama, Flight. An acting tour de force for Washington, the film makes endless use of Washington’s clear talents as a dramatic performer.
After miraculously landing a malfunctioning commercial airplane and saving most of his passengers, an alcoholic airline pilot (Washington) has his personal life called into question when a federal inquiry investigates the incident.
An evocative character study that hinges heavily on Washington’s central performance, Flight also offers a stirring meditation on substance abuse and alcoholism, depicting an individual addict coming to terms with the reality of his disease.
Raunchy: Bad Grandpa (2013)
Currently ranking as one of the most-watched movies on Netflix, Bad Grandpa acts as a loose spin-off of the popular Jackass series. Like Johnny Knoxville’s recurring slapstick comedies, Bad Grandpa utilizes the same hidden camera approach as MTV’s hit show, albeit with an original story built around it.
Reluctantly assuming temporary guardianship of his unruly eight-year-old grandson (Jackson Nicoll), a curmudgeonly 86-year-old (Knoxville) travels cross-country with the child, hoping to deliver him to his son-in-law (Greg Harris).
Like any of Sacha Baron Cohen’s films (Borat, for example), Bad Grandpa focuses on the average person’s reactions to absurd situations, such as finding Knoxville’s grandpa crashing through a department store window on the back of a malfunctioning children’s ride.
Biopic: Snowden (2016)
In the early 2010s, N.S.A. worker Edward Snowden (Joseph Gordon Levitt) uncovers disturbing information about his organization’s past surveillance operations, leading him to leak said information to the press.
In 2013, American computer intelligence expert Edward Snowden unleashed a vast storm of classified secrets related to U.S. intelligence, launching renewed discussions about U.S. security and individual’s rights to privacy.
A controversial figure among contemporary Americans, Snowden’s story forms the basis of Oliver Stone’s 2016 biographical film. A thought-provoking political thriller, it forces viewers to formulate their own individual opinions on Snowden’s actions, as well as the government’s right to spy on average citizens.
Crime: Killing Them Softly (2012)
Most movies with Brad Pitt tend to be worth watching, especially when they mark another foray into the crime genre on Pitt’s part. Such is the case with 2012’s Killing Them Softly, a first-rate crime thriller with an all-star ensemble cast.
After a high-risk robbery leads to the Mafia losing $100 thousand, a professional hitman (Pitt) is hired to find the thieves responsible (Scoot McNairy and Ben Mendelsohn) and recover the missing money.
More than a taut crime film alone, Killing Them Softly also features some surprisingly deep messages about the ever-fragile criminal economy and the instability of American politics, something that forms the backbone of the film’s entire narrative.
Black & White: Red Beard (1965)
It’s been over 25 years since his death, and Akira Kurosawa continues to stand apart as one of the greatest directors of all time. Of course, looking at his past assortment of work–like Seven Samurai, Rashomon, and 1965’s Red Beard – it becomes achingly clear why.
In the feudal Japanese countryside, an arrogant young medical student from a wealthy family (Yūzō Kayama) reluctantly travels to a distant clinic to learn under a wise, cantankerous doctor (Toshiro Mifune).
While not as well-known a film as most other Kurosawa epics, Red Beard nevertheless serves as a satisfying entry in Kurosawa’s canon of film, analyzing the motivations and attitude behind two wholly different physicians as they try to help patients in their practice.
Musical: Grease (1978)
Possibly the most famous musical of the 1970s, Grease also acts as a hilarious spoof of the traditional musical films of the 1950s and ‘60s. A deft satire of Elvis Presley’s many movies and early rock and roll, the film also features two of the most agreeable performances from stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in their career.
In the late 1950s, an idealistic Australian exchange student (Newton-John) rekindles her summertime romance with a young greaser (Travolta) attempting to maintain his bad boy status among his friends.
With a prequel film (titled Summer Lovin) currently in production, there’s no better time to revisit Grease than the present. Regardless of whether you watch it for its likable performances, raunchy humor, or addictive soundtrack, there’s no question it’s among the finest musicals of its era.
Western: Hang ‘Em High (1968)
Wrongfully hanged for a crime he never committed, a former lawman (Clint Eastwood) volunteers to become a U.S. Marshal, pursuing the nine men responsible for his near-death experience.
If there are two names that will forever remain synonymous with the Western genre, it’s Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. Two charismatic performers in practically every movie they appeared in, Eastwood and Wayne reigned supreme over the Western for literal decades.
Looking at Eastwood’s individual filmography, viewers will find no shortage of impressive titles, from his early Man with No Name trilogy to his similarly fantastic Hang ‘Em High. A thrilling revisionist Western, it’s among the single best films in Eastwood’s entire career.
Comic Book: Blue Beetle (2023)
Happening across a strange scarab of extraterrestrial origins, recent college graduate Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) becomes the insect-themed superhero, the Blue Beetle. Using his newfound abilities for good, Jaime sets out to prevent the scarab’s powers from falling into the hands of a nefarious mogul (Susan Sarandon).
As even the most die-hard superhero fans will attest, the DCEU is in a bit of a mess right now. With far more bad movies than there are good ones forming the series’ lineup, DC has been struggling to match the quality or quantity of their rivals in the MCU.
As disappointing as movies like Suicide Squad and Shazam! Fury of the Gods have been in the past, 2023’s Blue Beetle spells out a renewed hope for the future of the DC universe. Featuring an inspired mix between genuine human emotion and laugh-out-loud comedy, it’s one of the best releases the DCEU has seen yet.
Anthology: True Detective (2024)
The latest season of HBO's crime anthology series, True Detective, has finally arrived. Featuring a predictably fantastic cast and a characteristically dark plot, the series’ long-awaited fourth season has helped True Detective climb to the very top of this week’s most-watched TV shows list on Max.
In the secluded town of Ennis, Alaska, a pair of detectives (Jodie Foster and Kali Reis) investigate the sudden disappearance of eight men at a local research facility.
Marking a return to form for the series, True Detective’s fourth season relies on its A-list cast and macabre tone to maximum effect, achieving the same disturbing atmosphere as the show’s unrivaled first season.
Teen: The Breakfast Club (1985)
Numerous teen movies came before it, but 1985’s The Breakfast Club did something few entries in its genre could. Merging infectious comedy with poignant and relatable themes, director John Hughes painted a more endearing portrait of teenagers than any other film, forever changing the teen comedy as viewers knew it.
Spending an entire Saturday serving out a weekend detention, five teenagers from different social cliques see past their differences, growing closer as they learn more about one another’s troubled background.
The standout project of the famous ‘80s Brat Pack, The Breakfast Club continues to resonate with both nostalgic fans and younger audience members experiencing their first brush with high school adolescence.
Sci-Fi: A Clockwork Orange (1971)
In a nightmarish dystopian version of the United Kingdom, a sociopathic hoodlum (Malcolm McDowell) undergoes an experimental treatment method that cures him of his violent tendencies, even as the public questions the moral implications of said treatment.
Throughout his career, Stanley Kubrick made a habit of deconstructing and reinventing a vast assortment of distinct genres, mastering everything from sobering war films like Full Metal Jacket to psychological horror films like The Shining.
With A Clockwork Orange, Kubrick turns his attention to the dystopian sci-fi genre, offering a bizarre portrait of a near-future characterized by rampant crime, government corruption, and a casual indifference to sickening violence.
Mystery: Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992)
Like most of his projects, David Lynch’s work on Twin Peaks has achieved a widespread audience of cult followers. As a result of the show’s undying popularity, the series has since received two continuations in the form of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me and the long-awaited Twin Peaks: The Return.
As the F.B.I. investigate the recent murder of a Washington teenager, high school student Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) experiences disquieting premonitions about her own death, leading her into conflict with her friends and family members.
A spin-off prequel to the original Twin Peaks, Fire Walk With Me provides a tense, gut-wrenching origin story for Laura Palmer, allowing audiences to see her traumatic life mere days before her death in Twin Peaks.
Documentary: Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain (2021)
For over 20 years, Anthony Bourdain dazzled viewers with his intricate, often unconventional take on the topic of food. A celebrity chef who traveled the world in search of the best meals imaginable, Bourdain was able to find happiness in everything from a simple plate of Waffle House pecan waffles to a Michelin-Starred three-course meal in France.
Taking his own life under tragic circumstances in 2018, the world grieved the loss of Bourdain, not as some celebrity travel show host, but as an intimate and dependable friend–a guiding light who explored food, exotic countries, and the intricacies of human emotion.
Bourdain’s life, his career, and his legacy in the entertainment industry forms the backbone of the 2021 documentary, Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain. Documenting Bourdain’s improbable rise from the kitchens of New York to international fame, it’s a touching tribute to the food industry’s equivalent to Steve Irwin, Bob Ross, and Hunter S. Thompson all rolled into one.
Classic: Citizen Kane (1941)
Returning to Max this month is arguably the most famous American film ever made. A landmark achievement in narrative and technical filmmaking, Citizen Kane remains required viewing for most movie fans across the globe, having garnered the same iconic status as its contemporaries in Casablanca or Gone with the Wind.
After the death of influential newspaper mogul Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles), an investigative reporter (William Alland) interviews Kane’s estranged friends and family members to learn the meaning behind his enigmatic last words.
Orson Welles’ directorial masterpiece, Citizen Kane broke every rule associated with filmmaking at the time of its release, introducing innovative new techniques, unique camera angles, and a splintered narrative format still used by filmmakers to this day.
Underrated: Cabin Fever (2002)
Vacationing at a remote cabin in the woods, a group of college friends stumble upon a viral skin infection that rapidly spreads to anyone who comes close enough to interact with it.
A few short months ago, director Eli Roth released perhaps his most successful film yet in the form of Thanksgiving – a horror comedy that lampoons the concept of holiday-themed slashers like Halloween, Black Christmas, and My Bloody Valentine.
As well-received as Roth’s latest film is, viewers shouldn’t look past some of the director’s earlier efforts, like his 2002 horror comedy, Cabin Fever. Taking ample inspiration from such iconic films as The Evil Dead and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, the finished film is a generally decent (if gruesome) horror film laden with homages left and right.
