HBO Max is now called Max. It used to stream blockbuster movies the same day they hit theaters, but that time is over. Today, Max is known for its vast library of classic films, drawing from Warner Bros.’s long history and hosting collections from Criterion, TCM, and Studio Ghibli, as long as licensing deals last.
Finding the best movies to watch on HBO Max with such a vast library can be hard. We’re here to help. We’ve picked 10 great films showing what Max has to offer. Our selection includes a mix of recent additions, timeless classics, award winners, hidden gems, and fan favorites. Some movies are noted for their unique stories and standout performances. Continue reading below!
Is HBO Max Worth it?
HBO Max offers a diverse library of content, including popular TV shows, blockbuster movies, and exclusive originals. With hit series like Game of Thrones, Succession, and The Sopranos, along with a strong lineup of films and shows like We’re Here Season 4, Ghosts Season 4, new york giants hard knocks, one south portrait of a psych unit, Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes (2024)’and Jujutsu Kaisen’s Action, it’s a great choice for entertainment lovers. If you enjoy a mix of classic and contemporary content, HBO Max is definitely worth considering. Subscription rates for Max are given below:
Advertisement | Plan | Monthly Price | Yearly Price (16% Savings) |
|---|---|---|
| With Ads | $9.99 | $99.99 |
| Ad-Free | $16.99 | $169.99 |
List of The 10 Best Movies to Watch on HBO Max Right Now
Looking for your next movie night pick? Here are the 10 best movies on HBO and Max right now that you won’t want to miss!
1- In the Mood for Love
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | In the Mood for Love |
| Director | Wong Kar-wai |
| Genre | Romance, Drama |
| IMDB Rating | 8.1/10 |
| Cast | Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung |
In the Mood for Love is about two neighbors, Chow Mo-wan and Su Li-zhen, in 1960s Hong Kong who feel lonely because their spouses are often away. When they discover that their partners are having an affair with each other, they form a close friendship and share their feelings. Despite their strong emotional bond, they never act on their love, leading to a bittersweet story of longing and unfulfilled desire.
2- The Lighthouse
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | The Lighthouse |
| Director | Robert Eggers |
| Genre | Horror, Drama |
| IMDB Rating | 7.4/10 |
| Cast | Willem Dafoe, Robert Pattinson |
The Lighthouse is about two men, Thomas and Ephraim, who work together on a lonely island in the 1890s. They take care of a lighthouse, but as time goes on, they start to feel very isolated. Thomas is strict and bossy, while Ephraim becomes more and more troubled by strange thoughts and feelings. Their relationship gets tense, and they begin to argue. The loneliness and pressure make them lose their grip on reality, leading to fear and madness.
3- Minari
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Minari |
| Director | Lee Isaac Chung |
| Genre | Drama |
| IMDB Rating | 7.4/10 |
| Cast | Steven Yeun, Youn Yuh-jung, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Cho |
Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to rural Arkansas in the 1980s to start a farm. The father, Jacob, dreams of building a better life for his family, while his wife, Monica, worries about their future and the challenges they face. They struggle with cultural differences and financial difficulties. As they adapt to their new life, they also welcome their grandmother, Soonja, who brings a sense of tradition and resilience.
4- Parasite
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Parasite |
| Director | Bong Joon-ho |
| Genre | Thriller, Drama |
| IMDB Rating | 8.5/10 |
| Cast | Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik, Park So-dam |
Parasite tells the story of a poor family, the Kims, who scheme to become employed by a wealthy family, the Parks. The Kims infiltrate the Parks’ household by securing jobs as tutors and caregivers without revealing their true connections. As they settle into their new roles, the Kims enjoy a luxurious lifestyle but also face challenges when their deception is threatened.
5- The Dark Knight
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | The Dark Knight |
| Director | Christopher Nolan |
| Genre | Action, Crime, Drama |
| IMDB Rating | 9.0/10 |
| Cast | Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman |
The Dark Knight follows Batman as he tries to save Gotham City from crime. A new villain, the Joker, starts causing chaos and wants to prove that anyone can turn bad. Batman works with Police Officer Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent to stop him. As they face the Joker’s tricks and threats, they make tough choices that change their lives forever. The story explores the struggle between good and evil and tests Batman’s dedication to protecting the city he loves.
6- Taste of Cherry
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Taste of Cherry |
| Director | Abbas Kiarostami |
| Genre | Drama |
| IMDB Rating | 7.7/10 |
| Cast | Homayoun Ershadi, Abdolrahman Bagheri, Golshifteh Farahani |
Taste of Cherry follows a middle-aged man named Mr. Badii who drives around Tehran looking for someone to help him with a desperate plan. He wants to end his life and needs someone to bury him afterward. Throughout the film, he stops and talks to different people, sharing his thoughts and feelings about life and death.
7- Mad Max: Fury Road
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Mad Max: Fury Road |
| Director | George Miller |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi |
| IMDB Rating | 8.1/10 |
| Cast | Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley |
Mad Max: Fury Road takes place in a dry, dangerous world where people fight for survival. Max, a man who lost everything, tries to live alone. He meets Furiosa, a strong woman trying to rescue a group of women from a cruel leader named Immortan Joe. Together, they escape in a big, fast truck and go on a wild chase across the desert, battling Joe’s army along the way.
8- The Social Network
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | The Social Network |
| Director | David Fincher |
| Genre | Biography, Drama |
| IMDB Rating | 7.8/10 |
| Cast | Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Rooney Mara |
The Social Network tells the story of Mark Zuckerberg, a Harvard student who creates Facebook. After a breakup with his girlfriend, he develops a website that allows students to rate their peers. This idea quickly evolves into a social networking site that becomes hugely popular. However, as Facebook gains success, Mark faces legal challenges from his former friends and business partners who claim he stole their ideas.
9- Hereditary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Hereditary |
| Director | Ari Aster |
| Genre | Horror, Drama |
| IMDB Rating | 7.3/10 |
| Cast | Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd |
Hereditary follows the Graham family after the death of their secretive grandmother. As they grieve, strange and terrifying events begin to unfold. Annie, the mother, uncovers dark family secrets that lead to a horrifying climax, as her children face the consequences of their family’s troubled history.
10- Black Swan
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Black Swan |
| Director | Darren Aronofsky |
| Genre | Psychological Thriller |
| IMDB Rating | 8.0/10 |
| Cast | Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder |
Black Swan follows Nina Sayers, a dedicated ballet dancer in New York City. She dreams of becoming the lead in a production of Swan Lake. Nina is perfect for the role of the White Swan but struggles to embody the more seductive and dark character of the Black Swan. As she competes with another dancer, Lily, for the role, Nina becomes increasingly stressed and paranoid. Her obsession with perfection leads her into a dark and twisted journey, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
Wrap Up!
HBO Max offers diverse films catering to varied tastes and interests. Finding the best movies to watch on HBO Max may have been a challenge, but it’s definitely worth the effort. With a fantastic mix of genres and captivating stories, these films offer something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for drama, comedy, or action, you’re sure to discover a new favorite among our top picks. We hope you’ll enjoy the movies we’ve mentioned above and have a fantastic movie night filled with great entertainment!