There are thousands of movies on HBO Max, which run the gamut from cinema’s earliest days to the modern hits that are currently in theaters. It’s a heady collection of flicks from the Warner Bros. Pictures library that spans nearly a century, as well as an assortment of films from other studios. With so many options to choose from, it’s really easy to get lost. Fortunately, that’s where we come in. We never take our eyes off of the lineup, and we’ve identified the best movies on HBO Max right now. And all you need to do is make time to watch them.
Looking for more suggestions? We also have guides to the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, and the best movies on Disney+.
Recently added to HBO Max
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Land2021 - Hellboy2004
- Pride & Prejudice2005
- Full Metal Jacket1987
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- The Wolverine2013
Land (2021) new
Robin Wright made her directorial debut with Land, a film in which she also stars as a woman named Edee. After suffering a terrible tragedy, Edde retreats from the world and tries to make a new life for herself in the Wyoming wilderness. Unfortunately for Edde, she may not be suited for living in the wild by herself. After narrowly surviving a brush with death thanks to the aid of Miguel Borrás (Demián Bichir), Edde forms a new friendship and tries to find meaning in her life and something worth living for.
Hellboy (2004) new
There are three Hellboy movies, but only the two directed by Guillermo del Toro are truly worth your time. In the original film, del Toro introduces Hellboy (Ron Perlman) as the world’s greatest paranormal investigator. Hellboy may be a literal demon from Hell, but he was raised as a force for good by his adoptive father, Trevor Bruttenholm (John Hurt). Hellboy is a member of the B.P.R.D., but he is still living apart from human society and alienated from Liz Sherman (Selma Blair), the woman he secretly loves. Unfortunately for Hellboy, the resurrected Grigori Rasputin (Karel Roden) plans to use Hellboy’s feelings for Liz against him while unleashing armageddon.
Pride & Prejudice (2005) new
Jane Austin’s romance novel, Pride & Prejudice, has been adapted several times for film and television. However, director Joe Wright’s 2005 adaptation may be the best one to date. Wright and screenwriter Deborah Moggach are true to the spirit of the novel while also making a few updates that modernize the story while maintaining its period setting. Keira Knightley stars as Elizabeth Bennet, the second oldest of five Bennet sisters who need to find good marriages in order to secure their standing once their father passes. Elizabeth isn’t eager to marry, even though Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) is a very determined suitor. However, Elizabeth can still find love if she opens her heart and sees Darcy for who he truly is.
Full Metal Jacket (1987) new
Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket is one of the most harrowing war movies ever made. Matthew Modine stars as Private J. T. “Joker” Davis, a soldier who is paired with Private Leonard “Gomer Pyle” Lawrence (Vincent D’Onofrio). Leonard is bullied so mercilessly by Gunnery Sergeant Hartman (Lee Ermey) and his fellow soldiers that he suffers a frightening mental break. In the aftermath of that incident, Joker is promoted to Sergeant and sent for a tour of duty in Vietnam. From there, Joker’s descent into the hell of war leaves him a changed man.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) new
“You’re a wizard, Harry!” This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first film in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (called Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in the U.K.) introduces movie lovers to Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe). On his way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his first year, Harry makes lifelong friends with Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). However, their bond will be tested when a hidden danger is revealed at Hogwarts. HBO Max has debuted a new “Magical Movie Mode” for this flick, which offers a glimpse behind the scenes and even shares spell incantations onscreen.
The Wolverine (2013) new
Don’t get too used to having an X-Men-related film on HBO Max. It’s a holdover of HBO Max’s deal with 20th Century Studios. In The Wolverine, Hugh Jackman reprises his role as Logan, a mutant hero who is haunted by the death of the woman he loved, Jean Grey (Famke Janssen). Soon, Logan is summoned to Japan and given the option to end his eternal suffering. Before long, Logan uncovers a plot against Mariko (Tao Okamoto), the granddaughter of his old friend. Logan also befriends Yukio (Rila Fukushima), a young mutant who appoints herself as Logan’s bodyguard even before his mutant powers begin to fail him.
Moonstruck (1987)
Cher won an Oscar for Best Actress for her leading role in Moonstruck as Loretta, a widowed woman living with her family. Unexpectedly, Loretta finds love again … it’s just not with her new fiancé, Johnny Cammareri (Danny Aiello). Instead, Loretta is drawn to Johnny’s estranged brother, Ronny Cammareri (Nicolas Cage). Despite her differences with Ronny, his passion strikes a chord with Loretta that causes her to jeopardize her upcoming wedding. Will Loretta follow her heart and pursue a real relationship with Ronny? Or will she simply accept her non-romantic bond with Johnny in holy matrimony?
The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981)
The French Lieutenant’s Woman has a unique approach to its Victorian romance. In the past, Charles Henry Smithson (Jeremy Irons) falls for Sara Woodruff (Meryl Streep) despite his impending marriage to another woman. In the present, Mike (Irons) and Anna (Streep) are actors who are performing the roles of Charles and Sara for a film. Mike and Anna are both married to other people, but they pursue an affair of their own that mirrors the relationship between Charles and Sara. Unfortunately, the romance doesn’t unfold as they may have hoped.
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
As the title implies, Little Shop of Horrors is a horror film. However, you may be laughing too hard at the catchy musical numbers to actually be scared. In this adaptation of the Broadway musical, Rick Moranis plays Seymour Krelborn, a forlorn man who pines for his coworker, Audrey (Ellen Greene). After finding a plant of unearthly origin, Seymour names it Audrey II (Levi Stubbs) and discovers that it can speak. More importantly, Audrey II hungers for human blood. And who better to feed it than Orin Scrivello (Steve Martin), Audrey’s abusive boyfriend. It’s too bad that Audrey II simply won’t be satisfied by one body.
Dune (2021) new
Frank Herbert’s sci-fi novel, Dune, has been adapted before, to varying degrees of success. However, director Denis Villeneuve has given the story the stunning visuals and lavish attention that it deserves. In this universe, the entire galactic empire centers on a single world, which is called Dune by the people who live there. Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides and the rest of House Atreides have been placed in charge of Arrakis/Dune. However, House Atreides is about to fall, thanks to the plans of their enemy, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård). Paul may lose his privilege, but he’s about to find his power alongside Chani (Zendaya), a young woman who is fighting to free her homeworld from its oppressors.
Joker (2019) new
If you’re expecting this Joker to fight Batman then you’re going to be in for a long wait. The Joker stand-alone film drops a few comic book hints, but it’s largely a harrowing profile of Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a mentally ill and increasingly unstable man whose attempts to break into standup comedy have led to ridicule. It doesn’t help that Arthur’s mother, Penny Fleck (Frances Conroy), is delusional, and she really believes that Thomas Wayne (Brett Cullen) is Arthur’s father. As Arthur’s life spirals out of control, he retreats into a new persona that he creates for himself. And a monster is born…
Frequency (2000)
Through a freak occurrence, police detective John Francis “Johnny” Sullivan (Jim Caviezel) manages to use a HAM radio to contact his late father, Francis Patrick “Frank” Sullivan (Dennis Quaid), decades in the past. That’s the premise of Frequency, an affecting sci-fi drama that allows the father and son to connect despite the passage of years. When Johnny is able to warn Frank of his impending death, they accidentally create a new timeline where a serial killer has gone on to kill Johnny’s mother and other women. And the killer is targeting both Johnny and Frank in two different time periods.
Like Water for Chocolate (1992)
Like Water for Chocolate is more like a romantic fable than anything resembling a traditional story. Lumi Cavazos stars as Tita, a young woman with an almost supernatural ability to imbue her emotions into the food she creates in the kitchen. Tita’s mother, Mama Elena (Regina Torné), forbids her from marrying, which prevents Tita from being with the love of her life, Pedro (Marco Leonardi). Regardless, Pedro marries Tita’s sister, Rosaura (Yareli Arizmendi), just to stay in Tita’s life. Yet family obligations may still keep Tita and Pedro apart.
Trance (2013) new
In Trance, Simon Newton (James McAvoy) finds himself in way over his head after a botched art heist. During the theft at his auction house, Simon was supposed to put away an extremely valuable painting before it could be stolen. While Simon was in league with the thieves, he apparently double-crossed them by hiding the painting somewhere else. After suffering a massive blow to the head, Simon’s memory is shattered. That’s why the thieves take him to Elizabeth Lamb (Rosario Dawson), a hypnotherapist who may hold the key to unlocking his mind. But the deeper Elizabeth probes into Simon’s subconscious, the more danger both of them are in.
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A Royal Affair (2012) new
Don’t be intimidated by the subtitles you’re likely to need for this Danish historical drama. A Royal Affair has a world-class story that shines through regardless of whether you can speak the language. In the 18th century, English princess Caroline Matilda (Alicia Vikander) finds herself in a loveless marriage with Denmark’s King Christian VII (Mikkel Følsgaard). Around the same time, Dr. Johann Friedrich Struensee (Mads Mikkelsen) exerts a great deal of influence on the king and pushes him toward social reforms. When Caroline and Johann discover their shared values, they embark on an affair that could carry serious consequences for both the kingdom and each other.
Misery (1990) new
There’s nothing supernatural about Misery, one of Stephen King’s greatest stories. But King has rarely created a villain more terrifying than Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates). She is the self-described “biggest fan” of novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan), a man who is eager to move past his Victorian novel series. When Paul is seriously injured in a car accident, Annie takes him in and nurses him back to health. But when Annie discovers that Paul killed off his heroine, Misery, she holds him captive, tortures him, and forces him to write a new novel in which she survives. And Annie is more than willing to kill in order to give her favorite character “back to the world.”
Super 8 (2011) new
Before director J.J. Abrams rebooted Star Wars on the big screen, he channeled his inner-Steven Spielberg for Super 8, a sci-fi monster movie set in the late ’70s. In the aftermath of a family tragedy, young Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) finds solace making a zombie movie with his friends, Alice Dainard (Elle Fanning), Cary McCarthy (Ryan Lee), Martin Read (Gabriel Basso), and Preston Scott (Zach Mills). However, the kids soon witness a train derailment in which an unknown creature escapes the military. And once the creature is loose, Colonel Nelec (Noah Emmerich) is willing to do anything to hide the secret of its existence, even if it means destroying Joe’s small town.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) new
Kill Bill is, by design, a very bloody film that was essentially split in two by director Quentin Tarantino. It’s also a bloody good time and a great martial arts revenge thriller, with Uma Thurman as The Bride. On the day of The Bride’s wedding, the ceremony is crashed by her jilted ex-lover, Bill (David Carradine), along with her former teammates in the Deadly Viper Assssination Squad. They slaughter the wedding party and leave The Bride for dead. That was a big mistake. After five years in a coma, The Bride comes looking for some payback. And her first targets are Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox) and O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu).
The Hours (2002) new
Make sure you have some tissues handy for The Hours, because this movie can definitely bring out some tears. It’s set in three interconnected time periods, with novelist Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman) in the 1920s, housewife Laura Brown (Julianne Moore) in the ’50s, and Clarissa Vaughan (Meryl Streep) in the present. The primary connection is suicide, as both Virginia and Laura contemplate taking their own lives. Their choices resonate in the modern era, as Clarissa is forced to deal with the suicide of someone that she used to love. And yet within these sad tales, there is also hope.
Night Moves (1975)
Night Moves flew under the radar during its initial release, but it found an audience in the subsequent decades. Gene Hackman stars as Harry Moseby, a private investigator whose marriage to Ellen Moseby (Susan Clark) is on the rocks. Soon after, Harry is hired by a former actress, Arlene Iverson (Janet Ward), to find her missing daughter, Delly Grastner (Melanie Griffith). Along the way, Harry discovers that Delly has an agenda of her own. And when Delly turns up dead, Harry discovers deeper secrets and lies that turn his world upside down.
Moonrise Kingdom (2012) new
As you might expect from a Wes Anderson film, Moonrise Kingdom is anything but conventional. Despite having a cast any director would kill for, the focus of the story is on two troubled kids: Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy (Kara Hayward). When Sam and Suzy decide to run away together, Suzy’s parents; Mr. Bishop (Bill Murray) and Mrs. Bishop (Frances McDormand); Sam’s Scout Master, Randy Ward (Edward Norton); and Police Captain Duffy Sharp (Bruce Willis) attempt to find them. Sam and Suzy have dreams of their own, but they won’t be able to achieve their hearts’ desires without a little help.
In the Line of Fire (1993) new
Clint Eastwood headlines In the Line of Fire as Frank Horrigan, the lone Secret Service Agent still on the roster from the John F. Kennedy assassination three decades earlier. Frank is still haunted by his failure to save JFK, which draws the attention of Mitch Leary (John Malkovich), an assassin who taunts Frank with his brazen plans to kill the current president. To protect the president and redeem himself, Frank resumes active duty on the president’s security detail. He also finds new love with his fellow Secret Service agent, Lilly Raines (Rene Russo). However, Mitch is several steps ahead of them and planning to slay the president before they can stop him.
The Invisible Man (2020) new
There have been several adaptations of The Invisible Man, but the latest movie has perhaps the most original spin. Elisabeth Moss stars as Cecilia Kass, a woman who is desperate to escape her abusive relationship with Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen). When Adrian commits suicide, Cecilia becomes convinced that he faked his death and is somehow tormenting her as an unseen force. The truly terrifying moments occur when the audience can see that Cecilia’s invisible tormentor is all too real, and willing to hurt everyone she loves just to get his way. Unfortunately for Cecilia, neither her friends nor her sister heed her warnings or pleas.
Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) new
At the heart of Bridget Jones’s Diary is one woman’s desire to completely reinvent herself so that she can finally be happy. Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) keeps a diary as her way of making a fresh start, even though her early entries are very critical of her childhood friend, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). While Bridget has very obvious romantic feelings for her boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), she also finds her opinion of Mark changing as she becomes reacquainted with him. Deciding whom she really loves is going to be difficult for Bridget, but the real challenge will be figuring out what she wants out of life.
Promising Young Woman (2020)
Promising Young Woman was one of 2020’s most daring films, thanks to an absolutely fearless performance by Carey Mulligan. In the film, Mulligan plays Cassie Thomas, a woman haunted by the rape and death of her best friend, Nina Fisher. To find some small sense of justice, Cassie lures men into believing they can take advantage of her before exposing their severe moral failings. But when Cassie discovers that Nina’s rapist, Al Monroe (Chris Lowell), will soon be married, she throws herself into a dangerous plan to get justice even if it ruins her burgeoning romance with Ryan (Bo Burnham).
King Kong (2005)
Before directing The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Peter Jackson desperately wanted to remake King Kong as a modern blockbuster. Following his LOTR success, Jackson got his chance with a lavish production that makes the “Eighth Wonder of the World” bigger than ever. Naomi Watts stars as Ann Darrow, a struggling actress who is recruited by director Carl Denham (Jack Black) for an on-location shoot that is far more dangerous than she realizes. Although Ann falls for screenwriter Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody), Kong only has eyes for her. While Kong saves Ann on Skull Island, all bets are off when he is captured and taken back to New York.
The Big Easy (1986)
Just as the name implies, The Big Easy takes place in New Orleans, and the film was actually shot on location for authenticity. Dennis Quaid stars Remy McSwain, a police lieutenant tasked with investigating the death of a local crime boss. Ellen Barkin co-stars as Anne Osborne, a state district attorney who finds herself romantically drawn to Remy even though she openly suspects that he’s a dirty cop. Anne’s suspicions prove to be correct, which strains her relationship with Remy. Regardless, there’s an even greater corruption within the ranks of the New Orleans PD that may threaten both of their lives if they don’t stick together.
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
William Shakespeare’s plays have been adapted to the screen since the dawn of cinema. But Shakespeare in Love has a novel approach by casting William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) himself in a doomed romance that echoes many of the bard’s most famous plays. Gwyneth Paltrow also stars as Viola de Lesseps, a woman with a love for theater and a great attraction to William. To get her chance to perform on stage, Viola disguises herself as a man and wins a role in William’s newest play. When William learns the truth about Viola, their shared passion is undeniable. Unfortunately, Viola’s family has arranged her marriage with Lord Wessex (Colin Firth), and neither William nor Viola has the power to stop that union from happening.
Mad Max Fury Road (2015)
Most sequels fail to live up to the original movie that inspired them. But most sequels aren’t Mad Max: Fury Road, a thrilling action film that successfully revamped and updated the franchise for a new century. Tom Hardy headlines the film as Max Rockatansky, but the real star is Charlize Theron’s Imperator Furiosa. She absolutely steals the movie from him. Together, they take it upon themselves to protect the unwilling wives of Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne) and escort them to safety across the wasteland. The action is top-notch, and it’s an easy film to watch again and again.
Deliverance (1972)
There may not be literal monsters in Deliverance, but there’s more than enough horror in the backwoods to last a lifetime. Four friends, Ed Gentry (Jon Voight), Lewis Medlock (Burt Reynolds), Bobby Trippe (Ned Beatty), and Drew Ballinger (Ronny Cox), take an ill-fated rafting trip that leads them face-to-face with some dangerous mountain men who delight in torturing them. But even upon making their escape, the four men can’t decide how many men they’re up against and what they should do as the bodies pile up. One thing is certain: Not everyone is getting out of the woods with their lives.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1968)
Sergio Leone’s The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is the final film of his Man With No Name trilogy, although it clearly takes place before the first two. It is also a true masterpiece that combines the spaghetti western aesthetic with a deeper story and standout performances by its three leading men. Clint Eastwood reprises his role as “Blondie,” with Eli Wallach as his former partner, Tuco. The two men have little reason to trust each other, except for a hidden cache of gold that neither of them can find alone. However, the malevolent Angel Eyes (Lee Van Cleef) will stop at nothing to get to the gold first. In the backdrop of the Civil War, only one man will emerge as the victor.
What They Had (2018)
What They Had is a family drama with only a handful of major roles, but it’s also got some terrific performances from its leading players. Hilary Swank stars as Bridget “Bitty” Ertz, the sister of Nicholas “Nicky” Everhardt (Michael Shannon). The two siblings are forced to return home in order to convince their father, Norbert Everhardt (Robert Forster), to place his wife, Ruth (Blythe Danner), into an assisted living facility to treat her worsening Alzheimer’s symptoms. The arguments that follow expose some deep fissures within the family as well as old emotional wounds that may never be fully healed.
News of the World (2020)
Thanks to the state of the world in 2020, Tom Hanks’ new western, News of the World, flew far under the radar. In the film, Hanks plays a former Confederate soldier, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, who makes a living by going to small towns and reading the news to people. Jefferson’s life takes a turn when he encounters Cicada (Helena Zengel), a Caucasian girl who was raised by Native Americans. Cicada’s real name is Johanna Leonberger, and her birth parents are dead. Despite his reluctance, Jefferson agrees to accompany Johanna to her surviving family members, even though they face significant obstacles on the road.
Chariots of Fire (1981)
Chariots of Fire is a drama that is based on the true story of two men, Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) and Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson), a pair of British runners who competed in the 1924 Olympic Games. While Harold is a Jewish man who continually encounters antisemitism, Eric’s religious struggles come from his family and his own devout Christian faith. Running is an escape for both of them and a way to overcome their personal obstacles. Harold and Eric’s paths don’t always converge outside of their athletic pursuits, but their drive and resilience are still inspiring to watch.
Time After Time (1979)
Before director Nicholas Meyer saved the Star Trek franchise with Star Trek II, he wrote and directed a fresh take on H.G. Wells’ seminal sci-fi novel Time After Time. In the film, Herbert George Wells (Malcolm McDowell) is not only the hero of his own story, he’s also the inventor of an actual time machine. Unfortunately, Jack the Ripper (David Warner) comes across the time machine and uses it to escape into the future world of 1979. That’s why Herbert pursues the Ripper through time, and he ultimately finds love with a modern-day woman, Amy Robbins (Mary Steenburgen).
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
All eight of the Harry Potter movies are now on HBO Max. And while you should certainly revisit the first two movies, the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, is widely recognized as the best in the series. Thanks to the artful direction of Alfonso Cuarón and a powerful screenplay by Steve Kloves, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) has an affecting emotional odyssey when he learns that his godfather, Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), has escaped Azkaban’s prison for wizards. Harry believes that Sirius betrayed his parents and led them to their deaths. However, the truth is something that Harry never expected. And if the Boy Who Lived wants to put things right, he’s going to have to cheat the reaper … and evade the deadly Dementors.
Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974)
Unless you happened to be alive through the ‘70s, you may not know that director Martin Scorsese can do a lot more than the crime dramas that made him famous. Scorsese’s fourth film, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, is a dramedy that follows the story of Alice Hyatt (Ellen Burstyn ) and her son, Tommy (Alfred Lutter). After the sudden death of her husband, Alice takes Tommy and follows her dream of moving back to California and becoming a singer. Unfortunately, Alice’s plan falls prey to a toxic relationship and a series of misfortunes before she begins rebuilding her life as a waitress. When Alice falls for one of her customers, David (Kris Kristofferson), she is forced to question whether her ambition is more important than love.
Unforgiven (1992)
Clint Eastwood has made a lot of westerns in his career, but Unforgiven is in a class all its own. Eastwood directed the film and stars as Will Munny, an aging outlaw who turned his back on a life of violence in order to raise a family. Will’s desperate finances lead him to accept a bounty on two cowboys who brutally disfigured a prostitute, Delilah Fitzgerald (Anna Thomson). Will recruits his old friend, Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman), and they join The Schofield Kid (Jaimz Woolvett) to avenge Delilah’s injury. Unfortunately for the trio, Sheriff Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman) doesn’t take kindly to assassins, and his brand of justice is even more brutal than Will’s.
Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (2017)
Almost everyone knows who Wonder Woman is, but few know the story of her creator. Professor Marston and the Wonder Women puts the spotlight on William Moulton Marston, a psychologist, writer, and the inventor of the lie detector. More importantly, it also explores William’s polyamorous relationship with his wife, Elizabeth Holloway Marston (Rebecca Hall), and his research assistant turned lover, Olive Byrne (Bella Heathcote). In the late ‘20s, their unconventional three-way relationship was considered to be scandalous. And yet without the influence of both Elizabeth and Olive, William’s comic book heroine would never have come into being.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Stephen King’s The Shawshank Redemption is one of his best non-horror stories, although there are definitely some horrific things that take place inside Shawshank Penitentiary. Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sentenced to life in prison for murdering his wife and her lover. However, Andy’s pleas of innocence are ignored, even when a fellow inmate offers information that could clear his name. As the decades pass, Andy befriends Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman) and struggles to overcome the cage within his mind as well as the prison holding his body. Andy’s courage inspires Red, especially when Andy’s greatest secret emerges.
Macbeth (2015)
William Shakespeare’s plays still resonate centuries after they were written. And one of the more recent adaptations of Macbeth is a particularly powerful retelling of that story. After leading his forces to victory, Macbeth (Michael Fassbender) encounters three witches who proclaim that he will be the king. After sharing the prophecy with his wife, Lady Macbeth (Marion Cotillard), they conspire to make it come to pass no matter how many people they have to betray or kill. However, their deeds come back to haunt them, sometimes literally, and the blood can not be washed away from their hands.
Horrible Bosses (2011)
Have you ever had a terrible boss who sucked all of the joy out of your job? Then you can probably relate to the main characters of Horrible Bosses. Nick Hendricks (Jason Bateman) has a boss, Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey), who cheated him out of a promotion, while his friend, Dale Arbusis (Charlie Day), is being sexually harassed by his boss, Dr. Julia Harris, D.D.S. (Jennifer Aniston). Their other buddy, Kurt Buckman (Jason Sudeikis), has a new boss, Bobby Pellit (Colin Farrell), who may soon run their company into the ground. Realizing that their lives would be better off without their bosses, the trio hatch a murder plot that was destined to go wrong from the moment of its conception.
New to HBO Max in August
- Land2021
- Hellboy2004
- Pride & Prejudice2005
- Full Metal Jacket1987
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- The Wolverine2013
One Hour Photo (2002)
To modern audiences, the premise of One Hour Photo may seem strange. But in the pre-digital days, we really did have places where we had to get pictures developed into paper prints. In this thriller, the late Robin Williams plays Seymour “Sy” Parrish, an employee at a photo shop who has no real life of his own. Instead, Sy lives vicariously through the Yorkin family because he believes that Will (Michael Vartan) and Nina (Connie Nielsen), as well as their son, Jake (Dylan Smith), have an ideal life. However, Sy’s views are shattered when some of the pictures reveal that Will is having an affair. Combined with turmoil at work, this revelation causes Sy to snap as he tries to expose Will and anyone else who crosses him.
Jurassic Park (1993)
Nearly three decades after its debut, Jurassic Park still stands as a monumental special effects achievement for its depiction of believable dinosaurs. Dr. John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) summons three experts, Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), to his private island so they can see a test run of the new theme park with actual cloned dinosaurs. While the doctors are alarmed and excited by the implications of John’s actions, they are soon thrust into a dangerous situation when Jurassic Park is sabotaged from within.
Love & Basketball (2000)
Fittingly, Love & Basketball is a love story about basketball. It’s also about the relationship between Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy McCall (Omar Epps). They love each other from an early age, but they love basketball even more. Surprisingly, Monica may be an even greater natural talent at the game, despite Quincy getting all of the attention from professional scouts. Under intense pressure at home from her mother, Camille Wright (Alfre Woodard), Monica struggles to hold on to her dream as well as her feelings for Quincy. The romance between Quincy and Monica waxes and wanes, but their shared passion for basketball is always there.
Inception (2010)
Your mind is the scene of the crime in Inception, the film that solidified Christopher Nolan movies as events unto themselves. Nolan didn’t need Batman to make this blockbuster, but several of his actors returned for this flick. Within the story, Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a thief who makes his living by breaking into other people’s dreams to steal their most valuable secrets. However, there’s something even more valuable than secrets: Inception. That’s the act of placing an idea into the mind of a victim and letting them believe that it was their idea. It’s a very dangerous mission, which threatens the lives of Dom and his new team.
Heaven Can Wait (1978)
In Heaven Can Wait, Joe Pendleton (Warren Beatty) is a man who is on top of the world … right up until he dies. But the Los Angeles Rams’ star quarterback manages to find proof in the afterlife that he was taken well before his time. The enigmatic Mr. Jordan (James Mason) gives Joe another shot at life on Earth, and he takes over the body of millionaire Leo Farnsworth shortly after Leo’s wife, Julia (Dyan Cannon), and her lover, Tony Abbott (Charles Grodin), tried to kill him. While the murderous pair plot to strike again, Joe tries to turn Leo into a football star while finding new love with Betty Logan (Julie Christie). Unfortunately for Joe, his time is still limited.
An American In Paris (1951)
Gene Kelly’s Jerry Mulligan is the titular character in An American in Paris. Jerry is a World War II veteran who is trying to make a go as an artist. Jerry also gets to express his inner feelings through song in this rousing musical. While an heiress, Milo Roberts (Nina Foch), takes an interest in Jerry’s art, it’s clear that she also wants him to be hers as well. But Jerry only has eyes for Lise Bouvier (Leslie Caron), a young woman who is already engaged to Henri “Hank” Baurel (Georges Guétary). The chemistry between Jerry and Lise is undeniable, but the greater powers in their lives may keep them apart.
Collateral (2004)
In Michael Mann’s thrilling action flick Collateral, Jamie Foxx plays an unassuming taxi driver named Max Durocher. Max’s driving skills impress his latest fare, Vincent (Tom Cruise), who offers him a flat fee to drive him all night. Unfortunately for Max, Vincent is a contract killer who is systematically taking out his targets. Once Max realizes the truth, it’s too late to get away … and he’s well aware that he will be Vincent’s final target at the end of the night. The stakes also get very personal when Vincent becomes aware about the details of Max’s life, which allow him to blackmail Max into helping him retrieve his hit list.
The Great Gatsby (2013)
Critics and audiences were polarized by director Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. But few can deny that Luhrmann brought the story to life with visual flair. Tobey Maguire stars as Nick Carraway, a World War I veteran and aspiring writer who finds himself drawn into the orbit of Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), a very wealthy and enigmatic man. Jay wasn’t always rich, but he was in love with Nick’s cousin, Daisy (Carey Mulligan). The problem is that Jay never fell out of love with Daisy, even after she married Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton). Regardless of Jay’s newfound riches, the woman he loves seems destined to remain out of his reach.
Popeye (1980)
The Popeye movie is perhaps one of the most unlikely comic adaptations ever made. Who would have guessed that Robert Altman would bring Popeye to live-action with Robin Williams in the title role? It sounds like a potential disaster on paper, and yet the movie is really fun to watch as Williams commits to turning himself into a living cartoon character. In the film, Popeye is trying to find his long-lost father, Poopdeck Pappy (Ray Walston). Instead, he discovers a town bullied by Bluto (Paul L. Smith). Soon after his arrival, Popeye forms a new makeshift family with Olive Oyl (Shelley Duvall) and an abandoned baby they call Swee’Pea (Wesley Ivan Hurt). He’ll have to fight to defend them, but fighting is what Popeye does best!
A Mighty Wind (2003)
If This Is Spinal Tap goes up to 11, then A Mighty Wind is more of a 7 or an 8. However, several Spinal Tap veterans appear in this unexpectedly sweet musical mockumentary. After a famous music producer passes away, his children reunite his three biggest acts for a memorial concert: The Folksmen, The New Main Street Singers, and Mitch & Mickey. The Folksmen’s trio, Mark Shubb (Harry Shearer), Alan Barrows (Christopher Guest), and Jerry Palter (Michael McKean), get most of the screen time. But there’s also a very effective subplot about Mitch Cohen (Eugene Levy) and Mickey Crabbe (Catherine O’Hara), a former couple who have mixed feelings about reuniting on stage.
Freaky (2020)
There have been a few Freaky Friday movies about mothers and daughters swapping bodies and living in each others’ lives. Freaky goes in a different direction by putting the mind of a teenage girl, Millie Kessler (Kathryn Newton), into the body of a serial killer, the Blissfield Butcher (Vince Vaughn). And vice versa. A mystical dagger is responsible for the switch, and the Butcher discovers that it’s a lot easier to kill when his victims assume that he’s weak. As for Millie, she finds her confidence and even confesses her feelings for her crush, Booker Strode (Uriah Shelton), while in the Butcher’s body. However, she only has a few hours to reverse the mind swap before it becomes permanent.
Disturbia (2007)
Disturbia owes a lot to Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, but this is an updated version of that story. Shia LaBeouf stars as Kale Brecht, a teenager who is angry over the recent death of his father. After getting in trouble at school, Kale is sentenced to house arrest. While spying on his neighbors to relieve his boredom, Kale comes to believe that Robert Turner (David Morse) may be a serial killer. Unfortunately, Kale can’t prove his suspicions without violating the terms of his sentence. And when Kale involves his neighbor, Ashley Carlson (Sarah Roemer), and his friend, Ronald “Ronnie” Chu (Aaron Yoo), it only lands all three of them in greater danger.
More streaming roundups
Married to the Mob (1988)
The title of Married To the Mob is very appropriate for Angela de Marco (Michelle Pfeiffer). Even the death of her husband, Frank “Cucumber” de Marco (Alex Baldwin), isn’t enough to get her out of the mob’s orbit. It doesn’t help that the man who murdered Frank was his Don, Tony “The Tiger” Russo (Dean Stockwell), and he wants to seduce Angela regardless of his own wife and family. FBI Agent Mike Downey (Matthew Modine) is keeping tabs on the situation, but even he has romantic feelings for Angela.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
Mike Myers goes for a dual role in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. In this hilarious James Bond spoof, secret agent Austin Powers (Myers) battles his nemesis, Dr. Evil (also Myers), in the late ’60s. And when Dr. Evil goes into suspended animation, Austin follows suit and awakens in the present day. Neither Austin nor Dr. Evil is able to easily make the adjustment to modern spy warfare. But at least Austin has a great partner, Vanessa Kensington (Elizabeth Hurley). On the other hand, Dr. Evil has an inept crew of henchmen, and a clone son, Scott Evil (Seth Green), who resents him.
Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Movies couldn’t possibly get more disco than Saturday Night Fever. But if you’re expecting a feel-good musical romance, then you’ve come to the wrong place. John Travolta stars as Anthony “Tony” Manero, a young man with dismissal prospects in his personal life and his day job. Yet on the dance floor, Tony is a king. He soon meets Stephanie Mangano (Karen Lynn Gorney), a dancer who may be his equal or even his superior. Unfortunately for Tony, Stephanie isn’t looking for love, just a platonic partnership. Meanwhile, the personal drama around Tony reaches a boiling point, and he jeopardizes his relationship with Stephanie by going way too far. If Tony’s not careful, his entire life could be shattered by his missteps.
McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)
Robert Altman’s McCabe & Mrs. Miller is a Western that challenges the tropes of the genre. It doesn’t romanticize its title characters, nor does it attempt to morally justify their actions or personas. Warren Beatty stars as John McCabe, a man who carries himself like a gunslinger and uses that reputation to his advantage. After establishing a brothel in town, John is joined by a new partner-in-crime, Constance Miller (Julie Christie). John and Constance’s ensuing romance is complicated by their differing approaches to business and pleasure. However, their relationship is strained when Eugene Sears (Michael Murphy) and Ernest Hollander (Antony Holland) come to town to force them out of their brothel business. And they won’t take no for an answer.
