By Yael Tygiel
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Another streaming service means another vast library of titles to sift through to find what you want to watch. Max is the streaming service from WarnerMedia, hosting not just titles from the pay cable channel HBO, but a bevy of films from the Warner Bros. library and other studios. There’s a great selection of classics, fairly new releases, quirky indies, and yes, superhero movies. The studio behind The Dark Knight and Man of Steel has a solid number of DC films available to stream. But if you’re daunted by all the good movies on Max to choose from, we’ve got your back. Below, we’ve put together a curated list of the absolute best movies on Max. Films that will be well worth your time, with our writers making the case for why each film is special.
So check out our list of the best movies on Max streaming below. And for more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows on Max, best drama movies on Max, and best horror movies on Max.
Editor's note: This article was updated October 2024 to include Caddo Lake.
‘Caddo Lake’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 75%
Caddo Lake (2024)
Drama
- Director
- Logan George , Celine Held
- Cast
- Dylan O'Brien , Eliza Scanlen , Caroline Falk , Lauren Ambrose , Sam Hennings , Diana Hopper , Eric Lange , Lance E. Nichols , Nina Leon , David Maldonado , Kim Baptiste , Jules Hilillo Fernandez
Written and directed by Logan George and Celine Held and produced by the master of mystery, M. Night Shyamalan, Caddo Lake is set on the titular wetland and follows the slow cracking of a family after the disappearance of an 8-year-old girl. Originally titled Vanishings, Caddo Lake is another sinister mystery for fans of the genre to sink their teeth into. With twists and turns aplenty, the tension continues to rise as the secrets held by a broken family explode into drama. For those with a Max subscription, this could make for the perfect nighttime viewing experience. - Jake Hodges
‘Salem’s Lot’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 54% | IMDb: 6.9/10
Salem's Lot (2024)
Horror
Thriller
- Release Date
- October 3, 2024
- Director
- Gary Dauberman
- Cast
- Lewis Pullman , Alfre Woodard , Makenzie Leigh , Bill Camp , Spencer Treat Clark , Pilou Asbæk , John Benjamin Hickey , William Sadler , Jordan Preston Carter , Nicholas Crovetti , Cade Woodward , Kellan Rhude , Debra Christofferson , Rebecca Gibel , Mike Bash , Fedna Jacquet , Avery Bederman
- Runtime
- 113 Minutes
Based on Stephen King’s 1975 novel of the same name, Salem’s Lot follows professional writer Ben Mears (Lewis Pullman) as he returns to the titular Maine town he grew up in, intent on writing about an abandoned house that holds a nightmare from his childhood. After two previous miniseries adaptations in 1979 and 2004, respectively, this Max adaptation marks the first as a feature film, with the central cast containing the aforementioned Pullman, Spencer Treat Clark, Bill Camp, and others. With thrills, spills, and King-inspired frights, Salem’s Lot has everything a horror fan could want. - Jake Hodges
‘The Boy and the Heron’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.5/10
The Boy and the Heron
Adventure
Fantasy
Drama
- Release Date
- December 8, 2023
- Director
- Hayao Miyazaki
- Cast
- Soma Santoki , Masaki Suda , Takuya Kimura , Aimyon
- Runtime
- 124 minutes
The latest addition to Hayao Miyazaki’s incredible filmography is yet another animated masterpiece. Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron follows young Mahito (Soma Santoki), a newly motherless child, as he moves to the countryside to live on his family’s estate. Burdened by grief and facing an overwhelming change to his family unit, Mahito ventures bravely into a strange world of fantasy and adventure, joined on his epic journey by a Grey Heron, voiced by Masaki Suda. A gorgeous, emotional rollercoaster that explores themes intrinsically linked to the lives of us all, The Boy and the Heron proves once and for all, if there were any doubters left, that Miyazaki is a master of his craft. A joyful, moving exploration of grief and humanity, the world of cinema owes an enormous debt of gratitude to Miyazaki, with this one of his best works to date. - Jake Hodges
‘I Saw the TV Glow’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 5.9/10
I Saw the TV Glow
Drama
Horror
- Release Date
- May 3, 2024
- Director
- Jane Schoenbrun
- Cast
- Amber Benson , Justice Smith , Brigette Lundy-Paine , Danielle Deadwyler
- Runtime
- 100 minutes
The viral horror that has had the world talking, I Saw the TV Glow follows Owen (Justice Smith), a suburban teenager who simply wants to get through this hellish, angsty period of life unscathed. However, when a classmate introduces him to a late-night supernatural TV show, his world changes forever. Packed full of horror stylings and neatly executed tropes, I Saw the TV Glow is the perfect thought-provoking existential horror. Jane Schoenbrun’s teen spookfest prioritizes indisputable fun and frenzy while also deftly exploring themes of art and identity, making for a truly unique experience. - Jake Hodges
‘Civil War’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 7.1/10
Civil War
Action
Drama
- Release Date
- April 12, 2024
- Director
- Alex Garland
- Cast
- Kirsten Dunst , Wagner Moura , Cailee Spaeny , Stephen McKinley Henderson , Nelson Lee , Nick Offerman , Jefferson White , Evan Lai , Vince Pisani , Justin James Boykin , Jess Matney , Greg Hill , Edmund Donovan , Sonoya Mizuno , Tim James , Simeon Freeman , James Yaegashi , Dean Grimes , Alexa Mansour , Martha B. Knighton , Melissa Saint-Amand , Karl Glusman , Jin Ha
This A24 smash hit from director Alex Garland, the writer behind the genius zombie flick 28 Days Later, follows a team of military journalists who traverse a warring America to get to the White House before it is destroyed by rebel forces. Supported by a concept that feels scarily relevant, Civil War is a gripping political thriller overflowing with breathless action. If it wasn’t for being so politically on-the-nose (it feels almost like a damning foresight of a broken future), Civil War might have had a fair shot at the upcoming awards season. Instead, it will have to settle for boundless praise, although Garland and co. will likely not mind. - Jake Hodges
‘Beetlejuice’ (1988)
Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | IMDb: 7.5/10
Beetlejuice
Comedy
Fantasy
- Release Date
- March 30, 1988
- Director
- Tim Burton
- Cast
- Alec Baldwin , Geena Davis , Annie McEnroe , Maurice Page , Hugo Stanger , Michael Keaton
- Runtime
- 92 minutes
This unquestionable classic — and perhaps Tim Burton’s best — follows a seemingly ordinary couple, Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara (Geena Davis). However, after a freak accident sadly kills the pair, they inexplicably become ghosts and must try to haunt the new owners of their house into giving it up. Beetlejuice is a wild ride of sheer joy that never hides away from the gothic horror that bleeds from its core. Featuring a plethora of memorable performances and moments, highlighted by one of cinema’s greatest unexpected musical numbers, Beetlejuice became an instant classic in 1988 and has demanded a sequel ever since. Luckily, that sequel has arrived, giving a new generation the chance to experience first-hand the devilish delights of Be… best not to say it a third time. - Jake Hodges
‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.6/10
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Action
Adventure
Sci-Fi
- Release Date
- May 24, 2024
- Director
- George Miller
- Cast
- Anya Taylor-Joy , Chris Hemsworth , Tom Burke , Alyla Browne , Nathan Jones , Angus Sampson , Daniel Webber , Lachy Hulme
- Runtime
- 148 minutes
A spin-off prequel to the smash-hit reimagining from 2015, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga follows the titular renegade warrior (Anya Taylor-Joy) as she is kidnapped and placed in the hands of the Warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). Desperate to find a way home, Furiosa, helped initially by the bravery of her mother, must fight against a post-apocalyptic, warring landscape for her future. For the many fans of the 2015 film, Furiosa acts as the perfect origin story for an immersive character before her life with Max. As a visual spectacle, Furiosa is a masterpiece of filmmaking, with cinematography it becomes impossible to not simply marvel at. Furiosa is also indulgent, with a world that feels just as full and enigmatic as the 2015 film. Whether or not it is better than the previous entry is up for debate, but very little is, so don’t let that put you off this two-and-a-half-hour rollercoaster ride. - Jake Hodges
‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 49% | IMDb: 6.8/10
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1
Western
Drama
- Release Date
- June 28, 2024
- Director
- Kevin Costner
- Cast
- Kevin Costner , Sienna Miller , Michael Angarano , Jena Malone
The first movie in a planned four-part series, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 is an epic Western film directed and produced by Kevin Costner, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jon Baird. Starting in 1859, the movie narrates a 15-year story of exploration and expansion in the Old West, largely revolving around the settlement of Horizon. The film’s ensemble cast includes Costner, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, and more. The Horizon series is a passion project of Kevin Costner’s that’s been in development for ages. Chapter 1 premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and has received rather mixed reviews. The movie didn’t fare too well at the box office either, but despite the poor reception, the series is set to continue with Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 premiering at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival. In its defense, Chapter 1 does feature some gorgeous cinematography and an ambitious (if uneven) story. However, the problem with it is right in the title: it’s just the first chapter of a much larger plot — one that can only accurately be judged once it’s actually complete.
‘Mamma Mia’ (2008)
Rotten Tomatoes: 55% | IMDb: 6.5/10
Mamma Mia
Comedy
Musical
Romance
- Release Date
- July 2, 2008
- Director
- Phyllida Lloyd
- Cast
- Amanda Seyfried , Stellan Skarsgård , Pierce Brosnan , Nancy Baldwin , Colin Firth , Heather Emmanuel
- Runtime
- 108
Based on the jukebox musical written by British playwright Catherine Johnson and the music of the Swedish pop group ABBA, Mamma Mia is the story of a young bride (Amanda Seyfried) who invites three men to her destination wedding with hopes of figuring out which of them could be her father. The film is a whacky good time with great musical sequences, and every single one of the huge cast of stars gives their all to keep each scene light and full of momentum. Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada) as the mother of the bride who slept with these three men played by Pierce Brosnan (The Misfits), Colin Firth (The King's Speech), and Stellan Skarsgård (Andor) gives a standout performance, bouncing between lushy wreck and devoted mother.
‘Pretty Woman’ (1990)
Rotten Tomatoes: 65% | IMDb: 7.1/10
Pretty Woman
Comedy
Romance
- Release Date
- March 23, 1990
- Director
- Garry Marshall
- Cast
- Richard Gere , Julia Roberts , Ralph Bellamy , Jason Alexander , Laura San Giacomo , alex hyde-white
- Runtime
- 119 mins
A certain classic of the early 1990s, Pretty Woman follows Edward (Richard Gere), a wealthy charmer with good looks and a style to match, who hires sex worker Vivian (Julia Roberts) to accompany him to important functions. Alas, he soon finds himself falling for her, with an unexpected world of romance and heartbreak ready to bring together the two unlikely companions. Pretty Woman is the perfect example of a movie many may have not seen but most have at least heard of. Iconic for many reasons, such as that shopping scene, Gere and Roberts craft a duo with boundless chemistry that is one of cinema’s best pairings. Funny, heartfelt, and brilliantly addictive, Pretty Woman is a must-watch. - Jake Hodges
‘Love Lies Bleeding’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 6.7/10
Love Lies Bleeding
Action
Adventure
Crime
- Release Date
- March 8, 2024
- Director
- Rose Glass
- Cast
- Anna Baryshnikov , Kristen Stewart , Dave Franco , Katy M. O'Brian
- Runtime
- 104 minutes
This 2024 A24 hit follows the quick-burning love between gym manager Lou (Kristen Stewart) and bodybuilder Jackie (Katy O’Brian). As Jackie pursues her dream of Vegas bodybuilding fame, their romance spirals out of control and into the world of criminal violence. A24 is no stranger to love gone wrong, with this romance one of the darker the company has produced. A grim, twisted affair, both Stewart and O’Brian shine with enough chemistry to fill a lab. Managing to neatly toe the line between graphic material and a lack of exploitation of the LGBTQ+ nature of the film, Love Lies Bleeding is both thrilling and challenging. - Jake Hodges
‘The Sixth Sense’ (1999)
Rotten Tomatoes: 86% | IMDb: 8.2/10
The Sixth Sense
Thriller
Drama
Horror
Mystery
- Release Date
- August 6, 1999
- Director
- M. Night Shyamalan
- Cast
- Bruce Willis , Toni Collette , Haley Joel Osment , Olivia Williams , Donnie Wahlberg
- Runtime
- 107 minutes
Bolstered by one of the greatest twists in cinema history, The Sixth Sense stars Bruce Willis as child psychologist Malcolm Crowe, a genius in his field who is tasked with helping a young boy, Cole (Haley Joel Osment). No normal child, Cole can “see dead people,” leaving Crowe with a challenge only he can solve that will soon take over his entire life. M. Night Shyamalan’s magnum opus, The Sixth Sense is a masterclass in storytelling, with each beat steeped in narrative importance. It is inconceivable to imagine anyone who hasn’t had the ending of this iconic flick spoiled, but in the event this is the case, prepare to have your world blown open as the walls the story has built come crumbling down around you. Nominated for an incredible six Academy Awards, The Sixth Sense is a must-watch. - Jake Hodges
'The Florida Project' (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.6/10
The Florida Project
Drama
- Release Date
- October 6, 2017
- Director
- Sean Baker
- Cast
- Brooklynn Prince , Christopher Rivera , Aiden Malik , Josie Olivo , Valeria Cotto , Edward Pagan
- Runtime
- 111 mins
The Florida Project is brilliant and human and it will absolutely break your heart. The film follows a six-year-old girl named Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) who lives in a motel in Kissimmee, Florida, just around the corner from DisneyWorld. In Moonee’s eyes, her days are filled with adventure as she makes the best out of living week-to-week in a motel with her single mother. But through the eyes of Bobby (Willem Dafoe), the motel’s manager, we see the abject poverty surrounding its tenants and the loops they continue getting stuck in without any promise of upward mobility. Like Boyhood, this story feels at once individualistic and universal, and Sean Baker’s docudrama-like filmmaking makes the events feel all too real. This is an essential watch. – Adam Chitwood
'Uncut Gems' (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 7.1/10
Uncut Gems
Drama
Comedy
Crime
- Release Date
- August 30, 2019
- Director
- Ben Safdie , Joshua Safdie
- Cast
- Adam Sandler , Julia Fox , Kevin Garnett , The Weeknd , Idina Menzel , Jonathan Aranbayev
- Runtime
- 130 minutes
This critically acclaimed Safdie Brothers flick follows Adam Sandler’s Howard, a gems dealer whose professional success is overshadowed by his financial ruin through a gambling addiction. After finding an uncut Ethiopian Opal he thinks will put him on top again, his actions alert the attention of some less-than-savory people, with the consequences of his reckless actions starting to catch up on him. Uncomfortable, unsettling, and brilliantly so, Uncut Gems is a rare movie that relishes making its audience squirm. From an infectious score to the Safdies’ genius attention to tension, Uncut Gems can honestly be considered a masterpiece. Beyond its technical marvel, the film features a host of great performances, highlighted by a potential career-best turn for Sandler. - Jake Hodges
'Am I OK?' (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 6.6/10
Am I Ok?
Drama
Comedy
Romance
A woman reaches a turning point in her life, grappling with questions about her sexuality and the future of her relationships. With her best friend by her side, she embarks on a path of self-exploration, encountering moments of doubt, clarity, and transformation.
- Release Date
- June 3, 2024
- Director
- Stephanie Allynne , Tig Notaro
- Cast
- Dakota Johnson , Sonoya Mizuno , Jermaine Fowler , Kiersey Clemons , Molly Gordon
- Runtime
- 86 Minutes
Dakota Johnson stars as Lucy in the Sundance-picked Am I OK? After finding no luck in her quest for romance with men, the 32-year-old, portrayed with grace by Johnson, realizes that her dissatisfaction with love actually stems from her being a lesbian. This leads her and her best friend, Jane (Sonoya Mizuno), to navigate what it's like to come out to both the world and herself. Slick and sensitive, Am I OK? is a tale that understands the sensitivity of its subject matter, with Johnson and Mizuno bringing both light and shade to their performances. It has its detractors, but the movie is certainly well worth a watch and is one of the most intriguing additions to Max in quite some time. - Jake Hodges
'The Iron Claw' (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.7/10
The Iron Claw
Drama
Biography
Sport
- Release Date
- December 22, 2023
- Director
- Sean Durkin
- Cast
- Zac Efron , Jeremy Allen White , Harris Dickinson , Maura Tierney
- Runtime
- 130 minutes
A movie widely cited as the most dismissed during the most recent Academy Awards, The Iron Claw, written and directed by Sean Durkin, tells the true story of wrestling’s Von Erich brothers. As some of the 1980s best-loved wrestlers, the brothers leave everything on the line to become legends of their sport, often resulting in grand tragedy. Featuring an excellent pair of performances from Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White, The Iron Claw is much more than a movie for wrestling fans, reaching into the heart of any viewer with themes of legacy and family. A marvel of storytelling triumph, the movie is paced to perfection, with jumps in time feeling wholly necessary and the moments of true emotion well earned. This is certainly one of the best movies to have been released in the past year. - Jake Hodges
'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Mad Max: Fury Road
Action
Adventure
Sci-Fi
Thriller
- Release Date
- May 13, 2015
- Director
- George Miller
- Cast
- Tom Hardy , Charlize Theron , Nicholas Hoult , Hugh Keays-Byrne , Josh Helman , Nathan Jones
- Runtime
- 120
George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road is an epic post-apocalyptic action film that’s the fourth entry in Miller’s Mad Max franchise. The movie stars Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, and more. Set in a desert wasteland dominated by warring gangs, the film follows Hardy as Max Rockatansky, who allies himself with Imperator Furiosa (Theron) against the barbaric Immortan Joe (Keays-Byrne). Mad Max: Fury Road is both the highest-grossing film in the franchise and the most acclaimed. Praised by critics for its cinematography, direction, production value, and performances, the movie has won six Academy Awards and is widely considered one of the greatest action films of all time. A sequel three decades in the making, Fury Road has revitalized interest in the Mad Max franchise, bringing new fans to the classic 80s films and spawning follow-up projects. The first of those follow-ups is the prequel film Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
'Dune: Part 2' (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 8.6/10
Dune: Part Two
Sci-Fi
Drama
Action
Adventure
- Release Date
- March 1, 2024
- Director
- Denis Villeneuve
- Cast
- Timothée Chalamet , Stellan Skarsgård , Florence Pugh , Zendaya , Rebecca Ferguson , Javier Bardem
- Runtime
- 166 minutes
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two is the second act of the filmmaker’s adaptation of the 1965 Frank Herbert novel Dune, an epic story of science fiction. The film boasts an ensemble cast led by Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, who unites with Arrakis’ Fremen people against House Harkonnen. Zendaya, Josh Brolin, and more reprise their roles from the first film, 2021’s Dune: Part One, with the movie also introducing Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, and Souheila Yacoub to its sprawling ensemble. Villeneuve directed and produced the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Jon Spaihts. Dune: Part Two has received great praise from critics and fans — even more so than the first film — and is one of the highest-grossing films of 2024. A visual spectacle in every frame, the movie is a stunning piece of cinematic storytelling that’s everything a sci-fi fan could ask for. The film also improves on its predecessor in terms of character development and emotional depth, and with a sequel already in development, based on 1969’s Dune Messiah, this burgeoning franchise shows no signs of slowing down.
'War for the Planet of the Apes' (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 7.4/10
War for the Planet of the Apes
Science Fiction
Action
Adventure
Drama
- Release Date
- July 14, 2017
- Director
- Matt Reeves
- Cast
- Judy Greer , Steve Zahn , Mercedes de la Zerda , Max Lloyd-Jones , Woody Harrelson , Alessandro Juliani , Amiah Miller , Terry Notary , Andy Serkis , Aleks Paunovic , Ty Olsson , Devyn Dalton , Gabriel Chavarria
- Runtime
- 140 Minutes
The third installment in the Planet of the Apes reboot franchise, War for the Planet of the Apes was directed by Matt Reeves, who also co-wrote the script alongside Mark Bomback. A sequel to Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, the film presents the final act in the epic story of intelligent ape Caesar (played by the talented Andy Serkis), picking up two years after the events of the previous film with the war between apes and humans at its peak. War for the Planet of the Apes has garnered widespread critical acclaim, earning praise for its compelling narrative, outstanding performances, impressive visual effects, cinematography, and evocative music by Michael Giacchino. The film has achieved massive box office success and received numerous accolades, including Academy Award nominations for Best Visual Effects and Best Special Visual Effects. Exploring themes of grief, loss, and what truly makes us human through the unique lens of its interspecies conflict, War for the Planet of the Apes is a well-crafted, emotionally rich piece of cinematic storytelling.
'Turtles All the Way Down' (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 6.8/10
Turtles All The Way Down
Drama
Romance
- Director
- Hannah Marks
- Cast
- Isabela Merced , J. Smith-Cameron , Judy Reyes , Hannah Marks
Adapted from the 2017 John Green novel of the same name, Turtles All the Way Down is a romantic drama that follows a teenager with obsessive-compulsive disorder who struggles with anxiety and intrusive thoughts while navigating romance and investigating the mysterious disappearance of a billionaire. Directed by Hannah Marks and written by Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker, the movie stars Isabela Merced in the lead role, appearing alongside Cree, Felix Mallard, Maliq Johnson, Poorna Jagannathan, and more. Turtles All the Way Down has received largely positive reviews from critics, with praise for Merced’s performance and the film’s depiction of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The source material is a very popular book with legions of fans, who have also been quite happy with the adaptation. While primarily targeted towards teen and tween audiences, Turtles All the Way Down is an engaging film with great performances and a well-written protagonist that’s sure to strike a chord with audiences of all ages.
- Movie
- HBO
- Dune: Part Two (2024)
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