HBO's streaming service, now rebranded as Max, created a single platform offering content from the many entertainment companies under the Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) corporate umbrella. By dropping "HBO" from the name, WBD hoped to highlight that the new Max service was more than just films, with thousands of hours of programming from networks including HGTV, TLC, Food Network, and The Travel Channel.
With 18 "hubs" of categorized content, the variety and quality of content available is enough to satisfy every subscriber, making the quality platform worth the price. The main draw of Max, however, remains the movie libraries of HBO and Turner Classic Movies. What Max lacks in volume, it makes up for in the sheer quality of classic films. The streaming service carries many of the American Film Institute's Top 100 Films of All Time, far more than any other content provider.
We've ranked the top movies available to stream on Max below. Rather than prioritizing films from the AFI list, we chose a variety of movies from several genres and film eras, including crowd-pleasing blockbusters.
Updated on February 23rd, 2024, by Soniya Hinduja: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
37 Now You See Me (2013)
Now You See Me
- Release Date
- May 29, 2013
- Director
- Louis Leterrier
- Cast
- Jesse Eisenberg , Mark Ruffalo , Woody Harrelson , Isla Fisher , Dave Franco , Mélanie Laurent
- Main Genre
- Crime
As far as heist thrillers go, Now You See Me joins the ranks of pure entertainment. The plot sees a team of illusionists led by Jesse Eisenberg’s J. Daniel Atlas, who call themselves "The Horsemen," pulling off bank heists during their magic performances and rewarding the audience with the same money they steal. Chasing them are an F.B.I. agent and an Interpol detective. The question is, how do these mentalists perform impossible heists, leave no clues, and dodge police?
Delightful Fun
The greatest achievement of Now You See Me is the sleek direction and the meticulous details in which every heist is pulled off. Director Louis Leterrier maximizes the intrigue and style of each scene by using amazing set pieces and magical showmanship. The supporting actors — Mark Ruffalo, Dave Franco, and Isla Fisher — show impeccable chemistry, which is what fuels the humor and the deceptions. As clever as it is fun, the film is undeniably rewatchable.
36 Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
- Release Date
- June 2, 1999
- Director
- Jim Jarmusch
- Cast
- Forest Whitaker , John Tormey , Cliff Gorman , Dennis Liu , Frank Minucci , Richard Portnow
Director Jim Jarmusch's impeccably cool '90s film Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai is a brilliant blend of hip-hop, gangster films, and samurai classics. The movie studies Forest Whitaker's lone urban samurai "Ghost Dog," as he makes a living as a hitman while following the teachings of Yamamoto Tsunetomo. Unfortunately, the life of a mafia hitman is never easy, with Ghost Dog ending up on the chopping block as the mafia's next big target. Cliff Gorman, Henry Silva, Victor Argo, and Tricia Vessey make up the supporting cast.
Effortlessly Cool and Gripping
With a killer score from RZA and great performances all around, Ghost Dog is a truly cool, melancholic, and suspenseful meditation on film genre and isolation. Though it wouldn't secure that many award nominations or wins, critics such as Robert Ebert lobbed a tremendous amount of praise towards Ghost Dog, with a particular focus on the lead performance provided by Whitaker.
35 Spy (2015)
Spy
- Release Date
- June 15, 2015
- Director
- Paul Feig
- Cast
- Melissa McCarthy , Rose Byrne , Jude Law , Jason Statham , Raad Rawi , Jessica Chaffin , Miranda Hart , Sam Richardson
Quite possibly the 2010s most underrated mainstream comedy, Spy lets Melissa McCarthy (for the most part) break away from the pratfall humor of projects like Identity Thief. Instead, it's a good bit of well-written comedy, which is something illuminated every time Jason Statham's brick-brained character graces the screen. McCarthy stars as Susan Cooper, a CIA agent who provides her talents from behind the comfort of a desk. However, when the identities of other agents are compromised, Cooper volunteers herself to put down a brand-new threat. Along with McCarthy and Statham, Rose Byrne, Miranda Hart, Bobby Cannavale, and Jude Law appear in supporting roles.
McCarthy Is a One-of-a-Kind Talent
Statham and McCarthy are the biggest reasons to check out Paul Feig's 2015 comedy. Statham, in particular, transitions incredibly well from being a grizzled action star to a hilarious comedic character, making for a perfect foil to an equally hysterical Rose Byrne. McCarthy and Byrne's respective performances would be the subject of immense praise, with the former even nabbing a Golden Globe nomination for her efforts.
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Friday the 13th (1980)
- Release Date
- May 9, 1980
- Director
- Sean S. Cunningham
- Cast
- Betsy Palmer , Adrienne King , Jeannine Taylor , Robbi Morgan , Kevin Bacon , Harry Crosby
Every bit as responsible for kicking off the slasher craze as John Carpenter's Halloween, Sean S. Cunningham's Friday the 13th is arguably the most divisive stone-cold classic ever filmed. The film does not get enough credit for favoring pace over excessive kills (though, naturally, there's a bit of excess). Though you won't find Jason Voorhees in his popular hockey mask here, the rest of the Friday the 13th formula would be firmly established in the franchise's debut. As a group of counselors tends to their business at Camp Crystal Lake, a series of murders will point them toward a horrifying tragedy that rocked the campgrounds only a year prior.
A Trailblazing Slasher
Friday the 13th is as atmospheric as a movie can get, with a vibe that makes the viewer feel as if they're right there at Camp Crystal Lake alongside Alice, Bill, Jack, Marcie, Brenda, Steve Christy, and Ned. The film even drew controversy for its intense kills, with several iconic moments made possible via the practical effects provided by Tom Savini. Toss in an iconic death sequence for Kevin Bacon, and the original Friday the 13th is required viewing for the horror-inclined out there.
33 John Dies at the End (2013)
John Dies at the End
- Release Date
- January 25, 2013
- Director
- Don Coscarelli
- Cast
- Chase Williamson , Rob Mayes , Paul Giamatti , Clancy Brown , Glynn Turman , Doug Jones
Don Coscarelli is famous for his unconventional films, given his lengthy tenure in the Phantasm franchise. However, 2012's John Dies at the End may be his best yet. This cult classic film sees the advent of a new drug promising a world of untold sensory stimulations. However, when lofty promises of inhuman knowledge and interdimensional travel are made, things quickly go south on a drug trip gone horribly awry. Chase Williamson, Rob Mayes, Paul Giamatti, and Clancy Brown make up the film's cast, with additional performances by Glynn Turman, Daniel Roebuck, and Doug Jones.
Wholly Unique and Divisive
John Dies at the End is a movie that you can't quite pinpoint: it seemingly does whatever it wants, whenever it wants, taking you for a ride that defies common sense and good taste. The result, however, is infinitely enjoyable. Paul Giamatti's performance has been noted to be a prominent highlight, even in the most negative of polarized reviews.
32 American Honey (2016)
American Honey
- Release Date
- September 30, 2016
- Director
- Andrea Arnold
- Cast
- Shia LaBeouf , McCaul Lombardi , Arielle Holmes , Crystal Ice , Veronica Ezell , Chad Cox
A truly fascinating coming-of-age tale about American teens who yearn for freedom and belonging, American Honey follows Star (Sasha Lane), a rebellious teenage girl who, on a whim, joins a traveling sales crew cruising across America’s heartland. Star has had a troubled home life, so naturally, she finds comfort in this new escapism and instant connection with the crew’s leader Jake (Shia LaBeouf). As they crisscross the dusty backroads, visiting towns and encountering colorful characters, Star discovers adventure, liberation, and her first love.
A Modern Coming-of-Age Classic
The movie is visually very stunning and carries with it an empowering feminist message. What’s more, Shia LaBeouf and Sasha Lane elevate this poetic tale with their restless and relatable performances. The latter in particular would snag more than half a dozen Best Actress nominations for the quality of her performance.
31 Blood Simple (1984)
Blood Simple
- Release Date
- January 18, 1985
- Director
- Joel Coen , Ethan Coen
- Cast
- John Getz , Frances McDormand , Dan Hedaya , M. Emmet Walsh
- Runtime
- 1hr 39min
The Coen brothers' first film is a neo-noir masterpiece of tension with an incredible early performance from the great Frances McDormand, in her feature film debut. Blood Simple is a modern tale of deception and betrayal. This dark Texas thriller follows a bar owner who hires a private investigator (played to perfection by M. Emmet Walsh) to investigate his wife's potential affair with a bartender. A series of misunderstandings and off-the-cuff lies goes hilariously wrong in this fantastic entry in the Coens's filmography.
The Coens Kicked off Their Careers Well
Despite being their first film, Blood Simple would cement some of the most beloved qualities of the Coen brothers' filmmaking style. The film's cinematographer, Barry Sonnenfeld, would later go on to direct films like the Men in Black trilogy and The Addams Family.
30 42 (2013)
42 is a home run of a sports film and, like Moneyball or Remember the Titans, being a sports fan (baseball or otherwise) is not necessary to enjoy it. A biographical film at its core, 42 follows the life of Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman), the first black baseball player to officially compete in Major League Baseball in the mid-1940s. We're shown Robinson's initial acceptance into the Brooklyn Dodgers, and his ensuing success following cultural clashes and months of hardship.
A Triumphant Performance from Boseman
The late Chadwick Boseman was something else. A man who served as an inspiration to children not just in his role as Black Panther, but in the way he carried himself and treated others. 42 is a human interest story — both in the character being portrayed, and the actor playing him. Toss in a sterling and game-supporting performance from Harrison Ford, and 42 is an overall winner.
29 The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
The Devil Wears Prada
- Release Date
- June 30, 2006
- Director
- David Frankel
- Cast
- Meryl Streep , Anne Hathaway , Emily Blunt , Stanley Tucci , Simon Baker , Adrian Grenier
The Devil Wears Prada is a movie all about the fashion industry, with plenty of luxurious handbags and fur coats to boot. Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway co-star as Miranda Priestly and Andrea Sachs, a fashion magazine mogul and her co-assistant respectively. As Andrea attempts to navigate the cutthroat world of fashion, she'll find herself struggling to keep her work-life balance in check amid Miranda's demanding requests. Simon Baker, Adrian Grenier, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci appear in supporting roles.
A Beloved Fashion Film
The Devil Wears Prada is easily one of the most entertaining dramedies of the 2000s. The chemistry between Streep and Hathaway is to die for, with the former even netting a Best Actress award at the 2007 Golden Globes. The film as a whole would receive more than a dozen separate award nominations across a variety of institutions, ranging from the Screen Actors Guild Awards to the BAFTAs.
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kingsman
- Release Date
- December 13, 2014
- Director
- Matthew Vaughn
- Cast
- Taron Egerton , Sofia Boutella , Colin Firth , Mark Hamill , Samuel L. Jackson , Mark Strong
A spy thriller based on a hit comic book might not seem all that impressive. However, there is no such comparison with Kingsman: The Secret Service. The story is about a young boy named Gary Eggsy (Taron Egerton), who has to deal with an abusive stepfather living with his mother after his father dies abruptly. Eggsy eventually gets into trouble and is saved by a man named Harry (Colin Firth), who reveals that Eggsy’s father was part of a secret organization named “The Kingsman.” When Harry presents him with the same opportunity, Eggsy accepts it without hesitation and embarks on a new adventure fraught with wild action and new responsibility.
More than the Sum of Its Parts
Kingsman: The Secret Service is brimming with style and uniqueness, embracing its British heritage to the fullest while featuring some of the most brutal action scenes in film history. Michael Caine, Taron Egerton, and Sophie Cookson would each receive Best Actor nominations for their respective performances here, and the film's impressive box office returns nearly quadrupled its initial budget. Just don't bother with the sequel.
27 Dune (2021)
Dune
- Release Date
- October 22, 2021
- Director
- Denis Villeneuve
- Cast
- Rebecca Ferguson , Zendaya Coleman , Jason Momoa , Timothee Chalamet , Josh Brolin , David Dastmalchian
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Dune is based on Frank Herbert’s sci-fi novel of the same name, and is set in the distant future, where water is scarce and spice is coveted. The film follows Duke Atreides (Oscar Isaac) and his family as they are forced to move into enemy territory at the behest of the emperor, with a terrifying tragedy lying in wait upon their arrival. Dune marks the first feature-length adaptation of Herbert's novel since David Lynch's famously terrible attempt in 1984.
A Stunning Achievement in Book-to-Screen Adaptations
Though Dune was considered to be an "unfilmable book," Villeneuve takes his time and gives its expansive setting the development it deserves. A tale rich with revenge, identity, and duty, Villeneuve brings his expansive visual sensibility to the fore by adapting a narrative that’s nutritiously dense and layered. Led by an ensemble that features the who’s who of Hollywood, Dune brings together the likes of Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Momoa, and many more to create an iconic set of characters that will continue to live on in memory after the credits have rolled.
26 Coraline (2009)
Coraline
- Release Date
- February 5, 2009
- Director
- Henry Selick
- Cast
- Dakota Fanning , Teri Hatcher , Jennifer Saunders , Dawn French , Keith David , John Hodgman
- Main Genre
- Animation
Coraline Jones is an inquisitive and adventurous young girl. On a rainy day, she decides to explore her new home and discovers a hidden door. Squeezing through it, she ends up in an alternate version of her life that may seem better than the mundane reality outside but actually holds sinister secrets. The more fantastical experiences Coraline has in this alternate world, the darker the cracks that appear in her normal world are.
Grim and Delightful All at Once
Henry Selick is truly a visionary director. The kind of craftsmanship he puts into adapting the creative work of Neil Gaiman and creating the macabre masterpiece that is Coraline is truly astonishing. As a stop-motion animated film, it uses techniques and details that are unmistakably extraordinary. Whether it is the world-building or the themes about family, every aspect of the film resonates hard. However, at its core, the story's message is about facing uncomfortable truths and dark realities with courage.
25 Superman (1978)
Superman
- Release Date
- December 13, 1978
- Director
- Richard Donner
- Cast
- Marlon Brando , Gene Hackman , Christopher Reeve , Ned Beatty , Jackie Cooper , Glenn Ford
- Runtime
- 143
Superman is the first of four films that featured the legendary Christopher Reeves donning the Man of Steel persona. Originally hailing from planet Krypton, Superman hides his plethora of supernatural powers under the mild-mannered moniker of Clark Kent. However, when the villainous Lex Luthor threatens the city of Metropolis, Superman will have to balance his burgeoning romance with Lois Lane while saving the world. Richard Donner directed this impeccable superhero film, with additional cast members including the likes of Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, and Margot Kidder.
Clearing the Way for Modern Superhero Movies
Christopher Reeve's Superman was a trailblazer superhero film, setting a standard that all other superhero films still aspire to. Richard Donner's direction is spot-on, and the cast, particularly Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, is iconic. The film would receive several Oscar nominations for its score, editing, sound effects, and numerous special effects. Some have even attributed the modern success of the superhero genre to the initial popularity of this Donner venture.
24 Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Night of the Living Dead
- Release Date
- October 4, 1968
- Director
- George A. Romero
- Cast
- Duane Jones , Judith O'Dea , Karl Hardman , Marilyn Eastman , Keith Wayne , Judith Ridley
Many would argue that without Night of the Living Dead, the entire zombie subgenre would be drastically different than it is now. Directed by one of the genre’s pioneering godfathers, George A. Romero, Night of the Living Dead paints a dark picture of zombies and a darker one about humans. Made on an incredibly low budget with guerrilla filmmaking techniques, the film sees a group of total strangers banding together inside the remnants of a farmhouse during the zombie apocalypse, with rising tensions both inside and outside the building threatening their odds of survival.
A Timeless Zombie Classic
Even though the movie is over five decades old, Romero’s masterpiece still holds its weight in gold as it keeps the audience glued to the screen right till the end. The zombies depicted aren’t brain-dead scarecrows, stumbling forward clumsily. Instead, Romero’s zombies operate with a shard of intelligence and menace, giving Night of the Living Dead a surprising bite and zing to it. Romero's utilization of unknown actors and surprisingly progressive themes would later cement Night of the Living Dead as one of the most legendary zombie films ever made.
23 The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight
- Release Date
- July 14, 2008
- Director
- Christopher Nolan
- Cast
- Christian Bale , Heath Ledger , Aaron Eckhart , Michael Caine , Maggie Gyllenhaal , Gary Oldman
Batman fans define themselves by which actor is their favorite live-action Caped Crusader. Some swear by Adam West's TV icon, while others make a worthy argument that Michael Keaton's gothic turn in Tim Burton's film was groundbreaking. In 2008, however, Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight featured Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne, in one of the strongest portrayals of the superhero detective ever. In the second film in Nolan's trilogy, Batman is now forced to take down the Joker (Heath Ledger) with the assistance of Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) and James Gordon (Gary Oldman). Michael Jai White, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine appear in fantastic supporting roles.
An All-Time Great Batman and Joker Duo
Bale's portrayal of Batman works in part because everything around him is done to perfection. Considered the best of the trilogy, the film is an achievement that stands apart from every cinematic incarnation of Batman before or since. Combining the crime genre with comic book elements, Nolan's sequel to Batman Begins also gave us Heath Ledger's Joker, a unique take on the iconic villain, as a twisted genius who just wanted to watch the world burn. Ledger earned a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, and The Dark Knight as a whole would become the single highest-grossing film of 2008.
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Rocky
- Release Date
- November 21, 1976
- Director
- John G. Avildsen
- Cast
- Sylvester Stallone , Talia Shire , Burt Young , Carl Weathers , Burgess Meredith , Thayer David
- Runtime
- 119
- Main Genre
- Drama
The entire Rocky franchise — minus the Creed films — is now available to watch on Max. Sylvester Stallone created this thrilling sports saga based around Rocky Balboa, a down-on-his-luck working-class man in Philadelphia who rises up the ranks of the boxing circuit. From his humble beginnings in Rocky to the dramatic comeback found in Rocky Balboa, the iconic boxer takes on classic villains like Ivan Drago, Clubber Lang, and Apollo Creed.
Iconic for Good Reason
The Rocky franchise is Sylvester Stallone's baby. The films are uniquely his, as he both wrote and starred in every single one of them. They're classic stories of overcoming impossible odds with one of the most famous protagonists in film history. Rocky's fame even spurred the creation of a bronze statue in his honor in Philadelphia.
21 The Menu (2022)
The Menu
- Release Date
- November 18, 2022
- Director
- Mark Mylod
- Cast
- Anya Taylor-Joy , Ralph Fiennes , Janet McTeer , Nicholas Hoult , Aimee Carrero , John Leguizamo
Many films attempt to combine horror and comedy, but only a few excel at it, with Mark Mylod’s The Menu being a stellar example. Led by a stellar cast comprised of Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Nicolas Hoult, the film revolves around a couple that travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a series of outrageous meals. Unbeknownst to them (with one exception), their dinner will carry a few shocking surprises.
A Crowd-Pleasing Main Course
Mylod delicately garnishes a satirical narrative with elements of horror and comedy, brilliantly dissecting the excessive world of fine dining and its internal machinations. The Menu was met with a positive response from fans and critics alike, premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival and grossing over $79 million worldwide.
20 Modern Times (1936)
Modern Times
- Release Date
- February 25, 1936
- Director
- Charles Chaplin
- Cast
- Charles Chaplin , Paulette Goddard , Henry Bergman , Tiny Sandford , Chester Conklin
- Runtime
- 87 Minutes
Max has most of Charlie Chaplin's work available to discover. Modern Times is a great introduction to his most famous character, the "Little Tramp," in addition to offering some iconic scenes and a surprisingly timely story about worker's rights. The film sees Little Tramp attempting to survive a modernized world that is fully embracing industrialization, all while falling in love with an orphaned woman named Ellen (Paulette Goddard).
Arguably Chaplin's Best Work
Modern Times would be the final appearance of the Little Tramp character, though he certainly goes out with a bang. Several iconic scenes, ranging from a hilarious sequence on an assembly line to a particularly entertaining café dance, are still just as entertaining nearly a century after they hit theaters. The film would be the precursor to what is one of Chaplin's most well-known works, The Great Dictator, which was released in 1940.
19 Fargo (1996)
Fargo
- Release Date
- March 8, 1996
- Director
- Joel Coen , Ethan Coen
- Cast
- William H. Macy , Steve Buscemi , Frances McDormand , Peter Stormare , Kristin Rudrüd , Harve Presnell
- Runtime
- 98
Fargo is a crime comedy that centers around a mild-mannered car salesman, Jerry Lundegaard, who is facing financial problems. So he cooks up an elaborate kidnapping scheme, as one does. He hires two small-time crooks to abduct his wife and plans to threaten his father-in-law for ransom. However, the plot quickly escalates when the crooks cause a murder, and a meticulous investigation begins.
Another Coen Brothers Classic
Set against a wintry Midwest backdrop, the film is nothing if not brilliant. The Coen Brothers spin a riveting story that is unique in its pitch-black humor and quirky characters. Frances McDormand is probably one of cinema’s most endearing law enforcers as the bright Marge Gunderson. Moreover, the entire atmosphere, along with the paradoxical storytelling, makes Fargo a neo-noir classic.
18 Shiva Baby (2020)
A hilarious yet complicated take on a regressive recent college graduate's identity crisis, Shiva Baby is an explosive film that's not afraid to speak its mind. Quirky and relatable, the film follows Danielle (Rachel Sennott), who finds herself treading on treacherous territory as all of her life’s landmines go off at a Jewish funeral service with her parents. From encounters with her sugar daddy to bumping into her ex-girlfriend, Danielle is put through the wringer while being judged by her morally upright family and extended community.
An Astonishing Debut from Emma Seligman
Running at just under 80 minutes, Shiva Baby is a quick pick-me-up film that leaves you with a pleasant aftertaste knowing there’s someone else who’s got it worse. It's one of the few films that take place almost entirely in real-time, and it would eventually secure more than 70 separate award nominations and wins across more than a dozen separate institutions.