Max, formerly known as HBO Max, is one of the best streaming services out there and has a ton of great movies, some dating back more than 100 years, which can make the process of deciding on one a difficult task. There are so many films you can see with a Max subscription, and as of December 2024, some great picks include the Harry Potter films, Megamind, Prisoners, and more. Here are some of the best movies you can watch on Max right now.
Intense Dramas
For the times you want to be on the edge of your seat:
The Zone Of Interest (2023)
The Director: Jonathan Glazer
The Cast: Christian Friedel, Sandra Huller
What It's About: This movie focuses on the life of an Auschwitz commandant, and how he and his family live in the “Zone of Interest,” an area around the concentration camp.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The film won Best International Feature at the 2024 Academy Awards and was praised for its story and sound.
Civil War (2024)
The Director: Alex Garland
The Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura, Jesse Plemons, Stephen McKinley Henderson
What It's About: Civil War is a dystopian thriller film that follows the story of photojournalists, both professionals and a rookie, who travel across a United States that has been torn apart by a civil war, and the horrors they face, all to interview one person – the president.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Civil War is hands down one of the best films of 2024 so far and it’s by A24, which rarely ever misses in the films they distribute.
The Iron Claw (2023)
The Director: Sean Durkin
The Cast: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson
What It's About: The Iron Claw is based on the real-life wrestling family known as the Von Erich’s, and how they suffered tragedy after tragedy while in the professional sport.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: This is a film that will emotionally gut you by the end but you’ll thank yourself for it. It’s beautifully acted and well-shot.
Goodfellas (1990)
The Director: Martin Scorsese
The Cast: Ray Liotta, Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino
What It's About: Based on the nonfiction book, Wiseguy, the film follows the life of Henry Hill, and how his rise and fall in the mob affected his life.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The movie is considered one of Martin Scrosese’s best films, and features stellar performances all around. I highly recommend it.
Parasite (2019)
The Director: Bong Joon-ho
The Cast: Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik
What It's About: Parasite tells the story of a South Korean family who all steadily take jobs from a wealthy family as part of a greater scheme, but things take a turn and their lives are forever changed.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Parasite won the Academy Award for Best Picture and was the first international film to do so. It’s truly one of a kind.
Prisoners (2013)
The Director: Denis Villeneuve
The Cast: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo, Paul Dano
What It's About: After two girls are abducted in Pennsylvania, a suspect is released back to the public, and one of the fathers decides to take matters into his own hands and hunt him down.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: I personally think Prisoners is one of Hugh Jackman’s best performances, and you will be riveted by the end of it. The movie is thrilling from beginning to end.
Girl, Interrupted (1999)
The Director: James Mangold
The Cast: Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie
What It's About: Girl, Interrupted is based on the memoir of the same name. The film follows a young woman and her time in a psychiatric hospital in 1967 after she attempts to take her own life, and the people she meets there over the course of her stay.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: It has a stellar and intense story, and features Angelina Jolie in an Academy Award-winning performance.
Powerful, Emotional Dramas
For the dramas that make you laugh, cry, and more…
The Color Purple (2024)
The Director: Blitz Bazawule
The Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins
What It's About: Based on the stage musical of the same name, which is based on the 1982 novel, The Color Purple is a movie musical about the life of Celie, an African American woman in the early 1900s trying to make a life for herself over time and dealing with domestic abuse at home.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The movie earned several Academy Award nominations, and features some of the best performances of 2023. You have to check it out if you love musicals.
The Last Black Man In San Francisco (2019)
The Director: Joe Talbot
The Cast: Jimmie Fails, Jonathan Majors, Tichinia Arnold
What It's About: The Last Black Man in San Francisco is a dramatic A24 movie about the story of Jimmie Fails, a young man who makes it his mission to reclaim the home that his grandfather built years ago in San Francisco that is changing every day and getting harder for him to live in.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Featuring a very steady story and some killer acting performances, this drama is the perfect one to watch if you need one that won’t increase your heart rate but will make you think by the end of it.
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
The Director: Mike Figgis
The Cast: Nicolas Cage, Elisabeth Shue
What It's About: Leaving Las Vegas is based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name and tells the story of the Ben Sanderson, a suicidal alcoholic who travels to Las Vegas in order to end his life, but ends up developing a relationship with a sex worker.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Nicolas Cage won the Academy Award for his performance in Leaving Las Vegas and the film will no doubt probably make you cry by the end of it.
King Richard (2021)
The Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green
The Cast: Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, Jon Bernthal
What It's About: King Richard tells the story of Richard Williams (Smith), the father of famous tennis duo, Serena and Venus Williams, and the struggles he went through to see his daughters become the best tennis players in the world.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Starring Academy Award-winner Will Smith, King Richard features the actor in his best role, and is the story that shows the beautiful kind of resilience that we all need.
Priscilla (2023)
The Director: Sofia Coppola
The Cast: Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi
What It's About: Priscilla is a biographical drama that tells the story of Priscilla Presley, the legendary wife of Elvis Presley, following the tale of how they met, fell in love, and navigated their complicated relationship until their divorce.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The movie received critical praise for its acting performances and Spaeny shines as Priscilla.
Brooklyn (2015)
The Director: John Crowley
The Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, Emory Cohen, Jim Broadbend, Julie Walters
What It's About: Based on the novel of the same name, the movie follows an Irishwoman who immigrates to America in the 1950s, and follows her life and who she chooses to be as time goes on.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Saoirse Ronan gives an impeccable performance and the set design is absolutely amazing for the 1950s.
Romantic Rendezvous
From dramatic romances to funny ones, these are the romance movies for you:
Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
The Director: Rose Glass
The Cast: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian
What It's About: Love Lies Bleeding follows a young woman who owns a gym but is secretly part of a huge crime family. She gets tangled up in a romantic relationship with a female bodybuilder, and drama ensues once the bodybuilder finds out what is going on.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Love Lies Bleeding features an amazing LGBTQ+ storyline that somehow breaks barriers and also keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Plus, Stewart and O’Brian’s acting is top tier.
Casablanca (1942)
The Director: Michael Curtiz
The Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Ingred Bergman
What It's About: An American expatriate who runs a successful nightclub in Casablanca, Morocco, is given a second shot at redemption and love when his old flame waltzes back into his life and asks him to help her fugitive husband escape the Nazis once and for all.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: One of the greatest films to ever win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, Casablanca has it all: drama, romance, action, and one of the most quotable lines ever. I mean, do you need me to go on?
Pretty Woman (1990)
The Director: Garry Marshall
The Cast: Richard Gere, Julia Roberts
What It's About: Pretty Woman is a rom-com that follows the story of a rich man hiring a sex worker for a week in order to pretend to be his date for several upcoming social events, and the relationship that grows from there.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Pretty Woman is hands down one of Julia Roberts’ best romantic comedies, and features one of the best romances on the big screen, mixed in with some steamy chemistry.
Fun Comedies
Get ready for your tummy to hurt from laughing so much:
Modern Times (1936)
The Director: Charlie Chaplin
The Cast: Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman
What It's About: Charlie Chaplin’s 1936 silent movie classic, Modern Times, follows the Tramp (Chaplin) as he attempts to make sense of the technologically-advanced world around him and stay out of trouble, failing at both.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: I mean, it’s Charlie Chaplin. How can I not recommend him? There are some of his other films on the platform but I’ll always stand by Modern Times as the best.
The Hangover (2009)
The Director: Todd Phillips
The Cast: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Heather Graham, Justin Bartha, Jeffrey Tambor
What It's About: When a bachelor party goes wrong and the groom winds up missing, it’s up to three groomsmen teaming up together to look for him across Las Vegas before the wedding, and the shenanigans they get into.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: It’s The Hangover. It’s pretty much considered one of the best comedy movies of the 2000s. I would be a fool not to recommend it to you. It’s hilarious and great to watch with friends.
The Devil Wears Prada (2004)
The Director: David Frankel
The Cast: Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci
What It's About: In this classic comedy film, The Devil Wears Prada follows a young woman who works at a fashion magazine company and somehow has to live up to the expectations of her high maintenance boss, Miranda Priestly, and deal with her excessive demands, just so she can forward her career as a journalist.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The Devil Wears Prada cast is insanely talented, which is led by a stellar performance from Meryl Streep.
The Goonies (1985)
The Director: Richard Donner
The Cast: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, Ke Huy Quan
What It's About: A group of kids band together to try and save their homes from foreclosure when they discover a treasure map, which could lead them to riches. However, a group of criminals is also after the treasure.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The Goonies has to be one of those ‘80s films that I think everyone has seen at least once. It’s perfect for a fun little comedy, and has plenty of adventure that anyone can enjoy.
The Birdcage (1996)
The Director: Mike Nichols
The Cast: Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Dianne Wiest
What It's About: The Birdcage follows a couple who are set to get married, but the son has a pair of gay parents, and the daughter has a pair of conservative parents (one of whom is a senator). Now, the two sets must meet – and it causes a whirlwind of drama and hilarity.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Robin Williams again takes the cake in this hilarious film, and will surely keep you laughing for hours on end by the time it’s over.
Keanu (2016)
The Director: Peter Atencio
The Cast: Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key, Method Man, Luis Guzman, Nia Long, Will Forte
What It's About: Two cousins go on the ultimate adventure when a kitten is stolen and they do anything to get him back – including getting tangled up with criminals.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: This movie is so. Freaking. Funny. I stand by it every time I watch it because I think Peele and Key just have the best chemistry out there. Anyone who hasn’t seen it needs to.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
The Director: Nicholas Stoller
The Cast: Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Russell Brand
What It's About: Forgetting Sarah Marshall follows a young man who attempts to get away to Hawaii when his girlfriend suddenly breaks up with him – only for him to run into her on vacation, with her new boyfriend.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The film is hands down one Segel’s best movies, and features some hilarious gags that are famous to this day.
Beetlejuice (1988)
The Director: Tim Burton
The Cast: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Catherine O’Hara, Jeffrey Jones
What It's About: Beetlejuice follows the story of a married couple who become trapped in their home as ghosts after they suddenly pass away. When a new family moves in, they want to scare them out, so they turn to a ‘bio-exorcist’ known as Betelgeuse in order to get the humans to leave – but it turns upside down once they find out how messed up this paranormal entity is.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: With a new sequel out, now is the time to watch the first and laugh your butt off at Keaton’s hysterical comedic delivery.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)
The Director: Edgar Wright
The Cast: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Alison Pill, Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman
What It's About: Based on the graphic novel of the same name, the titular character, Scott Pilgrim, must face off against the seven evil exes in order to be with his new girlfriend, Ramona Flowers.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: This film is an absolute classic, especially now fifteen years later. The action is fun, the comedy is great, and it’s an all-around entertaining time.
Intense Horrors
These are the kinds of horrors that you might want to leave the light on for:
Evil Dead Rise (2023)
The Director: Lee Cronin
The Cast: Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, Nell Fisher
What It's About: Evil Dead Rise is the latest installment in the Evil Dead franchise, this time following the story of a mother who is possessed by the Deadites in that famed demonic book, and causing chaos for her sister and children on the same night.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The film was a critical success – and even if you haven’t seen an Evil Dead movie before, this one is good for a solo watch for any horror fan.
It Comes At Night (2017)
The Director: Trey Edward Shults
The Cast: Joel Edgerton, Christopher Abbott, Carmen Ejogo, Riley Keough
What It's About: It Comes At Night follows a family that must hide in the forest when a contagious disease begins to take over their lives, and now they must fight to survive.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Suspenseful until the end, this film will keep you on the edge of your seat at all times and then some. Truly terrifying.
MaXXXine (2024)
The Director: Ti West
The Cast: Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan
What It's About: The final part of the X trilogy, MaXXXine follows Maxine as she makes her way to Hollywood and finds herself in the middle of someone else’s killing spree – someone who is looking to kill her next.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: You could check out X or Pearl prior, but MaXXXine takes the gore to another level and is fun as heck.
Saw (2004)
The Director: James Wan
The Cast: Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter, Michael Emerson
What It's About: The film follows two different narratives – through the eyes of Jigsaw and his games he sets for his victims, and the story of two victims who are put to the ultimate test, where one must kill the other to protect the people they love.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Saw itself started an intense horror franchise that is still going to this day. Might as well check out the first and be terrified of every game.
Sinister (2012)
The Director: Scott Derrickson
The Cast: Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance, Fred Thompson, James Ransone
What It's About: Sinister is a horror film that follows the story of a true-crime writer who begins to experience supernatural events after moving his family into a new home, only to find out that there’s more to this house than he ever thought there was before, including plenty of murder.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Sinister is certainly one of Ethan Hawke’s best movies, but truthfully you should just watch it for how utterly horrifying this film is and how quickly it gets under your skin.
Midsommar (2019)
The Director: Ari Aster
The Cast: Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, William Jackson Harper, Will Poulter
What It's About: Midsommar follows a young woman who decides to travel to Sweden with her boyfriend and his friends for a midsummer festival after losing her entire family, only to find out that there are dark secrets that take place which change her life forever.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Yeah, Ari Aster decided to traumatize an entire generation with this, but it is one of the best A24 horror movies, so you have to watch it.
Not So Intense Horrors
For the ones who need a light horror day:
I Saw The TV Glow (2024)
The Director: Jane Schoenbrun
The Cast: Justice Smith, Bridgette Lundy-Paine, Helena Howard
What It's About: I Saw The TV Glow follows two high school students who bond over their connection to a children’s show that they love, but things in their lives begin to take a turn when the show is cancelled.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: As I said before, A24 doesn’t miss with its horror movies, so this is a great pick for those who want that scary feeling but don’t want to be completely horrified by the end of it.
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
The Director: Halina Reijn
The Cast: Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Pete Davidson, Rhacel Sennott
What It's About: Bodies Bodies Bodies follows a group of friends who decide to have a party in a huge mansion one night during a big storm. They decide to play a game that quickly turns into someone actually getting killed – and now everyone has to figure out who did it before they’re next.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The film is funny and scary at the same time, and features an awesome murder mystery.
Several M. Night Shyamalan Movies
I would never call M. Night Shyamalan the master of intense horror, but I will say that he has some crazy twists in his horror movies. Trap is a great 2024 addition, but I would also recommend Signs, The Sixth Sense and The Visit for some great ones you can check out.
The Killing Of A Sacred Deer (2017)
The Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
The Cast: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Barry Keoghan
What It's About: The Killing of a Sacred Deer follows how the lives of a teenage boy and a cardiac surgeon begin to twist in unexpected ways, but things take a turn when the family of the surgeon begins to fall ill, one by one.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Yorgos Lanthimos directed this film so it really does have some crazy visuals and twists throughout it. Truly one of a kind and not too scary but scary enough.
Black Swan (2010)
The Director: Darren Aronofsky
The Cast: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder
What It's About: Black Swan captures the essence of a ballerina slowly losing her mind as she becomes obsessed with perfection regarding her starring role as the Black Swan in the stage production of Swan Lake.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Natalie Portman won the Academy Award for Best Actress because of her role in Black Swan. Truly a great performance.
Heroes And Villains Galore
It’s a bird, it’s a plane - nope, it’s some exciting superhero (or villain) movies!
The Batman (2022)
The Director: Matt Reeves
The Cast: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright
What It's About: Bruce has been fighting crime for two years in Gotham City, and now must uncover corruption as the Riddler (Paul Dano) wreaks havoc on the wealthy.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: It’s certainly one of the best live-action Batman movies out there, and there’s a sequel on the way, so you might as well check out the first.
Superman I And II (1978, 1981)
The Director: Richard Donner and Richard Lester
The Cast: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty
What It's About: The movies, considered some of the best Superman movies ever, star Christopher Reeve as the beloved DC superhero, telling the origin story of Superman, from his time as a young child on Krypton to his crime-fighting days against Lex Luthor.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: If you want a pure superhero movie with a lot of heart, not crazy CGI, and good acting, these are some of the best out there and ones you need to check out.
Blue Beetle (2023)
The Director: Ángel Manuel Soto
The Cast: Xolo Maridueña, Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, Raoul Max Trujillo, Susan Sarandon, George Lopez
What It's About: Blue Beetle follows the story of Jaime Reyes, a young man trying to help out his family in their time of need, but when he touches an ancient Scarab and it fuses with him, it gives him the powers of the Blue Beetle – a moment that will change his life forever.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Many other heroes in the upcoming DC universe formed by James Gunn haven’t made the cut, but Blue Beetle will. Now is the best time to check out the film.
Deadpool (2016)
The Director: Tim Miller
The Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano
What It's About: Deadpool is the first film in the Deadpool franchise, following a mercenary who is diagnosed with cancer and undergoes a treatment that’s supposed to cure him but ends up giving him superpowers that change his life for the worse. Now, he uses it to fight against evildoers and find the person who did this to him.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Ryan Reynolds is perfect as Deadpool and with the third film out on VOD, now is the best time to check out the original.
The Dark Knight (2008)
The Director: Christopher Nolan
The Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart
What It's About: The Dark Knight is the second film in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, this time following Bruce Wayne as Batman as he works with the police to try and take down organized crime in Gotham, only to be ruthlessly tested by the Joker, who constantly puts a stop to Batman’s plans to reform his city.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Considered one of the best Batman movies of all time, Heath Ledger won an Academy Award for his portrayal of the Joker in the film, so you have to check it out.
Joker (2019)
The Director: Todd Phillips
The Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz
What It's About: Joker tells the origin story of how Arthur Fleck donned that famous face paint and ended up becoming a symbol for all of crime in Gotham City, through his own madness.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Joker earned Phoenix an Academy Award for Best Actor and was one of the highest-grossing R-rated films ever. Truly a great one to watch.
Fun For The Whole Family
These are great for the parents and the kids!
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
The Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
The Cast: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Randy Quaid
What It's About: Clark Griswold makes it his mission to give his family the best Christmas ever, but of course, the Christmas traditions and festivities turn into hijinks and mishaps, creating a hilarious Christmas masterpiece.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: If you’re looking for a movie that will surely make you laugh your butt off during the holiday season, then National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is the one for you. It’s funny, heartfelt, and a great pick for the whole family.
Barbie (2023)
The Director: Greta Gerwig
The Cast: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera
What It's About: Barbie follows everyone’s favorite doll as she enters the human world to find the girl she is connected to in order to help her. If she doesn’t, Barbie will turn more human-like by the day.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Considered one of the best movies of 2023, Barbie inspires a celebration of girlhood, love, and the beautiful life that we all take for granted most days.
A Christmas Story (1983)
The Director: Bob Clark
The Cast: Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Peter Billingsley
What It's About: Taking place in the 1940s, A Christmas Story follows the tale of Ralphie and his time with his hilarious American family in the days leading up to Christmas, and his quest to get the ultimate Christmas present – a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: I mean, it’s a classic Christmas film. My family watches it every year. There’s even a sequel that came out in 2022 that’s on Max as well, but you should check out the first.
Hayao Miyazaki Movies
All of the films you see below were directed by legendary anime film director, Hayao Miyazaki. All of which are great for parents and for kids. Personally, my favorites have been Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle for a long time, both featuring beautiful stories, but the 2023 Academy Award-winning The Boy and the Heron is a must-watch as well.
- Stream Howl’s Moving Castle on Max.
- Stream Spirited Away on Max.
- Stream The Boy and the Heron on Max.
Megamind (2010)
The Director: Tom McGrath
The Cast: Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, David Cross, Brad Pitt
What It's About: When a villain beats his nemesis, he decides to create a new hero to fight, but when the hero ends up becoming worse than he could ever imagine, it’s up to Megamind to stop him.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: You know, I think Megamind was ahead of its time. It was successful back then but has only become more of a cult classic now, and people love to look back on it with fond memories.
Elf (2003)
The Director: Jon Favreau
The Cast: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Ed Asner
What It's About: An elf from Santa’s workshop finds out he isn’t really an elf and sets out on a quest to find his real dad in New York City.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: I mean, I could go on for hours about how great this film is and how perfect it is for the family. I’ll just say two things – Will Ferrell kills it in his leading role, and my dad and I watch this together every year. Beautiful for family time.
Mamma Mia! (2008)
The Director: Phyllida Lloyd
The Cast: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard
What It's About: Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical comedy that is based on the Broadway musical of the same name and uses ABBA music to tell the story of Sophie. You see, Sophie is getting married, but she’s never met her biological dad, so she has no one to walk her down the aisle.To do this, she decides to invite all three possible choices and figure out who it is for herself.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The premise itself is hysterical, but truthfully, this film is the perfect one to watch to get yourself up on your feet and dancing while also swooning at all of the romance.
The Polar Express (2004)
The Director: Robert Zemeckis
The Cast: Tom Hanks
What It's About: A young boy is whisked away on a magic train on Christmas Eve in order to see if he can truly believe in Santa Claus after losing faith.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: It’s hard to believe that it’s been twenty years since this film came out which is mind-boggling to me, and while the image capturing can be creepy at times, the beautiful story of believing without seeing is something that sits with me to this day.
How To Train Your Dragon (2010)
The Director: Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois
The Cast: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera
What It's About: This animated DreamWorks masterpiece follows the story of Hiccup, a Viking, who is somehow able to tame – and learn to ride – the most vicious dragon after he injures it, in a world where Vikings slay dragons.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: A new live-action version of How To Train Your Dragon is releasing in 2025, so you might as well check out what made the original trilogy such a great one.
Thrilling, Twisty, And Exciting Sci-Fi
Sci-fi that will truly make you question everything and anything:
Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
The Director: Daniel Kwan, Daneil Scheinert
The Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jamie Lee Curtis
What It's About: The movie, starring Michelle Yeoh, follows the story of a Chinese-American immigrant who goes on a wild ride when parallel universe versions of herself say that she is the answer to stopping a powerful being from taking over – and destroying – the multiverse.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The premise is silly, but the film swept at the Academy Awards and won Best Picture, and personally, it’s one of my favorites.
The Martian (2015)
The Director: Ridley Scott
The Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels
What It's About: The Martian, based on the novel of the same name and directed by Ridley Scott, follows the story of an astronaut who is left behind on Mars, while also simultaneously following the people whose task is to get him back safely.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The Martian cast is insanely talented, but Matt Damon knocks it out of the park with this one. Truly a great space movie.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
The Director: Stanley Kubrick
The Cast: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood
What It's About: 2001: A Space Odyssey is probably one of the most iconic movies of all time. The film follows a group of space explorers consisting of astronauts and scientists in order to look into an alien monolith, but the adventure isn’t as seamless as you would expect.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: While the film itself can be a little confusing, it’s considered one of the best movies of all time, so I’d highly suggest checking it out.
Fantasy Spectaculars
When you just want to escape to a magic world:
Dune And Dune: Part 2 (2021, 2024)
The Director: Denis Villeneuve
The Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista
What It's About: In this 2021 adaptation of the famous science-fiction novel, Dune stars an amazing ensemble cast and tells the story of Paul Atreidas (Timothée Chalamet), who sets out on a dangerous journey in order to find a way to save his family and his people, with Part 2 continuing the epic saga and taking the audience members on a journey unlike any other.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The new Dune movies truly took over the world when they came out and introduced plenty of people to this fantasy world. Such fun films.
The Harry Potter Films (2001 – 2011)
The Director: Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuaron, Mike Newell, David Yates
The Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
What It's About: For those who don’t know (which would be pretty shocking but either way), the Harry Potter film franchise is based on the novels of the same name and follows a boy wizard named Harry Potter and his adventures at a magical school named Hogwarts, where he trains to use magic and, eventually, take on the Dark Lord himself, Voldemort.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Harry Potter is a franchise that is still going to this day, but the original eight films raised an entire generation of Potterheads and make us all feel like going home when we hear the word ‘Hogwarts.’
The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (2001 - 2003)
The Director: Peter Jackson
The Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett
What It's About: An unsuspecting Hobbit embarks upon a perilous journey to hell on earth to destroy the One Ring, an incredibly dangerous instrument that grants its bearer great power while also corrupting their mind and body.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy remains a landmark cinematic experience even 24 years after it first took audiences to Middle Earth at the turn of the 21st century.
- Stream The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring on Max.
- Stream The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers on Max.
- Stream The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on Max.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Director: Victor Fleming
The Cast: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley
What It's About: A young girl is transported from a dusty farm in Kansas to the technicolor dreamland of Oz where she must defeat a wicked witch if she wants to ever see home again.
Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: To this day, The Wizard of Oz remains one of the most fantastical cinematic experiences and continues to enchant audiences of all ages.
All of these movies and more are available to anyone with a Max subscription. This list will change as the months go by so make sure to bookmark this page and check back for all future updates.
