Max has grown to be one of the top streaming services for on-demand movies, shows, and originals. Not only does Max stream all original Max movies, but the service offers films from Warner Bros, Summit Entertainment, Universal Pictures, and 20th Century Studios. It's library holds over 1300+ movies that are all available on-demand, spanning many decades and genres perfect for the whole family. We've narrowed down our top choices for best movies on Max here!
Looking for movies to watch on another streaming service? We also track our favorite movies on Hulu, Starz, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video. Plus, take a look at the most popular movies and TV shows on all streaming services.
Malignant
- Release date: September 10, 2021
- Rating: 8.8/10
- Stars: 4/5
Looking for a horror-filled movie about a young woman tormented by visions of gruesome murders? Look no further. Max recently premiered Malignant, a film about Madison (Annabelle Wallis) who is terrified when she realizes her horrifying visions are true realities. This movie is the perfect way to start the Fall season that will be taken over by spooky horror films, naturally, as Halloween approaches. And don't worry, if Malignant is too scary or not enough, they have plenty of other horror picks to enjoy.
Learn more about where to watch Malignant.
The Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
- Release date: 2001
- Rating: 8.8/10
- Stars: 4.5/5
The epic Lord of the Rings trilogy is a cornerstone of the fantasy genre. An adaptation from the works of Tolkien and directed by Peter Jackson, the series won a total of 17 Oscars. Its soundtrack is particularly notable as it transports viewers to Middle Earth. Endearing characters and a rich plot make this a fan favorite time and time again.
Learn how to watch Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring.
Casablanca
- Release date: 1943
- Rating: 8.5/10
- Stars: 4/5
In this classic black and white romance, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Fernandez star as two main characters, Rick Blaine and Ilsa Lund. Set in WWII, the story of star-crossed lovers has been a favorite for generations. It's a one-of-a-kind Hollywood gem that was later adapted into a musical theater production.
Learn how to watch Casablanca.
Eraserhead
- Release date: 1977
- Rating: 7.9/10
- Stars: 4/5
David Lynch's first film, Eraserhead, is an experimental horror flick. It has become a cult classic for its extraterrestrial themes and body horror. Set in an urban dystopia, it tells of the main character, Henry Spencer, his girlfriend, and their alien mutant baby with its constant crying that drives the lead insane.
Learn how to watch Eraserhead.
Elvis
- Release date: 2022
- Rating: 7.3/10
Baz Luhrmann created a kooky movie to tell the story of Elvis Presley. Follow the story of the Rock ‘N Roll King from his childhood to becoming a rock and movie star in the 1950s. Meanwhile, see how his complicated manager, Colonel Tom Parker, influenced the shape of Elvis’ life.
Learn how to watch Elvis.
My Neighbor Totoro
- Release date:1988
- Rating: 88/100
- Stars: 4.8/5
Studio Ghibli's film creates a heartwarming story with hand-drawn animation and vibrant colors. Filmmaker Hiyao Miyazaki is one of the most popular in Japan. It tells the story of two girls making friends after moving to a new neighborhood and encountering a mysterious creature, Totoro (misspelling of the Japanese word for a troll). While at its core it is a fantasy flick, it’s partially based on actual events of the director's childhood of growing up with a mother with spinal tuberculosis.
Learn how to watch My Neighbor Totoro.
Dumb & Dumber
- Release Year: 1994
- Rating: PG-13
- Stars: 4.5
Dumb & Dumber is a fan-favorite for those who love Jim Carrey. Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) are two sweet but empty-headed friends and roommates. After Lloyd picks up a briefcase left by his love interest, Mary (Lauren Holly) in the airport, not realizing she left the briefcase as a ransom for her kidnapped husband, the duo finds themselves in a serious pickle.
They flee to Aspen in search of Mary, with the bad guys in close pursuit. A series of comical mishaps follow their every move, including kidnapping and shootout.
The Suicide Squad
- Release Year: 2021
- Rating: R
- Stars: 4/5
One of the first same-day premiere movies that HBO Max launched, The Suicide Squad is technically the sequel to 2016’s Suicide Squad. If you haven’t seen the original film, don’t let it deter you. This action-packed film is a standalone, not a continuation of the original.
The team of supervillains, including Bloodsport and Harley Quinn, are assembled once again for a mission to the enemy-held island of Corto-Maltese. The mission is to seek and destroy the infamous giant alien starfish Starro the Conqueror. Watch Now
The Conjuring
- Release Year: 2013
- Rating: 7.5/10 IMDb
- Stars: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor
The Conjuring Universe is one of the most successful franchises in modern, mainstream horror. In The Conjuring, we meet paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren for the first time, as well as the Perron Family with their five daughters. Ed and Lorraine are called to assist the Perrons when they reach out for help concerning a malicious spirit in their new farmhouse.
When Ed and Lorraine arrive, they realize a dark curse left by a witch haunts the house—and to their dismay, the Perron family can’t simply leave the house to escape the danger. Director James Wan really delivers in this film and promises a truly frightening two hours.
Night of the Living Dead
- Release Year: 1968
- Rating: Not rated
- Stars: 97% Rotten Tomatoes
The film that sparked the world’s obsession with zombies, Night of the Living Dead is an excellent pick on Max for your next scary movie marathon. The film starts with two siblings, Barbara and Johnny, who visit their father’s grave. Johnny teases Barbara for being scared of the graveyard but quickly learns his lesson when a pale, creeping man suddenly appears.
With a haunting soundtrack and incredible acting, Night of the Living Dead shows great execution of the zombie storyline. With seven people all fighting for survival, you’ll see desperation, terror, and just how woefully unprepared we are for a zombie invasion. Queue it up for your next movie night and enjoy the classic before the release of Night of the Living Dead II in 2022!
The Blob
- Release Year: 1958
- Rating: Approved
- Stars: 6.4/10 IMDb
What’s a horror movie list without an amorphous blob movie? Nothing! The Blob brought us the debut of Steve McQueen and showed us how enjoyable a cheesy film can actually be. Two teenagers, Jane and Steve, are kissing in a car at Lovers’ Lane when they see a meteorite crash. Struck with curiosity, Steve decides to head down to check it out.
The teens discover a strange substance that came from the meteorite, which appears to be taking over a man’s body. Panicked, they attempt to warn the skeptical authorities until the blob shows up and starts devouring the town. A fun and action-packed film, The Blob will give you another reason to fear global warming.
André the Giant
- Release Year: 2018
HBO's original documentary, André the Giant, gives viewers an inside look at what it means to be larger than life. This film is a loving tribute to the real-life giant actor, wrestler, and personality, André Roussimoff.
Interviews with Hulk Hogan, Billy Crystal, Ric Flair, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robin Wright, and Vince McMahon offer a rare glimpse behind the curtain by those who knew him best. Roussimoff's family also provides an inside look at his childhood years in France. The film depicts his struggles with gigantism and how he turned his medical condition of being seven-foot-four, 520 pounds into a profitable career to proudly become the "Eighth Wonder of the World" and change the world of professional wrestling.
Whether you are a huge fan of WWE, love The Princess Bride, or want a show that can prove the impossible, this documentary is for you.
Grey Gardens
- Release Year: 1976
Brothers Albert and David Maysles bring viewers into the lives of a reclusive, deeply eccentric, and mutually dependent mother and daughter, both named Edith Beale. The brother's visit to a rundown mansion in the Hamptons called Grey Gardens helps tell the tragic story in a strange and twisting character study unlike any other we have seen.
The lives of "Little Edie" and "Big Edie," relatives of First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis, have been argued to be sensationalized in the documentary. However, Grey Gardens is a must-watch, as it does a fantastic job capturing a unique family at the heart of the decline of political royalty in 1960's America.
Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind
- Release Year: 2018
From Good Morning, Vietnam and Mrs. Doubtfire, to Dead Poets Society and the Genie from Aladdin, Robin Williams was an actor like none other. His untimely death caused shock and disbelief to fans around the world.
This documentary aims to help answer how a man with so much talent could be suffering enough to take his own life. Diving deep behind the public mask and into the intensely private and wounded soul, we get to see parts of a man that were hidden by his acting and humor for so long. We see William's battle with addiction, mental health, and self-love, leaving no doubt that he was the irreplaceable talent of our generation gone much too soon.
Director Marina Zenoch does a fantastic job honoring the brilliant genius of Williams, both on a personal and professional level. The film also includes clips of his performances to remind us of that special Williams' iconic spark of madness.
Transhood
- Release Year: 2020
In an essential and unapologetic look at what gender identity means today, this film follows the journey of four transgender kids in Kansas City, Missouri.
Going beyond sexual preference, Transhood helps illustrate the difference in gender identity and the struggle trans people face in who society wants them to be and who they are. From family division and religious conflict to equal healthcare and financial constraints, this film also explores many LQBTQIA+ challenges individuals face today. This documentary is an honest look at personal, sexual, and gender identity and what that means in today's America.
Fake Famous
- Release Year: 2021
Social media brought a new kind of celebrity in the 21st century: the influencer. This documentary aims to understand the meaning of fame and influence through the digital age. Part investigative documentary and part social experiment, this film turns three wannabe influencers into social media giants by buying bots as followers, faking exotic lifestyles, and other shortcuts.
Watching the participants’ journies is eye-opening and speaks volumes about our society with the rising use of social media.
Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland
- Release Year: 2018
This documentary tells the story of a 28-year-old Black woman, Sandra Bland, who allegedly took her own life after being behind bars for a few days. She was pulled over for an illegal lane change and charged with assault for talking back to a police officer.
The film investigates her poorly managed case and her family's battle with law enforcement. It also shares Bland's video blogs and history of activism. Though her death was ruled a suicide, it remains surrounded by questions in this racial justice documentary.
Everything is Copy
- Release Year: 2016
Journalist Jacob Bernstein explores the life, career, and death of Nora Ephron. The world knew her as the writer and filmmaker to movies such as Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, and Julie & Julia — Bernstein knew her as “mom.” Bernstein gives viewers a more personal, intimate look inside Ephron's life with home videos and archival footage.
Featuring interviews from big-name stars including Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg, and Meg Ryan, this film teaches us how Ephron impacted the careers of some of Hollywood's biggest stars.
Class Action Park
- Release Year: 2020
Get taken back in time with this documentary on the famous Action Park! Built by former Wall Street tycoon Gene Mulvihill, this New Jersey amusement and water park gained popularity in the '80s because of attractions like Cannonball Loop and the Alpine Slide. However, it also built a reputation of poorly-designed rides, under-trained and under-age staff, and intoxicated staff and guests that caused numerous injuries and deaths. Class Action Park shows viewers just how insane the story behind the scenes was.
Through a mixture of fun animation and interviews with comedians who attended Action Park as children, Class Action Park keeps things light and entertaining. However, it still uses seriousness and restraint when discussing the park's casualties. Class Action Park is a wild documentary about a wild place that'll have you wondering how it existed at all while feeling a sense of nostalgia for the 1980s.
At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal
- Release Year: 2019
Dr. Larry Nassar has been formally accused of assaulting at least 250 people during his 20-something years as an athletic trainer for Michigan State University and the women's USA Gymnastics national team. We may never know the actual number.
The disturbing, painful, and infuriating story of the sexual abuse scandal lasted so long and affected so many people that it's nearly impossible to capture the full scope of it. But this film allows many brave survivors of the abuse to share their stories. Director Erin Lee Carr dives into the depths of Nassar's manipulation, his arrogance, and the dangerous system that dismissed numerous warnings and complaints to protect the highly respected doctor.
Zack Snyder's Justice League
- Release Year: 2021
- Rating: R — violence and language
- Stars: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavil, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, Ezra Miller, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane
Zack Snyder's Justice League follows DC Comics' superheroes Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Aquaman, and The Flash as they come together in an attempt to save the world from the looming threat of Darkseid, Steppenwolf, and their army of Parademons.
The behind-the-scenes drama for this film is pretty well known at this point. Snyder was the director of the 2017 version but found himself fighting over the studio over the creative direction as well as suffering the loss of his daughter. He ended up walking away, and Joss Whedon would finish the movie. While the film would earn a decent amount of money worldwide, it was highly scrutinized by critics and disappointed fans.
On social media, fans started a campaign, #ReleaseTheSnyderCut to petition Warner Brothers to let Snyder release his cut. Even some of the film's stars, like Affleck, Moma, and Gadot, spoke up supporting the release. The voices were heard, DC Extended Universe restored, and HBO Max released the film in March of 2021.
Whether you are an action lover or a DC comic fanatic, Zack Synder's Justice League is a movie worth watching. Just a heads up, this version is a little over 4 hours long, so consider that before you sit down to watch.
Let Them All Talk
- Release Year: 2020
- Rating: R — language
- Stars: Meryl Streep, Candice Bergen, Dianne Weist
Multi-award winner Meryl Streep plays a Pulitzer Prize-winning author working on her latest manuscript. She embarks on the Queen Mary ship with her nephew and a couple of friends (Bergen and Weist) to accept a literacy award in the United Kingdom.
Acclaimed director Steven Soderberg (Erin Brockovich) filmed this movie with little equipment and primarily natural light. The cast and crew actually set sail on the Queen Mary 2 for two weeks to shoot a lot of the movie.
Deborah Eisenberg wrote the screenplay, but Soderbergh only used the outline to allow the actors to improvise much of their dialogue, making the conversation feel more natural throughout the film. This movie is an excellent watch if you are looking for a comedy and some drama.
Unpregnant
- Release Year: 2020
- Rating: R
- Stars: Haley Lu Richardson, Barbie Ferreira, Giancarlo Esposito
Two teens, played by Haley Lu Richardson and Barbie Ferreira (Euphoria), go out on the road together from Missouri to Texas, so one of them can get an abortion without their parents knowing. Giancarlo Esposito, most often known for his roles as villains, plays an intimidating hero of sorts as a supporting part as a mysterious man who helps the teens on their journey.
This film has a compelling twist on the road trip comedy while treating a delicate situation with heart and sensitivity. It has been praised for a pivotal LGBTQ+ character, earning a nomination for the 2021 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding TV Movie. A combination of humor, drama, and emotionally heartfelt moments, make it a must-see.
Our takeaway: Max has tons of great content
Max's wide selection of movies is unlike any other streaming service. Whether you want to laugh, be scared, or catch up on latest documentaries, Max has you covered. With all these options to choose from, our guide above contains a list of some of the best movies to watch to help you narrow down your choices!
FAQs:
Does Max offer a free trial?
Max no longer offers a free trial. Originally Max offered a free trial through its site and a free trial if you signed up as an add on to Hulu, but both of these offers are no longer available.
What is the cheapest way to get Max?
The cheapest way to get Max is through its official website and app. However, you may encounter slower streaming rates and will have to view ads on Max’s base plan.
How much does it cost to add Max to Hulu?
It costs $14.99 per month to purchase the Max add-on for Hulu. When you purchase the add-on, you can enjoy a streamlined watch experience through a single app.
Kelsey Reynolds • Editor
Kelsey is a content strategist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota. Kelsey was drawn to working at Flixed because the team was so open, motivated, and curious. She most enjoys thinking about how to blend programmatic and editorial content to answer readers’ questions as completely and efficiently as possible. When she’s not at her computer, Kelsey can usually be found working in her garden or walking her two dogs in the park.
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