There’s only one weekend left in 2021, and HBO Max has left a very special Christmas gift for you.The highly-anticipated sequel, The Matrix Resurrections , is ready and waiting for any and all HBO Max subscribers, for no extra charge.It’s the final film in Warner Bros.Pictures’ gamble to release its entire 2021 film slate day-and-date on HBO Max.You won’t have the same luxury in 2022, so enjoy it while you can.
And since you’re already here, HBO Max also has a huge assortment of holiday films, as well as a wide selection of genres that have made it the premiere streaming service for cinephiles.So grab some eggnog or hot chocolate, and pick a movie to enjoy from our updated list of the best movies on HBO Max right now.
Looking for more suggestions? We also have guides to the best movies on Netflix , the best movies on Hulu , the best movies on Amazon Prime Video , and the best movies on Disney+ .
Recently added to HBO Max The Matrix Resurrections r 2021 A Christmas Story pg 1983 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation pg-13 1989 8-Bit Christmas pg 2021 Interview with the Vampire r 1994 Anna Karenina r 2012 The Matrix Resurrections (2021) new 69% 64% 6.1/10 Genre Adventure, Action, Science Fiction, Thriller Stars Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Directed by Lana Wachowski r 148m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max The original Matrix was a game-changer in 1999, but the first two sequels didn’t inspire the same kind of passionate response.The Matrix Resurrections is a second chance for the franchise to regain its momentum.Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss are both back as Neo and Trinity, despite their deaths in the previous film.How and why they’ve returned is integral to the story, which takes place decades later.
There’s a new Morpheus (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), a new Smith (Jonathan Groff), and a new white rabbit, Bugs (Jessica Henwick).Other familiar faces also show up, but this is still the story of Neo and Trinity.
And they have a lot to figure out before they can save the world, and themselves.Collapse Read more A Christmas Story (1983) new 89% 77% 7.9/10 Genre Comedy, Family Stars Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Peter Billingsley Directed by Bob Clark pg 93m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!” That Quote: comes up a lot in A Christmas Story , the hilarious adaptation of Jean Shepherd’s book, In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash .Shepherd also lends his voice to the adult incarnation of Ralphie Parker, as he narrates the story of his nine-year old self (Peter Billingsley).
Young Ralphie wants an air gun more than anything in the world, and he goes to great lengths to make sure that it happens.It’s such a fun Christmas film that this movie has become a perennial favorite around the holidays.And it still holds up in the other 11 months of the year as well.Collapse Read more National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) new 67% 49% 7.6/10 Genre Comedy Stars Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis Directed by Jeremiah S.Chechik pg-13 97m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is arguably the best of the Vacation films, thanks to its genuine holiday spirit which is wrapped around a truly dysfunctional extended family.Clark (Chevy Chase) and Ellen Griswold (Beverly D’Angelo) have a good relationship with their kids, Audrey (Juliette Lewis) and Russ (Johnny Galecki).
But as the in-laws arrive, Clark’s financial situation becomes increasingly desperate.Clark’s cousin-in-law, Eddie Johnson (Randy Quaid), also complicates things when he misinterprets Clark’s desire to confront his greedy boss as a request to kidnap him on Christmas Eve.Collapse Read more 8-Bit Christmas (2021) new 81% 66% 6.7/10 Genre Family, Comedy Stars Neil Patrick Harris, Winslow Fegley, Sophia Reid-Gantzert Directed by Michael Dowse pg 98m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Did you live through the ‘80s? Then HBO Max’s 8-Bit Christmas is the holiday film for you.
In the present, Jake Doyle (Neil Patrick Harris) tries to bond with his daughter, Annie (Sophia Reid-Gantzert) by telling her the story of his 1988 Christmas during the era of Nintendo.Young Jake (Winslow Fegley) wants an NES more than anything else he can imagine.He also hates having to suck up to Timmy Keane (Chandler Dean), a rich kid who lords over his fellow students because he has the NES and all of its assorted accessories.To free himself from Timmy’s sphere of influence, Jake goes to extremes to convince his video game-hating parents to change their minds and give him what he wants.Collapse Read more Interview with the Vampire (1994) new 64% 59% 7.5/10 Genre Horror, Drama, Fantasy Stars Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Kirsten Dunst Directed by Neil Jordan r 123m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max The great Anne Rice passed away this week, but her legacy lives on in her novels.The Interview With the Vampire movie is imperfect, but it is the best adaptation of her work.
Brad Pitt stars as Louis de Pointe du Lac, a vampire who allows a mortal reporter, Daniel Molloy (Christian Slater), to interview him about his life.In the past, Lestat de Lioncourt (Tom Cruise) turns Louis into a vampire, and they become immortal companions.
But when Lestat turns a young girl named Claudia (Kirsten Dunst) into their vampire daughter, he unwittingly sets in motion a betrayal that will haunt them for centuries.Collapse Read more Anna Karenina (2012) new 63% 63% 6.6/10 Genre Drama, Romance Stars Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson Directed by Joe Wright r 130m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max The Russian romance novel Anna Karenina will never be mistaken for a holiday film.But it’s a timeless tale of tragic love that has garnered several adaptations.
The 2012 version stars Keira Knightley as Anna Karenina, a woman who accompanies her husband, Alexei Karenin (Jude Law), to Moscow in order to help her brother, Prince Stepan “Stiva” Arkadyevich (Matthew Macfadyen).Much to Anna’s surprise, she falls for Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), even though she knows firsthand what the consequences of her infidelity may be.Let’s just say that Russian novels aren’t known for their happy endings.Collapse Read more Crazy, Stupid, Love.(2011) 79% 68% 7.4/10 Genre Comedy, Drama, Romance Stars Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone Directed by Glenn Ficarra, John Requa 118m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Crazy, Stupid, Love features Steve Carell as Cal Weaver, a man whose wife, Emily (Julianne Moore), is leaving him for another man.
Cal’s plight earns him the sympathy of Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling), a pickup artist who frequents a local bar.Jacob teaches Cal a few tips that allow him to be more romantically successful with women.
But while their friendship is formed, Jacob’s complicated relationship with a young woman named Hannah (Emma Stone) will put his bond with Cal to the ultimate test.Meanwhile, Cal is forced to question whether he truly wants other women or if his marriage is worth fighting for.Collapse Read more Jackie Brown (1997) 87% 64% 7.5/10 Genre Crime, Thriller, Drama Stars Pam Grier, Samuel L.Jackson, Robert De Niro Directed by Quentin Tarantino r 154m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max For his third film as a director, Quentin Tarantino adapted Elmore Leonard’s novel, Rum Punch , into the stylish flick, Jackie Brown .Pam Grier stars as the title character, a stewardess who smuggles money for Ordell Robbie (Samuel L.Jackson).When ATF Agent Ray Nicolette (Michael Keaton) and the authorities catch Jackie in the act, Ordell plans to kill her.
Fortunately, Jackie is a very foxy lady.
With the help of bail bondsman Max Cherry (Robert Forster), Jackie comes up with the scheme of a lifetime.But Ordell is a very dangerous man to cross, and he will kill whoever he has to get his money back.Collapse Read more Chicago (2002) 86% 81% 7.2/10 Genre Comedy, Crime, Drama Stars Renée Zellweger, Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones Directed by Rob Marshall pg-13 113m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max If you can’t be famous, be infamous.That’s the ethos behind Chicago , the adaptation of the hit Broadway musical.Catherine Zeta-Jones stars as Velma Kelly, a showgirl who is accused of murdering her sister and her husband for their affair.
Renée Zellweger’s Roxie Hart not only admires Velma, she covets her fame.And when Roxie commits her own crime of passion, she winds up in the same prison as Velma.Both women hire hotshot lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere) to escape their respective charges.But they soon realize that their greatest adversaries are each other.Collapse Read more Changing Lanes (2002) 77% 69% 6.5/10 Genre Crime, Thriller Stars Ben Affleck, Samuel L.
Jackson, Toni Collette Directed by Roger Michell r 99m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Ben Affleck and Samuel L.Jackson are at each other’s throats in Changing Lanes , a film that casts them as men on the brink of ruin.Affleck stars as Gavin Banek, a Wall Street attorney who rushes to court when he has a car accident with Doyle Gipson (Jackson).
Doyle was also rushing to court to fight for custody of his kids and to keep his family together.The accident derails the ambitions of both men, and their escalating cycle of revenge against each other threatens to destroy their respective lives.
Collapse Read more Se7en (1995) 82% 65% 8.6/10 Genre Crime, Mystery, Thriller Stars Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow Directed by David Fincher r 127m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max While Se7en ’s biggest moment revolves around something in a box, it is definitely not a Christmas story! So let’s refrain from any holiday reenactments, shall we? Morgan Freeman stars as Detective Lieutenant William Somerset, with Detective David Mills (Brad Pitt) as his hot-headed new partner.
William also forms a friendship with David’s wife, Tracy Mills (Gwyneth Paltrow), before they are thrust into the hunt for a serial killer.Someone is using the seven deadly sins as a twisted roadmap for his murders.And as the search for answers takes its toll on the two detectives, the killer strikes close to home before putting his final plan into motion.Collapse Read more The X Files (1998) 67% 60% 7/10 Genre Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller Stars David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi Directed by Rob Bowman pg-13 121m watch on HBO Max watch on HBO Max You will probably enjoy The X-Files movie more if you watch the series as well.
In a departure from most television adaptations, The X-Files takes place between the fifth and sixth season and fills an important role in the show’s mythology.At the start of the film, Special Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) no longer have the X-Files.
But they do have each other’s loyalty and friendship.When a high-value source, Alvin Kurtzweil (Martin Landau), approaches Mulder, it sets off a chain of events that threatens to expose the conspiracy hiding evidence of alien life ahead of a planned invasion.And the men keeping those secrets are still willing to kill in order to protect them.Collapse Read more No Country for Old Men (2007) 93% 91% 8.1/10 Genre Crime, Drama, Thriller Stars Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin Directed by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen r 122m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Many Coen Brothers crime films have a light touch and many comedic moments.No Country For Old Men is not one of those films.Instead, the Coens go into very dark territory in this early ‘80s period piece.
Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) stumbles across a drug deal gone bad as well as millions of dollars in drug money.Unfortunately for Liewelyn, the cartel has sent Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) to retrieve the cash, and he is easily one of the most terrifying movie villains of the 21st century.
It’s no wonder that Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) feels so outmatched by the criminal element.Anton’s capacity for violence has no limits, and Liewelyn soon realizes just how much trouble he’s in.Collapse Read more The Truman Show (1998) 95% 90% 8.1/10 Genre Comedy, Drama Stars Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich Directed by Peter Weir pg 103m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Meet Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey), the star of The Truman Show .This show within a movie is all about every aspect of Truman’s life, but he has no idea that everyone around him is playing a role.
The only real thing in Truman’s existence is Truman himself, and even his wife, Meryl (Laura Linney), is simply an actress who doesn’t truly love him.
As Truman begins to question the carefully constructed lie of his life, the show’s creator, Christof (Ed Harris), becomes increasingly determined that Truman never learn the truth.Collapse Read more The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984) 83% 64% 6.9/10 Genre Romance, Comedy, Family Stars Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz Directed by Frank Oz g 94m watch on HBO Max watch on HBO Max The Muppets Take Manhattan is one of the greatest Muppets movies ever created, and you won’t find it on Disney+.But as one of the few Muppets films not owned by Disney, it’s a great option for families on HBO Max.After graduating from college, the Muppets move to Manhattan to fulfill their dreams of becoming Broadway stars.When their ambitions are foiled by a con man, the Muppets go their separate ways.However, Kermit the Frog refuses to let their collective dream die, and Miss Piggy sticks around to keep an eye on him.
Kermit’s new friends, Pete (Louis Zorich) and Jenny (Juliana Donald), support his efforts.But Kermit will ultimately need to reunite the gang in order for the Muppets to take Manhattan as they planned.Collapse Read more Inside Man (2006) 86% 76% 7.6/10 Genre Crime, Drama, Thriller Stars Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster Directed by Spike Lee r 129m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Who’s playing who in Inside Man ? In this tightly plotted thriller, Dalton Russell (Clive Owen) claims that he has pulled off the perfect heist.And he may be right.Dalton and his crew infiltrate a bank and come up with an ingenious way to hide their identities from their hostages.
A powerful man named Arthur Case (Christopher Plummer) has good reason to fear what the robbers will find, which is why he hires Madeleine White (Jodie Foster) as a fixer to hide his secrets.It’s up to Detective Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington) to sort out this mystery, assuming that anyone around him can be trusted.Collapse Read more The Outsiders (1983) 68% 45% 7.1/10 Genre Crime, Drama Stars C.Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio Directed by Francis Ford Coppola pg 90m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of S.E.Hinton’s The Outsiders first hit theaters in 1983, but he took another crack at the edit in 2005 for the DVD release.The Outsiders: The Complete Novel restores some additional scenes to the period drama.Ponyboy Curtis (C.
Thomas Howell) and his friend, Johnny Cade (Ralph Macchio), are part of a greaser gang in the ‘60s.While Ponyboy clashes with his older brother, Darrel “Darry” Curtis (Patrick Swayze), he soon finds himself in much bigger trouble when his rival, Robert “Bob” Sheldon (Leif Garrett), ends up dead after a fight.Collapse Read more The Queen (2006) 90% 91% 7.3/10 Genre Drama, History Stars Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell Directed by Stephen Frears pg-13 103m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max This film may be called The Queen , but it’s all about the fallout from the death of a princess.In this historical dramatization, Britain is rocked by the sudden demise of Diana, Princess of Wales in a car accident.Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) doesn’t seem to have particularly liked Diana, and the royal family isn’t exactly eager to publicly mourn for the ex-wife of Prince Charles (Alex Jennings).Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) passionately argues that the queen and her family must acknowledge Diana’s importance to them and the nation or risk the monarchy itself.Collapse Read more Rush (1991) 71% 66% 6.8/10 Genre Crime, Drama Stars Jason Patric, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sam Elliott Directed by Lili Fini Zanuck r 120m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max How far is too far when it comes to bringing a criminal to justice? In Rush , both Detective Jim Raynor (Jason Patric) and Detective Kristen Cates (Jennifer Jason Leigh) cross the line while attempting to take down a local drug lord, Will Gaines (Gregg Allman).Although Jim and Kristen were only supposed to be undercover as lovers and drug addicts, their roles soon become a reality for them.
Regardless of their personal sacrifices and the ongoing danger of their assignment, they come up short.That’s when they find another line to cross and falsify the evidence against Will.Collapse Read more Thelma & Louise (1991) 85% 88% 7.5/10 Genre Drama, Thriller, Crime, Adventure Stars Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon, Harvey Keitel Directed by Ridley Scott r 130m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max In the ‘90s, Thelma & Louise was a cultural touchstone and an impactful feminist film.Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon co-headlined the film as a housewife named Thelma Dickinson, and her best friend, Louise Sawyer.During a girls trip gone wrong, Louise murders a man who attempted to rape Thelma.Out of desperation, the two women decide to abandon their lives and race for the Mexican border.Unfortunately, Thelma and Louise’s rash decisions pile up and turn them into fugitives from justice.
But together, the two women are willing to face almost any obstacle in their way.
Collapse Read more Witness (1985) 93% 76% 7.4/10 Genre Crime, Drama, Romance, Thriller Stars Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Josef Sommer Directed by Peter Weir r 113m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Witness is a mid-80s thriller starring Harrison Ford as Detective John Book, a big city cop who takes it upon himself to protect a young boy, Samuel Lapp (Lukas Haas), who has witnessed a murder.Both Samuel and his mother, Rachel Lapp (Kelly McGillis), are members of the Amish community, and thus unfamiliar with that level of violence.But when John realizes that dirty cops are targeting Samuel, he escorts the Lapps back to their home while suffering from a near fatal wound.And as John recovers, he finds himself romantically drawn to Rachel.
Collapse Read more Executive Decision (1996) 65% 62% 6.4/10 Genre Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller Stars Kurt Russell, Steven Seagal, Halle Berry Directed by Stuart Baird r 133m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Executive Decision is more or less Die Hard on a Plane without Bruce Willis.It’s still pretty good though.When Naji Hassan (David Suchet) and his terrorist forces seize control of an airplane loaded with nerve gas and heading towards the U.S., Dr.David Grant (Kurt Russell) finds himself drafted to accompany Lieutenant Colonel Austin Travis (Steven Seagal) and his Special Forces team on a risky mission to infiltrate the plane mid-air and foil the plot.
Unfortunately, disaster strikes almost immediately, forcing David to step up and become the hero of his own story.Collapse Read more Land (2021) 70% 61% 6.6/10 Genre Drama Stars Robin Wright, Demián Bichir, Sarah Dawn Pledge Directed by Robin Wright pg-13 89m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Robin Wright made her directorial debut with Land , a film in which she also stars as a woman named Edee.After suffering a terrible tragedy, Edde retreats from the world and tries to make a new life for herself in the Wyoming wilderness.Unfortunately for Edde, she may not be suited for living in the wild by herself.After narrowly surviving a brush with death thanks to the aid of Miguel Borrás (Demián Bichir), Edde forms a new friendship and tries to find meaning in her life and something worth living for.
Collapse Read more Hellboy (2004) 81% 72% 6.8/10 Genre Fantasy, Action Stars Ron Perlman, John Hurt, Selma Blair Directed by Guillermo del Toro pg-13 122m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max There are three Hellboy movies, but only the two directed by Guillermo del Toro are truly worth your time.In the original film, del Toro introduces Hellboy (Ron Perlman) as the world’s greatest paranormal investigator.Hellboy may be a literal demon from Hell, but he was raised as a force for good by his adoptive father, Trevor Bruttenholm (John Hurt).
Hellboy is a member of the B.P.R.D., but he is still living apart from human society and alienated from Liz Sherman (Selma Blair), the woman he secretly loves.Unfortunately for Hellboy, the resurrected Grigori Rasputin (Karel Roden) plans to use Hellboy’s feelings for Liz against him while unleashing armageddon.Collapse Read more Pride & Prejudice (2005) 86% 82% 7.8/10 Genre Drama, Romance Stars Keira Knightley, Talulah Riley, Rosamund Pike Directed by Joe Wright pg-13 127m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Jane Austin’s romance novel, Pride & Prejudice , has been adapted several times for film and television.However, director Joe Wright’s 2005 adaptation may be the best one to date.
Wright and screenwriter Deborah Moggach are true to the spirit of the novel while also making a few updates that modernize the story while maintaining its period setting.Keira Knightley stars as Elizabeth Bennet, the second oldest of five Bennet sisters who need to find good marriages in order to secure their standing once their father passes.Elizabeth isn’t eager to marry, even though Mr.Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) is a very determined suitor.However, Elizabeth can still find love if she opens her heart and sees Darcy for who he truly is.
Collapse Read more Full Metal Jacket (1987) 92% 76% 8.3/10 Genre Drama, War Stars Matthew Modine, Adam Baldwin, Vincent D’Onofrio Directed by Stanley Kubrick r 117m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket is one of the most harrowing war movies ever made.Matthew Modine stars as Private J.
T.“Joker” Davis, a soldier who is paired with Private Leonard “Gomer Pyle” Lawrence (Vincent D’Onofrio).Leonard is bullied so mercilessly by Gunnery Sergeant Hartman (Lee Ermey) and his fellow soldiers that he suffers a frightening mental break.In the aftermath of that incident, Joker is promoted to Sergeant and sent for a tour of duty in Vietnam.From there, Joker’s descent into the hell of war leaves him a changed man.Collapse Read more Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) 81% 65% 7.6/10 Genre Adventure, Fantasy Stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson Directed by Chris Columbus pg 152m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max “You’re a wizard, Harry!” This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first film in J.K.Rowling’s Wizarding World.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (called Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in the U.K.) introduces movie lovers to Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe).On his way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his first year, Harry makes lifelong friends with Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson).However, their bond will be tested when a hidden danger is revealed at Hogwarts.HBO Max has debuted a new “Magical Movie Mode” for this flick, which offers a glimpse behind the scenes and even shares spell incantations onscreen.Collapse Read more The Wolverine (2013) 71% 61% 6.7/10 Genre Action, Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy Stars Hugh Jackman, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima Directed by James Mangold pg-13 126m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Don’t get too used to having an X-Men -related film on HBO Max.It’s a holdover of HBO Max’s deal with 20th Century Studios.
In The Wolverine , Hugh Jackman reprises his role as Logan, a mutant hero who is haunted by the death of the woman he loved, Jean Grey (Famke Janssen).Soon, Logan is summoned to Japan and given the option to end his eternal suffering.
Before long, Logan uncovers a plot against Mariko (Tao Okamoto), the granddaughter of his old friend.Logan also befriends Yukio (Rila Fukushima), a young mutant who appoints herself as Logan’s bodyguard even before his mutant powers begin to fail him.Collapse Read more Moonstruck (1987) 94% 83% 7.1/10 Genre Comedy, Drama, Romance Stars Cher, Nicolas Cage, Vincent Gardenia Directed by Norman Jewison pg 102m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Cher won an Oscar for Best Actress for her leading role in Moonstruck as Loretta, a widowed woman living with her family.Unexpectedly, Loretta finds love again … it’s just not with her new fiancé, Johnny Cammareri (Danny Aiello).Instead, Loretta is drawn to Johnny’s estranged brother, Ronny Cammareri (Nicolas Cage).Despite her differences with Ronny, his passion strikes a chord with Loretta that causes her to jeopardize her upcoming wedding.
Will Loretta follow her heart and pursue a real relationship with Ronny? Or will she simply accept her non-romantic bond with Johnny in holy matrimony? Collapse Read more The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981) 81% 64% 7.0/10 Genre Drama, Romance Stars Meryl Streep, Jeremy Irons, Hilton McRae Directed by Karel Reisz r 124m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max The French Lieutenant’s Woman has a unique approach to its Victorian romance.In the past, Charles Henry Smithson (Jeremy Irons) falls for Sara Woodruff (Meryl Streep) despite his impending marriage to another woman.
In the present, Mike (Irons) and Anna (Streep) are actors who are performing the roles of Charles and Sara for a film.Mike and Anna are both married to other people, but they pursue an affair of their own that mirrors the relationship between Charles and Sara.Unfortunately, the romance doesn’t unfold as they may have hoped.Collapse Read more Little Shop of Horrors (1986) 90% 81% 7.0/10 Genre Horror, Comedy Stars Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia Directed by Frank Oz pg-13 94m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max As the title implies, Little Shop of Horrors is a horror film.However, you may be laughing too hard at the catchy musical numbers to actually be scared.
In this adaptation of the Broadway musical, Rick Moranis plays Seymour Krelborn, a forlorn man who pines for his coworker, Audrey (Ellen Greene).After finding a plant of unearthly origin, Seymour names it Audrey II (Levi Stubbs) and discovers that it can speak.More importantly, Audrey II hungers for human blood.And who better to feed it than Orin Scrivello (Steve Martin), Audrey’s abusive boyfriend.It’s too bad that Audrey II simply won’t be satisfied by one body.
Collapse Read more Joker (2019) 68% 59% 8.4/10 Genre Crime, Thriller, Drama Stars Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz Directed by Todd Phillips r 122m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max If you’re expecting this Joker to fight Batman then you’re going to be in for a long wait.The Joker stand-alone film drops a few comic book hints, but it’s largely a harrowing profile of Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a mentally ill and increasingly unstable man whose attempts to break into standup comedy have led to ridicule.It doesn’t help that Arthur’s mother, Penny Fleck (Frances Conroy), is delusional, and she really believes that Thomas Wayne (Brett Cullen) is Arthur’s father.As Arthur’s life spirals out of control, he retreats into a new persona that he creates for himself.And a monster is born… Collapse Read more Like Water for Chocolate (1992) 87% 86% 7.1/10 Genre Drama, Romance Stars Marco Leonardi, Lumi Cavazos, Regina Torné Directed by Alfonso Aráu r 105m watch on HBO Max watch on HBO Max Like Water for Chocolate is more like a romantic fable than anything resembling a traditional story.Lumi Cavazos stars as Tita, a young woman with an almost supernatural ability to imbue her emotions into the food she creates in the kitchen.
Tita’s mother, Mama Elena (Regina Torné), forbids her from marrying, which prevents Tita from being with the love of her life, Pedro (Marco Leonardi).Regardless, Pedro marries Tita’s sister, Rosaura (Yareli Arizmendi), just to stay in Tita’s life.
Yet family obligations may still keep Tita and Pedro apart.
Collapse Read more Trance (2013) 68% 61% 6.9/10 Genre Thriller, Crime, Drama, Mystery Stars James McAvoy, Vincent Cassel, Rosario Dawson Directed by Danny Boyle r 101m watch on HBO Max watch on HBO Max In Trance , Simon Newton (James McAvoy) finds himself in way over his head after a botched art heist.
During the theft at his auction house, Simon was supposed to put away an extremely valuable painting before it could be stolen.While Simon was in league with the thieves, he apparently double-crossed them by hiding the painting somewhere else.After suffering a massive blow to the head, Simon’s memory is shattered.That’s why the thieves take him to Elizabeth Lamb (Rosario Dawson), a hypnotherapist who may hold the key to unlocking his mind.But the deeper Elizabeth probes into Simon’s subconscious, the more danger both of them are in.
Collapse Read more Digital Trends streaming roundup Best movies on Netflix Best Movies on Hulu Best movies on Amazon Prime Best movies on Disney+ A Royal Affair (2012) 90% 73% 7.5/10 Genre Drama, History, Romance Stars Mads Mikkelsen, Alicia Vikander, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard Directed by Nikolaj Arcel r 137m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Don’t be intimidated by the subtitles you’re likely to need for this Danish historical drama.
A Royal Affair has a world-class story that shines through regardless of whether you can speak the language.In the 18th century, English princess Caroline Matilda (Alicia Vikander) finds herself in a loveless marriage with Denmark’s King Christian VII (Mikkel Følsgaard).Around the same time, Dr.Johann Friedrich Struensee (Mads Mikkelsen) exerts a great deal of influence on the king and pushes him toward social reforms.
When Caroline and Johann discover their shared values, they embark on an affair that could carry serious consequences for both the kingdom and each other.Collapse Read more Misery (1990) 90% 75% 7.8/10 Genre Drama, Thriller Stars James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth Directed by Rob Reiner r 107m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max There’s nothing supernatural about Misery , one of Stephen King’s greatest stories.But King has rarely created a villain more terrifying than Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates).She is the self-described “biggest fan” of novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan), a man who is eager to move past his Victorian novel series.
When Paul is seriously injured in a car accident, Annie takes him in and nurses him back to health.But when Annie discovers that Paul killed off his heroine, Misery, she holds him captive, tortures him, and forces him to write a new novel in which she survives.And Annie is more than willing to kill in order to give her favorite character “back to the world.” Collapse Read more Super 8 (2011) 81% 72% 7.0/10 Genre Thriller, Science Fiction, Mystery Stars Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, Riley Griffiths Directed by J.J.Abrams pg-13 112m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Before director J.J.Abrams rebooted Star Wars on the big screen, he channeled his inner-Steven Spielberg for Super 8 , a sci-fi monster movie set in the late ’70s.In the aftermath of a family tragedy, young Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) finds solace making a zombie movie with his friends, Alice Dainard (Elle Fanning), Cary McCarthy (Ryan Lee), Martin Read (Gabriel Basso), and Preston Scott (Zach Mills).
However, the kids soon witness a train derailment in which an unknown creature escapes the military.And once the creature is loose, Colonel Nelec (Noah Emmerich) is willing to do anything to hide the secret of its existence, even if it means destroying Joe’s small town.
Collapse Read more The Hours (2002) 79% 80% 7.5/10 Genre Drama Stars Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep Directed by Stephen Daldry pg-13 114m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Make sure you have some tissues handy for The Hours , because this movie can definitely bring out some tears.It’s set in three interconnected time periods, with novelist Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman) in the 1920s, housewife Laura Brown (Julianne Moore) in the ’50s, and Clarissa Vaughan (Meryl Streep) in the present.The primary connection is suicide, as both Virginia and Laura contemplate taking their own lives.
Their choices resonate in the modern era, as Clarissa is forced to deal with the suicide of someone that she used to love.
And yet within these sad tales, there is also hope.
Collapse Read more Moonrise Kingdom (2012) 93% 84% 7.8/10 Genre Comedy, Drama, Romance Stars Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton Directed by Wes Anderson pg-13 94m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max As you might expect from a Wes Anderson film, Moonrise Kingdom is anything but conventional.Despite having a cast any director would kill for, the focus of the story is on two troubled kids: Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy (Kara Hayward).When Sam and Suzy decide to run away together, Suzy’s parents; Mr.
Bishop (Bill Murray) and Mrs.Bishop (Frances McDormand); Sam’s Scout Master, Randy Ward (Edward Norton); and Police Captain Duffy Sharp (Bruce Willis) attempt to find them.Sam and Suzy have dreams of their own, but they won’t be able to achieve their hearts’ desires without a little help.Collapse Read more In the Line of Fire (1993) 96% 74% 7.2/10 Genre Thriller, Drama Stars Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich, Rene Russo, Dylan McDermott, Gary Cole Directed by Wolfgang Petersen r 128m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Clint Eastwood headlines In the Line of Fire as Frank Horrigan, the lone Secret Service Agent still on the roster from the John F.
Kennedy assassination three decades earlier.
Frank is still haunted by his failure to save JFK, which draws the attention of Mitch Leary (John Malkovich), an assassin who taunts Frank with his brazen plans to kill the current president.To protect the president and redeem himself, Frank resumes active duty on the president’s security detail.He also finds new love with his fellow Secret Service agent, Lilly Raines (Rene Russo).
However, Mitch is several steps ahead of them and planning to slay the president before they can stop him.Collapse Read more Promising Young Woman (2020) 90% 73% 7.5/10 Genre Drama, Thriller Stars Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, Clancy Brown, Jennifer Coolidge Directed by Emerald Fennell r 113m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Promising Young Woman was one of 2020’s most daring films, thanks to an absolutely fearless performance by Carey Mulligan.In the film, Mulligan plays Cassie Thomas, a woman haunted by the rape and death of her best friend, Nina Fisher.To find some small sense of justice, Cassie lures men into believing they can take advantage of her before exposing their severe moral failings.
But when Cassie discovers that Nina’s rapist, Al Monroe (Chris Lowell), will soon be married, she throws herself into a dangerous plan to get justice even if it ruins her burgeoning romance with Ryan (Bo Burnham).Collapse Read more King Kong (2005) 84% 81% 7.2/10 Genre Action, Adventure, Drama Stars Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Colin Hanks, Jamie Bell Directed by Peter Jackson pg-13 188m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Before directing The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Peter Jackson desperately wanted to remake King Kong as a modern blockbuster.
Following his LOTR success, Jackson got his chance with a lavish production that makes the “Eighth Wonder of the World” bigger than ever.Naomi Watts stars as Ann Darrow, a struggling actress who is recruited by director Carl Denham (Jack Black) for an on-location shoot that is far more dangerous than she realizes.Although Ann falls for screenwriter Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody), Kong only has eyes for her.While Kong saves Ann on Skull Island, all bets are off when he is captured and taken back to New York.Collapse Read more The Big Easy (1986) 89% 52% 6.5/10 Genre Comedy, Crime, Drama Stars Dennis Quaid, Ellen Barkin, Ned Beatty, John Goodman, Lisa Jane Persky Directed by Jim McBride r 102m watch on HBO Max watch on HBO Max Just as the name implies, The Big Easy takes place in New Orleans, and the film was actually shot on location for authenticity.Dennis Quaid stars Remy McSwain, a police lieutenant tasked with investigating the death of a local crime boss.
Ellen Barkin co-stars as Anne Osborne, a state district attorney who finds herself romantically drawn to Remy even though she openly suspects that he’s a dirty cop.Anne’s suspicions prove to be correct, which strains her relationship with Remy.Regardless, there’s an even greater corruption within the ranks of the New Orleans PD that may threaten both of their lives if they don’t stick together.Collapse Read more Shakespeare in Love (1998) 92% 87% 7.1/10 Genre Comedy, Drama, History Stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth, Ben Affleck, Judi Dench Directed by John Madden r 123m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max William Shakespeare’s plays have been adapted to the screen since the dawn of cinema.But Shakespeare in Love has a novel approach by casting William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) himself in a doomed romance that echoes many of the bard’s most famous plays.Gwyneth Paltrow also stars as Viola de Lesseps, a woman with a love for theater and a great attraction to William.To get her chance to perform on stage, Viola disguises herself as a man and wins a role in William’s newest play.When William learns the truth about Viola, their shared passion is undeniable.
Unfortunately, Viola’s family has arranged her marriage with Lord Wessex (Colin Firth), and neither William nor Viola has the power to stop that union from happening.Collapse Read more Mad Max Fury Road (2015) 97% 90% 8.1/10 Genre Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Stars Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Directed by George Miller r 120m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Most sequels fail to live up to the original movie that inspired them.
But most sequels aren’t Mad Max: Fury Road , a thrilling action film that successfully revamped and updated the franchise for a new century.Tom Hardy headlines the film as Max Rockatansky, but the real star is Charlize Theron’s Imperator Furiosa.She absolutely steals the movie from him.Together, they take it upon themselves to protect the unwilling wives of Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne) and escort them to safety across the wasteland.The action is top-notch, and it’s an easy film to watch again and again.Collapse Read more What They Had (2018) 86% 69% 6.7/10 Genre Drama Stars Hilary Swank, Michael Shannon, Robert Forster, Blythe Danner Directed by Elizabeth Chomko r 101m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max What They Had is a family drama with only a handful of major roles, but it’s also got some terrific performances from its leading players.
Hilary Swank stars as Bridget “Bitty” Ertz, the sister of Nicholas “Nicky” Everhardt (Michael Shannon).The two siblings are forced to return home in order to convince their father, Norbert Everhardt (Robert Forster), to place his wife, Ruth (Blythe Danner), into an assisted living facility to treat her worsening Alzheimer’s symptoms.
The arguments that follow expose some deep fissures within the family as well as old emotional wounds that may never be fully healed.Collapse Read more News of the World (2020) 88% 73% 6.8/10 Genre Western, Adventure, Drama Stars Tom Hanks, Helena Zengel, Michael Covino, Fred Hechinger, Neil Sandilands Directed by Paul Greengrass pg-13 118m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Thanks to the state of the world in 2020, Tom Hanks’ new western, News of the World , flew far under the radar.
In the film, Hanks plays a former Confederate soldier, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, who makes a living by going to small towns and reading the news to people.Jefferson’s life takes a turn when he encounters Cicada (Helena Zengel), a Caucasian girl who was raised by Native Americans.Cicada’s real name is Johanna Leonberger, and her birth parents are dead.Despite his reluctance, Jefferson agrees to accompany Johanna to her surviving family members, even though they face significant obstacles on the road.
Collapse Read more Chariots of Fire (1981) 82% 78% 7.2/10 Genre Biography, Drama, Sport Stars Ben Cross Ian Charleson, Nigel Havers, Cheryl Campbell, Alice Krige Directed by Hugh Hudson pg 124m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Chariots of Fire is a drama that is based on the true story of two men, Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) and Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson), a pair of British runners who competed in the 1924 Olympic Games.
While Harold is a Jewish man who continually encounters antisemitism, Eric’s religious struggles come from his family and his own devout Christian faith.Running is an escape for both of them and a way to overcome their personal obstacles.Harold and Eric’s paths don’t always converge outside of their athletic pursuits, but their drive and resilience are still inspiring to watch.Collapse Read more Time After Time (1979) 87% 69% 7.1/10 Genre Sci-fi, Adventure, Drama Stars Malcolm McDowell, David Warner, Mary Steenburgen, Charles Cioffi, Kent Williams Directed by Nicholas Meyer pg 111m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Before director Nicholas Meyer saved the Star Trek franchise with Star Trek II , he wrote and directed a fresh take on H.G.Wells’ seminal sci-fi novel Time After Time .
In the film, Herbert George Wells (Malcolm McDowell) is not only the hero of his own story, he’s also the inventor of an actual time machine.Unfortunately, Jack the Ripper (David Warner) comes across the time machine and uses it to escape into the future world of 1979.That’s why Herbert pursues the Ripper through time, and he ultimately finds love with a modern-day woman, Amy Robbins (Mary Steenburgen).Collapse Read more Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) 90% 82% 7.9/10 Genre Fantasy, Adventure Stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Richard Griffiths Directed by Alfonso Cuarón pg 142m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max All eight of the Harry Potter movies are now on HBO Max.And while you should certainly revisit the first two movies, the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban , is widely recognized as the best in the series.Thanks to the artful direction of Alfonso Cuarón and a powerful screenplay by Steve Kloves, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) has an affecting emotional odyssey when he learns that his godfather, Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), has escaped Azkaban’s prison for wizards.
Harry believes that Sirius betrayed his parents and led them to their deaths.However, the truth is something that Harry never expected.And if the Boy Who Lived wants to put things right, he’s going to have to cheat the reaper … and evade the deadly Dementors.Collapse Read more Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974) 88% 78% 7.3/10 Genre Drama, Comedy Stars Ellen Burstyn, Kris Kristofferson, Diane Ladd, Jodie Foster, Alfred Lutter Directed by Martin Scorsese pg 112m watch on HBO Max watch on HBO Max Unless you happened to be alive through the ‘70s, you may not know that director Martin Scorsese can do a lot more than the crime dramas that made him famous.
Scorsese’s fourth film, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore , is a dramedy that follows the story of Alice Hyatt (Ellen Burstyn ) and her son, Tommy (Alfred Lutter).After the sudden death of her husband, Alice takes Tommy and follows her dream of moving back to California and becoming a singer.Unfortunately, Alice’s plan falls prey to a toxic relationship and a series of misfortunes before she begins rebuilding her life as a waitress.When Alice falls for one of her customers, David (Kris Kristofferson), she is forced to question whether her ambition is more important than love.Collapse Read more Unforgiven (1992) 96% 85% 8.2/10 Genre Western, Drama Stars Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris Directed by Clint Eastwood r 131m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Clint Eastwood has made a lot of westerns in his career, but Unforgiven is in a class all its own.Eastwood directed the film and stars as Will Munny, an aging outlaw who turned his back on a life of violence in order to raise a family.Will’s desperate finances lead him to accept a bounty on two cowboys who brutally disfigured a prostitute, Delilah Fitzgerald (Anna Thomson).
Will recruits his old friend, Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman), and they join The Schofield Kid (Jaimz Woolvett) to avenge Delilah’s injury.Unfortunately for the trio, Sheriff Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman) doesn’t take kindly to assassins, and his brand of justice is even more brutal than Will’s.Collapse Read more Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (2017) 87% 68% 7.1/10 Genre Biography, Drama, History Stars Luke Evans, Rebecca Hall, Bella Heathcote, JJ Feild, Oliver Platt Directed by Angela Robinson r 108m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Almost everyone knows who Wonder Woman is, but few know the story of her creator.
Professor Marston and the Wonder Women puts the spotlight on William Moulton Marston, a psychologist, writer, and the inventor of the lie detector.More importantly, it also explores William’s polyamorous relationship with his wife, Elizabeth Holloway Marston (Rebecca Hall), and his research assistant turned lover, Olive Byrne (Bella Heathcote).In the late ‘20s, their unconventional three-way relationship was considered to be scandalous.And yet without the influence of both Elizabeth and Olive, William’s comic book heroine would never have come into being.
Collapse Read more The Shawshank Redemption (1994) 91% 80% 9.3/10 Genre Drama Stars Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows Directed by Frank Darabont r 142m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Stephen King’s The Shawshank Redemption is one of his best non-horror stories, although there are definitely some horrific things that take place inside Shawshank Penitentiary.Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sentenced to life in prison for murdering his wife and her lover.
However, Andy’s pleas of innocence are ignored, even when a fellow inmate offers information that could clear his name.As the decades pass, Andy befriends Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman) and struggles to overcome the cage within his mind as well as the prison holding his body.Andy’s courage inspires Red, especially when Andy’s greatest secret emerges.Collapse Read more Macbeth (2015) 80% 71% 6.6/10 Genre Drama, History, War Stars Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Paddy Considine, Sean Harris, Jack Reynor Directed by Justin Kurzel r 113m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max William Shakespeare’s plays still resonate centuries after they were written.
And one of the more recent adaptations of Macbeth is a particularly powerful retelling of that story.After leading his forces to victory, Macbeth (Michael Fassbender) encounters three witches who proclaim that he will be the king.After sharing the prophecy with his wife, Lady Macbeth (Marion Cotillard), they conspire to make it come to pass no matter how many people they have to betray or kill.However, their deeds come back to haunt them, sometimes literally, and the blood can not be washed away from their hands.
Collapse Read more Horrible Bosses (2011) 69% 57% 6.8/10 Genre Comedy, Crime Stars Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell Directed by Seth Gordon r 98m watch on HBO Max watch on HBO Max Have you ever had a terrible boss who sucked all of the joy out of your job? Then you can probably relate to the main characters of Horrible Bosses .Nick Hendricks (Jason Bateman) has a boss, Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey), who cheated him out of a promotion, while his friend, Dale Arbusis (Charlie Day), is being sexually harassed by his boss, Dr.Julia Harris, D.D.S.(Jennifer Aniston).
Their other buddy, Kurt Buckman (Jason Sudeikis), has a new boss, Bobby Pellit (Colin Farrell), who may soon run their company into the ground.Realizing that their lives would be better off without their bosses, the trio hatch a murder plot that was destined to go wrong from the moment of its conception.Collapse Read more New to HBO Max in August The Matrix Resurrections r 2021 A Christmas Story pg 1983 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation pg-13 1989 8-Bit Christmas pg 2021 Interview with the Vampire r 1994 Anna Karenina r 2012 One Hour Photo (2002) 82% 64% 6.8/10 Genre Thriller Stars Robin Williams, Connie Nielsen, Michael Vartan, Gary Cole, Eriq La Salle Directed by Mark Romanel r 96m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max To modern audiences, the premise of One Hour Photo may seem strange.But in the pre-digital days, we really did have places where we had to get pictures developed into paper prints.
In this thriller, the late Robin Williams plays Seymour “Sy” Parrish, an employee at a photo shop who has no real life of his own.Instead, Sy lives vicariously through the Yorkin family because he believes that Will (Michael Vartan) and Nina (Connie Nielsen), as well as their son, Jake (Dylan Smith), have an ideal life.However, Sy’s views are shattered when some of the pictures reveal that Will is having an affair.Combined with turmoil at work, this revelation causes Sy to snap as he tries to expose Will and anyone else who crosses him.
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Jurassic Park (1993) 92% 68% 8.1/10 Genre Sci-fi, Action, Adventure Stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Samuel L.Jackson, Wayne Knight Directed by Steven Spielberg pg-13 128m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Nearly three decades after its debut, Jurassic Park still stands as a monumental special effects achievement for its depiction of believable dinosaurs.Dr.John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) summons three experts, Dr.
Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Dr.Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and Dr.Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), to his private island so they can see a test run of the new theme park with actual cloned dinosaurs.While the doctors are alarmed and excited by the implications of John’s actions, they are soon thrust into a dangerous situation when Jurassic Park is sabotaged from within.Collapse Read more
Love & Basketball (2000) 83% 70% 7.2/10 Genre Drama Stars Omar Epps, Sanaa Lathan, Alfre Woodard, Dennis Haysbert Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood pg-13 125m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Fittingly, Love & Basketball is a love story about basketball.It’s also about the relationship between Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy McCall (Omar Epps).They love each other from an early age, but they love basketball even more.Surprisingly, Monica may be an even greater natural talent at the game, despite Quincy getting all of the attention from professional scouts.
Under intense pressure at home from her mother, Camille Wright (Alfre Woodard), Monica struggles to hold on to her dream as well as her feelings for Quincy.The romance between Quincy and Monica waxes and wanes, but their shared passion for basketball is always there.
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Inception (2010) 87% 74% 8.8/10 Genre Action, Sci-Fi Stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Elliot Page Directed by Christopher Nolan pg-13 148m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Your mind is the scene of the crime in Inception , the film that solidified Christopher Nolan movies as events unto themselves.Nolan didn’t need Batman to make this blockbuster, but several of his actors returned for this flick.Within the story, Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a thief who makes his living by breaking into other people’s dreams to steal their most valuable secrets.However, there’s something even more valuable than secrets: Inception.That’s the act of placing an idea into the mind of a victim and letting them believe that it was their idea.It’s a very dangerous mission, which threatens the lives of Dom and his new team.
Collapse Read more Heaven Can Wait (1978) 88% 72% 7.9/10 Genre Comedy, Fantasy Stars Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, James Mason, Charles Grodin, Dyan Cannon, Buck Henry Directed by Warren Beatty, Buck Henry pg 101m watch on HBO Max watch on HBO Max In Heaven Can Wait , Joe Pendleton (Warren Beatty) is a man who is on top of the world … right up until he dies.But the Los Angeles Rams’ star quarterback manages to find proof in the afterlife that he was taken well before his time.The enigmatic Mr.Jordan (James Mason) gives Joe another shot at life on Earth, and he takes over the body of millionaire Leo Farnsworth shortly after Leo’s wife, Julia (Dyan Cannon), and her lover, Tony Abbott (Charles Grodin), tried to kill him.While the murderous pair plot to strike again, Joe tries to turn Leo into a football star while finding new love with Betty Logan (Julie Christie).Unfortunately for Joe, his time is still limited.Collapse Read more Collateral (2004) 86% 71% 7.5/10 Genre Crime, Drama, Thriller Stars Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Peter Berg, Bruce McGill Directed by Michael Mann r 119m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max In Michael Mann’s thrilling action flick Collateral , Jamie Foxx plays an unassuming taxi driver named Max Durocher.Max’s driving skills impress his latest fare, Vincent (Tom Cruise), who offers him a flat fee to drive him all night.
Unfortunately for Max, Vincent is a contract killer who is systematically taking out his targets.Once Max realizes the truth, it’s too late to get away … and he’s well aware that he will be Vincent’s final target at the end of the night.The stakes also get very personal when Vincent becomes aware about the details of Max’s life, which allow him to blackmail Max into helping him retrieve his hit list.Collapse Read more The Great Gatsby (2013) 48% 55% 7.2/10 Genre Drama, Romance Stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher Directed by Baz Luhrmann pg-13 142m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Critics and audiences were polarized by director Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of F.Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby .But few can deny that Luhrmann brought the story to life with visual flair.
Tobey Maguire stars as Nick Carraway, a World War I veteran and aspiring writer who finds himself drawn into the orbit of Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), a very wealthy and enigmatic man.Jay wasn’t always rich, but he was in love with Nick’s cousin, Daisy (Carey Mulligan).
The problem is that Jay never fell out of love with Daisy, even after she married Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton).Regardless of Jay’s newfound riches, the woman he loves seems destined to remain out of his reach.Collapse Read more A Mighty Wind (2003) 87% 81% 7.2/10 Genre Comedy, Music Stars Bob Balaban, Christopher Guest, John Michael Higgins, Eugene Levy, Michael McKean, Catherine O’Hara Directed by Christopher Guest pg-13 92m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max If This Is Spinal Tap goes up to 11, then A Mighty Wind is more of a 7 or an 8.However, several Spinal Tap veterans appear in this unexpectedly sweet musical mockumentary.
After a famous music producer passes away, his children reunite his three biggest acts for a memorial concert: The Folksmen, The New Main Street Singers, and Mitch & Mickey.The Folksmen’s trio, Mark Shubb (Harry Shearer), Alan Barrows (Christopher Guest), and Jerry Palter (Michael McKean), get most of the screen time.But there’s also a very effective subplot about Mitch Cohen (Eugene Levy) and Mickey Crabbe (Catherine O’Hara), a former couple who have mixed feelings about reuniting on stage.Collapse Read more More streaming roundups Best Shows on HBO Best Movies on Netflix Best Movies on Hulu Married to the Mob (1988) 89% 71% 6.2/10 Genre Crime, Comedy Stars Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Modine, Dean Stockwell, Mercedes Ruehl, Alec Baldwin Directed by Jonathan Demme r 104m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max The title of Married To the Mob is very appropriate for Angela de Marco (Michelle Pfeiffer).
Even the death of her husband, Frank “Cucumber” de Marco (Alex Baldwin), isn’t enough to get her out of the mob’s orbit.It doesn’t help that the man who murdered Frank was his Don, Tony “The Tiger” Russo (Dean Stockwell), and he wants to seduce Angela regardless of his own wife and family.FBI Agent Mike Downey (Matthew Modine) is keeping tabs on the situation, but even he has romantic feelings for Angela.Collapse Read more Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) 71% 51% 7.0/10 Genre Action, Comedy Stars Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael York, Mimi Rogers, Seth Green Directed by Jay Roach pg-13 89m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Mike Myers goes for a dual role in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery .
In this hilarious James Bond spoof, secret agent Austin Powers (Myers) battles his nemesis, Dr.Evil (also Myers), in the late ’60s.And when Dr.Evil goes into suspended animation, Austin follows suit and awakens in the present day.
Neither Austin nor Dr.Evil is able to easily make the adjustment to modern spy warfare.But at least Austin has a great partner, Vanessa Kensington (Elizabeth Hurley).On the other hand, Dr.
Evil has an inept crew of henchmen, and a clone son, Scott Evil (Seth Green), who resents him.Collapse Read more Saturday Night Fever (1977) 82% 77% 6.8/10 Genre Drama Stars John Travolta, Karen Lynn Gorney, Barry Miller, Joseph Cali, Paul Pape Directed by John Badham r 118m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Movies couldn’t possibly get more disco than Saturday Night Fever .But if you’re expecting a feel-good musical romance, then you’ve come to the wrong place.John Travolta stars as Anthony “Tony” Manero, a young man with dismissal prospects in his personal life and his day job.Yet on the dance floor, Tony is a king.He soon meets Stephanie Mangano (Karen Lynn Gorney), a dancer who may be his equal or even his superior.
Unfortunately for Tony, Stephanie isn’t looking for love, just a platonic partnership.Meanwhile, the personal drama around Tony reaches a boiling point, and he jeopardizes his relationship with Stephanie by going way too far.If Tony’s not careful, his entire life could be shattered by his missteps.Collapse Read more McCabe & Mrs.Miller (1971) 84% 93% 7.7/10 Genre Western Stars Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, René Auberjonois, Michael Murphy, Antony Holland Directed by Robert Altman r 121m watch on HBO Max watch on HBO Max Robert Altman’s McCabe & Mrs.Miller is a Western that challenges the tropes of the genre.It doesn’t romanticize its title characters, nor does it attempt to morally justify their actions or personas.
Warren Beatty stars as John McCabe, a man who carries himself like a gunslinger and uses that reputation to his advantage.After establishing a brothel in town, John is joined by a new partner-in-crime, Constance Miller (Julie Christie).John and Constance’s ensuing romance is complicated by their differing approaches to business and pleasure.
However, their relationship is strained when Eugene Sears (Michael Murphy) and Ernest Hollander (Antony Holland) come to town to force them out of their brothel business.And they won’t take no for an answer.
Collapse Read more No Sudden Move (2021) 90% 76% 6.5/10 Genre Crime Stars Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbour, Jon Hamm, Amy Seimetz Directed by Steven Soderbergh r 115m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Do you remember Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven and its sequels? Those are movies where good guy crooks pull off an improbable heist while taking down villains who are far worse than they are.No Sudden Move is not that kind of movie, although Soderbergh does reunite with several of his Ocean’s Eleven stars.
Don Cheadle and Benicio del Toro headline the film as Curt Goynes and Ronald Russo, a pair of gangsters in the ‘50s.Curt and Ronald are hired to lean on a hapless accountant, Matt Wertz (David Harbour), and threaten his family.But when Curt refuses to execute Matt and his family, he and Ronald are thrust into increasingly dangerous situations that leave them in dire straits and desperate for a way out.Collapse Read more Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) 96% 85% 7.5/10 Genre Drama Stars Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback, Ashton Sanders Directed by Shaka King r 96m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Judas and the Black Messiah is based upon the real story of the death and betrayal of Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya), the leader of Chicago’s Black Panther Party during the late ‘60s.Petty thief William “Bill” O’Neal (Lakeith Stanfield) is given an opportunity to avoid jail by FBI Special Agent Roy Mitchell (Jesse Plemons) if he agrees to join the Black Panthers and report back on them.As Bill becomes more prominent within the Black Panther Party, he has a firsthand view of what Fred is trying to accomplish.However, Bill can’t escape his deal with the FBI, even when he wants out.Collapse Read more The Matrix (1999) 88% 73% 8.7/10 Genre Sci-Fi, Action Stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano Directed by The Wachowskis r 136m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max There is a fourth Matrix film coming to HBO Max and theaters at the end of this year, but the original movie is still in a class by itself.
The Matrix came out of nowhere in 1999 and quickly revolutionized sci-fi action with its slick direction and compelling story.Keanu Reeves stars as Neo, a hacker who is haunted by a singular question: “What is the Matrix?” Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and her boss, Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), hold the answers, but Neo is completely unprepared for the truth.And as he adjusts to his new reality, Neo is threatened by the ruthless Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) and an enemy much closer than he realizes.Collapse Read more Let Him Go (2020) 84% 63% 6.7/10 Genre Drama Stars Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Lesley Manville, Will Brittain, Jeffrey Donovan Directed by Thomas Bezucha r 114m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max After starring as Superman’s parents in Man of Steel , Diane Lane and Kevin Costner reunited in Let Him Go .Within the film, Margaret (Lane) and her husband, George Blackledge (Costner), are the grieving parents of their adult son, James (Ryan Bruce).When James’ widow, Lorna (Kayli Carter), remarries and abruptly moves away with her child without saying goodbye, Margaret realizes that Lorna’s new husband, Donnie (Will Brittain), is abusive.But when George and Margaret finally catch up to Donnie and Lorna, they soon find that the danger is even greater than they thought.Collapse Read more Reservoir Dogs (1992) 92% 79% 8.3/10 Genre Crime Stars Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Chris Penn, Steve Buscemi, Lawrence Tierney, Michael Madsen Directed by Quentin Tarantino r 99m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Quentin Tarantino recently said that he briefly considered doing a remake of his directorial debut, Reservoir Dogs , as his tenth and final film.
A remake is not going to happen, and that’s a good thing, because this is a classic.Crime boss Joe Cabot (Lawrence Tierney) puts together a motley crew to pull off a heist, including Mr.White (Harvey Keitel), Mr.Orange (Tim Roth), Mr.
Pink (Steve Buscemi), and the psychotic Mr.Blonde (Michael Madsen).However, one of their numbers is an undercover cop who is in way over his head.
Getting out alive may not be an option, once the heist goes bad and the bodies pile up.
Collapse Read more Planet of the Apes (1968) 86% 79% 8.0/10 Genre Sci-fi Stars Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Maurice Evans, Kim Hunter, James Whitmore Directed by Franklin J.Schaffner r 112m watch on HBO Max watch on HBO Max A decade before Star Wars dominated the sci-fi realm, 20th Century Fox’s Planet of the Apes kicked off a franchise of its own.Astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) and his crew crash on a world where humans are mute slaves and talking apes are ascendant.While scientists Cornelius (Roddy McDowall) and Zira (Kim Hunter) are sympathetic toward Taylor, Dr.
Zaius (Maurice Evans) and other ape extremists will go to any lengths to silence Taylor and suppress the evidence that men once ruled the world.The iconic ending is still a Twilight Zone -level twist that has been endlessly imitated, but it still works.Collapse Read more The Grifters (1990) 91% 86% 6.9/10 Genre Thriller Stars John Cusack, Anjelica Huston, Annette Bening, Pat Hingle, Henry Jones Directed by Stephen Frears r 110m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max There are three main characters in The Grifters who live up to the title of the movie.Lilly Dillon (Anjelica Huston) is by far the most impressive of the three, and a gifted con artist who has been at it for decades.Lily’s son, Roy Dillon (John Cusack), is also a grifter, but far less talented than his mother.In her eyes, Roy just doesn’t have the stomach to pull off the big cons.
Finally, there’s Myra Langtry (Annette Bening), Roy’s girlfriend and Lily’s rival.
Myra’s younger and more hungry for a score than Lily, and she takes an instant dislike for her.Their conflict may destroy them, and Roy as well.Collapse Read more The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) 85% 73% 7.1/10 Genre Comedy Stars Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd, Romany Malco, Seth Rogen Directed by Judd Apatow r 116m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Judd Apatow’s film The 40-Year-Old Virgin went a long way toward making Steve Carell a leading man in the movies.Carell plays Andy Stitzer, the titular virgin who has spent most of his life without romantic entanglements.After Andy’s status as a virgin is exposed at his day job, his friends David (Paul Rudd), Jay (Romany Malco), and Cal (Seth Rogen) go to great lengths to get him past his personal issues.
A single mother, Trish Piedmont (Catherine Keener), may hold the key to winning Andy’s heart, but only if he can bring himself to finally take the next step.Collapse Read more Clueless (1995) 81% 68% 6.8/10 Genre Comedy Stars Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Paul Rudd, Wallace Shawn Directed by Amy Heckerling pg-13 97m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Did you know that Clueless was loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma ? And we mean very loosely.In the modern setting of 1995, director and screenwriter Amy Heckerling made the story her own by reimagining the heroine as Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone), a rich and beautiful high school student in Beverly Hills.While Cher seemingly has it all, her step-brother, Josh Lucas (Paul Rudd), challenges her to take a closer look at her existence.Over time, Cher realizes that she has truly been “clueless” about the important things in life and strives to find a purpose of her own.Collapse Read more The Green Mile (1999) 78% 61% 8.6/10 Genre Drama, Fantasy Stars Tom Hanks, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, Michael Clarke Duncan, James Cromwell, Michael Jeter Directed by Frank Darabont r 189m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Stephen King is best known for his tales of terror, but The Green Mile is something else entirely.
It’s a prison drama with supernatural flourishes set in 1935.Tom Hanks stars as Paul Edgecomb, a guard at Cold Mountain Penitentiary’s death row.Much to Paul’s amazement, the gentle giant, John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), is capable of performing divine miracles and other fantastic feats.
However, John is scheduled to die because he was falsely accused of raping and murdering children.After witnessing John’s actions and his private moments, Paul becomes convinced that killing him would be a needless tragedy.And yet, Paul seems powerless to prevent John from walking “the Green Mile” and facing his fate.Collapse Read more Eyes Wide Shut (1999) 75% 68% 7.4/10 Genre Drama, Thriller Stars Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Sydney Pollack, Marie Richardson Directed by Stanley Kubrick r 159m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max The late Stanley Kubrick’s final film, Eyes Wide Shut , had the novelty of casting a real-life married couple, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, to play a couple in a deeply troubled marriage.Dr.William “Bill” Harford (Cruise) is greatly disturbed by his wife, Alice (Kidman), when she admits to being tempted to stray from fidelity.As Bill struggles with his feelings, he runs into an old friend, Nick Nightingale (Todd Field), who tells him about a secretive group of rich people who engage in ritualistic sex.
When Bill is caught at their ceremony and unmasked, he is forced to wonder if the group will make good on its threats to destroy his life if he reveals what he has seen.Collapse Read more ”Shazam!” (”2019″) ”90″% ”71″% ”7.0″/10 Genre ”Action, watch on ”hbo-max” watch on ”hbo-max” There’s no shortage of superhero movies on HBO Max.
But Shazam! is one of the few that is truly family-friendly.Asher Angel stars as Billy Batson, an orphan who is placed with a new foster family.
When Billy lashes out, he inadvertently encounters the wizard, Shazam (Djimon Hounsou), who passes Billy his power before he dies.Now, Billy can become the new Shazam (Zachary Levi), and he shares his good fortune with his new foster brother, Frederick “Freddy” Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer).Unfortunately for Billy, the evil Dr.Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong) wants Shazam’s power for himself.
And he’s willing to go through Billy’s new family to get it.Collapse Read more Lethal Weapon (1987) 80% 68% 7.6/10 Genre Action, Comedy Stars Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan, Tom Atkins Directed by Richard Donner r 132m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Lethal Weapon is the quintessential action buddy cop movie of the ‘80s.A middle-aged police sergeant, Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), is partnered with Sergeant Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson), whom Roger suspects is crazy.But Martin has good reasons for his deteriorating mental state, as he struggles to move past the death of his wife.And when Martin is contacted by his old friend, Michael Hunsaker (Tom Atkins), he and Roger soon find themselves way over their heads in a deadly drug conspiracy.Lots of explosions, shootings, and fistfights ensue.
But it’s the comedic chemistry of Gibson and Glover that made this flick into a franchise.Collapse Read more Matchstick Men (2003) 82% 61% 7.3/10 Genre Drama, Comedy Stars Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Alison Lohman, Bruce McGill Directed by Ridley Scott pg-13 116m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max What’s a Matchstick Man? In the context of Matchstick Men , it’s just another way to say “con men.” Roy Waller (Nicolas Cage) is a veteran con man with his partner and protégée, Frank Mercer (Sam Rockwell).When Roy’s mental health deteriorates, he begins seeing a therapist, Dr.
Harris Klein (Bruce Altman).With his doctor’s blessing, Roy reaches out to the daughter he never met: Angela (Alison Lohman).And much to Roy’s surprise, Angela takes to his grifter lifestyle and asks him to teach her the tips of the trade as he and Frank pursue a long con.
Collapse Read more Cinderella Man (2005) 80% 69% 8.0/10 Genre Drama, Sports Stars Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Paul Giamatti, Craig Bierko, Bruce McGill, Paddy Considine Directed by Ron Howard pg-13 144m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Cinderella Man is the nickname of James J.Braddock (Russell Crowe), one of the iconic boxers of the Great Depression era.In this biopic, James is forced to retire from boxing after breaking his right hand.Years later, and much to the consternation of his wife, Mae (Renée Zellweger), James realizes that his recovery has made him an even more formidable fighter.James’ boxing comeback opens several doors, including a match with world champion Max Baer (Craig Bierko).This is a wonderful underdog story that has the added benefit of having some truth within this Hollywood-infused fable.
Even the setbacks can’t hold James down for long.Collapse Read more Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) 91% 67% 7.8/10 Genre Musical, Fantasy Stars Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum, Roy Kinnear, Julie Dawn Cole.
Leonard Stone Directed by Mel Stuart g 100m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , received a slight name change for the big screen.Instead, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory wisely put Gene Wilder’s mischievous candy factory owner in the title.It’s just as well, because Wilder’s manic performance carries the movie through Willy’s wild shifts in tone and attitude.Peter Ostrum also stars in the film as Charlie Bucket, one of five children from around the world who have located one of Wonka’s golden tickets.
The winner will get a lifetime supply of chocolate, but first Charlie and the rest of the kids have to pass Willy’s demented morality tests.Spoiler alert: Most of the children don’t pass, and Willy seems to delight in their bizarre and outlandish fates.Collapse Read more Happy Feet (2006) 76% 77% 6.4/10 Genre Musical, Comedy Stars Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman Directed by George Miller pg 108m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Would you believe that Mad Max director George Miller helmed the animated film Happy Feet ? Not only did Miller expand into new, all-ages territory, but it’s a great example that other studios beyond Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks can make terrific animated movies as well.Elijah Wood stars as Mumble, a penguin born without the ability to sing.Fortunately, Mumble was also born with the gift of dance, and he uses it to pursue the penguin of his dreams, Gloria (Brittany Murphy).
Mumble’s elders may not understand his dancing gestures, but they can’t stifle his moves forever.Collapse Read more Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018) 97% 85% 8.4/10 Genre Biography, Documentary Stars Fred Rogers, François Clemmons, Yo-Yo Ma, Joe Negri, David Newell Directed by Morgan Neville pg-13 93m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max For several generations of television viewers, Fred Rogers wasn’t simply the host of a children’s TV show.He was “Mister Rogers,” a beloved icon of public television who had a unique gift for connecting with a young audience.Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood also taught kids valuable life lessons and didn’t shy away from difficult topics.Morgan Neville’s documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor , is a wonderful look at not only the legacy of that show, but the man behind it.
Fred Rogers was a rare individual who practiced what he preached.His warmth and kindness are still evident through his archival appearances here.
Collapse Read more Dreamgirls (2006) 78% 76% 6.5/10 Genre Musical, Drama Stars Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Anika Noni Rose, Jennifer Hudson Directed by Bill Condon pg-13 130m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Dreamgirls is an adaptation of the Broadway musical of the same name, and it plays just as well on the silver screen as it did on the stage.The story is loosely inspired by the history of Motown, and it focuses on the rise of a girl group called the Dreams.Curtis Taylor, Jr.(Jamie Foxx) quickly realizes that the trio of Effie White (Jennifer Hudson), Deena Jones (Beyoncé), and Lorrell Robinson (Anika Noni Rose) can become major stars.The Dreams’ success soon eclipses their associated act, Jimmy “Thunder” Early (Eddie Murphy).However, Curtis’ manipulations also splinter the unity of the Dreams when he elevates Deena at Effie’s expense.
Collapse Read more Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) 90% 67% 7.3/10 Genre Drama, Comedy Stars Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker, Tung Thanh Tran, Chintara Sukapatana, Bruno Kirby Directed by Barry Levinson r 121m watch on HBO Max watch on HBO Max The late Robin Williams received an Oscar nomination for his performance as Adrian Cronauer in Good Morning, Vietnam .In 1965, the real Adrian was a DJ for the Armed Forces Radio Service in Saigon.
Instead of toeing the official military line, Adrian’s unique brand of comedy and his willingness to tell the truth quickly earns him a following.He also forms an unlikely friendship with a local, Tuan (Tung Thanh Tran), while romantically pursuing Tuan’s sister, Trinh (Chintara Sukapatana).Naturally, Adrian’s antics enrage his superior officer, Sgt.Maj.
Phillip Dickerson (J.T.Walsh), who plots to get rid of Adrian in a way that endangers his life.Collapse Read more Dumb and Dumber (1994) 68% 41% 7.3/10 Genre Comedy Stars Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Lauren Holly, Karen Duffy, Mike Starr, Charles Rocket Directed by Peter Farrelly pg-13 106m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Dumb and Dumber isn’t exactly a cinematic masterpiece.However, it is a very funny movie with Jim Carrey at the height of his comedic powers.Carrey stars as Lloyd Christmas, a clueless limo driver who develops a crush on Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly) after chauffeuring her to the airport.
Lloyd inadvertently ruins Mary’s attempt to pay a ransom for her husband, and soon finds himself flush with cash.That’s why Lloyd and his best friend, Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels), go on a cross-country road trip to reunite with Mary.But they fail to realize that the kidnapper has sent hired killers to take them out.Collapse Read more All Is Lost (2013) 94% 87% 6.9/10 Genre Drama Stars Robert Redford Directed by J.C.Chandor pg-13 105m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Robert Redford is the only actor who appears in All Is Lost , and we never learn the name of his character.
In fact, he barely even speaks in the entire film.Yet that doesn’t diminish the drama at all, If anything, it heightens the life-or-death struggle of the man whose solo trip across the Indian Ocean becomes derailed after his ship collides with a shipping container.Redford is riveting as his character battles for survival while fighting the elements and his own despair.The human spirit can overcome almost any adversity, but this is a harrowing tale that may make you glad that you’re still on dry land.Collapse Read more Kramer vs.Kramer (1979) 88% 77% 7.8/10 Genre Drama Stars Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Justin Henry, Jane Alexander, Petra King Directed by Robert Benton pg 105m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Kramer vs.
Kramer is an acclaimed family drama that successfully humanizes both sides of the conflict.Dustin Hoffman’s Ted Kramer suddenly finds himself a single father to his son, Billy (Justin Henry), when his wife, Joanna (Meryl Streep), walks out on both of them.Although Ted and Billy eventually overcome Joanna’s absence, her sudden return throws their lives into turmoil.
The subsequent court battle for custody of Billy also pushes the bonds of this family to their breaking point.There can be no winner in this war, but there is some hope for empathy from the former spouses.Collapse Read more ”Goodfellas (”1990″) ”96″% ”90″% ”8.7″/10 Genre ”Drama, watch on ”hbo-max” watch on ”hbo-max” Where would we be without the crime epics of Martin Scorsese? Cinema would certainly be less interesting if films like Goodfellas didn’t explore such dark and compelling territory.
This movie was based on the life of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), a criminal who was part of the Gambino crime family for 25 years.Henry’s illegally obtained wealth helps him woo his wife, Karen (Lorraine Bracco), and gives him a taste of the good life alongside his friends, Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci).Yet even these bonds of friendship can be shattered when money and power are at stake.Collapse Read more The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition (2001) 91% 92% 8.8/10 Genre Fantasy, Action, Adventure Stars Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Sean Bean Directed by Peter Jackson pg-13 228m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Nearly two decades ago, Peter Jackson unleashed the first film in his adaptation of J.R.R.Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings .But this isn’t The Fellowship of the Ring that you experienced in theaters.The Extended Edition is a nearly four-hour affair that greatly expands on the early story of Frodo (Elijah Wood), the young Hobbit who comes into possession of the One Ring.To keep this malevolent object out of enemy hands, Frodo and his eight companions embark on a dangerous quest to destroy the ring.
Yet the greatest threat to the Fellowship may come from within.Collapse Read more Black Dynamite (2009) 83% 65% 7.4/10 Genre Action, Comedy Stars Michael Jai White, Tommy Davidson, Salli Richardson Directed by Scott Sanders r 84m watch on HBO Max watch on HBO Max Black Dynamite is a modern sendup of ‘70s blaxploitation films, but it’s also a really terrific example of the genre.Michael Jai White stars as Black Dynamite, a Vietnam veteran and former CIA operative who comes home and takes it upon himself to avenge his brother and clean up the streets.Alongside his new love, Gloria Gray (Salli Richardson), and his ally, Cream Corn (Tommy Davidson), Black Dynamite discovers a government plot that sends him off to Kung Fu Island to confront an old nemesis.
And the film only gets wilder as it goes along.Collapse Read more The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) 93% 94% 8.9/10 Genre Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Drama Stars Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving Directed by Peter Jackson pg-13 263m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy was capped off with The Return of the King , which won Best Picture at the Oscars.The Extended Version of the film is now on HBO Max, and it includes several scenes that didn’t make it into the theatrical cut.For example, Saruman’s fate is no longer ambiguous.
This is also a thrilling and satisfying wrap-up to the story that began during The Fellowship of the Ring .Just be sure to pace yourself along the way.
This one clocks in at nearly four and a half hours, so it can be an endurance test for some.But it’s well worth the commitment.Collapse Read more The Departed (2006) 90% 85% 8.5/10 Genre Crime, Thriller Stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen Directed by Martin Scorsese r 151m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Would you believe that Martin Scorsese finally won a Best Director Oscar for The Departed ? It’s another Best Picture winner on this list as well as a thrilling crime drama starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Billy Costigan Jr.and Matt Damon as Colin Sullivan.Billy is a cop under deep cover within the crime family led by Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson).But Frank also has Colin as a well-placed mole within the police department.
As Billy and Colin become aware of each other, it becomes a race to see who can uncover their counterpart’s identity first.Collapse Read more Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) 84% 7.8/10 Genre Superhero, Action Stars Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Dana Delany, Hart Bochner Directed by Eric Radomski, Bruce Timm pg 76m watch on HBO Max watch on HBO Max There have been many Batman movies, but Batman: Mask of the Phantasm may be the best one ever made.This isn’t an exaggeration, as the creative team and the cast behind Batman: The Animated Series created a new adversary for the Dark Knight while opening up a previously unexplored chapter in the life of Bruce Wayne (Kevin Conroy).In the past, Bruce almost walked away from his destiny as Batman to marry Andrea Beaumont (Dana Delany).
But in the present, Bruce’s life is complicated by both Andrea’s return and by the emergence of the Phantasm, a vengeful vigilante whose murder spree has been blamed on Batman himself.Mark Hamill’s chillingly evil Joker is the film’s wild card, and the wonderfully dark animation truly captures the spirit of the comics that inspired this movie.Collapse Read more Casablanca (1942) 99% 100% 8.5/10 Genre Romance, Drama Stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains Directed by Michael Curtiz pg 102m watch on HBO Max watch on HBO Max Casablanca , the Oscar-winning film that gave the world the iconic line, “Here’s looking at you, kid,” casts Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman as a pair of star-crossed lovers caught up in the dire events of World War II.Bogart portrays an American expatriate who’s forced to choose between the love of his life and the life he’s grown to love in the city of Casablanca.
Collapse Read more Citizen Kane (1941) 99% 100% 8.3/10 Genre Drama Stars Orson Welles, Dorothy Comingore, Joseph Cotten Directed by Orson Welles pg 119m watch on HBO Max watch on HBO Max Often cited as the greatest movie ever made, Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane chronicles the rise and fall of fictional newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane, who rose from poverty to become a prominent player in American politics.Welles directed, co-wrote, produced, and starred in the film, which famously explores its titular character’s life in an attempt to discern the meaning of his dying words.Collapse Read more Spirited Away (2001) 97% 96% 8.6/10 Genre Fantasy, Family Stars Rumi Hiiragi, Mari Natsuki Directed by Hayao Miyazaki pg 124m Trailer watch on HBO Max Trailer watch on HBO Max Acclaimed filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki and the animators at Studio Ghibli crafted this tale of a young girl who finds herself drawn into the fantastic world of Japanese Shinto folklore after an encounter with a powerful witch puts her — and her family — in danger.To date, Spirited Away remains the only hand-drawn, non-English film to win the Academy Award for the year’s Best Animated Feature and was ranked the fourth-best film of the 21st century in a 2016 poll of international film critics.You can also check out the best anime series on Netflix if you’re looking for more like this.Collapse Read more Editors’ Recommendations The best movies on Disney+ right now The best TV shows on Amazon Prime Video right now The 85 best shows on Hulu right now The 59 best movies on Hulu right now The 57 best movies on Amazon Prime Video right now.