The 61 Best Movies on Max Right Now
Another streaming service means another vast library of titles to sift through to find what you want to watch. Max is the streaming service from WarnerMedia, hosting not just titles from the pay cable channel HBO, but a bevy of films from the Warner Bros. library and other studios. There’s a great selection of classics, fairly new releases, quirky indies, and yes, superhero movies. The studio behind The Dark Knight and Man of Steel has a solid number of DC films available to stream. But if you’re daunted by all the good movies on Max to choose from, we’ve got your back. Below, we’ve put together a curated list of the absolute best movies on Max. Films that will be well worth your time, with our writers making the case for why each film is special.
So check out our list of the best movies on Max streaming below. And for more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows on Max, best drama movies on Max, and best horror movies on Max.
Editor’s note: This article was updated April 2025 to include Companion.
‘Companion’ (2025)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 7.0/10
Companion
- Release Date
-
January 31, 2025
- Runtime
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97 Minutes
- Director
-
Drew Hancock
- Writers
-
Drew Hancock
At a time when movies have been struggling at the box office, Companion remains one of the biggest success stories of 2025. The movie follows the seemingly inseparable couple Iris (Sophie Thatcher) and Josh (Jack Quaid), who, after taking a weekend vacation with the latter’s friends, will have their lives quickly changed forever. Thatcher and Quaid prove yet again they are two of the most exciting young stars working today, as this twisting, horrifying tale consistently takes you by surprise. Brooding and darkly comic, Companion is well worth a watch. – Jake Hodges
‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 8.1/10
One of the most emotionally affecting movies of the past decade, Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire follows an eighteenth-century quest for love as a young painter and her subject become entwined in a burning and passionate romance. Sciamma’s genius is on full display in this pensive masterpiece, as the intense love of the central pair is painted with the brush strokes of an expert. Touching, visually stunning, and boasting one of the finest endings to a movie ever put to film, this is simply a must-watch. – Jake Hodges
‘Aftersun’ (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 7.6/10
- Release Date
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October 21, 2022
- Runtime
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96 minutes
- Director
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Charlotte Wells
- Writers
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Charlotte Wells
One of the best directorial debuts of the 21st century, Charlotte Wells’s Aftersun tells the tale of a woman looking back on her past via home-recorded video footage. Through the footage, she remembers a vacation with her father (Paul Mescal) and pieces together the signs an 11-year-old girl missed. Featuring a stunning ending that will leave you staring at your screen for hours, Aftersun is a remarkable, thorough feat of filmmaking. Perfectly capturing a sense of nostalgia and loss without ever seeming obvious, this is a mature, utterly heart-wrenching film that deserves all its many accolades. – Jake Hodges
‘The Great Lillian Hall’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 87% | IMDb: 7.4/10
- Release Date
-
March 13, 2025
- Runtime
-
111 minutes
- Director
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Michael Cristofer
- Writers
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Elisabeth Seldes Annacone
- Producers
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Bruce Cohen, Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Steven Rogers, Marie Halliday, Scott Thigpen
-
Jessica Lange
Lillian Hall
-
-
Jesse Williams
David Flemming
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Directed by Michael Cristofer, The Great Lillian Hall follows the latter life of the titular Broadway performer, who, throughout her long and acclaimed career, has never missed a performance. Suddenly struck with the most challenging period of her career yet, can Hall (Jessica Lange) find a way to continue doing what she loves most? A touching, soulful movie with a superb central performance by the iconic Lange, The Great Lillian Hall is both a fictional tale that will keep you hooked and the unofficial celebration of Lange’s great career. – Jake Hodges
‘Queer’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 77% | IMDb: 6.5/10
- Release Date
-
November 27, 2024
- Runtime
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135 Minutes
- Writers
-
William S. Burroughs, Justin Kuritzkes
After the huge success of Challengers, Luca Guadagnino returned to the 2024 theatrical circuit with Queer, an off-beat romantic drama starring Daniel Craig as an American immigrant living in 1950s Mexico City. Living a life of frivolity, the arrival of a younger man suddenly encourages Craig’s William to try and find love, albeit in the most unconventional of fashions. A visually intriguing slow-burner of a movie, Queer contains all the hallmarks of a Guadagnino piece, perhaps most similar to his breakout movie Call Me by Your Name. – Jake Hodges
‘Sing Sing’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.6/10
- Release Date
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July 12, 2024
- Runtime
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107 Minutes
- Director
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Greg Kwedar
- Writers
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Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar
One of the best movies of the past couple of years, Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing tells the tale of Sing Sing prison and the inmates’ attempts to find rehabilitation through the power of stage theatre. After Divine G (Colman Domingo) is imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, he finds purpose through the prison’s theater group alongside men like Divine Eye (Clarence Maclin in a beautiful performance). With Domingo nominated for his second Oscar in a row for his role as Divine G, Sing Sing is a genius example of the power of casting. Almost all the cast members of Sing Sing are former inmates at the prison themselves, adding to the visceral sense of reality at the heart of this emotional tale. – Jake Hodges
‘Jackie’ (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 6.6/10
Featuring a stunning lead performance by Natalie Portman, Jackie follows the Academy Award winner as First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, directly in the aftermath of the infamous assassination of her husband. With her own grief and the weight of a country’s on her shoulders, how will Jackie cope? A detailed look at the life of one of the most famous women in American history, Jackie is a biopic that everyone should watch. Such is the praise given Jackie’s way that it even earned an impressive three Oscar nominations, including a Best Actress nod for Portman’s lead performance. – Jake Hodges
‘Heretic’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 7.0/10
- Release Date
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November 15, 2024
- Runtime
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111 minutes
- Director
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Bryan Woods
- Writers
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Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
- Producers
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Jeanette Volturno, Stacey Sher
Featuring Hugh Grant like you’ve never seen him before, Heretic follows a pair of young missionaries who are encouraged to visit the house of the seemingly harmless Mr. Reed (Grant). However, upon entry, it’s clear his charm is a front for more sinister intentions, with Mr Reed’s sickening game causing the pair to question everything they know — including their faith. Alongside a small and superb ensemble, Grant’s renaissance as a masterful villain has been a viewing delight over recent years, with this role possibly the best of his new era. Although its final act has left some disappointed, let that take nothing away from the breathless horror of Heretic’s opening few chapters. – Jake Hodges
‘Goodfellas’ (1990)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 8.7/10
One of the greatest movies of all time, Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas documents the rise and fall of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), from his days as a young boy dreaming of becoming a gangster to the heady heights of his criminal infamy all the way to his dream’s inevitable crash and burn. Featuring one of the greatest scripts ever penned, a selection of iconic visuals, and some of the best performances in an array of legendary careers, Goodfellas is the sort of film everyone should watch at least once. – Jake Hodges
‘Flow’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.9/10
- Release Date
-
August 30, 2024
- Runtime
-
84 minutes
- Director
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Gints Zilbalodis
- Writers
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Gints Zilbalodis, Matiss Kaza
- Producers
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Ron Dyens, Matīss Kaža
This Latvian, French, and Belgian co-production has taken the cinematic world by sweet surprise since its 2024 arrival. The movie follows a cat who, after his home is destroyed by flooding, finds safety in numbers with a boat full of different species. A wonderfully heartfelt and culturally poignant animated feature, Flow proves beyond any doubt that, in film, showing is always better than telling. Flow is a true underdog (or rather, undercat) tale, beating the odds to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature — Latvia’s very first. – Jake Hodges
‘We Live in Time’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 7.0/10
A romantic drama directed by John Crowley and written by Nick Payne, We Live in Time stars Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh as Tobias and Almut, whose lives intersect unexpectedly. A non-linear story set over the course of a decade, the film follows the highs and lows of their life together. Besides Garfield and Pugh, the movie also stars Lee Braithwaite, Aoife Hinds, Adam James, Douglas Hodge, and more.
We Live in Time premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, receiving largely positive reviews from critics. The movie was also commercially successful, grossing over $55 million worldwide. A heartwarming melodrama anchored by the scintillating chemistry between its two leads, We Live in Time is a romance story that takes its cues from the classics and presents a powerful exploration of grief that feels genuine. It’s a great watch for romance fans and lovers of great human drama — just be sure to keep some tissues handy.
‘Goodrich’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 6.3/10
- Release Date
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October 18, 2024
- Runtime
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111 Minutes
- Director
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Hallie Meyers-Shyer
- Writers
-
Hallie Meyers-Shyer
Written and directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer, Goodrich is a comedy-drama that stars Michael Keaton as the titular art dealer whose life is upended when his younger wife leaves him and enters a 90-day rehab program. With his career and marriage on the ropes, Goodrich is thrust into the world of modern parenthood, leaning on his pregnant daughter (Mila Kunis) for support. The movie also features Carmen Ejogo, Michael Urie, Kevin Pollak, Vivien Lyra Blair, Laura Benanti, Poorna Jagannathan, Andie MacDowell, and more in supporting roles.
Goodrich premiered in October 2024 to a positive critical reception. While the film only had modest success at the box office, it has received praise from audiences for its stellar performances, especially by Michael Keaton. A heartwarming, grown-up comedy with endearing characters, Goodrich is a surprisingly layered film that unpacks complex emotions through a light, humorous plot. It’s a well-performed, occasionally clumsy, but ultimately rewarding story about a man who’s as flawed as they come finally learning to grow past his failures.
‘Your Monster’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 6.4/10
- Release Date
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October 25, 2024
- Runtime
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104 minutes
- Director
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Caroline Lindy
- Writers
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Caroline Lindy
- Producers
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Bob Potter, Sharon Horgan, Kayla Foster, Clelia Mountford
This genre-bending romantic comedy follows Melissa Barrera’s actress Lauren Franco, who, down on her luck and with her life spiraling out of control, finds unlikely solace from a monster living in her closet. A charming horror with plenty of intelligent comedy, Your Monster is a breath of fresh air. Barrera is typically excellent as Franco in a performance that went under the 2024 radar, with the actress proving yet again she’s one of modern horror’s best lead performers. Horror fans or non-fans alike, this is one you’ll want to catch. – Jake Hodges
‘A Different Man’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 6.9/10
- Release Date
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October 3, 2024
- Runtime
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112 Minutes
- Director
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Aaron Schimberg
- Writers
-
Aaron Schimberg
Sebastian Stan’s two critically acclaimed 2024 performances, A Different Man sees the MCU alum star as Edward, a man whose facial disfigurement has sent him into social hiding. After taking part in a revolutionary new medical procedure, Edward’s disfigurement is cured, only for him to slowly begin to feel as if he’s also lost his identity. A thought-provoking, darkly comic flick from director Aaron Schimberg, A Different Man is the sort of movie that will live long in your thoughts long after the credits have rolled. Not only that, but it also features a now-Golden Globe-winning central performance from Stan. – Jake Hodges
‘Juror #2’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 7.0/10
- Release Date
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October 30, 2024
- Runtime
-
114 Minutes
- Writers
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Jonathan A. Abrams
- Producers
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Adam Goodman, Clint Eastwood, Tim Moore, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Jessica Meier, David M. Bernstein, Jeremy Bell
Co-produced and directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Jonathan Abrams, Juror #2 is a legal thriller that revolves around a high-profile murder trial. The film follows the story of a juror who faces a serious moral dilemma when he realizes that he may be the real killer. The movie features an ensemble cast led by Nicholaus Hoult as the titular juror, with Toni Collette, J. K. Simmons, Chris Messina, Zoey Deutch, Cedric Yarbrough, and Kiefer Sutherland in key roles.
Juror #2 had its world premiere at the 2024 AFI Fest, where it received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics. While the film was not particularly successful at the box office, it has received great praise for its writing, direction, and performances and was named one of the Top 10 Films of 2024 by the National Board of Review. While its premise may sound similar to other legal dramas like the classic 12 Angry Men, Juror #2 steps beyond the standard tropes and themes of the genre to present a clear-eyed meditation on law, order, and the failure of systems.
‘Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 8.1/10
This powerful documentary looks at the life of Christopher Reeve, a man who rose to the top of Hollywood and achieved his dream before a 1995 horse-riding accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. Reeve then used his platform to campaign for disability rights and become the voice for many who had long felt unheard. A touching ode to an incredible man, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story proves that Reeve was just as much a superhuman in and out of the red cape. Insightful and touching, this is a documentary you won’t want to miss. – Jake Hodges
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 76% | IMDb: 6.8/10
After almost 35 years, the ghost with most comes back to haunt again as Beetlejuice returns. The sequel to the iconic Tim Burton original follows the Deetz family, now a generation bigger, as they come back into contact with Michael Keaton’s titular bio-exorcist. However, things start to go wrong when the youngest Deetz, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), opens the portal to the afterlife. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice does the unthinkable and satisfies the millions of doting fans of the original movie. With a penchant for practical effects and the same witty, gothic humor, this sequel is well worthy of the Beetlejuice moniker. – Jake Hodges
‘Dream Scenario’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 6.9/10
- Release Date
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November 10, 2023
- Runtime
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100 Minutes
- Director
-
Kristoffer Borgli
- Writers
-
Kristoffer Borgli
Nicolas Cage is known for his wacky projects, and Dream Scenario is no different. Cage portrays Paul Matthews, a seemingly normal family man and academic, who suddenly (and rapidly) begins appearing in an ever-increasing number of people’s dreams. A brilliantly comedic, surprisingly emotional, and highly unique viewing experience, Dream Scenario features Cage at his enigmatic best. Unlike anything else you’ll watch before or again, this is an A24 project you don’t want to miss. – Jake Hodges
‘Janet Planet’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 6.2/10
- Release Date
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June 28, 2024
- Runtime
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113 Minutes
- Director
-
Annie Baker
- Writers
-
Annie Baker
Written and directed by Annie Baker, Janet Planet follows 11-year-old Lacy (Zoe Ziegler) across a single summer in early ‘90s rural Massachusetts. As three enigmatic visitors enter her and her mother’s world, everything begins to change. Unlike many other movies you’re likely to see, Janet Planet is a fascinating deep dive into the quirks of a mother/daughter relationship. At a catch point in any young person’s life, the desire to grow up is fought by the reality of being young, leading to conflict that is so normal yet inherently strange. A beautiful film featuring a stellar central pairing of performances, don’t let Janet Planet pass you by. – Jake Hodges
‘Trap’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 57% | IMDb: 5.9/10
Directed and written by the great M. Night Shyamalan, Trap follows father and daughter Cooper (Josh Hartnett) and Riley (Ariel Donoghue) as they, alongside the rest of their town, get ready for the hotly-anticipated Lady Raven concert. However, when they arrive, things quickly turn sinister as the duo’s lives begin to change forever. A winding, unexpected tale with plenty of intrigue, Shyamalan is certainly a master of his craft despite a divisive filmography, with Trap brimming with the hallmarks of the veteran filmmaker. For those looking for a killer thriller to throw on this Halloween, look no further than Trap. – Jake Hodges
