For those of you who thoroughly enjoy watching an expansive range of both past releases and current content, HBO Max is a go-to source of fulfillment. Up 23% in its total viewership (with an established set of 73.8 million global subscribers by the end of 2021), the premium streaming platform features 10,000 hours of premium content. From new and notable HBO Max original programming like its second-most watched series Euphoria, to acclaimed original content from the HBO network and movies and TV from the programming vaults, HBO Max never stops short at delivering the most sought after projects to its massive viewership.
In the same price realm as HBO’s television streaming service, HBO Max ($14.99/mont or $9.99/month with ads) does in fact offer more exclusive movies, series, and originals, combined with a vast array of content from the important Turner Classic Movies, the BBC, TNT, TBS, and tons of other sources. With HBO Max, it could be argued that viewers would be acquiring a much better deal in available content than just HBO, indicating the dominance of streaming over cable.
Acquired by WarnerMedia, the on demand service covers all the bases in providing an expansive range of content, from some of the best kids shows to great horror movies on HBO Max. After signing a new deal with Discovery Inc. to acquire WarnerMedia and combine HBO Max, along with Discovery+, even more content will be at the disposal of fan fanatics to take in.
Fit for every occasion, HBO Max has tons of existing films, though with so much content, it can be hard to find what to watch. So here we dive head first into some of the best movies currently available to stream on HBO MAX.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
6 The Great Gatsby
Warner Bros.
The Great Gatsby sheds light on a world surrounded by the increasingly obscene wealth of capitalism but hollow on the inside, the adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel telling the story of central characters whose world is filled with deceit, infidelity, and tragedy. The Great Gatsby ultimately represents, with great period-specific costumes and set design, 1920s America and the seeds of greed and growth which would develop over the next century. Putting the jazz age at the center with some toe-tapping music that will get you on your feet, Leonardo DiCaprio’s portrayal of Jay Gatsby is tragic and a practical representation of being a wealthy figure in society.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
5 Argo
Based on the “Canadian Caper” situation, a significant event that occurred during the Iran hostage crisis from 1979 to 1980, Argo hones in on Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck), a U.S governmental extractor who is assigned to rescue 66 American hostages from inside the country. The story is based on a true story of the real-life operation of ex-CIA agent Mendez, and is a fun and sometimes tense look not just at global politics but the movie business itself. Along with Canadian help, the CIA was able to retrieve a group of Americans from Iran, after they escaped a US embassy overrun by Iranian protestors.
4 The Dark Night
Warner Bros. Pictures
The 2008 film The Dark Knight places its emphasis on both Heath Ledger’s flawless performance as the Joker, as well as Christian Bale’s intense and seamless adaptation of the titular caped crusader, often considered to be the best actor who played Batman. This film is so amazing that it’s often considered the model for franchise filmmaking, and viewers were captivated by how realistic these actors were in their roles. For Ledger, his organically creepy yet fascinating depiction of the Joker, combined with Bale’s oppositional force in bringing his character to justice, makes for a thrilling cat and mouse pursuit.
3 Tenet
Known for his complex manner of storytelling, director Christopher Nolan has a rich background of creating films that require viewers to think beyond traditional ways, in order to understand centralized messages. In Tenet, Nolan’s take on science-fiction rests on a CIA agent (John David Washington) as he is sent to prevent the beginning of World War III. The protagonist must travel through time, and tackle a series of personal and professional obstacles, in order to successfully complete his mission in this mind-bending, epic mystery.
2 Joker
Deemed by many film critics as the best picture of 2019, Joker goes there in showing the complexities of Arthur Fleck, which have led to his deep transition into the antagonistic persona as The Joker. The failed comedian, who has also been an avid loner, translates his years of being bullied, ridiculed, and isolated into the personality he chooses to ultimately adapt, the criminal mastermind he is known as today. The film gets specifically into Joker’s personality disorder as his disregard for victims, and people in general, is further brought to light and expanded on. The adored film is rumored to have a sequel in the works.
1 Promising Young Woman
Universal Pictures / Focus
Carey Mulligan is completely amazing in Promising Young Woman, as a former med student who targets sexual predators. The addictive revenge thriller tackles sensitive topics related to sexual assault, while also providing moments of comedy to shine though. Although some viewers believe that any film which chooses to highlight aspects of sexual assault should be met with more seriousness than a darkly comic revenge thriller (which is a significant point), the picture has received mainstream recognition by its five Academy Award nominations and success at the box office, further demonstrating the massive amounts of viewers who have positively responded to it. Its controversial ending is realistic and inevitable, a brutal reminder of the realities many women face.
