34 Best movies on HBO Max (2023)

Looking for some best movies on HBO Max to watch?

When HBO max launched their OTT platform, it was certain that they will going to provide an ample number of content. From Academy Award-winning films to independent movies, you will get it all at one place.

I love devouring good movies and series. I always look for good content and HBO Max has never disappointed me.

HBO Max is keeping on upgrading themselves with new content that is gripping and exciting to watch. Well, it’s nearly impossible to watch such a massive list of movies.

As with all streaming services, they are competing to be the best in the industry and gain more audience.

In this blog post, I will share some best movies on HBO Max that you can stream anytime. However, there are several other websites too that have listed their version of best movies.  

On the list, I shall share what I felt is best and entertaining.

Best Movies on HBO Max 2023 –

Last Night in Soho

Watching this thriller is what makes me feel like the expected becomes the unexpected. 
The acclaimed British director Edgar Wright is known for stylish editing. Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy take us on an emotional and psychological roller-coaster journey. Last Night In Soho is one of the best films of 2021 which is streaming now on HBO max. 
In short, it is a must watch movie to stream.

Good Will Hunting

Good Will Hunting is a 1997 American drama film directed by Gus Van Sant. It tells the story of Will Hunting played by Matt Damon, a genius janitor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He is a self-taught genius who is discovered by a Harvard professor after he solves a tough math problem. The film received widespread critical acclaim and was a commercial success. It has the IMDB rating of 8.3 and also streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film, tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker who is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife and her lover.

During his time at the prison, he made friends with a fellow inmate, Ellis Boyd, who has been in prison for 40 years. The film received positive reviews from critics and was nominated for seven Academy Awards.

The movie has been voted one of the greatest movies of all time.

Donnie Darko

Donnie Darko is a 2001 American neo-noir psychological thriller film. The film tells the story of Donnie Darko, a troubled teenager who experiences visions of a six-foot tall rabbit named Frank.

The movie creates suspense and thriller. How Frank, a mysterious figure, manipulates Donnie to commit crimes.

The authenticity of the movie lies in the odd things that keep you at the edge of the seat.

It’s been years since I have watched the film but still the scenes the fresh in my memory.

The Departed

The Departed is a 2006 American crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. The movie is about two moles, one planted in the Massachusetts State Police and the other in the Irish Mob, both of whom are working undercover to identify the other’s organization.

The movie is best on many levels. Both Dicaprio and Matt Damon are my favourites and the level of performance they have given are of utmost excellence.

If you are looking for the best drama movies on HBO Max, this movie is what you should watch.

Dunkirk

A Christopher Nolan’s movie that tells the story of the Dunkirk evacuation during World War II. The film has grossed $525 million worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing war film of all time.

Not only that, it has also received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, winning three: Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Film Editing.

You can imagine why it is the best epic war drama film ever made.

There are some greatest war movies like “Saving Private Ryan”, “Full Metal Jacket”, “Platoon” but “Dunkirk” is on another level movie.

One can feel the agony, pain and the tension while watching the film. The cinematography and the music are outstanding. The horrifying nature of war has been depicted from every angle. The movie is a cinematic masterpiece in the cinema’s history.

Joker

The Joker is one of the most popular and iconic comic book villains of all time. He is a master of chaos and anarchy, and his unpredictable nature makes him one of the most feared criminals in the DC Universe.

I watched this film twice to understand every detailed. Joaquin Phoenix has given the best performance of his career and justified the character portrayal of the Joker.

The movie has every reason to be called as the best.

No Country for Old Men

Cormac McCarthy’s novel is about a Texan man in pursuit of two million dollars across the Mexican border. The book was published in 2005, later the movie adaptation got released in 2007.

The film revisits the themes of fate, conscience, and morality. American neo-western neo-noir thriller film. A terrific film to watch. Javier Bardem gives one of the best ever haunted psychotic performance in the history of cinema.

Even though the script is lengthy, still worth your time.

King Richard

Will Smith, who played the father of Venus and Serena Williams in the movie, is a well-made film. The movie is more of a documentary series than I felt.

But a worth watching film. Yet I will say not an Oscar-winning movie for me, certainly a good movie to watch and deserve to be added on this list.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

In the early 1990s, Tammy Faye Bakker Messner was one of the most famous women in America.

She and her husband hosted a TV show which became immensely popular. But it crashed down when her husband was revealed to be involved in a sex and fraud scandal.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye follows from her days as a young wife and mother who helped her husband build a successful televangelism to her battles with cancer and the public fallout of her divorce.

Luckily, it is streaming on HBO Max and worth the watch.

The last Duel

I have watched this film a couple of months ago and I find it quite amusing. The plot of this film is impressive. Set in the medieval era, the story depicts two versions of how women were treated at the mercy of royal egocentric men. How men took the idea of consent and objectifying women.

The individual performances of Matt Damon, Adam Driver and Jodie comer are appreciable.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming-of-age drama film directed by Stephen Chbosky. The story follows 15-year-old Charlie (Lerman) as he struggles to cope with his life after his best friend committed suicide and navigates the ups and downs of high school. He made two special friends from them. He learns the way of life and enjoy.

It is a sweet movie that recalls friendship, teenage love and life.

The Green Mile

The Green Mile is a 1999 American fantasy crime drama film based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. The story is about a black man on death row who has supernatural powers. I am always fascinated by the horror stories of Stephen King. This movie is no different.

Tom Hanks, as correction officer at the penitentiary, is a pleasure to watch.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest

With an IMDB Rating of 8.7, this movie is a 1975 American drama film and second to win all five major Academy Awards (Best Picture, Actor in Lead Role, Actress in Lead Role, Director, and Screenplay.)

This widely acclaimed classic movie portrays the intensity of mental illness.

Jack Nicholson played felon Randle McMurphy gets sentenced at a mental asylum, which he pleaded to avoid the harsh sentence.

A magnificent film to watch and understand the originality of the script.

The Aviator

The Aviator is a 2004 American biographical drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. The film portrays Hughes’ life, an eccentric aviator and film producer who became a leading figure in the aviation industry in the late 1920s to the mid-1940s.

The movie was nominated for eleven Academy Awards and a lot of positive response from the audience. It is Leonardo DiCaprio’s one of the best.

If not on HBO Max, you can also watch it on Amazon Prime.

Moonrise Kingdom

Moonrise Kingdom is a 2012 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film, tells the story of two young lovers, Sam and Suzy, who run away together from their New England town in 1965 into the wilderness. The movie is a sweet fantasy love tale but feel you are watching an adventure story. I loved Anderson’s style of narration.

Indeed, one of the best and deserves to be added on the list of the best movies on HBO Max.

The Help

With an IMDB Rating of 8.1, the movie is a 2011 American period drama film adapted from Kathryn Stockett’s 2009 novel of the same name. It’s a simple story of African Americans working in white households in the early 1960s in Jackson, Mississippi.

The movie received a well response. The film succeeded

magnificently because of

Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer.

There are several small moments in the film that denote the silent turmoil between the race and the male chauvinism.

Dune

The movie is a well-presented science-fiction story about a young man Paul Atreides who steps into the world of the desert to take over his father’s legacy and trust of the people.

The movie has its authenticity and freshness that the audience liked more about.

The stunning visuals have added more originality. I felt the movie was more notable because of its cinematography. The costume, sound design and with the perfection the tech thing is shown has taken this film to the Oscar nomination.

West Side Story

The original West Side Story movie was released in 1961. The same got a remake in 2021 and directed by Steven Spielberg.

It is a simple budding love story about two young lovers, Tony and Maria, from opposing gangs on Manhattan’s West Side.

The movie duel in the ethnic tension between the neighbourhood’s white and Puerto Rican residents. The lover boy, Tony, wants to avoid a fight because he wants a better life for himself and doesn’t want to jeopardize his parole.

Maria, is a city girl living in the NY for years. There are differences in the new movie from the original. Though it’s a remake but Spielberg has made a few changes to add freshness to the side line story.

If you like musical movies, this might find a place in your heart.

Doctor Sleep

I am a big fan of Stephen King’ novel and after ‘The Shining’, ‘Doctor Sleep’ is a worth watching movie. Directed by Mike Flanagan, is a sequel to King’s 1977 horror novel The Shining, and follows the now-adult Danny Torrance as he protects a young girl with similar powers from a cult that wants to use her abilities to bring back the dead.

You shouldn’t compare both the movies as it won’t satisfy you. But if you look at the movie separately, you will know there are so many layers this movie has resembled ‘The Shining.’

The Harry Potter Franchise

The Harry Potter Franchise movie is a great example of how to create a successful movie franchise. The story is based on the book series written by J.K. Rowling. It was an epic success worldwide and generated billions of dollars.

The story follows young wizard Harry Potter as he navigates his way through life at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, battles the evil Lord Voldemort, and tries to uncover the truth about his family.

Everyone is familiar with the story of Harry Potter. Indeed, it is one of the best drama movies of all time.

The reason why this movie is so successful because of how well-written is the story, how well-developed is the characters are, stunning cinematography, sound and special effects.

This movie is a combination of everything a great film needs.

The Shining

The Shining is a horror movie that was released in 1980. The film is based on Stephen King’s 1977 novel of the same name. It was directed by Stanley Kubrick.

It tells the story of Jack Torrance, a writer who takes a job as winter caretaker at the Overlook hotel in the Colorado Rockies with his wife and son.

As the days passes by, Jack falls under the influence of the hotel’s supernatural forces that drove him to madness. Jack’s son Danny has psychic premonitions about the hotel’s dark past and sinister present which torment him as he grows up, which we see in ‘Doctor’s Sleep.’

The movie is considered as one of the best psychological horror films of all time.

Tenet

Released in 2020, the science fiction movie created a lot of buzzes around the world. The film follows a group of international operatives who must travel to different parts of the world to stop a massive global conspiracy.

Christopher Nolan always set a level higher than his previous movie. Beyond the intellectual, the complex narration is what pleases me the most as a viewer.

With little to say, I loved everything about the movie and would love you to stream it on HBO Max.

Batman Series

The Batman series is a superhero film that is incredible to watch. Different actors have played the role of the superhero but the most notable movie that has left an imprint in the audience’s heart is ‘The Dark Knight.’

This is the movie where we see how the Joker created chaos in the city of Gotham and a fear in the people of Gotham.

Heath Ledger performed the role of the Joker with utmost dedication and perfection to details.

Goodfellas (1990)

Goodfellas (1990) is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. Directed by Martin Scorsese, one of the most celebrated and influential filmmakers of all time. The film boasts a stellar cast, including Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci.

All three actors deliver powerhouse performances, with Pesci in particular standing out for his terrifying turn as Tommy DeVito, a ruthless mobster with a hair-trigger temper. Liotta, as the protagonist Henry Hill, is the perfect embodiment of the film’s mix of glamour and violence, while De Niro brings his trademark intensity to the role of Jimmy Conway.

It is not just a gangster movie; it is a deeply layered exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and the corrosive effects of power.

Sound of Metal (2020)

Sound of Metal (2020) is a powerful and emotionally resonant film that explores themes of loss, identity, and acceptance. It tells the story of a heavy metal drummer named Ruben (played by Riz Ahmed) who experiences sudden hearing loss.

The film presents an authentic and empathetic portrayal of the deaf community, highlighting the challenges and complexities of navigating a world that is often inaccessible to those with hearing loss. The film’s use of sound design is particularly noteworthy.

The movie has won two Academy Awards, including Best Sound and Best Film Editing. Actor Riz Ahmed delivers a stunning performance as Ruben, fully immersing himself in the role and capturing the character’s struggle with grace and nuance.

Jojo Rabbit (2019)

Jojo Rabbit is set during World War II and tells the story of a young German boy named Jojo (played by Roman Griffin Davis) who is a member of the Hitler Youth. The film offers a unique perspective on the war and Nazi Germany, as it is told from the point of view of a child who is initially indoctrinated into the ideology of the Nazi regime.

Taika Waititi’s direction is a major highlight of the film. Waititi strikes a delicate balance between humor and pathos, crafting a film that is both emotionally engaging and thought-provoking. The movie has won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

The Banshees of Inisherin” is a dark comedy film, tells the story of two hitmen, Ray and Ken, who are sent to the Belgian city of Bruges after a botched job in London. While waiting for further instructions from their boss, the two men try to pass the time by exploring the city, but they soon find themselves embroiled in a bizarre and violent series of events.

The movie has also received several award nominations and wins, including a BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay and a Golden Globe nomination for Colin Farrell’s performance.

The Favourite

The Favourite” has received critical acclaim and was nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning Best Actress for Olivia Colman’s performance. The movie is a period drama set in the early 18th century and tells the story of Queen Anne’s court and the rivalry between two cousins, Lady Sarah and Abigail, for the Queen’s favor.

The film features standout performances from the lead actors Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz, who all received critical acclaim for their roles. It’s a unique take on a period drama that stands out in the genre.

Crazy Rich Asians

The Crazy Rich Asians movie is a great opportunity to talk about the growing trend of luxury lifestyle content.

The movie, based on the novel of the same name, is about an American-born Chinese economics professor who travels to Singapore to meet her boyfriend’s family. Suddenly, she realizes that the family is an elite rich one in Singapore.

The movie has been praised for its diverse cast and its celebration of Asian culture.

Though the movie is having a cliché plot, a rich boy meeting a regular girl. There is no freshness in the plot. But the highlight of the Asian culture makes it all work.

Free Guy

“Free Guy” is a 2020 American action-comedy film which offers a unique plot to its audience. The film follows a bank teller who discovers he is a background character in a video game and questions about his existence in reality.

I loved the movie only because of Ryan Reynolds and his full enthusiastic performance. This is one of the best video games movies ever made and available for streaming.

The Notebook

The Notebook is a 2004 American romantic drama film adapted from the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. The film stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in the lead as young lovers, Noah and Allie.

The story is narrated by an elderly man, Noah, in a nursing home, who tells the story of his love for a woman named Allie, whom he met in the 1930s.

Whenever we talk about romantic movies, this movie has to be there in the discussion or on the list of best.

However, I feel a bit overrated for a romantic genre of movies. still it is very much a popular movie which I can’t ignore.

You’ve Got Mail

The 1998 film You’ve Got Mail tells the story of two business rivals who unknowingly fall in love with each other over the internet.

The film is set in the late 1990s, when email was becoming popular. Businesses could use email to communicate with their customers in a new way. It is a great fun and a heart-warming movie to watch.

Inception

I certainly can’t forget about Christopher Nolan’s Inception. Released in 2010, a sci-fi thriller movie about a professional thief who commits corporate espionage by infiltrating the subconscious mind of his targets.

Like always, Nolan’s bring to its audience a unique concept, which you will understand after watching it for twice or thrice.

Dream is the theme of the film. How a character infiltrates into the subconscious mind of an individual gets the information of exactly what he needs and plans an idea into their mind is unmatched. Only Nolan can think like that.

Thoroughly an enjoyable film to watch and I could give you like ten reasons for why this is the best thriller movies ever made.

Final Words –

HBO Max has a ton of brilliant movies. Everyone has their favourites. Mine are these. I will keep adding more movies that are worth your time. Keep updating for you.

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