Best Movies On HBO Max That Still Feel Underrated
Best Movies on HBO Max for Viewers Who Want More
The best movies on HBO Max right now include recent blockbuster hits like Sinners, Superman, and Dune: Part Two, along with Academy Award winners such as The Brutalist and Flow. The platform also streams all eight Harry Potter films, the complete John Wick franchise, and the entire Studio Ghibli collection including Spirited Away.
Top 10 Must-Watch Movies on HBO Max (May 2026)
Based on critical acclaim, box office performance, and audience ratings, these are the premier titles available for streaming as of late May 2026.
- Sinners - Ryan Coogler's action-horror blockbuster with vampires, grossing $315M worldwide
- Dune: Part Two - Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic, winning 6 Academy Awards
- The Brutalist - 3.5-hour epic won Best Actor (Adrien Brody), Best Cinematography, Best Original Score
- Superman - James Gunn's DC reboot starring David Corenswet, revitalizing the franchise
- Flow - Latvian animated feature, Academy Award winner for Best Animated Feature
- A Complete Unknown - Timothée Chalamet's Oscar-nominated Bob Dylan biopic, Best Picture nominee
- The Substance - Demi Moore horror film, won Oscar for Best Makeup, 5 nominations total
- Wuthering Heights - Emerald Fennell's provocative adaptation starring Margot Robbie
- John Wick (all 4 chapters + Ballerina) - Keanu Reeves' influential action franchise
- Spirited Away - Hayao Miyazaki's Oscar-winning Studio Ghibli classic
Comprehensive Movie Categories Available
HBO Max distinguishes itself through diverse genre coverage spanning horror, sci-fi, classics, documentaries, and family animation.
| Category | Top Titles | Rotten Tomatoes Score | Release Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action/Horror | Sinners, Weapons, Bring Her Back | 85% average | 2025 |
| Sci-Fi Epic | Dune: Part Two, Dune | 93% | 2024 |
| Oscar Winner | The Brutalist, Flow, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed | 97% | 2022-2024 |
| Franchise | Harry Potter (8 films), John Wick (5 films) | 78% average | 2001-2023 |
| Animation | Spirited Away, Ne Zha II, Barbie | 96% | 2001-2023 |
| Documentary | Navalny, Moonage Daydream, The Alabama Solution | 94% | 2022-2025 |
Recent Additions (May 2026)
The platform regularly updates its library with fresh theatrical releases. As of May 29, 2026, these new titles are now streaming:
- The Bride! - Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale in Maggie Gyllenhaal's Bride of Frankenstein reimagining
- Marty Supreme - Timothée Chalamet as a 1950s table tennis star with Gwyneth Paltrow
- Ne Zha II - Chinese animated film, highest-grossing non-English language film worldwide
- Cleaner - Daisy Ridley action thriller from Casino Royale director Martin Campbell
- Friendship - Tim Robinson cringe comedy with Paul Rudd, one of 2025's funniest
Classic & Cult Favorites
HBO Max maintains an extensive classic film archive that appeals to cinephiles seeking timeless cinema:
- The Big Lebowski - Coen Brothers cult classic
- Saving Private Ryan - Steven Spielberg's WWII epic
- Raiders of the Lost Ark - Original Indiana Jones adventure
- No Country for Old Men - Coen Brothers Oscar Best Picture winner
- The Lord of the Rings trilogy - Extended editions available (3+ hours each)
Documentary Excellence
The platform features award-winning documentaries covering social justice, music, and political activism:
- Navalny (2023 Best Documentary Oscar) - Russian opposition leader's poisoning investigation
- All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (2023 Best Documentary Oscar) - Nan Goldin's Sackler family activism
- The Alabama Solution - Exposé on Alabama's corrupt prison system
- Moonage Daydream - David Bowie cinematic odyssey
- aka Mr. Chow - British Chinese restaurateur's life story
Why HBO Max Stands Out for Film Lovers
HBO Max has one of the best film libraries among streaming services, consistent through all name changes from HBO Max to Max and back. The platform combines Warner Bros. blockbusters like Dune, HBO original content, the Studio Ghibli collection, and rotating theatrical releases. With 47+ top-rated movies available as of May 2026, it serves dedicated cinephiles seeking both contemporary hits and classic cinema.
Everything you need to know about Best Movies On Hbo Max That Still Feel Underrated
What movies are newly added to HBO Max in May 2026?
The Bride!, Wuthering Heights, Marty Supreme, A Complete Unknown, and Ne Zha II are among the latest additions as of May 29, 2026.
Is the entire Harry Potter series on HBO Max?
Yes, all eight Harry Potter franchise films are currently streaming on HBO Max, enabling complete binge-viewing.
What Studio Ghibli movies are available?
HBO Max houses the complete Studio Ghibli collection, including Spirited Away (Oscar winner), My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and all Hayao Miyazaki films.
Are John Wick movies on HBO Max?
All four mainline John Wick films plus Ana de Armas-led spinoff Ballerina are currently streaming, making it the most influential action franchise of the past decade.
Which Oscar winners are on HBO Max?
Academy Award winners include The Brutalist (3 Oscars), Flow (Best Animated Feature), The Substance (Best Makeup), Dune: Part Two (6 Oscars), Navalny, and All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (both Best Documentary).
