Top 20 Must-See Films Currently Streaming on Max

Max (previously known as HBO Max) offers its subscribers an extensive collection of movies and TV series, catering to all preferences, whether it's action, drama, or comedy. If you've already explored their superhero lineup and popular classics, check out some of the hidden gems listed below:

1. The Iron Claw (2023)
2. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
3. Gattaca (1997)
4. Melancholia (2011)
5. Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
6. The Craft (1996)
7. Get Shorty (1995)
8. West Side Story (1961)
9. Network (1976)
10. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
11. Blood Simple (1984)
12. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
13. Bicycle Thieves (1948)
14. Joker (2019)
15. Parasite (2019)
16. The Wages of Fear (1953)
17. Midsommar (2019)
18. Fanny and Alexander (1982)
19. Casablanca (1942)
20. Eyes Without a Face (1960)

The Iron Claw (2023)

The Von Erichs, a legendary family in professional wrestling, have endured numerous tragedies over the years. This gripping biopic, highlighted on the National Board of Review’s 2023 best-of list, features Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, and Stanley Simons as brothers trained by their iconic father, Fritz (Holt McCallany), to conquer the wrestling world. The film explores their intricate family relationships amidst championship victories and a relentless series of untimely deaths and life-altering injuries.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

Richard Brooks’s adaptation of the renowned Tennessee Williams play is a sultry, intense drama that maintains simmering tension throughout. Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor deliver electrifying performances as a troubled ex-athlete and a determined woman trapped in a turbulent marriage. During a visit for his father Big Daddy’s (Burl Ives) 65th birthday, unresolved family issues, a looming inheritance, and the specter of cancer cast a shadow over their attempts at reconciliation. The film is a stunning showcase of theatrical brilliance translated to cinema.

Gattaca (1997)

Vincent (Ethan Hawke) aspires to travel to space, but as a “natural-born” human with a heart defect, he’s deemed unfit in a world dominated by genetically engineered “valids.” When a paralyzed former swimmer (Jude Law) offers him his DNA, Vincent seizes the chance to assume a valid’s identity. However, maintaining the deception proves challenging. Starring Uma Thurman, Gattaca presents a chilling dystopian future where human imperfection is systematically erased.

Melancholia (2011)

Melancholia, a term symbolizing profound despair, aptly names the colossal planet destined to collide with Earth in Lars von Trier’s 2011 sci-fi masterpiece. Kirsten Dunst portrays Justine, a deeply troubled woman navigating a chaotic wedding as the apocalypse looms. Featuring Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alexander Skarsgård, and Charlotte Rampling, this haunting exploration of existential dread forces viewers to ponder how they’d spend their final days before the annihilation of everything familiar.

Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)

Following the environmental collapse hinted at in the 1979 original, George Miller’s 1981 sequel plunges into a scorched, fuel-obsessed dystopia. Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson), freed from the burden of preserving civilization, roams the barren wasteland, haunted by the loss of his family and hunted by ruthless gangs. In a post-apocalyptic homage to Akira Kurosawa, Max aids a besieged community against the brutal Lord Humungus (Kjell Nilsson), who demands their fuel under threat of violence. A must-watch for fans of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, this film remains a cornerstone of the series.

The Craft (1996)

Sarah Bailey (Robin Tunney), the new student at a Los Angeles parochial school, befriends a group of bullied outcasts rumored to be witches. As it turns out, they truly are. Nancy (Fairuza Balk), Bonnie (Neve Campbell), and Rochelle (Rachel True) invoke the deity Manon to gain supernatural abilities, which they use to exact revenge on their tormentors. However, their growing hunger for power jeopardizes their high school coven and their lives in this gripping 1996 teen horror film.

Get Shorty (1995)

In this adaptation of Elmore Leonard's work, John Travolta plays Chili Palmer, a loan shark with a knack for navigating Hollywood's cutthroat world. Danny DeVito, who co-stars, was initially considered for the role of Palmer.

West Side Story (1961)

Six decades before Steven Spielberg’s adaptation, Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer portrayed the ill-fated lovers separated by rival teen gangs in New York’s Upper West Side. This Technicolor classic dazzles with its vibrant mix of singing, dancing, and fight choreography, leaving audiences captivated.

Network (1976)

Debuting in 1976, Network eerily foreshadows the convergence of mass media and corporate interests, reshaping how we consume news and entertainment. William Holden and Faye Dunaway portray television producers entangled in a personal relationship while navigating the industry’s shift toward profit-driven news. In their quest for ratings, they manipulate individuals to create sensationalized infotainment. A Best Picture Oscar nominee, the film is renowned not only for its iconic line, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not gonna take this anymore!” but also for its sharp critique of media ethics.

Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway deliver electrifying performances as the notorious outlaws in this groundbreaking film, which revolutionized Hollywood’s portrayal of violence and sexuality. Garnering multiple Oscar nominations and wins for its acting and cinematography, the movie captivates with its blend of raw passion and brutality, showcasing the dark allure of criminality.

Blood Simple (1984)

The Coen brothers’ first feature film is a neo-noir tale where a bar owner (Dan Hedaya) hires a private investigator to murder his wife (Frances McDormand) and her lover (John Getz). Predictably, the plan spirals out of control. Off-screen, the Coens faced their own mishaps, accidentally damaging a potential investor’s car while seeking funding for the production.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, co-written with Arthur C. Clarke, remains unparalleled in its grandeur and visual innovation. The film embarks on a surreal voyage through space, following a mission to Jupiter disrupted by HAL, a sentient computer with its own agenda. Initially considered titles like Project: Space and Tunnel to the Stars, the film stands as a landmark in cinematic history.

Bicycle Thieves (1948)

What begins as a simple tale of an Italian laborer (Lamberto Maggiorani) whose livelihood is threatened when his bicycle is stolen evolves into a profound exploration of morality and ethics under duress. Frequently hailed as one of the greatest films ever made, it continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Joker (2019)

Joaquin Phoenix stepped into the iconic role of the Batman antagonist, following in the footsteps of Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger, with a uniquely haunting portrayal. As Arthur Fleck, a struggling clown, he descends into darkness in a grim, decaying city. The film earned critical acclaim and became the first Batman-related movie to receive an R rating.

Parasite (2019)

Directed by Bong Joon-ho, this Oscar-winning masterpiece follows a destitute family infiltrating the lives of a wealthy household. A black-and-white edition was released in 2020, which Bong believed heightened the emotional depth of the performances.

The Wages of Fear (1953)

Henri-Georges Clouzot delivers a masterclass in tension with this gripping tale of four men tasked with transporting highly unstable nitroglycerine across treacherous terrain to extinguish an oil field fire in South America. A single misstep could mean disaster, making it a nerve-wracking precursor to 1994’s Speed. The film faced cuts during its U.S. debut due to concerns over its length and perceived anti-American themes, but it was fully restored in 1992.

Midsommar (2019)

Florence Pugh stars as a young woman who joins her boyfriend (Jack Reynor) and friends on a trip to a Swedish midsummer festival. What begins as a welcoming celebration soon descends into a chilling nightmare. Director Ari Aster, known for 2018’s Hereditary, drew inspiration from Swedish folklore and his own personal heartbreak to craft this unsettling tale.

Fanny and Alexander (1982)

Ingmar Bergman’s acclaimed period drama follows two siblings (Pernilla Allwin and Bertil Guve) whose idyllic childhood is shattered after their father’s death and their mother’s remarriage. Their resilience and unbreakable bond become their only solace in a world turned upside down. Bergman initially conceived the project for television, later trimming a 320-minute version to 188 minutes for its theatrical release, now available on Max.

Casablanca (1942)

Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman shine in this timeless wartime romance, now a cornerstone of American cinema. The film is renowned for its memorable quotes, though one often misremembered line (“Play it again, Sam”) is a classic example of the Mandela Effect. Bergman’s actual words are, “Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By.’”

Eyes Without a Face (1960)

This chilling French masterpiece follows a surgeon (Pierre Brasseur) who abducts young women in a desperate attempt to restore his daughter’s (Édith Scob) disfigured face. While the film avoids excessive gore, it masterfully builds an atmosphere of dread, offering a sophisticated twist on the mad scientist trope. Its influence extended beyond cinema, inspiring Billy Idol’s 1983 song of the same name.