HBO Max may be known for new exclusives like the upcoming Friends reunion special and the new DC live-action shows such as Justice League Dark. However, there’s also plenty of films to watch – from big action flicks to comfort films.
As a note, HBO Max will constantly be updating its library of films, so some movies may be taken down without notice. However, we update this list monthly to ensure that it is an accurate as it can be.
Wonder Woman
Of all the DC movies, Wonder Woman is without a doubt a one of the best. This film tells the story of Diana, an Amazonian warrior who comes to the UK during WW1 to fight the god Ares. There, she meets a man who becomes dear to her, and discovers that the war is different to what she expected.
Jojo Rabbit
Taika Waititi has hit after hit, and Jojo Rabbit is no different. This World War II satire follows a young boy called Jojo who is working towards joining the Nazi Party’s youth organisation. However, his world is turned upside down when he discovers that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home. Plus, Waititi plays Jojo’s imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler.
Joker
Whilst Joker may be quite polarising amongst audiences, it’s one of the few DC films that you can watch without any prior knowledge of superheroes. Rather than intergalactic villains from outer space, this film shows one troubled man’s descent into madness. It’s gritty, violent, and you’ll most likely leave it with some strong opinions.
Cast Away
Yet another Tom Hanks classic, Cast Away is a survival drama of a man who gets stranded on a desert island following a plane crash. He does his best to stay alive throughout the film, and manages to not succumb to loneliness by creating a friend from a volleyball who he affectionately calls ‘Wilson’.
IT: Chapter 2
Sequels don’t always live up to the original films – but IT: Chapter 2 is just as creepy and bizarre as the original film. Taking on the second half of Stephen King’s novel, the kids of Derry have grown up and return to the town to confront Pennywise and end the monster’s tyranny once and for all. You can read more in our full review of IT: Chapter 2.
Birds of Prey: Harley Quinn
Harley is back for more madness and mayhem, but this time she’s stepping out of the shadow of the Joker (or “mr J”) and assembling her own team – consisting of Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya – to take on a large-scale crime ring in Gotham City. If you love Deadpool, you’re guaranteed to love this one – find out why we loved it here.
Spirited Away
HBO Max features a whole host of Studio Ghibli movies, and one of the most beloved is Spirited Away. The film follows a young girl called Chihiro, who along with her parents discovers a seemingly abandoned theme park. However, things take a turn for the worse when her parents are turned into beasts.
The Shining
The Shining is based on the book of the same name by Stephen King. Set in the Overlook Hotel in the Rocky Mountains, Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) takes on a job there to cure his writers block. However, supernatural elements within the hotel start to mess with his mind. Read our full review of the sequel, Doctor Sleep here.
Dirty Dancing
As classic rom-coms go, Dirty Dancing is up there with some of the greats, and you’ll be waiting for THAT lift the whole film. Young woman Baby is on holiday with her family, and offers to become the dance partner of a professional performer at the resort to help him out. During their time practicing together, the two begin to fall in love – but complications arise.
Detective Pikachu
Videogame adaptations are starting to become pretty darn good, and Detective Pikachu led the charge for this. In a world where humans and Pokémon co-exist, Tim Goodman teams up with Detective Pikachu to find his missing father – but strangely he’s the only person that can hear the wise-cracking Pokémon talking English. Read our review of the film here.
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