HBO Max is by far the superior platform in terms of content, because it has all of the Warner Media gems content like Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, and Bradley Cooper’s A Star Is Born, and a bunch of great licensed movies. So, this list is going to mention all of the best movies on HBO Max you can watch right now.
The list is ranked by the year in which the movie released in, because I have a lot of free time.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Synopsis: When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy and her dog Toto are whisked away in their house to the magical land of Oz. They follow the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to meet the Wizard. En route they meet a Scarecrow that needs a brain, a Tin Man missing a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who wants courage. The wizard asks the group to bring him the broom of the Wicked Witch of the West to earn his help.
Citizen Kane (1941)
Synopsis: The investigation of a publishing tycoon’s dying words reveals conflicting stories about his scandalous life.
Casablanca (1942)
Synopsis: An American saloon owner in North Africa is drawn into World War II when his lost love turns up.
Ikiru (1952)
Synopsis: A dying man devotes his last months to building a children’s playground.
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
Synopsis: A silent-screen swashbuckler finds love while trying to adjust to the coming of sound.
Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Synopsis: The landmark teen film that solidified Dean’s image with the public, follows the story of rebellious middle-class teens, disenfranchised with their parents, and given to a life of thuggery and deadly, dangerous drag racing to win over women.
North By Northwest (1959)
Synopsis: A suave, successful New York advertising executive finds himself, through a case of mistaken identity, embroiled in a web of intrigue and murder that takes him across the country to prove his innocence to the police.
A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
Synopsis: A rock and roll mockumentary that follows “a day in the life” of those four lads from Liverpool who would go on to make music history as the Beatles.
The Graduate (1967)
Synopsis: Benjamin Braddock, adrift after college, is seduced by a woman twice his age: icily-assured friend of the family, Mrs. Robinson. So it’s understandable that Benjamin’s dream girl is aghast when she finds out he’s been sleeping with… her mother.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Synopsis: An imposing black structure provides a connection between the past and the future. When Dr. Dave Bowman and other astronauts are sent on a mysterious mission, their ship’s computer system, HAL, begins to display increasingly strange behavior, leading up to a tense showdown between man and machine that results in a mind-bending trek through space and time.
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Synopsis: An army of dead bodies comes to life and terrorizes a group of friends trapped inside a rural farmhouse.
Risky Business (1983)
Synopsis: A straight-arrow teen whose parents are away gets the Porsche, the Chivas Regal and the chance to finally shed his virginity. Tom Cruise stars as Joel, the boy wonder who decides to break loose. Rebecca De Mornay plays a young call girl whose arrival makes a man out of Joel…but who leads him into sobering trouble.
Blood Simple (1984)
Synopsis: An owner of a seedy small-town Texas bar discovers one of his employees is having an affair with his wife. A chaotic chain of misunderstandings, lies and mischief ensues after he devises a plot to have them murdered.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Synopsis: When Satsuki and her sister Mei move with their father to a new home in the countryside, they find country life is not as simple as it seems. They soon discover that the house and nearby woods are full of strange and delightful creatures, including a gigantic but gentle forest spirit called Totoro, who can only be seen by children. Totoro and his friends introduce the girls to a series of adventures, including a ride aboard the extraordinary Cat Bus, in this all-ages animated masterpiece featuring the voices of Tim Daly, Lea Salonga, and real-life sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning, in early roles.
Goodfellas (1990)
Synopsis: Drama of a half-Irish, half-Sicilian Brooklyn boy initiated into a neighborhood mob in his youth, and the struggles he encounters with the gang through the next 25 years.
Batman Returns (1992)
Synopsis: Set at Christmastime, Gotham City and its holiday celebrations are under siege by the Penguin and a group of circus freaks.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Synopsis: An inside look at a memorable community of criminals. Prizefighter Butch Coolidge has decided to stop payment on a deal he’s made with the devil. Honey Bunny and Pumpkin are a couple of young lovers and small time thieves who decide they need a change of venue. Meanwhile, two career criminals, Vincent Vega and Jules, go about their daily business of shooting up other crooks who are late on payments to their boss. While one is asked to babysit their boss’ dangerously pretty young wife, the other suddenly realizes that he must give up his life of crime.
Speed (1994)
Synopsis: Get set for the ride of your life! Keanu Reeves stars as a loose-cannon cop trying to second-guess a mad bomber (Dennis Hopper)–who has rigged a city bus to explode if its speed drops below 50 mph. Sandra Bullock plays a passenger who suddenly finds herself driving the bus down city streets, through crowded intersections and over an unfinished overpass!
Dumb & Dumber (1994)
Synopsis: Best friends Lloyd and Harry are a pair of dim-witted pals on a cross country road trip to Aspen to return a briefcase full of cash to its rightful owner, Mary Swanson, a beautiful woman who ends up being Lloyd’s dream girl. Little does Lloyd know that Mary is in Aspen trying to find her kidnapped husband. Soon, the two get mixed up in the crime, and their wacky exploits are leading the FBI straight to the crooks.
Babe (1995)
Synopsis: Life on the farm proves to be challenging for a plucky pig in this endearing family comedy. Not only is good-natured Babe unaware of his lowly position on the food chain, but he’s also got it in his head to become the farm’s resident shepherd! Can he prove his worth to the farmer before he winds up on a dinner plate? Sure…with a little help from his barnyard buddies!
The American President (1995)
Synopsis: When President Andrew Shepherd falls in love with Sydney Wade, an environmental lobbyist, he must overcome obstacles not faced by average citizens. He must worry that the public’s right to know will collide with the desire for personal privacy. He must contend with approval ratings, an inquiring press and an aggressive political opponent just to go on a date. The President’s advisors, chief of staff, domestic policy advisor, White House pollster and press secretary help him get through his busy schedule, deal with demands of congress and quell any global predicaments. But political crises are different than personal ones and somehow the American President alone must find a way to balance his love for his country with his love for an incredible woman.
Clueless (1995)
Synopsis: A teen queen tries to run her friends’ lives…and realizes that she has a lot to learn about running her own. Alicia Silverstone ‘is a total winner’ (‘N.Y. Daily News’) as Cher, the prettiest and most popular girl in school, who feels it’s her duty to use her popularity for a good cause…like turning a frumpy new student into a teenage bombshell.
Jerry Maguire (1996)
Synopsis: Tom Cruise is in top form as a sports agent who suddenly discovers his scruples in this romantic comedy, which co-stars Cuba Gooding, Jr. in his Oscar(r)-winning role.
Scream (1996)
Synopsis: Sidney has more than her share of teenage angst to cope with. Her mom was murdered a year ago, her dad is perpetually away on business, and her boyfriend Billy is pressuring her to go all the way. As if that weren’t enough, a brilliant serial killer has begun to terrorize Sidney’s quiet hometown, including her high school classmate Casey Becker. With the calculated genius of a perfect predator, the killer is using his love of scary movies to turn the town upside down – taking everything he knows about the genre to trick his victims, outwit the police and throw his pursuers off base. Now, no one is safe – and everyone is a suspect.
Jackie Brown (1997)
Synopsis: Writer and director Quentin Tarantino adapts Elmore Leonard’s bestseller Rum Punch in a stylish homage to 1970s exploitation movies. What do a sexy stewardess, a street-tough gun runner, a lonely bail bondsman, a shifty ex-con, an earnest federal agent, and a stoned-out beach bunny have in common? They’re six players on the trail of a half million dollars in cash. The big question is, however, who’s getting played and who’s gonna make the big score?
Pleasantville (1998)
Synopsis: An entire fictional town is granted a chance to experience the comedies and dangers of real life when two late 20th Century teenagers accidentally bring living color to a mysterious suburb trapped in a black-and-white ’50s utopia, and set off a revolution.
The Mummy (1999)
Synopsis: Brendan Fraser and opposing teams of treasure hunters uncover a 3,000-year-old Egyptian tomb–and awaken an ancient evil curse–in this power-packed 1999 remake. Rachel Weisz co-stars in this rollicking thrill-ride that finds them dealing with the evil mummy Imhotep, ferocious local warriors, deadly plagues and the nastiest flesh-eating beetles to ever hit the big screen!
Bowfinger (1999)
Synopsis: Sleazy low-level movie producer Steve Martin gets the green light for a picture if he can land the world’s biggest movie star. So when the actor turns him down, Martin simply shoots the film without telling him he’s in it! Eddie Murphy plays two riotous roles–the crackpot movie star and his doofy double for the film–in this ‘spoofy and sweet’ (Philadelphia Inquirer) comedy.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Synopsis: Dapper Danny Ocean is a man of action. Less than 24 hours into his parole from a New Jersey penitentiary, the wry, charismatic thief is already rolling out his next plan. Following three rules: Don’t hurt anybody, don’t steal from anyone who doesn’t deserve it, and play the game like you’ve got nothing to lose. Danny orchestrates the most sophisticated, elaborate casino heist in history.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Synopsis: The future of civilization rests in the fate of the One Ring, which has been lost for centuries. Powerful forces are unrelenting in their search for it. But fate has placed it in the hands of a young Hobbit named Frodo Baggins, who inherits the Ring and steps into legend. A daunting task lies ahead for Frodo when he becomes the Ringbearer to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom where it was forged.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Synopsis: It’s the continuing quest of Frodo and the Fellowship to destroy the One Ring. Frodo and Sam discover they are being followed by the mysterious Gollum. Aragorn, the Elf archer Legolas and Gimli the Dwarf encounter the besieged Rohan kingdom, whose once great King Theoden has fallen under Saruman’s deadly spell.
Elf (2003)
Synopsis: As a baby, Buddy crawls into Santa’s toy bag and is whisked off to the North Pole, where he is raised as an elf. A misfit who grows to be three times the size of his elf family, Buddy ultimately heads to his birthplace of New York City to seek out his roots. Unfortunately, they turn out to be a Scrooge-like father and a cynical ten-year-old stepbrother who doesn’t believe in Santa. Worst of all, everyone seems to have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. But using his simple elf ways, Buddy sets out to single-handedly win over his family and save Christmas in New York, hoping to at last find his true place in the world.
Spirited Away (2004)
Synopsis: Chihiro’s family is moving to a new house, but when they stop on the way to explore an abandoned village, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. Put to work in a magical bathhouse for spirits and demons, Chihiro must use all her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world. Overflowing with imaginative creatures and thrilling storytelling, Spirited Away became a worldwide smash hit, and is one of the most critically-acclaimed films of all time.
The Notebook (2004)
Synopsis: An epic love story centered around an older man who reads aloud to an older, invalid woman whom he regularly visits. From a faded notebook, the old man’s words bring to life the story about a couple who is separated by World War II, and is then passionately reunited, seven years later, after they have taken different paths. Though her memory has faded, his words give her the chance to relive her turbulent youth and the unforgettable love they shared.
The Aviator (2004)
Synopsis: From Martin Scorsese comes this riveting bio-pic of the legendary tycoon Howard Hughes, who left his mark in the worlds of business, flight and film before a mental and physical decline that left him as the world’s most famous recluse. Winner of five Oscars(R), the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Hughes, with Cate Blanchett in an Oscar(R)-winning turn as Katharine Hepburn.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Synopsis: Steve Carell plays a virgin whose co-workers launch him on a wildly misguided quest for sex. Andy is a bike-riding, action-figure-collecting electronics salesman whose erotic failures have led him to give up on the ladies. Following his buddies’ advice leads to some new disasters. But could the solution be just across the street–in the person of a pretty entrepreneur?
Batman Begins (2005)
Synopsis: A young Bruce Wayne travels to the Far East, where he’s trained in the martial arts by Henri Ducard, a member of the mysterious League of Shadows. When Ducard reveals the League’s true purpose, Wayne returns to Gotham intent on cleaning up the city without resorting to murder. With the help of Alfred, his loyal butler, and Lucius Fox, a tech expert at Wayne Enterprises, Batman is born.
The Dark Knight (2008)
Synopsis: With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to destroy organized crime in Gotham for good. The triumvirate proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a rising criminal mastermind known as the Joker, who thrusts Gotham into anarchy and forces the Dark Knight ever closer to crossing the fine line between hero and vigilante.
Ponyo (2008)
Synopsis: Perfect for audiences of all ages, Ponyo centers on the friendship between five-year-old Sosuke and a magical goldfish named Ponyo, the young daughter of a sorcerer father and a sea-goddess mother. After a chance encounter, Ponyo yearns to become a human so she can be with Sosuke. As to be expected with Miyazaki, the film is awash in pure unbridled imagination and visual wonder – but it is the tender love, humor, and devotion exhibited by Ponyo and Sosuke that form the emotional heart of the film.
Adventureland (2009)
Synopsis: A college grad stuck at home when his planned trip to Europe gets cancelled finds unexpected fun working at a dysfunctional amusement park in this comedy from the director of Superbad. Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Martin Starr, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Margarita Levieva, and Ryan Reynolds. Written and directed by Greg Mottola.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
Synopsis: Gary Oldman gives a tour-de-force performance in this taut and suspenseful adaptation of John le Carre’s classic espionage novel. In the early 1970s, Cold War spymaster George Smiley (Oldman) is called out of retirement after an operation goes wrong, in order to expose a suspected Soviet mole high in the ranks of British Intelligence.
Lincoln (2012)
Synopsis: Daniel Day Lewis is spectacular in an Oscar(R)-winning performance as Abraham Lincoln in Steven Spielberg’s hailed film that chronicles the 16th President’s bitter fight to end the Civil War and abolish slavery. Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, and Tommy Lee Jones co-star.
Magic Mike (2012)
Synopsis: By day, Mike makes ends meet any way he can, handyman jobs, detailing cars or designing furniture. But, nighttime is when Mike really gets to display his many talents, he’s the hot headliner in an all-male revue. Mike sees potential in a 19-year-old he dubs the Kid, takes the teen under his wing and instructs him in the tricks of the trade. However, Mike learns there’s a downside to the stripper lifestyle when it threatens his romance with the Kid’s sister.
Pitch Perfect (2012)
Synopsis: Prepare to experience the ‘acca-awesome!’ Beca (Anna Kendrick) has dreams of being a professional dj, but she’s stuck in Barden University, surrounded by an oddball collection of characters. It’s not until she joins the Barden Belles a cappella team that she discovers her singing voice. But can she meld her one-of-a-kind talent with the concept of being a team player?
Stoker (2013)
Synopsis: Steve Carell plays a virgin whose co-workers launch him on a wildly misguided quest for sex. Andy is a bike-riding, action-figure-collecting electronics salesman whose erotic failures have led him to give up on the ladies. Following his buddies’ advice leads to some new disasters. But could the solution be just across the street–in the person of a pretty entrepreneur?
The Conjuring (2013)
Synopsis: In 1970, paranormal investigators and demonologists Lorraine and Ed Warren are summoned to the home of Carolyn and Roger Perron. The Perrons and their five daughters have recently moved into a secluded farmhouse, where a supernatural presence has made itself known. Though the manifestations are relatively benign at first, events soon escalate in horrifying fashion, especially after the Warrens discover the house’s macabre history.
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
Synopsis: Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter and his wife, a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthralls all who encounter her – but ultimately, she must confront her fate, the punishment for her crime. Featuring the voice talents of James Caan, John Cho, Darren Criss, Lucy Liu, James Marsden, and Chloe Grace Moretz, director Isao Takahata’s final film was nominated for an Academy Award and hailed as a masterpiece by critics.
The Voices (2014)
Synopsis: Ryan Reynolds is an off-his-meds screwball who ponders his murderous impulses with the help of his talking pets in this “demented delight” (New York Post). Co-starring Gemma Arterton, Anna Kendrick, and Jacki Weaver. Directed by Marjane Satrapi; written by Michael R. Perry.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Synopsis: From filmmaker George Miller, originator of the post-apocalyptic genre and mastermind behind the legendary Mad Max trilogy, comes this return to the world of the Road Warrior, Max Rockatansky. Haunted by his turbulent past, Mad Max (Tom Hardy — The Dark Knight Rises) believes the best way to survive is to wander alone. Nevertheless, he becomes swept up with a band of survivors fleeing across the Wasteland in a war rig driven by an elite Imperator, Furiosa (Oscar ® winner Charlize Theron– Prometheus). They are escaping a Citadel tyrannized by the Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne), from whom something irreplaceable has been taken. Enraged, the Warlord marshals all his gangs and ruthlessly pursues the rebels in the high-octane Road War that follows.
Dunkirk (2017)
Synopsis: Winner of three Oscars(R), this stunning war film chronicles the World War II battle at Dunkirk; with German troops advancing into France, more than 330,000 Allied troops had to be evacuated from the beaches, many by heroic civilians, while fierce battles waged on land, sea and air kept the enemy at bay. “It’s one of the best war films ever made” (San Francisco Chronicle).
Wonder Woman (2017)
Synopsis: Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, Diana meets an American pilot who tells her about the massive conflict that’s raging in the outside world. Convinced she can stop the threat, Diana leaves her home for the first time. Fighting alongside men in a war to end all wars, she finally discovers her full powers and true destiny.
A Star is Born (2018)
Synopsis: Seasoned musician Jackson Maine discovers — and falls in love with — struggling artist Ally. She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer until Jackson coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally’s career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jackson fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.
The Tale (2018)
Synopsis: Director Jennifer Fox chronicles her story of childhood abuse at the hands of a high-school coach in this powerful, devastating film. Laura Dern stars as the adult Jennifer who finds herself prompted to reconcile her memories of the situation with the horrifying reality.
Doctor Sleep (Director’s Cut) (2019)
Synopsis: In this sequel to Stephen King’s “The Shining,” the troubled, now-adult Dan Torrance (Ewan McGregor) meets a teen who shares his extrasensory gift of the “shine” and tries to protect her from a cult whose members feed off the shine of innocents to become immortal.
Joker (2019)
Synopsis: Todd Phillips helms a gritty origin story starring Joaquin Phoenix and Robert De Niro that centers around Batman’s iconic archenemy in a stunningly original, standalone story. Recalling “Taxi Driver,” Phillips’ exploration of Arthur Fleck (Phoenix) depicts his metamorphosis from societal outcast and failed comedian to cackling criminal mastermind.
Ford v Ferrari (2019)
Synopsis: It was the ultimate battle for racing supremacy: upstart Ford vs. champion Ferrari in 1966’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Matt Damon and Christian Bale star in this Oscar(R)-winning film that follows car builder Carroll Shelby and fearless driver Ken Miles as they work tirelessly to craft a Ford car that can end Ferrari’s reign.
No Sudden Move (2021)
Synopsis: A new crime thriller from Academy Award®-winning director Steven Soderbergh. Set in 1954 Detroit, No Sudden Move features an ensemble cast, including Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbour, Jon Hamm, Kieran Culkin, and Brendan Fraser; with Ray Liotta.
This concludes the list of the best movies on HBO Max you can watch right now. So, if you have watched them tell us in the comments and we will make a new list for you, and if you haven’t what are you waiting for.
