The 47 Best Movies on Max Right Now (November 2024) (2024)

Another streaming service means another vast library of titles to sift through to find what you want to watch. Max is the streaming service from WarnerMedia, hosting not just titles from the pay cable channel HBO, but a bevy of films from the Warner Bros. library and other studios. There’s a great selection of classics, fairly new releases, quirky indies, and yes, superhero movies. The studio behind The Dark Knight and Man of Steel has a solid number of DC films available to stream. But if you’re daunted by all the good movies on Max to choose from, we’ve got your back. Below, we’ve put together a curated list of the absolute best movies on Max. Films that will be well worth your time, with our writers making the case for why each film is special.

So check out our list of the best movies on Max streaming below. And for more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows on Max, best drama movies on Max, and best horror movies on Max.

Editor's note: This article was updated November 2024 to include Elf.

‘Elf’ (2003)

Rotten Tomatoes: 86% | IMDb: 7.1/10

Elf

Family

Comedy

Fantasy

Release Date

November 7, 2003

Director

Jon Favreau

Cast

Will Ferrell , Zooey Deschanel , James Caan , Mary Steenburgen , Edward Asner , Bob Newhart , Daniel Tay

Runtime

97 minutes

The Christmas classic that requires a rewatch every year for millions across the globe, Jon Favreau’s Elf follows Will Ferrell’s Buddy, a human who is accidentally raised on the North Pole. However, as he grows into an adult, the elf-sized world around him shows Buddy he might not be who he’s grown up believing, leaving him with no choice but to head on a hilarious adventure to New York City to find his father, Walter (James Caan). “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear” is one of Buddy the Elf’s mottos — one that certainly captures the joyous festive spirit of this film. Elf is considered a classic for good reason, with its inclusion on Max making a holiday subscription a must. - Jake Hodges

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‘GoodFellas’ (1990)

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 8.7/10

Goodfellas

Biography

Crime

Drama

Release Date

September 12, 1990

Director

Martin Scorsese

Cast

Robert De Niro , Ray Liotta , Joe Pesci , Lorraine Bracco , Paul Sorvino , Frank Sivero

Runtime

145 minutes

Considered by many to be Martin Scorsese’s magnum opus, GoodFellas follows Ray Liotta’s Henry Hill and his life in the mafia. From humble beginnings, dreaming of becoming a gangster to eventually entering witness protection, GoodFellas looks at the highs, lows, and in-betweens of a life of crime. To some, GoodFellas is the gangster genre at its very best. Scorsese’s ability to tell gritty, honest tales with enormous flair is on full display, with Liotta’s central performance the defining turn in his brilliant career. Simply put, GoodFellas is a movie everyone should watch at least once in their life. - Jake Hodges

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‘Janet Planet’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 6.2/10

Janet Planet

Drama

Release Date

June 21, 2024

Director

Annie Baker

Cast

Zoe Ziegler , Luke Philip Bosco , June Walker Grossman , Abby Harri , Julianne Nicholson , Will Patton , Edie Moon Kearns , Mary Shultz

Runtime

113 Minutes

Written and directed by Annie Baker, Janet Planet follows 11-year-old Lacy (Zoe Ziegler) across a single summer in early ‘90s rural Massachusetts. As three enigmatic visitors enter her and her mother’s world, everything begins to change. Unlike many other movies you’re likely to see, Janet Planet is a fascinating deep dive into the quirks of a mother/daughter relationship. At a catch point in any young person’s life, the desire to grow up is fought by the reality of being young, leading to conflict that is so normal yet inherently strange. A beautiful film featuring a stellar central pairing of performances, don’t let Janet Planet pass you by. - Jake Hodges

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‘Trap’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 57% | IMDb: 5.9/10

Trap

Crime

Horror

Mystery

Release Date

August 2, 2024

Director

M. Night Shyamalan

Cast

Josh Hartnett , Hayley Mills , Marnie McPhail , Ariel Donoghue

Directed and written by the great M. Night Shyamalan, Trap follows father and daughter Cooper (Josh Hartnett) and Riley (Ariel Donoghue) as they, alongside the rest of their town, get ready for the hotly-anticipated Lady Raven concert. However, when they arrive, things quickly turn sinister as the duo’s lives begin to change forever. A winding, unexpected tale with plenty of intrigue, Shyamalan is certainly a master of his craft despite a divisive filmography, with Trap brimming with the hallmarks of the veteran filmmaker. For those looking for a killer thriller to throw on this Halloween, look no further than Trap. - Jake Hodges

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‘MaXXXine’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 72% | IMDb: 6.4/10

See Also

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MaXXXine

Horror

Crime

Release Date

July 5, 2024

Director

Ti West

Cast

Mia Goth , Elizabeth Debicki , Moses Sumney , Michelle Monaghan , Bobby Cannavale , Lily Collins , Halsey , Giancarlo Esposito

Runtime

103 Minutes

The combination of Ti West and A24 was always going to bring another inviting tale, with this slasher horror a hit with audiences. MaXXXine follows adult film star Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) as she looks to break into the upper echelons of her industry against the backdrop of a 1985 Los Angeles threatened by a serial killer. However, what will happen when a mysterious detective and the dark past of 2022’s X put her dreams in jeopardy? Goth is simply a delight in this third installment in West’s X series, shining among a plethora of eye-catching stars, with Kevin Bacon, in particular, doing his utmost to steal the show as a private investigator. Terrifying, smart, and full of style, you’ll love MaXXXine. - Jake Hodges

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‘Caddo Lake’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 6.9/10

Caddo Lake (2024)

Drama

Mystery

Sci-Fi

Thriller

Director

Logan George , Celine Held

Cast

Dylan O'Brien , Eliza Scanlen , Caroline Falk , Lauren Ambrose , Sam Hennings , Diana Hopper , Eric Lange , Lance E. Nichols , Nina Leon , David Maldonado , Kim Baptiste , Jules Hilillo Fernandez

Written and directed by Logan George and Celine Held and produced by the master of mystery, M. Night Shyamalan, Caddo Lake is set on the titular wetland and follows the slow cracking of a family after the disappearance of an 8-year-old girl. Originally titled Vanishings, Caddo Lake is another sinister mystery for fans of the genre to sink their teeth into. With twists and turns aplenty, the tension continues to rise as the secrets held by a broken family explode into drama. For those with a Max subscription, this could make for the perfect nighttime viewing experience. - Jake Hodges

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‘The Boy and the Heron’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.5/10

The Boy and the Heron

Adventure

Fantasy

Drama

Release Date

December 8, 2023

Director

Hayao Miyazaki

Cast

Soma Santoki , Masaki Suda , Takuya Kimura , Aimyon

Runtime

124 minutes

The latest addition to Hayao Miyazaki’s incredible filmography is yet another animated masterpiece. Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron follows young Mahito (Soma Santoki), a newly motherless child, as he moves to the countryside to live on his family’s estate. Burdened by grief and facing an overwhelming change to his family unit, Mahito ventures bravely into a strange world of fantasy and adventure, joined on his epic journey by a Grey Heron, voiced by Masaki Suda. A gorgeous, emotional rollercoaster that explores themes intrinsically linked to the lives of us all, The Boy and the Heron proves once and for all, if there were any doubters left, that Miyazaki is a master of his craft. A joyful, moving exploration of grief and humanity, the world of cinema owes an enormous debt of gratitude to Miyazaki, with this one of his best works to date. - Jake Hodges

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‘I Saw the TV Glow’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 5.9/10

I Saw the TV Glow

Drama

Horror

Release Date

January 18, 2024

Director

Jane Schoenbrun

Cast

Justice Smith , Brigette Lundy-Paine , Danielle Deadwyler , Fred Durst , Helena Howard , Ian Foreman

Runtime

100 Minutes

The viral horror that has had the world talking, I Saw the TV Glow follows Owen (Justice Smith), a suburban teenager who simply wants to get through this hellish, angsty period of life unscathed. However, when a classmate introduces him to a late-night supernatural TV show, his world changes forever. Packed full of horror stylings and neatly executed tropes, I Saw the TV Glow is the perfect thought-provoking existential horror. Jane Schoenbrun’s teen spookfest prioritizes indisputable fun and frenzy while also deftly exploring themes of art and identity, making for a truly unique experience. - Jake Hodges

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‘Civil War’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 7.1/10

Civil War

Action

Drama

Release Date

April 12, 2024

Director

Alex Garland

Cast

Kirsten Dunst , Wagner Moura , Cailee Spaeny , Stephen McKinley Henderson , Nelson Lee , Nick Offerman , Jefferson White , Evan Lai , Vince Pisani , Justin James Boykin , Jess Matney , Greg Hill , Edmund Donovan , Sonoya Mizuno , Tim James , Simeon Freeman , James Yaegashi , Dean Grimes , Alexa Mansour , Martha B. Knighton , Melissa Saint-Amand , Karl Glusman , Jin Ha

This A24 smash hit from director Alex Garland, the writer behind the genius zombie flick 28 Days Later, follows a team of military journalists who traverse a warring America to get to the White House before it is destroyed by rebel forces. Supported by a concept that feels scarily relevant, Civil War is a gripping political thriller overflowing with breathless action. If it wasn’t for being so politically on-the-nose (it feels almost like a damning foresight of a broken future), Civil War might have had a fair shot at the upcoming awards season. Instead, it will have to settle for boundless praise, although Garland and co. will likely not mind. - Jake Hodges

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‘Beetlejuice’ (1988)

Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | IMDb: 7.5/10

Beetlejuice

Comedy

Fantasy

Release Date

March 30, 1988

Director

Tim Burton

Cast

Catherine O'Hara , Michael Keaton , Geena Davis , Alec Baldwin , Winona Ryder , Jeffrey Jones

Runtime

92 minutes

This unquestionable classic — and perhaps Tim Burton’s best — follows a seemingly ordinary couple, Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara (Geena Davis). However, after a freak accident sadly kills the pair, they inexplicably become ghosts and must try to haunt the new owners of their house into giving it up. Beetlejuice is a wild ride of sheer joy that never hides away from the gothic horror that bleeds from its core. Featuring a plethora of memorable performances and moments, highlighted by one of cinema’s greatest unexpected musical numbers, Beetlejuice became an instant classic in 1988 and has demanded a sequel ever since. Luckily, that sequel has arrived, giving a new generation the chance to experience first-hand the devilish delights of Be… best not to say it a third time. - Jake Hodges

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‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.6/10

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Action

Adventure

Sci-Fi

Release Date

May 24, 2024

Director

George Miller

Cast

Anya Taylor-Joy , Chris Hemsworth , Tom Burke , Alyla Browne , Nathan Jones , Angus Sampson , Daniel Webber , Lachy Hulme

Runtime

148 minutes

A spin-off prequel to the smash-hit reimagining from 2015, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga follows the titular renegade warrior (Anya Taylor-Joy) as she is kidnapped and placed in the hands of the Warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). Desperate to find a way home, Furiosa, helped initially by the bravery of her mother, must fight against a post-apocalyptic, warring landscape for her future. For the many fans of the 2015 film, Furiosa acts as the perfect origin story for an immersive character before her life with Max. As a visual spectacle, Furiosa is a masterpiece of filmmaking, with cinematography it becomes impossible to not simply marvel at. Furiosa is also indulgent, with a world that feels just as full and enigmatic as the 2015 film. Whether or not it is better than the previous entry is up for debate, but very little is, so don’t let that put you off this two-and-a-half-hour rollercoaster ride. - Jake Hodges

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‘Mamma Mia’ (2008)

Rotten Tomatoes: 55% | IMDb: 6.5/10

Mamma Mia

Comedy

Musical

Romance

Release Date

July 2, 2008

Director

Phyllida Lloyd

Cast

Amanda Seyfried , Stellan Skarsgård , Pierce Brosnan , Nancy Baldwin , Colin Firth , Heather Emmanuel

Runtime

108

Based on the jukebox musical written by British playwright Catherine Johnson and the music of the Swedish pop group ABBA, Mamma Mia is the story of a young bride (Amanda Seyfried) who invites three men to her destination wedding with hopes of figuring out which of them could be her father. The film is a whacky good time with great musical sequences, and every single one of the huge cast of stars gives their all to keep each scene light and full of momentum. Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada) as the mother of the bride who slept with these three men played by Pierce Brosnan (The Misfits), Colin Firth (The King's Speech), and Stellan Skarsgård (Andor) gives a standout performance, bouncing between lushy wreck and devoted mother.

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‘Pretty Woman’ (1990)

Rotten Tomatoes: 65% | IMDb: 7.1/10

Pretty Woman

Comedy

Romance

Release Date

March 23, 1990

Director

Garry Marshall

Cast

Richard Gere , Julia Roberts , Ralph Bellamy , Jason Alexander , Laura San Giacomo , alex hyde-white

Runtime

119 mins

A certain classic of the early 1990s, Pretty Woman follows Edward (Richard Gere), a wealthy charmer with good looks and a style to match, who hires sex worker Vivian (Julia Roberts) to accompany him to important functions. Alas, he soon finds himself falling for her, with an unexpected world of romance and heartbreak ready to bring together the two unlikely companions. Pretty Woman is the perfect example of a movie many may have not seen but most have at least heard of. Iconic for many reasons, such as that shopping scene, Gere and Roberts craft a duo with boundless chemistry that is one of cinema’s best pairings. Funny, heartfelt, and brilliantly addictive, Pretty Woman is a must-watch. - Jake Hodges

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‘Love Lies Bleeding’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 6.7/10

Love Lies Bleeding

Action

Adventure

Crime

Release Date

March 8, 2024

Director

Rose Glass

Cast

Anna Baryshnikov , Kristen Stewart , Dave Franco , Katy M. O'Brian

Runtime

104 minutes

This 2024 A24 hit follows the quick-burning love between gym manager Lou (Kristen Stewart) and bodybuilder Jackie (Katy O’Brian). As Jackie pursues her dream of Vegas bodybuilding fame, their romance spirals out of control and into the world of criminal violence. A24 is no stranger to love gone wrong, with this romance one of the darker the company has produced. A grim, twisted affair, both Stewart and O’Brian shine with enough chemistry to fill a lab. Managing to neatly toe the line between graphic material and a lack of exploitation of the LGBTQ+ nature of the film, Love Lies Bleeding is both thrilling and challenging. - Jake Hodges

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‘The Sixth Sense’ (1999)

Rotten Tomatoes: 86% | IMDb: 8.2/10

The Sixth Sense

Thriller

Drama

Horror

Mystery

Release Date

August 6, 1999

Director

M. Night Shyamalan

Cast

Bruce Willis , Toni Collette , Haley Joel Osment , Olivia Williams , Donnie Wahlberg

Runtime

107 minutes

Bolstered by one of the greatest twists in cinema history, The Sixth Sense stars Bruce Willis as child psychologist Malcolm Crowe, a genius in his field who is tasked with helping a young boy, Cole (Haley Joel Osment). No normal child, Cole can “see dead people,” leaving Crowe with a challenge only he can solve that will soon take over his entire life. M. Night Shyamalan’s magnum opus, The Sixth Sense is a masterclass in storytelling, with each beat steeped in narrative importance. It is inconceivable to imagine anyone who hasn’t had the ending of this iconic flick spoiled, but in the event this is the case, prepare to have your world blown open as the walls the story has built come crumbling down around you. Nominated for an incredible six Academy Awards, The Sixth Sense is a must-watch. - Jake Hodges

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'The Florida Project' (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.6/10

The Florida Project

Drama

Release Date

October 6, 2017

Director

Sean Baker

Cast

Brooklynn Prince , Christopher Rivera , Aiden Malik , Josie Olivo , Valeria Cotto , Edward Pagan

Runtime

111 mins

The Florida Project is brilliant and human and it will absolutely break your heart. The film follows a six-year-old girl named Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) who lives in a motel in Kissimmee, Florida, just around the corner from DisneyWorld. In Moonee’s eyes, her days are filled with adventure as she makes the best out of living week-to-week in a motel with her single mother. But through the eyes of Bobby (Willem Dafoe), the motel’s manager, we see the abject poverty surrounding its tenants and the loops they continue getting stuck in without any promise of upward mobility. Like Boyhood, this story feels at once individualistic and universal, and Sean Baker’s docudrama-like filmmaking makes the events feel all too real. This is an essential watch. – Adam Chitwood

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'The Iron Claw' (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.7/10

The Iron Claw

Drama

Biography

Sport

Release Date

December 22, 2023

Director

Sean Durkin

Cast

Zac Efron , Jeremy Allen White , Harris Dickinson , Maura Tierney

Runtime

130 minutes

A movie widely cited as the most dismissed during the most recent Academy Awards, The Iron Claw, written and directed by Sean Durkin, tells the true story of wrestling’s Von Erich brothers. As some of the 1980s best-loved wrestlers, the brothers leave everything on the line to become legends of their sport, often resulting in grand tragedy. Featuring an excellent pair of performances from Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White, The Iron Claw is much more than a movie for wrestling fans, reaching into the heart of any viewer with themes of legacy and family. A marvel of storytelling triumph, the movie is paced to perfection, with jumps in time feeling wholly necessary and the moments of true emotion well earned. This is certainly one of the best movies to have been released in the past year. - Jake Hodges

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'Dune: Part 2' (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 8.6/10

Dune: Part Two

Science Fiction

Adventure

Release Date

February 27, 2024

Director

Denis Villeneuve

Cast

Timothée Chalamet , Zendaya , Rebecca Ferguson , Javier Bardem , Josh Brolin , Austin Butler , Florence Pugh , Dave Bautista , Christopher Walken , Lea Seydoux , Stellan Skarsgård , Charlotte Rampling , Souheila Yacoub , Roger Yuan , Babs Olusanmokun , Giusi Merli , Kait Tenison , Tara Breathnach , Akiko Hitomi , Imola Gáspár , Elbooz Omar Ahmed Fathie , Abdelkarim Hussein Seli Mohamed Hassanin , Joseph Beddelem , Xavier Alba Royo , Rachid Abbad

Runtime

167 minutes

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two is the second act of the filmmaker’s adaptation of the 1965 Frank Herbert novel Dune, an epic story of science fiction. The film boasts an ensemble cast led by Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, who unites with Arrakis’ Fremen people against House Harkonnen. Zendaya, Josh Brolin, and more reprise their roles from the first film, 2021’s Dune: Part One, with the movie also introducing Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, and Souheila Yacoub to its sprawling ensemble. Villeneuve directed and produced the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Jon Spaihts. Dune: Part Two has received great praise from critics and fans — even more so than the first film — and is one of the highest-grossing films of 2024. A visual spectacle in every frame, the movie is a stunning piece of cinematic storytelling that’s everything a sci-fi fan could ask for. The film also improves on its predecessor in terms of character development and emotional depth, and with a sequel already in development, based on 1969’s Dune Messiah, this burgeoning franchise shows no signs of slowing down.

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'Black Swan' (2010)

Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 8.0/10

Black Swan

Thriller

Documentary

Release Date

December 3, 2010

Cast

Natalie Portman , Mila Kunis , Vincent Cassel , Barbara Hershey , Winona Ryder , Benjamin Millepied

Runtime

108 minutes

Directed by Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan is a psychological horror film starring Natalie Portman as a ballerina who finds herself spiraling into madness as she competes for the coveted lead in a production of Swan Lake. The film’s screenplay was written by Andres Heinz, Mark Heyman, and John McLaughlin. Besides Portman in the lead role, the movie also stars Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, and Winona Ryder. Black Swan premiered at the 2010 Venice International Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim for its direction and performances. Shortly after, the film arrived in theaters and became a major global success as well, bringing in over $300 million on a budget of just $13 million. Natalie Portman delivers an Oscar-winning performance as a troubled artist on the brink of insanity — arguably one of the best of her career. Aronofsky’s masterful direction blends reality and illusion into a heady, surreal mix, which further highlights Portman’s performance and takes the viewer on a troubling, enthralling journey to the darkest corners of the human mind.

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'The Zone of Interest' (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 7.5/10

810

The Zone of Interest

Drama

History

War

Release Date

December 15, 2023

Director

Jonathan Glazer

Cast

Sandra Hüller , Christian Friedel , Freya Kreutzkam , Max Beck

Runtime

105 minutes

Read Our ReviewJonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest is a much-acclaimed historical drama that focuses on the family of an Auschwitz commandant who lives next to the concentration camp. While inspired by Martin Amis’s 2014 novel of the same name, the film actually looks at the real-life people who inspired the book instead of being a direct book-to-screen adaptation. The movie stars Christian Friedel and Sandra Hüller and premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim, winning the Grand Prix and receiving praise for its direction, script, cinematography, sound design, and atmosphere. The movie won Oscars for Best International Feature and Best Sound and was nominated in three other categories. Hailed as one of the best films of 2023, The Zone of Interest presents a dispassionate look at the ordinary people who were part of extraordinary cruelty. With this brilliant movie, Glazer juxtaposes the mundane life of a family with the heinousness of the Holocaust, creating a film that is devastatingly real.

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