HBO Max: The 23 Absolute Greatest Motion pictures to Watch

Skimming by HBO Max for what to look at tonight?
Regardless of the Warner Bros. Discovery TV and film cull of 2022, there’s nonetheless a superlative assortment of titles to catch. It helps that HBO, Warner Bros. and DC Comics all dwell below the HBO Max roof. Plus, try what’s coming to the streamer every month.
What’s new on HBO Max this month (February)
Feb. 1
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991): Psychological thriller starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. The FBI sends an agent (Foster) to interview a demented prisoner (Hopkins) who could present clues to an at-large serial killer’s actions.
- Eighth Grade (2018): Coming-of-age film directed by Bo Burnham. An introverted 13-year-old woman tries to outlive the final week of her disastrous eighth grade yr.
- Footloose (1984): Musical starring Kevin Bacon. A metropolis boy (Bacon) finds himself in an uptight Midwestern city the place dancing has been banned.
Feb. 7
- All That Breathes (2022): Documentary and 2023 Oscar nominee. It follows two brothers in New Delhi, India, who run a chicken hospital devoted to rescuing injured black kites.
- Fringe of Tomorrow (2014): Sci-fi film starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. After aliens launch an assault on Earth, an inexperienced army officer (Cruise) dies and is thrown right into a time loop.
- Empire of Gentle (2022): Drama directed by Sam Mendes. It is concerning the energy of human connection throughout turbulent instances.
Learn extra: Greatest TV Exhibits to Watch on HBO Max
Greatest HBO Max originals and blockbusters
At time of writing, these movies all rating round 65 or larger on Metacritic.
Comedy

Searchlight
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Set on a distant island off the coast of Eire, Banshees is a darkly humorous and heartbreaking drama that is persistently beautiful to take a look at. It is about what occurs after Colm (Brendan Gleeson) abruptly decides to chop off his lifelong buddy Pádraic. Farrell and Gleeson additionally starred collectively in director Martin McDonagh’s debut function In Bruges.

Father of the Bride (2022)
HBO Max’s Father of the Bride introduces a Cuban American household that features patriarch Billy, a standard man who struggles to digest stunning information from his eldest daughter: She’s met a man, and he or she needs to marry and transfer away with him. The third movie adaptation of a 1949 novel of the identical title by Edward Streeter, the film is an pleasurable iteration that features stars like Andy Garcia and singer Gloria Estefan.

Searchlight Footage
The French Dispatch (2021)
Settle in for an additional eccentric, fantastic-looking function from director Wes Anderson. The auteur behind “Moonrise Kingdom” and “The Grand Budapest Lodge” units his sights on an alluring new story — or reasonably, three. The French Dispatch, dubbed a “love letter to journalists,” takes viewers by a triad of separate tales, straight from the pages of a fictional journal. In case you missed this extremely authentic installment when it hit theaters final October, now’s the time to get in on its charming story.

Warner Bros.
A playful comedy set within the ’80s, 8-bit Christmas follows the story of a younger Jake Doyle, a devoted 10-year-old who desperately seeks a Nintendo. The movie is delightfully narrated by Neil Patrick Harris, an older Jake reminiscing on his previous quest to safe the gaming console. Sure, there is a Christmas backdrop to the story, however Jake’s unyielding dedication to his mission, and what he learns alongside the way in which, make this cheery function a must-watch even after the vacation season.

HBO Max
Meryl Streep taking part in an eccentric creator in a Steven Soderbergh comedy. What extra do it is advisable know? In case you do wish to know extra: Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Alice Hughes (Streep) is struggling to complete her subsequent e book, chased by her literary agent (Gemma Chan). She boards a cruise ship with previous buddies, who impressed her best-known work. Tensions are sturdy. It appears nice — Soderbergh makes use of crisp, pure mild — and a lot of the dialogue is improvised. See how Dianne Wiest, Candice Bergen, Lucas Hedges and the remainder of the impeccable solid have enjoyable with that.
Drama

Warner Bros.
Need to see Austin Butler rock out in a pink go well with? How about one of many 89 different costumes the actor dons within the dazzling, jam-packed 2 hour, 40 minute movie? Directed by Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge, The Nice Gatsby), Elvis is a grand, exhilarating biopic that is all concerning the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. In case you did not catch it in theaters, now’s your probability to discover a spot within the crowd.

HBO Max
Steven Soderbergh directs this participating tech thriller set throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Angela, a Seattle tech employee performed by a neon blue-haired Zoë Kravitz, has agoraphobia, a concern that forestalls her from making it previous the entrance door of her condominium. However when she uncovers an unsettling recording whereas doing her job, she’s pushed to make the leap. Kimi is a trendy thriller full with eye-catching cinematography, a strong rating and a protagonist you will be rooting for.

Warner Bros.
After a capturing happens at her highschool, 16-year-old Vada Cavell should navigate friendships, college and her relationship together with her household. The Fallout skillfully approaches severe subject material with lifelike dialogue and compassion for its characters. With sturdy performances from stars Jenna Ortega, as Vada, and Maddie Ziegler, as her new buddy Mia Reed, the function will hold you glued to the display screen for the whole lot of its 90-minute runtime.

Janus Movies
What can we are saying about acclaimed Japanese drama Drive My Automotive? Effectively, it snagged an Oscar for greatest worldwide function movie on the 2022 Academy Awards. It is also a three-hour film that individuals are sitting and watching right through, which, to me, speaks volumes. However severely, Drive My Automotive is a robust movie that explores loss and letting go. In case you missed it earlier than the Oscars, stream it now.

Chiabella James/Warner Bros. Footage
King Richard is a feel-good biopic concerning the father of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams. The movie winds again the clock to earlier than the sisters grew to become family names, giving us a glimpse of their upbringing in Compton and time spent training on run-down courts with their father, Richard Williams (Will Smith). Satisfied his daughters are going to achieve success, Richard works tirelessly to get their star potential observed by skilled coaches. A sophisticated man with an incredible character, Richard is fascinating to get to know, and his unwavering perception in Venus and Serena is inspiring.

Scott Free
The Final Duel notably did not win lots of eyeballs when it debuted in theaters in October. But it surely’s on HBO Max now, the place audiences can watch from the consolation of their sofa as Adam Driver and Matt Damon battle it out. Directed by Ridley Scott, The Final Duel is a historic drama set within the Center Ages with an A-list solid that additionally consists of Jodie Comer and Ben Affleck. If any of those particulars pique your curiosity, and also you’re ready to take a seat by its two and half hour runtime, pull out some popcorn and placed on this flick.

Imaginal Disc
A uncommon (these days) 90-minute movie, American Mexican drama Son of Monarchs will stick with you lengthy after the tip credit roll. This deep character examine follows two brothers who’re modified in markedly alternative ways by the trauma they suffered in childhood. This story, folding in magical realism, follows how they transfer ahead in life — the butterfly metaphors are sturdy, with biologist Mendel returning to his hometown surrounded by majestic monarch butterfly forests.

HBO/Screenshot by robotechcompany.com
Based mostly on {a magazine} article by journalist Robert Kolker, this story a few public college embezzlement scandal and the coed journalists who broke the information is charming from begin to end. Allison Janney and Hugh Jackman are nice of their roles as the varsity officers who took half within the scheme. The drama additionally received the 2020 Emmy award for Excellent Tv Film.
Horror

Eric Zachanowich/Searchlight Footage
A dinner at an unique restaurant turns from one thing to savor to one thing to outlive on this stunning horror satire. Viewers study concerning the privileged friends eating at Hawthorne as Ralph Fiennes’ skilled chef unveils his fateful menu. Discover your seat for this delectable expertise, which additionally stars Anya Taylor-Pleasure.

twentieth Century Studios
In Barbarian, younger girl (Georgina Campbell) travels to Detroit for a job interview and discovers her Airbnb has been double-booked. She would not instantly belief the opposite individual in the home (and, truthful — the actor, Invoice Skarsgård, seems as terrifying homicide clown Pennywise within the It films). However you positively will not predict what occurs subsequent. Barbarian will be discovered on lists of greatest horror films of 2022.
Thriller

Common Footage
Final Night time in Soho (2021)
Dreaming of a fantastic film evening? Final Night time in Soho, the newest film from Edgar Wright (Child Driver, Shaun of the Useless) is right here to offer. The movie begins within the current day, the place a style-loving Ellie (Thomasin McKenzie) units out for the London Faculty of Vogue. Finally, sleep transports her to the ’60s, the place she encounters an aspiring singer named Sandie (Anya Taylor-Pleasure). Prepare for thriller, horror and dazzling neon lights.

HBO Max
A brand new Steven Soderbergh film? Aka the nice director behind Erin Brockovich, Ocean’s Eleven and, extra just lately, Logan Fortunate? Twists, thrills and determined characters populate this crime thriller set in Nineteen Fifties Detroit. When a seemingly easy job will get out of hand, a bunch of criminals should work collectively to uncover what’s actually happening. Take within the unbelievable solid: Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbour, Jon Hamm and Amy Seimetz. Whereas the plot generally is a little convoluted and a few will not be capable of get previous the fish-eye lens cinematography, Soderbergh’s humorousness and immersive path make this crime caper an entertaining evening in.
Documentary

HBO Max
Tony Hawk: Till the Wheels Fall Off (2022)
Tune into this HBO doc for the mesmerizing, gravity-defying skateboard stunts, a time capsule of the ’80s skateboarding scene, and a model of Hawk you have in all probability by no means seen. We get to know the famend athlete as a lanky, cussed however decided child who adopted his personal skateboarding fashion. Hawk’s persistence is one thing to marvel at, together with all of the beautiful skateboard strikes this movie packs in. Hold on for a memorable experience.

CNN/Focus Options
Roadrunner: A Movie About Anthony Bourdain (2021)
This movie about beloved creator, chef and globe-traveling TV host Anthony Bourdain comes from documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville, who additionally directed 2018’s Will not You Be My Neighbor? and the Oscar-winning movie Twenty Ft from Stardom. In interviews with individuals who knew Bourdain, like his buddies, former companions and longtime colleagues, the doc tracks his profession path, relationships and private struggles. Bourdain followers and people much less acquainted with the star will possible admire this two-hour have a look at his life.
Superhero

Jonathan Olley/DC
Robert Pattinson steps out as Batman on this superhero flick directed by Matt Reeves. The film takes place in a perpetually grey and rain-soaked Gotham Metropolis, the place Bruce Wayne begins to hunt out a assassin with an affinity for riddles. Alongside the way in which, he meets Catwoman, performed by a swaggering Zoë Kravitz. Nice scene-setting and storytelling make this a satisfying darkish thriller.

Warner Bros.
Over-the-top violence abounds on this DC movie about supervillains who agree to assist the US authorities in alternate for a while off their jail sentences. Their mission is to destroy one thing alluded to as Challenge Starfish, harbored within the fictional island nation of Corto Maltese. With a notable solid that features Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena, 2021’s The Suicide Squad is a wickedly entertaining, darkly humorous massacre that differs from what you normally see in superhero films. (Peacemaker, a by-product TV collection, can also be obtainable on HBO Max.)
Musical drama

Niko Tavernise/twentieth Century Studios
Steven Spielberg’s reimagining of the basic musical has triumphantly leapt and twirled its manner onto HBO Max. The movie scored seven Academy Award nominations and Ariana DeBose received greatest supporting actress for her position as Anita. Younger Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (Rachel Zegler) cross paths at a highschool dance and start a forbidden love affair, escalating tensions between two rival gangs. Eye-catching musical numbers and beautiful manufacturing design transport viewers to Nineteen Fifties New York. The movie darkens in its second half, however with Spielberg on the helm, you will willingly take up all of it.

Macall Polay/Warner Bros.
Within the Heights stars Anthony Ramos (whom you may acknowledge as John Laurens in Hamilton) taking part in Usnavi, a bodega proprietor struggling to maintain his enterprise afloat whereas a heatwave strikes Washington Heights. Secretly in love along with his neighbor Vanessa (Melissa Barrera), who goals of getting out of the salon and out of the neighborhood, Usnavi serves the individuals of Washington Heights with an entire lot of affection, lottery tickets and cafe con leche. Between the choreographed twirls and fireworks, Within the Heights is an examination of wealth disparity, immigration, classism and the significance of tradition.
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