Max remains one of the best mainstream streaming services for watching movies, thanks to its extensive library. The platform’s catalog is bolstered by a fantastic level of diversity across film history, ranging from contemporary successes to beloved classics that hold up well even today.
Naturally, that means audiences are treated to a broad selection of genres to choose from as well, guaranteeing that every movie fan will find more than enough content that suits their tastes and will keep them entertained for countless hours. We’ve curated a guide on the best movies to stream on Max that is updated every month with the latest additions to the streamer’s library.
In need of some more streaming recommendations? We also have guides to the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, and the best movies on Disney+ that are worth looking through.
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The Breakfast Club1985 -
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The Ides of March2011
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RoboCop1987
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Mad Max: Fury Road2015
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Jurassic World2015
The Breakfast Club (1985) new
The 1985 movie The Breakfast Club is a bona fide coming-of-age teen comedy and drama classic. Directed by John Hughes (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Home Alone), the movie follows the story of five teenagers in a high school, each belonging to a unique clique that is a stark contrast to the others. Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez) is the “jock,” Brian Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall) is the “nerd,” John Bender (Judd Nelson) is the “criminal,” Claire Standish (Molly Ringwald) is the “princess,” and Allison Reynolds (Allie Sheedy) is the “basket case,” with all five of them attending Saturday detention for various reasons.
The Breakfast Club holds up well as a heartfelt and endearing character-driven story. With sincere coming-of-age themes at its core, including coming from troubled homes and struggling to find one’s identity, The Breakfast Club is endlessly relatable.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) new
Directed by Nicholas Meyer, this sequel sees Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and the rest of the USS Enterprise clash against the vengeful genetically engineered conqueror Khan (Ricardo Montalbán) as he attempts to acquire a devastating terraforming weapon dubbed Genesis.
Overall, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was seen as a triumphant return to form for the franchise on the big screen, doing a markedly better job of evoking what made the TV show so successful. The movie featured spirited and grandiose performances from the main cast of heroes, a convincing new villain, and a sense of swashbuckling adventure that longtime fans and newcomers could enjoy.
The Ides of March (2011) new
A movie that was directed and co-written by and starred George Clooney, The Ides of March was a compelling political drama. The movie is an adaptation of Beau Willimon’s play Farragut North — who also co-wrote the script with Clooney — The Ides of March mainly centers around press secretary Stephen Meyers (played by Barbie‘s Ryan Gosling) grappling with the fact that Mike Morris (played by Clooney), the political candidate he’s backing for the presidency, works for an immoral figure higher up the ladder.
The ambitious press secretary and campaign manager becomes tangled in the middle of a political scandal where he struggles with maintaining his dignity and giving into the dirty politics to advance his career. Ironically, The Ides of March might not be the most ambitious social commentary on political corruption, but it’s a convincing enough drama thanks to the talented duo of Gosling and Clooney.
RoboCop (1987) new
Arguably actor Peter Weller’s most iconic theatrical role, 1987’s RoboCop is a classic sci-fi action movie of the era. The Paul Verhoeven-directed story follows police officer Alex Murphy (played by Weller) in a crime-infested Detroit set in a dystopic sci-fi future. The officer is murdered in a gang attack but is later revived by the corporation Omni Consumer Products to experiment with their titular “RoboCop” initiative.
Together with Ridley Scott’s 1982 film Blade Runner, RoboCop helped bolster the cyberpunk subgenre, with the movie having an impressive level of nuance. While the cartoonishly over-the-top action certainly draws appeal on its own, RoboCop uses its titular cyborg protagonist to explore themes of what it means to lose one’s humanity, as well as a bold critique of corporate corruption and the real-world economic policies driving the U.S. at the time.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) new
The long-awaited prequel Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga finally has a trailer out and a release date set, making director George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road the perfect watch for the uninitiated. A reboot of the classic film series starring Mel Gibson, Fury Road sees Tom Hardy (Bronson, Warrior, The Dark Knight Rises) as the titular protagonist teaming up with Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) in a rebellion against the brutal cult leader Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne).
The movie proved to be an excellent reboot of the franchise, bolstered by a tense story, jaw-dropping action set pieces, and impressive cinematography. Mad Max: Fury Road stands as one of the most impressive dystopian sci-fi movies of the modern era.
Jurassic World (2015) new
Though arguably nothing will top Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed 1993 classic, director Colin Trevorrow’s Jurassic World is an exciting sci-fi thriller on its own terms. Several years after the theme park failed, the titular vacation destination has replaced its predecessor, even operating smoothly for some time. However, things inevitably veer into chaos when the park’s experimentation with hybrid species leads to a breakout of the Indominus Rex.
Claire Denning (played by Bryce Dallas Howard), the park’s operations manager, and Owen Grady (played by Chris Pratt), an expert animal handler, are forced to lead an emergency containment effort. Jurassic World succeeds with how it leans on being an unapologetic nostalgia trip, with its CG dinosaurs providing fast-paced thrills amid touches on the classic “man playing god” theme of the original Jurassic Park.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) new
Director Stephen Herek’s Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure is a cult-classic romp from the ’80s that’s fondly remembered today. The sci-fi comedy stars Keanu Reeves as Ted Logan and Alex Winter as Bill Preston, two high-school slackers who embark on a time-traveling journey to pass their history class and fulfill their future of becoming utopian paragons.
Accompanied by the time-traveler Rufus (George Carlin), the movie boasts an endearing cast of characters that help make for a charming sci-fi comedy. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure remains a delightfully goofy adventure today that will satisfy those looking for some ’80s nostalgia. This movie is also responsible for breaking Keanu Reeves’ career into the mainstream.
The Hunt for Red October (1990) new
There have been many excellent wartime movies over the decades, and director John McTiernan’s The Hunt for Red October is certainly among them. An adaptation of author Tom Clancy’s 1984 novel of the same name, the story sees CIA agent Jack Ryan (played by Alec Baldwin) forced into a race against time.
He needs to prove that Captain Marko Ramius (Sean Connery) is trying to defect to the U.S., rather than posing a threat along with the titular nuclear submarine. The Hunt for Red October was praised for its excellent handling of espionage-themed suspense and is backed up by a stellar cast. It was also the first film adaptation of Clancy’s character Jack Ryan.
Aliens (1986) new
Not many film franchises have the benefit of changing directors with similarly lauded reputation in the industry, but Aliens certainly did. Picking up the baton from Ridley Scott’s trailblazing original, James Cameron takes the reign of this sequel, seeing the iconic sci-fi female lead Ellen Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver) agree to investigate the source of a loss in communication with a human lunar colony at the site of the original movie.
Still regarded today as one of the greatest sci-fi movies ever made — and in general — Aliens was widely acclaimed for its blend of sci-fi, horror, and visceral action. Like with Scott’s film, this sophomore installment in a legacy series was anchored by another commanding performance by Weaver.
Winter's Bone (2010) new
Before her mainstream Hollywood breakout with The Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence was already flexing her acting prowess with Winter’s Bone. Directed by accomplished indie director Debra Granik (Leave No Trace, Down to the Bone), this mystery drama sees poverty-stricken teenager Ree Dolly (played by Lawrence) go on a desperate mission to find her missing father to keep their family afloat.
On top of Lawrence’s exceptional Academy Award-nominated performance, Winter’s Bone was praised for balancing an engrossing and harrowing plot with poignant social commentary on economic, societal, and gender inequality as well as an underlying message of optimism.
Rocky (1976) new
One of the most iconic movies of the ’70s, director John Avildsen’s Rocky paved the way for a theatrical legacy. Starring Sylvester Stallone as up-and-coming boxer Rocky Balboa, audiences are treated to the young and unlikely upstart’s journey from poor club fighter dodging loan sharks to taking a shot at the heavyweight belt held by the legendary Apollo Creed.
Also written by Stallone, Rocky was groundbreaking for popularizing the “rags-to-riches” trope in inspiring dramas, as well as becoming a quintessential sports drama in film. Bolstered by a courageous performance by Stallone, swelling score, and striking cinematography, Rocky holds up well today and leaves a promising successor in the form of Michael B. Jordan’s Creed series.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006) new
Adapted from the novel of the same name by Lauren Weisberger, director David Frankel’s The Devil Wears Prada became a mid-2000s classic. The movie revolves around recent college graduate Andy Sachs (played by Anne Hathaway) as she lands a job in New York as prolific fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly’s (played by Meryl Streep) co-assistant.
Effortlessly blending comedy, drama, and witty commentary on the ruthlessness of the fashion industry, The Devil Wears Prada is an incredibly entertaining romp. It earned Streep another feather in her cap with a Golden Globe award win, with Hathaway getting noteworthy praise as well.
Flight (2012) new
Denzel Washington has been celebrated for several of his iconic performances, and his role in Flight deserves to be among them. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Flight is a drama centered around Whip Whitaker (played by Washington), a pilot suffering from severe alcohol and drug addictions who has miraculously managed to go through his career with a clean record.
However, when a mechanical failure on one of his flights forces him to undertake an emergency crash landing, the investigation that follows begins to uexpose his addictive habits. Flight conducts one of the best character profiles in Washington’s backlog, and it marks a triumphant comeback to the industry for director Zemeckis.
Gangs of New York (2002) new
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) new
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) new
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) new
Pulp Fiction (1994) new
Moonlight (2016) new
The Lego Batman Movie (2017) new
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) new
Parasite (2019) new
Director Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite was a breakout hit in 2019, earning an Academy Award for Best Picture. The Korean dark comedy/thriller hybrid focuses on the desperate exploits of a poor family that schemes their way into working for a wealthy family.
The family poses as qualified for the tasks at hand, but the more they involve themselves in the wealthy Park family’s lives, the deeper they get tangled in a shocking incident. Parasite earned widespread critical acclaim for its smart humor combined with equally poignant social commentary on class dynamics.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Cementing the series’ status as one of the most outstanding film trilogies ever made, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a triumphant finish for Peter Jackson’s tenure in Middle-earth. The film continues with Bilbo Baggins (Elijah Wood) and Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) journeying to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom.
Meanwhile, the remaining heroes, including Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), and Legolas (Orlando Bloom), amass an army to battle with Sauron. Winning an astonishing 11 Academy Awards out of 11 nominations, The Return of the King was emphatically acclaimed for its faithfulness to Tolkien’s source material, stunning visuals, and powerfully emotional payoff.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
Hereditary (2018) new
A24 studio has made itself one of the biggest names in the indie film scene, with director Ari Aster providing it with some of the best horror movies in recent years. Aster is a master of building dread through psychological and body horror, and Hereditary is a terrifyingly effective showcase of both.
It stars the likes of Toni Collette and Alex Wolff as part of a family that finds itself haunted by an ominous presence after the death of their mysterious grandmother. Collette was an expected standout, but the whole cast put up excellent performances in a genuinely foreboding experience, with its striking cinematography adding to the tension.
I Love You, Man (2009)
Paul Rudd has been charming audiences for years now, and I Love You, Man is one of the more affectionately regarded rom-coms from the 2000s.
Starring alongside the equally appealing Jason Segal and Rashida Jones, this goofball romantic comedy follows Rudd’s leading man in an awkward three-person dynamic. When Peter Klaven (Rudd) finds himself in search of a friend to be the best man at his wedding with Zooey Rice (Jones), he soon picks Sydney Fife (Segal). But things begin to get awkward as Peter’s newfound best friend starts creating tension in his relationship with Zooey.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
The Terminator (1984)
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The Dark Knight (2008)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Batman Begins (2005)
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Barbarian (2022)
The Witch (2015)
The Witch was Anya Taylor-Joy’s first feature film, and it made her a star. In the early 1600s, Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) is the eldest daughter in a family of Puritans led by her parents, William (Ralph Ineson) and Katherine (Kate Dickie). After the family is banished by their local religious sect, Thomasin is horrified when her infant brother is stolen out from under her nose. Unbeknownst to the family, there really is a witch (Bathsheba Garnett) in the woods, and she has a taste for the young. Through her hardships, Thomasin discovers that she also has powers of her own, which only makes things scarier.
Elvis (2022)
The Batman (2022)
Dune (2021)
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