Thanks to the expansion of premium streaming services, we no longer have to settle for services that don’t offer what interests us. While I’ve been a subscriber to Netflix for a long time now, the movie offerings there aren’t as high-profile as they once were. Sure, you’ll get the occasional blockbuster, but Netflix is far more interested in its original content lineup nowadays.
HBO Max, on the other hand, has become one of the best streaming services around for movies. It helps that it’s owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, which means HBO Max gets a lot of the studio’s theatrical offerings surprisingly quickly. A lot of the films on there are arguably better than anything Netflix will recommend to you.
Life in plastic, it’s fantastic
One of the biggest movies of 2023, Barbie is one of the funniest films of the past decade. Featuring a fantastic cast in Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and America Ferrera, Barbie works much better than you’d think a movie adaptation of a doll would. It’s not just funny either. The writing is top-notch and filled with satirical self-awareness, with an added dose of smart political commentary on top.
What makes the HBO Max version of Barbie so special, though, is that there are a few different versions of the film. Most notably, HBO Max offers versions with American Sign Language (ASL) and one with director’s commentary. It’s not the only film on the service to include ASL, but it’s a brilliant accessibility feature, regardless.
Vampires and good music — what more could you ask for?
Writer and director Ryan Coogler’s latest film just might be his magnum opus. While it would be easy to just classify it as a horror film, Sinners is so much more than that. It combines elements of period-piece films, musicals, and, of course, pulse-pounding horror with vampires at the center. Led by a magnetic Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twin brothers, this is one of those original movies that only come along once in a long while.
Sinners only came out in April 2025, so the fact that it’s already on HBO Max is honestly pretty incredible. If you couldn’t make your way to the theater, don’t miss the chance to watch this masterpiece at home. It deserves every view it can get, and you certainly won’t find it on Netflix.
One of the most ambitious films of 2025, Mickey 17 is another movie interested in the concept of one actor playing multiple roles. But instead of twins, this time around, we get some good, old-fashioned science fiction cloning with Robert Pattinson at the center. There’s no doubt that Pattinson is brilliant, but that’s certainly no surprise. But it’s the wacky comedy and frenetic pace that really makes Mickey 17 such a standout. Plus, it’s one of those films that will make you question reality as you know it.
Helmed by Bong Joon Ho, Mickey 17 adapts the book Mickey7, but it feels more like a Joon Ho original than an adaptation thanks to the director’s distinct style. While its social commentary may lack some of the subtlety of his previous works, Mickey 17 is still smart and well worth an at-home watch. Especially considering its rather disappointing theatrical run. I could easily see this finding a cult audience years down the road, which is weird to say about a film with a $100 million-plus budget.
Enjoy some haunted-house horror before Halloween rolls around
One of the biggest horror franchises in recent memory, nothing has really slowed down The Conjuring franchise. Even The Conjuring: Last Rites, the latest film in the mainline series, has made an incredible amount of money at the box office so far. It seems we’ll never get tired of haunted house stories, which is hardly surprising.
So really, there’s never been a better time than now to binge the entire mainline films, and luckily, they’re just waiting on HBO Max. They’re nothing overly original, and they’re certainly not elevated horror, but The Conjuring films are all about atmosphere, and there’s a terrifying level of atmosphere. Seeing as we’re getting closer to Halloween, it’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit as well. Don’t get me wrong, there are some truly terrifying horror movies on Netflix that nobody really talks about, but The Conjuring franchise just feels like it was made for Halloween.
A disturbingly hilarious take on obsession
When it comes to films distributed by A24, you have to prepare yourself for a certain kind of style. Friendship, which stars the always-hilarious comedy powerhouse duo of Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson, is no exception to this rule. A comedy that shows the dark, obsessive side to making friends, especially with self-esteem issues. It’s a painfully relatable film, though it’s so absurd that you’ll be hard-pressed to think any of this could actually happen in real life.
Robinson and Rudd have immediate, infectious chemistry together, even when their characters aren’t exactly getting along. Friendship is like the toxic sibling to films like I Love You, Man (another Rudd classic), but with an extra helping of cringe comedy on top of it. This is not a movie to miss.
HBO Max is really firing on all cylinders lately
While I’m hesitant to give any streaming service too much credit in this age of ballooning prices and companies removing or permanently shelving original content just to cut costs (HBO Max’s parent company is perhaps more guilty of this than others), HBO Max is in top form right now. There are some excellent films to be found, and that doesn’t seem likely to change anytime soon.
But hey, maybe you’re looking for some hidden Netflix gems that deserve more love to watch instead, which you will definitely find. In the age of streaming, there’s good content to be found pretty much anywhere.
