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 January 2025 to include In the Heights.

‘In the Heights’ (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 7.3/10

Hailing from Wicked director Jon M. Chu, In the Heights follows a simple Washington Heights subway stop and its dreaming residents, as one man in particular, Anthony Ramos’ bodega owner Usnavi, saves his money and yearns for a better life. In the Heights is jam-packed with vibrant fun and full of heart, something fans of Wicked will be used to from Chu. The perfect ‘theater kid’ movie, In the Heights still has something for everyone, from an emotionally capturing central story to cinematography ready to take your breath away. - Jake Hodges

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‘Juror #2’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 7.0/10

Co-produced and directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Jonathan Abrams, Juror #2 is a legal thriller that revolves around a high-profile murder trial. The film follows the story of a juror who faces a serious moral dilemma when he realizes that he may be the real killer. The movie features an ensemble cast led by Nicholaus Hoult as the titular juror, with Toni Collette, J. K. Simmons, Chris Messina, Zoey Deutch, Cedric Yarbrough, and Kiefer Sutherland in key roles.

Juror #2 had its world premiere at the 2024 AFI Fest, where it received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics. While the film was not particularly successful at the box office, it has received great praise for its writing, direction, and performances and was named one of the Top 10 Films of 2024 by the National Board of Review. While its premise may sound similar to other legal dramas like the classic 12 Angry Men, Juror #2 steps beyond the standard tropes and themes of the genre to present a clear-eyed meditation on law, order, and the failure of systems.

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‘Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 8.1/10

This powerful documentary looks at the life of Christopher Reeve, a man who rose to the top of Hollywood and achieved his dream before a 1995 horse-riding accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. Reeve then used his platform to campaign for disability rights and become the voice for many who had long felt unheard. A touching ode to an incredible man, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story proves that Reeve was just as much a superhuman in and out of the red cape. Insightful and touching, this is a documentary you won’t want to miss. - Jake Hodges

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‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 76% | IMDb: 6.8/10

After almost 35 years, the ghost with most comes back to haunt again as Beetlejuice returns. The sequel to the iconic Tim Burton original follows the Deetz family, now a generation bigger, as they come back into contact with Michael Keaton’s titular bio-exorcist. However, things start to go wrong when the youngest Deetz, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), opens the portal to the afterlife. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice does the unthinkable and satisfies the millions of doting fans of the original movie. With a penchant for practical effects and the same witty, gothic humor, this sequel is well worthy of the Beetlejuice moniker. - Jake Hodges

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‘Dream Scenario’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 6.9/10

Nicolas Cage is known for his wacky projects, and Dream Scenario is no different. Cage portrays Paul Matthews, a seemingly normal family man and academic, who suddenly (and rapidly) begins appearing in an ever-increasing number of people’s dreams. A brilliantly comedic, surprisingly emotional, and highly unique viewing experience, Dream Scenario features Cage at his enigmatic best. Unlike anything else you’ll watch before or again, this is an A24 project you don’t want to miss. - Jake Hodges

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‘Janet Planet’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 6.2/10

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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