This way, you won’t spend two hours deciding on a movie.
Thanks to last year’s glorious merger with Discovery+, Max now has so much media that you could spend hours scrolling through all the options. But by the time you do that, you’ll probably give up and resign yourself to re-watching Sex and the City again. To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with that, but you’d be missing out on several great cinematic experiences, including some of the finest films ever made. Seriously!
While Max is known for having some amazing limited series, especially as of late — The Last of Us, The White Lotus, Mare of Easttown, The Undoing, to name just a few — it’s also a prime destination for movies. (It originated as Home Box Office, after all.) So let us be your guide to the best movies on Max this month, in no particular order. And if you don’t have a Max account already, you’ll be convinced it’s worth the investment after reading this.
The 10 Best Movies on Max Right Now
Janet Planet
In rural Western Massachusetts, 90s tween Lacy spends her summer basking in the attention of her mother, Janet. As months pass, three visitors enter their orbit, all captivated by Janet and her entrancing nature. And as Lacy grows, she begins to see her mother from a new, more adult perspective.
Carville: Winning is Everything, Stupid
Democratic strategist James Carville has been one of the most influential forces in modern political history. This new documentary tells the unique story of his fascinating career — including feats like masterminding Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential win to his insurgent role in the 2024 race.
Night Is Not Eternal (Avail. 11/19)
In the mood for a political documentary that’s based on international conflicts? For over seven years, award-winning Chinese-American filmmaker Nanfu Wang has followed Rosa María Payá, a Cuban activist and daughter of five-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee Oswaldo Payá, in her battle for democratic change in Cuba. The result? This searing take on the parallels between Nanfu’s native China and Paya’s beloved country.
Sweethearts (Avail. 11/28)
On the other hand, sometimes the best movie to watch is a lighthearted romp. In this college comedy, a pair of freshmen make a pact to break up with their high school sweethearts during Thanksgiving break. However, this choice leads them on a chaotic, one-night adventure through their hometown that tests their codependent friendship.
Goodfellas
Want to revisit an old classic? In this Martin Scorsese favorite, a young man (Ray Liotta) who grows up in the mob works as hard as he can to advance through the ranks. But as decades pass, he abruptly realizes that organized crime doesn’t pay.
Another Earth
In this quiet, surreal drama, a young woman is released from prison. Simultaneously, a twin earth is discovered directly outside of our orbit. As she seeks out the man whose life she shattered in a car accident prior to prison, she also hopes to win a trip to visit the new globe.
Jurassic Park
Classic films don’t have to be serious dramas. In this weird and hilarious Steven Spielberg blockbuster, a group of experts are invited to tour a new theme park populated with real dinosaurs reconstructed from DNA. But when plans go south, the group of humans will have to fight to survive.
Elf
As we officially welcome sweater weather, you can find a bevy of holiday favorites on Max. In this funny film, a human raised by elves in the North Pole travels to New York City to find his biological father. Hijinks ensue as the jaded adults surrounding him begin to realize the magic of Christmas.
A Christmas Story
This beloved holiday movie follows the childhood exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker, who spends most of his time avoiding a bully and wishing for his ideal Christmas gift, a “Red Ryder air rifle.”
The Polar Express
Based on the children’s classic of the same name, The Polar Express follows a young boy who’s whisked away by a magical train destined for the North Pole. If you’ve been feeling like a Scrooge all year, this whimsical adventure will pull you into the holiday spirit.
Not finding what you’re craving? Sign up for Max for even more options.
