3 Best Movies To Watch On HBO Max This Weekend (#1 Is A Classic Thriller From The '90s)
Don't waste your whole weekend scrolling through countless streaming services looking for something to watch, check out these three gems on HBO Max instead. Though it may have a smaller subscriber base than Netflix or Prime Video, Max is one of the premiere streaming destinations in the 2020s. The premium cable network's proprietary service is a goldmine for both movies and shows.
With highlights like House of the Dragon snagging streaming hours by the hundreds of thousands, there are a lot of eyes on HBO Max at all times. The success and popularity of Max's original programming has earned the streamer a reputation as the go-to place for new shows, but its movie catalog shouldn't be overlooked. The film library is one of the best that money can buy.
A partnership with Warner Bros. gives HBO Max access to stellar flicks going all the way back to the birth of cinema, as well as the freshest new releases straight from theaters. What Max's movie library lacks in quantity, it compensates with the most consistent quality on the market. No matter what movie you choose on Max, it's almost guaranteed to at least be pretty good.
This weekend's trio of films comes from a few different eras and genres. There's a raunchy sex comedy that brings back some of that early 2010s nostalgia, as well as a recent rom-com with an A-list cast. Finally, the list is headlined by one of the greatest thrillers ever made, and the '90s classic is just waiting to be discovered by a new generation of moviegoers.
3 Hall Pass (2011)
2011's Hall Pass has been sitting on HBO Max's top 10 list for about a week now, and the largely overlooked raunchy comedy has clearly struck a chord with streaming audiences. The plot involves two lifelong friends who have grown restless in their marriages. In order to preserve their relationships, their spouses have granted them a week-long hall pass to do whatever they want. Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis headline the Farrelly brothers vehicle.
There's no denying that Hall Pass isn't a great movie, but it does have a charismatic cast and is good for more than a few belly laughs. It hearkens back to a time when comedies still did well in theaters, and Hollywood wasn't afraid to make something so unabashedly crass. There's a reason it's been on the top 10 for so long; it's actually a fun experience.
2 Materialists (2025)
After making 2023's heartbreaking drama, Past Lives, director Celine Song set her sights on something a bit more fun with Materialists. A prominent New York City matchmaker finds herself in a pickle when she herself can't decide between a charming new beau or an ex-boyfriend who still has her heart. While embracing the rom-com format, Materialists also deconstructs it.
The A-list cast has sexy chemistry, and the film has a lot of personality right on the surface. However, the real intrigue comes from the dissection of traditional gender roles, and how the old ways keep young people trapped despite outliving their usefulness. As a streaming pick on HBO Max, Materialists is a nice surprise for someone looking for a rom-com with a bit more bite.
1 The Usual Suspects (1995)
Stepping back in time more than 30 years, The Usual Suspects is one film on HBO Max that everyone should see at least once. The legendary thriller concerns a two-bit criminal who confesses to the cops that he and his cronies participated in a job with a shadowy underworld figure named Keyser Söze. With its non-linear narrative, The Usual Suspect requires viewers to forget everything they think they know.
Every frame is jam-packed with character, and it's arguably the most stylish thriller from the '90s. The performances are all strong, and they lead to a shocking twist ending that still leaves jaws on the floor. Thrillers had a moment in the 1990s, and HBO Max has quite a few gems from that era. However, The Usual Suspects is the one that really can't be missed.