The 40 Best Movies on HBO Max Right Now (January 2026)

As the birthplace of prestige TV shows like The Sopranos and The Wire , HBO-and, by extension, HBO Max -is best known for its impressive lineup of original series. The network has also been upping the ante with feature-length content that is the stuff of Oscar dreams. Below is a list of some of our favorite films streaming on HBO Max-from thought-provoking documentaries to recent box-office smash hits. If you decide you’re in more of a TV mood, head over to our picks for the best shows on HBO Max . If you’re looking for even more recommendations, check out our lists of the best movies on Netflix , the best movies on Amazon Prime , and the best movies on Disney+ . If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . One Battle After Another If you want to get a head start on watching the movies that are sure to earn the greatest number of Oscar nominations, One Battle After Another is a great place to start. The film, which is set over the span of nearly two decades, tells the story of revolutionary-turned-stoner Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio), who has given up his activist ways in order to protect his daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti, in a powerful feature debut). But Bob’s historic acts of civil disobedience are still top-of-mind for the deranged Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn, in one of his best of many great roles), who is determined to track him down. It’s yet another triumph for writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson, both in terms of its scope and unexpected pitch-black humor. It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley Oscar nominee Amy Berg ( Deliver Us From Evil ) is one of today’s foremost documentarians, and this loving tribute to Jeff Buckley proves why. Nearly three decades after his shocking and premature death, Berg delves into not just the life and artistry of the singer, but the profound impact of his music. Though Buckley died at the age of 30 with few recordings to his name, he remains a beloved icon. The documentary is packed with never-before-seen footage of Buckley and interviews with those who knew and loved him. Spinal Tap II: The End Continues In 1984, the late Rob Reiner pivoted his career from Emmy-winning actor to iconic filmmaker with This Is Spinal Tap , a film that essentially invented the mockumentary genre that remains so popular to this day. More than 40 years later, his career came full circle with this long-awaited sequel that sees the members of the world’s greatest fake rock band-David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer)-reunite for a concert, with documentarian Marty DiBergi (Reiner) ready to capture all of the hilarious chaos, and tiny little Stonehenges, once again. Make it a night full of laughs, and a tribute to Reiner, by watching the original film, which is also streaming, first. Materialists Lucy (Dakota...

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