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 December 2024 to include Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 76% | IMDb: 6.8/10
Release Date September 6, 2024
Cast Michael Keaton , Winona Ryder , Catherine O'Hara , Jenna Ortega , Justin Theroux , Willem Dafoe , Monica Bellucci , Arthur Conti , Nick Kellington , Santiago Cabrera , Burn Gorman , Danny DeVito , Sami Slimane , Amy Nuttall , Mark Heenehan , Charlie Hopkinson , Liv Spencer , Skylar Park , Matthew Lyons , Jane Leaney , David Ayres , Sophie Holland , Walles Hamonde Runtime 104 Minutes
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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‘A Christmas Story’ (1983)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.9/10
Release Date November 18, 1983
Director Bob Clark
Cast Darren McGavin , Zack Ward , Peter Billingsley , Scott Schwartz , Melinda Dillon Runtime 94 minutes
One of the most iconic festive tales ever, A Christmas Story follows an older Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) as he recounts the tale of a pivotal childhood Christmas in which he spent the entire season trying to convince those around him he should receive the Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun as a gift. Brilliantly funny and oozing with nostalgia, A Christmas Story is a must-watch festive feature every year. From the incident with the tongue to that unique lamp, there are simply too many memorable moments to list in this timeless classic. - Jake Hodges
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‘Dream Scenario’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 6.9/10
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Dream Scenario
Release Date November 10, 2023
Director Kristoffer Borgli
Runtime 100 Minutes
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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‘Elf’ (2003)
Rotten Tomatoes: 86% | IMDb: 7.1/10
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Release Date October 9, 2003
Cast Will Ferrell , James Caan , Bob Newhart , Ed Asner , Mary Steenburgen , Zooey Deschanel , Daniel Tay , Faizon Love , Peter Dinklage , Amy Sedaris , Michael Lerner , Andy Richter , Kyle Gass , Artie Lange , Leon Redbone , Ray Harryhausen , Claire Lautier , Ted Friend , Patrick Ferrell , Patrick McCartney , Jon Favreau , Lydia Lawson-Baird , Brenda McDonald , Annie Brebner Runtime 97 minutes
The Christmas classic that requires a rewatch every year for millions across the globe, Jon Favreau’s Elf follows Will Ferrell’s Buddy, a human who is accidentally raised on the North Pole. However, as he grows into an adult, the elf-sized world around him shows Buddy he might not be who he’s grown up believing, leaving him with no choice but to head on a hilarious adventure to New York City to find his father, Walter (James Caan). “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear” is one of Buddy the Elf’s mottos — one that certainly captures the joyous festive spirit of this film. Elf is considered a classic for good reason, with its inclusion on Max making a holiday subscription a must. - Jake Hodges
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‘GoodFellas’ (1990)
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 8.7/10
Release Date September 21, 1990
Runtime 145 Minutes
Considered by many to be Martin Scorsese’s magnum opus, GoodFellas follows Ray Liotta’s Henry Hill and his life in the mafia. From humble beginnings, dreaming of becoming a gangster to eventually entering witness protection, GoodFellas looks at the highs, lows, and in-betweens of a life of crime. To some, GoodFellas is the gangster genre at its very best. Scorsese’s ability to tell gritty, honest tales with enormous flair is on full display, with Liotta’s central performance the defining turn in his brilliant career. Simply put, GoodFellas is a movie everyone should watch at least once in their life. - Jake Hodges
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‘Janet Planet’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 6.2/10
Release Date June 28, 2024
Director Annie Baker
Runtime 113 Minutes
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
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Release Date August 2, 2024
Cast Josh Hartnett , Hayley Mills , Marnie McPhail , Vanessa Smythe , Saleka Shyamalan , Malik Jubal , Jonathan Langdon , Peter D'Souza , Ty Pravong , Kaitlyn Dallan 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
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MaXXXine
Release Date July 5, 2024
Director Ti West
Runtime 103 Minutes
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
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Caddo Lake (2024)
Director Logan George , Celine Held
Cast Dylan O'Brien , Eliza Scanlen , Caroline Falk , Lauren Ambrose , Sam Hennings , Diana Hopper , Eric Lange , Lance E. Nichols , Nina Leon , David Maldonado , Kim Baptiste , Jules Hilillo Fernandez 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
Release Date July 14, 2023
Cast Soma Santoki , Masaki Suda , Aimyon , Shōhei Hino , Kô Shibasaki , Takuya Kimura , Yoshino Kimura
Runtime 124 Minutes
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
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I Saw the TV Glow
Release Date January 18, 2024
Director Jane Schoenbrun
Runtime 100 Minutes
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
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Civil War
Release Date April 12, 2024
Director Alex Garland
Cast Kirsten Dunst , Wagner Moura , Cailee Spaeny , Stephen McKinley Henderson , Nelson Lee , Nick Offerman , Jefferson White , Evan Lai , Vince Pisani , Justin James Boykin , Jess Matney , Greg Hill , Edmund Donovan , Sonoya Mizuno , Tim James , Simeon Freeman , James Yaegashi , Dean Grimes , Alexa Mansour , Martha B. Knighton , Melissa Saint-Amand , Karl Glusman , Jin Ha 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
Release Date March 30, 1988
Runtime 92 minutes
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
Release Date May 24, 2024
Director George Miller
Runtime 148 Minutes
A spin-off prequel to the smash-hit reimagining from 2015, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga follows the titular renegade warrior (Anya Taylor-Joy) as she is kidnapped and placed in the hands of the Warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). Desperate to find a way home, Furiosa, helped initially by the bravery of her mother, must fight against a post-apocalyptic, warring landscape for her future. For the many fans of the 2015 film, Furiosa acts as the perfect origin story for an immersive character before her life with Max. As a visual spectacle, Furiosa is a masterpiece of filmmaking, with cinematography it becomes impossible to not simply marvel at. Furiosa is also indulgent, with a world that feels just as full and enigmatic as the 2015 film. Whether or not it is better than the previous entry is up for debate, but very little is, so don’t let that put you off this two-and-a-half-hour rollercoaster ride. - Jake Hodges
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‘Mamma Mia’ (2008)
Rotten Tomatoes: 55% | IMDb: 6.5/10
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Mamma Mia
Release Date July 2, 2008
Director Phyllida Lloyd
Runtime 108
Based on the jukebox musical written by British playwright Catherine Johnson and the music of the Swedish pop group ABBA, Mamma Mia is the story of a young bride (Amanda Seyfried) who invites three men to her destination wedding with hopes of figuring out which of them could be her father. The film is a whacky good time with great musical sequences, and every single one of the huge cast of stars gives their all to keep each scene light and full of momentum. Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada) as the mother of the bride who slept with these three men played by Pierce Brosnan (The Misfits), Colin Firth (The King's Speech), and Stellan Skarsgård (Andor) gives a standout performance, bouncing between lushy wreck and devoted mother.
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‘Pretty Woman’ (1990)
Rotten Tomatoes: 65% | IMDb: 7.1/10
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Pretty Woman
Release Date March 23, 1990
Runtime 119 mins
A certain classic of the early 1990s, Pretty Woman follows Edward (Richard Gere), a wealthy charmer with good looks and a style to match, who hires sex worker Vivian (Julia Roberts) to accompany him to important functions. Alas, he soon finds himself falling for her, with an unexpected world of romance and heartbreak ready to bring together the two unlikely companions. Pretty Woman is the perfect example of a movie many may have not seen but most have at least heard of. Iconic for many reasons, such as that shopping scene, Gere and Roberts craft a duo with boundless chemistry that is one of cinema’s best pairings. Funny, heartfelt, and brilliantly addictive, Pretty Woman is a must-watch. - Jake Hodges
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‘Love Lies Bleeding’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 6.7/10
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Love Lies Bleeding
Release Date March 3, 2024
Director Rose Glass
Runtime 104 Minutes
This 2024 A24 hit follows the quick-burning love between gym manager Lou (Kristen Stewart) and bodybuilder Jackie (Katy O’Brian). As Jackie pursues her dream of Vegas bodybuilding fame, their romance spirals out of control and into the world of criminal violence. A24 is no stranger to love gone wrong, with this romance one of the darker the company has produced. A grim, twisted affair, both Stewart and O’Brian shine with enough chemistry to fill a lab. Managing to neatly toe the line between graphic material and a lack of exploitation of the LGBTQ+ nature of the film, Love Lies Bleeding is both thrilling and challenging. - Jake Hodges
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‘The Sixth Sense’ (1999)
Rotten Tomatoes: 86% | IMDb: 8.2/10
Release Date August 6, 1999
Runtime 107 minutes
Bolstered by one of the greatest twists in cinema history, The Sixth Sense stars Bruce Willis as child psychologist Malcolm Crowe, a genius in his field who is tasked with helping a young boy, Cole (Haley Joel Osment). No normal child, Cole can “see dead people,” leaving Crowe with a challenge only he can solve that will soon take over his entire life. M. Night Shyamalan’s magnum opus, The Sixth Sense is a masterclass in storytelling, with each beat steeped in narrative importance. It is inconceivable to imagine anyone who hasn’t had the ending of this iconic flick spoiled, but in the event this is the case, prepare to have your world blown open as the walls the story has built come crumbling down around you. Nominated for an incredible six Academy Awards, The Sixth Sense is a must-watch. - Jake Hodges
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'The Florida Project' (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.6/10
Release Date October 6, 2017
Director Sean Baker
Cast Brooklynn Prince , Christopher Rivera , Aiden Malik , Josie Olivo , Valeria Cotto , Edward Pagan
Runtime 111 mins
The Florida Project is brilliant and human and it will absolutely break your heart. The film follows a six-year-old girl named Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) who lives in a motel in Kissimmee, Florida, just around the corner from DisneyWorld. In Moonee’s eyes, her days are filled with adventure as she makes the best out of living week-to-week in a motel with her single mother. But through the eyes of Bobby (Willem Dafoe), the motel’s manager, we see the abject poverty surrounding its tenants and the loops they continue getting stuck in without any promise of upward mobility. Like Boyhood, this story feels at once individualistic and universal, and Sean Baker’s docudrama-like filmmaking makes the events feel all too real. This is an essential watch. – Adam Chitwood
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'The Iron Claw' (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.7/10
Release Date December 22, 2023
Cast Zac Efron , Jeremy Allen White , Harris Dickinson , Holt McCallany , Maura Tierney , Stanley Simons , Lily James , Maxwell Friedman , Brady Pierce , Aaron Dean Eisenberg , Kevin Anton , Cazzey Louis Cereghino , Chavo Guerrero Jr. , Ryan Nemeth , Scott Innes Runtime 132 minutes
A movie widely cited as the most dismissed during the most recent Academy Awards, The Iron Claw, written and directed by Sean Durkin, tells the true story of wrestling’s Von Erich brothers. As some of the 1980s best-loved wrestlers, the brothers leave everything on the line to become legends of their sport, often resulting in grand tragedy. Featuring an excellent pair of performances from Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White, The Iron Claw is much more than a movie for wrestling fans, reaching into the heart of any viewer with themes of legacy and family. A marvel of storytelling triumph, the movie is paced to perfection, with jumps in time feeling wholly necessary and the moments of true emotion well earned. This is certainly one of the best movies to have been released in the past year. - Jake Hodges
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