13 must-see movies on HBO Max in the UK including the “greatest movie ever made”

While we eagerly await Robert Pattinson’s return as Batman in The Batman: Part II, you can rewatch the first film now. It’s a long, sweeping story – almost three hours – and it’s even grittier and more intense than Christopher Nolan’s famous Batman movies.

If you’re not a fan of The Batman, there are plenty of other Batman movies to choose from! You can watch Tim Burton’s Batman on HBO Max, Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, or, if you enjoy it, Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Even over ten years after it came out, Mad Max: Fury Road still has an amazing 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it truly deserves it. The film is a unique and incredible action masterpiece.

Despite some on-set challenges between Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, their performances, combined with George Miller’s direction, were truly remarkable.

I love that HBO Max has so many old Hollywood gems like Gone with the Wind and An American in Paris, but if I had to pick just one all-time classic from their selection, it would definitely be Casablanca.

Time magazine once declared it the best movie of all time, but Roger Ebert’s review truly captures its enduring appeal. He said watching the film repeatedly, year after year, never gets old – it’s like listening to a beloved album, growing more enjoyable with each viewing.

Speaking of timeless films, let’s consider North by Northwest, Alfred Hitchcock’s masterful spy thriller, which is widely regarded as a cinematic masterpiece.

Seriously, even if you don’t recognize the name, you’ve definitely seen stuff inspired by this. If you’re into spy thrillers at all, you need to check this out tonight – trust me, it’s a classic!

Speaking of movies that have had a big impact, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a prime example. It was recently referenced and paid tribute to in the popular 2023 film Barbie, among other works.

Even though it was made almost 60 years ago, Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi film remains a classic. It’s a must-see for any film enthusiast, regardless of their preference for the science fiction genre.

With James Gunn’s new Superman movie coming out in 2025, and One Battle After Another also debuting alongside it for HBO Max’s launch in the UK, it’s a perfect time to watch the original Superman film as a pairing.

I really enjoyed the new Superman movie! But honestly, nothing quite tops the original Superman: The Movie from 1978 with Christopher Reeve – it’s just iconic. If you’re a big fan like me and want to dive in, all three sequels are also available on HBO Max, perfect for a Superman binge!

You’ll be able to stream The Conjuring: Last Rites on HBO Max in April. While you’re waiting, you can revisit the first three Conjuring movies, which are available to watch now—even though Last Rites isn’t actually the last movie in the series.

We still recommend The Conjuring as the best choice – it breathed new life into haunted house movies and made them genuinely frightening. The two sequels are also great options, delivering plenty of scares and featuring excellent performances from Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga.

If you’d rather watch the original John Wick on HBO Max, that’s a great option. However, we chose John Wick: Chapter 2 because it builds on everything that made the first film so good, offering a bigger and more exciting experience.

Plus, we avoid the upsetting scene of John’s puppy dying in the next movie. However, that doesn’t make John any happier about things.

We may not see a follow-up movie or a TV show based on the story, but thankfully, we can always rewatch Crazy Rich Asians and enjoy it again and again.

The 2018 romantic comedy was both a breakthrough for inclusive representation and a genuinely great movie – easily one of the best of the 21st century so far.

Even if it’s not the holiday season, Gremlins is still a great movie to revisit. While it might not give you that Christmas feeling, you’ll quickly fall in love with Gizmo again, and its perfect mix of horror and comedy makes it enjoyable any time of year.

If you’re looking for something new to watch, you can now enjoy the animated prequel, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, with both seasons streaming on HBO Max.

Get ready for the thrilling sixth Final Destination movie, Bloodlines, which arrives on HBO Max in April! You can revisit the original five films now, all available on the streaming service.

Each of the Final Destination movies has its good points, even the least popular one. However, the original Final Destination is still widely regarded as the strongest film in the series. It might be best to avoid watching it right before a flight, though.

The classic line from The Goonies is “Never say die!” and good news for fans – a sequel, The Goonies 2, is officially happening! While we wait for it to come out, you can revisit the original The Goonies on HBO Max.

Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, and Ke Huy Quan have all become successful in larger films, but we’ll always remember them most fondly for their roles in The Goonies.

Robert Downey Jr. returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe this December in Avengers: Doomsday. Before you see it, be sure to check out his fantastic 2005 crime comedy Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, where he acted with the beloved Val Kilmer.

This film is the first time Shane Black has directed, and it’s a clever story about a criminal who poses as an actor to escape the law. However, his disguise quickly lands him in a dangerous and complicated situation.