If you subscribe to HBO Max, there are thousands of great movies to choose from in any given month, but it can take time to sift through them all to find one that appeals to you.
The streaming service offers a variety of titles, including Warner Bros. movies such as Dune and HBO originals such as Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary and My Mom Jayne, directed by Mariska Hargitay, which won two Emmys at this year’s ceremony in September. Below, you’ll find a batch of can’t-miss films and a look at the new releases arriving in October, including the critically acclaimed A24 hit The Invite, the sexy thriller The Housemaid and more. If you’re still trying to figure out if HBO Max is right for you, check our review of the Warner Bros. Discovery streamer.
New movies releases on HBO Max in October
Oct. 9
- The Housemaid (2025): The twist-filled thriller The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig, stars Amanda Seyfried as Nina Winchester, a wealthy woman who hires a new live-in maid, Millie (Sydney Sweeney), with a criminal past. Millie has done hard time, though for what, exactly, is part of the twist. Nina has a history of secrets herself, and when Millie starts sleeping with Nina’s husband, the story takes an unexpected turn. The film comes to HBO Max on Oct. 9.
Oct. 16
- The Death of Robin Hood (2026): Hugh Jackman stars as Robin Hood in this dark reimagining of the folk hero’s life. In this tale, Robin Hood has grown older and more weary, and as much as he wishes to live in seclusion, he’s forced to face his past and confront many of those he wronged in the most brutal and violent ways. The A24 film also stars Jodie Comer, Murray Bartlett and Bill Skarsgård.
Oct. 23
- The Invite (2026): The Invite stars Olivia Wilde and Seth Rogen as a couple who invite their sexually free, swinging neighbors — played by Edward Norton and Penelope Cruz — to dinner, and are forced to confront the dysfunction in their own relationship. The movie, which Wilde also directed, premieres on the platform on Oct. 23.
Oct. 27
- Kordell Stewart: Slash & Burn, HBO Sports Original Documentary (2026): Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart, nicknamed Slash, dominated the league when he played back in the 1990s. In the time since, he’s been a football analyst, was married to a star of The Real Housewives of Atlanta and was the subject of a rumor that changed his life. The new documentary, Kordell Stewart: Slash & Burn, explores all these facets of Stewart’s life through interviews with the man himself and those close to him.
The best movies to watch
The films below include notable new releases and blockbusters, HBO and HBO Max originals and Warner Bros. films made exclusively for HBO Max.
More from CNET
Drama
Leonardo DiCaprio stars in One Battle After Another.
Warner Bros.One Battle After Another (2025)
One Battle After Another won six Oscars, including best picture, so it’s worth noting that HBO Max is showing this collab between Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio. The political thriller introduces DiCaprio’s character as part of a revolutionary group, the French 75. When the film finds him 16 years later, living off the grid with his teenage daughter and facing a threat from his past, the action doesn’t let up.
Sinners (2025)
Michael B. Jordan won an Oscar for his portrayal of twin brothers Smoke and Stack Moore, who return to their hometown in Mississippi after serving in World War I to open a juke joint. The night of the opening, however, a group of vampires infiltrates the celebration.
Juror #2 (2024)
Nicholas Hoult, J.K. Simmons and Toni Collette are in the cast of this absorbing, haunting Clint Eastwood courtroom drama. Hoult stars as Justin Kemp, who faces a moral dilemma after getting called for jury duty. He must decide whether to disclose information that would change the outcome of the high-profile trial and impact his own life. A well-acted, well-paced flick that will get you thinking.
Turtles All the Way Down (2024)
Don’t usually dabble in the young adult genre? You shouldn’t let that keep you from taking in Turtles All the Way Down, based on a 2017 novel of the same name by John Green. The film stars Isabela Merced (The Last of Us, Alien: Romulus) as a teen who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety. With elements of romance and a captivating performance from Merced, this straight-to-streaming movie deserves more attention.
The Fallout (2022)
After a shooting occurs at her high school, 16-year-old Vada Cavell must navigate friendships, school and her relationship with her family. The Fallout skillfully approaches serious subject matter with realistic dialogue and compassion for its characters. With strong performances from stars Jenna Ortega as Vada and Maddie Ziegler as her new friend Mia Reed, the feature will keep you glued to the screen for the entirety of its 90-minute runtime.
Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024)
Remember 2021, when Warner Bros. movies hit HBO Max on the same day they premiered in theaters? That exciting period may be over but at least we’ll always have the memory of watching Denis Villeneuve’s spectacular sci-fi epic at home and still being part of the conversation. Both parts of Dune are now streaming on HBO Max.
Bad Education (2019)
Based on a magazine article by journalist Robert Kolker, this tale about a public school embezzlement scandal and the student journalists who broke the news is captivating from start to finish. Allison Janney and Hugh Jackman are great in their roles as the school officials who took part in the scheme. The drama also won the 2020 Emmy award for Outstanding Television Movie.
A24If I Has Legs I’d Kick You (2025)
In the A24 drama If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Rose Byrne stars as Linda, a stressed out mother whose daughter is ill and hooked up to a feeding tube. With her house in shambles and her husband traveling, she is at her wits end. Byrne earned a Golden Globe for her darkly comedic, desperate performance.
Comedy
Am I OK? (2022)
This comedy-drama follows Dakota Johnson’s character, 32-year-old Lucy, who tells her longtime best friend Jane that she likes women. But there’s more for Lucy to navigate as that friend, played by House of the Dragon’s Sonoya Mizuno, is moving far away to London. If you enjoy stories about late blooming and female friendships, it’s no question — you should check out the funny, touching Am I OK?
Father of the Bride (2022)
HBO Max’s Father of the Bride introduces a Cuban American family that includes patriarch Billy, a traditional guy who struggles to digest surprising news from his eldest daughter: She’s met a guy, and she wants to marry and move away with him. The third film adaptation of a 1949 novel of the same name by Edward Streeter, the movie is an enjoyable iteration that includes stars like Andy Garcia and singer Gloria Estefan.
Let Them All Talk (2020)
Meryl Streep playing an eccentric author in a Steven Soderbergh comedy? What more do you need to know? If you do want to know more: Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Alice Hughes (Streep) is struggling to finish her next book, chased by her literary agent (Gemma Chan). She boards a cruise ship with old friends, who inspired her best-known work. Tensions are strong. It looks great — Soderbergh uses crisp, natural light — and most of the dialogue is improvised. See how Dianne Wiest, Candice Bergen, Lucas Hedges and the rest of the impeccable cast have fun with that.
Action and adventure
Mickey 17 (2025)
Mickey 17 comes from acclaimed director Bong Joon Ho (Snowpiercer, Parasite) and stars Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes. Barnes escapes Earth for another planet by applying to be an “expendable.” The role subjects him to deadly missions and experiments, with his body reprinted each time he doesn’t make it. Black humor, heart, eccentricity and great performances are all on display. Even if the film doesn’t surpass any of Bong’s earlier works, it deservedly makes it on this list.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
This thrilling prequel to the 2015 movie Mad Max: Fury Road stars Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit, The Menu) as a younger version of Charlize Theron’s Imperator Furiosa. Life takes a turn for the protagonist when she finds herself in the Wasteland rather than the Green Place of Many Mothers. The resourceful heroine fights for survival, facing off with villains such as the warlord Dementus, played by Chris Hemsworth. Visually striking and intense, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is chock-full of postapocalyptic action, and you won’t want to miss a minute.
The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Who can pass up a Studio Ghibli film? Hayao Miyazaki came out of retirement to make The Boy and the Heron, which won the award for best animated feature at the 2024 Oscars. The starry English voice cast includes Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Robert Pattinson and Florence Pugh.
Barbie (2023)
Unless you’ve been living in Barbie Land (or another place that isn’t the real world), chances are you’re very familiar with this pink-coated comedy already. The flick — Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing global release of all time — brings a long list of stars together for a hilarious and heartfelt adventure. Greta Gerwig directs, Margot Robbie plays the titular role and Ryan Gosling belts out an incredible power ballad as Ken.
Thriller
Kimi (2022)
Steven Soderbergh directs this engaging tech thriller set during the COVID-19 pandemic. Angela, a Seattle tech worker played by a neon blue-haired Zoë Kravitz, has agoraphobia, a fear that prevents her from making it past the front door of her apartment. But when she uncovers an unsettling recording while doing her job, she’s pushed to make the leap. Kimi is a stylish thriller complete with eye-catching cinematography, a solid score and a protagonist you’ll be rooting for.
No Sudden Move (2021)
Steven Soderbergh, the great director behind Erin Brockovich, Ocean’s Eleven and, Black Bag, directs No Sudden Move. Twists, thrills and desperate characters populate this crime thriller set in 1950s Detroit. When a seemingly simple job gets out of hand, a group of criminals must work together to uncover what’s really going on. Take in the incredible cast: Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbour, Jon Hamm and Amy Seimetz. While the plot can be a little convoluted and some won’t be able to get past the fish-eye lens cinematography, Soderbergh’s sense of humor and immersive direction make this crime caper an entertaining night in.
Superhero
Superman (2025)
James Gunn’s superhero epic doesn’t go the origin story route, instead introducing audiences to David Corenswet’s Man of Steel when Earth is already familiar with the caped hero. More specifically, the movie opens with a battered Superman having lost a battle for the first time. Nicholas Hoult plays the ever-plotting villain Lex Luthor, Rachel Brosnahan stars as reporter Lois Lane and Krypto the unruly Superdog is a chaotic addition to this charming and compelling action outing.
The Batman (2022)
Robert Pattinson steps out as Batman in this moody superhero flick directed by Matt Reeves. The movie takes place in a perpetually gray and rain-soaked Gotham City, where Bruce Wayne starts to seek out a murderer with an affinity for riddles. Along the way, he meets Catwoman, played by a swaggering Zoë Kravitz. Catch up on the dark and satisfying mystery before you watch the HBO spinoff series, The Penguin.
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Over-the-top violence abounds in this DC film about supervillains who agree to help the US government in exchange for some time off their prison sentences. Their mission is to destroy something alluded to as Project Starfish, harbored in the fictional island country of Corto Maltese. With a notable cast that includes Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena, 2021’s The Suicide Squad is a wickedly entertaining, darkly funny bloodbath that differs from what you usually see in superhero movies. (Peacemaker, a spin-off TV series, is also available on HBO Max.)
Musical
The Color Purple (2023)
This movie musical version of The Color Purple is adapted from Alice Walker’s 1982 novel and the Broadway play. Set in the early 1900s, the film tells the story of Celie, a Black woman living in the South who faces multiple hardships but is able to find strength in the bonds in her life. The cast includes Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Halle Bailey and Danielle Brooks, who received a 2023 Oscar nomination for her role as Celie’s daughter-in-law, Sofia.
Wonka (2023)
Dune’s Timothée Chalamet stars in this prequel to Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and it’s a total treat. With new and familiar tunes, a committed cast and oodles and oodles of whimsy, the film allows audiences to get to know a young Willy Wonka with giraffe-sized ambition and undeniable chocolate-making skill. It’s a quirky, comforting flick from Paddington director Paul King that you’ll absolutely want on your plate.
Documentary
All That Breathes (2022)
This captivating documentary is filled with images that will stick with you. It centers on two brothers in New Delhi who run a bird hospital dedicated to black kites — birds of prey that are a staple of the sky. It was a contender for best documentary feature at the 2023 Oscars.
Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off (2022)
Tune into this HBO doc for the gravity-defying skateboard stunts, a time capsule of the ’80s skateboarding scene, and a version of Hawk you’ve probably never seen. We get to know the renowned athlete as a lanky, stubborn but determined kid who adopted his own skateboarding style. Hawk’s persistence is something to marvel at, along with all the stunning skateboard moves this film packs in. Hang on for a memorable ride.
Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain (2021)
This film about beloved author, chef and globe-traveling TV host Anthony Bourdain comes from documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville, who also directed 2018’s Won’t You Be My Neighbor? and the Oscar-winning film Twenty Feet from Stardom. In interviews with people who knew Bourdain, like his friends, former partners and longtime colleagues, the doc tracks his career path, relationships and personal struggles. Bourdain fans and those less acquainted with the star will likely appreciate this intimate look at his life.
HBO Music BoxYacht Rock: A Dockumentary (2024)
The term “yacht rock” was thought up by a group of comedians to reference the breezy genre of soft rock and roll most often associated with artists like Michael McDonald, Toto and Kenny Loggins. In this feature-length documentary, the artists themselves look back on their niche genre of music that is often the butt of jokes, but let’s face it, is the definition of easy listening. The film is one of HBO’s Music Box documentaries, all of which are great.
HBO MaxMy Mom Jayne (2026)
Mariska Hargitay is an acclaimed actor in her own right, but she’s also the daughter of Jayne Mansfield, one of the biggest stars of the 1960s. Mansfield died in 1967 at age 34 in a car accident when Hargitay was just 3 years old. And in 2025, My Mom Jayne, an emotional documentary about Mansfield’s legacy and the impact her death had on Hargitay and her siblings, premiered. Hargitay earned an Emmy Award this year for directing the film, and it also won Outstanding Documentary. It’s an emotional roller coaster filled with often startling revelations, but it’s also a cathartic journey for Hargitay, whose life was forever changed by her mother’s death.
