Though best known for producing many of the best television shows of all time, HBO is also home to many excellent films. HBO caught on quick that streaming was the way of the future, and got into the only media game early. We’ll be taking a look at what movies are on HBO right now. HBO-Go is home to not just every great HBO original series, but also hundreds of films ranging from all-time classics to new releases. Joining us in counting down the top 50 HBO movies available right now.
Good movies on HBO
50. The Invisible Man (2020)
See how the Invisible Man’s effects were pulled off
2020’s The Invisible Man was a fresh take on the classic Universal horror movie. Leigh Whannell used a modest budget, a small scale, and a whole lot of restraint to craft an engrossing horror film. Elizabeth Moss is fantastic, as usual, and the cinematography is a real highlight. The frame often lingers on wide shots, allowing the viewer’s eye to search the image for traces of The Invisible Man.
Best movies on HBO now
In Short
If Universal’s planned Dark Universe franchise resurrecting the old school horror figures had started out more in line with this intimate film, it may have gripped audiences more at the box office.
Movies on HBO
49. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Insights into the casting of Leo Dio
Catch Me If You Can tells the wild, true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., the young con-man mastermind who led the FBI on a crazy cat and mouse chase. Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks both turn in great performances and Christopher Walken has an excellent supporting role that nabbed him a best supporting actor nomination.
Good movies on HBO now
In Short
This Steven Spielberg film is a easy watch that should fit nicely into any family movie night.
Movies on HBO
48. All the President't Men (1976)
Looking back on All the President’s Men 40 years later
All the President’s Men is frequently hailed one of the best ‘journalism’ films ever made. In a day and age where good journalism sometimes finds itself against against the ropes, All the President’s Men is a great reminder of the positive power that strong investigative journalism can hold.
Good movies on HBO now
In Short
All the President’s Men uses the exceptionally talents of Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford to take an incisive look at the work that went into uncovering the controversy that would bring down the Nixon Presidency.
Best movies on HBO Go
47. Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)
Wes Craven recounts the conception of New Nightmare
After directing the original A Nightmare on Elm Street, Wes Craven wouldn’t return to the director’s chair with the series for a full decade. 1994 marked the master of horror’s return to the franchise with a meta-commentary on the franchise that is both clever and frightening. New Nightmare is undoubtedly one of the best in the lengthy Nightmare on Elm Street series.
Best movies on HBO
In Short
Wes Craven’s New Nightmare can safely be called the best entry in the franchise since the third film Dream Warriors, and a case could be made for it being the second best overall, right behind the original film that started it all.
Movies on HBO right now
46. Winter’s Bone (2010)
John Hawkes disappears into character as Teardrop
Debra Granik’s 2010 thriller, Winter’s Bone, is far more setting and character driven than much of the genre’s output. Winter’s Bone was the film that launched Jennifer Lawrence’s career, and just might contain what is still her best performance to date. The entire supporting cast is comprised of veteran character actors who turn in scene-stealing performances. John Hawkes, Garret Dillahunt, Sheryl Lee, and Dale Dicky all shine.
Best movies on HBO
In Short
Winter’s Bone is a dark thriller that thrives on a rich, textural setting and a compelling supporting cast.
Movies on HBO right now
45. Ford V. Ferrari (2019)
Go behind the scenes with this making-of
Ford V. Ferrari is one of the most recent films available on HBO Go. This fast-paced bio-drama took away two Oscars at the most recent Academy Awards and was a nominee for ‘Best Picture’.
Best movies on HBO
In Short
If you missed Ford V. Ferrari in the theaters, you’ll be able to check it out on HBO Go as of June 20th
Best movies on HBO Go
44. Unbreakable (2000)
Go behind the scenes of Unbreakable
Unbreakable is easily one of M. Night Shyamalan's best films; arguably his best. It’s a superhero film in disguise, a subversive take on the superman origin story. “What if superman didn’t know he was superman.” It’s an all around solid film, with the only weak spot being some awkward plotting in the third act and a couple extremely minor plot holes.
Movies on HBO
43. Just Mercy (2019)
The true story behind the film as told on 60 Minutes
Just Mercy tells a true story that begins all the way back in 1987 when an innocent black man was sentenced to death for the murder of an 18-year-old white woman. The film may be a period piece but it is remains extremely relevant and timely to today. Just Mercy tackles an important subject with tact and clarity. Many have called the film an essential watch at this precise moment in history.
Movies on HBO
In Short
The social relevance isn’t the only worthwhile aspect of Just Mercy, the acting and film craft are quite strong as well.
Best movies on HBO right now
42. Cast Away (2000)
Wilsooooooon!
The now classic story of a Fedex worker who gets stranded on a deserted island. Tom Hanks gives a compelling one man show with little more than a volleyball to play off of. Robert Zemeckis’ last great film before becoming obsessed with uncanny-valley CG people.
Good movies on HBO
In Short
Cast Away takes a simple premise and executes it just about as well as you possibly could.
Best movies on HBO Go
41. Half Nelson (2006)
Video essay exploring theme and character in Half Nelson
Half Nelson is the crown jewel of the inner-city-school-teacher subgenre. It’s a heavy drama headlined by a showstopping Ryan Gosling. With audiences used to his heartthrob side in the likes of The Notebook, Gosling took on the challenging protagonist of Half Nelson, a strung-out crack addict barely holding his life together. It’s a great character and a great performance.
Best movies on HBO
In Short
Half Nelson stands out from its contemporaries with an interesting protagonist played to perfection by Ryan Gosling.
Movies on HBO now
40. The Dark Knight (2008)
How the Dark Knight fits into Dan Harmon’s story circle • Subscribe on YouTube
The middle film in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight is near-universally regarded as the best of the series and considered by many to be the best Batman film out of the many alternate adaptations of the original source comics. The Dark Knight plays out like a gritty crime, thriller with a strong script, good action, and a fantastic villain found in the Joker as played to perfection by Heath Ledger.
Best movies on HBO
In Short
The Dark Knight is a top-tier superhero film. Odds are, you’ve already seen The Dark Knight but maybe now is the right time to revisit.
Movies on HBO now
39. The Fountain (2006)
See how the creative team approached difficult production hurdles
Darren Aronofsky followed up Requiem for a Dream with the extremely ambitious The Fountain. Sometimes unfairly derided, The Fountain tells a singular story through three different time periods and three different genres, each building upon the others in unique fashion. The story is thematically rich and rewards repeat viewing.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
The Fountain is a grand film full of layered symbolism and rich subtext. This is an easy film to recommend even without taking into account the incredible soundtrack from composer Clint Mansell.
Movies on HBO now
38. Election (1999)
Insights from the editor of Election
Election is an enduring film from early on in the career of filmmaker Alexander Payne. With a Reese Witherspoon and Mathew Broderick double team at the center, Election offers social commentary and satire with a whip-smart screenplay.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Election is funny, poignant, and breezes right by. Definitely worth a watch at least once.
Best movies on HBO
37. Raising Arizona (1987)
Son, you got a panty on your head
Raising Arizona was the second feature film to come from the inimitable Coen Brothers. It is their goofiest romp by far as it follows a Nic Cage X Holly Hunter couple who take advantage of a rich family with more children than they need. Look for the over-the-top motorcycle riding, dynamite throwing villain, the dog-filled chase scene, and a great supporting role from John Goodman.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Raising Arizona is a wacky southern caper as only the Coen Brothers could pull off.
Movies on HBO now
36. The Departed (2006) (Leaves September 30th)
Take a look behind the scenes of The Departed
The Departed is a modern gangster film from the master of gangster films, Martin Scorsese. The film pulls its tense and thrilling story from the excellent Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs and brings in a star studded cast to bring it to life. DiCaprio, Damon, Nicholson, and Wahlberg all shine.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
The Departed cleaned up at the 2007 Academy Awards, taking home best adapted screenplay, best editing, best director, and best picture. If you’ve never seen The Departed, now is the perfect time to remedy that.
Must-watch movies on HBO
35. La La Land (2016)
Behind the scenes featurette
Damien Chazelle’s follow up to Whiplash was just as music-centric, but traded a heavy tone for light, and traded a compelling villain, for a stirring romance. Capable of joy and sadness in equal measure, La La Land is a well-made musical throwback with a pair of world-class leading actors.
All HBO Movies
In Short
La La Land flies high on the charisma of its two leads and is sure to leave at least one song stuck in your head.
Best movies on HBO Go
34. Jojo Rabbit (2019)
How to Direct a Gut Punch • Subscribe on YouTube
Taika Waititi’s latest film is the academy award winning Jojo Rabbit. This anti-hate satire labasts Hitler and the Nazi party party from the perspective of an impressionable member of the Hitler Youth. This is a hilarious film that also offers a heaping helping of heart. If you’ve already seen Jojo Rabbit, we have a video essay about the film’s most impactful scene.
All HBO Movies
In Short
Jojo Rabbit timely dramedy that uses a period setting to critique a modern-day culture of hate and intolerance.
Top HBO Movies
33. Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead
PSH brings down the house
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead was the final film from legendary filmmaker Sidney Lumet, and what a capstone to his impressive filmography. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawk both give astoundly good performances, and that’s not even mentioning that incredible supporting performances from Albert Finney, Marisa Tomei, and Michael Shannon. The unorthodox visual style might not be to everyone’s liking, but this dark thriller is sure to impress in the acting and script departments.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead is a crushingly bleak crime thriller with two magnificent lead performances.
Top HBO Movies
32. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Nerdwriter examines how Spielberg constructs a battle sequence
Saving Private Ryan is considered by many to be the gold standard of WWII films. The grand scope, strong performances, and jaw-dropping battle sequences made this war epic a classic immediately upon release.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
HBO’s WWII miniseries Band of Brothers makes for an excellent companion piece to Saving Private Ryan, the film that served as its progenitor. Check them both out.
Top HBO Movies
31. Pi (1998)
See what it was like on set of Pi
Darren Aronofsky’s first film, Pi, remains one of his most compelling. Combining an extremely striking visual style with inventive camera work and an unforgettable soundtrack, Pi surpasses its small budget with flair. The main character is complex and intriguing, and Aronofsky utilizes the cinematic form to ground you as an audience member thoroughly in this distrubed character’s point of view. The end effect is a dizzying whirlwind of psychological confusion and distortion.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Pi’s stark black and white aesthetic is reason enough to give his low-budget first feature your full attention.
Must-watch movies on HBO
30. A Woman Under the Influence
Gena Rowlands goes full throttle
A Woman Under the Influence is one of many collaborations between actress Gena Rowlands and her writer-director husband John Cassavetes. The first act’s pacing is a bit harsh, but stick with it and you’ll be rewarded with one of the most intense and emotionally raw performances ever committed to film from a fully unmasked Gena Rowlands. Peter Falk makes for an excellent foil to his troubled wife.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
A Woman Under the Influence is a heavy watch guided by a deft hand behind the camera. Gena Rowlands is revelatory.
Must-watch movies on HBO
29. The Nice Guys (2016)
Crowe and Gosling discuss the film at Cannes
The Nice Guys is another buddy cop comedy from Shane black, the man who practically invented the subgenre with Lethal Weapon, except this time around they aren’t actually cops, and they actually hate each other. The Nice Guys is absolutely hilarious and makes excellent use of a Russell Crowe X Ryan Gosling duo.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Don’t let The Nice Guys pass you by. If you loved Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, you’re sure to enjoy The Nice Guys.
Best Movies on HBO
28. A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Kevin Kline accepts the best supporting actor Oscar
A Fish Called Wanda is a film called one of the funniest ever made. John Cleese penned the script and stars alongside fellow python Michael Palin as well as Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline. The Americans hold their own against the British comedy legends, with Kevin Kline possibly even managing to steal the show. It might be rather drab visually, but the script and characters remain blisteringly funny from start to finish.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
A Fish Called Wanda is a timeless comedy that is sure to have you laughing constantly throughout.
Best Movies on HBO
27. Clerks (1994)
Feature-length making of documentary
One of the most important independent films ever made, Clerks helped usher in a new era in filmmaking outside of the studio system. The film’s meager budget was supplied by writer, director Kevin Smith maxing out all of his credit and getting creative with all of the resources he had at his disposal. Clerk’s low budget shows but all of its rough edges only serve to add to the film’s abundance of charm.
Best Movies on HBO
In Short
Clerks is an important film in cinema history and, beyond that, it’s also a fun time with a clever screenplay and likable characters.
Must-watch movies on HBO
26. Biutiful (2010)
Javier Bardem reflects on shooting Biutiful
Alejandro González Iñárritu’s last film before Birdman was Biutiful, the story of Uxbal, a man embarking on a personal journey as death looms large over his head. The supernatural component of the story is perhaps a bit jarring and could be integrated into the rest of the narrative more smoothly, but the drama at play is rich. Biutiful is an emotional story that is as capable of being uplifting as it is bleak and disheartening.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Biutiful is a complex drama helmed by an outstanding performance from Javier Bardem.
Must-watch movies on HBO
25. The Last Emperor (1998)
The Last Emperor’s score beat an Ennio Morricone and two John Williams scores
This epic bio-drama chronicles the life of China’s final emperor. Bernardo Bertolucci helmed this immaculately crafted film that raked in a staggering nine Academy Award wins, including all the major craft categories. Each individual aspect of this film excels; worth watching to hear the stunning score alone with impressive work from David Byrne of Talking Heads fame.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
The Last Emperor is a stunning historical drama that covers the gamut of human emotion.
Must-watch movies on HBO
24. Badlands (1973)
Three reasons to watch Badlands according to Criterion
Badlands was the first feature-film from legendary director Terrence Malick. The film tells a familiar, Bonnie-&-Clyde-esque story, but tells it with a style all its own. Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek make somewhat archetypal characters feel bold and fresh.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Badlands was added to the Criterion Collection in 2013 and is fully deserving of that honor.
Best HBO Movies
23. Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
Don’t f**k with the mattress man
Paul Thomas Anderson’s romantic drama Punch-Drunk Love grabs you from the intriguing opening frame and never lets go. It’s the director’s shortest film, but it packs a lot into its brisk runtime. Adam Sandler gives an excellent dramatic performance and his romance with Emily Watson is undeniably sweet and heartfelt. It’s a different kind of romance film, one with an angry edge and spontaneous bursts of humor.
Top HBO Movies
In Short
Punch-Drunk Love is another great entry in PT Anderson’s remarkable filmography. Excellent work across the board.
Best HBO Movies
22. Before Sunrise + Before Sunset (1995 - 2004)
Learn about the writing process in this Criterion featurette
Before Sunrise and Before Sunset both joined the HBO Max platform this month. The Before trilogy is one of a handful of crowning achievements in writer/director Richard Linklater’s career. HBO Max is not currently offering Before Midnight so you may need to seek the conclusion to the trilogy elsewhere. The Before stand easily alongside cinema’s greatest on-screen romances. The wall-to-wall dialogue is captivating and supremely natural. Warning, you may cry during one or all three of these films.
Top HBO Movies
In Short
Before Sunrise and Before Sunset are both incredible films that utilize the real-world passage of time in a similar way to Linklater’s own Boyhood.
Best HBO Movies
21. Nocturnal Animals (2016)
Go behind the scenes of Nocturnal Animals
Tom Ford’s second feature film is a genuine masterpiece of the thriller genre. Nocturnal Animals presents an excellent script in the perfect light. This dark, twisty thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat with great acting across the board and a real artist’s touch behind the camera. We can't wait for what Ford directs next.
Top HBO Movies
In Short
Nocturnal Animals is not to be missed by fans of the thriller genre. A slickly presented revenge tale with a cynical edge.
Best HBO Movies
20. The Exorcist (1973) (Leaves September 30th)
Hour long making-of documentary
William Friedkin’s horror masterpiece The Exorcist was the first horror film ever nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards; and really the only true horror film to date to receive this honor as the other five contenders are more snugly situated in the thriller genre than in horror. The Exorcist was incredibly influential upon its release and leaves a lasting footprint on the history of horror cinema.
Top HBO Movies
In Short
The Exorcist shocked audiences in the 70s upon release and it remains a staple of horror cinema.
Must-watch movies on HBO
19. Prisoners (2013)
Hugh Jackman at the top of his game
Denis Villeneuve rocketed into Hollywood consciousness with his first American-made film, Prisoners. A bleak mystery-thriller with morally grey protagonists and eerily-honest antagonists. A never-better Hugh Jackman leads a strong cast through this excellent script.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Prisoners is an immaculately constructed thriller from the expert hands of Denis Villeneuve.
Must-watch movies on HBO
18. Amelie (2001)
Fandor breaks down the cinematography of Amelie
Amelie is just about as whimsical as a film can get, even giving Wes Anderson a run for his money. The production design and cinematography of Amelie are exquisite, and the titular heroine is sure to wheedle her way into your heart.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Let the delightful Amelie into your life and your day will get a little brighter.
Must-watch movies on HBO
17. City of God (2002)
Is City of God an “open-world” movie?
City of God is an epic gangster film spanning three decades of gang life in Brazil. Memorable characters, an inventive script, bold camera work and editing, and a great sense of directorial style make City of God a must watch. City of God should rank highly on any list of the greatest gangster films ever made.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
City of God is fast paced and densely packed. If it wasn’t on your radar before, definitely consider giving it a watch now that it’s on HBO Max.
Must-watch movies on HBO
16. In Bruges (2008)
Ralph Fiennes beats up a telephone
In Bruges was the feature film debut of Martin McDonagh. The script scored him his first Best Original Screenplay nomination, with his second arriving nine years later with 3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. In Bruges is a pitch black comedy about a pair of hitmen who go forced-sightseeing in Bruges, Belgium. The film is packed with memorable lines and deep, belly laughs, and Colin Farrell has never been better.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
In Bruges is a hilarious black comedy with a strong dramatic core. It’s endlessly quotable and rewatchable.
Best Movies on HBO Right Now
15. Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974)
Criterion Collection Observations on Film Art
From director Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Ali: Fear Eats the Soul is a surprisingly understated yet nuanced story of the human spirit. From the outside it appears to be incredibly simple film; few characters, few locations, simple, restrained cinematography… but the simplistic appearance hides a great depth of emotional resonance and character-driven thematic exploration.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul is a touching and unorthodox story that moves in a slow but engrossing rhythm.
Best HBO Movies
14. Dragged Across Concrete (2018)
Producer gives a tour of the set
Robbed of its theatrical release due to a dispute with the studio, S. Craig Zahler’s third feature film is a towering testament to his talents as an auteur. The 2-hour-39-minute runtime is entirely justified as Dragged Across Concrete becomes one of the most tense cinematic experiences you will likely ever have throughout the entirety of the third act.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Dragged Across Concrete is a masterclass in tension and catharsis. Don’t sleep on this one, it deserves all the attention it can get.
Best Movies on HBO Max
13. The Conversation (1974)
Video essay on The Conversation by The Discarded Image
In 1974, Francis Ford Coppola released The Conversation just months before the release of The Godfather: Part II. The fact that Coppola was able to squeeze The Conversation in between production of the two Godfather films is a true testament to the cinematic force he was in the 1970s. The Conversation is both a gripping character study and a thought-provoking exploration into the nature of surveillance. Gene Hackman gives one of, if not the, best performances of his career.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
The Conversation is a must watch for fans of Francis Ford Coppola, Gene Hackman, or 70s filmmaking. Fans of John Cazale should also see The Conversation immediately as it is one of just five films he made before his untimely passing.
Best HBO Movies
12. Sophie’s Choice (1982)
The iconic titular scene
Meryl Streep turns in a career defining performance in this devastating drama. The only misstep is focusing too much on the less interesting Stingo as the protagonist, though his perspective does make for a compelling, gradual reveal of information about our titular heroin. Kevin Kline also turns in a layered performance as a deeply complicated character that keeps the present day storyline engrossing alongside the heartbreaking flashbacks.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Sophie’s Choice is a heavy, but rewarding experience. Don’t expect a feel-good experience going into this one.
Best Movies Ever on HBO
11. Blood Simple (1984)
A look at the storyboards of Blood Simple
The Coen Brothers came out swinging for the fences with this their debut feature. Blood Simple is a tense thriller with a hard-hitting, noir edged script and a carefully constructed climactic cat and mouse chase that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Best Ever Movies on HBO
In Short
Blood Simple made it clear that the Coen Brothers were a force to be reckoned with from their very first outing.
Must-watch movies on HBO
10. Apocalypse Now (1979) (Leaving September 30th)
I love the smell of napalm in the morning
Francis Ford Coppola followed up The Godfather Part II with this Vietnam war epic. Apocalypse Now was adapted from Heart of Darkness, and takes enough liberties with the source material to turn the descent into madness into a harrowing war film for the ages.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Apocalypse Now is one of the best Vietnam war films, if not the very best. Coppola’s notoriously disastrous shoot resulted in an uncompromised example of 70s filmmaking in its prime.
Must-watch movies on HBO
9. Aliens (1986)
Feature-length retrospective documentary
James Cameron’s follow up to the 1979 sci-fi classic is rightly hailed as one of the best sequels ever made. Aliens trades some of the focus on horror of the first film for a larger emphasis on action, while keeping things tense and claustrophobic. This is a sequel that ups the scale and spectacle on all fronts.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Aliens is a sci-fi classic and a staple of the entire genre. Forget the subsequent sequels and revisit this gem.
Best Movies of All Time on HBO
8. Die Hard (1988)
Now I have a machine gun
One of the best action films ever made, hands down, and in contention for the top spot of all time. Also it just so happens to be one of the best Christmas films ever made, and that’s a fact. Die Hard excels with a lovable every-man protagonist, a villain for the ages, and hard-hitting, inventive action scenes.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Die Hard is a staple of the action genre that never gets old. A timeless classic of tense gunplay.
Best Movies of All Time on HBO
7. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Rare behind the scenes featurette
Dog Day Afternoon is an incredible film from master filmmaker Sidney Lumet. The film tells the true story of a bank robbery gone wrong but the film places 100% of the focus on the characters over the potential action and thrills of a typical heist film. The entire cast fires on all cylinders in a film that was largely improvised when it came to the dialogue while the structure of the film came from an article about the real-life event.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Al Pacino gives the best performance of his long and illustrious career in Dog Day Afternoon, and the rest of the cast bring the A-game as well, especially an unforgettable turn from John Cazale as Sal.
Must-watch movies on HBO
6. Jaws (1975)
Got to love a good push-pull
Jaws is arguably Steven Spielberg’s best film. A pioneer of the summer blockbuster and remarkable exercise in tension. It’s the interplay between the human characters that makes this shark film work so well. The growing chemistry of the leads showcases excellent character work across the board.
Best movies to watch on HBO
In Short
Jaws’ spot in cinematic history is uncontestable. If you’ve never seen this innovative classic, it’s time to rectify that.
Must-watch movies on HBO
5. Fight Club (1999)
Building Fight Club’s CGI
Few films infect the zeitgeist as immediately and fully as David Fincher’s Fight Club. Though the message of the film is often misunderstood, Fight Club’s thought provoking themes still resonate as well in 2020 as they did when the original novel was first written. Fight Club is a stylishly assembled flick that also happens to contain one of cinema’s greatest twists; oft parroted, rarely matched.
[Best Movies of All Time on HBO]
In Short
Fight Club ravenously infected the public consciousness upon release and remains just as entertaining and subversive to this day.
Must-watch movies on HBO
4. Doubt (2008)
Doubt • Trailer
John Patrick Shanley wrote and directed this adaptation of his own play. Doubt is a heavy drama that takes aim at abuse within the catholic church through complex character and an objective, limited point of view. This is an incredible film full of astounding performances from Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, and a scene-stealing Viola Davis.
Best Movies of All Time on HBO
In Short
Doubt is an essential drama with sharp writing and world-class acting.
Best Movies Ever on HBO.
3. Alien (1979)
Detailed look at the artwork of H.R. Giger, Xenomorph designer
Ridley Scott’s seminal 1979 film is a masterpiece of both the sci-fi and horror genres. Even the smallest details of this late-70s classic have been infused into the cinematic zeitgeist. Ripley, Dallas, the Xenomorph, the facehugger, the chest burster, the eggs, the android, the space jockey, Jonesy, Mother, even the simple matter of the set design and sound design have achieved legendary status.
Best Movies of All Time on HBO
In Short
Alien is a shining example of all that the sci-fi and horror genres can be, blended together and balanced to perfection.
Best Movies of All Time on HBO
2. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Remarkably inventive use of POV
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly tells the real-life story of Elle magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby who found himself struck by Locked-in Syndrome, an affliction that left his entire body paralyzed except for one of his eyes. It’s a captivating tale that speaks to the strength of the human spirit and the will to survive and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Top Movies on HBO
In Short
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a fascinating real-life story told through wildly inventive means.
Best Movies Ever on HBO
1. Requiem For a Dream (2000)
Go behind the scenes of Requiem for a Dream
Requiem for a Dream is the crown jewel of Darren Aronofsky’s career. One of the best films ever produced, a harrowing tale of addiction desperation. Requiem For a Dream is a bleak and upsetting watch that showcases the raw power of cinema.
Best Movies of All Time on HBO
In Short
Requiem For a Dream might be depressing, but it’s also just about as perfect as a film can get.
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The Best Movies on Netflix
Whether you simply watched everything on our Best Movies on HBO list or are still browsing for entertainment, we've got you covered. In this case, we have the absolute best movies on Netflix playing right now. Across every genre and decade, if you want to watch something great, this playlist will get the job done.
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