Max, formerly known as HBO Max, not only has an impressive list of original series, but it also has some of the most popular film series available, like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and many DC films. If you have run out of films to watch on Netflix, here is a list of some of the best films you can watch on Max.
Spirited Away (2001)
In this animated film, it follows 10-year-old Chihiro and her journey in a world of witches and spirits after stumbling upon an abandoned amusement park. Her parents are turned into pigs and in order for them to be turned back to normal and go back to the human world, Chihiro must work in the bathhouse. She befriends many colorful characters, and with their help, she is able to escape in the end. The film teaches you about many traditional Japanese stories and myths, while also giving you beautiful and detailed visuals.
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
If you are a fan of the Avatar universe, the sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water is available on Max. It is a continuation of the first film, picked up several years after the events that occurred in Pandora. Jake Sully and Neytiri have started a family and the plot delves deeper into their connection as a family and the connection with their environment. Humans are once again on their sacred land and this time they explore the underwater environment. The visuals are incredible and vibrant, and you get to see a new side of Pandora. This film is cinematic with themes of family, love, and sacrifice.
I, Tonya (2017)
This film is based on the figure skater, Tonya Harding, who was the first American woman to complete a triple axel during a competition in 1991. Though this film is focused on her dreams and ambitions as a figure skater, it also dives into the pain and abuse she went through as a child and her adult life. It also highlights the beauty of figure skating and how competitive it can be. The events eventually led up to the scandal that ruined Harding’s career, where her ex-husband conspired an attack on one of her biggest competitors, Nancy Kerrigan.
The Host (2006)
If you enjoyed Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning film, Parasite, this film, though not as realistic, also follows the lives of a dysfunctional family. This horror film begins with an American military officer dumping chemicals into South Korea’s Han River. The chemicals create a monster that goes on a killing rampage and kidnaps the Park’s daughter. The family sets to rescue her despite the US military forcing a lockdown. This film, more than a decade old somehow foreshadowed the COVID-19 events, with a scene showing the city in lockdown and flu-like symptoms going around.
Hereditary (2018)
This horror film is more of a phycological horror, with many disturbing scenes and twisted family drama. It has themes of loss and grief and shows how the family deals with those emotions. There are also supernatural elements, but it doesn’t overpower the many displays of emotion each family member shows. There is physical violence, but what really makes one feel unsettled is the intense emotional damage the characters portray after an awful event. This film keeps you wondering what will happen next until the end.
