HBO Max Movies You Are Sleeping On (But Shouldn’t)
HBO Max, now called Max, keeps a deep bench of films that go way beyond the obvious headliners. If you’ve only been skimming the front page, you’re probably missing a stack of titles with interesting production stories, standout performances, and craft details that make them worth a dedicated watch. This list pulls together films with concrete reasons to hit play, from specific technical achievements to career benchmarks for their directors and casts.
You’ll also notice many of these were released or handled in theaters by distributors tied closely to the service, which often means the most complete or best-presented versions land here. Where it’s helpful, we’ve included who released the film in theaters in a natural way, since distribution can explain why certain titles are so easy to find on Max.
‘Edge of Tomorrow’ (2014)
Doug Liman’s science-fiction action film follows a public affairs officer caught in a time loop on the eve of a pivotal alien invasion battle. Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt lead a cast that trained extensively for exo-suit choreography, and the production staged large-scale practical set pieces at Leavesden Studios. The film was released in theaters by Warner Bros. Pictures after a notable title change during marketing.
The screenplay adapts Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s novel and is known for its iterative structure, built through multiple rewrites that refined how resets are shown on screen. Industrial Light & Magic handled major visual effects sequences, while James Herbert’s editing emphasizes clarity in complex, repeating action beats.
‘The Nice Guys’ (2016)
Shane Black’s buddy-detective story pairs a bruiser private eye with a hapless hired enforcer amid a missing-persons case in Los Angeles. Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling shot period-accurate locations with production design obsessing over signage, wardrobe, and vehicles. The theatrical rollout came via Warner Bros. Pictures following a Cannes debut out of competition.
Cinematographer Philippe Rousselot captured the city with warm, grain-forward imagery that matches the story’s mid-century vibe. Composer John Ottman worked needle-drops around original score cues to anchor the film’s specific time and place.
‘Her’ (2013)
Spike Jonze wrote and directed this near-future romance centered on a letter writer who develops a relationship with an operating system. Joaquin Phoenix recorded a large portion of performance with live, in-ear dialogue from Scarlett Johansson to maintain spontaneity. In theaters the film was released by Warner Bros. Pictures after a festival run that included multiple awards.
The production blended Los Angeles and Shanghai to build its soft-lit urban skyline, using elevated pedestrian walkways and warm color palettes to suggest a quietly optimistic future. Arcade Fire and Owen Pallett composed an original score, and K.K. Barrett’s production design became a widely cited reference for minimalist tech aesthetics.
‘Gravity’ (2013)
Alfonso Cuarón’s survival thriller set in low Earth orbit pushed new tools for long, unbroken shots that simulate microgravity. Sandra Bullock performed extended takes inside a custom-built light box that surrounded her with programmable LEDs for interactive reflections. Warner Bros. Pictures handled the theatrical release, where the film drew attention for its 3D presentation and technical precision.
The effects pipeline combined real-time visualization with digital doubles and detailed earth imagery based on satellite data. Steven Price’s score integrates with sound design that honors the physics of vacuum, emphasizing vibrations and radio chatter over traditional external noise.
‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)
George Miller returned to his wasteland saga with an emphasis on practical stunts and in-camera vehicle mayhem. Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy worked with veteran stunt teams on desert convoys and pole-cat rigs that were engineered for stability at speed. The film’s theatrical run came through Warner Bros. Pictures in partnership with Village Roadshow.
John Seale used custom rigs and edge framing to keep action readable within dense chases. Margaret Sixel’s editing, built around eye-line matching, became a textbook for fast action that remains coherent, and Junkie XL’s percussion-heavy score ties the set pieces together rhythmically.
‘Dune’ (2021)
Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation focuses on world-building through large-scale location photography and tactile prop design. Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, and a large ensemble worked across desert shoots in Jordan and Abu Dhabi with extensive environmental planning for heat and wind. The film’s domestic theatrical release was handled by Warner Bros. Pictures alongside a same-day streaming window.
Sound design emphasized the scale of sandworms using layered low-frequency elements, while Greig Fraser’s cinematography used digital negative and selective film-out workflows to control texture. Patrice Vermette’s production design mapped planetary cultures through architecture, textiles, and typography.
‘The Batman’ (2022)
Matt Reeves’ detective-driven take emphasizes forensics and grounded investigative work across a rain-soaked Gotham City. Robert Pattinson trained for a heavy, modular Batsuit built by legacy costume teams, with practical cape testing to balance movement and safety. Warner Bros. Pictures released the film in theaters before its debut on the service.
Fraser’s cinematography leaned on anamorphic lenses and in-camera lighting from LED volume stages to create moody, reflective interiors. Michael Giacchino’s score introduced a minimalist motif that threads through chase sequences and quieter investigative scenes.
‘Joker’ (2019)
Todd Phillips’ character study follows a struggling stand-up in a decaying urban environment and tracks the escalation of his public persona. Joaquin Phoenix undertook significant weight loss and choreographed movement work to shape the character’s physicality. The film was distributed widely by Warner Bros. Pictures and generated awards attention for performance and score.
Hildur Guðnadóttir recorded cello-driven themes early in the process, allowing scenes to be staged to pre-existing music. Mark Friedberg’s production design utilized New York locations dressed to reflect municipal decline, aligning costume and color to the character’s psychological state.
‘Goodfellas’ (1990)
Martin Scorsese’s crime saga follows the rise and fall of a crew over multiple decades, using voiceover and needle-drops to compress time. Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci worked with real ex-associates as consultants to detail procedures and etiquette. Warner Bros. Pictures handled the theatrical release that cemented the film’s reputation for kinetic storytelling.
Michael Ballhaus’s Steadicam work and Thelma Schoonmaker’s editing produce signature long takes and whip-fast montages. The production recreated club and kitchen layouts precisely for the famous tracking sequences, while period-correct wardrobe tracks changes in status across the years.
‘The Departed’ (2006)
Scorsese’s Boston-set undercover thriller intercuts two parallel infiltrations across police and organized crime. Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson rotated through dialect coaching and location work that matched real neighborhoods to fictional settings. Warner Bros. Pictures released the film following a campaign that highlighted its ensemble cast.
Editor Schoonmaker’s cross-cutting and Howard Shore’s score support rapid perspective shifts without losing continuity. The production adapted its source material’s structure to align with local institutions and ranks, updating character functions to fit the new setting.
‘The Iron Giant’ (1999)
Brad Bird’s animated feature blends hand-drawn characters with computer-generated elements for large-scale mechanical motion. Voice performances from Eli Marienthal, Jennifer Aniston, and Vin Diesel were recorded with an emphasis on gentle, conversational delivery. Warner Bros. Pictures released the film, which later saw a signature edition with restored scenes.
Animation teams used “signature camera” setups to integrate 2D and 3D elements, ensuring consistent parallax and lighting. Michael Kamen’s orchestral score supports the film’s small-town atmosphere, and the production’s period design references mid-century illustration styles.
‘The Lego Movie’ (2014)
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller directed this hybrid animated feature that mimics stop-motion with fully digital bricks. The voice cast includes Chris Pratt and Elizabeth Banks, with animators adhering to real-world brick connections for plausibility. Warner Bros. Pictures distributed the film theatrically after extensive brand approvals.
Animal Logic developed shaders that simulate plastic scuffs, fingerprints, and light spill, giving pieces a handled look. The editorial team timed gags to frame-accurate “brick beats,” coordinating animation cycles with musical cues and on-screen text.
‘Ocean’s Eleven’ (2001)
Steven Soderbergh’s heist ensemble stages a multi-layered casino operation using split-focus storytelling and overlapping dialogue. George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and a large supporting cast rehearsed timing to match practical vault and surveillance set builds. The film premiered in theaters via Warner Bros. Pictures with a strong holiday rollout.
Soderbergh shot under the pseudonym Peter Andrews, using warm filtration and handheld moves to keep scenes nimble. Composer David Holmes created looping grooves that sit under dialogue, while the production coordinated closely with casino operations to map believable security patterns.
‘The Town’ (2010)
Ben Affleck directs and stars in a Boston heist drama focused on crew dynamics and investigative pressure. Location permits allowed filming during active traffic with strict safety corridors for car chases and pedestrian shots. Warner Bros. Pictures provided the theatrical release after festival positioning.
The production employed local consultants to capture authentic neighborhood details, from team rituals to vernacular signage. Dylan Tichenor’s editing and Harry Gregson-Williams’s score emphasize mounting tension across robberies, stakeouts, and internal conflicts.
‘A Star Is Born’ (2018)
Bradley Cooper’s musical drama features live-captured performances at festivals and venues repurposed between sets. Lady Gaga and Cooper recorded vocals on stage with in-ear monitoring and minimal overdubs to preserve crowd ambience. Warner Bros. Pictures launched the film theatrically with a focus on its music-driven marketing.
Matthew Libatique’s cinematography favors close, shallow-focus concert shots that keep microphones and monitors visible for realism. The soundtrack’s original songs were produced with input from multiple collaborators, and the post-process maintained natural dynamics rather than heavy compression.
‘Crazy Rich Asians’ (2018)
Jon M. Chu’s romantic comedy adapted Kevin Kwan’s novel with on-location shoots across Singapore and Malaysia. Constance Wu and Henry Golding lead an ensemble, with production design showcasing heritage homes, hawker centers, and modern architecture. Warner Bros. Pictures oversaw the theatrical release that emphasized global appeal.
Music supervision blends Mandarin and English-language covers of classic standards, aligning scenes with specific cultural settings. Costume designer Mary E. Vogt coordinated elaborate event wardrobes, cataloging fabrics and accessories to track character arcs through fashion.
‘The Conjuring’ (2013)
James Wan’s haunted-house story follows investigators documenting disturbances at a rural property. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson studied real case files and adopted period equipment handling for accuracy. New Line Cinema released the film in theaters through Warner Bros. Pictures, setting the foundation for a shared universe.
The production favored practical effects like wire pulls and air cannons to create environmental responses on set. Joseph Bishara’s score and sound design deploy infrasound elements to build unease, while the camera often holds on static frames to let disruptions register clearly.
‘It’ (2017)
Andrés Muschietti’s adaptation tracks a group of friends confronting a shape-shifting entity in their town. Child actors rehearsed ensemble scenes to normalize overlapping dialogue and natural pauses. New Line Cinema released the film domestically through Warner Bros. Pictures following a viral marketing campaign.
Practical makeup and digital augmentation combined to create the creature’s transformations, with Bill Skarsgård’s eye separation used as an in-camera effect. Locations were dressed to reflect seasonal shifts, and Benjamin Wallfisch’s score threads character motifs through escalating set pieces.
‘Creed’ (2015)
Ryan Coogler’s boxing drama focuses on mentorship and legacy within a storied sports lineage. Michael B. Jordan trained alongside professional fighters and choreographed bouts with long takes to preserve ring geography. Warner Bros. Pictures distributed the film in theaters in collaboration with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Maryse Alberti’s cinematography includes a centerpiece fight captured as an extended single shot, requiring precise blocking between camera, actors, and corner teams. Ludwig Göransson’s score introduces new themes while weaving in orchestral cues associated with the franchise’s history.
‘Doctor Sleep’ (2019)
Mike Flanagan’s film continues a classic horror story by balancing book fidelity with visual callbacks to an earlier adaptation. Ewan McGregor and Rebecca Ferguson anchored scenes that recreated iconic locations with full-scale sets and digital extensions. Warner Bros. Pictures released both a theatrical cut and later a director’s cut.
The production rebuilt key spaces from original blueprints and reference photography, matching proportions and lighting angles. The extended cut adjusts scene rhythms and character emphasis, and Newton Brothers’ score integrates familiar sonic textures with new motifs.
‘The Outsiders’ (1983)
Francis Ford Coppola adapted S. E. Hinton’s novel with a young ensemble cast that later became notable across multiple industries. Tulsa locations were used to keep landmarks authentic, and the production coordinated closely with the author’s community. Warner Bros. Pictures handled the film’s theatrical release.
Different edits exist, including a later version that reinstates scenes from the book and reshapes the soundtrack. The costume department cataloged gang identifiers with period-correct denim and leather, while the camera favors natural light to give the story a grounded tone.
‘Michael Clayton’ (2007)
Tony Gilroy’s legal thriller examines crisis management inside a major law firm, with George Clooney playing a fixer confronting a corporate scandal. Production shot in active office spaces and on New York streets during live traffic to maintain realism. Warner Bros. Pictures released the film in theaters following a festival premiere.
Robert Elswit’s cinematography uses controlled, cool interiors to reflect institutional pressure. Editor John Gilroy’s structure reveals key information through carefully placed flashbacks, and James Newton Howard’s score keeps tension understated to support dialogue-driven scenes.
‘Contagion’ (2011)
Steven Soderbergh’s ensemble drama maps a global outbreak with input from epidemiologists and public health advisors. The cast filmed in multiple countries, using airport and laboratory locations secured with strict protocols. Warner Bros. Pictures distributed the film in theaters with a campaign centered on scientific realism.
The narrative tracks transmission chains with on-screen geography and timestamps, and the production designed props to match real sampling kits and PPE. Cliff Martinez’s electronic score underscores procedural sequences, and editorial choices prioritize cross-cutting between investigation and public response.
‘The Blind Side’ (2009)
John Lee Hancock’s biographical drama follows an athlete’s journey from high school to collegiate football, based on documented events. Sandra Bullock and Quinton Aaron worked with coaches and coordinators to stage play sequences that match real formations. Warner Bros. Pictures released the film broadly after early test screenings indicated strong audience response.
Filming used real stadiums and practice fields, with camera placements designed to keep assignments and routes readable. Wardrobe departments tracked team colors and logos under licensing agreements, ensuring accuracy across game and training scenes.
‘War Dogs’ (2016)
Todd Phillips’ true-crime dramedy covers small-scale contractors navigating government arms deals. Jonah Hill and Miles Teller rehearsed negotiation scenes structured around specific contract language and procurement procedures. Warner Bros. Pictures handled the theatrical release after production wrapped principal photography in Miami and overseas.
The script compresses timeline elements while keeping key deal mechanics intact, and the production consulted public records to reconstruct contract milestones. Cinematography alternates between glossy sales-floor lighting and stark warehouse spaces to reflect the shifting fortunes of the protagonists.
Got another hidden gem on Max that belongs here? Drop the title in the comments and tell everyone why it deserves a spot.
