‘The Substance’ Is HBO Max’s Most-Watched Movie of the Week

From fresh premieres to beloved cult classics, this week’s lineup covers horror, fantasy, superhero spectacle, and a brand-new documentary—perfect for a couch-to-cinema marathon on HBO Max.

10. ‘Beetlejuice’ (1988)

Tim Burton’s horror-comedy follows a recently deceased couple who enlist a mischievous “bio-exorcist” to reclaim their home. Starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Catherine O’Hara, and others, the film became a critical and commercial hit and won the Academy Award for Best Makeup. Its off-kilter visual style and Danny Elfman score helped define late-’80s genre cinema. The movie’s legacy continues through merchandise, stage adaptations, and a modern sequel.

9. ‘Bring Her Back’ (2025)

Directed by Danny and Michael Philippou, ‘Bring Her Back’ is a recent horror release featuring Sally Hawkins and centered on siblings uncovering a sinister ritual inside a secluded foster home. The film rolled out theatrically in late May 2025 and went on to a worldwide gross reported around $39 million by early September. Its release came via A24, following the duo’s breakout feature two years prior. The movie’s strong word-of-mouth has kept interest high following its cinema run.

8. ‘Practical Magic’ (1998)

Based on Alice Hoffman’s novel, ‘Practical Magic’ stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as witch sisters confronting a generational curse. Directed by Griffin Dunne, the ensemble includes Dianne Wiest, Stockard Channing, and Aidan Quinn. Initially met with mixed reviews, the film later developed a strong cult following. Its blend of supernatural elements, romance, and family drama has kept it popular during seasonal viewing windows.

7. ‘Freddy vs. Jason’ (2003)

The long-anticipated crossover pits Freddy Krueger against Jason Voorhees under the direction of Ronny Yu. Bringing together two of horror’s most famous icons, the film also stars Robert Englund and a supporting cast of early-2000s favorites. It opened at number one and ultimately earned over $116 million worldwide. The movie functions as an installment in both the ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ and ‘Friday the 13th’ franchises.

6. ‘The Alabama Solution’ (2025)

An HBO Documentary Films feature directed by Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman, ‘The Alabama Solution’ examines Alabama’s prison system through the experiences of incarcerated organizers. The documentary premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and runs approximately 115 minutes. It features participants including Robert Earl Council and Melvin Ray. The film’s release on HBO and HBO Max brought renewed attention to criminal-justice conditions in the state.

5. ‘Corpse Bride’ (2005)

This stop-motion gothic fantasy, directed by Tim Burton and Mike Johnson, features voice performances by Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. Set in a Victorian-inspired world, it follows a nervous groom who accidentally marries a spirited bride from the Land of the Dead. The film is known for its intricate puppetry, meticulous production design, and musical numbers. It remains a staple of animated dark fantasy from the mid-2000s.

4. ‘It’ (2017)

Andy Muschietti’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel centers on the Losers’ Club facing the shape-shifting entity known as Pennywise in small-town Derry. The film became a global phenomenon, ultimately grossing over $700 million worldwide. Its success revitalized mainstream interest in R-rated horror and led to a concluding chapter focused on the characters as adults. Key themes include coming-of-age, fear, and the loss of innocence.

3. ‘Scooby-Doo’ (2002)

The first live-action entry in the long-running franchise brings Mystery Inc. to Spooky Island with Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini, and Rowan Atkinson. Directed by Raja Gosnell from a screenplay by James Gunn, the film blends comedy and light horror in a family-friendly adventure. It runs about 86 minutes and became a sizable box-office hit worldwide. Its success helped kickstart a brief live-action series run for the brand.

2. ‘Superman’ (2025)

James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ launches the new DC Universe continuity, starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The movie reintroduces Metropolis and Daily Planet staples while teeing up broader DC storylines under DC Studios’ stewardship. Following its box-office success, a follow-up titled ‘Man of Tomorrow’ is dated for July 9, 2027, with core cast returning. The film anchors DC’s upcoming slate alongside projects like ‘Supergirl’.

1. ‘The Substance’ (2024)

Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat, ‘The Substance’ follows a fading celebrity who turns to a black-market procedure that creates a younger version of herself, with Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid leading the cast. The film premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where Fargeat won Best Screenplay. Noted for extensive practical effects, the production reportedly used thousands of liters of fake blood to achieve its body-horror visuals. Its release drew wide attention for satirizing ageism and beauty standards.

Share your favorites from this week’s picks—and what you’re pressing play on next—in the comments.