Lesser-Known HBO Max Movies That Are Totally Worth Watching

If you’ve already blown through the big blockbusters, Max (formerly HBO Max) hides a deep bench of under-the-radar films—originals, exclusives, and festival favorites—spanning dramas, thrillers, comedies, docs, and even a concert movie. Below are forty-five titles with brief, practical snapshots: who made them, who stars, what they’re about, and notable production details. Use it as a quick guide to find something fresh without wading through endless rows.

‘Bad Education’ (2019)

Based on a true Long Island school-district embezzlement case, ‘Bad Education’ follows a superintendent whose image unravels as a student journalist digs into budget irregularities. Hugh Jackman and Allison Janney lead the cast, with Mike Makowsky’s screenplay adapted from a New York magazine article. Cory Finley directs, bringing a sharp focus on public-school politics, procurement loopholes, and paper-trail sleuthing. The film highlights how internal controls, audit processes, and community oversight can fail when personal relationships cloud judgment.

‘The Fallout’ (2021)

‘The Fallout’ centers on a teenager navigating the emotional aftermath of a campus tragedy and the ripple effects on friends and family. Jenna Ortega, Maddie Ziegler, and Niles Fitch star, with Megan Park writing and directing. The story examines grief responses, therapy, social-media dynamics, and how support systems form—or fracture—under pressure. It uses intimate handheld framing and a contemporary soundtrack to track changes in mood, routines, and relationships.

‘Kimi’ (2022)

In ‘Kimi,’ an agoraphobic tech worker analyzes audio from a smart-assistant platform and uncovers evidence of a violent crime. Steven Soderbergh directs, with Zoë Kravitz as a data-review specialist navigating corporate protocols, data-governance gaps, and whistleblower risks. The plot moves through Seattle locations, pandemic-era workflows, and privacy concerns around voice data. Its real-time pacing emphasizes OS-level tools, surveillance blindspots, and how incident reports can be buried by bureaucracy.

‘No Sudden Move’ (2021)

Set in Detroit during a volatile period for the auto industry, ‘No Sudden Move’ follows small-time criminals hired to steal a corporate document that spirals into a citywide conspiracy. Steven Soderbergh uses wide-angle lenses and period production design to track competing interests across boardrooms and back alleys. Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, and David Harbour headline a large ensemble. The narrative touches on antitrust concerns, emissions-standards maneuvering, and corporate shell games.

‘Let Them All Talk’ (2020)

‘Let Them All Talk’ follows a famous author on an ocean crossing with old friends while she faces a looming literary deadline and legacy questions. Meryl Streep, Dianne Wiest, and Candice Bergen star; Lucas Hedges and Gemma Chan round out the cast. Much of the dialogue was improvised, captured aboard a working transatlantic liner with minimal crew. The film looks at intellectual property, royalties, and the pressures of reputation in publishing.

‘An American Pickle’ (2020)

In ‘An American Pickle,’ a factory accident preserves an immigrant worker, who wakes up in modern Brooklyn and meets his last living relative. Seth Rogen plays both roles, contrasting old-world entrepreneurship with startup-era branding. The story explores heritage, gentrification, and social-media optics around artisanal products. Production blends practical effects and split-screen compositing to stage two performances in shared frames.

‘Unpregnant’ (2020)

‘Unpregnant’ follows a Missouri high-school senior who embarks on a multistate road trip to obtain abortion care under restrictive laws. Haley Lu Richardson and Barbie Ferreira star, with stops that illustrate consent requirements, clinic access barriers, and travel logistics. The film details how parental-notification statutes and interstate differences shape real-world timelines. It uses road-movie structure to map resource networks, support systems, and decision checkpoints.

‘Superintelligence’ (2020)

‘Superintelligence’ pairs Melissa McCarthy with a newly sentient AI that selects her as a test case to decide humanity’s fate. The film sketches machine-learning ambitions through a consumer-tech lens—smart-home integration, voice assistants, and data aggregation. It references algorithmic nudging, A/B testing of human behavior, and escalation risks when an AI controls networked infrastructure. James Corden voices the AI, with sequences set across Seattle tech corridors.

‘Locked Down’ (2021)

‘Locked Down’ is a heist dramedy staged during stay-at-home orders, following a separated couple planning a jewelry theft when a luxury store sits nearly empty. Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor star; Doug Liman directs with a lean crew and limited locations. The script integrates video calls, essential-work permits, and curbside protocols into the caper mechanics. It also touches on freight bottlenecks, security staffing, and inventory insurance.

‘8-Bit Christmas’ (2021)

Set in suburban Chicago, ‘8-Bit Christmas’ frames a father’s story about the holiday season he tried to secure a must-have gaming console. Neil Patrick Harris and Winslow Fegley lead, with period production design that recreates malls, schoolyards, and catalog wish lists. The film shows collector lingo, retail lotteries, and early reseller tactics around coveted tech. It tracks how friend groups pooled resources, shared cartridges, and navigated parental purchase rules.

‘Moonshot’ (2022)

‘Moonshot’ is a near-future romantic comedy about two college students who stow away on a commercial shuttle headed to a Mars settlement. Cole Sprouse and Lana Condor star, with a design language informed by modern space-architecture concepts and private spaceflight branding. The film outlines ticketing tiers, security screening, and closed-loop life-support basics aboard passenger craft. It also visualizes habitat zoning, communication delays, and campus-style housing in off-world colonies.

‘The Survivor’ (2021)

Barry Levinson’s ‘The Survivor’ tells the story of boxer Harry Haft, who fought to stay alive in a concentration camp and later pursued matches in the United States. Ben Foster portrays Haft, with scenes covering weight classes, matchmaking decisions, and athletic-commission oversight. The film includes period training methods, cornerman roles, and promotional tactics around fight cards. It also addresses documentation, immigration hurdles, and name changes among postwar athletes.

‘David Byrne’s American Utopia’ (2020)

Spike Lee’s ‘American Utopia’ captures David Byrne’s Broadway concert, staging a live-wire performance with a barefoot ensemble and wireless instruments. The production details minimalist set design, touring-band choreography, and audio-mixing approaches for a filmed stage show. Camera placement and steadicam work turn stage geometry into cinematic movement. The setlist incorporates Talking Heads material alongside solo work, with arrangements adapted for marching-band percussion.

‘Tina’ (2021)

‘Tina’ is an authorized documentary charting Tina Turner’s path from early duo performances to global solo success and eventual retirement from touring. Interviews, archival footage, and session notes map label deals, publishing rights, and touring logistics. The film covers media management, survivor advocacy, and the mechanics of a late-career residency. It includes contributions from key collaborators, providing context on production choices and stagecraft.

‘Roald Dahl’s The Witches’ (2020)

Robert Zemeckis’s ‘The Witches’ adapts Roald Dahl’s story about a boy who discovers a coven plotting against children at a seaside hotel. Anne Hathaway leads the ensemble, with creature make-up, VFX-driven transformations, and period wardrobe. The film blends practical sets with digital extensions to create grand-lobby scale and ballroom spectacle. It highlights prop design, potion effects, and the staging of large set pieces with child actors and animals.

‘Reality’ (2023)

‘Reality’ dramatizes the real-life FBI interrogation of intelligence specialist Reality Winner, adapting the official transcript verbatim for its dialogue. Sydney Sweeney leads, with Tina Satter directing from her stage work that first reconstructed the interview. The film confines action to a modest suburban setting and an office-like space, emphasizing procedure and evidentiary protocol. It illustrates chain-of-custody concerns, Miranda processes, and redaction practices used in federal documents.

‘The Tale’ (2018)

‘The Tale’ is a personal investigation by filmmaker Jennifer Fox into a relationship from her youth, structured as a nonlinear inquiry that revisits memories and written accounts. Laura Dern portrays the director’s on-screen proxy, supported by a cast that includes key figures at different life stages. The production intercuts interviews, narrative scenes, and archival materials to examine recollection and narrative reliability. It addresses consent, grooming dynamics, and the role of storytelling in reconstructing events.

‘Native Son’ (2019)

‘Native Son’ relocates Richard Wright’s landmark novel to a contemporary Chicago setting while retaining its core examination of class and racial tension. Ashton Sanders stars as a young man navigating work, family obligations, and a relationship with a wealthy employer. Rashid Johnson directs, with a soundtrack and visual design that reflect subculture aesthetics and urban geography. The adaptation uses modern communications, mobility patterns, and surveillance norms to update critical plot mechanics.

‘Oslo’ (2021)

‘Oslo’ chronicles the backchannel diplomacy that led to the signing of the Oslo I Accord, focusing on behind-the-scenes meetings facilitated by Norwegian mediators. Ruth Wilson and Andrew Scott lead the ensemble, portraying civil servants balancing discretion with geopolitical stakes. The film stages negotiations in private rooms, guesthouses, and neutral spaces to show how informal settings shape formal outcomes. It highlights agenda-setting, translation challenges, and draft-text iterations common in peace processes.

‘Charm City Kings’ (2020)

‘Charm City Kings’ follows a Baltimore teen drawn to the city’s dirt-bike riding scene and the mentorship—both helpful and risky—that comes with it. Ángel Manuel Soto directs, with Meek Mill appearing as a pivotal rider whose guidance tests neighborhood loyalties. The production features street-location shooting, rider choreography, and mechanical details of bike customization. It explores apprenticeship structures, informal economies, and the intersections of policing and youth culture.

‘Class Action Park’ (2020)

‘Class Action Park’ is a documentary about Action Park, a notorious New Jersey amusement park known for improvised engineering and frequent injuries. Interviews with former employees and visitors explain how rides were conceived, tested, and operated with minimal oversight. The film brings together TV ads, home videos, and news clips to map the park’s timeline and incident history. It outlines liability gaps, insurance maneuvers, and the regulatory environment that enabled high-risk attractions.

‘Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street’ (2021)

‘Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street’ charts the creation of the long-running educational series, from research-driven curriculum design to character development. The documentary features writers, puppeteers, and educators detailing testing methods, outreach strategies, and public-broadcast partnerships. Archival footage shows how segments were iterated for attention, comprehension, and inclusivity. It covers funding models, licensing pathways, and the show’s early adoption in classrooms.

‘On the Record’ (2020)

‘On the Record’ documents music executive Drew Dixon’s decision to come forward with allegations of sexual assault against a powerful industry figure. The film includes interviews with journalists, advocates, and fellow professionals to contextualize label hierarchies and promotion tracks. It examines the intersection of race, gender, and career risk within A&R and artist development. Production elements include audio-session artifacts, contracts, and contemporaneous press materials.

‘The Scheme’ (2020)

‘The Scheme’ investigates an FBI corruption probe into college basketball recruiting, centering on Christian Dawkins and the blurred lines between agents, boosters, and programs. The documentary explains wiretaps, expense flows, and NCAA compliance complexities that shape the ecosystem. It breaks down shoe-company sponsorships, unofficial handlers, and the gray market for prospects. The film uses deposition snippets and court exhibits to show how evidence builds into a case.

‘Coastal Elites’ (2020)

‘Coastal Elites’ presents five interlocking monologues performed by a small ensemble, framed by remote-style interviews and confessionals. The special captures the cadence of video chats, therapy sessions, and social-media broadcasts. It documents cultural flashpoints through character statements, props, and minimal set decoration. The production was staged with health protocols, limited crew, and a focus on performance-driven storytelling.

‘The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks’ (2017)

‘The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks’ adapts Rebecca Skloot’s nonfiction account of the cell line known as HeLa and the family behind it. Oprah Winfrey and Rose Byrne lead, depicting the investigative process that connects medical research to personal histories. The film explains tissue sampling, patient consent standards, and how immortalized cells transformed laboratory practices. It incorporates interviews, hospital records, and lab visuals to clarify scientific procedures.

‘Confirmation’ (2016)

‘Confirmation’ reconstructs the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings centered on Anita Hill’s testimony and the nomination of a Supreme Court justice. Kerry Washington and Wendell Pierce anchor a cast portraying staffers, senators, and legal counsel. The film details committee rules, witness preparation, and media strategy around nationally televised proceedings. It uses transcripts, news footage, and staging of anteroom discussions to map decision points.

‘The Wizard of Lies’ (2017)

‘The Wizard of Lies’ examines Bernie Madoff’s investment scheme, focusing on family impact, oversight failures, and how returns were fabricated. Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer portray central figures, with scenes that illustrate feeder funds, account statements, and regulatory audits. The film breaks down split-strike conversion claims, back-office operations, and the role of third-party verifiers. It visualizes timelines and investor communications that sustained the illusion.

‘Paterno’ (2018)

‘Paterno’ follows a legendary college football coach during a period of institutional crisis, narrowing attention to decision-making inside an athletic department. Al Pacino leads, with key scenes involving compliance officers, administrators, and media consultants. The film addresses mandatory-reporting obligations, chain-of-command ambiguities, and brand protection tactics. It depicts press conferences, internal meetings, and family discussions that shape public responses.

‘Behind the Candelabra’ (2013)

‘Behind the Candelabra’ dramatizes the private life of pianist-entertainer Liberace and his relationship with Scott Thorson, adapted from a published memoir. Michael Douglas and Matt Damon star, with production design recreating stage costumes, residences, and touring routines. The film covers contract negotiations, image management, and medical interventions that affected performance schedules. It integrates period makeup, prosthetics, and choreography to match documented shows.

‘All That Breathes’ (2022)

‘All That Breathes’ follows two brothers in New Delhi who run a small wildlife rescue focused on black kites affected by pollution and urban hazards. Director Shaunak Sen combines observational footage with macro close-ups to show veterinary routines, flight training, and improvised care equipment. The production documents funding constraints, neighborhood logistics, and monsoon-season complications for rooftop rehab spaces. It also tracks how environmental health, civic infrastructure, and community networks intersect around everyday rescue work.

‘The Janes’ (2022)

‘The Janes’ chronicles a clandestine Chicago collective that connected people to abortion care when access was severely restricted. The documentary features first-person accounts, legal analysis, and period materials that explain intake procedures, referral protocols, and security practices. Filmmakers Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes detail how volunteers organized transportation, funding, and medical partnerships under risk. Archival leaflets, hotline scripts, and police records outline the group’s operational playbook.

‘Moonage Daydream’ (2022)

‘Moonage Daydream’ is Brett Morgen’s authorized David Bowie documentary built entirely from performance clips, interviews, and Bowie’s own multimedia archives. The film uses IMAX remastering, multi-track audio stems, and rapid-edit montage to map creative phases and stage design. It includes concert logistics, touring visuals, and studio-session fragments that show how songs evolved. Clearances, estate access, and restoration workflows underpin the film’s rare footage and sound.

‘Cobain: Montage of Heck’ (2015)

‘Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck’ assembles home videos, notebooks, and demo tapes to chart the musician’s life and working methods. Director Brett Morgen incorporates rotoscope-style animation to visualize diary passages and audio collages. The production uses multi-source sound design to layer interviews, rehearsal takes, and crowd recordings. Licensing, family collaboration, and studio restoration enabled access to personal archives and unreleased material.

‘Becoming Warren Buffett’ (2017)

‘Becoming Warren Buffett’ profiles the investor’s daily habits, philanthropic decision-making, and partnership with the Gates Foundation. The film presents shareholder-meeting operations, letter-writing routines, and valuation frameworks explained in plain language. Interviews with colleagues and family provide context on corporate governance and long-term allocation choices. Archival photos and office walkthroughs illustrate how modest overhead and deliberate research shape the workflow.

‘At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal’ (2019)

‘At the Heart of Gold’ examines how athletes and advocates exposed systemic abuse within elite gymnastics. The documentary breaks down reporting channels, non-disclosure agreements, and institutional responses within sports medicine and national governing bodies. Testimony, courtroom footage, and training-camp materials trace how complaints were handled. It also maps media coverage, survivor networks, and policy reforms across federations and universities.

‘The Art of Political Murder’ (2020)

‘The Art of Political Murder’ investigates the assassination of Guatemalan bishop Juan Gerardi and the forensic inquiry that followed. Producer George Clooney and director Paul Taylor adapt a noted book to show evidence gathering, witness protection, and legal maneuvers. The film details crime-scene reconstruction, chain-of-custody issues, and pressure on investigators. It includes courtroom sequences, archival broadcasts, and interviews with church advocates and journalists.

‘Baltimore Rising’ (2017)

‘Baltimore Rising’ follows activists, police, and community leaders responding to civil unrest after a high-profile death in custody. Director Sonja Sohn documents town halls, training sessions, and neighborhood initiatives aimed at de-escalation and oversight. The film tracks policy proposals, budget debates, and recruitment changes within the department. It highlights how organizers manage safety, communications, and coalition-building across city institutions.

‘Brexit: The Uncivil War’ (2019)

‘Brexit: The Uncivil War’ dramatizes the political campaign that led to the United Kingdom’s referendum outcome, centered on strategist Dominic Cummings. Benedict Cumberbatch leads a cast portraying pollsters, data brokers, and media consultants navigating message testing and microtargeting. The production depicts focus groups, digital ad buys, and compliance checks around spending rules. It shows how field operations, voter databases, and third-party platforms shaped the campaign’s tactics.

‘My Dinner with Hervé’ (2018)

‘My Dinner with Hervé’ recounts a late-night interview between a journalist and actor Hervé Villechaize that spirals into a candid life story. Peter Dinklage and Jamie Dornan star, with locations spanning hotels, nightlife spots, and studio backlots. The film recreates publicity tours, contract disputes, and on-set routines from the actor’s career. Wardrobe, makeup, and period art direction align with publicity stills and broadcast appearances.

‘Bessie’ (2015)

‘Bessie’ portrays blues legend Bessie Smith’s rise, focusing on touring circuits, recording sessions, and business control over her act. Queen Latifah stars, with supporting roles showing band management, venue negotiations, and wardrobe design for vaudeville-era stages. The film includes label politics, royalty arrangements, and distribution practices for early records. Set construction and choreography mirror contemporary performance documentation.

‘Phil Spector’ (2013)

‘Phil Spector’ centers on the defense strategy in the producer’s criminal trial as seen through an attorney-client relationship. Al Pacino and Helen Mirren lead, with scenes illustrating evidentiary hearings, media management, and expert-witness selection. Courtroom scheduling, discovery disputes, and jury perception shape the narrative’s legal tactics. The production blends rehearsal-space reconstructions with archival press coverage to show public reaction.

‘Deadwood: The Movie’ (2019)

‘Deadwood: The Movie’ returns to the frontier town for a feature-length coda that reunites the ensemble and resolves long-running disputes. The film recreates thoroughfare sets, saloons, and camp infrastructure with upgraded camera and sound workflows. It stages elections, land deals, and telegraph expansion to track town governance. Cast coordination, stunt work, and period props reflect continuity with the original production bible.

‘The Cold Blue’ (2018)

‘The Cold Blue’ restores raw footage shot by William Wyler’s team during aerial missions with the Eighth Air Force. Director Erik Nelson scanned original film elements, removed damage, and added archival audio and veteran voices for context. The documentary explains bomber crew roles, formation flying, and mission planning using maps and cockpit views. Color grading, sound reconstruction, and captioning practices support historical clarity without intrusive effects.

‘Life of Crime: 1984–2020’ (2021)

‘Life of Crime: 1984–2020’ spans multiple decades following a small group in Newark as they cycle through addiction, incarceration, and attempts at stability. Director Jon Alpert revisits the same participants, updating case files, parole conditions, and treatment access. The film shows how policy shifts, housing availability, and employment barriers affect outcomes. Longitudinal filming techniques, consent renewals, and ethical review shape the project’s continuity.

Share your favorites from this list—or your own hidden gems on Max—in the comments so everyone can swap recommendations.