Best HBO Max Movies You’ve Never Seen

There are plenty of great films hiding in plain sight on the service, from mind-bending sci-fi to razor sharp thrillers and tender character studies. This list spotlights smaller titles, festival favorites, and under-the-radar gems that slipped past wide audiences. You will find breakout performances, notable directors early in their careers, and stories that sparked cult followings. Use it to fill in the gaps on your movie night queue.

‘Coherence’ (2013)

This microbudget sci-fi thriller unfolds over one night as friends at a dinner party experience strange events tied to a passing comet. Director James Ward Byrkit built the story around improvisation and note cards instead of a traditional script. The film uses minimal locations and practical tricks to explore parallel realities. Its word of mouth grew after festival play, turning it into a cult favorite for puzzle-movie fans.

‘Blue Ruin’ (2013)

Writer-director Jeremy Saulnier delivers a lean revenge story anchored by Macon Blair’s quiet lead performance. The film premiered at Cannes in the Directors’ Fortnight section and won the FIPRESCI Prize. It was financed partly through crowdfunding and shot with a stark naturalistic style. Limited dialogue and precise sound design heighten tension throughout its short runtime.

‘Shiva Baby’ (2020)

Emma Seligman’s feature debut adapts their short into a single-location comedy set at a post-funeral gathering. Rachel Sennott plays a college student juggling parents, relatives, and an unexpected run-in with her sugar daddy. The film uses a nervy chamber-piece score and tight framing to emphasize social pressure. It premiered at SXSW and became a breakout for its ensemble cast.

‘The Last Black Man in San Francisco’ (2019)

Director Joe Talbot tells the story of a man trying to reclaim his childhood home as the city changes around him. Jimmie Fails stars and co-writes, drawing on his own experiences. The film features striking cinematography of San Francisco neighborhoods and an original score by Emile Mosseri. It won the Special Jury Award for Creative Collaboration at Sundance.

‘Calvary’ (2014)

John Michael McDonagh’s drama follows a priest in a small Irish town after he receives a chilling confession. Brendan Gleeson leads an ensemble that includes Chris O’Dowd, Kelly Reilly, and Domhnall Gleeson. The film balances dark humor with moral inquiry across a weeklong structure. It received multiple Irish Film and Television Awards and strong festival notices.

‘Locke’ (2013)

Tom Hardy carries the entire film from behind the wheel during a late-night drive on the M6 motorway. Written and directed by Steven Knight, the story unfolds in real time through a series of phone calls. Production used multiple cameras mounted in a moving car and recorded live conversation. The minimalist approach emphasizes performance and sound to build momentum.

‘Super Dark Times’ (2017)

Set in the 1990s, this coming-of-age thriller tracks the fallout after a tragic accident among a group of teens. Kevin Phillips directs with period detail that includes analog tech and suburban settings. The film premiered at Rotterdam and Fantasia before expanding to wider audiences. It examines rumor, fear, and friendship under pressure with a slow clamp of suspense.

‘Mississippi Grind’ (2015)

This road movie pairs Ben Mendelsohn and Ryan Reynolds as gamblers chasing a hot streak down the river. Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck draw on classic Americana and Southern locations. The production shot in Iowa, Missouri, Louisiana, and New Orleans to capture authentic card-room atmospheres. Its soundtrack leans on blues and folk to support the melancholy vibe.

‘The Mustang’ (2019)

Matthias Schoenaerts stars as an inmate who enters a rehabilitation program training wild horses. Director Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre bases the film on real equine therapy initiatives in the American West. The production worked with actual prison programs and horse wranglers for authenticity. Bruce Dern and Connie Britton co-star, rounding out a grounded supporting cast.

‘Under the Silver Lake’ (2018)

David Robert Mitchell follows up ‘It Follows’ with a Los Angeles mystery filled with hidden codes and pop-culture breadcrumbs. Andrew Garfield plays a drifting neighbor who begins searching for a missing woman. The film features extensive location shooting around Silver Lake, downtown, and the Hollywood Hills. Its soundtrack includes original music by Disasterpeace and vintage needle drops.

‘Burning’ (2018)

Lee Chang-dong adapts a Haruki Murakami short story into a slow-burn psychological drama. Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, and Jeon Jong-seo form the core triangle in a tale of class tension and ambiguity. The film premiered at Cannes and won the FIPRESCI Prize, later becoming South Korea’s Oscar submission. Careful sound design and long takes build an unsettling atmosphere.

‘The Invitation’ (2015)

Karyn Kusama directs a dinner-party thriller that escalates through social unease and doubt. Logan Marshall-Green leads a cast that includes Tammy Blanchard and John Carroll Lynch. The film uses a single house location, controlled lighting, and a methodical edit to ratchet tension. It premiered at SXSW and drew attention for its precise slow-burn structure.

‘The Fits’ (2015)

Anna Rose Holmer’s debut centers on an 11-year-old who joins a Cincinnati dance team as mysterious fainting spells spread. Royalty Hightower gives a breakout performance in a largely nonprofessional ensemble. The film blends sports-practice routines with observational, almost documentary moments. It won the Someone to Watch Award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards.

‘The Death of Dick Long’ (2019)

Daniel Scheinert, half of the directing duo behind ‘Swiss Army Man’, sets a botched-cover-up story in small-town Alabama. The plot unspools through police work, neighbor gossip, and increasingly awkward lies. The production emphasizes regional detail with local casting and locations. It premiered at Sundance and became known for its audacious mid-film reveal.

‘The Art of Self-Defense’ (2019)

Writer-director Riley Stearns crafts a martial-arts satire about an office worker who enrolls in a karate dojo after an assault. Jesse Eisenberg, Imogen Poots, and Alessandro Nivola lead the cast. The film was shot in Kentucky with a muted color palette and precise dialogue rhythms. Its score by Heather McIntosh complements the formal, offbeat tone.

‘The Kid Detective’ (2020)

Adam Brody plays a once celebrated child sleuth who never outgrew his small town notoriety. The story follows a new case that forces him to confront old wounds and community secrets. Writer director Evan Morgan keeps the tone dry while letting the mystery tighten scene by scene. Careful production design and a low key score support the rueful mood.

‘The Endless’ (2017)

Filmmakers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead star as brothers who return to a cult they escaped years earlier. The plot builds on cosmic riddles and repeating patterns that fit together like a puzzle. Location work around Southern California gives the story a grounded texture. Practical effects and clever editing sell big ideas on a small budget.

‘Colossal’ (2016)

Anne Hathaway plays a woman who discovers her actions are linked to a giant creature overseas. Director Nacho Vigalondo blends intimate character work with a city leveling concept. The film uses split timelines and visual parallels to connect the personal and the fantastical. It was praised for its inventive premise and thoughtful use of spectacle.

‘A Ghost Story’ (2017)

David Lowery tells a time spanning meditation on memory and place with near wordless sequences. Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara anchor the film through minimal performances and long takes. The production shot in a square aspect ratio that frames rooms like old photographs. Composer Daniel Hart’s score carries much of the emotion from scene to scene.

‘Upgrade’ (2018)

Leigh Whannell directs a near future revenge story driven by an implanted AI. The camera rigs lock to the actor’s movement to create a precise robotic look during fights. Practical stunt work and clean production design make the world feel functional and near. The result is lean genre storytelling with sharp visual ideas.

‘Paterson’ (2016)

Jim Jarmusch follows a week in the life of a bus driver who writes poetry in secret. Adam Driver leads the film with quiet routines that mirror the rhythms of his city. Small details accumulate into a portrait of work, art, and companionship. The pared down style lets the writing and recurring motifs stand out.

‘Thunder Road’ (2018)

Jim Cummings expands his short into a feature about a police officer at a personal breaking point. The opening funeral scene plays out in an extended single take that sets the tone. The film balances raw comedy with painful honesty across a string of everyday crises. Sparse music and close framing keep attention on performance.

‘The Fall’ (2006)

Tarsem Singh crafts an adventure born from a hospital bed story told to a child. The production filmed across more than a dozen countries to capture striking locations. Costumes and in camera imagery build a fairy tale that looks handmade. The narrative shifts between reality and imagination while keeping the emotional core clear.

‘Timecrimes’ (2007)

Spanish filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo builds a tight loop thriller around a man caught in overlapping events. The plot escalates through precise cause and effect rather than spectacle. Limited settings and practical masks create a distinct visual identity. Careful timing and clean blocking make the puzzle easy to follow.

‘Victoria’ (2015)

This Berlin set heist story was captured in one continuous take across a late night run. Director Sebastian Schipper coordinated city streets, clubs, and rooftops without hidden cuts. The approach turns simple choices into edge of your seat momentum. Natural performances and live sound work sell the immediacy of the night.

‘Thoroughbreds’ (2017)

Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor Joy play former friends who reconnect over a dangerous plan. The film’s crisp interiors and measured dialogue create a glassy suburban chill. Composer Erik Friedlander uses percussive cues to raise tension without noise. It became a showcase for its young cast and controlled style.

‘Bone Tomahawk’ (2015)

S. Craig Zahler blends frontier drama with creeping horror during a rescue mission. Sparse soundscapes and natural light make the landscape feel harsh and real. Kurt Russell leads an ensemble that leans into weary pragmatism. The violence arrives with weight due to patient build up.

‘Green Room’ (2015)

A touring punk band witnesses a crime and gets trapped in a remote venue. Director Jeremy Saulnier stages close quarters action with clear geography and sound. The film uses tight corridors, trained dogs, and sparse lighting to control every beat. Patrick Stewart and the late Anton Yelchin headline a tense ensemble.

‘Cop Car’ (2015)

Two kids find an abandoned police cruiser and set off a chain of consequences. Director Jon Watts keeps the scale small and the stakes sharp. Kevin Bacon plays a sheriff trying to recover both the car and a secret in the trunk. Wide open plains and minimal dialogue let the danger speak for itself.

‘First Reformed’ (2017)

Paul Schrader follows a pastor wrestling with despair as he counsels an anxious congregant. The film uses a boxy frame and restrained camera movement to mirror spiritual confinement. Ethan Hawke’s performance carries long scenes with simple blocking and quiet rooms. Sparse music and practical lighting create a severe, contemplative atmosphere.

‘The Vast of Night’ (2019)

Set in a small New Mexico town, this sci fi mystery follows a switchboard operator and a radio DJ who intercept a strange audio signal. The production used long rolling takes and period accurate equipment to build immersion. Director Andrew Patterson financed the film independently and premiered it at Slamdance where it drew strong attention. Clever sound design and radio style voice work carry much of the suspense.

‘Possessor’ (2020)

Brandon Cronenberg tells the story of an assassin who hijacks other people’s bodies to carry out hits. The film leans on practical gore effects and analog interfaces to give the tech a tactile feel. Cinematography mixes saturated colors with harsh lighting to underline fractured identity. Andrea Riseborough and Christopher Abbott anchor the story with intense physical performances.

‘Blue Caprice’ (2013)

This drama examines the events around the Beltway sniper attacks through a mentor and protégé relationship. Director Alexandre Moors focuses on quiet domestic scenes and training routines rather than procedural detail. Minimalist scoring and handheld camerawork create a subdued mood. Isaiah Washington and Tequan Richmond lead a restrained cast that keeps the focus on behavior.

‘The Clovehitch Killer’ (2018)

A teenager begins to suspect a respected family member after finding unsettling clues in a garage. The story unfolds in calm suburban spaces that hide unsettling details. Director Duncan Skiles uses neat compositions and tidy interiors to emphasize control. The film builds tension through patient reveals and careful use of evidence.

‘Good Time’ (2017)

After a botched robbery, a young man races across Queens to free his brother. Directors Josh and Benny Safdie shoot with prowling close ups and available light to capture the city’s pulse. The electronic score by Oneohtrix Point Never pushes scenes forward with nervous energy. Robert Pattinson commits to frantic movement and split second schemes.

‘Short Term 12’ (2013)

Set in a group home for at risk teens, this drama follows a supervisor managing crises at work and in her life. Writer director Destin Daniel Cretton draws on time spent working in a similar facility. The ensemble features early turns from Brie Larson, Lakeith Stanfield, and Rami Malek. Naturalistic dialogue and handheld camerawork make the setting feel lived in.

‘Take Shelter’ (2011)

A construction worker begins building a backyard storm shelter as ominous visions escalate. Director Jeff Nichols grounds the story in daily routines and family strain. Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain carry long scenes with precise, quiet acting. Sound design uses distant thunder and low rumbles to blur the line between anxiety and threat.

‘Columbus’ (2017)

A young man and a local woman form a connection while surrounded by modernist architecture in Indiana. Director Kogonada frames buildings and bodies with calm, centered shots. The film highlights works by Eero Saarinen and other designers through measured compositions. Haley Lu Richardson and John Cho give gentle performances that match the setting’s clarity.

‘A Most Violent Year’ (2014)

An ambitious business owner struggles to expand while facing thefts and legal pressure. Writer director J. C. Chandor sets the story against winter streets and warehouses. The production emphasizes period details in costumes, vehicles, and offices. Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain play partners balancing caution and risk.

‘The Wailing’ (2016)

A rural police officer investigates a string of mysterious illnesses and deaths in his village. Director Na Hong jin blends procedural notes with shamanic rituals and folklore. The film uses mountain fog and rain soaked locations to create unease. Extended ritual sequences showcase complex choreography and drum heavy music.

‘I Saw the Devil’ (2010)

After a personal tragedy, a secret agent plays a dangerous game of pursuit with a serial predator. Director Kim Jee woon stages brutal confrontations with rigorous blocking and sharp edits. The story moves through snow, highways, and cramped interiors with relentless pace. Choi Min sik and Lee Byung hun deliver intense lead performances.

‘A Field in England’ (2013)

Set during a historical conflict, a small group of deserters stumble into an eerie alchemical ordeal. Director Ben Wheatley shot in black and white with a compact crew. The film uses period language, folk instruments, and stroboscopic imagery to disorient. Open fields and makeshift camps create a stripped down, experimental atmosphere.

‘Enemy’ (2013)

A quiet professor discovers a performer who looks exactly like him and starts digging into the connection. Director Denis Villeneuve plays with doubled imagery, mirrors, and recurring motifs. The color palette leans into muted yellows that tint apartments and streets. Jake Gyllenhaal gives two distinct performances that shift scene by scene.

‘Wild Tales’ (2014)

This anthology presents several stories of people pushed to extremes by everyday frustrations. Director Damián Szifron keeps each segment tight and focused on a single escalation. Crisp editing and punchy music keep momentum high across the separate narratives. A strong ensemble delivers sharply timed outbursts and reversals.

‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ (2016)

A foster kid and his reluctant guardian inadvertently spark a nationwide manhunt in the bush. Director Taika Waititi balances deadpan humor with scenic wilderness photography. The film uses chapter cards and playful needle drops to shape its rhythm. Julian Dennison and Sam Neill build a prickly, gradually warm rapport.

Share the overlooked gems you think deserve a spot in the comments so fellow readers can keep the queue growing.