‘Flight Risk’ Is HBO Max’s Most-Watched Movie This Week

HBO Max continues to dominate the streaming landscape with a robust mix of nostalgic holiday classics and blockbuster premieres. Viewers this week have gravitated toward a blend of high-octane thrillers and heartwarming family favorites as the winter season approaches. The current lineup reflects a diverse appetite for genre-bending horror and traditional Christmas storytelling. This selection highlights the most popular films capturing audience attention right now.

‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)

Judy Garland stars as Dorothy Gale in this timeless musical fantasy about a Kansas farm girl swept away by a tornado. She teams up with a Scarecrow and a Tin Man and a Cowardly Lion to seek the help of the Wizard in order to return home. The film is renowned for its pioneering use of Technicolor and its culturally significant musical numbers. It remains a cinematic staple that continues to enchant new generations of viewers nearly a century after its release.

‘Weapons’ (2025)

Filmmaker Zach Cregger delivers a sprawling horror epic that interweaves multiple storylines surrounding the mysterious disappearance of students from a small town. Josh Brolin and Julia Garner lead an ensemble cast in a narrative described as a multi-layered study of trauma within the horror genre. The film explores the psychological aftermath of the event and the dark secrets harbored by the community. It serves as an ambitious and terrifying follow-up to the director’s previous breakout hits.

‘Materialists’ (2025)

Celine Song directs this romantic comedy set in the high-stakes world of New York City matchmaking. Dakota Johnson plays a matchmaker who finds herself entangled in a love triangle with a wealthy suitor and her struggling actor ex-boyfriend. Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal co-star in a narrative that questions modern relationships and the transactional nature of love. The film combines wit with emotional depth to deconstruct the traditional tropes of the genre.

‘A Christmas Story’ (1983)

Set in the 1940s, this film narrates the winter exploits of young Ralphie Parker as he attempts to convince his parents he needs a Red Ryder BB gun. Director Bob Clark adapts the writings of Jean Shepherd to create a nostalgic look at American family life during the holidays. The plot features iconic moments such as the arrival of a leg lamp and a tongue stuck to a frozen flagpole. It has achieved status as a holiday classic due to its humorous and relatable depiction of childhood desire.

‘Eddington’ (2025)

Ari Aster directs this contemporary western noir set during the pandemic in a small New Mexico town. Joaquin Phoenix stars as a sheriff with high political aspirations who enters a conflict with the town’s mayor played by Pedro Pascal. The ensemble cast includes Emma Stone and Austin Butler to add depth to a narrative that examines social division and paranoia. The film blends dark comedy with thriller elements to critique modern political polarization.

‘The Polar Express’ (2004)

Director Robert Zemeckis utilizes performance capture technology to bring Chris Van Allsburg’s classic children’s book to life. The story follows a young boy who embarks on a magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Tom Hanks performs multiple roles including the train conductor who guides the children on their journey of self-discovery. The film explores themes of friendship and bravery while emphasizing the importance of believing in the spirit of the season.

‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ (1989)

Clark Griswold attempts to create the perfect old-fashioned family Christmas in this chaotic third installment of the Vacation series. Chaos ensues as unexpected relatives including the uncouth Cousin Eddie arrive to complicate Clark’s elaborate plans. The plot centers on Clark’s anticipation of a holiday bonus to install a swimming pool which leads to a series of comedic disasters. Written by John Hughes, the film remains a perennial favorite for its slapstick humor and portrayal of extreme holiday stress.

‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ (2025)

Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their roles as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in this final installment of the main franchise. The story focuses on the Smurl family haunting and presents one of the couple’s most challenging and dangerous cases. Director Michael Chaves helms the project which delves into the physical and spiritual toll these investigations take on the Warrens. The film serves as a conclusion to the era-defining horror series that redefined modern scares.

‘Elf’ (2003)

Will Ferrell stars as Buddy who is a human raised by Santa’s elves at the North Pole. He travels to New York City to find his biological father who is a cynical businessman played by James Caan. The film explores Buddy’s childlike wonder as he navigates the cynical world of modern Manhattan and attempts to instill Christmas spirit in his new family. Directed by Jon Favreau, this comedy has become a modern holiday staple known for its quotable dialogue and heart.

‘Flight Risk’ (2025)

Academy Award winner Mel Gibson returns to the director’s chair for this high-stakes suspense thriller. Mark Wahlberg stars as a pilot transporting an Air Marshal and a fugitive across the Alaskan wilderness for a trial. The tension escalates when it is revealed that the pilot is actually a hitman with a deadly agenda. The narrative unfolds within the claustrophobic confines of a small plane as the characters fight for survival against both the elements and each other.

Let us know which of these movies you are planning to stream this week in the comments.