Best Movies to Watch on HBO Max in February 2026

HBO Max continues to curate a diverse selection of cinematic offerings, ranging from recent theatrical releases to enduring classics. This February, the platform features a blend of high-stakes thrillers, Academy Award-winning dramas, and family-friendly animation. Subscribers can explore historical biopics alongside speculative documentaries that challenge the current political landscape. The lineup provides a comprehensive viewing experience for film enthusiasts across all genres.

‘Dead of Winter’ (2025)

Emma Thompson leads this suspenseful thriller as a grieving widow living in a remote location. During a severe blizzard, she finds herself trapped inside her home with a mysterious couple whose intentions are not what they seem. The narrative focuses on her struggle for survival as she navigates a dangerous psychological and physical confrontation. ‘Dead of Winter’ showcases Thompson’s range in a high-tension survival scenario that utilizes its isolated setting to build dread.

‘Boys Go to Jupiter’ (2025)

This surreal animated feature follows the life of a teenager living in Florida who balances multiple gig-economy jobs. As he navigates his daily responsibilities, the boundary between his mundane reality and a fantastical dreamscape begins to blur. The coming-of-age story in ‘Boys Go to Jupiter’ uses unique visual styles to explore themes of modern labor and adolescence. It offers a creative look at the pressures facing the younger generation in a digital age.

‘2073’ (2024)

Directed by Asif Kapadia, this documentary thriller utilizes a mix of speculative fiction and authentic news footage to project a future state. It examines the potential erosion of democratic institutions and the global consequences of unchecked surveillance and authoritarianism. The film serves as a cautionary tale by connecting contemporary political trends to a dystopian vision of the late 21st century. The experimental structure of ‘2073’ combines journalistic inquiry with cinematic storytelling to create a sense of urgency.

‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ (2023)

Russell Crowe portrays Father Gabriele Amorth, a real-life figure who served as the Vatican’s Chief Exorcist for decades. The plot centers on Amorth as he investigates a terrifying possession of a young boy at an ancient abbey in Spain. While performing the rite, he discovers a centuries-old conspiracy that the Catholic Church has attempted to keep hidden. ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ blends supernatural horror with historical intrigue and religious mystery.

‘Zola’ (2021)

Based on a famous 148-tweet thread, ‘Zola’ chronicles the chaotic journey of a waitress who is lured into a road trip to Florida. What begins as a lucrative opportunity for dancing and partying quickly devolves into a dangerous saga involving human trafficking and betrayal. The film utilizes a distinct visual language and sound design to mimic the experience of social media storytelling. It features standout performances that capture the tension and dark humor of the original viral narrative.

‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ (2017)

Frances McDormand stars as Mildred Hayes, a mother frustrated by the lack of progress in the investigation of her daughter’s murder. She decides to rent three abandoned billboards to publicly challenge the local police chief, played by Woody Harrelson. This action sparks a volatile conflict between Hayes and the town’s law enforcement, exposing deep-seated tensions within the community. ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ earned multiple Academy Awards for its screenplay and powerful acting performances.

‘The Shape of Water’ (2017)

Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, this fantasy drama follows a mute woman named Elisa who works as a janitor in a high-security government laboratory. Her life changes when she discovers a captured amphibious creature and begins to form a profound emotional connection with it. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, ‘The Shape of Water’ explores themes of love, isolation, and empathy for those deemed different. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture for its imaginative storytelling and visual artistry.

‘Paddington 2’ (2017)

The sequel to the 2014 hit finds the polite bear Paddington settled with the Brown family and searching for the perfect gift for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday. After a valuable pop-up book is stolen, Paddington is wrongfully accused of the crime and sent to prison. He must rely on his optimism and the help of his fellow inmates to clear his name and catch the real thief. ‘Paddington 2’ is widely praised for its warmth, humor, and message of kindness.

‘Just Mercy’ (2019)

Michael B. Jordan stars as Bryan Stevenson, a young defense attorney who moves to Alabama to represent those who cannot afford legal counsel. He takes on the case of Walter McMillian, played by Jamie Foxx, a man sentenced to death for a murder he did not commit despite evidence of his innocence. The story details Stevenson’s tireless fight against a corrupt legal system and racial prejudice to secure justice for his client. ‘Just Mercy’ is a powerful dramatization of the real-life work of the Equal Justice Initiative.

‘Life of Pi’ (2012)

Directed by Ang Lee, this film adapts Yann Martel’s novel about a young Indian man named Pi Patel who survives a devastating shipwreck. Pi finds himself stranded on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with a fierce Bengal tiger as his only companion. The narrative explores their evolving relationship as they face the elements and various surreal encounters at sea. ‘Life of Pi’ is noted for its groundbreaking visual effects and philosophical themes regarding faith and survival.

’42’ (2013)

This biographical sports drama focuses on the life of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era. Chadwick Boseman portrays Robinson as he faces intense racial hostility while playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers under the guidance of Branch Rickey, played by Harrison Ford. The film highlights Robinson’s immense courage and restraint as he breaks the color barrier and changes the game of baseball forever. ’42’ serves as a tribute to one of the most significant figures in American sports history.

‘Malcolm X’ (1992)

Denzel Washington delivers a definitive performance as the titular civil rights leader in this epic biography directed by Spike Lee. The film spans his early life as a small-time criminal, his conversion to Islam in prison, and his rise as a powerful voice for Black empowerment. It provides a detailed look at his evolving political views and his eventual break with the Nation of Islam. The production of ‘Malcolm X’ is recognized for its historical accuracy and its deep exploration of the subject’s enduring legacy.

‘The Notebook’ (2004)

Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, this romantic drama tells the story of Noah and Allie, two young lovers from different social backgrounds. Their summer romance in the 1940s is interrupted by Allie’s parents and the onset of World War II, leading them on separate paths for years. The narrative is framed by an elderly man reading the story from a notebook to a fellow nursing home resident. ‘The Notebook’ remains a staple of the romance genre due to the chemistry between leads Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.

‘Insidious: Chapter 3’ (2015)

As a prequel to the first two films, this installment explores the origins of psychic medium Elise Rainier. She reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead to help a teenage girl who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity. The story takes place before the haunting of the Lambert family and details Elise’s first experiences in the dark realm known as The Further. ‘Insidious: Chapter 3’ focuses on the psychological toll of her work and the terrifying nature of the spirits she encounters.

‘Ferdinand’ (2017)

This animated family adventure centers on a massive bull with a gentle soul who prefers smelling flowers to fighting in the ring. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, Ferdinand is captured and taken away from his home to be trained for bullfighting. Determined to return to his family, he recruits a group of misfit animals to help him escape his predicament. ‘Ferdinand’ emphasizes the importance of staying true to one’s nature regardless of external expectations.

Tell us which of these films you are most excited to stream this month in the comments.