The Most Buzzed-About Movies on HBO Max Right Now

If you’re scrolling through HBO Max and wondering what everyone’s talking about, there’s a strong mix of new theatrical arrivals and modern favorites gaining traction right now. Several of these are fresh from cinemas, while others are evergreen conversation starters that keep resurfacing thanks to cast reunions, franchise news, or seasonal rewatches.

Below you’ll find what’s drawing the most attention at the moment, from headline-making superhero debuts to horror staples that reliably spike in streams. We’ve included quick details on what each film is about, who’s involved, and a subtle nod to the companies that originally brought them to theaters so you know where these releases started before landing on HBO Max.

‘Superman’ (2025)

James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ introduces a new take on Clark Kent and Lois Lane as Metropolis navigates superpowered threats and everyday journalism. The film stars David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, with appearances that establish the broader DC storytelling slate under the current screen universe plan. It features a blend of classic Daily Planet elements and modern world-building that positions the character for future cross-title storylines.

The movie’s theatrical rollout came through Warner Bros. Pictures before moving to HBO Max as part of the studio’s in-house pipeline. Key production partners included DC Studios, with filming centered around practical Midwest backdrops and large-scale Metropolis sets that anchor the story’s citywide action.

‘Bring Her Back’ (2025)

‘Bring Her Back’ follows a family confronted by the sudden return of a loved one who vanished years earlier, raising questions about identity and memory. The thriller keeps its timeline tight as investigators and relatives piece together what happened during the missing years, with the narrative pivoting on recovered evidence and conflicting testimonies.

The film was released in theaters by A24 before making its streaming debut on HBO Max. Production highlights include location shoots that emphasize small-town routines disrupted by sudden media attention, as well as a sound design approach that leans on quiet domestic spaces punctuated by investigative breakthroughs.

‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’ (2025)

‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’ extends the franchise’s central concept by tracing how a narrowly avoided catastrophe triggers a new chain of fatal events for a connected group. The film maps out each character’s backstory as clues point to earlier incidents, aligning with the series’ pattern-based approach to fate and survival.

New Line Cinema handled theatrical distribution under the Warner Bros. banner before the movie shifted to HBO Max. As with previous entries, practical effects and stunt coordination are foregrounded to stage complex set pieces, while returning creative personnel maintain continuity with the saga’s signature rules.

‘A Minecraft Movie’ (2025)

‘A Minecraft Movie’ translates the block-building phenomenon into a live-action adventure built around crafting, exploration, and community problem-solving. The plot follows a group that must work together to protect their world from a looming threat, incorporating recognizable biomes, Redstone mechanics, and creature encounters.

The film’s cinema release went through Warner Bros. Pictures before streaming availability on HBO Max. Production notes call out large-scale set builds combined with digital augmentation to capture the game’s distinct geometry, along with a score that echoes familiar in-game ambience.

‘Mickey 17’ (2025)

Based on Edward Ashton’s novel, ‘Mickey 17’ centers on a disposable employee assigned to dangerous missions, with each death followed by the activation of a new clone that retains most past memories. The film explores corporate ownership of identity and the ethical limits of replaceable labor as Mickey faces a mission with no margin for error.

Warner Bros. Pictures brought the movie to theaters ahead of its HBO Max window. Principal photography leaned on futuristic industrial sets and controlled cold-weather environments that match the story’s frontier outpost setting, while the adaptation streamlines book subplots to fit a feature runtime.

‘Get Out’ (2017)

‘Get Out’ follows a young photographer visiting his girlfriend’s family for the weekend, only to uncover a disturbing plan that weaponizes social interactions and medical experimentation. The film weaves genre elements with observational detail, using specific props and recurring motifs to set up key reveals.

Universal Pictures distributed the movie in theaters before later licensing made it a recurring presence on streaming lineups like HBO Max. The production was shot primarily in and around Alabama, with editing rhythms that emphasize conversational tension and a score that blends choral textures with minimalist cues.

‘The Conjuring’ (2013)

‘The Conjuring’ dramatizes a 1970s case investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren, focusing on a family’s farmhouse disturbances and the methods used to document alleged paranormal activity. The film structures its timeline around escalating incidents, artifact cataloging, and procedural steps that lead to a climactic intervention.

New Line Cinema released the title theatrically through Warner Bros., later positioning it as a cornerstone of the connected Conjuring Universe that frequently rotates on HBO Max. Notable craft elements include period-accurate production design and a cinematography style that favors long takes to stage practical scares.

‘It’ (2017)

‘It’ adapts part of Stephen King’s novel by following the Losers’ Club as they confront a shape-shifting entity that preys on fear in the town of Derry. The narrative charts each member’s personal vulnerability and uses recurring locations like the Neibolt house and sewer system to anchor set pieces.

The film reached theaters via New Line Cinema under the Warner Bros. distribution umbrella before streaming availability on HBO Max. Production centered on Canadian locations doubling for Maine, with creature performance capture and practical makeup combining to create the antagonist’s shifting forms.

‘Hereditary’ (2018)

‘Hereditary’ examines a family coping with grief as inherited secrets surface through ritual objects, coded messages, and architectural miniatures that mirror unfolding events. The plot tracks specific cause-and-effect beats that tie past and present, culminating in a final sequence that reframes earlier clues.

A24 distributed the feature theatrically, leading to strong afterlife play on services including HBO Max. The shoot emphasized controlled interior builds for exact camera moves, while sound cues and negative space were calibrated to create unease without overreliance on jump scares.

‘The Witch’ (2015)

Set in 1630s New England, ‘The Witch’ follows an exiled family whose isolation leads to suspicion and hysteria after strange occurrences in the surrounding woods. The film reconstructs period dialect and domestic routines with attention to material culture, from farm tools to clothing construction.

A24 handled the theatrical release that paved the way for repeat streaming interest, including availability on HBO Max. Historical consultation informed prop design and lighting strategies that rely on natural sources like candles and daylight to maintain authenticity.

‘X’ (2022)

‘X’ focuses on a small film crew renting a rural property to shoot a project in secret, which escalates when the elderly hosts react violently to the intrusion. The timeline unfolds over a single day and night, using parallel character arcs and mirrored shots to track who knows what and when.

A24 released the movie in theaters before it became a frequent genre pick on HBO Max. Production leaned on one principal location in rural settings, with color grading and camera lenses chosen to evoke the look of 1970s exploitation filmmaking.

‘The Substance’ (2024)

‘The Substance’ follows a public figure who turns to an experimental treatment that promises rejuvenation at a strict biological cost, framing aging and identity as a zero-sum exchange. The narrative uses body-horror imagery as a visual metaphor for performance pressure and media scrutiny.

Mubi handled U.S. distribution for the theatrical run, and subsequent streaming availability includes placements like HBO Max based on regional licensing. Production design and special makeup effects teams collaborated to stage progressive transformations grounded in tactile prosthetics.

‘Heretic’ (2024)

In ‘Heretic’, two missionaries become trapped in a remote home where philosophical debates turn into layered psychological tests set by their host. The plot hinges on logic puzzles, shifting rules, and a spatial layout that becomes a character in its own right.

A24 distributed the film in theaters before it appeared on HBO Max. The production prioritized contained-location logistics, using hidden cuts and practical rigging to execute reversals that align with the story’s theme of perception versus certainty.

‘Practical Magic’ (1998)

‘Practical Magic’ follows two sisters from a family of witches who must confront a dangerous situation that exposes long-standing town prejudices and family lore. The story integrates folklore details with modern settings, tracking rituals, recipes, and inherited warnings that guide the pair’s decisions.

Warner Bros. brought the film to theaters and later positioned it as a seasonal catalog mainstay that resurfaces across platforms including HBO Max. Location work in the Pacific Northwest and a memorable coastal house set contribute to the film’s recognizable visual identity.

‘Babygirl’ (2024)

‘Babygirl’ centers on an aspiring pop star whose relationship entanglements collide with ambition, studio politics, and viral attention, placing her creative control in jeopardy. The film maps the industry pipeline from demo sessions to marketing plans and shows how leverage shifts with each new song release.

A24 handled the theatrical distribution before the title moved into streaming rotations that include HBO Max. Production highlights include studio interiors built to match real-world recording workflows and concert sequences staged to reflect the logistics of a rising artist’s first major tour.

Share your picks in the comments and tell us which movie on HBO Max has everyone in your group chat talking right now.