This Year’s Horror Hit Is Still the Most-Watched Movie on HBO Max This Week

Viewers on HBO Max are gravitating toward an eclectic selection of cinematic releases this week, spanning fresh theatrical arrivals, eerie horror sensations, and nostalgic favorites. With the autumn season underway, supernatural frights and psychological thrillers are surging across the streaming charts alongside celebrated courtroom dramas and cosmic adventures.

High-profile streaming premieres and catalog staples continue to capture substantial viewership across the platform. Here are the most-watched movies currently dominating HBO Max.

‘The Shining’ (1980)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick, ‘The Shining’ adapts Stephen King’s 1977 horror novel of the same name about psychological breakdown and supernatural dread. The story follows Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer who accepts a position as the off-season caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado alongside his wife and young son. As malevolent spiritual forces inhabit the expansive resort, Jack gradually succumbs to homicidal madness while his son experiences terrifying visions. Jack Nicholson delivers an iconic performance alongside Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd amidst the hotel’s atmospheric corridors. The production remains celebrated for its pioneering use of the Steadicam to generate pervasive tension throughout the building.

‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ (1984)

Written and directed by Wes Craven, ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ established one of cinema’s most recognizable horror icons in Freddy Krueger. The narrative follows several suburban teenagers who find themselves terrorized in their sleep by a scarred, razor-gloved killer seeking retribution against their parents. When the teenagers discover that suffering injuries or death in the dream world causes real-world demise, protagonist Nancy Thompson must remain awake to survive. Heather Langenkamp stars as Nancy alongside Robert Englund as Krueger and Johnny Depp in his feature film debut. The film revitalized the slasher genre by blurring the boundary between subconscious nightmares and waking reality.

‘Scooby-Doo’ (2002)

Directed by Raja Gosnell from a screenplay written by James Gunn, ‘Scooby-Doo’ brings the beloved Hanna-Barbera animated detective crew to live action. Following an acrimonious split, Mystery Inc. members reunite after being individually hired to investigate strange supernatural incidents occurring at the tropical theme park Spooky Island. The eccentric team discovers that visitors are being systematically brainwashed and possessed through ancient artifacts hidden across the resort. The ensemble features Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, and Linda Cardellini, with Neil Fanning voicing the computer-generated Great Dane. The project blends family-friendly humor with expansive practical sets and digital creature animation.

‘A Few Good Men’ (1992)

Directed by Rob Reiner and written by Aaron Sorkin, ‘A Few Good Men’ adapts Sorkin’s Broadway stage play into a military courtroom drama. The plot centers on Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, an untested Navy lawyer assigned to defend two young Marines accused of murdering a fellow recruit at the Guantanamo Bay naval base. Kaffee collaborates with Lieutenant Commander JoAnne Galloway to investigate whether the defendants were acting under an illegal disciplinary order known as a Code Red. The legal battle culminates in an intense confrontation between Kaffee and base commander Colonel Nathan R. Jessep. Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, and Demi Moore lead an acclaimed ensemble cast that earned widespread critical praise and major Academy Award nominations.

‘Supergirl’ (2026)

Directed by Craig Gillespie from a screenplay by Ana Nogueira, ‘Supergirl’ introduces Kara Zor-El as a central hero in the modern DC Universe. The narrative depicts Kara traveling across the galaxy on a relentless quest to confront a dangerous adversary who targeted her companion, Krypto. Unlike her cousin, Kara grew up on a detached piece of Krypton and watched the planet crumble around her, resulting in a hardened worldview. Milly Alcock stars in the title role alongside Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, and Jason Momoa. The cosmic adventure emphasizes expansive interplanetary worldbuilding and kinetic action sequences.

‘The Departed’ (2006)

Directed by Martin Scorsese, ‘The Departed’ adapts the 2002 Hong Kong crime thriller ‘Infernal Affairs’ into the criminal underworld of South Boston. State trooper Billy Costigan is assigned to infiltrate the ruthless Irish mob syndicate run by crime boss Frank Costello, while mob protégé Colin Sullivan infiltrates the Massachusetts State Police. Both undercover operatives discover the presence of an opposing mole and enter a desperate race to uncover each other’s identities to avoid death. The crime drama features an acclaimed cast that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, and Vera Farmiga. The production captured multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

‘Corpse Bride’ (2005)

Directed by Tim Burton and Mike Johnson, ‘Corpse Bride’ is a stop-motion animated musical set in a gloomy Victorian village. The narrative follows Victor Van Dort, a timid young man arranged to marry Victoria Everglot, who accidentally weds an undead woman named Emily while practicing his vows in the woods. Victor is pulled into the vibrant Land of the Dead, forcing him to choose between the deceased woman who loves him and the living woman waiting above. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter provide the lead voice performances alongside an original musical score composed by Danny Elfman. The film earned widespread critical acclaim for its intricate puppetry and gothic visual artistry.

‘Coraline’ (2009)

Directed by Henry Selick, ‘Coraline’ adapts Neil Gaiman’s 2002 dark fantasy novella through stop-motion animation produced by Laika. The story follows an adventurous girl named Coraline Jones, who feels neglected by her parents after moving into the Pink Palace Apartments in Oregon. After unlocking a small, hidden door in the wall, Coraline enters a deceptive alternate dimension where doppelgängers of her parents have black buttons sewn over their eyes. She must outsmart the sinister Other Mother to liberate her real parents and the trapped souls of previous child victims. Dakota Fanning voices the titular character alongside Teri Hatcher, John Hodgman, and Keith David.

‘Evil Dead Burn’ (2026)

Directed and co-written by Sébastien Vaniček alongside Florent Bernard, ‘Evil Dead Burn’ serves as the latest installment in the long-running ‘Evil Dead’ supernatural horror franchise. The plot centers on a grieving widow who travels to a remote country residence to stay with her late husband’s relatives, only for ancient evil to surface. When demonic spirits are unleashed, the family members are steadily possessed and mutated into violent Deadites, igniting an intense battle for survival. Souheila Yacoub leads the cast alongside Hunter Doohan, Luciane Buchanan, and Tandi Wright under the production of Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert. The film continues the franchise tradition of claustrophobic tension and elaborate practical gore effects.

‘Backrooms’ (2026)

Directed by Kane Parsons and written by Will Soodik, ‘Backrooms’ expands Parsons’ viral internet found-footage project into an A24 psychological horror feature. The plot follows a furniture store owner named Clark who discovers an anomalous doorway in his basement leading to an endless expanse of monochromatic yellow rooms. Accompanied by his therapist, he ventures deeper into the shifting liminal corridors where standard geometry fails and unnatural entities linger in the silence. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve anchor the drama alongside supporting performances from Mark Duplass and Lukita Maxwell. The production relies on massive soundstage labyrinth sets and subtle sound design to generate continuous dread.

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