HBO Max has been a go-to streaming platform in recent years for some of the best entertainment around. Each month, movies and TV shows come and go, keeping the options on the platform fresh. HBO Max has recently added or will soon be adding some incredible films. Some of these are from recent years, while others have been fan favorites for some time. Regardless, subscribers will have a variety of choices when it comes to movies on the streaming service.
From some exciting new movies to beloved classics, there are some incredible experiences waiting for film fans who are watching the best movies on HBO Max this February
Empire Of Light (2022)
With Oscar-winner Sam Mendes at the helm and Oscar-winner Olivia Colman in the lead role, many thought Empire of Light would have been a strong contender this awards season. While that didn’t happen, it is still a movie worth checking out.
The period drama is set in a small English coastal town in the 1980s. Colman plays the manager of a cinema who forms a bond with her young employee who is looking to escape their small and sometimes unwelcoming town.
Bull Durham (1988)
While sometimes forgotten among the best sports movies of all time, Bull Durham is a terrifically entertaining baseball movie as well as a charming romantic comedy. Kevin Costner stars as a catcher nearing the end of his career who mentors an arrogant pitcher (Tim Robbins) as they both fall for the same girl (Susan Sarandon).
The movie is a fun and hilarious comedy for fans of baseball. And those who don’t like the sport can enjoy it as an ideal Valentine’s Day movie.
Birdman (2014)
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Along with giving a powerful comeback role to Michael Keaton, the Best Picture-winning Birdman is a cinematic experience unlike any other. Keaton stars as an actor looking to escape his past superhero role by staging an ambitious Broadway production.
The movie is shot as if it is one long continuous take, giving the movie a sense of urgency and tension that fits its comedic aspects surprisingly well. It also features an incredible supporting cast including Edward Norton and Emma Stone.
All That Breathes (2022)
One of the movies vying for Best Documentary at this year’s Oscars will be available on HBO Max in February. All That Breathes is a story of two brothers who set up a makeshift bird hospital to care for the wounded and dying birds they find in Delhi.
Along with being a moving story of selflessness and kindness, it also explores heavy themes like pollution and the civil unrest in their home.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
With Steven Spielberg vying for another Oscar for The Fablemans it is a good time to revisit one of his best movies of the 21st century. Catch Me If You Can stars Leonardo DiCaprio in an incredible true story of a teenage conman who successfully passed himself off as an airline pilot, lawyer and doctor while cashing forged checks all around the world.
DiCaprio gives a terrific performance as one of Spielberg’s most likable characters even with his criminal activities. Also, Tom Hanks is great in a supporting role as the FBI agent tracking him down.
Force Majeure (2014)
Triangle of Sadness is a surprise Best Picture nominee at this year’s Oscars as well with director Ruben Ostlund also receiving a nomination. Fans can also check out Ostlund’s previous critically acclaimed movie, Force Majeur.
The movie follows a family on a ski trip when an avalanche creates some unexpected consequences which change everything. The movie is a hilarious comedy that plays on awkwardness and egos in clever ways.
Swiss Army Man (2016)
Another big contender at this year’s Oscars is Everything Everywhere All at Once. And fans who loved what the directing duo of “The Daniels” did in that movie should check out their previous and perhaps even more wild movie, Swiss Army Man.
The movie stars Paul Dano as a man who finds himself stranded alone on an island only to form an unlikely friendship with a corpse that has washed ashore, played by Daniel Radcliffe.
The Crazies (2010)
Though it didn’t get much attention when it was released, The Crazies is a rare horror remake that’s better than the original. Set in a small rural town, a disease quickly begins to spread through the community which turns people into mindless killing machines.
The movie is a tense and gruesome ride with a surprising streak of dark humor. Timothy Olyphant is also terrific as the town’s sheriff who steps up to be the hero of the increasingly dangerous situation.
Taxi Driver (1976)
HBO Max can sometimes be a great platform for fans to finally watch some older classics or simply enjoy them again. Taxi Driver is one such movie hitting the streaming platform in February with Robert De Niro’s iconic performance as Travis Bickle.
As one of Martin Scorsese’s most violent movies, Taxi Driver might be too much for some audiences. However, it is an engrossing character study and a testament to Scorsese’s unmatched talents as a filmmaker.
Casino Royale (2006)
February will actually see many James Bond titles hitting HBO Max. But one that is worth singling out as a turning point in the long-running franchise is Daniel Craig’s first outing as 007 in Casino Royale.
Along with proving Craig was the right man for the job, Casino Royale was exactly the jolt of energy the franchise needed at the time, giving audiences a rougher and grittier Bond who they could take seriously.
