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Max has one of the most extensive streaming libraries around, and browsing the homepage for a movie to watch can be overwhelming. We’re here to save you the never-ending scrolling and potential argument with whomever you share the remote with by giving you our best recommendations.

We curated this selection of the top 25 movies on Max right now, taking into account rating and popularity (and not to mention our subjective opinion). You’ll find some of the best new films on streaming, genre favorites for every taste, and all-time classic films among the rankings. We update this page often to keep the selection fresh, so check back for the latest and greatest movies on Max each week.

'Wonka’ (2023) — Editor’s Top Pick

A man in a purple coat sits on a bench in this image from Village Roadshow Pictures.
“Wonka” was one of the biggest family films of 2023. (Image: Village Roadshow Pictures)

Rated: PG | Genre: Family Adventure | Run Time: 1 hour, 56 minutes | Director: Paul King

IMDb Rating: 7.1/10 | Metacritic Rating: 66

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Grant

Watch the trailer for “Wonka”

The end of 2023 was abuzz with “Wonka” fever — and for good reason. Skeptics of Timothée Chalamet’s age were wrong. The twinkle in his eye and performance were inspired by Gene Wilder’s, but Chalamet still made it his own, turning himself into the perfect young Willy Wonka. In this imaginative prequel, Wonka is an ambitious inventor with a suitcase full of fantastical chocolate creations dreaming of opening his own shop. With no money, more dreams than common sense, and a cartel of chocolatiers looking to thwart his every move, his journey to becoming the Wonka we know and love isn’t easy.

“Wonka” succeeds in its mission to create an original story that also serves as a spiritual successor to the classic 1971 musical. Catchy original music, a solid ensemble cast, and wholesome themes of friendship, imagination, and standing up to the establishment make this family film a guaranteed classic that adults will likely enjoy even more than kids.

Watch “Wonka” on Max

'The Color Purple’ (2023)

Two women in a convertible in this image from Amblin Entertainment.
“The Color Purple” is a creative reinvention of the classic musical. (Image: Amblin Entertainment)

Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Musical Drama | Run Time: 2 hours, 21 minutes | Director: Blitz Bazawule

IMDb Rating: 6.9/10 | Metacritic Rating: 72

Cast: Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks

Watch the trailer for “The Color Purple”

In “The Color Purple,” innovative Ghanaian director Blitz Bazawule revisits the iconic musical based on Alice Walker’s powerful 1982 novel. Celie (Fantasia Barrino), growing up in the American South in the early 1900s, becomes a victim of incestuous abuse following the death of her mother. After bearing children by her father, she’s sent from her childhood home into an abusive marriage with a much older man. Celie tries to keep her beloved sister, Nettie (Halle Bailey), from the same fate but loses contact with her after Nettie escapes. Along her journey to find her strength, Celie bonds with other women who serve as inspiration to her, and who she can be an inspiration to in turn. It’s a story of hardship, but it’s also a celebration of sisterhood and self-determination. 

With a powerful musical score and a stellar cast, “The Color Purple” was a resounding favorite at Black media awards and also received an Academy Award nomination.

Watch “The Color Purple” on Max

‘Barbie’ (2023)

Ken and Barbie dance in disco outfits at a party in this image from Warner Bros.
“Barbie” took 2023 by storm and is now available on Max. (Image: Warner Bros.)

Rated: PG-13  | Genre: Comedy Adventure | Run Time: 1 hours, 54 minutes | Director: Greta Gerwig

IMDb Rating: 6.9/10 | Metacritic Rating: 80

Cast:Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Issa Rae

Watch the trailer for “Barbie”

The 2023 sensation “Barbie” gave the iconic doll new relevance with Greta Gerwig’s vibrant and innovative reimagining. Barbie (Margot Robbie) lives in the pristine, plastic, and, like, totally perfect world of Barbie Land where no one ever gets hurt or dies, Kens hang on the Barbies’ every word, and every night is a fabulous disco party. When Barbie develops a mysterious condition marked by flat feet, cold showers, and thoughts of mortality, she sets off on an adventure to the real world to have a heart-to-heart with the little girl playing with her. The real world isn’t nearly as rose-colored as she imagined, forcing Barbie to look hard at her perfect life and challenge her beliefs. She’s unexpectedly joined by Ken (Ryan Gosling), for whom the real world is a mind-blowing revelation, where men aren’t treated like accessories.

“Barbie” cleverly critiques and celebrates the cultural impact of Barbie and its applicability in the modern world of gender equality. It has been widely acclaimed and is one of the most nominated films of the ongoing films awards season.

Watch “Barbie” on Max

‘Reality’ (2023)

A blonde girl in a white collared shirt looks disturbed in this image from Seaview Productions.
“Reality” looks at the fallout of being a government whistleblower. (Image: Seaview Productions)

Rated: TV-MA | Genre: Drama | Run Time: 1 hours, 23 minutes | Director: Tina Satter

IMDb Rating: 6.7/10 | Metacritic Rating: 83

Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Josh Hamilton, Marchánt Davis

Watch the trailer for “Reality”

It’s 2017 and Reality Winner (Sydney Sweeney) watches news coverage of Donald Trump firing FBI director James Comey; 25 days later, FBI agents arrive with a warrant to search her house. She agrees to talk to them as they probe into her work as a Farsi translator for a government contractor, eventually realizing they’re interrogating her about a government leak. Throughout the course of the slow-building interview, the circumstances become more and more suspicious, as specifics about the leaked information are revealed. Sweeney has been lauded for her transformative performance in the title role, bringing emotional impact and relatability to this powerful true story. “Reality” is a chilling and thought-provoking look at the surveillance state and a fraught time in contemporary America.

Watch “Reality” on Max

‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ (2022)

A blue, alien-looking child swims in the water with fish in this image from Lightstorm Entertainment.
Tuk (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss) is one of the new characters in James Cameron’s latest installment of the Avatar franchise. (Image: Lightstorm Entertainment)

Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Science fiction | Run Time: 3 hours, 12 minutes | Director: James Cameron

IMDb Rating: 7.6/10 | Metacritic Rating: 67

Cast: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Kate Winslet

Watch the trailer for “Avatar: The Way of Water”

Years after the events of “Avatar” (2009), Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) have formed a family together on the lush planet of Pandora. When colonizers from Earth arrive to disrupt their home and threaten their family, Sully and Neytiri must travel to the reef people and learn their ways of living with water. Working with the powerful natural forces of their planet is the only way to protect both tribes and Pandora as a whole. Visually stunning and  with important messages about our own world, “Avatar: The Way of Water” is a must for family movie night.

Watch “Avatar: The Way of Water” on Max

‘Dune: Part One’ (2021)

A girl leaning on a rock in sci-fi armor in this image from Legendary Pictures.
Powerful clans war over the valuable resources of a forgotten planet in “Dune.” (Image: Legendary Pictures)

Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Sci-fi adventure | Run Time: 2 hours, 35 minutes | Director: Denis Villeneuve

IMDb Rating: 8/10 | Metacritic Rating: 74

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya

Watch the trailer for “Dune: Part One”

The first of a two-part adaptation of the beloved 1960s sci-fi epic, “Dune” is the tale of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), an heir to a noble house who arrives on windswept desert planet Arrakis with his family to take dominion over spice, the most valuable substance in the galaxy — a psychotropic that gives the user heightened vitality and awareness. Their arrival ignites an intergalactic war against the former rulers, the ruthless Harkonnens, who aren’t keen to give up their powerful claim. The unassuming natives of the planet, the Fremen, are considered backward savages that largely stay out of Imperium affairs. Paul finds himself experiencing increasing visions of the future and dreaming of a mysterious Fremen girl (Zendaya) who may be the key to his family’s survival.

The film brings Herbert’s classic novel to life with stunning visuals and cinematography, rich lore, and juicy political intrigue that honors the low-tech, human-focused story while fleshing out the world with excitement and stellar visuals for sci-fi fans.

Watch “Dune: Part One” on Max

‘The Father’ (2020)

An old man in a bathrobe in this image from Film4.
“The Father” takes a unique look at dementia. (Image: Film4)

Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Drama mystery | Run Time: 1 hour, 37 minutes | Director: Florian Zeller

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10 | Metacritic Rating: 88

Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss

Watch the trailer for “The Father”

Anthony (Anthony Hopkins), an aging widower in his 80s, is desperately clinging to his independence as he loses his mental facility from dementia. Having chased another caregiver away, his concerned daughter, Anne (Olivia Colman), tries to take the reins, only to be met with his stubborn resistance. Anthony becomes increasingly difficult to handle as confusion clouds his memories, making him suspicious of family members and caregivers coming in and out of his apartment. We see the story from Anthony’s unreliable point of view as he accuses Anne of manipulating him, questions the motives of everyone around him, and runs into increasingly frustrating incidents.

With a beautifully written, unsettlingly shifting narrative and masterful performance that won Anthony Hopkins the Academy Award for Best Actor at the age of 83, “The Father” confronts the heartbreak and bewilderment of losing our most important asset.

Watch “The Father” on Max

‘Parasite’ (2019)

A woman looks over at her brother in this image from Barunson E&A.
Who could forget Ki-jung’s (Park So-dam) infamous “Jessica Jingle”? (Image: Barunson E&A)

Rated: R | Genre: Black Comedy Thriller | Run Time: 2 hours, 12 minutes | Director: Bong Joon-ho

IMDb Rating: 8.5/10 | Metacritic Rating: 96

Cast: Song Kang-ho, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik

Watch the trailer for “Parasite”

Kim Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik) and his family are part of the working class in Seoul, South Korea, and they are constantly struggling to get by. When Ki-woo agrees to pose as a university student to tutor the wealthy daughter of the Park family, Da-hye (Jung Ji-so), it seems like an opportunity to help his brood. He recommends each of his family members for a job with the Parks, and they pose as those professions in turn. When the Parks leave the Kims with access to their luxurious house while away on a camping trip, the Kim family finds that the estate holds more dark secrets. This critically acclaimed and multilayered South Korean film is the first non-English-language film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

Watch “Parasite” on Max

‘Crazy Rich Asians’ (2018)

A woman stares lovingly at someone off-screen in this image from SK Global.
“Crazy Rich Asians” featured a breathtakingly beautiful wedding scene. (Image: SK Global)

Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Romantic Comedy-Drama | Run Time: 2 hours, 1 minute | Director: Jon M. Chu

IMDb Rating: 6.9/10 | Metacritic Rating: 74

Cast: Constance Wu, Michelle Yeoh, Henry Golding

Watch the trailer for “Crazy Rich Asians”

Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) is successful and impressive by American standards. She’s an economics and game theory professor at NYU, has good friends, and has landed a hunky boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding). Rachel and Nick are getting serious, and he invites her to Singapore to meet his family. He forgot to mention, however, that he comes from a family of the most prominent property magnates in Singapore. All of Rachel’s skills and accomplishments count for little with Nick’s insanely rich family, and she must look within herself to find her confidence, communicate her true self, and keep her handsome prince. “Crazy Rich Asians” has greatly impacted filmmaking in recent years and paved the way for other fantastic Asian American films.

Watch “Crazy Rich Asians” on Max

‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ (2018)

Two young people talking romantically on a balcony in this image from Annapurna Pictures.
Fonny Hunt (Stephan James) and Tish Rivers (KiKi Layne) are the leads in “If Beale Street Could Talk.” (Image: Annapurna Pictures)

Rated: R | Genre: Romantic Drama | Run Time: 1 hour and 59 minutes | Director: Barry Jenkins

IMDb Rating: 7.1/10 | Metacritic Rating: 87

Cast: Regina King, Stephan James, KiKi Layne

Watch the trailer for “If Beale Street Could Talk”

This universally-acclaimed adaptation of the 1974 novel of the same name is beautifully crafted by visionary director Barry Jenkins, who also helmed celebrated films “Moonlight” and “Aftersun.” “If Beale Street Could Talk” follows an in-love-but-struggling young Black couple whose lives are turned upside down after a misunderstanding causes Fonny (Stephan James) to make enemies with a local police officer. Framed for an attack on a woman he didn’t commit, Fonny is arrested right before learning that Tish (KiKi Layne) is pregnant with his child. Tish’s loyalties and morals are tested, as she tries to win their hesitant parents’ support and clear Fonny’s name. “If Beale Street Could Talk” is a testament to the power of love and support in the face of injustice, racism, and judgment.

Watch “If Beale Street Could Talk” on Max

‘Gravity’ (2013)

A short-haired woman operates a spaceship in this image from Warner Bros.
“Gravity” is a visually stunning nightmare of being adrift in space. (Image: Warner Bros.)

Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller | Run Time: 1 hour, 31 minutes | Director: Alfonso Cuarón

IMDb Rating: 7.7/10 | Metacritic Rating: 96

Cast: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Ed Harris

Watch the trailer for “Gravity”

Ingenious director Alfonso Cuarón brings a visually stunning odyssey lost in space. Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock), a brilliant but inexperienced medical engineer on her first NASA mission, is suddenly caught between life and death when an accident destroys her shuttle in orbit. Tethered only to a fellow astronaut, space veteran Matt Kowalski (George Clooney), the pair attempt to reach the International Space Station as their time is quickly running out, and learn about each other as they cling to one another for survival. “Gravity” is a cinematic feat, with groundbreaking special effects, a realistic portrayal of space, and intense emotional depth. Impressive technical achievement and powerful performances from Bullock and Clooney have earned it universal acclaim, making it a must-watch for sci-fi fans.

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‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

A man wearing face paint and clapping in this image from Warner Bros. Pictures.
Heath Ledger’s interpretation of Joker was one for the books. (Image: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Superhero | Run Time: 2 hours, 32 minutes | Director: Christopher Nolan

IMDb Rating: 9/10 | Metacritic Rating: 84

Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal

Watch the trailer for “The Dark Knight”

This magnum opus of the superhero genre with an incredible ensemble cast still outshines nearly every superhero film made since. Criminal mastermind Joker (Heath Ledger) colludes with Gotham’s city mobsters to create pandemonium, while the vigilante Batman (Christian Bale), district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), and police lieutenant James Gordon (Gary Oldman) team up to take down organized crime in Gotham. All roads, no matter how serpentine, seem to lead to Joker. As the allies set out to take on the madman, they can only hope that their skills and resources are enough to take down a man who embodies chaos and is willing to do anything.

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‘Slumdog Millionaire’ (2008)

A young man sits with a blank expression on his face in this image from CPL Productions.
It’s no surprise that a popular TV game show would eventually get a movie one day. (Image: CPL Productions)

Rated: R | Genre: Drama | Run Time: 2 hours | Director: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan

IMDb Rating: 8/10 | Metacritic Rating: 84

Cast: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor

Watch the trailer for “Slumdog Millionaire”

Jamal (Dev Patel), a teenager from the slums of Mumbai, finds himself a contestant on the Indian version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” He miraculously gets all the questions right, which raises suspicions of his cheating. When questioned, he recounts his incredible life story, revealing the unlikely ways he learned the answers. This inspiring and heart-wrenching tale earned eight Academy Awards as well as numerous other accolades during the year of its release. It paved the way for other international films to receive Western acclaim.

Watch “Slumdog Millionaire” on Max

‘Little Miss Sunshine’ (2006)

A young girl wearing glasses looks down in this image from Big Beach Films.
The entire cast’s acting in “Little Miss Sunshine” was phenomenal. (Image: Big Beach Films)

Rated: R | Genre: Tragicomedy | Run Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes | Director: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris

IMDb Rating: 7.8/10 | Metacritic Rating: 80

Cast: Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Abigail Breslin

Watch the trailer for “Little Miss Sunshine”

The dysfunctional Hoover family consists of an overworked mother (Toni Collette), her depressed gay brother (Steve Carell), her electively mute son (Paul Dano), and Olive (Abigail Breslin), the ever-upbeat 7-year-old aspiring beauty queen. When Olive qualifies for the “Little Miss Sunshine” beauty pageant, the family decides to take an 800-mile road trip to support Olive’s dream. Despite family tensions bubbling over along the way, the Hoovers discover that their bond of love is stronger than what drives them apart. “Little Miss Sunshine” is an unconventional feel-good film that delivers its sensitive subject matter with tact and humanity.

Watch “Little Miss Sunshine” on Max

‘The Notebook’ (2004)

A man holds up a woman in the rain in this image from Gran Via.
Some would argue Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie’s relationship was as passionate as it was toxic. (Rachel McAdams) (Image: Gran Via)

Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Romantic Drama | Run Time: 2 hours, 1 minute | Director: Nick Cassavetes

IMDb Rating: 7.8/10 | Metacritic Rating: 53

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, Gena Rowlands

Watch the trailer for “The Notebook”

Duke (James Garner) comes to read to Mrs. Calhoun (Gena Rowlands) every day at her nursing home. The story he tells her is a heart-pounding tale of young and passionate romance. In 1940, Noah (Ryan Gosling) meets Allie (Rachel McAdams) at a carnival and falls head over heels in love. They come from different classes, and she takes some persuading but soon discovers she is crazy about him too. Separated for years by war and family, the young pair nearly misses their chance to be together. Until one day, they’re reunited by a labor of love that ignites their old flame once more, putting the now-engaged Allie in a difficult position.

Watch “The Notebook” on Max

‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ (2001)

Two young boys stare at something off-screen in this image from Warner Bros. Pictures.
The Harry Potter franchise thrives even decades later among fans of fantasy and magic. (Image: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Rated: PG | Genre: Fantasy Adventure | Run Time: 2 hours, 32 minutes | Director: Chris Columbus

IMDb Rating: 7.6/10 | Metacritic Rating: 65

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Maggie Smith

Watch the trailer for “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”

Get whisked away to Hogwarts on the magical adventure that spurred an enduring cultural phenomenon. Eleven-year-old Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is neglected by his adoptive guardians, his aunt and uncle, who see him as a stain on their neatly curated suburban lives. When Harry receives a letter telling him he’s a wizard and inviting him to attend magic school, he finds somewhere he belongs for the first time. He also discovers that his parents were murdered and their killer is still after him. With the help of his friends and his newly learned skills, he must solve the mystery unraveling at Hogwarts to protect the underground world of wizards from powerful dark forces.

Watch “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” on Max

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001)

A man lays on the ground while trying to catch a falling ring in this image from New Line Cinema.
The Lord of the Rings franchise has gone on to inspire a prequel film trilogy and a spin-off. (Image: New Line Cinema)

Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Fantasy Adventure | Run Time: 2 hours 58 minutes | Director: Peter Jackson

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10 | Metacritic Rating: 92

Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, Viggo Mortensen

Watch the trailer for “The Lord Of The Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring”

Widely accepted as the greatest work of fantasy of all time, The Lord of the Rings books inspired a film trilogy that became an immediate and enduring classic. Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), a hobbit who loves food, fun, and comfort, lives a peaceful countryside life with his uncle Bilbo (Ian Holm). His life changes dramatically when his uncle retires and disappears, leaving Frodo a magical ring that contains the power of a fallen dark lord. Despite his humble stature and lifestyle, Frodo sets out on a journey across Middle Earth, accompanied by friends he meets along the way, to destroy the ring and end its potential for evil forever.

Watch “The Lord Of The Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring” on Max

‘The Matrix’ (1999)

A woman and a man wearing sunglasses hold guns and walk down a hall in this image from Warner Bros. Pictures.
“The Matrix” made wearing sunglasses indoors cool. (Image: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Rated: R | Genre: Science Fiction | Run Time: 2 hours, 16 minutes | Director: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10 | Metacritic Rating: 73

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving

Watch the trailer for “The Matrix”

Computer programmer and hacker Neo (Keanu Reeves) keeps coming across strange signs in the code. When he’s contacted by mysterious figures claiming to hold the answers he seeks, he’s pulled into an underworld group waging war against supercomputers constructing all reality. Neo faces a choice: Learn the nature of the Matrix constructing his reality, or choose blissful ignorance back in his normal life. In choosing to understand, he will never be able to unsee the things he has seen, and once he knows, he may have no choice but to act. The cultural impact of “The Matrix” and its enduringly relevant themes make it a must-watch for all who seek truth.

Watch “The Matrix” on Max

‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)

Two men in suits pointing their guns at someone off-screen in this image from A Band Apart.
“Pulp Fiction” is considered a cult classic. (Image: A Band Apart)

Rated: R | Genre: Crime Noir | Run Time: 2 hours, 34 minutes | Director: Quentin Tarantino

IMDb Rating: 8.9/10 | Metacritic Rating: 95

Cast: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman

Watch the trailer for “Pulp Fiction”

The snappy dialogue and retro-chill aesthetics of “Pulp Fiction” are a master class in style that showcases the best of director Quentin Tarantino’s genius. The film follows several storylines: the work of a pair of philosophical hit-men, their mobster boss and his young and wild wife, a criminal couple holding up a restaurant, and a devious champion boxer being paid to throw a match. The slice-of-life plotlines are only loosely intertwined but come together to paint a masterful picture that raises plenty of deeper questions about violence, morality, human nature, justice, and the limits of human desperation.

Watch “Pulp Fiction” on Max

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

A woman hugs a wall as she holds a gun in this image from Strong Heart Productions.
If anyone asks for a psychological horror film, “The Silence of the Lambs” is usually a top choice. (Image: Strong Heart Productions)

Rated: R | Genre: Psychological Horror Thriller | Run Time: 1 hour, 58 minutes | Director: Jonathan Demme

IMDb Rating: 8.6/10 | Metacritic Rating: 86

Cast: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Kasi Lemmons

Watch the trailer for “The Silence of the Lambs”

Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is an FBI agent assigned to the case of serial killer Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), who has been kidnapping and skinning women. To gain insight into the twisted mind of the killer, she’s asked to interview Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a former psychiatrist and captured cannibalistic serial killer. Lecter is not at all what she expects and begins to gain her trust, eventually negotiating a prison transfer if he helps them track down Buffalo Bill in time to save his latest killer. His information proves useful, but can such a dangerous leopard ever truly change its spots? Catch Hopkins’ incredibly chilling performance in one of the greatest thrillers of all time.

Watch “The Silence Of The Lambs” on Max

‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ (1989)

Animated girl rides a broomstick in this image from Studio Ghibli.
Kiki’s story is similar to those of many young girls her age who are growing up and finding their true selves. (Image: Studio Ghibli)

Rated: G | Genre: Animated Fantasy Adventure | Run Time: 1 hour, 42 minutes | Director: Hayao Miyazaki

IMDb Rating: 7.8/10 | Metacritic Rating: 85

Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Matthew Lawrence, Debbie Reynolds

Watch the trailer for “Kiki’s Delivery Service”

Kiki (Kirsten Dunst) is 13, the age that a trainee witch strikes out on her own to learn to survive, find her specialization, and hone her magic. Kiki feels she has little in the way of special abilities but is an excellent flier on her broomstick. She trades her skill as a delivery service and manages to secure employment and accommodation at a bakery. Her lack of confidence in her magic manages to keep getting in her way, however, as she does her best to complete all her deliveries. With the help of a new friend and her companion cat, Jiji, Kiki digs deep to discover her purpose and bring out the magic inside herself. This is a perfect family-friendly autumn film that speaks to the hesitant power inside all of us.

Watch “Kiki’s Delivery Service” on Max

‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988)

Anime young girl walking behind a transparent forest creature in this image from Studio Ghibli
“My Neighbor Totoro” is one of Studio Ghibli’s most popular movies among kids and adults. (Image: Studio Ghibli)

Rated: G | Genre: Animated Fantasy | Run Time: 1 hour, 26 minutes | Director: Hayao Miyazaki

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10 | Metacritic Rating: 86

Cast: Elle Fanning, Dakota Fanning, Frank Welker, Pat Carroll

Watch the trailer for “My Neighbor Totoro”

Sisters Satsuki (Dakota Fanning) and Mei (Elle Fanning) move into an old house in the Japanese countryside near the hospital where their mother is recovering from a long-term illness. The girls begin to notice different types of spirits inhabiting the house, leading Mei to follow the spirits into a tree hollow. There, she befriends a larger spirit who acts as a bridge between the spirit world and the sisters’ mundane lives, providing them with a sense of hope as they face heavy realities that threaten to bring their innocence to an end. This beautiful and universal film is one of Studio Ghibli’s many incredible animated works, all of which are worth a watch on Max.

Watch “My Neighbor Totoro” on Max

‘Some Like it Hot’ (1959)

Two men, one cross-dressing as a woman, in this image from Mirisch Company
Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon are a top-tier comedy duo. (Image: Mirisch Company)

Rated: PG | Genre: Crime Comedy | Run Time: 2 hours, 12 minutes | Director: Billy Wilder

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10 | Metacritic Rating: 98

Cast: Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe

Watch the trailer for “Some Like it Hot”

During the Prohibition Era, Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) are a jazz-playing duo working at a speakeasy when their club is raided. The pair witness members of one gang murder those of another in retaliation for tipping off the police and bringing about the raid, but are seen by the attackers. Terrified for their lives, they dress up as women and join an all-female band on a train to Miami. Things get complicated, however, when Joe develops a crush on his fellow female band member, and a male millionaire falls in love with Jerry. Curtis and Lemmon are a dynamite comedy pairing, and Marilyn Monroe demonstrates her considerable comedic talent in this treasure of a film.

Watch “Some Like it Hot” on Max

‘Casablanca’ (1942)

A woman standing at a table across from a seated man in this image from Warner Bros.
“Casablanca” is one of the most influential films of the 20th century. (Image: Warner Bros.)

Rated: PG | Genre: War Drama Romance | Run Time: 1 hours, 42 minutes | Director: Michael Curtiz

IMDb Rating: 8.5/10 | Metacritic Rating: 100

Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid

Watch the trailer for “Casablanca”

“Here's looking at you, kid” — “Casablanca,” the timeless cinematic masterpiece set in war-torn North Africa during World War II, is one of the greatest films of the 20th century. Enigmatic, cynical expat Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) runs a nightclub and gambling den in Casablanca, Morocco, that serves as a haven for refugees, spies, and lost souls. Rick must confront his painful past when the woman who left him heartbroken in Paris, Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman), returns seeking refuge from the Nazis.

A mesmerizing dance of conflicting loyalties, political intrigue, and immortal one-liners, “Casablanca” is an unforgettable tale where love and honor are tested, destinies are intertwined, and the choices one makes can change the world. If you’re a movie lover, you can’t miss this unforgettable moment in cinema history.

Watch “Casablanca” on Max

‘The Wizard Of Oz’ (1939)

A young woman holds her dog in this image from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Who could forget Dorothy and her furry companion, Toto? (Image: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

Rated: G | Genre: Musical Fantasy | Run Time: 1 hour, 52 minutes | Director: Victor Fleming

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10 | Metacritic Rating: 92

Cast: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Jack Haley

Watch the trailer for “The Wizard Of Oz”

After her dog bites a grumpy neighbor who threatens to have him put down, Dorothy (Judy Garland) runs away and comes across a fortune teller who advises her to return home. As she arrives, a tornado blows through her farm, carrying her off to the magical land of Oz. In order to return, she must make a long journey to see a powerful wizard, but finds herself entrapped in the power games between the sister witches of Oz. Along the way, she is joined by companions who each have a lesson to share so that she may discover what’s important to her and find the power inside herself.

“The Wizard of Oz” made history as the first feature-length film in full technicolor, which must‘ve been visually spectacular for audiences of the time. It remains a universally beloved classic that tells of love and friendship, adventure and homesickness, and our inherent power to choose between good and evil.

Watch “The Wizard Of Oz” on Max

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