Top Movies To Watch On Hbo Max

From Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler
Rated R

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont and starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. The story follows Andy Dufresne, a banker who is wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life in the fictional Shawshank State Prison. Despite the grim reality of his situation, Andy maintains hope and eventually gains the respect of his fellow inmates, especially Red, an inmate serving a life sentence. After 19 years of wrongful imprisonment, Andy escapes and finds redemption beyond the prison walls. The Shawshank Redemption is an uplifting tale of friendship and perseverance that received critical acclaim and was a box office success.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather is a 1972 crime drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on Mario Puzo's novel of the same name. The film tells the story of the aging patriarch Vito Corleone, played by Marlon Brando, of an Italian-American Mafia family in the late 1940s. The Corleones have a business empire that they must protect from rival gangs and the police. The movie follows the Corleones as they move up the ranks in the underworld and struggle to hold on to their power. Along the way, they make deals with mobsters and politicians, and must contend with their own loyalty to family and to their code of honor. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather Part II is a 1974 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and the sequel to The Godfather. It stars Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Morgana King, and John Cazale. The film follows Michael Corleone as he further expands his family business and consolidates his control over the rival crime families while trying to protect his family from rival threats and from the law. The film also includes a parallel story that depicts the early life of Michael's father Vito Corleone, as he rises to power in New York City's Little Italy district. The Godfather Part II earned several awards and nominations, including nine Academy Awards, of which it won six, including Best Picture and Best Director for Coppola. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.

From Peter Jackson, starring Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom
Rated PG-13

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is the concluding film in Peter Jackson's epic The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The movie follows the continuing quest of Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee to destroy the One Ring of Power. After a fierce battle, Frodo and Sam make it to Mount Doom, but Frodo is unable to destroy the Ring. In a last-ditch effort, Gollum seizes the Ring and falls into the fire, thus destroying it and ending Sauron's reign of terror. With the Ring vanquished, the kingdom of Gondor is restored and Aragorn is crowned King. The movie ends with the four Hobbits - Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin - sailing away to the Grey Havens and into the west.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Caroline Goodall
Rated R

Schindler's List is a 1993 American biographical drama film directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg. The film is based on the novel Schindler's Ark by Australian novelist Thomas Keneally, which is based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. The film is set in Kraków, Poland, during World War II, and follows Schindler's efforts to protect his Jewish workforce from the Nazis. It stars Liam Neeson as Schindler, Ralph Fiennes as Nazi SS-officer Amon Göth, and Ben Kingsley as Schindler's Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern. The film also features a strong female presence, including the female prisoners of Auschwitz-Birkenau, with whom Schindler falls in love. The film is powerful in its portrayal of the horrors of the Holocaust, with its graphic depiction of violence and its exploration of the themes of racism, prejudice, and human suffering. It also shows the bravery and determination of Schindler and his workers to fight against the Nazis. It won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture

From Quentin Tarantino, starring John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis
Rated R

Pulp Fiction is a 1994 American black comedy crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It tells the story of two hit men, Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson), who are on a mission to retrieve a briefcase stolen from their employer, mob boss Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames). Along the way, they encounter a variety of characters, including a pair of gangsters, a boxer, and a pair of diner robbers. The film also features a series of interconnected stories, including the story of a boxer's quest for redemption, a hitman's search for forgiveness, and a gangster's revenge. Pulp Fiction is noted for its non-linear narrative structure, dark humor, and various pop culture references. The film was an international box office success, helping to revive the career of director Quentin Tarantino.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field
Rated PG-13

Forrest Gump is a 1994 American comedy-drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Eric Roth. Based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom, the film stars Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, and Sally Field. The story follows Forrest Gump, a naive, good-hearted and slow-witted man from Alabama, who, despite his low IQ, led an extraordinary life as a soldier in the Vietnam War, a Ping-Pong champion, a successful shrimp boat captain, and an entrepreneur. Along the way, he befriends a cast of characters, including Lieutenant Dan Taylor and Jenny Curran, and experiences firsthand some of the most important events of American history while becoming a famous figure of his time. The film was a critical and commercial success and won the Academy Award for Best Picture, among other awards, making it one of the few films to do so. It also ranks #54 on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 Greatest American Movies of All Time.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page, Ken Watanabe
Rated PG-13

Inception is a 2010 science fiction action film written, co-produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan. The film follows a team of thieves who gain access to the subconscious of their targets using a technology known as "Inception". The team's leader, Dom Cobb, is specially trained to enter and manipulate the dreams of others in order to plant ideas, or "inceptions", into the target's subconscious. Together with a team of experts, Cobb attempts to perform a near-impossible task: to plant an idea into a person's subconscious, in order to change their behavior. In the process, Cobb's own mental stability begins to unravel as he risks losing his own grip on reality. The film features an all-star cast, led by Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Tom Hardy. The film received critical acclaim upon its release and was a box office success, earning over $828 million worldwide.

From Peter Jackson, starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom
Rated PG-13

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is the second installment of Peter Jackson’s acclaimed film trilogy of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel. The movie follows the continuing journey of Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee as they make their way to Mordor to destroy the One Ring, while the rest of the Fellowship of the Ring is scattered throughout Middle-Earth. Along the way, they make new allies, such as the Ents of Fangorn and the Riders of Rohan, and battle the growing forces of Sauron and Saruman. Amidst the epic battles, Frodo and Sam must keep their minds focused on the task at hand, for if the Ring reaches Mordor, all of Middle-Earth will be in peril.

From Peter Jackson, starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Sean Bean
Rated PG-13

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is an epic fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson and based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. The story follows hobbit Frodo Baggins as he embarks on an epic quest to destroy the One Ring, a powerful artifact that holds the fate of Middle-Earth in its power. Along the way, he is joined by a fellowship of nine allies including the wizard Gandalf, the elf Legolas, and the dwarf Gimli. Together they must overcome powerful forces of evil that are determined to obtain the One Ring and use it for their own dark and sinister purposes. Along the way, they face orcs, Nazgûl, and the deadly Balrog. In the end, Frodo and his brave companions must face the ultimate evil—Sauron, the Dark Lord of Mordor—in a battle for the fate of Middle-Earth.

From David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Meat Loaf, Zach Grenier
Rated R

Fight Club is a 1999 American dark comedy-drama film directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter. The film tells the story of an insomniac office worker who forms an underground fight club with Tyler Durden, a mysterious soap salesman. The two begin to create chaos and havoc throughout the city. As the fight club's popularity grows, its members turn to extreme and sometimes dangerous activities, leading to an all-out war against the world's financial institutions. The film explores themes of masculinity, freedom, and anti-establishmentarianism. It was a box office success, and despite its controversial subject matter, it has been critically acclaimed.

From Directors: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
Rated R

The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction action film directed by the Wachowskis. It stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, a computer programmer who discovers that the reality he knows is actually a simulated reality created by machines to keep humans under control. Neo is subsequently contacted by Morpheus, a legendary computer hacker, who explains the truth about the Matrix and offers Neo a chance to join the fight against the machines. With the help of Trinity, Morpheus, and other rebels, Neo learns how to manipulate the Matrix and has to battle Agent Smith and other agents of the Matrix in order to save humanity.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco
Rated R

Goodfellas is a 1990 crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the non-fiction book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi. It follows the rise and fall of Henry Hill, a member of the Lucchese crime family in New York City. The film stars Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco and Paul Sorvino. Goodfellas follows the story of Henry Hill, an Irish-Italian American living in the neighborhood of East New York, Brooklyn. As a young man, Henry enters the world of organized crime and quickly rises through the ranks. Along the way, he forms powerful friendships with fellow mobsters Tommy DeVito and Jimmy Conway. Henry and his friends eventually become involved in various criminal activities, ranging from extortion and fraud to drug distribution and murder. As their power and wealth grows, their actions become increasingly reckless and dangerous. In the end, Henry is charged with several counts of racketeering and sent to prison, his world of organized crime crumbling around him.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns
Rated R

Saving Private Ryan is a World War II drama directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Hanks and Matt Damon. The film follows a group of US soldiers, led by Captain John Miller, who are sent on a mission to locate and rescue Private James Ryan, an American paratrooper whose three brothers have recently been killed in combat. As they travel through war-torn Europe, the soldiers must battle their way through German forces in order to find Ryan and bring him home. Along the way, they experience acts of great courage, kindness and friendship that cause them to question the true nature of the war and their own purpose in it. The film is a powerful story of heroism, sacrifice, and the tragedy of war.

From Roberto Benigni, starring Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini, Giustino Durano
Rated PG-13

Life Is Beautiful is a 1997 Italian comedic drama film written and directed by Roberto Benigni and starring Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, and Giorgio Cantarini. Set in the 1930s in Italy, the film tells the story of a Jewish bookkeeper, Guido Orefice, and his family during the Holocaust. Guido and his family are sent to a concentration camp, and Guido uses his humor and charm to protect his son, Giosué, from the horrors of their surroundings. Through Guido's strength and creativity, Giosué is able to find joy and hope in even the darkest of times. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning three Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Benigni and Best Foreign Language Film.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Mackenzie Foy
Rated PG-13

Interstellar is a sci-fi adventure film directed by Christopher Nolan. It follows Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), a former test pilot and engineer who, along with a team of researchers, embarks on a mission through a wormhole in search of a new home for humanity. Having been forced to abandon Earth due to an environmental apocalypse, Cooper and the team travel through space and time, encountering a mysterious alien race, while also struggling with the personal consequences of their journey. Along the way, they must make difficult decisions, and Cooper must ultimately face the ultimate test of his courage, ingenuity, and self-sacrifice in order to save the future of mankind.

From Frank Darabont, starring Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt
Rated R

The Green Mile is a 1999 American fantasy drama film directed by Frank Darabont and adapted from the 1996 Stephen King novel of the same name. The film stars Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, and James Cromwell. The story follows Paul Edgecomb, the officer in charge of Death Row at the fictional Cold Mountain Penitentiary, who develops a unique friendship with one of the inmates, John Coffey, a giant African-American man convicted of murdering two young girls. Coffey exhibits mysterious and miraculous healing powers, which Edgecomb discovers after Coffey is accused and sentenced to death. Through their relationship, Edgecomb comes to confront his own beliefs and morality of the death penalty. The film was a commercial and critical success, grossing over $286 million and receiving four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.

From Luc Besson, starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello
Rated R

Léon: The Professional is a 1994 action thriller directed by Luc Besson. The movie stars Jean Reno as Léon, a professional hitman living in New York City, who takes in a 12-year-old girl, Mathilda (Natalie Portman) after her family is killed by the corrupt Drug Enforcement Administration agent Stansfield (Gary Oldman). In order to protect Mathilda from further harm, Léon agrees to teach her the skills of a hitman. Together, the two form an unlikely bond as they try to avenge Mathilda’s family and take down Stansfield. Along the way, Mathilda learns the importance of loyalty, friendship, and morality in the criminal underworld.

From Roman Polanski, starring Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay, Emilia Fox
Rated R

The Pianist is a 2002 biographical drama film directed by Roman Polanski, starring Adrien Brody and Emilia Fox. Based on the autobiography of the same name by Jewish-Polish musician and Holocaust survivor Władysław Szpilman, the film follows Szpilman's experiences in Warsaw during World War II. The film begins in 1939 with Szpilman, a renowned pianist and composer, playing a live performance on the radio as the Germans invade Poland. Szpilman and his family are soon forced into the Warsaw Ghetto, where they struggle to survive under inhumane conditions. Szpilman eventually manages to escape and evade capture until the end of the war. He finds refuge in the ruins of Warsaw, where he is aided by a German officer who is moved by his plight. The film follows Szpilman's struggles amidst the devastation of war, and his eventual survival despite the overwhelming odds stacked against him. It is an emotionally powerful story about the strength of the human spirit and the power of music to bring hope in the darkest of times.

From Damien Chazelle, starring Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist, Paul Reiser
Rated R

Whiplash is a 2014 American drama film written and directed by Damien Chazelle. It stars Miles Teller as Andrew Neiman, an ambitious jazz drummer attending prestigious music school, and J. K. Simmons as Fletcher, his abusive instructor. The film follows Neiman's struggle to achieve greatness under Fletcher's tutelage, which leads to a brutal clash of wills. The film also stars Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist, Austin Stowell, and Nate Lang. The film follows Andrew's journey from naive freshman to the verge of becoming one of the greatest jazz drummers of his generation. Andrew's ambitiousness, dedication, and hard work are constantly put to the test by Fletcher's intense and demanding teaching style. Andrew is pushed to the brink of his breaking point, as he endures physical and mental exhaustion and is pushed against his own morality. In the end, Andrew is able to tap into something that brings out his very best performances. Whiplash is a gripping and powerful drama that not only depicts the intense passion and pressure of the music world, but also the unique relationship between a teacher and a student. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Simmons.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover
Rated PG

Back to the Future is a 1985 American science fiction adventure comedy film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale. It stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover and Thomas F. Wilson. The plot follows Marty McFly, a young high school student, as he is sent back in time to 1955, where he meets his future parents and becomes his mother's romantic interest. Marty must then repair the damage to history by ensuring that his parents-to-be fall in love and ultimately, that he returns to the future. Along the way, Marty and his friend Dr. Emmett Brown must also deal with the accidental invention of a time machine, the consequences of which could prove disastrous. The film was a critical and commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1985 and receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Music, Original Song. It spawned a media franchise that includes two sequels, an animated television series, two theme park rides, and a variety of merchandise.

From Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed
Rated R

Gladiator is an epic historical drama directed by Ridley Scott in 2000. Set in 180 AD, the film follows the story of Maximus Decimus Meridius, a trusted general of the Roman Empire. When the emperor's son, Commodus, murders his father and takes the throne, Maximus is forced into slavery and trained to become a gladiator. Despite his circumstances, Maximus rises to the top of the gladiator ranks, determined to avenge his family’s death by exacting revenge on Commodus in the arena. While struggling with his own loyalty to Rome, Maximus must use his immense skill and courage to fight for his freedom and ultimately, the fate of an empire.

From Directors: Olivier Nakache, Éric Toledano, starring François Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny, Audrey Fleurot
Rated R

The Intouchables is a 2011 French comedy-drama film written and directed by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano. It depicts the friendship between a wealthy quadriplegic and his ex-con caretaker. The film follows Driss (Omar Sy), an ex-convict from the projects of Paris, who applies for a job as the caretaker of Phillipe (François Cluzet), a wealthy and disabled white man. Despite having no qualifications or experience, Driss charms Phillipe with his enthusiasm and they quickly form a close bond. The two of them embark on a series of adventures and misadventures, learning to appreciate and accept their differences. Through their experiences, both men come to understand the importance of friendship and the value of life.

From Tony Kaye, starring Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo, Jennifer Lien
Rated R

American History X is a 1998 American crime drama film starring Edward Norton and Edward Furlong. The film tells the story of two brothers from Venice, California, Derek and Danny Vinyard, who become caught up in the neo-Nazi movement. Derek, the older brother, is the leader of a group of skinheads and serves three years in prison for voluntary manslaughter. Upon his release, he strives to distance himself from the movement and prevent Danny from following in his footsteps. At its core, American History X is a powerful story of redemption. It explores the consequences of hatred and violence, and examines how prejudice can tear apart families and communities. It also delves into the complexities of race relations, crime, and the power of redemption.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies
Rated PG

Set in 1936, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark follows the adventures of brave and daring archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford). Indy must recover the ancient Ark of the Covenant before it falls into the hands of a group of Nazis led by the villainous Dr. René Belloq (Paul Freeman). Along the way, Indy teams up with a feisty, yet beautiful former flame, Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), who helps him battle his way through booby traps and other obstacles. Along the way, they battle Nazis in a thrilling series of chases, fights, and escapes. In the end, Indy triumphs and the Ark is recovered, but not before Belloq and the Nazis suffer a divine punishment for their evil deeds.