We like to help you find new movies to watch, and we often pick the best HBO Max movies either by unanimous consensus or by Rotten Tomatoes scores. Sometimes, though, when we see a new slate of movies coming out, we like to curate the list with a more personal touch.
Coming from the February and March 2023 batches of newcomers on HBO Max, plenty of $10 to $16 a month movies are coming in. And so I picked my five favorites from the collection (which includes two critically acclaimed films).
These include a brilliant and poignant directorial debut, a sports thriller and a trio of laugh-packed comedies, each of which, in their own right, is a contender for your next movie night (even if you haven’t seen them all).
This is the end (2013)
Although they weren’t The Brat Pack or The Frat Pack, the goofy group of actors who had varying degrees of ties to directors Judd Apatow and Paul Feig were all great in their various projects. But assembled in a fun and goofy band, they hold a house party they don’t know will precede the end of the world? These guys are shaped like Voltron to get great results – they play themselves.
The story begins simply enough, with Rogen being visited by Baruchel (the least successful of the group), who has been given all the money to buy all the Stoner accessories ever made. Then, they decided to throw the big party at James Franco’s house, where Michael Cera was the weirdest version of himself ever. Then the end of time will come.
Watching a group of friends play twisted versions of themselves has never been better.
Connect to HBO Max at: March 1, 2023
Type: comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
stars: James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson
Managers: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg
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eighth grade (2018)
While Bo Burnham may be best known for his inside Netflix special, his directorial debut in eighth grade is just as impressive, tackling the anxiety and stress of the pre-secondary school year in a loving and sensitive way. Burnham Cams follows Kayla (Fisher), a middle school student who desperately wants admission and posts motivational videos online.
Her father (Hamilton) wants more for his girl, and Kayla’s chance among her peers at a pool party leads her to interact with her crush (Luke Prael) and a cute boy (Jake Ryan) who might be better for her.
I still remember seeing eighth grade in theaters, and feeling like it was somewhere between drama and excitement about the terrible world that is middle school.
Connect to HBO Max at: February 1, 2023
Type: Coming-of-age drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 99%
stars: Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton, Emily Robinson, Jake Ryan, Daniel Zolghadri
exit: Bo Burnham
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Creed (2015)
The game has spawned two sequels, and Creed – which is technically a sequel in its own right – is the story of Apollo Creed’s nameless son Adonis (Jordan), who convinces his father’s old rival Rocky (Stallone) to train him.
Sometimes all it takes for a movie to be permanently affixed to my “I won’t change the channel away” list is one perfect scene. And while the first Creed movie is filled with amazing moments, I always think of his training montages, a staple of the Rocky franchise. After Adonis works out in the gym and runs on the treadmill, he spends a moment with Rocky who’s in rough shape, all of which builds the emotions of the movie to the boiling point that hits as Adonis runs through the streets of Philly.
Adonis starts out alone in gray sweats, but the entire neighborhood of motorcycles and ATV’s joins him on the road. While Rocky the Boxer was an individual who has climbed the ranks of success, this moment makes Creed feel like a product of a community.
Connect to HBO Max at: March 1, 2023
Type: drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
stars: Michael B Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad
exit: Ryan Coogler
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I Love You, Man (2009)
Making friends as an adult can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you’re an introvert. This is the situation faced by Peter (Rod), a real estate agent who has just been engaged to his girlfriend Zoe (Jones), as he will have difficulty finding the best man for their wedding. Eventually, after being too quick to make male friends, Peter meets Sidney (Siegel), and their relationship is on Rush, among other things. The only problem? Well, Sydney isn’t a perfect best man, as he’s a bit rough around the edges for some.
And honestly, if you don’t feel like watching I Love You, Man from the description above, I’m assuming you haven’t seen enough of Rudd’s or Segel’s best work. They both play their characters in a casual and effortless manner as they seem to know the roles instinctively.
Connect to HBO Max at: March 1, 2023
Type: Romantic comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
stars: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, Jaime Pressly, Jon Favreau, Jane Curtin
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Wayne’s World (1992)
If not for HBO Max, I would have had to pay to see the first movie I ever loved: Wayne’s World (my VHS copy is worthless). While not the first movie based on an SNL skit, Wayne’s World was the first comedy I couldn’t stop watching (I was shocked my tape didn’t screw up).
In it, we meet public television talk show hosts Wayne Campbell (Myers) and Garth Algar (Carvey), who are recording from my father’s former basement. And while they’re having fun, a sticky cast of TV execs (Lowe) makes his way into the script, looking to cash in on men’s cravings and try to steal Cassandra (Carrere), Wayne’s girlfriend who fronts a rock band.
Laugh-out-loud funny, focused on friendship, Wayne’s World is the kind of movie I’d be happy to see hit HBO Max. Oh, and Parks and Rec fans should pay attention to how Mr. Lowe pronounces a certain word.
Connect to HBO Max at: February 1, 2023
Type: comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 79%
stars: Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Rob Lowe, Tia Carrey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Lara Flynn Boyle
exit: Penelope Spires
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