50 Best Movies on HBO Max You Have to Watch [Updated May 2024]

What are the best movies on HBO Max? Since the launch of HBO Max, owned by the Warner brothers and discovery, the on-demand service has exclusive rights to the best movie library out there.

So, HBO Max has the full saga available whether you enjoy DC movies like Batman or are a potter-head. Here are our recommendations for the best movies you can find on HBO max, including timeless pieces and new releases.

With the debut of HBO Max, we have many options. From the oldest production of Warner Bros to the latest ones by HBO. You can also watch these shows and jump into other countries’ libraries using a premium VPN like ExpressVPN. Here how:

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50 Best Movies on HBO Max to Stream Everywhere in [Updated May 2024]

A complete list of the Best Movies on HBO Max that you can watch without interruption by subscribing to a premium VPN.

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Nightmare Alley (2021)

• IMDb: 7/10
• Genre: Thriller/Drama
• Run Time: 2h 30m

Nightmare Alley is a psychological thriller by Del Toro in a 40s’ neo-noir setting. Stanton Carlisle is a helpless man out to find his next opportunity. After stumbling upon a moving carnival, Stanton, in a turn of events, ends up leaving the festival with one of the female performers. A little time down the road, he has perfected the act of conning people. How long can he keep up the show until all his secrets are out of the bag?

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The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

• IMDb: 9.3/10
• Genre: Crime/Drama
• Run Time: 2h 22m

Set inside prison, the film draws on the life of inmates and their bond. Andy is a new inmate sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his wife and her lover. After striking a friendship with Ellis, one of the oldest inmates, he learns the trick and way of things in prison. A film narrated by Morgan Freeman as he dictates the story of the most unconventional inmate he lived with.

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Drive My Car (2021)

• IMDb: 7.6/10
• Genre: Action/Adventure
• Run time: 2h 59m

Drive my car is a Japanese drama film. The award-winning film tells the story of Yusuke and Oto, a talented theater production couple. When he finds her dead on the floor after returning home one day. A little time down the road, he finds a residency in Hiroshima, where he is assigned a female Chauffer. The two flourished, a friendship healing each other.

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The French Dispatch (2021)

• IMDb: 7.1/10
• Genre: Comedy /Drama
• Run Time: 1h 48m

The French dispatch is a fictional movie set in 1975. The story starts when the magazine editor, The French Dispatch, is found dead in Ennui-Sur-Blasé. Upon drawing his will, the editor stated a total suspension of the magazine except for the final issue meant the farewell to him alone. The movie plays the last four articles ending with an obituary for the editor’s farewell.

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Blue Bayou (2021)

• IMDb: 7.1/10
• Genre: Drama
• Run Time: 1h 57m

Antonia was adopted as a child; the Korean American has spent all his life in Louisiana Bayou. He is honest and hardworking, but his life is threatened when the ghosts of his past haunt him. He fears being deported when he realizes his adoptive parents never naturalized him according to the new laws.

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No Country for Old Men (2007)

• IMDb: 8.2/10
• Genre: Crime/Drama
• Run Time: 2h 2m

Violence follows the life of a once peaceful hunter out in the wild. Uncovering unclaimed money from a drug deal gone wrong, he finds himself possessing 2 million dollars. What he thought was harmless money now has a hungry psychotic killer pursuing him.

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The Dark Knight (2008)

• IMDb: 9/10
• Genre: Action/Crime
• Run Time: 2h 32m

Goatham has finally been peaceful for a while. After Batman raged with Gordan and Dent against the crimes in Gotham. The attacked mob hires the Joker. He is a sworn enemy of Batman and a criminal psychopath who wants to see Gotham fall, but most of all, he wants to kill Batman.

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The Truman Show (1998)

• IMDb: 8.2/10
• Genre: Sci-fi/Comedy
• Run Time: 1h 43m

It Starring Jim carry as an insurance salesman. While things in his life seem normal, love, heartbreak, celebrations, and interaction, what he is oblivious to is that his whole life is a reality show. Nothing is true in the world he knows and the people he meets. Everyone is an actor in the reality show he stars in.

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The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

• IMDb: 8.1/10
• Genre: Comedy
• Run Time: 1h 40m

Narrated by Zero, the owner of the Grand Budapest Hotel, tells the tale of how he became the hotel’s owner from being the lobby boy. The story sparks a great friendship and love, the struggles he went through to prove the innocence of his friend Gustave when he was falsely accused of murder.

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King Richard (2021)

• IMDb: 7.5/10
• Genre: Biography/Drama
• Run Time: 2h 25m

It Starring Will Smith as Richard William, an ever-supporting father to his daughter Venus and Serena. The film showcases the journey of Serena and Venus; the two come from an unprivileged household and dream of prevailing in the world of women’s tennis.

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The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)

• IMDb: 7.1/10
• Genre: Romance/Sci-fi
• Run Time: 1h 48m

Henry is like any other person. He has a normal job and wife but, alas, not a very normal life. He possesses a unique gene build. The movie surrounds the struggles of his wife and how she copes with keeping their relationship on track.

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The Last Duel (2021)

• IMDb: 7.4/10
• Genre: Action/Drama
• Run Time: 2h 33m

The last duel is a very underrated work by Ridley Scott, the director. The movie is divided into three parts, describing the different perspectives of the three people involved. Jean is a knight known in all the land for his bravery and discipline, while his best friend, Jacques, is a squire, a noble most desired in the court. When jeans wife accuses his friend of sexual assault, all three’s lives are jeopardized. With duel till one dies.

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The Wizard of Oz (1939)

• IMDb: 8.1/10
• Genre: Fantasy /Adventure
• Run Time: 1h 42m

The Wizard of Oz is one of the most successful motion pictures of all time. The film is known for its spectacular production, whimsical characters, and witty dialogue. It is an entertaining film for all ages. It’s also a timeless classic.

The film is based on the novel by L. Frank Baum, which has been a favorite of children for many generations. The story follows the journey of a girl named Dorothy, who finds herself in a magical land called Oz. The main character is an obedient Kansas farm girl named Dorothy Gale, who dreams of traveling “somewhere over the rainbow.”

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My Cousin Vinny (1992)

• IMDb: 7.6/10
• Genre: Crime/Comedy
• Run Time: 2h

Directed by Jonathan Lynn, my cousin Vinny is a comedy-crime film. When Billy calls out his inexperienced cousin Vinny to fight the trial for him and his friend. Held was accused of the murder of a convenience store owner in Alabama on their way to college. The loudmouth, the New York lawyer, defends the trial.

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Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes (2022)

• IMDb: 8/10
• Genre: Documentary/Drama
• Run time: 1h 31m

The greatest catastrophe of human existence is Chornobyl. Directed by James Jones, the documentary discusses in detail what led to the mishap and its effects on its surroundings. With new tapes about the affected people and their interviews.

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Chef (2014)

• IMDb: 7.3/10
• Genre: Comedy/Drama
• Run time: 1h 54m

Directed and starred by Jon Favreau, the film revolves around a once-popular chef trying to make out on his own. Carl heads out to do something different when the restaurant fires the chef after a wrongful criticism. He fixes up a food truck to become popular and earn a good name again.

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Donnie Darko (2001)

• IMDb: 8/10
• Genre: Mystery/ Thriller
• Run Time: 1h 54m

Directed by Richard Kelly, Donnie Darko is a euphoric American psycho-thriller. Donnie is a quiet and troubled teenager. After nearly making it out of the accident that could have ended up horrifically, he starts having recurring flashes of a figure in a bunny costume. Befriending the figure only he can see, Frank the bunny reveals to him that the world will collapse in 28 days.

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Julia

• IMDb: 7.5/10
• Genre: Biography/ Documentary
• Run Time: 1h 35m

Julia Cohen and Betsy West direct the biographical documentary of the renowned chef Julia child. The French-inspired chef star taught America to look at food and television differently. The film revolves around the legendary world-class chef who broke into the world of cooking and prevailed. An iconic woman from all walks of life.

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Kill Bill: Vol.1 (2003)

• IMDb: 8.2/10
• Genre: Crime/Action
• Run Time: 1h 51m

Directed by Quentin Tarantino, kill bill is an Acton and crime movie. The bride is a paid assassin who works for Bill. While pregnant, the assassin was attacked by her boss and suffered severe head trauma, which ended her in a coma. Fast forward to four years later, The Bride is back with a vengeance to kill her boss and his mob; her one mission is to Kill Bill!

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Unforgiven (1992)

• IMDb: 8.2/10
• Genre: Drama
• Run Time: 2h 10m

Directed by Clint Eastwood, Unforgiven is set in the west. William Munny was a gunfighter along with his pal Ned Logan. When he married, he left the life of guns and bullets behind. After years of parting way, William, now a widower and father to two daughters, take on one last task of his life on the plea from Schofield Kid.

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The Departed (2006)

• IMDb: 8.5/10
• Genre: Crime/Thriller
• Run Time: 2h 31m

Directed by Martin Scorsese, the departed is a film about broken trust and betrayal. A spy and an undercover agent, both out to penetrate a close-knit Irish gang. In hopes of being accepted into the gang, they both find themselves in a constant cat-and-mouse race against each other.

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Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

• IMDb: 7.8/10
• Genre: Comedy/Drama
• Run Time: 1h 42m

Directed by Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton, the film follows a family’s journey. The friendly yet imperfect family makes the movie a great watch. After their 11-year-old daughter participates in a beauty pageant, the family drives across the country to support her.

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Dunkirk (2017)

• IMDb: 7.8/10
• Genre: War/Action
• Run Time: 1h 47m

Directed by Christopher Nolan, the film is set in the mayhem of World War 2. On the white sandy shores by the sea, the troops of Great Britain and their allies find themselves surrounded by the enemy. Soldiers from the German and France empires, allies to the British, try to escape mass imprisonment and bloodshed as their only hope is by water.

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Adaptation (2002)

• IMDb: 7.7/10
• Genre: Comedy/ Drama
• Run Time: 1h 55m

Directed by Spike Jonze, Adaptation is a movie about two twins, David and Charlie. While Charlie has a huge project aligned with Columbia pictures, the screenwriter suffers from writer’s block and is way over his deadline. David gains inspiration from his brother and becomes a screenwriter too. While one finds inspiration to write a film adaptation of the movie of Orchid thief, other dark secrets surface.

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Joker

• IMDb: 8.4/10
• Genre: Thriller/Drama
• Run Time: 2h 2m

Directed by Todd Phillips, the film is the origin story of Batman’s sworn enemy, The Joker. Once a party clown known as Arthur Fleck worked to nurse his mother back to health, but his poverty prevented him. The party clown is bullied, shunned, and failed by society. He falls into the pit of crime and mayhem.

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V for Vendetta

• IMDb: 8.2/10
• Genre: Sci-fi/Adventure
• Run Time: 2h 12m

Directed by James McTeigue comes another adaptation of v for vendetta. In the future, the government has grown cruel. Great Britain is falling into the hands of evil; the societies are oppressed; thus, a fighter rises. Vendetta, with his motive in place, however his tactics are frowned upon, would go to all lengths for justice to ascend.

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In the Heights (2021)

• IMDb: 7.3/10
• Genre: Drama
• Run Time: 2h 23

Usnavi is a store manager in Washington heights. The musical, directed by Jon M. Chu, showcases the journey of Usnavi as he tries to find his way back to his parent’s homeland. At the same time, his life back in Washington heights is weaved in with others.

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The Fallout (2021)

• IMDb: 7/10
• Genre: Thriller/Drama
• Run Time: 1h 36m

Directed by Megan Park, the film fallout is about self-exploration and reevaluating one’s life and purpose. High schooler Vada strikes up a sudden and strong friendship with Mia. She finds ways to better herself—the journey of discovering and then rediscovering oneself while taking chances.

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The Iron Giant (1999)

• IMDb: 8.1/10
• Genre: Sci-fi/Animated
• Run Time: 1h 26m

An original production by Warner Bros from 1999, directed by Brad Bird. The movie follows the life of a small boy and his friendship with an alien. The young boy who roamed the town in1950 befriends an alien who looks like a robot from the woods. Left on earth, the innocent robot means no harm, yet a government agent is out to kill him.

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Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

• IMDb: 7.8/10
• Genre: Rom-Com
• Run Time: 1h 34m

Directed by Wes Anderson, the movie revolves around young love. When the 12-year-old Sam, an orphan, finally finds love and acceptance in Suzy, the two run away to a cave on the island of New England. But, with two missing children, the town throws a fit to find them.

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Shiva Baby (2021)

• IMDb: 7.1/10
• Genre: Drama/LGBTQ
• Run Time: 1h 18m

Shiva baby, directed by Emma Seligman, is an LGBTQ movie. The comedy movie kicks off when Danielle runs into her sugar daddy, max, and his perfect wife, Kim, along with their daughter. A drama uprolls at the Jewish funeral home when they come face to face.

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Constantine (2005)

• IMDb: 7/10
• Genre: Fantasy/Horror
• Run Time: 2h 1m

Directed by Francis Lawrence, the movie Constantine is an original movie by Warner bros. In hopes of rejoining and investigating the mysterious death of his twin sister, detective Angela seeks John Constantine out. Constantine, a supernatural exorcist, and demonologist goes through hell and back only to conclude that the world is threatened by whatever Angela is pursuing.

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The Empty Man (2020)

• IMDb: 6.2/10
• Genre: Thriller/Drama
• Run Time: 2h 17m

The empty man, directed by David Prior, is a horror movie. When a little girl goes missing, mysteriously enough with very little to lead the investigation. James Lasombra, a very talented and retired policeman, takes it upon himself to crack the case. Unfortunately, while following the clues, the cases lead him to a cult that has unleashed and summoned a dark-cloaked figure known as the Empty man.

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The Da Vinci Code

• IMDb: 6.6/10
• Genre: Mystery/Thriller
• Run Time: 2h 29m

Based on the book with the same name. Directed by Ron Howard, the Crime-mystery movie revolves around professor Robert Langdon. After waking up in a hospital and being dragged into the hallway with little memory, the symbolist sets out to read and solve a murder case. A cryptographer accompanied them to Paris, where the clues to the case lie in a painting by da Vinci.

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Ron’s Gone Wrong

• IMDb: 7/10
• Genre: Animation/Comedy
• Run Time: 1h 47m

Ron gone wrong is a children’s animated movie directed by Sarah Smith and J.P.Vine. When a socially awkward and shy kid receives his first robot, he becomes extremely excited. But unfortunately, the robot that was supposed to be his best friend and companion doesn’t last long before it starts to malfunction. So, is this the end of Ron the Robot?

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Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off

• IMDb: 8/10
• Genre: Biography/Documentary
• Run Time: 2h 15m

Directed by Sam Jones comes a biographical documentary starring the most famous skater, Tom Hawk. The original production of HBO, available on HBO Max, includes a special documentary about his life and career. In addition, he is sharing exclusive footage and video of his life’s best work.

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Fantastic Beast: A Natural History

• IMDb: 6.6/10
• Genre: Fantasy/Documentary
• Run Time: 58m

Directed by Chris Chapman, Fantastic Beasts is another fantasy movie that is a prequel to Rowling’s Harry potter. The tv movie is an original production by Warner Bros. Heavily documenting the beasts in the film and their connection to the animals that roamed the earth now and hundreds of years ago—starring the magnificent JK. Rowling herself as she talks about her inspiration from nature.

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Simple as Water

• IMDb: 6.8/10
• Genre: Documentary
• Run Time: 1h 37m

Under the Oscar-winning direction of Megan Mylan, simple as water is a documentary released in 2021. the film recorded 5 families from Syria over 5 years. The film delivers the impact war has on people. The documentary celebrates the life and the bonds humans share.

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Judas and the Black Messiah

• IMDb: 7.4/10
• Genre: History/Horror
• Run Time: 2h 5m

Judas and the black messiah are a euphoric take on historical events. The movie is directed by Shaka king and develops around civil rights. When the FBI pursues William, a petty criminal, to do an inside job, he grows suspicious—tasked to get information after infiltrating the Illinois chapter of the black panther’s party. With a target on Fred Hampton, he is supposed to collect data and report back.

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Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches

• IMDb: 7.7/10
• Genre: History/Documentary
• Run Time: 1h

Frederick Douglas, also known as the prophet of freedom in the community of colored, gave five inspiring speeches. The documentary, directed by Julia Marchesi, brings 5 renowned actors in front of one camera where they recite his speeches and autobiography. The documentary illustrates how his words will always stay and impact people.

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My Dead Dad

• IMDb: 5.5/10
• Genre: Drama/Comedy
• Run Time: 1h 33m

The movie is gritty and engaging and portrays people’s emotions very realistically. Directed by Fabio Frey, my dead dad is about working through lost relationships. When Lucas’s father passes away, he leaves all he has for his son, including the apartment complex. Caught by surprise over receiving something from a father he hasn’t established contact with for the past 15 years, he tries to find out what he should do. Midst the confusion and the chaos, he learns and grieves for his father from the tenants.

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Carole King & James Taylor: Call Out My Name

• IMDb: 8.2/10
• Genre: Documentary
• Run Time: 1h 37m

Directed by Frank Marshall, James Taylor and Carole King were both legendary songwriters. The two came together to illustrate the best of performances. The documentary follows them through their 2010 Troubadour Reunion Tour. With exceptional performances and interviews, the documentary is a gem for people who enjoy good music.

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Howls Moving Castle (2004)

• IMDb: 8.2/10
• Genre: Animation/ Fantasy
• Run Time: 1h 59m

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Howls moving castle is a Japanese animated fantasy movie. In the humdrum town, Sophie works at the hat shop entrusted to her by her late father. Her life, much like her work, is dull and uneventful. However, things change when she befriends a wizard named Howl. The two spark a friendship quickly; however, Sophie is cursed by a witch, jealous of their bond, and stuck in an older woman’s body unrecognizable by anyone.

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Limbo (2021)

• IMDb: 7.1/10
• Genre: Comedy/ drama
• Run Time: 1h 44m

Directed by Ben Sharrock, Limbo is a British comedy-drama film. Set on a coast off of Scotland. In the story of the refugees waiting to be reunited with their loved ones, one such young musician in the group also awaits to meet his family again. After sending his application to the asylum, he waits to be called out. But unfortunately, the time seems to go by slowly as he travels with his grandfather’s oud.

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8-bit Christmas (2021)

• IMDb: 6.7/10
• Genre: Comedy/Family
• Run Time: 1h 38m

8-bit Christmas is an American Christmas movie directed by Michael Dowse. The children’s movie sets off when a 10-year-old boy is star-struck by the newest video game version. Set in the 1960s in Chicago, the film journey through his quest to acquire the best Christmas present for him.

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12 Years a Slave

• IMDb: 8.1/10
• Genre: History/Drama
• Run Time: 2h 14m

Directed by Steve Mcqueen, the movie 12 years of a slave is based on the true story of Solomon Northup. Northup was a free-back man, set in 1841, where black people had no rights. He was offered one in Washington. Landing a job by Brown and Hamilton, when Solomon reaches his destination, he is shocked to know that he has been drugged and sold into slavery.

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The Help (2011)

• IMDb: 8.1/10
• Genre: Drama/Adventure
• Run Time: 2h 26m

Directed by Tate Taylor, the movie surrounds the life of African American maids and their struggles. With the civil rights movement still being constructed, the movie is set in the 1960s, when the people of color still fought for their basic rights and chased to work better-paying jobs.

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Lucy the Human Chip (2021)

• IMDb: 7.3/10
• Genre: Documentary
• Run Time: 1h 19m

Lucy was a normal chimpanzee ripped off her mother when she was two days old. As an experiment for a psychology department at Oklahoma university. Now a chimpanzee with social manners grew too strong for her family. A journey of learning, unlearning, and relearning the ways of life to survive in the wild.

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Paris is Burning (1991)

• IMDb: 8.1/10
• Genre: LGBTQ/Documentary
• Run Time: 1h 11m

Directed by Jennie Livingston, the documentary brings to light the issues and culture of Drag queens and their communities. Discussing many important social contrasts like racism and poverty, the documentary mainly showcases the shunned performers’ lives as not an acceptable part of society.

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Across the Universe (2007)

• IMDb: 7.3/10
• Genre: Romance/ Musical
• Run Time: 2h 13m

Directed by Julia Taymor, the musical movie revolves around class-diverse love. When a wealthy girl from the upper class falls in love with a financially strained boy, a Liverpudlian artist in the 1960s. While one participates in anti-war movements, the other grows fonder of life as a singer and is inspired by the Beatles’ growing fame.

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That’s all, Folks!

We have made it easy for you to find the Best movies on HBO Max. From animated films to mystery to sci-fi, the options are limitless. If you enjoy a good old black-and-white movie like Citizen Kane, you can find many such in their library.

Since its debut, HBO Max has had exclusive rights to all the production of Warner Bros. These 50 best movies on HBO Max are just the tip of the iceberg. You just need to subscribe to ExpressVPN and enjoy HBO Max outside the USA. Happy binging!

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