HBO Maxis one of thebiggest streaming servicesin the world at the moment. Between all the top-tier HBO shows likeThe Last of UsandThe White Lotusand their repertoire of classic film, there’s a lot to love on the service. There’s so much content in fact that there is certainly also a huge contingent of titles that is going under seen and undervalued in the depths of the service’s catalog. A few years of original movies, documentaries, and shows tend to pile up, so even the most ardent fans and frequent users ofHBO Maxwill have undoubtedly passed over a batch of quality content. We’re going to try and remedy that with this list.
In this current phase of Steven Soderbergh’s career, he’s really all about trying out weird ideas. Whether it was his duo of shot-on-iPhone experiments inUnsaneandHigh Flying Birdor his oddball return to heist films withLogan Lucky, he’s always trying something new.Kimiis another one of Soderbergh’s experiments and one that pays out in spades. A techno-thriller likeBlow OutorThe Conversationthat is told in a post-COVID world and mixed with a bit ofRear Window,Kimisees an agoraphobic tech worker uncover a crime that was better off hidden. Zoë Kravitz is perfect in her lead role, and Soderbergh knows how to drive the tension to a boiling point without much effort.Kimiis tight, lean, and sets your teeth on edge with the slightest movement; it’s a textbook barn burner in the theater, and it’s a shame we never had that opportunity.
9The Fallout
Navigating the very prescient and very real trauma associated with being a survivor of a school shooting,The Falloutis the directorial debut of filmmaker Megan Park and one of the most interesting HBO Max originals to date.The Falloutventures to contextualize and unpack the trauma and effects of violence harbored by survivors in this situation and does so through simple but effective storytelling tools. The film’s haunting score permeates the margins of each and every scene, providing this lingering feeling of dread that puts you in the shoes of the lead characters. Playing the two lead survivors areactresses Jenna Ortegaand Maddie Ziegler — both of whom have blown up since they starred in this film. They both give committed and emotional performances that are in service of this equally emotional and thought-provoking teen drama. Give it a watch next time you’re scrolling through HBO Max.
8No Sudden Move
Speaking of Soderbergh,No Sudden Moveis his other direct-to-HBO Max effort that should’ve gotten a lot more love when it came out in 2021 than it did. With a killer cast including the likes of Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, Brendan Fraser, David Harbour, and Amy Seimetz, Soderbergh and screenwriter Ed Solomon create a high-tension crime thriller that oddly enough has great thematic material.No Sudden Movefollows a group of small-time criminals who are brought together under mysterious circumstances and have to then figure out what’s really going on when their simple job goes extremely sideways. While the film on its face sounds like a by-the-numbers crime drama, Solomon’s script and Soderbergh’s vision create a film that is as message driven as it is action driven. There’s an anti-corruption, anti-corporate message lying at the heart ofNo Sudden Move,a facet that you never see coming, but are going to be glad is there. It’s a great way to kill two hours and doesn’t get enough love on HBO Max.
Related:Steven Soderbergh’s 10 Most Underrated Movies, Ranked
7Citizen Ashe
A documentary following the life and career of tennis champion and political activist Arthur Ashe,Citizen Ashemight not be the most exciting of the films featured on this list. It won’t be something that you feel really jazzed about having watched, recommending it to every person that you meet for the following week. The reasons for its appearance is, in fact, quite simple: Ashe’s story is one of great importance and the manner in which it’s told in this documentary (from producer and legendary documentarian Alex Gibney and director Rex Miller) really offers something quite interesting to peruse.
6An American Pickle
Coming from debut director (but frequent cinematographer) Brandon Trost and writer Simon Rich,An American Pickleis one of the many “studio” comedies that have seen release on HBO Max. Starring Seth Rogen in both of the lead roles,An American Picklefollows the story of a European Jewish immigrant who gets preserved in a vat of pickles and wakes up a century later in modern-day New York City, attempting to fit in with the assistance of his last remaining descendant. The film is a fun, yet somewhat emotional romp, about aging and feeling lost in a fast moving world, all while giving Rogen a good vehicle to show off his acting chops. The cinematography is quite fantastic as well, which makes sense since Trost was the cinematographer for directors like Mark Neveldine/Brian Taylor and Rob Zombie, as well as in previous Seth Rogen projects.An American Pickleflew under the radar when it came out, but should be revisited.
5Unpregnant
Another comedy that saw direct-to-HBO Max release,Unpregnantgained little traction when it was birthed onto the service in 2020. Based on the novel of the same name by Ted Caplan and Jenni Hendriks,Unpregnantfollows the story of a pregnant teenager Veronica (Haley Lu Richardson), who discovers that she cannot get an abortion in her home state of Missouri without her parents' permission, so she convinces her not-so-best friend Bailey (Barbie Ferreira) to take a road trip with her to Albuquerque, so she can get an abortion. It’s a decidedly heavy premise, but Ferreira and Richardson have great chemistry that shines even in the darkest moments of the film. The premise of the film has only grown more prescient since it’s release, so it’s a good topical comedy should you be looking for something like that. Even despite its topical nature,Unpregnantthrives on the interactions between its at times uneasy leads.
Related:Best Movies Coming to HBO Max in March 2023
4Charm City Kings
Based on the 2013 documentary12 O’Clock Boysand featuring a story by Chris Boyd, Kirk Sullivan, and Barry Jenkins,Charm City Kingsis an unfortunate victim of recent actions by HBO Max. While the film was released on the service in January 2020, the acquisition shake-up of Warner Bros. led the company to removing the film from the service in August 2022, which is a huge shame because the film is quite good. Executive produced by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith,Charm City Kingsis about a 14-year-old boy named Mouse (Jahi Di’Allo Winston), who wants to join the ranks of a notorious group of bike riders in Baltimore known as the Midnight Clique. It’s a really smart and intriguing examination of intercity youth, transgressing with tropes of the coming-of-age genre in a few interesting ways while still delivering an endearing drama. If you’re able to find this film somewhere, it is well worth the effort and watch.
3Santa Camp
While a goofy concept from the outset, 2022’s documentarySanta Campis an all-around good time. Based on the story of the titular Santa camp as they attempt to address concerns around their lack of diversity,Santa Campfollows new trainees: a Black Santa, a transgender Santa, and a Santa with a disability. The film also spends some time dissecting the role of Mrs. Claus in these appearances, as well as calls for equal pay across the board. It’s a fascinating little documentary that opens the door on an odd, yet really endearing subculture that you never would have heard about otherwise. Nothing about the filmmaking or techniques of the film will surprise you, but the strength of the film comes in its concept and subjects.
2David Byrne’s American Utopia
The spiritual successor to the greatest concert film ever (Stop Making Sense),David Byrne’s American Utopiais the filmed version of the Talking Heads frontman’s Broadway show of the same name. For fans of Talking Heads, David Byrne, or even just people craving a good time,American Utopiais one of the best ways to spend two hours on HBO Max. There is so much life and ingenuity coursing through the veins of each of these songs and their performances. You’ll hear some of the best Talking Heads hits, as well as some of Byrne’s best solo material, and be treated to a special performance of Janelle Monae’s “Hell You Talmbout.” Not many will see a concert film as the best way to spend a night in front of the TV, butDavid Byrne’s American Utopiawill change your mind in that regard.
1Judas and the Black Messiah
While not necessarily forgotten — it received Oscar nominations and a win in 2022 — 2021’sJudas and the Black Messiahsort of gets lost in the shuffle on HBO Max. Sandwiched in between a batch of the biggest Project Popcorn releases in that year,Judasis a biopic following the FBI infiltration of the Black Panther party, the man (LaKeith Stanfield) who got close to party leader Fred Hampton (Oscar-winner Daniel Kaluuya), and how the FBI murdered Hampton in cold blood. It’s an undeniably important story that features some of the best performances of that year in Kaluuya and supporting actress Dominique Fishback, as well as some interesting directorial flourishes from relative newcomer/director Shaka King.Judas and the Black Messiahis a piece of necessary filmmaking, with a message that is not only still relevant, but all the more salient in our current climate. Even though Hampton’s voice was snuffed out too early, his voice is now able to resonant with a whole new generation through this film.
