Movies on HBO Right Now: What You're Actually Going to Watch This Weekend

Honestly, the "New on Max" scroll is a trap. You sit there for forty-five minutes, the blue light of the TV searing your retinas, only to end up watching a show you’ve already seen five times. We've all been there. But the library of movies on HBO right now is actually looking pretty stacked this January, provided you know where to look.

There is a weird mix of high-brow A24 stuff and some total "brain-off" action flicks.

It's 2026, and the streaming wars haven't slowed down, but Max (formerly HBO Max, though everyone still just calls it HBO) is leaning hard into its partnership with A24. This month, that means we're getting some heavy hitters that were just in theaters a few months ago. If you're looking for something that’ll make you think—or maybe just something to keep the kids quiet for two hours—here is the actual breakdown.

The Big January Arrivals You Can’t Miss

We have to talk about The Smashing Machine. It officially lands on January 23rd. If you haven't heard the buzz, this is the movie where Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson actually acts. Like, really acts. He plays Mark Kerr, the legendary MMA fighter, and he looks almost unrecognizable. It’s gritty, it’s painful, and it’s directed by Benny Safdie, so you know the anxiety levels are going to be through the roof.

On the lighter side of the spectrum, the first three John Wick movies just hit the platform on New Year's Day.

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I know, you've probably seen them. But there is something incredibly satisfying about watching Keanu Reeves go on a rampage over a puppy while you’re folding laundry on a Sunday afternoon. The choreography in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum still holds up as some of the best in the last decade.

A24’s Takeover of the Library

The partnership with A24 is the gift that keeps on giving for film nerds. Here’s what just dropped:

• Moonlight: The 2017 Best Picture winner. It’s beautiful, heartbreaking, and if you haven’t seen it yet, you’re missing out on a piece of cinema history.
• Ex Machina: A tech-thriller that feels way more relevant in 2026 than it did when it came out.
• Bodies Bodies Bodies: A Gen Z slasher that’s actually funny. It’s basically what happens when you put a bunch of TikTok-brained people in a mansion during a hurricane.

Movies on HBO Right Now: The Genre Breakdown

If you're in the mood for something specific, the catalog is divided into some pretty distinct vibes right now.

The Sci-Fi and Fantasy Fix

James Gunn’s Superman isn't here yet—that's still a "theatrical exclusive" for a bit longer—but you can scratch that itch with Constantine. Keanu (again!) plays a supernatural detective. It’s a bit of a cult classic, and honestly, the depiction of Hell in that movie is still one of the coolest things I’ve seen on screen.

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Then there is 65. It’s Adam Driver fighting dinosaurs.
Is it a masterpiece? No.
Is it exactly what you want to watch at 10:00 PM on a Tuesday? Absolutely.

Award Season Contenders

We're right in the middle of the 2026 awards cycle, and Max is playing host to One Battle After Another. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this one is a massive favorite for the Oscars this year. It’s a sprawling, ambitious story about revolutionaries, and it’s one of those movies you need to watch twice just to catch all the subtext.

For the Nostalgia Seekers

Mel Brooks is having a moment on the platform. With the new documentary Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man! premiering on January 22nd, Max has also uploaded Spaceballs and Blazing Saddles.

The humor in Blazing Saddles is... well, it’s a product of 1974, let’s put it that way. But as a satire of Westerns, it remains undefeated.

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What People Get Wrong About the Max Library

There's this common complaint that Max is becoming "Discovery+ with a blue logo." People see all the House Hunters and 1000-lb Sisters and think the prestige movies are gone.

That’s not really true.

The reality is that Max still has the TCM (Turner Classic Movies) hub, which is arguably the best part of the whole subscription. You can find Casablanca, Singin’ In The Rain, and The Wizard of Oz all in 4K. If you’re bored of the new stuff, go back to the classics. They're called classics for a reason—they don't miss.

Quick Watchlist for Your Mood

• "I want to cry": Moonlight or If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (the Rose Byrne drama dropping Jan 30).
• "I want to feel like a genius": Ex Machina or Inception.
• "I want to see things explode": The Hitman’s Bodyguard or any of the John Wick films.
• "I have kids and they won't stop screaming": The Wizard of Oz or the Harry Potter series (they're always on there).

The trick to finding the best movies on HBO right now is to ignore the "Recommended for You" section. That algorithm is just trying to push the newest Warner Bros. Discovery merger content. Instead, head straight to the "A24" or "TCM" hubs.

Actionable Tips for Better Streaming

1. Check the "Last Chance" Section: Max is notorious for rotating their best movies out at the end of every month. Check the "Leaving Soon" tab before you commit to a long series.
2. Download for Offline: If you're traveling, remember that the Max app actually handles downloads better than it used to. Grab Dune or The Dark Knight before your next flight.
3. Use the Search Bar for Directors: Instead of searching for "Action," search for "Christopher Nolan" or "Denis Villeneuve." You'll find a much higher quality of results.

Next Step: Head over to the Max app and add The Smashing Machine to your "My List" right now so you don't forget when it drops on the 23rd. If you need something for tonight, start with Bodies Bodies Bodies for a quick, 90-minute thrill.