Honestly, the way we watch movies has changed so much that half the time you're just scrolling through a grid of posters until you give up and go to sleep. But if you’ve still got that linear cable itch or you're checking out the live "channels" on your streaming app, what's playing on Cinemax right now is actually a surprisingly solid mix of 2017-era nostalgia and 2025's newest action hits.
Today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the schedule is leaning heavy into the "Max" in Cinemax—specifically superheroes and sci-fi.
If you just tuned in, you've probably caught the tail end of the morning block. Earlier today, they ran Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets and Justice League. It’s that classic Cinemax vibe where they find those big-budget spectacles that maybe didn't set the world on fire at the box office but look absolutely crisp in 4K on a Tuesday afternoon.
The Midday Lineup: Gritty Dramas and DC Hits
Right now, as we move through the afternoon of January 14, the schedule is hitting a bit of a peak. If you're looking for something that isn't just mindless explosions, The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) is a standout choice that played earlier, but the channel is pivoting hard back into the DC Extended Universe as we speak.
The back-to-back block of Suicide Squad (the 2016 David Ayer version) followed by James Gunn's The Suicide Squad (2021) is basically the cornerstone of today’s programming. It's a weirdly perfect "spot the difference" exercise. You can see the 2016 version’s neon-drenched, music-video aesthetic versus the 2021 version’s R-rated, glorious chaos.
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Why Elevation is the "Must Watch" Tonight
If you’re sticking around for the evening, there’s a relatively new addition to the rotation that’s getting a lot of play. Elevation, a 2025 action-thriller, is scheduled for the 6:07 PM PST slot. It’s one of those post-apocalyptic stories where a single father and two women have to venture into the "dead zone" to save a child. It feels very much in line with the "Cinemax Action" branding that Warner Bros. Discovery pushed during their linear rebrand last fall.
Speaking of that rebrand, don’t get confused if your channel guide looks a little different than it did a year ago. As of late 2025, several multiplex channels like ThrillerMax and OuterMax were phased out. Most providers now just carry the main Cinemax feed and the newly named Cinemax Hits (formerly MoreMax).
What’s Playing on Cinemax Right Now: Prime Time Classics
Tonight is basically a tribute to the Man of Steel. If you're a fan of the classics, you’re in luck. Starting at 7:39 PM PST, Cinemax is running a marathon that would make any comic book nerd happy:
- Superman: The Movie (1978) – The Christopher Reeve classic that started it all.
- Superman II (1981) – Which usually means the theatrical cut on this channel, though fans always debate the Richard Donner version.
- Superman III (1983) – The one with Richard Pryor. It’s campy, it’s strange, but it’s quintessential late-night cable.
It's interesting to see Cinemax leaning back into these legacy titles. While HBO often gets the prestige new releases, Cinemax has carved out this niche of "curated nostalgia." It’s the kind of stuff you leave on in the background while you’re folding laundry or scrolling on your phone.
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Navigating the 2026 Cinemax Landscape
Look, let’s be real. Finding out what's playing on Cinemax right now isn't as simple as it was when we just had a paper TV guide.
Most people are accessing this through a "Live" tab on Max (formerly HBO Max) or through a third-party distributor like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. The linear schedule for today, Wednesday, January 14, follows the East/West coast feed logic. If you're on the West Coast, everything is shifted by three hours, which is why Superman: The Movie hits at 7:39 PM for some and 10:39 PM for others.
The Streaming Shift
There was a lot of talk last year about Warner Bros. Discovery killing off Cinemax entirely. Instead, they’ve just "trimmed the fat." They cut the niche channels like MovieMax and focused on the core brands.
- Cinemax Action (formerly ActionMax): This is where you’ll find the 24/7 grind of John Wick marathons and things like Elevation.
- Cinemax Classics (formerly 5starMAX): This has become a haven for those 70s and 80s staples like the Superman movies playing tonight.
- Cinemax Hits: This is the catch-all for the "almost-blockbusters" from the last five years.
The Night Owl Block: Horror and Sci-Fi
If you’re a late-night watcher, the transition from Wednesday night into Thursday morning (January 15) gets a bit darker. After the Superman marathon ends, the schedule flips back into horror. We’re looking at The Belko Experiment and The Nun in the early AM hours.
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It’s that classic "Cinemax After Dark" DNA, though way more focused on mainstream horror than the... other stuff the channel was famous for in the 90s.
Actionable Tips for Cinemax Viewers Today
If you want to make the most of your subscription right now, here is how to handle the current rotation:
- Check the On-Demand Library: Don't just settle for the live feed. Many of the movies playing today, like The Suicide Squad or Valerian, are available to start from the beginning in the Cinemax On Demand folder on your cable box or the Max app.
- Set a Recording for "Elevation": Since it’s a 2025 release, it’s one of the fresher titles on the network. If you aren't home at 6 PM, it's worth a DVR slot.
- Mind the Time Zones: Remember that Cinemax operates on a dual-feed system. If you see a movie listed for 8:00 PM and it's not on, check the "Pacific" version of the channel if your provider offers it.
The current schedule reflects a network trying to find its footing in a world where everyone wants everything at once. By sticking to a mix of high-octane 2025 releases and 1978 nostalgia, they’re basically betting on the fact that sometimes, we just want someone else to pick the movie for us.
If you're looking for something to watch right this second, jump into the DC block—it’s the most consistent fun you’ll find on the dial today.