Best Movies On HBO That Will Make You Forget the Big Red N!

Before the days of on-demand video streaming platforms, viewers watched their favorite movies and shows on HBO. Unfortunately, the world moved on from cable cords, and switched to the more convenient and less pricey options in Netflix. HBO lost its supremacy.

WarnerMedia Studios realized it was time to get back to the drawing board and rethink HBO in modern terms. And now, the Home Box Office is back with a vengeance, ready to reclaim its position at the top with the revamped HBO Now and the newly launched HBO Max service.

While it doesn’t boast the size of Netflix yet, HBO has already managed to get its hands on some true gems, ranging from beloved classics and quirky indies to super popular DC hero flicks and edge-of-the-seat thrillers. In this blog, we’re going to list down some of the best movies on HBO that will make you forget the big red N.

Travelling abroad and can’t access HBO? There’s an easy fix. Download a VPN, connect to a US-based server, and start streaming HBO from anywhere online.

1. Batman Begins

• Genre: Action
• Runtime: 2h 20m
• Cast: Christian Bale, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Michael Caine
• Year of release: 2005

Before amassing fans worldwide and garnering critical acclaim following The Dark Knight, Christopher Nolan confronted the hefty task of creating a gritty and true-to-nature Batman film. It was a unique and fairly new challenge, owing to the goofy disaster that was Batman and Robin film (1997).

Needless to say, Nolan made all the right moves. Choosing Christian Bale to play the lead role and building a dark, sprawling Gotham city, we are introduced to a superhero movie that would stand the test of time. A decade later, Nolan’s Batman Trilogy remains as the standard of a reboot done well.

2. An American Pickle

• Genre: Comedy
• Runtime: 1h 30m
• Cast: Seth Rogen, Sarah Snook, Jorma Taccone, Sean Whalen
• Year of release: 2020

The American Pickle makes this list not only because it’s the first original film produced exclusively for HBO Max, but also because it features Seth Rogan at his prime. Playing the roles of an accidentally ‘pickled’ 1920s-immigrant and his great-grandson who happens to be a coder, the movie is based on a unique plot that rewards the viewers’ attention rather than demanding it. With no shortage of comedy scenes, the film pokes fun at family and modern culture, making it a good watch.

3. Fight Club

• Genre: Drama; Thriller
• Runtime: 2h 31m
• Cast: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter, Meat Loaf
• Year of release: 1999

One can make a strong case that no film has been able to explore modern masculinity as well as David Fincher’s Fight Club. It’s a timeless classic that manages to remain relevant through the ages, perhaps now more than ever. Edward Norton stars as a depressed and aimless office worker grinding a 9-5 with no real goal or ambition until he comes across Tyler Durden (played by Brad Pitt).

The two set on a journey of self-discovery as they start an underground fight club attracting like-minded individuals searching for some form of meaning in their lives. The film boasts an impressive 8.8/10 on IMDb.

4. The Talented Mr. Ripley

• Genre: Thriller; Crime
• Runtime: 2h 19m
• Cast: Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Philip Seymour Hoffman
• Year of release: 1999

Another great addition that came out the same year as Fight Club, The Talented Mr. Ripley ranges from severely underrated to one of the greatest films to be shot in the last 50 years. It has an impressive cast that includes names like Matt Damon, Jude Law, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Cate Blanchett, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jack Davenport. The film revolves around the titular character (Matt Damon) who is tasked by a man named Herbert Greenleaf to convince his son (Dickie) to return home.

Ripley accepts the task and travels to meet Dickie. However, as time goes on, Ripley becomes infatuated with Dickie’s persona and lifestyle and attempts to make it his own. What follows is a story that explores themes of lust, morality, and identity. Matt Damon also proves himself to be an exceptional actor and part of a film that will be remembered as one of the finest pieces of cinematography.

5. Aquaman

• Genre: Action; Adventure
• Runtime: 2h 22m
• Cast: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Nicole Kidman
• Year of release: 2018

Is Aquaman the best superhero DC movie? Unlikely. Should we still watch it? Yes. A new entry to HBO, Aquaman (directed by James Wan) is a superb standalone superhero flick. There are several ingredients that go into making this film successful: fancy costumes, fast-paced action sequences, background score, VFX, and of course, Jason Momoa.

After facing what is almost a lifetime on the ground, Aquaman/Arthur Curry must return to his underwater hometown of Atlantis to face and dethrone his half-brother and villain King Orm. If you’ve just come home from work and are looking forward to a relaxing filming experience during the weekend, this one’s for you.

6. Doctor Sleep

• Genre: Horror
• Runtime: 2h 32m
• Cast: Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Alex Essoe
• Year of release: 2019

Did you know that The Shining had a sequel called Doctor Sleep? Well, now you do. We’d recommend going for the extended director’s cut which is superior in many ways. The film starts by following the life of a now-grown Danny Torrance who is struggling with PTSD and alcoholism owing to his childhood experiences at the Overlook Hotel.

Danny gets in touch with a small girl named Abra and discovers she too can see and get in touch with the supernatural, naming the ability as “Shining”. The story picks up when Danny discovers that a cult leader named Rebecca Ferguson and her followers feed on the Shining by torturing and murdering children.

The film is ambitious in its scope. And while it gets much of its momentum from its popular predecessor, it’s a beast on its own.

Know of some HBO Now or Max movies that you think deserve to be on this list? Let us know in the comments section!