‘Materialists’ Tops HBO Max’s Top 10 Most-Watched Movies List of the Week

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This week on HBO Max, you’ll find a wide variety of popular movies, from classic family favorites and nostalgic hits from the 80s and 90s to exciting new releases. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re craving a familiar feel or a fresh watch!

‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’ (2012)

This action-horror movie, based on Seth Grahame-Smith’s novel, presents a unique take on Abraham Lincoln, portraying him as a vampire hunter during his presidency. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov and starring Benjamin Walker, alongside Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, and Rufus Sewell, the 2012 film from 20th Century Fox combines historical elements with fantastical action and impressive visual effects to bring the story to life.

‘The Wolfman’ (2010)

Benicio del Toro plays Lawrence Talbot in this reimagining of the classic gothic horror story. He returns to his family’s estate, where a string of violent murders unleashes an ancient curse. The film also features Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, and Hugo Weaving. Universal Pictures released the movie in 2010, updating the 1941 character with impressive, modern special effects. Information about the cast and release date matches official studio announcements.

‘Happy Feet’ (2006)

Happy Feet is an animated movie directed by George Miller, telling the story of Mumble, a penguin who stands out from the crowd thanks to his incredible tap-dancing skills. The film stars the voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, and Nicole Kidman, and runs for 108 minutes. It was a major success, earning around $384 million globally, and was distributed by Warner Bros. Kennedy Miller and Animal Logic led the film’s production, with support from partners like Village Roadshow.

‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle’ (2017)

The second ‘Kingsman’ movie, directed by Matthew Vaughn, picks up where the first left off. After a major attack, the British intelligence agency joins forces with American spies. The film, co-written by Vaughn and Jane Goldman, is based on the comic book series by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons. Released in 2017, it builds upon the world of ‘Kingsman’ with fresh faces and settings.

‘The Polar Express’ (2004)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this movie brings Chris Van Allsburg’s beloved book to life using motion-capture technology. It tells the story of a boy’s enchanting train journey to the North Pole. Tom Hanks plays several characters, and Alan Silvestri composed the music. Released by Warner Bros. in November 2004 after a premiere in October, the 100-minute film earned over $318 million globally, boosted by showings in IMAX and repeat releases during the holiday season.

‘Weapons’ (2025)

Zach Cregger’s new horror movie centers around a creepy mystery involving a group of students, told through multiple connected storylines. Starring Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, and Josh Brolin, the film came out in August 2025 and did well in theaters. It was then made available to rent or buy digitally before becoming available on streaming services. This movie is Cregger’s latest project after directing ‘Barbarian’.

‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ (1989)

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, a hilarious film from the ‘Vacation’ series, was written by John Hughes and directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik. Starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, and Randy Quaid, the 97-minute movie follows the Griswold family’s disastrous attempt at a perfect holiday. Produced by Hughes Entertainment and distributed by Warner Bros., it was released in 1989 and became a box office success, earning over $70 million in the US. It’s become a beloved tradition for many, and is readily available to stream on popular platforms each December.

‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ (2024)

Set years after Caesar’s time, this new ‘Planet of the Apes’ film follows a young ape on a life-changing quest that will determine the fate of both apes and humans. Directed by Wes Ball and starring Owen Teague along with a fresh cast, the movie continues the series’ tradition of combining realistic performance-capture with exciting, large-scale action. Released in 2024, it’s the latest installment in this popular saga.

‘Elf’ (2003)

As a huge movie fan, I absolutely adore ‘Elf’! It’s this incredibly charming holiday comedy directed by Jon Favreau. The story centers around Buddy, who’s a bit different – he was raised as an elf at the North Pole, and then heads to New York City on a quest to find his biological father. The cast is phenomenal – Will Ferrell is hilarious as Buddy, and you’ve also got James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Ed Asner, and Bob Newhart. It’s 97 minutes of pure holiday cheer! New Line Cinema released it back in 2003, on November 7th, and it was a massive hit, earning over $220 million worldwide despite only costing $33 million to make. It’s a modern classic, honestly.

‘Materialists’ (2025)

Celine Song, the director of ‘Past Lives,’ returns with a new film about a New York matchmaker whose work gets complicated when she takes on a demanding client. Starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, the movie explores themes of love, social standing, and priorities. Released in 2025, it’s currently becoming available on digital platforms before heading to HBO Max, and has received attention for its release strategy in theaters and online.

Let us know in the comments what you’re planning to watch first, and what you’d like to see included on next week’s list!

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2025-11-15 23:45