Here Are the Best Movies to Stream this Weekend on HBO Max, Including this Year’s Hottest Oscar Contender

Max is adding a lot of new content, including both original biopics and popular movie series. This weekend, you’ll find exciting new releases coming in 2025 and 2026, as well as thrilling action trilogies and captivating supernatural love stories. There’s something for everyone, whether you want to learn about a famous comedian, dive into the world of MMA fighting, or revisit the beginnings of your favorite superheroes. These diverse titles are perfect for a wide range of tastes during the late January viewing period.

‘Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!’ (2026)

This documentary tells the story of a hugely successful and important American comedian. Released in 2026, the film looks behind the scenes at how he created his most famous works, like ‘Blazing Saddles’ and ‘The Producers’. It includes personal interviews and rare footage from throughout his long career in movies, TV, and on stage, offering a close look at his sharp humor and groundbreaking influence.

‘The Smashing Machine’ (2025)

Directed by Benny Safdie, the film tells the true story of Mark Kerr, a famous mixed martial arts fighter, played by Dwayne Johnson. It follows Kerr’s journey to success in the UFC while also showing his difficult battle with addiction and the challenges of being in the spotlight. Set in the late 1990s, the movie offers a realistic and intense look at the mental and physical demands of professional fighting. This role is a significant change for Johnson, as he portrays a vulnerable and complex man struggling with both personal demons and external pressures.

‘One Battle After Another’ (2025)

This action-war film, released in 2025, tells a gripping story of military strategy and the strength of individuals facing a brutal conflict. It follows a group of characters as they endure increasingly difficult battles that challenge both their physical limits and their values. With stunning visuals, the film offers a realistic and intense look at modern warfare. It became available on Max in late 2025, providing a tense and immersive experience for fans of the genre.

‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’ (2019)

Keanu Reeves returns as John Wick, the skilled assassin now being hunted with a $14 million bounty on his head. After breaking the rules of the High Table by eliminating one of its members, Wick is forced to flee New York City to find safety. This latest installment builds on the series’ unique world, introducing new characters like the Director and the Adjudicator, and features even more impressive action sequences. The film is known for its distinctive style and the exciting ‘gun-fu’ fights using a variety of weapons and settings.

‘John Wick: Chapter 2’ (2017)

This new installment brings retired hitman John Wick back into the dangerous world he left behind, compelled by an unbreakable promise to a past colleague. His journey leads him to Rome, where he faces off against skilled assassins within the secretive Continental Hotel. The movie delves into the complex rules and customs of the global network of assassins, and further establishes the series as a benchmark for stylish action and gritty, suspenseful stories.

‘John Wick’ (2014)

This action film, which started a hugely successful series, centers on a retired assassin who is forced back into his old life when a criminal gang steals his car and kills his dog – a final gift from his late wife. This loss fuels a determined and brutal quest for revenge against the Russian mafia. Directed by Chad Stahelski, the film also introduced the Continental, a unique hotel offering criminals a safe haven with its own rules. It’s celebrated for its fast-paced story and for helping to relaunch Keanu Reeves as an action star.

‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1’ (2011)

The first part of the series’ final episode shows Bella and Edward’s wedding and honeymoon. Things quickly become complicated when Bella finds out she’s pregnant, and the baby threatens her life and the local werewolf pack. This installment centers on the changing relationships between vampires and werewolves as they deal with the emergence of a powerful, unique creature. It’s a story about family, making difficult choices, and the challenges that come with living forever.

‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’ (2009)

After a risky incident, Edward Cullen leaves Bella Swan, believing it’s the only way to keep her safe from the dangers of his vampire life. Devastated, Bella finds solace in her growing friendship with Jacob Black, who is secretly a werewolf. The movie also introduces the Volturi, a strong and influential group of vampires from Italy who maintain order within the vampire world. The story focuses on the pain of loss and reveals a long-standing rivalry between vampires and the Quileute tribe, who can transform into wolves.

‘Greenland’ (2020)

Gerard Butler plays John Garrity, a man racing against time to get his wife and son to safety before a comet destroys Earth. Instead of focusing on the disaster itself, the movie explores how society falls apart and the difficult decisions families make when everything goes wrong. It follows their dangerous journey as they encounter both the best and worst of humanity, showing how people react when faced with a world-ending event. The film stands out for its realistic portrayal of survival and its focus on what drives people to live.

’65’ (2023)

Pilot Mills unexpectedly crash-lands on a strange planet, only to realize it’s actually Earth, 65 million years ago! He finds himself in a dangerous prehistoric world and must protect a young girl named Koa as they fight to survive against terrifying creatures. The movie combines sci-fi action with the suspense of a survival thriller, as they desperately try to reach a spaceship before a catastrophic event wipes out all life. It’s filled with thrilling, raw combat and shows the growing connection between Mills and Koa as they struggle to make it out alive.

Tell us which of these films you plan to stream first in the comments.

2026-01-24 05:17