The Best Movies to Watch on HBO Max in February 2026

HBO Max offers a wide range of movies, including both new releases and timeless favorites. In February 2026, you’ll find everything from suspenseful thrillers and thought-provoking dramas to beautiful animated films. Whether you’re in the mood for award-winning movies or scary horror stories, HBO Max has a great variety to choose from. Here are some of the most interesting titles available to stream this month.

‘Dead of Winter’ (2025)

Emma Thompson plays a woman coping with loss who becomes snowbound and alone in her country home. When a strange couple arrives seeking shelter from a blizzard, she cautiously lets them in. But as the night wears on, she realizes their arrival wasn’t a coincidence and she must outsmart them to protect herself. The film is a tense, psychological thriller that examines themes of grief and the will to survive in a confined, unsettling environment.

‘Boys Go to Jupiter’ (2025)

‘Boys Go to Jupiter’ is a unique animated film about a teenager in Florida trying to make ends meet with temporary jobs. As he works, he meets strange people and experiences increasingly unreal situations, making it hard to tell what’s real. The film’s unusual look perfectly captures the feelings of being young and disconnected today, blending a dreamlike quality with the real worries about money and work that many young people face. It’s a coming-of-age story that feels both bizarre and relatable.

‘2073’ (2024)

Asif Kapadia’s documentary, ‘2073’, is a thrilling look at a possible future shaped by widespread breakdown. Using a mix of imagined scenes and real historical footage, the film follows a character living in a troubled future who reflects on the early warning signs of the 21st century – things like failing governments, increasing surveillance, and the growing climate crisis. It’s a warning about what could happen if we don’t address today’s political and environmental issues.

‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ (2023)

Russell Crowe plays Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican’s chief exorcist, in this thrilling movie based on a true story. The film follows Amorth as he looks into the disturbing possession of a young boy at an old abbey in Spain. His investigation leads him to a long-hidden conspiracy the Catholic Church has worked hard to conceal. ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ combines classic horror with a historical mystery, exploring the battle between belief and a powerful, ancient evil.

‘Zola’ (2021)

The movie ‘Zola’ is inspired by a true story that first went viral on Twitter, told in a long series of 148 tweets. It follows Zola, a waitress who connects with a customer and impulsively joins her on a road trip to Florida. What starts as a hopeful journey to pursue dancing quickly turns dark and dangerous, involving sex trafficking and small crimes. The film recreates the fast-paced, unpredictable feel of the original Twitter thread with striking visuals and a unique, modern style. Taylour Paige and Riley Keough deliver compelling performances as they face increasingly risky situations.

‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ (2017)

Frances McDormand stars as Mildred Hayes, a mother desperately seeking answers in her daughter’s unsolved murder. When the police investigation stalls, she takes drastic action by renting three billboards to publicly call out the local police chief, sparking tension and conflict throughout the town. The film is a powerful exploration of grief, the search for justice, and the possibility of forgiveness, all set in a small Midwestern community. ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ was a critical success, winning several Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Frances McDormand and Best Supporting Actor for Sam Rockwell.

‘The Shape of Water’ (2017)

‘The Shape of Water’ is a unique and award-winning film set during the Cold War. It tells the story of Elisa, a mute cleaning woman who works in a secret government lab. She discovers a captured amphibious creature and develops a close, silent connection with it. Elisa, along with her friends and coworkers, then devises a plan to free the creature from captivity. Director Guillermo del Toro masterfully blends fantasy, romance, and suspense in this Best Picture winner.

‘Paddington 2’ (2017)

Paddington the bear is now happily living with the Brown family and is well-loved by everyone in his London neighborhood. When he tries to find a special present for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, he discovers a one-of-a-kind pop-up book, which is then stolen. Paddington is wrongly blamed for the theft and ends up in prison, while his family races to find the real thief. ‘Paddington 2’ is famous for its warm story, creative visuals, and message about the importance of kindness.

‘Just Mercy’ (2019)

“Just Mercy” is a compelling legal drama inspired by the real-life work of Bryan Stevenson, a lawyer who defends those wrongly accused. The film centers on his fight to free Walter McMillian, a man sentenced to death despite strong evidence suggesting he didn’t commit the crime. It’s a powerful story about overcoming prejudice and corruption within the American justice system, brought to life by strong performances from Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx.

‘Life of Pi’ (2012)

Directed by Ang Lee, ‘Life of Pi’ tells the incredible story of Pi Patel, a young man who is the sole survivor of a shipwreck. He’s left adrift in the Pacific Ocean on a lifeboat with an unlikely companion: a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. The film follows their amazing 227-day journey, highlighting their struggle for survival, the development of a surprising bond, and themes of faith and the importance of stories. It’s celebrated for its stunning visual effects and thought-provoking spiritual messages.

’42’ (2013)

As a movie fan, I was really moved by ’42’. It tells the incredible true story of Jackie Robinson, played brilliantly by Chadwick Boseman, and how he changed baseball forever. The film centers on his journey signing with the Dodgers and the support he got from team executive Branch Rickey. But it doesn’t shy away from the awful racism Jackie faced – from fans, other players, and even the press – as he fought to show everyone what he could do. Honestly, ’42’ really showcases the unbelievable courage it took to break down those color barriers in sports back in the 1940s.

‘Malcolm X’ (1992)

Spike Lee’s powerful film tells the life story of Malcolm X, from his youth through his tragic death in 1965. Denzel Washington gives a remarkable performance as Malcolm X, showing his journey from a troubled past to becoming a minister and a global advocate for human rights. The movie deeply explores his evolving beliefs about race and religion. ‘Malcolm X’ is considered a major achievement in American filmmaking, celebrated for its scope, accuracy, and Washington’s unforgettable portrayal.

‘The Notebook’ (2004)

‘The Notebook’ tells the timeless love story of Noah Calhoun and Allie Hamilton. They meet and fall in love one summer in the 1940s, but are kept apart by World War II and disapproval from their families. After years of separation, they reconnect, demonstrating how strong their early bond was. The film is presented as an elderly woman in a nursing home listening to a story being read from a journal.

‘Insidious: Chapter 3’ (2015)

This horror movie is a prequel, telling the story of Elise Rainier before the events of the earlier films. It centers around Elise hesitantly using her psychic powers to help a young girl haunted by a dangerous spirit. The movie reveals how Elise first became involved with the ghostly world known as The Further, and relies heavily on building suspense and delivering frightening surprises as the characters deal with the line between the living and the dead.

‘Ferdinand’ (2017)

The movie ‘Ferdinand’ is a funny, heartwarming animated film for the whole family. Based on a beloved children’s book, it tells the story of a gentle bull who’d rather enjoy flowers than fight. After being wrongly seen as a fierce animal, Ferdinand escapes and teams up with a group of friends to find his way back home. The film encourages viewers to be themselves and choose kindness, even when it’s not what others expect, and features the voices of John Cena and Kate McKinnon.

2026-02-19 19:17