HBO Max is adding a ton of new movies this month, and these 9 flicks represent the best of what the streamer has to offer. The start of May means there is turnover at all the popular streaming services. As a host of movies and shows depart, an equally large number of things find new homes on different streamers.
Though HBO Max doesn’t have as much turnover as many of its competitors, there is still a lot of change from month to month. The first day of May introduces most of the new films on Max, though a few movies are sprinkled throughout the rest of the month. The new additions to Max are unique because they are of a much higher quality than most other streamers.
Many of the new movies on Max this month are Oscar winners or nominees, and they range from certified legendary classics to modern gems. A few recent blockbusters are also joining the HBO Max lineup on May 1st, and they are bound to shoot straight to the top of the streaming charts in no time.
There’s no telling how long this month’s movies will actually stay on HBO Max, so time is of the essence. This list makes selections from various genres and time periods, and tries to find a little bit of something for everyone. The only thing that links the films is that they are the greatest offerings on HBO Max for the month of May, and are generally better than the usual streaming fare.
Despicable Me (2010) – May 1st
Illumination’s Despicable Me set the tone for animation in the 2010s, and it is still a beloved franchise to this day. The first film concerns supervillain Gru as he becomes the guardian of three children and must balance his evil career with parenthood. Though it’s remembered most for introducing the Minions, Despicable Me is a heartfelt movie overall.
It tells a powerful story about family that is sure to elicit a few tears from mom and dad. Because the movie is over 15 years old, the current generation of youngsters might be unfamiliar. Therefore, Despicable Me is a must-watch for families this month. It’s a modern-day classic, and a perfect inclusion to HBO Max’s lineup of family-friendly films.
Enter The Dragon (1973) – May 1st
Enter the Dragon is one of the greatest martial arts films ever made, and it is what helped make Bruce Lee a bona fide movie star. A fighter enters a drug lord’s competition in order to exact revenge for the murder of his sister. The plot is merely a platform for Lee to showcase his stellar skills, and the action is brilliant throughout.
The final fight sequence is the stuff of cinema legend, and Enter the Dragon is the inspiration for generations of action films. There are a lot of classics streaming right now on HBO Max, but few are as exciting as the 1973 gem. It exemplifies the best of what its genre has to offer, and is a must-watch for martial arts fans and anyone who likes good movies.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018) – May 1st
Asian representation in Western cinema is still sadly lacking, but Crazy Rich Asians seeks to rectify that. Adapted from the Kevin Kwan novel of the same name, the film concerns a woman who attends a wedding with her boyfriend only to learn that he comes from an eccentric rich family. Through heart, humor, and satire, the film weaves a compelling love story.
Crazy Rich Asians celebrates the visual aspects of the medium of film, so it has an exaggerated opulence that is quite eye-catching. The cast, including Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, is strong, and few films have such a compelling ensemble. The classic “meet the family” formula might seem familiar to HBO Max subscribers, but Crazy Rich Asians is anything but formulaic.
Walk The Line (2005) – May 1st
With Michael making a killing at the box office, it’s clear music biopics are a popular subject. 2005’s Walk the Line is joining HBO Max this month, and is one of the best biopics of the new millennium. It tells the story of country music icon Johnny Cash, his hard upbringing, and his turbulent relationship with June. Reese Witherspoon snagged a Best Actress Oscar for her performance.
Even viewers who don’t like country music can get something out of Walk the Line. The script gets to the heart of the humanity of its characters, making it accessible to anyone. For those that do like country music, it has a toe-tapping score of some of the genre’s best tunes. HBO Max is also adding the extended version of the movie this month.
The Florida Project (2017) – May 1st
A decade before Sean Baker got his flowers for Anora, the indie filmmaker hit his stride with The Florida Project. The drama centers on a little girl and her mother as they try to survive while living in motels just outside of Walt Disney World. It’s an unflinching look at the “hidden homeless” crisis, and is made with Baker’s signature open heart.
Alternating between charming humor and bleak drama, there’s a magical unreality to The Florida Project that reflects its sun-drenched setting. It’s one of the best movies of the 2010s, and is certainly the most real. Max subscribers should seek out the film right away, especially if they are looking to broaden their cinematic horizons with something just beyond the mainstream.
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023) – May 1st
Much like its predecessor, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is an interesting new taken on the saturated superhero movie genre. Miles Morales (Spider-Man) is launched across the multi-verse where he encounters other versions of Spider-Man, but the dimensional guardians don’t see eye-to-eye. Sony’s lush and energetic animation is perfectly suited to the wall-crawler’s story.
With endless possibilities at its disposal, Across the Spider-Verse balances a down-to-Earth story with its wild multidimensional plot. The character of Miles Morales is explored with rich depth, and he will surely continue to grow in next year’s Beyond the Spider-Verse. Even fans who don’t necessarily like comic book movies will get a kick out of the amazing animated flick.
Wuthering Heights (2026) – May 1st
Perhaps the most anticipated streaming release in recent memory, HBO Max adds Wuthering Heights on May 1st. Emerald Fennell’s controversial Emily Brontë adaptation stars Margot Robbie, and injects a heaping dose of eroticism into the beloved Gothic novel. Therein lies the biggest reason that the movie is a blockbuster, and has ruffled so many feathers since its release earlier in the year.
Whether Wuthering Heights is a good adaptation or not is irrelevant to the film’s appeal and value, and it continues Fennell’s theme of using sex to challenge norms. It’s one of those must-watch movies that comes along every few years that is as much a conversation starter as it is a piece of entertainment.
Greenland 2: Migration (2026) – May 8th
Maybe HBO Max subscribers will flock to see Greenland 2: Migration when it arrives this month, because no one came to see it in theaters. The disaster movie sequel catches up with the Garrity family as they leave the safety of their bunker and try to establish a new life on a decimated planet. The main cast returns for the follow-up, including Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin.
The sequel is certainly inferior to its predecessor, but is still a fun movie overall. With Butler in the main cast, it will inevitably draw a lot of attention on streaming, much in the same way its predecessor did a few years back. Disaster films always have a certain amount of appeal, and the Greenland duology is of a higher quality than the other big-budget disaster cinema produced in recent years.
A Complete Unknown (2024) – May 27th
Rounding out the month of May in style, A Complete Unknown drops on HBO Max just days before the month ends. The Bob Dylan biopic focuses on the icon’s early success, from his start in the folk scene to his controversial shift toward electric instruments. Director James Mangold (Walk the Line) is the perfect person for the job, and his style matches Dylan’s story perfectly.
Timothée Chalamet does his best as the enigmatic musician, but the movie really succeeds in recreating Dylan’s era. Everything is slightly exaggerated, so A Complete Unknown has a larger-than-life quality. With so many great biopics to choose from, HBO Max viewers shouldn’t overlook the 2024 Best Picture Oscar nominee.
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