To help you out in this endeavor, we’ve provided a list of the best movies currently available on HBO. We’ll continue to update this list as new movies are added and removed from their catalog.
Directors/Writers:Joel and Ethan Coen
Cast:Hailee Steinfeld, Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Josh Brolin
What do you get when theCoen Brothersmake a full-on earnest Western? A great movie. 2010’sTrue Gritis more an adaptation of the source material than a remake of theJohn Waynemovie, as the Coen Brothers embrace the Western genre fully with the story of a young woman (Hailee Steinfeld) who charges a boozy lawman (Jeff Bridges) with escorting her across the rough terrain in search of the man who murdered her father. The film luxuriates in the Western landscape as cinematographerRoger Deakinsbrings it to life in stunning fashion, accompanied byCarter Burwell’s beautiful classic hymn-inspired score and dialogue that is stylizedjust so. If you shrugged this one off as “not as good asNo Country” when it first came out, give it another shot. It may surprise you.
Just Mercy
Director:Destin Daniel Cretton
Writers:Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Lanham
Cast:Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, Rob Morgan, Brie Larson, Rafe Spall, and Tim Blake Nelson
Just Mercyis essential viewing. FilmmakerDestin Daniel Cretton(Short Term 12) adaptsBryan Stevenson’s non-fiction book of the same name and brings to life a story about the failings of the criminal justice system and the inhumanity of the death penalty in stark, unsettling reality.Michael B. Jordanplays Stevenson, an idealistic young Harvard law graduate who travels to Alabama in the hopes of fighting for poor people who can’t afford legal representation. While there, he attempts to help a man (Jamie Foxx) appeal his murder conviction – which was secured with minimal evidence. It’s an emotionally upsetting but necessary watch for folks on both sides of the death penalty debate, as Cretton forces viewers to confront the realities of such a sentence. –Adam Chitwood
Shaun of the Dead
Director:Edgar Wright
Writers:Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg
Cast:Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran, Bill Nighy, and Penelope Wilton
Shaun of the Deadis one of the best films of the 21s century, full-stop. FilmmakerEdgar Wrightbrings a refreshing touch to the comedy genre with a film that pays loving tribute to horror classics while still going its own way.Simon Peggis Shaun, a directionless shop salesman whose girlfriend has had just about enough of him. But when a zombie apocalypse hits, Shaun rises to the challenged alongside his BFF Ed (Nick Frost), making something of himself once and for all. Hilarious, whip smart, and surprisingly emotional,Shaun of the Deadalso happens to be immensely rewatchable. –Adam Chitwood
Cast:Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton, Olivia Colman, Lucy Punch, Rafe Spall, and Paddy Considine
After breaking out big withShaun of the Dead, the filmmaking trio ofEdgar Wright,Simon Pegg, andNick Frostreunited for another genre-bending British comedy, this time taking on the action genre.Hot Fuzzfollows an annoyingly perfect police constable who is promoted and transferred to a sleepy English town, only to uncover a sinister plot. The film takes inspiration from the horror and action genres to great effect, but as is true of all of Wright’s films, transcends inspiration to stand on its own as a wholly unique – and wildly entertaining – piece of art all its own. One part slasher, one partMichael Bayactioner, and one part buddy cop movie,Hot Fuzzis all great. –Adam Chitwood
Ready or Not
Directors:Radio Silence
Writers:Guy Busick and R. Christopher Murphy
Cast:Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O’Brien, Henry Czerny, and Andie MacDowell
If you sawKnives Outand thought “what if this were a horror movie?” then you’ll loveReady or Not. The 2019 film follows a pair of newlyweds who assemble at the groom’s parents’ vast mansion for a celebration, only for the bride (Samara Weaving) to learn that it’s a time-honored tradition for the family tohunt the bride. If she survives until sun-up, she’s part of the family. If not, well. Chaos ensues, but the film has a dry, dark humor running throughout that makes it a blast and a half without knee-capping the stakes of the whole thing. It’s funny, it’s scary, it’s a darn good time. –Adam Chitwood
Director:Autumn de Wilde
Writer:Eleanor Catton
Cast:Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Josh O’Connor, Callum Turner, Mia Goth, Miranda Hart, and Bill Nighy
This 2020 adaptation of theJane AustennovelEmmais as sumptuous as it is delightful – and it isextremelysumptuous. Directed exquisitely byAutumn de Wilde, this new adaptation is calledEmma.and starsThe WitchbreakoutAnya Taylor-Joyin the titular role of a young woman in Regency-era England who decides to meddle in the personal lives of her friends and family – ultimately playing matchmaker. There’s a wit to the film to be sure, but also a naughtiness (for lack of a better word) to Taylor-Joy’s performance that really makes this thing soar. It’s also just absolutely gorgeous to look at. –Adam Chitwood
The Invisible Man
Director/Writer:Leigh Whannell
Cast:Elisabeth Moss, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, and Oliver Jackson-Cohen
From the ashes of the Dark Universe came one of the best horror remakes ever made, 2020’sThe Invisible Man. Instead of blowing out a huge budget or eventizing the property, writer/directorLeigh Whannellactually takes a microscope to the iconic horror story and crafts a tale of an abuse survivor haunted by her abuser.Elisabeth Mossplays a PTSD-riddled woman who is haunted – both literally and figuratively – by her dead, abusive husband. No one believes her when she says he’s not only still alive but invisible, and things go from bad to worse as she’s forced to fight on. It’s absolutely terrifying in every conceivable way, and Moss delivers a tremendous performance. –Adam Chitwood
School of Rock
Director:Richard Linklater
Writer:Mike White
Cast:Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, and Sarah Silverman
Richard Linklater’s 2003 family-friendly love letter to rock remains as vibrant and joyful as ever.Jack Blackstars as guitarist Dewey Finn, a rocker who has just been kicked out of his band and is struggling to pay the rent. He decides to swipe a substitute-teaching job from his roommate Ned (Mike White), and while he’s bored at first, he gets energized when he sees his classroom is full of potential rockers and therefore a chance to win the battle of bands. However, as he starts teaching them about rock, he realizes that he cares about more than just winning the rock competition. The film is charming, but it comes alive thanks to Black’s winning performance that lets you feel like you’re getting in on some mischief as the kids learn about rock rather than math. –Matt Goldberg
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Director/Writer:Anthony Minghella
Cast:Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Jack Davenport
For some insane reasonThe Talented Mr. Ripleyfeels like an underrated movie, but make no mistake: it’s one of the best films of the past 50 years. Set in the 1950s,Matt Damonplays the titular character, who is tasked with bringing Dickie (Jude Law), a young man living it up in Italy, home by Dickie’s father. The problem? Dickie’s father made a mistake in thinking Tom actually knew Dickie. Tom becomes infatuated with Dickie and his lifestyle, subtly taking on Dickie’s persona as his own. Deadly twists ensue and Damon proves here that he’s one of the greatest actors of his generation. The film delves into themes of identity, lust, and morality with a brilliantly deft touch, and the cinematography is astounding. –Adam Chitwood
Ford v Ferrari
Ford v Ferrarimay not reinvent the wheel when it comes to a sports drama, but directorJames Mangoldmakes an absolutely perfect wheel. Even if you’re not into cars or car culture, you’ll be riveted by the story of how Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) worked together to overcome the suits at Ford to create a car that could beat Ferrari at Le Mans. The humor is sharp, the performances are winning, and the driving scenes are outstanding. Mangold helps you understand why people are passionate about this world, and it goes beyond Ford just wanting to reinvent its image for a younger generation. The film evolves to be a story about two guys chasing perfection and being good enough to get there. It’s a total blast. –Matt Goldberg
Bridesmaids
Director:Paul Feig
Writers:Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumalo
Cast:Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendy McClendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Jon Hamm, and Chris O’Dowd
The 2011 comedyBridesmaidsholds up tremendously well, and remains one of the funniest movies of the 21st century. It’s a tale of female friendship asKristen Wiigplays a single woman in her mid-thirties whose best friend (Maya Rudolph) is getting married, but planning the bridesmaid festivities with the bride’s rich new friend (Rose Byrne) proves to be a struggle.Bridesmaidsis downright hilarious, but also has a heart to it that makes the characters human and relatable – especially when it comes to friendship dynamics. And then there’s also a scene where the women all have diarrhea while wearing bridesmaid dresses. –Adam Chitwood
