First of all, we have to clarify that Max (previously HBO Max, and maybe having a new name quite soon) is just a hub for one type of content only – movies of all sorts. Are you a cinephile, a screen junkie, or merely a curious passerby? There is such an astronomical number of movies that can be streamed: Oscar winners, cult rags, iconic staples, and the latest releases that are still going to the theaters.

However, the problem still exists, or maybe it is just a matter of getting out of bed and pushing play? Still, the truths are not that difficult to understand: films that premiere at theaters become box office hits when they finally arrive on streaming. Still, a lot of industry noise… Next is a top 10 countdown of the greatest films available on Max right now.

10. The Boy and the Heron (2023)

Hayao Miyazaki returns after all these years in an incredible, emotional journey through loss, art, and finding your own place in the world. Colorful and ornate, but extremely emotional and intimate, it’s ideal for Studio Ghibli newcomers.

9. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

George Miller again ensures hecano conjure magic twice over in the Wasteland. The Anya Taylor-Joy-furled Furiosa is a work of mesmerizing wonder, and one of Chris Hemsworth’s strangest creations is his unhinged side of his star persona. The movie is unapologetically loud, violent, and just plain adrenaline throughout.

8. Goodfellas (1990)

Scorsese’s gangster kingdom of lies, fraud, and crime remains as lively as ever. Through the application of razor-tongued narration and eerie characterizations, it redefined the gangster genre with new life. So, by some chance, if you have missed it, the ideal time to make up for it is now.

7. Barbie (2023)

Greta Gerwig’s hit is both hugely funny and surprisingly smart. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling do their absolute best and are part of the key reasons why the film is more than just a light and extremely catchy exploration of identity and roles. A pop-culture phenomenon that just can’t get enough of the buzz created around it.

6. The Zone of Interest (2023)

Jonathan Glazer’s nightmarish and tragic tale is among the most repulsive movies in recent years. The site where the shooting takes place, Auschwitz, is a metaphor for terror masked in places where one least expects it, oftentimes as something commonplace within the everyday routine. Extremely hard to watch, but a must.

5. Inception (2010)

One dream within another and so on. Christopher Nolan’s moneymaker is just as smart and exciting now as it was back in the day. DiCaprio led the phenomenal cast in such a movie that one will leave with a different perspective every following view -you’ll always catch something that you hadn’t noticed previously.

4. Parasite (2019)

Bong Joon Ho’s Oscar-winning movie, which was universally acclaimed, is available on Max. It’s suspenseful, hilarious, and heartbreaking simultaneously, a very cutting-edge and contemporary take on inequality and class. You might not have seen it, so clear your evening to watch it. 

3. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Kubrick’s sci-fi masterpiece is a film that alters your perception of film and perhaps even of technology itself. It’s wondrous, provocative, and strangely ageless. Turn off the lights, crank up the speakers, and let it transport you.

2. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Few adventures feel as epic or as heartfelt as Peter Jackson’s adaptation of Tolkien’s saga. From the Shire to the Mines of Moria, it’s a sweeping fantasy worth revisiting (and let’s be real, you’re not stopping at just one).

1. Sinners (2025)

The biggest original hit in years has already landed on streaming. Directed by and starring Michael B. Jordan, this unapologetic hybrid of horror, history, and music is a genre-bending epic that’s already being hyped as one of the greatest films of the year. Proof that audiences still crave new ideas when they’re first given the theatrical spotlight.

Here’s the kicker: theatrical films don’t only sparkle on the big screen, they actually win more viewers when they’re finally dropped onto streaming than titles that debut at-home. So as you watch these big guns on Max, remember you’re not just watching great movies, you’re watching proof that theaters and streaming can fuel each other best.

If you’ve spent any amount of time watching Criminal Minds, you’re aware that the BAU’s greatest enigma wasn’t always the unsubs—it was whether your go-to profiler would actually remain on board to the season finale. In 15 seasons (and the Evolution reboot), the show experienced more cast changes than the average soap. Some departures were tender, some came out of nowhere, and a few still hurt to this day. Here are the 10 saddest and most shocking exits, listed from “that stung” to “I still can’t even speak about it.”

10. Stephen Walker Disappeared Before He Arrived

Damon Gupton’s Stephen Walker arrived in season 12 and assisted the team in pursuing Mr. Scratch. But before the audience could really bond with him, he was murdered in a season 13 car accident. His demise was confirmed at the morgue, leaving his loved ones in mourning and fans questioning what might have been. Behind the camera, Gupton was axed due to “creative changes” as the show placed focus on new character Matt Simmons (Daniel Henney). Blink and you’d miss him—but Walker deserved better.

9. Ashley Seaver Came and Went in a Flash

Rachel Nichols’ Ashley Seaver looked promising, particularly with her background as the daughter of a serial killer. But she lasted only 10 episodes in season 6 before they wrote her out, allegedly to work on a trafficking task force. Actually, fan backlash over the surprise dismissal of A.J. Cook and Paget Brewster prompted CBS to bring the two back, to the detriment of Seaver. Timing just wasn’t in her favor.

8. Kate Callahan Left on a Tender Note

Jennifer Love Hewitt as Kate Callahan was the light and fun of the tenth season, and her character’s exit was linked with both the storyline and her real life. Having lived through her niece’s kidnapping ordeal, Kate opted to retire from the field and focus on her family. The real story? Hewitt was pregnant and wanted to stay away from the limelight. Although she never came back, her goodbye seemed fitting and heartfelt.

7. Alex Blake Walked Away Quietly

Alex Blake (Jeanne Tripplehorn) was a smart, reliable, and well-liked character, but she eventually decided to leave BAU after two years. The way she left—handing in her badge after a case that got too personal—was so discreet and quiet that it was almost unnoticed. It was a behind-the-scenes, contract-related issue, and Tripplehorn asked for a low-key exit. Still, fans felt that her farewell should have been more visible and significant.

6. Elle Greenaway’s Dark Spiral

One of the founding members of the team, Elle Greenaway (Lola Glaudini), underwent a horrible incident in which she got shot and then developed PTSD. In a surprising development, she ended up shooting a suspect in the back and quit rather than submitting to an evaluation. Glaudini left the show because she did not want to stay in Los Angeles and missed the East Coast. Her exit was unexpected, chaotic, and set the stage for Paget Brewster’s Emily Prentiss.

5. Penelope Garcia’s Emotional Farewell (and Happy Return)

The BAU team was the magnet of the audience and the heart of the show, and no one was more representative of this than Kirsten Vangsness’ Penelope Garcia. Out of the box, compassionate, and flamboyant, she was the team’s binder. Her leaving in season 15 to work at a foundation was like the death of the show without its soul. Luckily for fans, the wait for her farewell was short—Garcia was back with a bang in Criminal Minds: Evolution, as if she had never left.

4. Emily Prentiss and JJ’s Unpopular Terminations

To put it mildly, this was probably one of the most controversial decisions in the Criminal Minds series’ history. After the fifth season, CBS suddenly axed Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss) and A.J. Cook (JJ), allegedly to “refresh” the cast with new women.” The reaction was instant and intense—petitions, fan protests, and public complaints went from volume to violence, forcing the network to backtrack. Both actresses indeed came back owing to the support of the fans, proving that their power should not be underestimated.

3. Derek Morgan’s Tearful Goodbye

Shemar Moore, who played Derek Morgan on the BAU, was the action hero of the show and the guys’ fellow, who was constantly surrounded by women. After 11 seasons, Moore decided to work on other things and get his personal life in order. His exit—saying goodbye to the team and fans—was both sweet and emotionally raw. Morgan’s death left a massive vacuum, but through his guest appearances, Moore was able to keep his memory alive (and, of course, through his leading role in S.W.A.T.).

2. Aaron Hotchner’s Sudden Removal

Thomas Gibson as BAU leader Aaron Hotch was a beloved character. Nevertheless, his on-screen firing in season 12 was among the most abrupt and scandalously off-continuity of the show. After a confrontation with a producer, Gibson was first suspended and then abruptly cut off the show. Hotch’s end? A brief explanation of witness protection is done offstage, leaving the fans shocked and angry. It was an unceremonious and scandalous exit of the show’s stable anchor.

1. Jason Gideon’s Agonizing Departure

Mandy Patinkin’s departure as Jason Gideon remains the most shocking exit in the history of Criminal Minds. While being the main core throughout, Gideon had already left before season 3 even began. After a long time, Patinkin left because he couldn’t handle the show’s constant darkness and its negative impact on his mental health. Consequently, the character was killed offstage. The first time the BAU realized the absence of Gideon was years after his exit, though. The void created by the absence of Gideon is the one the BAU has never really managed to fill.

Even though the main plot of Criminal Minds was solving brutal murders, the biggest heartbreaks were from the characters leaving the show. Unexpectedly fired, deeply personal choices, etc. The BAU has had its share of drama not only in the case files but also behind the scenes.

Let’s face it: when you’re grieving, sometimes you don’t need a distraction—you need something that feels it with you. Grief movies aren’t weepers; they offer comprehension, insight, and—once in a while—a strange sort of consolation. If you’re looking to cry through something, to identify, or to make sense of complicated emotions, these 10 films dig deeper into loss with truth and compassion. From animated films to gut-wrenching dramas, here are our choices of the most powerful stories of grief streaming today.

10. Coco

Pixar’s Coco is more than tunes and skeletons, darling—it’s about how we keep our loved ones alive. The film takes Miguel into the Land of the Dead, where he discovers memory, legacy, and the deep emotional bonds between generations. It’s especially resonant for families moving through loss, and its message—remember me—is one you’ll be thinking about long after the credits are done rolling.

9. Marley & Me

Anyone who’s ever been in love with a pet knows the anguish at the end of that book. Marley & Me navigates the messy, glorious life of a family and their sweet dog, and the quiet grief of letting go. It’s not a book about a dog—it’s about love, madness, loyalty, and the kind of grief that ambushes you when you lose something that felt like home.

8. Bridge to Terabithia

Childhood grief is not the same, and Bridge to Terabithia has no trouble confronting that fact. The film explores the relationship between Jesse and Leslie with sensitivity and the heartbreak that follows. With justifications of fantasy and invention, it confronts directly how children try to make sense of the world—and how they come to learn to endure grief, even when it’s too much to endure.

7. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Following the loss of his father in the 9/11 attacks, teenage Oskar embarks on a journey across New York City seeking answers. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close compresses disorientation, anger, and wistfulness that ensue from sudden loss—especially among children. Through Oskar’s perceptions, we observe the way loss warps time and logic, and the way curiosity is survival at times. 

6. Collateral Beauty

When Will Smith’s character is overcome by grief, he writes letters to Time, Love, and Death—and lo and behold, they write back. Collateral Beauty is whimsical and poetic, but beneath its flights of fancy is an actual exploration of how humans wrestle to impose meaning on tragedy. It’s about finding grace in the most unlikely spots and learning to live with pain but not be consumed by it.

5. P.S. I Love You

Loss of a partner leaves an emptiness of sorts—and P.S. I Love You does it beautifully. Holly is grieving, stuck in her grief, until a series of letters from her late husband prompts her to begin again. It’s a reminder that loss is not the end of love and that healing can begin with permission to live again.

4. Rabbit Hole

Few films capture the death of a child with such harsh realism as Rabbit Hole. Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart give heart-rending performances as a pair, each attempting to come to terms with their common grief in a divergent fashion. It’s unpleasant to sit through, but it’s honestly raw—and it shows the unobtrusive truth that grief doesn’t go away, but life might still evolve alongside it.

3. Ghost

Yes, there is romance and a little bit of spooky suspense, but above all, Ghost is about how hard it is to let go. Patrick Swayze’s character stays behind when he passes away due to love and unfinished business. The movie uses the hurt of wanting one more instant with someone who has died—and the bittersweet hurt of finally letting go.

2. The Lovely Bones

In The Lovely Bones, Susie Salmon watches from the other side as her loved ones grieve over her death. It’s a richly emotional investigation of bereavement from all sides: victim, relatives, and even murderer. Lovely and hauntingly shot, the film spares nothing in terms of anguish—but proves healing, though halting, is an option. 

1. This Is Where I Leave You

Grief is not always tears—sometimes it appears as mangled silences, reused arguments, and private jokes. This Is Where I Leave You details four siblings forced together by the death of their father, ordered to sit with one another (literally) for a week. What happens is muddled, real, and uncomfortably comforting. It’s proof that family bereavement is messy, but it’s also something that can be the thing that unites people with each other.

These films don’t try to “fix” grief—they reflect it, hold space for it, and sometimes even laugh through it. Whether you’re deep in it or just want to better understand the emotional terrain, these stories show that grief is messy, unpredictable, and deeply human. And most of all—they remind us that we’re never alone in it.

Star Wars is not a simple story of Jedi, Sith, and intergalactic politics – it is a galaxy where the ships and cars are no less than legends, just like its characters. From the very first scene of a Rebel blockade runner chased by the infinite Star Destroyer, the fans have been hooked on the starships and speeders that fill this galaxy far, far away. These are not just the ways to move from one place to another- they are the ones that have their characters, their personalities, and their histories that go from cinemas to toys and model kits of bedrooms of the world. So get ready for the tour of the 10 most iconic and awesome Star Wars ships and vehicles, a tribute to their design, their moment in the spotlight, and the real-world magic that made them happen.

10. Gungan Bongo Subma

When you first think of Star Wars, it’s quite far from your mind that the Gungan Bongo Submarine is one of the most fantastic vehicles within the franchise. Through the Naboo planet core, the submersible vehicle carried Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Jar Jar, escaping the sea monsters the size of skyscrapers in a scene that is as unforgettable for the creatures as it is for the vehicle. Though it is not one of the flashy or powerful vehicles, its distinctly alien design and its role in the first episode of the saga make it a standout among the other, more ‘realistic’ vehicles in the series.

9. Speeder Bike

One of the few devices in Star Wars that can give you a better idea of the feeling you get out of the movies that return as the speeder bikes. Without stopping, the characters were driving fast through those high trees, and the hovering bikes were already visually captivating. The speed and crazy yet practical control hence made it the wishful ride of many fans, but probably not as safe as movies tell by their plot.

8. Anakin Skywalker’s Podracer

It seems like the only thing that goes “wow” first about Anakin’s podracer is just its look, and then it appears to be just a narration of his talent, and not only that, but his technical genius as well. Its improvisational and rough design with the outrageously loud engines is just perfect for such a wild race as podracing on Tatooine. The Boonta Eve Classic scene, with its tension and inclination towards speed, made this car one of the most memorable in the entire saga. The same goes for Anakin; it lacked perfection but was built for greatness.

7. Imperial Shuttle (Lambda-class T-4a)

The Imperial Shuttle is somehow very quietly threatening. You can tell by the folding of the tri-wing and clean, simple lines, it looks more like an astab-in-the-back kind of ship than just a regular transport one. It is the Empire’s main spacecraft with which the transport of the troops, officers, and the likes of Vader himself is done. The vehicle is not filled to the brim with weapons, but the sheer aura thrown out there already signifies strength and total control. Besides, it has a history of being one of the crucial scenes of the original trilogy.

6. TIE Fighter

The TIE Fighter is the Empire’s weapon against the Rebel X-Wing—fast, lethal, and striking. The screaming engine noise, the circular structure of the pilot seat, and the wings that look like solar panels are all now part of the iconic Star Wars symbols. It’s just that when you hear that scream from a distance, you know things are about to get really intense. As they usually come in large numbers, the TIEs are the main source of hell in the space wars, but in the most thrilling way possible.

5. AT-AT Walker

It’s just one of those cinema moments when the AT-ATs clamor onto the icy plains of Hoth. They are these huge four-legged walking machines, which are sort of like movable citadels—gigantic, scary, a nd destructively designed to get rid of whatever is in front of them. The slow but relentless advance that took place in the Battle of Hoth, where we actually see the enormous power of the Empire portrayed in a way that no language can do.

4. Naboo Royal Starship

Nothing less than pure style is this spaceship. The Naboo Royal Starship of Queen Amidala, with its shiny chrome finish and gently curved lines that embody the highest elegance, is wandering through the galaxies. It characterizes a different planet than those that are severely damaged by the war in the original trilogy. Even though it is not heavy on armament, it is memorable because of its gorgeous design and its cameo in the prequel trilogy’s defining moments.

3. Executor-Class Super Star Destroyer

The Mother of all Star Destroyers is the Executor. The enormous, pointed like a dagger ship that spans the full length of the screen, a nd that, visually, is hugely overshadowed by no other in the Imperial fleet. It is the flagship of Vader and the proof in the form of a terrifying instrument that the Empire’s suffocating power is the goal. Only by watching it coming over the battlefield can one get the feeling of chills running down your spine that one can get.

2. Slave I

Boba Fett’s Slave I is alien, rugged, and wholly unforgettable. Its vertical takeoff capability and turning cockpit are features never seen before in the galaxy. The vessel is full of secret armaments and shields, befitting a bounty hunter who never takes a risk. Slave I’s legend only increased with time, and its design remains distinctive in a galaxy full of phenomenal ships.

1. Millennium Falcon

Was there ever any question? The Millennium Falcon isn’t the coolest ship in Star Wars—it may be the greatest-loved ship in all of science fiction. Since its debut in Docking Bay 94, it’s been the lovable underdog that always manages to make it out on top. It’s Han, Chewie, Leia, and Rey’s home away from home. It’s survived the Death Star, outrun TIE fighters, and made the Kessel Run in under 12 parsecs (kind of).

What makes the Falcon so special, however, is the way it feels. Behind the scenes, it was constructed in a Pembroke Dock shipyard in Wales by a team of men who traditionally constructed oil rigs. The project was so classified that it was referred to by the codename “Magic Roundabout,” but it was soon evident to local people that something incredible was being constructed.

In front of viewers, the Falcon is a mixture of full-size sets, miniatures, and computer-generated effects. There is not one “official” version—just a great combination of models and film magic, each a bit different. The appearance is intentionally rough-hewn, covered in mismatched panels, rust, and patina. It looks like it is still being held with luck and duct tape, and that is exactly why people love it so much.

Though the Falcon is above all the technical gizmos, it is a character on its own. It malfunctions at the worst moments, gets the hero out of a jam at the very last moment, and is always seemingly a character by itself. No matter if Han is bragging about it, Rey is fixing it, or Chewie is flying it by himself, the Falcon seems like it goes on to come to life.

Moreover, don’t forget the ground-breaking work that made it happen. ILM’s special effects team changed the entire film industry with the Dykstraflex camera system, thus bringing those space battles to life way before CGI was created. Finally, the Millennium Falcon is nothing less than the essence of Star Wars. It’s the soul of Star Wars—a symbol of light, revolt, and the belief that even a piece of junk like an old freighter can change the flow of the galaxy.

Korean cinema isn’t just trending for a minute; it’s revolutionizing the world’s experience of watching films. From twisted thrillers that turn your stomach to tear-healing dramas, South Korean filmmakers have mastered the art of genre-bending, tone-splicing, and social commentary. Let’s dive into 10 must-see movies that rewrote the world film bible, starting with recent releases and moving backwards to the oldies.

10. Little Forest – Comfort on Screen

Little Forest is more of a work of emotion and less of a work of plot. It’s not really drama, no romance, and no food film; it’s something softer and finer. Pithily described as the cinematic equivalent of a warm dinner or a soft blanket, Little Forest gets to you at a glacial pace and makes you relish small joys. Yim Soon-rye’s direction lends the movie a serene mood that is virtually like a live-action Ghibli. It is reminiscent of “emotional umami,” soft, terroir, and powerfully subtle.

9. Extreme Job – Proof That Comedy Travels

They claim that comedy will not be going global, but Extreme Job is the exception that proves the rule. A squad of detectives opens a fried chicken restaurant as a front for a sting operation and ends up the talk of the town’s hottest restaurant. The mix of slapstick comedies, breakneck action, and universal absurdity made this the second-highest-grossing Korean movie in history. This just goes to show that laughter is truly an international language.

8. The Admiral: Roaring Currents – Korea’s Grand Spectacle

Hollywood is not the sole domain of gigantic budget blockbusters. The Admiral: Roaring Currents franchise broke domestic box office records with its retelling of Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s famous naval battle. The sea battle, an hour in length, is awe-inspiring and tense, demonstrating technical ability and emotional investment. It’s not entertainment alone – it’s a demonstration of how Korean cinema can achieve epic scope on a budget of deep cultural pride.

7. Burning – Enigma and Suspense

Burning does not scream—it simmers. Adapted loosely from a Haruki Murakami short story, this is a movie about a young man caught in a bizarre love triangle with his old friend and a wealthy stranger. It’s unsettling, inscrutable, and rather disturbing. This precise, magical sense of psychological unease was enough to render the movie an international hit and the first-ever Korean film to make it onto the Oscars’ shortlist for Best Foreign Language Film.

6. Memories of Murder – A Thriller That Cuts Deep

In the years leading up to Parasite, Bong Joon Ho stunned audiences with Memories of Murder, based on Korea’s first serial murder case. It’s a half-police-procedure, half-dark-comedy, half-social-critique thriller that is entirely memorable. Quentin Tarantino once called it one of his favorite films, and deservedly so. Bong’s combination of suspense, satire, and humanity rewrote what audiences have come to expect from crime thrillers.

5. The Handmaiden – A Seductive Puzzle Box

The Handmaiden of Park Chan-wook is stunning and bold. The backdrop of 1930s colonial Korea is used to remake Sarah Waters’ Fingersmith as a luxurious, queer thriller of plot twists and cinematic beauty. Each shot is a work of art, each twist a knife. With its blend of sensuality, tension, and artistry, the film cemented Park as one of the most creative storytellers in cinema.

4. Oldboy – Revenge at Its Rawest

Oldboy was the movie that brought the world to Korean thrillers. A guy kidnapped and held for 15 years in captivity is unexpectedly let out, and he sets out to find answers that trigger a cycle of revenge and discovery. Aside from its legendary hammer hallway fight, the emotional impact and mind-bending twist in the movie made it a work of art in contemporary films.

3. Train to Busan – Humanity on a Train

A zombie movie was so tired until Train to Busan. By putting the action on a racing train and casting the pandemonium in family dynamics and sacrifice, director Yeon Sang-ho reinvented horror as heartbreak. The mix of non-stop action and shocking sensitivity proved it to be a worldwide phenomenon and revealed to the world that Korean horror has teeth and soul.

2. Parasite – A Film That Breaks Glass

Parasite won, but it did a great deal more than that. Bong Joon Ho’s genre-defying masterwork was the first non-English language film to ever receive the Best Picture Oscar, breaking Hollywood’s glass ceiling into a thousand shards. It’s biting satire on class, packaged in black humor and tension, that floats effortlessly across cultures. Parasite is enjoyable; it’s a cultural reference point.

1. Bong Joon Ho – The Visionary Behind It All

While not a single film, Bong Joon Ho himself deserves a mention at the top. From Memories of Murder to The Host, Snowpiercer, Okja, and Parasite, his body of work is a masterclass in blending genres for a reason. Bong refuses to be narrowed down; his movies are comedies, are gory, are profound, and are completely bonkers all at once. His international success opened the doors of Korean cinema and reminded viewers everywhere that films can be populist and art.

Korean cinema is not riding a wave; it’s making one. Whether you’re in the mood for comfort, anarchy, or catharsis, there is a Korean film waiting to surprise, move, and redefine the way you watch films.