Let’s not beat around the bush, HBO Max is dominating September. The platform’s programming for the month is packed, and it seems like they’ve got something for every type of movie buff. Wanting a horror movie that’ll have you looking through your fingers? Check. A dirty war movie that hits you right in the chest? Got it. Maybe you’d rather laugh until it hurts or get lost in a larger-than-life blockbuster, yeah, that’s here too. What really makes this slate shine is the variety: big-name directors, original stories, and adaptations that actually work. Here are the five best movies streaming right now, counted down in reverse order because the best reveals should always come last.
5. Final Destination: Bloodlines
Just when you thought the Final Destination franchise had run its course, it drags you back in. Final Destination: Bloodlines is a new reboot that remains faithful to the franchise’s origins while discovering a savvy new twist. This time, the hapless souls destined for doom are not random strangers—they’re the children of someone who cheated death years ago.
That opening hook is enough to make the setup compelling on its own, but the real payoff is in the kills. The movie goes full-throttle for gratuitous, over-the-top set pieces that are half horror, half disgusting humor. It’s the kind of movie where you find yourself laughing in shock one second and wincing the next, and it’s precisely why the franchise has endured. Exclusive to HBO Max, it’s the ideal late-night viewing if you’re looking for horror with a nasty smile.
4. Warfare
War films aren’t exactly uncommon, but few rival the ferocity of Warfare. Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation) and former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza direct this film that doesn’t care about Hollywood sheen—it’s constructed from genuine accounts of soldiers who survived shootouts in Iraq. The outcome is raw, uncut, and brutally immersive.
The camera does not give you room to breathe, the sound design shakes your bones, and the narrative does not give you simple heroes and villains. Instead, it drops you smack in the middle of the melee and makes you experience the adrenaline rush, fear, and disorientation of battle. It’s not just a movie; it’s an experience, and it proves that authenticity, when done right, can be more gripping than any action set piece. If you’ve been craving a war film that doesn’t hold back, Warfare is the one.
3. Friendship
Tim Robinson has carved out a niche as the master of awkward, cringe-filled comedy, and Friendship takes that energy and stretches it into a feature-length rollercoaster. Directed by Andrew DeYoung, the movie follows Craig (Robinson), a suburban dad who becomes obsessed with befriending his effortlessly cool new neighbor, Austin (played to perfection by Paul Rudd). What starts as innocent small talk spirals into a painfully hilarious descent into neediness, obsession, and self-sabotage.
The humor is bizarre, sharp, and endlessly quotable—the kind of stuff you’ll be repeating with friends long after the credits roll. With a great supporting ensemble cast comprising Kate Mara and Jack Dylan Grazer, the movie has the feel of a long-form, crazed episode of I Think You Should Leave, but amplified and crazier. Out earlier in the month, it’s already one of HBO Max’s most rewatchable comedies.
2. A Minecraft Movie
It happened at last: Minecraft crossed over from the game to the screen, and in defiance of all expectations, it’s great. This isn’t a tokenistic adaptation—it’s a proper blockbuster. The movie sets down a group of people, played by Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, Sebastian Hansen, and Jason Momoa, in the world of Minecraft itself, where they join forces with Steve (who is brought to life by Jack Black) to navigate their way back home.
What keeps it going is that it doesn’t simply ride the wave of nostalgia. It’s packed with humor, big set pieces, and the kind of creativity that mirrors what made the game so addictive in the first place. The box office numbers speak for themselves—close to a billion dollars worldwide, making it the second-biggest video game movie ever. Whether you’re a longtime fan who’s built entire cities in the game or someone who just wants a fun, imaginative adventure, this one’s a must-watch.
1. Sinners
Occasionally, a film arrives that seems like an immediate classic—something everyone will still be discussing years down the line. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is one such film. It’s risky, surreal, and utterly unforgettable. On paper, it’s crazy: Irish step-dancing vampires, two Michael B. Jordans, Hailee Steinfeld spouting insane one-liners, and psychedelic glimpses of future B-boys. But in Coogler’s possession, it all works. The film revolves around twin brothers Smoke and Stack (both played by Jordan), who start a blues club in 1930s Mississippi.
The film that begins as an endeavor into ambition and survival soon becomes a battle against racists in their hometown and a scary army of vampires. Beneath the thrills, Sinners explores greater themes of Black entrepreneurship, cultural heritage, and the struggle to survive in an unforgiving world. It’s fashion-forward, gory, make-you-think, and hands-down the most daring original film of 2025.
HBO Max always had a heavy-hitter roster, but September 2025 may be its best month to date. With creative horror and boundary-pushing originals, this crop of films demonstrates the service is not just keeping up with theaters—it’s ahead of the game. No matter whether you’re in the mood for frights, chuckles, war tales, or something you’ve never seen before, these five films are worth having on your list. Just don’t be surprised when you find yourself binge-watching all of them by the end of the month.