Warning: This article contains mentions of violent crimes.
HBO Max has been a go-to streaming platform in recent years for some of the best entertainment around. Each month, movies and TV shows come and go, keeping the options on the platform fresh. HBO Max has recently added or will soon be adding some incredible films. Some of these are from recent years, while others have been fan favorites for some time.
Regardless, subscribers will have a variety of choices when it comes to movies on the streaming service. From a thrilling action movie to several Oscar-nominated and Oscar-winning films, there are some amazing movies to watch on HBO Max in April 2022.
The Raid: Redemption (2011)
- Arrives on 4/1/22
Widely considered one of the best action movies of the 2010s, The Raid: Redemption is a heart-pounding film from start to finish, featuring some excellently choreographed fight scenes that have helped the movie to become as iconic as it is.
Spawning a sequel that is usually just as highly regarded as the original, The Raid: Redemption continues to serve as an inspiration for filmmakers who are trying to create captivating stories that include intricate and brutal action sequences, as well as fantastic cinematography and acting.
Beetlejuice (1988)
- Arrives on 4/1/22
Beetlejuice is still a favorite among many movie fans for its wild and wacky story and especially for the eccentric performance given by the incredible Michael Keaton.
Tim Burton, in one of his earliest instances directing a feature film, provides the creepy and whimsical atmosphere he has become known for, making this comedy stand out among most others in the genre and solidifying it as one of the most memorable films of most of the cast that was involved in helping to bring it to life.
Capote (2005)
- Arrives on 4/1/22
In arguably one of his best films, Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Truman Capote, an author who wrote the non-fiction book In Cold Blood, which chronicled the horrific 1959 murders of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas.
The film follows the titular figure as he attempts to investigate the events and interviews those suspected of the crimes. The portrayals of all involved, and especially Hoffman in the lead role, have garnered the film lasting praise, adding another excellent performance to the actor’s lengthy catalog.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
- Arrives on 4/30/22
When The Blair Witch Project was released in 1999, it terrified audiences with its style and story. In the years since, the found footage format has become incredibly common for low-budget horror films, but this movie can be regarded as helping to popularize the style for the modern era.
Even after the format became popular, this film was and continues to be generally considered one of the best in the genre to utilize it. Haunting and tense, The Blair Witch Project endures as an influential work in the art form.
On The Waterfront (1954)
- Arrives on 4/1/22
On the Waterfront stars Marlon Brando as the character of Terry Malloy, who accidentally becomes involved in the murder of a longshoreman because of the actions of a local corrupt union boss. The film then follows Malloy as he navigates the environment and struggles with his conscience about what action to take.
The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Brando, and it goes down as one of his best performances. He excellently portrayed the conflicted character, further establishing him as an acting force that would endure for decades to come.
West Side Story (2021)
- Arrived on 3/2/22
An adaptation of the famed stage musical from 1957 and a remake of the beloved 1961 film, the Steven Spielberg-directed 2021 movie West Side Story lives up to the first feature film rendition in the eyes of many viewers.
The remake received a Best Picture nomination, and Ariana DeBose, who portrayed Anita, earned the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, which was well deserved for her fantastic performance. Gorgeous music and phenomenal choreography place this movie highly among some of the best musical films in recent memory.
Drive My Car (2021)
- Arrived on 3/2/22
In Drive My Car, Ryûsuke Hamaguchi has co-written and directed what is being praised as a masterpiece. The film explores themes of grief and regret through the characters of Yûsuke, a theater director hired to direct a play, and Misaki, a chauffeur hired to drive Yûsuke.
The movie takes its time, but it does so with an elegance that keeps its audience invested. Beautiful and compelling, Drive My Car is more than deserving of the acclaim it has received since its release, and it earned the Oscar for Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards.
Adaptation (2002)
- Arrived on 3/1/22
Adaptation is partly an adaptation of Susan Orlean’s book The Orchid Thief, partly an autobiographical story about writer Charlie Kaufman’s efforts to adapt the book, and partly completely fictional.
The film goes down as one of Nicolas Cage’s most highly regarded movies because of his portrayals of Charlie Kaufman and his brother Donald, a fictional character who was created for the movie, and it also features a phenomenal performance by Meryl Streep as Susan Orlean. Blending comedy and drama with metafiction in a way that will please any Kaufman fan, Adaptation is an unconventional and thoroughly enjoyable watch.
Dune (2021)
- Arrived on 3/10/22
The Denis Villeneuve-directed sci-fi epic Dune has been lauded as a worthy adaptation of the iconic Frank Herbert novel, though it only adapts roughly the first half of the book. It follows members of House Atreides, who take over spice production on the planet Arrakis and navigate potential political sabotage.
The film’s excellence in many departments has not gone unnoticed, as it was a Best Picture nominee with many nominations for this year’s Academy Awards, with the only movie that had more being The Power of the Dog.
Moonshot (2022)
- Arrived on 3/31/22
Moonfall is a sci-fi romantic comedy starring Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse. When Sophie’s boyfriend gets a job on Mars, she decides to travel to the planet to be with him. Stowing away on the ship is Walt, who has dreamed of going to Mars for years. The film follows their journey together.
Incredible comedic talents that include the two leads, as well as actors like Michelle Buteau and Zach Braff, provide this movie with charm and plenty of memorable moments audiences will want to check out.
