New Max movies: the biggest films to stream in May 2023

Looking for all of the new Max movies to stream? Allow TechRadar to be your guide.

HBO Max is no more. It’s been replaced by Max, Warner Bros Discovery’s (WBD) new super streamer, meaning this guide (and plenty more like it) have been altered to reflect this change. If you’re searching for more details on how Max is different to its predecessor, or why you can’t log into the service, check out our seven things you need to know about Max and Max log-in issues guides.

But we imagine you’re already clued up on what Max is, in which case you’ll be wanting to know all about the new films to hit the world’s newest best streaming service. Below, we’ve compiled a list of all the new Max films to launch on the streamer (plus any that were a) available on HBO Max, and b) joined its library from March onwards). You can read our best Max movies list, too, for a more comprehensive round up.

Here, then, are all of the new Max movies to stream in May 2023.

New Max movies: May 2023

Shazam! Fury of the Gods

Release date: May 23

Five years after Shazam! delivered a suitably great movie for the magic-imbued DC superhero, Fury of the Gods tries to ratchet up the drama and action-based tension with a more mature but no less humorous take on the Shazamily.

Set two years after events in its predecessor, Shazam! 2 sees Billy Batson and his fellow foster kids tackle the vengeful Daughters of Atlas, who seek to destroy the world in retaliation over the Wizard – the individual who gifted Billy his powers – seemingly stealing their father’s abilities centuries ago.

In our review of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, we said it “cooks up an entertaining storm of humor, heart, and familial heroism, albeit its narrative and VFX battles are “slightly lacking”. Before you stream it, read our exclusive chat with director David Sandberg about how The Legend of Zelda and Akira informed the DC Extended Universe’s (DCEU) latest movie, too.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters

Release date: May 23

The follow-up to 2014’s Godzilla (the umpteenth reimagining of Japan’s most iconic monstrous mascot), King of the Monsters pits the titular, radiation-fuelled kaiju against a number of other potentially world-destroying Titans – such as the menacing King Ghidorah – in epic, action-filled fashion.

Stranger Things‘ Millie Bobby Brown, Eternals‘ Brian Tyree Henry, Super 8‘s Kyle Chandler, and Hawkeye‘s Vera Farmiga join returning favorites Ken Watanabe and Sally Hawkins for this over-the-top, city-stomping sequel that’s both a good and bad successor to what preceded it. Overall, a not-too-shabby entry in our new Max movies guide.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Release date: May 19

Few expected Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings film trilogy to be as genre and era-defining as it was in the early 2000s. And yet that’s exactly what it was – a cultural phenomenon that swept the board at numerous prestigious award ceremonies, raking in billions of dollars worldwide, and making overnight stars of its lesser known actors.

The journey to the top began with 2001’s The Fellowship of the Ring – the first book in J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved fantasy book series. The trilogy’s first flick follows Frodo (Elijah Wood), a Hobbit who sets out to destroy the One Ring, which was created by the Dark Lord Sauron in a bid to enslave Middle-earth’s various races. Accompanying Frodo on his perilous quest are Gandalf (Ian McKellen), a powerful wizard and family friend of Frodo, Samwise Gangee (Sean Astin), Frodo’s gardener, and Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), the self-exiled king of Gondor.

A truly mesmeric, awe-inspiring, creepy, humorous, dramatic, action-packed, and poignant cinematic masterpiece, The Fellowship of the Ring demands to be seen many times over. Stick it on your new Max movies watchlist, alongside The Two Towers and The Return of the King, which are also on Max, ASAP. Once you’re done, check out The Rings of Power season 1 on Prime Video.

The Conjuring

Release date: May 8

The first film in the James Wan-developed supernatural horror series made its Max debut very recently – and those who have seen The Conjuring will know why it makes it onto our list.

Starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the 2013 movie tells the ‘based on real events’ story of the married couple’s investigation of The Amityville Horror in the early ’70s. Discussing the film in further detail would spoil its spooky, metaphysical narrative, but rest assured: The Conjuring’s gleefully eerie and well-crafted story, plus superb performances from its starry cast, make it worth watching (or revisiting) on Max.

50 Shades of Grey

Release date: May 3

Film erotica isn’t a genre that’s recently appeared in the mainstream, but few movies in this space have been as eagerly anticipated (and, ultimately, as disappointing) as 50 Shades of Grey was upon release in 2015.

Based on E.L. James’ novel of the same name, it tells the story of Anatasia Steele (Daktoa Johnson), a college graduate who begins a sadomasochistic relationship with Christian Grey (James Dornan), a billionaire entrepeneur.

Criticized by many for its glacial pacing, lack of chemistry between its leads, and curiously adapted screenplay, 50 Shades of Grey wasn’t as well received as many expected it to be. Even so, it made $500 million-plus at the box office, proving that adult-positioned romantic films can still attract an audience.

Kingsman: The Secret Service

Release date: May 1

A movie series that tries to be as debonair as James Bond (and largely succeeds) while being even more gratuitously violent, Kingsman: The Secret Service was an unexpected delight when it arrived in theaters in 2014.

Taron Egerton (Tetris, Eddie the Eagle) plays Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin, a rebellious chav who’s inducted into a secret spy organization by his late father’s partner Harry Hart (Colin Firth) and tasked with stopping wealthy megalomaniac Richmond Valentine (Marvel star Samuel L Jackson) from wiping out much of the world’s human population.

A subversive, bloody, rollicking fun, and quintessentially British film, Kingsman: The Secret Service is as outlandishly funny and gruesome as it gets. License to thrill, this most certainly has.

Parasite

Release date: May 1

Bong Joon-ho’s 2020 Best Picture Oscar winner is a shoe-in on our new Max movies list. Parasite, a black comedy thriller that deals with themes concerning the wealth gap/class divide, is a stunning piece of cinema that’s absolutely worth your time, regardless of whether it’s your first time viewing it or your 50th.

The South Korean flick follows the Kim family, a poor family of four who concoct a plot to become employed by a wealthy family. To do so, they pose as highly qualified individuals, and it isn’t long before they infiltrate their hosts’ abode and start living the life of luxury – only for things to go horribly wrong.

A brilliantly layered movie that explores societal themes in a wholly unique way, Parasite is a clever, hugely entertaining, and at-times anxiety inducing film that’ll grip you from start to finish.

Step Brothers

Release date: May 1

One of the best comedies of the last 15 years (don’t judge us), Step Brothers was another *ahem* step on the road to stardom for Saturday Night Live alumnus Will Ferrell.

Co-writing the flick alongside former business partner Adam McKay, Ferrell starred alongside John C. Reilly as Brennan and Dale, two 40-somethings who still live at home with their respectively divorced mom and dad. When said parents end up marrying each other, though, Brennan and Dale are forced to live with one another. Initially down on the idea, the duo soon realize they have a lot more in common than they thought (including an active dislike for their parents’ newfound happiness), becoming true friends in the process.

Incredibly immature but no less laugh out loud funny, Step Brothers is very much a marmite kind of movie. Fans of Reilly and Ferrell will love its slapstick and increasingly ridiculous premise. Others, though, may not see what all the fuss is about (you’re wrong if that’s you, FYI).

New Max movies: April 2023

Moonage Daydream

Release date: April 29

It’s high time someone produced a docufilm centered on David Bowie, the iconic singer, songwriter, performer, and all-round creatively inspiring artist. Thankfully, Moonage Daydream, which has been written, directed and edited by Brett Morgen (Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck) fills that void.

Comprising previously unseen footage from Bowie’s personal archives, including live concert material – all of which was authorized by the Bowie estate for the first time ever – Moonage Daydream is a delightful audiovisual treat for Bowie fanatics, as well as music and documentary lovers alike. It’s a trippy, visual feast for the eyes that captures the trailblazing artist at his captivating, humorous, and down-to-earth best. A must-see docufilm and worthy inclusion on our new Max movies list.

Coraline

Release date: April 1

Based on Neil Gaiman’s novella of the same name, Coraline is a wonderfully entertaining and somewhat scary stop-motion film that deserved more attention than it received upon initial release.

It tells the story of Coraline Jones (Dakota Fanning), who discovers a seemingly idyllic parallel universe behind a secret door in her home. Unbeknownst to Coraline, though, this apparent utopia hides a dark secret that could spell danger for the realm she hails from.

A spooky, thrilling, and highly enjoyable animated movie, Coraline is packed with nightmare-fuelled imagery for kids and plenty of contemplative themes for adults to muse over long after the credits have rolled. The saying ‘be careful what you wish for’ has never felt so apt.

Ghost

Release date: April 1

If you haven’t seen Ghost – and, let’s be clear, you’re not a true cinephile if you haven’t – you’ll definitely have seen that pottery scene. It’s too iconic for you to have missed in the 33 years since the romantic fantasy movie – one that saw millions fall in love with Patrick Swayze all over again – debuted in theaters.

The premise of Ghost is a simple one: banker Sam West (Swayze) is murdered, but his ghost cannot pass to the other side until he saves his still-living girlfriend Molly Jensen (Demi Moore) from the individual who killed him. Unable to communicate with Molly – you know, because he’s a spirit – Sam enlists the help of paranormal psychic Oda Mae Brown (the brilliant Whoopi Goldberg) to ‘speak’ to Molly.

Its visuals look dated now and, for some film aficionados, Ghost doesn’t tug at the heartstrings or do anything that other ghost-based movies have done before or since. Even so, its blend of comedy, horror, and mystery, coupled with some great performances from its primary cast, make it worth including on our new Max movies list.

Valkyrie

Release date: April 1

It’s hard to believe this historical war thriller, which is inspired by a true story, is 15 years old this year. Even so, Valkyrie holds up as a politically-charged, suspense-filled war film that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat throughout its two-hour runtime.

Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible star Tom Cruise plays Colonel Claus von Staffenberg, a German army officer who led the July 1944 plot to try and assassinate Adolf Hitler in a bid to end the Second World War, and implement the Operation Valkyrie national emergency plan once the deed is done. As history proved, though, von Staffenberg and his fellow conspirators weren’t successful in their mission.

That doesn’t make Valkyrie any less tense as a film, mind you. Its all-star cast – including, but not limited to, Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Terence Stamp, Carice van Houten, Eddie Izzard, David Bamber, Tom Hollander, and Bernard Hill – are all on good-to-great form. Add in your typical “horrors of war” aesthetic and anxiety-laden scenes, and Valkyrie is a must-watch for history movie lovers. Just try to look past the Americanization of it all.

New Max movies: March 2023

Mortal Kombat

Release date: March 8

It’s about time 2021’s Mortal Kombat movie *ahem* got over here. The R-rated action flick, which is based on the iconic video game series of the same name, initially debuted with a day-and-date launch on HBO Max and in theaters on March 8, 2021. Now, it’s also available on Max.

Mortal Kombat follows Cole Young (Shadow and Bone season 2‘s Lewis Tan), a washed-up martial arts fighter who eventually finds himself wrapped up in a universe-spanning battle to protect Earth – also known as Earthrealm – from Outworld and its champions. Will Cole and his allies succeed? Only if they win the tournament known as – yep, you guessed it – Mortal Kombat.

The game series’ latest film adaptation received mixed reviews from critics upon release, but it faired far better among general cinephiles. Considering the movie industry’s previous attempts to make a good Mortal Kombat film, the 2021 revival is nothing to be sniffed at, with its gruesome action, stunning martial arts-based sequences, and endearingly corny humor making it well worth a watch.

House Party

Release date: March 3

It only debuted in theaters this January, but the 2023 remake of the 1990 cult classic House Party has already made its way onto Max.

Considering this Tosin Cole and Jacob Latimore-starring comedy made little to no waves at the box office – it only made $9.2 million globally, and has been critically panned online – that won’t come as a surprise. Still, if Black comedies are the kind of films you enjoy, particularly ones with cameos from plenty of household names – LeBron James, Snoop Dogg, Tristan Thompson, and Kid Cudi to name just four – this might be worth your time.

Bloodsport

Release date: March 1

A product of the ’80s-era US-based martial arts scene, Bloodsport provides enthralling action and hackneyed stereotypes in equal measure. A sign of the times almost 40 years ago, then.

Iconic action star Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as US Army Captain (and prodigious ninjitsu practitioner) Frank Dux, who competes in an illegal martial arts tournament – known as the Kumite – in Hong Kong for, well, some reason.

It’s all very clichéd, with a derivative plot, characters who make perplexing decisions, and a movie lacking in style and substance. Still, its close-quarters combat was ahead of its time, and many observers claim Bloodsport wound up influencing the early days of UFC and – funnily enough, considering one of its movie adaptations appears on this list – the legendary video game series Mortal Kombat.

I Love You, Man

Release date: March 1

It’s weird to think we lived in a world where the word “bromance” wasn’t really a thing. But, thanks in part to 2009’s I Love You, Man, it’s become part of our everyday vocabulary.

The, well, bromantic comedy stars Paul Rudd (Ant-Man) as Peter, a friendless guy who seeks a best man for his upcoming wedding. He soon bumps into Syndey Fife (Jason Segel), an investor who shares Paul’s affinity for the rock band Rush. They become best friends but, just when Peter thinks he’s found “the one” – not that one – Syndey inadvertently begins to strain Peter’s relationship with wife-to-be Zooey (Rashida Jones), throwing their nupitals into jeopardy.

It’s a simple premise for a rom-com movie. But, thanks to Rudd and Segel’s chemistry, plus a wave of adult jokes and other brilliantly cringe-inducing material, I Love You, Man is a hilarious, heartfelt comedy about standing by your buddy – even if you’ve just met them.

House at the End of the Street

Release date: March 1

This 2012 psychological thriller recently made the jump to HBO Max, but it’ll do little to assuage you, even if it stars one of the best actors of the last 15 years.

House at the End of the Street stars Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games, X-Men) as Elissa, a teenager who moves into a new neighborhood with her mom Sarah (Elisabeth Shue). Unbeknownst to the pair, the titular house at the end of their street was the scene of a double homicide years prior – which is still lived in by Ryan (Max Thieriot), the older brother of the girl who is said to have committed the crime. Cue spooky goings-on and other tension-fuelled story beats.

Unfortunately for House at the End of the Street‘s cast and crew, it’s just not a good movie. It doesn’t make full use of Lawrence’s clear talents, while its plot is as bland and schlocky as they come. Give this one a hard pass.

The Expendables

Release date: March 1

Action movies of the macho/bravado variety were big business in the 1980s – and The Expendables film franchise has looked to revive that sub-class of movies 40 years on from its initial arrival on the scene.

The Expendables movies aren’t brain-engaging flicks in any sense of the word, but viewers of a certain disposition will certainly get a kick out of their huge, explosive set-pieces – and their penchant to bring the biggest action stars together on the big screen. Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, and even Chuck Norris have starred in one of (or all) the three Expendables films thus far.

Critics have never been kind to The Expendables, but the film series’ $800 million-plus box office takings show there’s an audience for this kind of content. Luckily for you, all three movies are available on Max.

Creed

Release date: March 1

The Creed series is more than just a revival and/or evolution of Sylvester Stallone’s beloved Rocky franchise. With three Creed films now out in the wild – read our review of Creed III, which landed in theaters on March – it’s a movie series in its own right. And, as sports dramas go, each Michael B Jordan-led flick is better than the last, so they’re worthy entries on our new Max movies list.

Creed I and Creed II are available to stream on Max right now. So, if you were planning on seeing Adonis Creed’s latest boxing bout on the big screen, and now have to wait for it to come a streaming platform, now is the perfect time to catch up on his journey. Be sure to find out how to watch the Rocky movies in order, too, to see where each Creed movie falls on the franchise’s overarching timeline.

New HBO Max movies: coming soon

Want to know what’s joining our new Max movies list in the coming weeks? For one, Avatar: The Way of Water will swim its way onto Max in early June. Read on to see a small selection of what’s coming your way shortly, too:

• Collateral Beauty – May 28
• 3:10 to Yuma – June 1
• Army of Darkness – June 1
• Dumb and Dumber – June 1
• Fame – June 1
• Fifty Shades Darker – June 1
• Fifty Shades Freed – June 1
• Grease – June 1
• I, Tonya – June 1
• Little Shop of Horrors – June 1
• Moneyball – June 1
• Moonlight – June 1
• Police Academy – June 1
• Sex in the City – June 1
• The Hurt Locker – June 1
• X-Men: Days of Future Past – June 1
• Magic Mike’s Last Dance – June 2
• Avatar: The Way of Water – June 7
• A Star is Born (2018 remake) – June 8
• Red 2 – June 10
• Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham – June 26

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