If you're looking to cool off this summer, HBO Max is stocking its library with plenty of fresh new movies worth adding to your watchlist. And it's clear to see why we consider it one of the best streaming services out there.
For help narrowing down what to watch on your next movie night, it sometimes pays to let the critics do the legwork. HBO Max added plenty of critically acclaimed movies this month, but only a select few have hit that coveted 90% or higher threshold on Rotten Tomatoes. While a high score is no guarantee that you'll love a movie, it is a reliable indicator that most viewers have enjoyed their time watching it.
This month's picks include everything from a slept-on feel-good adventure to an unsettling psychological thriller and an entry from Hollywood's golden age. So, without further ado, here are the five new to Max movies with 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes this month.
'You Hurt My Feelings' (2023)
"You Hurt My Feelings" is a sharp, insightful exploration of the little white lies we tell to protect the people we love. It taps into a deeply relatable fear, one that those in long-term relationships may know all too well: What if my partner isn’t being entirely truthful, but just telling me what I want to hear?
That's the question nagging at Beth (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a creative writing teacher and author who has always leaned on the unwavering support of her husband, Don (Tobias Menzies). The cracks begin to show when, after receiving negative feedback on her latest book, she comes to him for the positive appraisal she craves, only to later overhear him tell a friend that he doesn't like the book either. The moment leaves Beth reeling. Her trust in their otherwise solid relationship unravels, and as the two argue, more hard truths come spilling out in both hilarious and heartbreaking fashion.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Watch 'You Hurt My Feelings' on HBO Max now
'The Woman King' (2022)
It's no secret that Viola Davis can pretty much do it all, and she won top praise for her leading role in "The Woman King" (though the film was notably shut out from the Oscars despite its success at the box office). Inspired by the real-life Agojie, the all-female warrior army of the Dahomey Kingdom in West Africa, it stars Davis as General Nanisca, a fierce and respected leader training a new generation of soldiers.
Though a masterful warrior, Nanisca pushes for diplomacy, often clashing with King Ghezo (John Boyega) over how to fund the vast empire. As she mentors a group of promising new recruits, she discovers one shares a special connection with her. "The Woman King's" fight sequences are easily its biggest strength, with visceral shots of close-quarters combat that'll leave you wincing with every spear and machete clash.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Watch 'The Woman King' on HBO Max from August 13
'The Peanut Butter Falcon' (2019)
More Mark Twain than modern drama, “The Peanut Butter Falcon” is a feel-good flick with a real underdog spirit. It's clear to see why it's quietly become one of the most beloved indie films in recent years.
Zack Gottsagen delivers a standout performance as Zak, a young man with Down syndrome who escapes his assisted living facility to chase his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. On the road, he meets Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), a troubled fisherman running from his past, and the unlikely pair quickly become fast friends. They also manage to convince Eleanor (Dakota Johnson), a young nurse, to join them on their adventure. If you're in the mood for a thoughtful and emotionally resonant comedy-drama, this is definitely one to add to your watchlist.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
Watch 'The Peanut Butter Falcon' on HBO Max now
'Martha Marcy May Marlene' (2011)
"Martha Marcy May Marlene" stands out as one of the most gripping and nuanced movies about cults. This haunting psychological thriller follows Martha (Elizabeth Olsen), a young woman who escapes an abusive cult led by a charismatic and calculating leader (John Hawkes). Seeking safety, she takes refuge with her estranged sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson) and brother-in-law Ted (Hugh Dancy) at their lakeside home, but the scars of her past run deep.
As Martha struggles to reconnect with a world that now feels alien, her trauma begins to blur the lines between memory and reality. You're kept guessing whether the cult is actually tracking her down or her paranoia has convinced her that nowhere is safe. "Martha Marcy May Marlene" trades the clichés of modern true-crime cult narratives for an empathetic if unsettling exploration of how difficult it can be to truly break free from a controlling and abusive environment.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Watch 'Martha Marcy May Marlene' on HBO Max now
'Pride and Prejudice' (1940)
Few romantic period dramas have captivated audiences, body and soul, quite like 2005’s "Pride and Prejudice," but Jane Austen's seminal novel was first brought to the big screen during Hollywood's golden age, and it's worth revisiting for fans of her works. The 1940 "Pride and Prejudice" adaptation offers a relatively straightforward retelling, but its lighthearted tone and added humor give it a distinct charm. Fun fact: It's directed by Aldous Huxley, author of the dystopian classic "A Brave New World."
Purists should be warned that this one takes certain liberties with the source material. However, some of the new elements are pretty interesting and help the movie distinguish itself as a unique spin on a familiar story. And despite condensing the main story, it still manages to develop Elizabeth (Greer Garson) and Mr. Darcy’s (Laurence Olivier) romance to great effect.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch 'Pride and Prejudice' on HBO Max now
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