3 overlooked (HBO) Max films worth watching this weekend (April 18-20)

      When one successful show wraps up, another one starts. This is HBO's strength — the network consistently delivers nearly every popular TV series. With The White Lotus concluded, attention now turns to The Last of Us season 2, which is set to air in the prestigious Sunday night time slot. Once “that scene” familiar to gamers arrives, social media will likely explode.

      Now, let’s shift gears and talk about some films to enjoy this weekend before The Last of Us. HBO’s homepage features its most popular movies, such as Y2K, Logan, and 2073. Let’s delve deeper into the catalog to uncover some hidden gems. Here are three recommendations: a horror sequel, a sports tale, and a DCEU installment.

      We also offer guides to the best new movies available for streaming, as well as the top films on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Max, and Disney+.

      The Conjuring 2 (2016)

      Warner Bros. Pictures

      Did you know that The Conjuring Universe holds the title of the highest-grossing horror franchise ever? Let’s revisit the second installment in the series, The Conjuring 2. Taking place roughly six years after the first film, The Conjuring 2 follows paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) as they confront a new case in London.

      The Hodgson family fears that their youngest daughter has been possessed by a demon. Initially reluctant to assist, the Warrens eventually become involved upon facing the true demon, a terrifying nun. The Conjuring 2 successfully recaptures the haunted house atmosphere of its predecessor while intensifying the ghost story elements. A scene featuring the nun in the hallway may be one of the most frightening moments of the last decade.

      Stream The Conjuring 2 on Max.

      Eddie the Eagle (2016)

      20th Century Fox

      Eddie the Eagle is a typical sports film centered on an obscure British athlete, Michael “Eddie” Edwards (Taron Egerton). Eddie's dream is simply to compete in the Olympics. When the Summer Games become impossible, Eddie shifts his focus to skiing in hopes of participating in the 1988 Winter Games. Eventually, Eddie switches to ski jumping, a sport in which the United Kingdom hasn’t competed at the Olympics for 60 years.

      Eddie isn’t exactly graceful on the slopes, but his determination is inspiring. His positive spirit catches the eye of Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman), a former American ski jumper who agrees to coach Eddie. While Eddie the Eagle doesn’t revolutionize the underdog narrative, Egerton’s charm shines through, and its message of perseverance resonates in today’s often cynical world.

      Stream Eddie the Eagle on Max.

      Aquaman (2018)

      Warner Bros. Pictures

      In discussions about the DCEU, the failures tend to overshadow the successes. Given that Warner Bros. had to enlist James Gunn and Peter Safran for a reboot of DC, it's no surprise fans often focus on the negatives first. While titles like Batman v. Superman and Justice League dominate the discourse, Aquaman stands out as one of the few successes in the DCEU. Additionally, it is worth noting that this film grossed over $1 billion globally.

      After teaming up with the Justice League, Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa), also known as Aquaman, returns to his coastal hometown, where he occasionally takes on the role of a vigilante. Mera (Amber Heard) persuades Arthur to assist in saving Atlantis from his half-brother, King Orm (Patrick Wilson), who aims to become Ocean Master and wage war against the surface world. In order to protect both realms, Arthur must accept his destiny and become the rightful King of Atlantis. Although not flawless, Aquaman delivers a thrilling adventure filled with CGI and features a charismatic Momoa in the lead role.

      Stream Aquaman on Max.