Three lesser-known HBO Max films you should check out this weekend (May 23-25).

Three lesser-known HBO Max films you should check out this weekend (May 23-25).

      One of Warner Bros.' significant releases of the year has finally come to HBO Max. "Mickey 17," a sci-fi black comedy by Bong Joon Ho, adapted from Edward Ashton's novel, will be available on the platform starting May 24. One of the film's marks will be its box office underperformance. Nevertheless, Bong continues to excel in social commentary, and "Mickey 17" is likely to gain a new audience through streaming as more viewers discover it.

      "Mickey 17" is just one of the numerous films available on HBO Max. (Indeed, HBO Max is making a return.) If you explore beyond the homepage, you'll uncover some overlooked films that merit a watch. Our curated selections include an entry from Final Destination, a dramedy from Judd Apatow, and a suspenseful sci-fi thriller.

      We also offer guides to the best new movies to stream, along with the top films on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Max, and Disney+.

      **Final Destination 5 (2011)**

      Set in 2025, a Final Destination film dominates the box office. Is America back? Prior to "Final Destination Bloodlines," the last installment in the franchise was "Final Destination 5," released in 2011. The fifth film kicks off with its familiar premonition sequence set on a suspension bridge.

      Sam (Nicholas D’Agosto) manages to save his ex-girlfriend Molly Harper (Emma Bell), his boss Peter Friedkin (Miles Fisher), and a select few others from peril on the bridge. Yet, in this series, one cannot evade Death, and the Grim Reaper comes back with a vengeance. "Final Destination 5" hits familiar notes, but its twist ending introduces an effective new layer to a well-established formula.

      Stream "Final Destination 5" on Max.

      **Funny People (2009)**

      "Funny People" presents an intriguing chapter in Apatow's body of work. Pardon the pun, but "Funny People" is neither Apatow's funniest nor his best film. It has its flaws, yet the performances from Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen hold up quite well. After being diagnosed with leukemia, movie star George Simmons (Sandler) returns to his stand-up roots. At a comedy club, he encounters Ira (Rogen), a struggling comedian looking for his big break.

      George takes Ira under his wing while attempting to mend the broken relationships in his life. The first half of "Funny People" showcases a compelling narrative about an imperfect man facing his mortality. Apatow simply needs to trim some scenes from the latter half.

      Stream "Funny People" on Max.

      **Companion (2025)**

      Released in January, "Companion" didn't resonate as strongly as "Barbarian." However, Drew Hancock's sci-fi thriller offers some entertaining moments in its unique spin on a robot narrative. Iris (Sophie Thatcher) heads to a secluded cabin for a weekend retreat with her boyfriend, Josh (Jack Quaid), and several friends.

      The following day, Sophie wakes up covered in blood. What transpired? While the trailer revealed one of the surprises, I won't disclose any further details. One of the attendees is an obedient android designed to be a companion for another human. We'll leave it there for you to piece together the rest.

      Stream "Companion" on Max.

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Three lesser-known HBO Max films you should check out this weekend (May 23-25).

This weekend, check out one of these three lesser-known films on HBO Max: a Final Destination installment, a dramedy by Judd Apatow, and a mind-bending sci-fi thriller.