Three overlooked films on HBO Max that you should check out this weekend (July 31-August 2).
Searching for the best films to stream this weekend on HBO Max? You're in the right spot. Max features a collection of hidden treasures worth adding to your watchlist. This week, we have a dark comedy, a touching drama, and an unforgettable masterpiece from Studio Ghibli. So, grab your favorite snacks and dive into these three amazing films currently available on Max.
We also provide guides for the top new movies to stream, the best films on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best free movies, and the best titles on Amazon Prime Video.
Sorry, Baby (2025)
Genre: Dark comedy, drama IMDb rating: 7.1/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Literature professor Agnes Ward (Eva Victor) struggles to reestablish her quiet life in Maine after experiencing a traumatic event at her university. When her pregnant best friend Lydie (Naomi Ackie) pays an extended visit, Agnes must confront her feelings of isolation and paralysis caused by grief.
This underrated film on HBO Max shifts between the present and flashbacks, illustrating how Agnes learns to cope with her trauma. I appreciated how the friendship between Agnes and Lydie is the heart of the film, offering Agnes support without resolving her pain.
You can watch Sorry, Baby on HBO Max.
The Florida Project (2017)
Genre: Drama IMDb rating: 7.6/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) is a six-year-old living with her young mother, Halley, in a budget motel located just outside Walt Disney World. While Moonee enjoys her summer running around with other kids, Halley’s financial struggles gradually worsen, leading her to make increasingly desperate decisions to keep a roof over their heads.
Director Sean Baker captures the story mainly from Moonee’s perspective, maintaining a child’s viewpoint on an adult crisis. I enjoyed the vibrant cinematography that conveys pure childhood wonder alongside hardship without losing its gentle spirit.
You can watch The Florida Project on HBO Max.
Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Genre: Animated, coming-of-age, drama IMDb rating: 7.8/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
This Studio Ghibli film follows Shizuku, a middle school student with a passion for reading. She realizes that every book she checks out has been previously borrowed by the same boy, Seiji. Her quest to find him leads her to reflect on her own future aspirations rather than just his.
Unlike many Studio Ghibli films, this one remains grounded in a typical Tokyo suburb without venturing into fantasy. What truly impressed me was how subtly the story captures the quiet uncertainty of a teenager's artistic ambitions.
You can watch Whisper of the Heart on HBO Max.
Other articles
Three overlooked films on HBO Max that you should check out this weekend (July 31-August 2).
From an A24 dark comedy to a Studio Ghibli classic, these three overlooked HBO Max films offer compelling writing and performances that many viewers have missed.
