14 underappreciated films you haven’t seen on HBOMax

The HBOMax catalogue is deep. Seriously deep. Deep enough to drown in, if humans could drown in films. Luckily, we can’t. We can only watch them! Ain’t life fun! But before you open up the massive HBOMax library and faint from decision paralysis, take a breath. We’ve got you. And we know what you’re looking for.

You don’t need help picking a big blockbuster for a rewatch, you’re in the mood for a hidden gem. A diamond in the rough. A movie you can recommend to your friends, and they won’t go “Yeah, Carl, we all know you like Aquaman. Enough already.” These are the under-the-radar winners, the ones with smaller budgets, the foreign hits, or the ones that simply had abysmal marketing campaigns. Each makes for a pleasant surprise and a solid pick on movie night on HBO Max.

1. The Personal History of David Copperfield (2020)

Dev Patel stars in The Personal History of David Copperfield, and that should be all you need to know to be on board. But if for some reason you need more, this Victorian-era period piece based on Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield is surprisingly, and refreshingly, optimistic. Patel, in the titular role, sees his circumstances teeter from the aristocracy to the workhouse and back again, bearing it all with infectious good-heartedness. The eccentric and delightful cast of characters he meets along the way are a veritable Who’s Who list of Britain’s top working actors, with Peter Capaldi, Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton, Ben Whishaw, Benedict Wong, and Gwendoline Christie all clearly having tons of fun.

The buoyant script would be a feat on its own for any Dickens adaptation, but is particularly remarkable as it was written (and directed) by Armando Iannucci, best known for the wickedly nihilistic Veep. Copperfield could not feel like more of a departure from that world — and is a charming, engrossing balm for anyone looking to escape.

How to Watch: The Personal History of David Copperfield is streaming on HBOMax.

2. Princess Mononoke (1997)

One of Miyazaki’s best films.
Credit: Dentsu/Ntv/Studio Ghibli/Kobal/Shutterstock

When you think of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, you probably think of Spirited Away or My Neighbor Totoro. But Miyazaki has been telling visually stunning stories for decades, and since almost all of his works are now streaming on HBOMax, it’s time to dive a little deeper into the Ghibli catalogue. Start with Princess Mononoke, the story of a leader determined to protect her lands from human consumption. Though she may align ideologically with Pocahontas???, Princess Mononoke is far more ruthless, stopping at nothing to defend her fantastical home. Caught in the middle of this fight is a young prince, Ashitaka, hoping to help both sides achieve peace before a demon’s curse eventually kills him.

Mononoke has all the markings of a Ghibli classic, wood spirits, gorgeous animation, ruminative landscapes, but boasts a more adult tone than many of Miyazaki’s other pieces. There is blood and war and pain in this whimsical world, and the story is more complex and engaging because of it. For an added treat, the script for the English dub was written by sci fi/fantasy legend Neil Gaiman, so you can watch the English version confident nothing is lost in translation.

How to Watch: Princess Mononoke is streaming on HBOMax.

3. Everything Is Copy (2016)

HBO Films’ Everything Is Copy is the best kind of love letter: one that’s effusive in its admiration of its subject, but also clear-eyed about her quirks and imperfections. Journalist Jacob Bernstein explores the life, career, and 2012 death of Nora Ephron — known to us as the writer and filmmaker behind such hit rom-coms as Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, and Julie & Julia, and to Bernstein as his mother.

Interviews with family members and famous friends (including Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, and Mike Nichols), along with archival interviews and excerpts from Ephron’s own work, paint a portrait of a brilliant and ambitious spirit who lived by the motto stated in the title: “Everything is copy,” meaning everything that happens in life can be fodder for a story later on. Though you wouldn’t mistake Bernstein’s documentary for a work by Ephron herself, the film’s warmth, candor, and humor make it a fitting tribute to the icon she was. – * Angie Han, Deputy Entertainment Editor

How to Watch: Everything Is Copy is streaming on HBOMax.

4. Au Revoir les Enfants (1987)

You’re about to be able to impress film snobs at parties. Au Revoir Les Enfants is a gorgeous and startling film about friendship, and one of the most respected films in cinema history. Famed french filmmaker Louis Malle wrote, directed, and produced this autobiographical film about his childhood in Nazi-occupied France. The main character Julien, based on Malle himself, is a young student at a boarding school who discovers the headmaster is sheltering three Jewish boys among the student population. Julien forms a bond with one of the boys, Jean Bonnet, and the two navigate an increasingly dangerous world. Au Revoir Les Enfants is a WWII film without any battles. We are confined to the limited landscape of the boarding school and its surrounding town, yet the horrors of war are ever present. It is both subtle and deeply moving and will stick with you after viewing.

How to Watch: Au Revoir les Enfants is streaming on HBOMax.

5. The Grifters (1990)

Well, maybe you’ve seen The Grifters. It was somewhat big in 1990 — but that was forever ago. Seriously, that was 30 years ago, and you were probably 3 and too young to see Grifters, or you were an adult and by now have forgotten Grifters. So let’s jump back in to this zany, neo-noir crime thriller, shall we? Directed by Stephen Frears and produced by Martin Scorsese, Grifters follows successful, veteran con-artist Lilly (an absolutely hypnotic Angelica Huston) reconnecting with her estranged son (John Cusack), a small-time grifter living in Los Angeles. Lilly absolutely hates his current girlfriend (Annette Benning), herself a grifter as well, and the film quickly becomes a who-is-conning-who caper. Stylish, exciting, and somewhat twisted, The Grifters is a hidden gem — and the trashy, LA-in-the-90s wardrobe is iconic.

How to Watch: The Grifters is streaming on HBOMax.

6. City of God (2003)

City of God might come as a surprise here. The 2002 crime thriller from Brazilian directors Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund picked up plenty of accolades in its moment, though most would argue it was robbed at a 2004 Academy Awards ceremony that was pretty much swept by Peter Jackson’s final Lord of the Rings movie.

Regardless, the semi-autobiographical story adapted by Bráulio Mantovani from his own 1997 novel paints a grim picture of life in the Rio de Janeiro neighborhood of Cidade de Deus (“City of God”). Conceived as a government housing project in 1960 to stem the spread of favelas across the city, the neighborhood — which ultimately became a slum itself in the end — is a central character in this story about the formation and growth of organized crime and the local drug trade, as told from the perspective of a young man whose life was directly impacted by those influences. It’s as much a must-watch in 2021 as it was in 2002. – * A.R.

How to Watch: City of God is streaming on HBOMax.

7. Time Bandits (1981)

If you remember Time Bandits then we are happy for you, for you truly know the meaning of joy. This insane and amazing fantasy, written by Monty Python-veterans Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin, is a one-of-a-kind adventure. Eleven-year-old Kevin is asleep in his bedroom when a man on horseback bursts out of his wardrobe and rides off into a forest that disappears behind him. The following night, five small bandits tumble out of the wardrobe and take Kevin on an adventure through history, stopping by the Napoleonic Wars, Ancient Greece, and even the Titanic. John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, and Ian Holm sparkle as their historical counterparts, adding wit and gravitas to the whimsical plot. This is a film that needs to be seen to be believed — but once seen, it will quickly be beloved.

How to Watch: Time Bandits is streaming on HBOMax.

8. Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)

If you’ve ever wanted to watch Angelina Jolie fight fire, this movie’s for you.
Credit: Emerson Miller

It’s a safe bet that you haven’t seen Those Who Wish Me Dead, because almost no one did. A June 2021 debut (a very hesitant time for moviegoers) and a rushed marketing campaign earned this Angelina Jolie-led thriller the honor of being the second-worst opening of all time for a film in more than 3,000 theaters. But don’t let that sway you. This exhilarating, and somewhat insane, movie is a propulsive 100 minutes of action and suspense against the most lethal backdrop of all — the wildfires of the American West. Jolie stars as Hannah, a veteran forest firefighter spending the summer in an isolated, Montana firewatch tower, trying to get her head right after the tragedies of the previous year’s fire season. Suddenly, she finds herself in a very different film, as her path crosses with a child being chased by a pair of assassins (Nicholas Hoult and Aidan Gillen), and she’s the only adult who can protect him. The human elements of the film are comically light in explanation and backstory, but that forces us to focus our fear on the true and ultimate threat here: an unforgiving wall of fire.

How to Watch: Those Who Wish Me Dead is streaming on HBOMax.

9. Brown Sugar (2002)

Brown Sugar follows a tried and true romantic comedy format — childhood friends who, as adults, have no idea they are obviously in love with each other. Take our money, please! Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan sparkle as a pair of friends bonded by the night they discovered hip hop together on an NYC street corner. They now both work for the music industry and have no idea they’re clearly perfect for one another — until a kiss the night before Diggs’ wedding sends them both reeling. In the 2000s, Brown Sugar was a huge hit in the Black community, but did not enjoy broader popularity. It’s time to right this terrible wrong. For a smart rom-com with heart, complex characters, and a plethora of fun hip hop cameos, Brown Sugar can’t be beat.

How to Watch: Brown Sugar is streaming on HBOMax.

10. 61* (2001)

This critically-loved sports drama (directed by Billy Crystal!) flew under the radar because it was made for HBO in 2001 — a time when TV films were not as respected as their silver screen counterparts. However, 61* is just as riveting and affecting as any bigger-budget sports flick, if not more so. This is both the story of Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris attempting to break Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1961 and of an unlikely friendship. The charismatic, partying Mantle and the reserved, quiet Maris make for an unusual pair, with each Yankee earning different treatment from the press while the pressure of the season takes its toll. Led adeptly by Thomas Jane and Berry Pepper, 61* is a winning film in any year.

How to Watch: 61* is streaming on HBOMax.

11. The Normal Heart (2014)

Directed by Ryan Murphy, The Normal Heart is a searing, emotional drama that lacks the signature camp of most Murphy vehicles — and here, that’s a good thing. Adapted from the play of the same name, Heart follows Mark Ruffalo as Ned Weeks, an openly gay writer in the ‘80s who watches the growing HIV/AIDS crisis ravage his community. What sets The Normal Heart apart from other films on the same topic is its intimacy. We witness the crisis through Ned’s eyes, as his friends, neighbors, and lovers are ripped from him. Ned visits hospitals, writes stories, and fights tirelessly with the help of Dr. Emma Brookner (Julia Roberts) to bring more attention and funds to the cause, only to be met with bigotry and silence. A strong and deeply charismatic supporting cast (Matt Bomer, Taylor Kitsch, Jim Parsons, Alfred Molina, Joe Mantello, Jonathan Groff) will make you fall in love, and then break your heart. Do not be intimidated: this is a film that will leave you feeling cleaved in two, but will also impart a quiet, warm optimism. A rare combination.

How to Watch: The Normal Heart is streaming on HBOMax.

SEE ALSO: How to watch films online for free — legally

12. Shiva Baby (2021)

Worlds collide in this 2020 cringe comedy that’s been widely hailed by critics. When a Jewish college student (Rachel Sennott) dutifully attends a shiva alongside her parents, she’s prepared to field questions about her unimpressive job prospects and lack of a boyfriend. However, she’s not ready for her secret sugar daddy (Danny Deferrari) to show up, much less with his beautiful blonde wife (Dianna Agron) and their rosy-cheeked baby. Making matters even more fraught, her former best friend is slinging her serious side-eye. Something has got to give. In her remarkable debut feature, writer/director Emma Seligman creates laughs and suspense with an electrifying tapestry of observational humor, social awkwardness, jolting humiliation, and sexual tension. You’ve heard of feel-good comedies? Well, this is a feel-anxious-as-hell comedy, dragging us through each embarrassment with our harried heroine. And yet, we can’t recommend the experience highly enough. – * Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Reporter

How to Watch: Shiva Baby is streaming on HBOMax.

13. The Changeling (2008)

For a meaty drama that hasn’t aged a day, look no further than Changeling, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Angelina Jolie in an uncharacteristically delicate role. This poignant film tells the true story of Christine Collins, a woman in 1920s Los Angeles whose son has gone missing. When the LAPD announces they’ve found the boy, she claims they’ve brought back the wrong kid. Unfortunately, the LAPD disagrees. What follows is the heart-wrenching saga of a mother who will stop at nothing to get her son back, and the powerful forces conspiring to keep her quiet.

Changeling is absolutely astounding, in large part because the events that unfold — the gaslighting, sexism, and emotional abuse Collins endures — actually happened. Screenwriter J. Michael Straczynski meticulously included newspaper clippings and court documents with each scene of the screenplay. As a result, Changeling could legally be designated “a true story,” instead of “based on a true story” like so many other historical dramas. Stirring and unforgettable, with a magnetic performance from Jolie, Changeling is a must-watch whose themes still resonate today. – *

How to Watch: The Changeling is streaming on HBO Max.

14. Tampopo (1985)

A treat of a movie
Credit: apic/Getty Images

A spirited spoof tipping its hat to the Spaghetti Western, this 1985 Japanese comedy was promoted as a “ramen Western.” Its central story is about a cowboy hat-wearing truck driver (Tsutomu Yamazaki), who comes across a humble ramen shop where the food is truly “terrible.” Damsel in distress Tampopo (Nobuko Miyamoto) begs this hardened hero to save her family’s business by teaching her to do right by ramen. So of course, he rounds up a posse to perfect her recipe. Full of physical comedy, giddy silliness, quirky characters, and charming performances, this film is a delectable delight. But writer/director Jûzô Itami brings even more to the table, spicing up this culinary tale with fantastical vignettes about the love of food. Though often ridiculous — and sometimes salacious — none of the laughs are lost in translation. But be warned: This funny film will make you hungry. The loving shots of ramen and the various speeches about its richness and wonders are ruthlessly mouth-watering. Maybe order dinner before digging in. – * Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Reporter

How to Watch: Tampopo is streaming on HBO Max.

(*) denotes writeup comes from a previous Mashable list.