The 12 Best Movies on HBO Max to Watch in December 2025

Tired of the endless scroll? If you've spent more time searching for a movie than watching one this holiday season, PRISM's curated guide to the best films on HBO Max is here to help. From Oscar contenders and box-office hits to thought-provoking documentaries and chilling horror, there's something here for every movie lover to stream right now.

Oscar Buzz and Blockbuster Thrills

The awards season race is heating up, and HBO Max is a great place to catch the frontrunners. Paul Thomas Anderson's latest epic, One Battle After Another, features powerhouse performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn. Meanwhile, Hereditary director Ari Aster tackles the pandemic era with Eddington, a neo-western starring a compelling Joaquin Phoenix as a small-town sheriff.

Intimate Portraits and Powerful Documentaries

For those who prefer stories rooted in reality, there's a wealth of choice. It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley is a loving tribute to the late singer-songwriter, packed with never-before-seen footage. One to One: John & Yoko offers a glimpse into John Lennon and Yoko Ono's post-Beatles life, centered around their 1972 charity concert. And Prime Minister chronicles the meteoric rise and political career of former New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern.

Fresh Voices and Genre-Benders

Past Lives director Celine Song's new romantic drama, Materialists, explores a love triangle with an all-star cast of Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans. For horror fans, Barbarian's Zach Cregger returns with Weapons, a twisty mystery about the disappearance of 17 kids. A24 continues its partnership with HBO, bringing the deranged Australian horror film Bring Her Back to the platform, a film that dissects the power of trauma.