Movies to Stream this Weekend on HBO Max, Including ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul’

You want options you can trust, not a bottomless scroll. This guide zeroes in on a balanced mix of fresh arrivals, recognizable favorites, and certified classics that actually play well in a weekend setting—fast hooks, clear vibes, and satisfying payoffs.

Think of it as a well-sequenced double feature stretched across two days: start with newer picks, pivot to crowd-pleasers, then settle into prestige and golden-age gems. Press play and let the schedule take care of itself.

‘Survive the Night’ (2020)

A home-invasion thriller with a lean setup, ‘Survive the Night’ traps a strained family and two desperate criminals in a pressure cooker. The tension hinges on tight staging and the uneasy push-pull between self-preservation and responsibility.

If you like your stakes immediate and your timeline compressed, this is a clean first slot for Friday night. It moves, it bites, and it doesn’t overstay.

‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul’ (2017)

‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul’ turns a family road trip into a chain of comic disasters. The humor is broad and bouncy, with plenty of mishaps kids can cackle at and adults can recognize with a sigh.

It’s ideal daytime viewing: low-stress, high-giggle, and friendly to snack breaks. When you need a reset between heavier titles, this is the breezy pallet cleanser.

‘Unlocked’ (2017)

A grounded spy potboiler, ‘Unlocked’ drops an intelligence officer into a maze of half-truths and shifting allegiances. The action pops in quick bursts, but the real hook is the paranoia as every ally starts to look like a liability.

Queue it when you want intrigue without homework. It’s slick, contained, and efficient about delivering twists.

‘Rules Don’t Apply’ (2016)

Part romance, part Hollywood fable, ‘Rules Don’t Apply’ follows dreamers orbiting a mercurial mogul. The film drifts between screwball sparkle and wistful melancholy, capturing the odd chemistry of ambition and innocence.

Come for the starry ensemble; stay for the bittersweet aftertaste. It’s a mood piece with charm to spare.

‘The Warriors Gate’ (2016)

‘The Warriors Gate’ blends fish-out-of-water comedy with fantasy-quest beats as a gamer stumbles into a mythic world. The choreography is playful, the world-building colorful, and the tone squarely in “Saturday-afternoon adventure” territory.

It’s an easy crowd bridge—enough action for teens, enough whimsy for younger viewers. Pair with popcorn and a blanket fort.

‘Get a Job’ (2016)

Millennial malaise gets a punch-line treatment in ‘Get a Job’, a brisk comedy about scrambling for footing in a chaotic market. Sketch-like set pieces keep the pace peppy as the characters hustle, pivot, and face-plant forward.

Short, spry, and relatable, it’s perfect between longer features. Expect second-hand embarrassment and a few painfully accurate laughs.

‘Barbershop 2: Back in Business’ (2004)

‘Barbershop 2: Back in Business’ returns to a neighborhood institution where jokes cut close and community matters. The sequel broadens the canvas—politics, development, legacy—without losing the rhythm of everyday talk.

It’s warm, funny, and uncommonly generous with its ensemble. If you want feel-good energy that still has something to say, slot this in prime time.

‘Quo Vadis’ (1951)

Monumental in scope, ‘Quo Vadis’ delivers palace intrigue, arena spectacle, and moral conviction on an epic canvas. The pageantry is grand, but the story stays anchored in fierce loyalties and costly choices.

This is classic big-screen entertainment that also works beautifully on a quiet evening. Let the operatic stakes carry you away.

‘Mogambo’ (1953)

Jungle romance meets adventure in ‘Mogambo’, where smoldering glances and crackling banter collide with the call of the wild. The triangle at the center hums with charisma and friction.

It’s star power distilled—lush locations, sharper-than-expected barbs, and chemistry you can feel across the room. Pour something cold and lean in.

‘Pride and Prejudice’ (1940)

‘Pride and Prejudice’ brings wit, warmth, and exquisite timing to a beloved literary duel of manners. The repartee sparkles, the ensembles glide, and the emotional reveals land with satisfying precision.

If you crave comfort with backbone, this adaptation is evergreen. It’s a perfect reset between thrillers and epics.

‘Mrs. Miniver’ (1942)

A wartime homefront drama with steadiness and grace, ‘Mrs. Miniver’ finds heroism in small acts and ordinary resolve. The filmmaking is clear-eyed, refusing easy sentiment while honoring resilience.

It plays beautifully as an evening anchor—quietly powerful and humane. Expect to sit a bit longer after the credits.

‘It’s Always Fair Weather’ (1955)

‘It’s Always Fair Weather’ reunites old pals and tests what time does to loyalty, swagger, and dreams. The musical numbers are inventive and sly, folding athletic choreography into a surprisingly bittersweet story.

For viewers who love craft on display, this is catnip. The set pieces are clever without showboating, and the themes land softly but surely.

‘The Long, Long Trailer’ (1954)

Domestic chaos goes mobile in ‘The Long, Long Trailer’, a road-trip comedy where newlyweds test love against tight corners and steep grades. Physical gags stack like dominoes, and the comic timing is razor-clean.

It’s feather-light and highly rewatchable—the kind of film that brightens a room. Ideal for a communal laugh before bedtime.

‘Waterloo Bridge’ (1940)

Romance and fate cross paths in ‘Waterloo Bridge’, a melodrama that earns its tears with elegant restraint. The central relationship is tender, complicated, and haunted by the world around it.

Bring tissues and an open heart. This is classic studio storytelling at its most luminous.

‘Random Harvest’ (1942)

Memory, identity, and second chances intertwine in ‘Random Harvest’, a sweeping love story built on coincidence and devotion. It unfolds with patient confidence, inviting you to believe and then believe again.

For the final slot of the weekend, it’s exactly right—romantic, transporting, and quietly cathartic. Let it close the loop on a well-curated marathon.

Tell us what you’d add to this lineup—drop your own Max recommendations in the comments.