‘Weapons’ Tops HBO Max’s Top 10 Most-Watched Movies List This Week

From fresh festival darlings to evergreen horror staples, this week’s viewing on HBO Max mixes buzzy new releases with classics that never leave the conversation. Below, you’ll find a quick-hit rundown of each title—who made it, who stars, and what it’s about—so you can decide what to queue up next.

10. ‘Sorry, Baby’ (2025)

Written and directed by Eva Victor, ‘Sorry, Baby’ is a black comedy-drama produced by partners including Pastel and Big Beach and distributed by A24. After premiering at Sundance in January 2025—where it earned a screenwriting award—the film expanded from a limited late-June release to a nationwide rollout in July. The cast features Victor, Naomi Ackie, Lucas Hedges, and John Carroll Lynch. Its festival-to-theatrical trajectory helped drive demand on streaming later in the year.

9. ‘Halloween: Resurrection’ (2002)

Continuing the “H20” continuity, this sequel—directed by Rick Rosenthal—pits Michael Myers against a reality-show production set inside his childhood home. The cast includes Busta Rhymes and Bianca Kajlich, with Jamie Lee Curtis appearing in the opening sequence. Released in 2002, it marked the eighth overall film in the franchise before later reboots reset continuity. Its placement bridges the late-90s revival and the series’ 2000s reimagining.

8. ‘Edward Scissorhands’ (1990)

Tim Burton’s modern fairy tale stars Johnny Depp as an unfinished creation with blades for hands who is taken in by a suburban family, with Winona Ryder co-starring. The production’s signature Gothic-meets-pastel aesthetic and Danny Elfman’s score helped cement its status as a staple of fantasy romance. Released by 20th Century Fox, it became a key film in Burton’s career and a reference point for his later collaborations. Its themes of outsider identity and empathy have sustained its popularity across generations.

7. ‘Bring Her Back’ (2025)

From directors Danny and Michael Philippou, ‘Bring Her Back’ is a horror follow-up to their breakout success with ‘Talk to Me’. The film rolled out internationally through Sony’s Stage 6 Films, with A24 distributing in the United States. After festival previews and a late-May U.S. release, it built word-of-mouth through the summer and fall. Reports tracked its worldwide gross and reception as it expanded to additional territories.

6. ‘The Shining’ (1980)

Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel centers on a caretaker’s winter descent into madness at the isolated Overlook Hotel. Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall headline, with the film noted for its meticulous production design, Steadicam work, and iconic imagery. Produced by Warner Bros., it has influenced decades of horror filmmaking and scholarship. The film’s enduring cultural footprint keeps it a perennial watch every spooky season.

5. ‘Halloween H20: 20 Years Later’ (1998)

This entry follows Laurie Strode decades after the original events, now living under an assumed name when Michael Myers tracks her down. Directed by Steve Miner, it stars Jamie Lee Curtis alongside Josh Hartnett in his feature debut. The film was released in the United States in early August 1998 and became a strong box-office success, leading directly to another sequel. Its storyline represents the “H20” timeline within the franchise.

4. ‘The Substance’ (2024)

Directed by Coralie Fargeat and starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, ‘The Substance’ follows a celebrity who turns to an extreme bio-enhancement procedure with alarming consequences. The film drew wide attention during awards season, with Moore earning major wins that spotlighted the performance at the center of the film’s body-horror premise. Its profile rose further after recognition at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards in early 2025. Distribution and festival buzz helped keep it in the streaming conversation.

3. ‘It Chapter Two’ (2019)

Set 27 years after the first story, this sequel brings the Losers’ Club back to Derry to finish what they started. James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, and Bill Hader join the cast, with Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise. Produced by New Line Cinema and Rideback, the film was released by Warner Bros. Pictures and became a major global box-office success. The story world has since expanded on television with ‘It: Welcome to Derry’ on HBO.

2. ‘It’ (2017)

Andy Muschietti’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel centers on the Losers’ Club, a group of kids in Derry, Maine, who band together to confront the shape-shifting entity known as Pennywise. The cast features Jaeden Martell, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, and Bill Skarsgård as the clown. Produced by New Line Cinema, the film became one of the highest-grossing horror releases, revitalizing interest in the source material for a new generation. It later paved the way for a follow-up that reunites the characters as adults.

1. ‘Weapons’ (2025)

Directed by Zach Cregger, ‘Weapons’ follows the ripple effects of a shocking small-town tragedy across multiple, interlocking stories. The ensemble includes Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, and Alden Ehrenreich, with the film arriving on streaming after its late-October debut. Cregger’s sophomore feature came after his breakout with ‘Barbarian’ and expanded its reach with a wide theatrical run before landing on HBO Max. The film opened in U.S. theaters in early August 2025 before its confirmed streaming premiere later in the fall.

Share what you watched—and what you’re cueing up next on HBO Max—in the comments!