Here Are the Best Movies to Stream this Weekend on HBO Max, Including ‘Fireworks’

New drops and returning favorites make this a good time to open your queue. We looked at this week’s arrivals and pulled together a mix that covers action, crime stories, biographies, comedies, and animation. Everything here is available to stream on HBO Max right now, so you can plan a movie night without any guesswork.

To narrow it down, we started with the most recent films, then added notable studio releases and original style projects, and rounded things out with classic picks that shaped their genres. Each entry includes a quick snapshot of the story along with cast and crew details, so you know exactly what you are pressing play on.

‘The Legend of Ochi’ (2025)

A young runaway ventures into a remote valley and discovers a hidden world, forming a bond with a mysterious creature known as the ochi. The story follows a journey of discovery as new languages and old myths come into focus in a wild and ancient landscape.

The film is directed by Isaiah Saxon and produced by A24. The cast includes Willem Dafoe, Finn Wolfhard, Emily Watson, and Helena Zengel, with production design that leans into natural settings and practical creature work.

‘Lonely Castle in the Mirror’ (2022)

Several students dealing with school troubles find a portal inside a mirror that leads to a castle ruled by a masked girl. The group must work together to uncover a wish that can change a life while they learn the rules of the castle and share guarded secrets.

The feature is directed by Keiichi Hara and is based on the novel by Mizuki Tsujimura. Animation is by A-1 Pictures, with voice performances by Ami Tōma, Takumi Kitamura, and Aoi Miyazaki in the Japanese version.

‘The Woman King’ (2022)

Set in the Kingdom of Dahomey, the story centers on an all woman unit of warriors led by a seasoned general who trains new recruits for a fight that will decide the future of their homeland. The plot follows military strategy, political pressure, and personal duty within a changing region.

Gina Prince-Bythewood directs, with a screenplay by Dana Stevens from a story by Maria Bello. The cast features Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, and John Boyega, and the film was released by TriStar Pictures.

‘The Fate of the Furious’ (2017)

A master driver is forced into a high stakes job that turns him against his own crew, sending the team across cities and seas to stop a powerful hacker. The story ties together chases, double crosses, and a global hunt that tests long standing loyalties.

F. Gary Gray directs from a script by Chris Morgan. The ensemble includes Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Charlize Theron, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, and Ludacris for a franchise entry produced by Universal Pictures and Original Film.

‘The House’ (2017)

When a couple loses their daughter’s college fund, they open an illegal casino in their quiet neighborhood and try to keep it hidden from the authorities. What begins as a desperate fix quickly becomes a full scale operation with club style antics and escalating stakes.

Andrew J. Cohen directs and co writes with Brendan O’Brien. Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler lead the cast with Jason Mantzoukas in a key role, and the film is produced by New Line Cinema with Village Roadshow Pictures.

‘Fireworks’ (2017)

A seaside school day takes a strange turn when a class begins debating if fireworks are round or flat, and a boy finds a way to revisit the same moments. Each try changes what happens next as he searches for a way to help a girl who plans to leave town.

The animated feature is directed by Akiyuki Shinbo with Nobuyuki Takeuchi. Studio Shaft produces the film, which adapts a concept by Shunji Iwai, and the Japanese voice cast includes Suzu Hirose and Masaki Suda.

‘Almost Christmas’ (2016)

A widower brings his extended family together for the holidays, where old disagreements and new romances collide over one long weekend. The story moves through shared meals, minor disasters, and attempts by siblings to keep the peace.

David E. Talbert writes and directs, with Will Packer producing. The ensemble includes Danny Glover, Mo’Nique, Gabrielle Union, Kimberly Elise, Romany Malco, and J. B. Smoove, and the film is released by Universal Pictures.

‘Your Name.’ (2016)

Two teenagers begin to switch bodies without warning, living each other’s daily lives and leaving notes to make sense of it. As the mystery deepens, they uncover a larger event that connects them across distance and memory.

Makoto Shinkai writes and directs for CoMix Wave Films. Music is by Radwimps, Toho handles distribution in Japan, and the voice cast features Mone Kamishiraishi and Ryunosuke Kamiki.

‘Veronica Mars’ (2014)

Years after leaving her hometown, a former teen sleuth returns to help an old flame who is caught in a scandal that turns deadly. The investigation pulls her back into the orbit of friends and rivals while a high profile case tests her skills.

Rob Thomas writes and directs, continuing the story from the series with much of the original cast. Kristen Bell stars alongside Jason Dohring, Enrico Colantoni, Tina Majorino, and Krysten Ritter, with production by Warner Bros.

‘The Cabin in the Woods’ (2012)

Five friends head to a remote cabin for a getaway and walk into a setup that is not what it seems. Hidden observers influence every turn as the group faces threats that shift in surprising ways.

Drew Goddard directs and co writes with Joss Whedon. The cast includes Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, and Bradley Whitford, with distribution by Lionsgate.

‘Children Who Chase Lost Voices’ (2011)

After finding a curious crystal radio, a schoolgirl encounters a boy from another realm and sets out for a hidden world beneath the earth. The journey follows ancient guardians, lost memories, and a path that leads toward acceptance.

Makoto Shinkai directs for CoMix Wave Films with music by Tenmon. The film features detailed background art and original worldbuilding from Shinkai’s team, and the Japanese voice cast includes Hisako Kanemoto and Miyu Irino.

‘Splinter’ (2008)

Strangers take shelter at a gas station during a botched escape and find themselves trapped by a parasitic organism that turns hosts into dangerous predators. Survival depends on quick thinking and uneasy cooperation as the infection spreads through the location.

Toby Wilkins directs, and the cast features Shea Whigham, Paulo Costanzo, and Jill Wagner. Practical effects and tight staging define the production, which was made with an independent crew and distributed by Magnolia Pictures.

‘Selena’ (1997)

This biographical drama follows the life and career of Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla from early performances with her family band to major concerts that brought her to a wider audience. The plot focuses on family bonds, artistic drive, and the pressures of sudden fame.

Gregory Nava directs, with Jennifer Lopez in the title role and Edward James Olmos as Abraham Quintanilla. The film is produced and released by Warner Bros, with music performance scenes that recreate key tour moments.

‘Goodfellas’ (1990)

The story tracks Henry Hill from his early steps inside a neighborhood crew to the fallout that comes with life inside organized crime. The film follows the crew’s jobs, rivalries, and relationships across shifting alliances.

Martin Scorsese directs and co writes with Nicholas Pileggi, adapting the book ‘Wiseguy.’ The cast includes Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, and Paul Sorvino, with editing by Thelma Schoonmaker and cinematography by Michael Ballhaus.

‘Dog Day Afternoon’ (1975)

A Brooklyn bank robbery turns into a hostage standoff on a sweltering day as crowds gather and television cameras arrive. The plot follows the robbers, the hostages, and the police through tense negotiations and changing demands.

Sidney Lumet directs from a screenplay by Frank Pierson that draws on a real life case. The cast features Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles Durning, and Chris Sarandon, and the production is released by Warner Bros.

Tell us which picks you are queuing up first and share your own favorites in the comments.