‘Materialists’ Tops HBO Max’s Top 10 Most-Watched Movies List of the Week

From cozy holiday staples to brand-new releases, this week’s most-watched movies on HBO Max spans family animation, ’80s-and ’90s favorites, and 2025 headliners—so whether you’re in the mood for nostalgia or something fresh, there’s plenty to queue up tonight.

‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’ (2012)

Based on Seth Grahame-Smith’s novel, this action-horror imagines the 16th U.S. president waging a secret war against vampires. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, it stars Benjamin Walker with supporting roles from Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, and Rufus Sewell. The film was released by 20th Century Fox in 2012 and blends historical settings with stylized fantasy action. It adapts the book’s premise to a feature-length narrative with period detail and visual effects.

‘The Wolfman’ (2010)

This gothic horror remake stars Benicio del Toro as Lawrence Talbot, returning to his ancestral home where a series of brutal killings spark a curse. The film co-stars Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, and Hugo Weaving, with Universal handling the release and effects work showcasing modern creature design. It brought the classic 1941 character to contemporary audiences in a 2010 production. Details on cast and release align with the reboot’s studio materials.

‘Happy Feet’ (2006)

George Miller’s animated feature follows Mumble, a penguin whose tap-dancing talent sets him apart in his colony. Featuring the voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, and Nicole Kidman, the film runs 108 minutes. Distributed by Warner Bros., it earned about $384 million worldwide. Production was led by Kennedy Miller and Animal Logic with Village Roadshow among the partners.

‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle’ (2017)

Matthew Vaughn’s sequel continues the ‘Kingsman’ saga as the British agency teams with U.S. counterparts after a devastating attack. Written by Jane Goldman and Vaughn, it’s based on the ‘Kingsman’ comics by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons. The film expands the series’ worldbuilding with new characters and locations. It released in 2017 as the second installment in the franchise.

‘The Polar Express’ (2004)

Robert Zemeckis directs this motion-capture adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg’s book about a boy’s magical train ride to the North Pole. Tom Hanks performs multiple roles, with a score by Alan Silvestri, in a 100-minute feature released by Warner Bros. The film grossed over $318 million worldwide, aided by IMAX runs and seasonal re-releases. It premiered in October 2004 before its U.S. theatrical release in November.

‘Weapons’ (2025)

Zach Cregger’s ensemble horror film chronicles a chilling mystery tied to a single school class, unfolding across intersecting stories. Released in August 2025, it features Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Josh Brolin, and others. Industry coverage details its box-office success and subsequent home-viewing rollout prior to wider subscription streaming. It marks Cregger’s follow-up to ‘Barbarian’.

‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ (1989)

This entry in the ‘Vacation’ series features the Griswold family’s chaotic holiday, written by John Hughes and directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik. Starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, and Randy Quaid, it runs 97 minutes and was produced by Hughes Entertainment with Warner Bros. distributing. The film earned over $70 million domestically and has become a perennial December watch, with availability often noted across major platforms. It originally released in 1989.

‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ (2024)

Set generations after Caesar’s era, this installment tracks a young ape who embarks on a journey that shapes the future of apes and humans. Directed by Wes Ball, it stars Owen Teague alongside a new ensemble in the long-running franchise. The film continues the series’ blend of performance-capture and large-scale adventure. It released in 2024 as the next chapter in the ‘Planet of the Apes’ saga.

‘Elf’ (2003)

Directed by Jon Favreau, this holiday comedy follows Buddy, a human raised at the North Pole who travels to New York City to find his father. The cast includes Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Ed Asner, and Bob Newhart, and the film runs 97 minutes. Produced and distributed by New Line Cinema, it grossed over $220 million worldwide on a $33 million budget. ‘Elf’ premiered in U.S. theaters on November 7, 2003.

‘Materialists’ (2025)

Celine Song’s follow-up to ‘Past Lives’ centers on a New York matchmaker whose latest high-end client complicates her carefully managed personal life. The film stars Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal in a Manhattan-set story about love, status, and choosing what (and who) matters. It released in 2025 and has been rolling out to digital platforms ahead of its subscription streaming window. Coverage has highlighted the A24 production’s theatrical and digital timeline and its expected path to HBO Max.

Tell us which of these you’re streaming first—and what should make the list next week—in the comments!