‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ Tops HBO Max’s Top 10 Most-Watched Movies List of the Week

From holiday staples to brand-new thrillers, this week’s most-watched movies on Max span cozy classics and 2025 headliners. Below, you’ll find quick, useful details—who made them, who stars, what they’re about, and how they fit into their franchises—so you can pick your next watch in seconds.

‘The Town’ (2010)

Ben Affleck directs and stars in this Boston-set crime thriller adapted from Chuck Hogan’s novel ‘Prince of Thieves’. The story follows a crew of bank robbers whose latest job entangles them with an unsuspecting witness. The film premiered at Venice and opened in U.S. theaters in September 2010. It earned strong reviews and multiple award nominations, including recognition for Jeremy Renner’s supporting performance.

‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle’ (2017)

This sequel expands the ‘Kingsman’ spy series as the British agency teams up with its American counterpart, Statesman. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, it features an ensemble cast including Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Halle Berry, and Pedro Pascal. The film was released in 2017 and grossed over $400 million worldwide. It follows ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ and precedes the franchise prequel ‘The King’s Man’.

‘Weapons’ (2025)

Zach Cregger’s ensemble horror feature arrived in theaters in August 2025 and later made its Max streaming debut in October 2025. The film stars Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, and Alden Ehrenreich, among others. It topped the domestic box office on opening weekend and finished with strong global grosses. Its streaming window was announced following a successful theatrical run.

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

Set generations after Caesar’s era, the film follows a young ape named Noa on a journey that challenges his beliefs about apes and humans. It continues the long-running ‘Planet of the Apes’ franchise with new characters and settings. The movie features performers including Owen Teague, Kevin Durand, and Peter Macon. It was released in 2024 as the next chapter in the reboot continuity.

‘Materialists’ (2025)

Written and directed by Celine Song, this romantic comedy is set in New York City and follows an ambitious matchmaker. The cast includes Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal. It’s slated as a 2025 release with production details publicly listed. The project marks Song’s follow-up to her acclaimed debut feature.

‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ (1989)

The third installment in the ‘Vacation’ series focuses on the Griswold family’s chaotic holiday at home. Written by John Hughes and directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik, it stars Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, and Randy Quaid. Distributed by Warner Bros., the film became the highest-grossing entry in the series until 2015. Over time it has become a regular seasonal favorite on TV and home media.

‘The Polar Express’ (2004)

This animated adventure adapts Chris Van Allsburg’s picture book and follows a boy who boards a magical train bound for the North Pole. It premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival and was released by Warner Bros. Pictures in the United States in November 2004. The film used then-cutting-edge performance capture across its characters. Subsequent re-releases helped push its worldwide gross beyond its initial run.

‘Eddington’ (2025)

Set in New Mexico, this thriller centers on tensions between a small-town sheriff and the mayor that escalate into a community standoff. The story pits neighbor against neighbor as local politics ignite into crisis. It is a 2025 feature with its logline and details listed on industry databases. The title reflects the town where the conflict unfolds.

‘Elf’ (2003)

Directed by Jon Favreau, this Christmas comedy stars Will Ferrell as Buddy alongside James Caan and Zooey Deschanel. It follows a human raised at the North Pole who travels to New York City to meet his biological father. The movie was released by New Line Cinema and became a major box-office success. It later inspired a Broadway musical and a television special.

‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ (2025)

The latest entry in the Conjuring Universe follows Ed and Lorraine Warren on a final case that closes the main saga. Directed and released by Warner Bros. in 2025, it became the highest-grossing film in the series worldwide. The film arrived in U.S. theaters on September 5, 2025. It continues the franchise launched in 2013 and connects to spin-offs like ‘Annabelle’ and ‘The Nun’.

Tell us which of these you’re queuing up first this week in the comments!