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

From buzzy new releases to comfort-watch classics, this week’s HBO Max queue spans superhero reboots, cult horror, stop-motion gems, and a timely documentary. Below is a straight countdown of what everyone’s pressing play on right now—use it to catch up, revisit favorites, or find your next movie night pick.

10. ‘Beetlejuice’ (1988)

Tim Burton’s supernatural comedy features Michael Keaton as the rambunctious “bio-exorcist” hired by a recently deceased couple to clear out the living from their home, with Winona Ryder as the goth teen who can see them. The film’s production design, practical effects, and make-up became instantly iconic, and it won an Academy Award for Best Makeup. Its enduring popularity recently led to a decades-later sequel, further cementing the original’s legacy.

9. ‘Bring Her Back’ (2025)

The second feature from Danny and Michael Philippou follows their breakout success with another horror outing, continuing the duo’s penchant for intensity and inventive scares. Details were kept under wraps during production, but the project drew attention due to the filmmakers’ rapid rise. Early listings positioned it among the year’s most anticipated genre releases.

8. ‘Practical Magic’ (1998)

Based on Alice Hoffman’s novel, this romantic-fantasy centers on the Owens sisters, played by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, who grapple with a family curse and their own extraordinary abilities. Griffin Dunne directs a cast that also includes Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest as the aunts. The film mixes small-town life, sisterhood, and witchcraft in a story that has grown into a perennial seasonal favorite. Its soundtrack features contributions aligned with the film’s blend of warmth and mysticism.

7. ‘Freddy vs. Jason’ (2003)

The long-anticipated crossover pits Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees against each other while teenagers get caught in the middle. Ronny Yu directs, with Robert Englund returning as Freddy and Ken Kirzinger donning the hockey mask as Jason. The storyline bridges two slasher franchises by letting Freddy manipulate events to regain his power, only to face his masked rival. The matchup delivered a sizable global gross and became a late-era highlight for both series.

6. ‘The Alabama Solution’ (2025)

This documentary from Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman examines the realities of Alabama’s prison system through the perspectives of incarcerated organizers and officials. It premiered at Sundance before its U.S. theatrical rollout and runs just under two hours. The film frames policy, history, and lived experience to explore conditions and reform efforts in one of the country’s most scrutinized systems.

5. ‘Corpse Bride’ (2005)

Tim Burton and Mike Johnson co-direct this stop-motion fantasy about a shy groom who accidentally proposes to a spirited bride from the Land of the Dead. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter lead the voice cast, with an original score and songs by Danny Elfman. The production is noted for its meticulous puppet animation and macabre-sweet visual style. It remains a go-to pick for fans of gothic fairytales.

4. ‘It’ (2017)

Andrés Muschietti adapts Stephen King’s novel about the Losers’ Club confronting the shape-shifting entity haunting Derry, with Bill Skarsgård portraying Pennywise. The film’s theatrical run set multiple records for horror releases and achieved a worldwide gross well north of half a billion dollars. Its success led to an immediate continuation of the story with a second chapter focusing on the characters as adults.

3. ‘Scooby-Doo’ (2002)

The live-action adaptation brings Mystery Inc. to Spooky Island, with Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, and Linda Cardellini stepping into the gang’s signature roles. Raja Gosnell directs, and the story blends slapstick sleuthing with supernatural hijinks designed for family audiences. Rowan Atkinson appears as the island’s eccentric owner, complicating the crew’s investigation. The film proved a commercial hit and introduced a new generation to the long-running franchise.

2. ‘Superman’ (2025)

James Gunn reintroduces the iconic hero with David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The film establishes a new continuity under DC Studios leadership and serves as a fresh starting point for future entries. Its follow-up, titled ‘Man of Tomorrow,’ has already been announced, underscoring the franchise’s forward momentum.

1. ‘The Substance’ (2024)

A body-horror thriller written and directed by Coralie Fargeat, ‘The Substance’ stars Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley as women drawn into a clandestine rejuvenation procedure with dangerous consequences. Dennis Quaid co-stars, and the film earned significant awards attention alongside strong box-office returns relative to its modest budget. It premiered to major festival buzz before rolling out widely.

Have you watched any of these this week—drop your favorites and the one you’re queuing up next in the comments!