‘The Substance’ Is HBO Max’s Most-Watched Movie of the Week: Here Are the Remaining Top 10 Movies

Spooky season meets superhero buzz on HBO Max this week, with a mix of brand-new releases, cult favorites, and comfort-watch classics. From slick comic-book spectacle to witchy sisters and camp-counselor chills, the lineup spans genres, eras, and vibes. Here’s the full countdown of what people are pressing play on right now.

10. ‘Friday the 13th’ (1980)

Set around Camp Crystal Lake, this slasher helped define the summer-camp horror template and launched a long-running franchise. Directed by Sean S. Cunningham, it uses point-of-view suspense, practical gore effects, and an eerie score to build dread. The film’s structure and setting influenced countless imitators in the decades that followed. It’s a foundational title that still anchors horror marathons on the service.

9. ‘Beetlejuice’ (1988)

Tim Burton’s afterlife comedy centers on a recently deceased couple who enlist a “bio-exorcist” to scare off new homeowners. Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Geena Davis, and Alec Baldwin headline a production packed with inventive makeup, stop-motion gags, and goth-tinged humor. Iconic set pieces and one unforgettable dinner scene helped cement its cult status. It remains a go-to rewatch whenever spooky nostalgia strikes.

8. ‘Practical Magic’ (1998)

Based on Alice Hoffman’s novel, this story follows witch sisters who navigate love, a long-standing family curse, and small-town suspicion. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman star, with a supporting ensemble that cements its cozy, autumnal appeal. The movie mixes romance, sisterhood, and supernatural stakes with a coastal setting. Its soundtrack and cottage-core vibes keep it in heavy seasonal rotation.

7. ‘Freddy vs. Jason’ (2003)

This crossover pits the dream-stalking Freddy Krueger against Camp Crystal Lake’s silent slasher, with terrified teens caught between them. Directed by Ronny Yu, it merges the rules and iconography of both horror franchises. The setup carries the action between Elm Street nightmares and lakeside bloodshed. It’s a franchise event film that delivers on its title’s promise.

6. ‘Scooby-Doo’ (2002)

The live-action update brings Mystery Inc. back together on Spooky Island to crack a case involving strange goings-on at a resort. Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, and Linda Cardellini embody the core quartet, with Lillard’s Shaggy becoming a fan standout. The movie folds in signature unmaskings, playful scares, and CGI creature work. It’s a gateway Halloween pick for family streaming queues.

5. ‘Corpse Bride’ (2005)

Tim Burton’s stop-motion classic follows a shy groom who accidentally pledges himself to a bride from the underworld, triggering a bittersweet trip between two realms. Voices include Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Emily Watson. With musical numbers and intricate miniature sets, it’s a showcase of handcrafted animation. The film’s whimsical-macabre tone makes it a perennial fall favorite on the platform.

4. ‘The Alabama Solution’ (2025)

This documentary from Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman investigates conditions inside Alabama’s prison system through first-hand accounts and hard-to-obtain footage. It focuses on systemic abuse, accountability gaps, and the human toll of overcrowding and violence. The film contextualizes policy proposals and their real-world impacts across the state. It’s an urgent nonfiction watch that has sparked wide discussion.

3. ‘Bring Her Back’ (2025)

From Danny and Michael Philippou, this Australian horror story tracks step-siblings who land in a foster home where a disturbing ritual lurks beneath the surface. Sally Hawkins, Billy Barratt, and Sora Wong headline a tightly wound tale of grief, manipulation, and occult danger. Reviewers have highlighted its nerve-shredding tension and grounded character work. It arrives on streaming aligned with peak spooky-season viewing.

2. ‘Superman’ (2025)

James Gunn’s take on the DC icon introduces a fresh continuity while centering Clark Kent’s balance of Kryptonian heritage and everyday life in Metropolis. David Corenswet leads alongside Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult. The movie blends classic newsroom elements, updated world-building, and big-canvas heroics. It’s a cornerstone title for DC’s new era and a major draw on the service.

1. ‘The Substance’ (2024)

Coralie Fargeat’s body-horror drama follows a celebrity who turns to a clandestine treatment that creates a younger version of herself, with consequences that spiral out of control. The film stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid. Known for stylized practical effects and sharp satire, it explores fame, image, and the cost of reinvention. It’s a high-profile festival breakout now available to stream for home audiences.

Tell us which of these you’re watching tonight—and what should make next week’s list—in the comments.