Top 10 Movies To Watch This Week on HBO Max | August 31-September 6, 2025

Death never forgets.

The sixth film in the long-running horror franchise drags us back into its grisly cycle with Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana), a college student plagued by nightmares that turn out to be prophecies. She heads home only to find her family cursed since the ’60s—and Death ready to collect. With Tony Todd back as the eerie William Bludworth and new directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein upping the spectacle, fans are calling it the nastiest, smartest sequel since the original.

2. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

The one where it all gets dark.

Harry’s fourth year at Hogwarts brings the Triwizard Tournament, dragons, mermaids, and the chilling rebirth of Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). Mike Newell directs what’s often considered the turning point of the franchise—where the kid-friendly tone gives way to real danger. Plus, it introduced Robert Pattinson as Cedric Diggory years before he sparkled in Twilight or brooded in The Batman.

3. The House (2017)

Vegas in the suburbs. What could go wrong?

Amy Poehler and Will Ferrell play broke parents who, in a panic to pay for their daughter’s college tuition, open an underground casino in their neighbor’s house. Jason Mantzoukas brings full chaos energy, and Nick Kroll pops up as a shady foil. The reviews were mixed, but if you’re in the mood for messy comedy with Ferrell screaming in a tracksuit, this one hits the spot.

4. The Serial Killer’s Apprentice (2025)

A true-crime doc that’ll get under your skin.

Dr. Katherine Ramsland sits down with Elmer Wayne Henley Jr., the only surviving participant in the Houston “Candyman” murders of the ’70s. It’s the first time he’s spoken this openly in decades, and the result is chilling—part victim story, part confession. It’s not easy viewing, but if you’re fascinated by the psychology of crime, this one digs deep.

5. Alien: Covenant (2017)

In space, no one can hear you regret landing there.

Ridley Scott follows up Prometheus with another prequel, this time sending a colony ship to what looks like paradise. Instead, they find Fassbender playing two androids (David and Walter), xenomorph eggs ready to hatch, and some of the bleakest creature design in the series. Katherine Waterston and Billy Crudup lead the ill-fated crew, while Danny McBride steals scenes as a cowboy pilot.

6. Snatched (2017)

Amy Schumer. Goldie Hawn. Kidnapped in Ecuador.

When her boyfriend dumps her, Emily (Schumer) convinces her uptight mom (Hawn) to join a spontaneous trip to South America. Things go sideways fast, turning their vacation into a survival comedy full of kidnappers, jungle mishaps, and Wanda Sykes with killer one-liners. It’s loud, silly, and breezy enough for a weekend watch.

7. Death of a Unicorn (2025)

Yes, the title is literal.

Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega star as a dad and daughter who accidentally run over a unicorn on the way to a retreat. Enter his billionaire boss, who sees dollar signs in the creature’s healing powers. Directed by Alex Scharfman and backed by A24, this horror-comedy is part satire, part creature feature, and all weird vibes. It didn’t set the box office on fire, but on streaming, it’s already finding its cult following.

8. Freaky Tales (2025)

Oakland, 1987: four stories, one night.

Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (of Captain Marvel fame) deliver an anthology of interconnected tales: teen punks fighting Nazis, a rap duo chasing immortality, a weary henchman with a shot at redemption, and an NBA All-Star settling scores. The cast is wild—Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Normani, Jack Champion—and the whole thing feels like Pulp Fiction filtered through Bay Area street culture.

9. War on Everyone (2016)

Two bad cops, one very bad plan.

Michael Peña and Alexander Skarsgård play corrupt Albuquerque detectives who spend their days extorting crooks…until they pi-- off the wrong guy. Written and directed by John Michael McDonagh (The Guard), it’s a pitch-black comedy loaded with cynical banter, absurd violence, and an early breakout turn from Tessa Thompson.

10. The Legend of Ochi (2025)

Whimsical, strange, and totally A24.

Isaiah Saxon’s directorial debut tells the story of a young girl (Helena Zengel) who discovers she can communicate with fantastical creatures. With Finn Wolfhard, Willem Dafoe, and Emily Watson in the cast, it’s equal parts folk tale and art-house fantasy. The visuals are tactile and handmade, giving it a storybook feel that sets it apart from your usual CGI epic.

And That’s a Wrap

From the gnarly set pieces of Final Destination: Bloodlines to the throwback fantasy of Goblet of Fire, Max has a seriously eclectic menu this week. Want gross-out horror? Alien: Covenant and Bloodlines will scratch that itch. Need laughs? The House and Snatched are low-stakes, high-chaos fun. Or, if you’re feeling brave, dive into A24’s Death of a Unicorn and The Legend of Ochi—the weirder side of cinema is alive and well.

Bottom line: the Top 10 Movies to Watch on HBO Max this week prove you don’t have to scroll forever to find something worth streaming. Just pick your vibe—scares, nostalgia, satire—and hit play.