Another streaming service means another vast library of titles to sift through to find what you want to watch. HBO Max is the streaming service from WarnerMedia, hosting not just titles from the pay cable channel HBO, but a bevy of films from the Warner Bros. library and other studios. There’s a great selection of classics, fairly new releases, quirky indies, and yes, superhero movies. The studio behind The Dark Knight and Man of Steel has a solid number of DC films available to stream. But if you’re daunted by all the good movies on HBO Max to choose from, we’ve got your back. Below, we’ve put together a curated list of the absolute best movies on HBO Max. Films that will be well worth your time, with our writers making the case for why each film is special.
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So check out our list of the best movies on HBO Max streaming below. And for more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows on HBO, best drama movies on HBO, and best horror movies on HBO.
Room
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Room
Release Date October 16, 2015
Runtime 113 minutes
Based on Emma Donoghue’s 2010 novel of the same name, Room is directed by Lenny Abrahamson and adapted for the screen by Donoghue. The movie follows Ma, played by Brie Larson, a young woman who has endured seven years of captivity, during which her five-year-old son (Jacob Tremblay) was born. Their escape finally grants the boy his first experience of the outside world.
Room presents both the highest and lowest facets of humanity within a captivating narrative that delves into the boundless resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of the most daunting challenges. In this examination of loneliness, identity, and the illusion of protection, Larson showcases her most vulnerable state and also displays the height of her talent. She was then awarded an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the portrayal. Jacob Tremblay’s performance is also exceptional, indicating his potential to become a prominent star in the future. Additionally, director Lenny Abrahamson and cinematographer Danny Cohen, in collaboration with Donoghue’s screenplay, present a distressing story through the lens of the most innocent perspective, resulting in a truly distinctive cinematic experience. Rather than avoiding the harsh realities, Room confronts them directly and unflinchingly. – Jessie Nguyen
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The Devil Wears Prada
Rotten Tomatoes: 75% | IMDb: 6.9/10
The Devil Wears Prada
Release Date June 30, 2006
Runtime 109 minutes
Genres Comedy , Documentary , Drama , Romance
Based on Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 novel of the same name, The Devil Wears Prada follows Andy (Anne Hathaway), a recent college graduate with ambitious dreams. When she secures a job at the renowned Runway magazine, she becomes the assistant to the formidable editor, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). Andy then embarks on a challenging journey, questioning her ability to endure her demanding role as Miranda’s assistant without getting burned.
It’s a rare film that not only matches but surpasses the quality of its source material. Viewers continue to ponder the movie’s valuable lessons long after the laughter has faded, as these lessons are well-founded, enduring, and skillfully conveyed by the talented actors who bring genuine depth to the material. The Devil Wears Prada continues to be a frontrunner in people’s minds when it comes to the most stylish films. However, it goes beyond that, offering a captivating and often comedic peek into the high-speed and alluring realm of high fashion. It also provides viewers with a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes operations of a prestigious fashion magazine. Furthermore, the characters, especially the formidable Miranda Priestly, have achieved icon status in popular culture, solidifying the film’s position as a classic. Streep’s performance also earned her another Oscar nomination, further recognizing her outstanding portrayal. – Jessie Nguyen
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Seven Samurai
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.6/10
Seven Samurai
Release Date November 19, 1956
Director Akira Kurosawa
Cast Toshiro Mifune , Takashi Shimura
Runtime 207 minutes
Read Our Review
Set in 1586 Japan, Seven Samurai focuses on farmers in a small mountain village who make a desperate plea to rogue samurai to help them defend themselves from a merciless gang of bandits that frequently terrorizes them. Unable to pay for protection, the farmers are aided by a veteran warrior who, along with just six other ronin, train the farmers to resist the bandits and fight alongside them.
At 207 minutes, the period epic is a defining masterpiece from legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa and is an iconic highlight of Japan’s samurai cinema. Its engrossing story works in its broad strokes as a heroic action adventure, but nestled within are insightful observations on cultural divides that thrive amid Kurosawa’s meticulous pacing. Also enhanced by some striking acting performances and stunning combat sequences, Seven Samurai remains one of the most influential films ever made and one of the most awe-inspiring movies of all time. – Ryan Heffernan
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The Conjuring
Rotten Tomatoes: 86% | IMDb: 7.5/10 The Conjuring
Editor’s Choice
Read Our Review On top of being one of my favorite movies in general, The Conjuring is easily one of my favorite horror movies of all time (beat only by its sequel). What gives The Conjuring franchise an edge is that each installment is based on the very real case files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, Ed and Lorraine operate as agents of the church as they help families and individuals escape the grip of demonic possession. In The Conjuring, the couple is approached by a young mother whose family has found themselves the target of an evil spirit linked to the country home they just moved into.
What truly sets The Conjuring apart for me is not the scare factor — though director James Wan certainly doesn’t pull any punches in that regard — it’s the strength of the characters and their relationships, which is baked into the script by Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes. The Conjuring works so well because, at its heart, it’s a story about love. Ed and Lorraine are driven, first and foremost, by their love for each other, but their love for helping people comes in at a close second. Meanwhile, Lili Taylor’s Carolyn Perron is driven by the love for her family, and even when a demonic spirit intends to use that against her, it’s love that ultimately saves the day. If you’re new to horror or just looking for a heart-pounding thriller with a heart of gold, check out The Conjuring. – Samantha Coley, News Editor
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Scream
Rotten Tomatoes: 61% | IMDb: 7.4/10 Scream Cast Drew Barrymore , Kevin Patrick Walls , David Booth , Carla Hatley , Neve Campbell , Skeet Ulrich
Runtime 111 minutes
Genres Horror , Mystery
Read Our Review A powerhouse horror franchise and possibly the 21st century’s most famous (despite beginning in 1996), Scream follows Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) as she and her teenage friends begin to be haunted by strange phone calls. A year removed from her mother’s death, Sidney’s grief is clearly still a challenge, perpetuating a sense of impending doom once the suspicious calls begin. The friends’ biggest fears eventually turn out to be true with it becoming clear that the iconic Ghostface is hunting them down, although his passion for murder seems to only be topped by his passion for finding out what everyone’s favorite scary movie is.
Originally intended as somewhat of a satire on his own works, director Wes Craven crafts a slasher film for the ages with Scream, with everything from the teen angst to the inventive deaths shining examples of the best this horror sub-genre has to offer. Using horror movie lore and trivia as the backbone to the story, Scream overtly questions those of us in the audience who can’t quite help trying to figure out who the killer is and then pulls the rug from under us in a shocking twisted finale. Spawning countless sequels, Scream has become a classic horror franchise that has rightfully earned itself a worldwide collection of adoring fans. – Jake Hodges
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I, Tonya
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.5/10 I, Tonya
Release Date January 19, 2018
Runtime 119 minutes
Genres Biography , Documentary
Read Our Review Led by the incredible Margot Robbie in one of her best roles to date, I, Tonya is based on American figure skater Tonya Harding and, through potentially unreliable retellings of her life thanks to Harding and her ex-husband Jeff Gillooly’s interviews, depicts the infamous 1994 assault on her rival Nancy Kerrigan. Despite having been at the top of her game for most of her career, which included breaking records and competing at the Olympics, Tonya was always judged based on her “abnormal” figure skating look. As the plot unfolds, Tonya’s struggle in life is emphasized, leading to an outburst heard not just around the world of figure skating but the world entirely.
A simply stunning set of lead performances is matched by a nuanced script from Steven Rogers in a movie that rightfully won both public and critical acclaim. Pulling no punches in diving deep into the psyche of a deeply flawed but always ambitious woman, director Craig Gillespie neatly captures the subtle influences that may have led to the infamous incident. Despite being a film about a woman many of us may feel we cannot relate to, I, Tonya is deeply relatable with a story that excels by holding a contemplative mirror up to its audience. – Jake Hodges
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Shiva Baby
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.1/10 Shiva Baby
Release Date April 2, 2021
Director Emma Seligman
Runtime 77 minutes
Genres Comedy , Drama
Written and directed by Emma Seligman, in her feature debut no less, Shiva Baby centers on the life of Danielle (Rachel Sennott); in particular, one fateful week in which she and her family attend a shiva (Jewish week of mourning). To her surprise, the attendees at the event seem to be a who’s who of Danielle’s life, including everyone from her ex-girlfriend Maya (Molly Gordon), her sugar daddy Max (Danny Deferrari), and his wife Kim (Dianna Agron). All hell breaks loose as Danielle is pushed to the edge trying to put out everyone else’s fires, although it is perhaps her life that is currently ablaze the most.
Based on her short film of the same name, Emma Seligman does a magnificent job translating this story into a feature, with the witty comedic style of the dialogue never overshadowing the nuanced analysis of both the Jewish faith and bisexuality. As the plot spirals into absurdity, an unnerving sense of claustrophobia creeps up on you, with Seligman clearly inspired by techniques used in psychological horror films. Delightfully cunning and terrifically performed, Shiva Baby is a biting tale that will live long in the minds of its viewers. – Jake Hodges
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Avatar: The Way of Water
Rotten Tomatoes: 76% | IMDb: 7.6/10
Read Our Review A sequel to the box office smash hit from 2009, Avatar: The Way of Water picks up the story of Jake Scully (Sam Worthington) a few years on from the defeat of the RDA, with him and his new family now living happily on Pandora. However, happiness was never meant to last, as the villainous RDA has been plotting another attempt to claim Pandora. With an invasion afoot, Jake and others form a guerrilla group to try and fend off the pending attack and restore peace to their land.
As always, Avatar: The Way of Water is, above all, a visual masterpiece. One of the best at building awe-inspiring worlds within his films, James Cameron produces possibly his best aesthetic career work to date alongside cinematographer Russell Carpenter. With the original Avatar earning itself millions of fans (and dollars), Cameron made sure to use a similar formula that worked so well in the first film in The Way of Water, providing viewers with a reminder of just why this sequel’s predecessor was such a universal success. – Jake Hodges
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Being Mary Tyler Moore
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.5/10 Being Mary Tyler Moore
Cast Mary Tyler Moore
Release Date March 13, 2023
Runtime 1 hr 59 min
Main Genre Documentary
Read Our Review Actress, producer, social advocate, and all-round performer Mary Tyler Moore is the subject of this documentary from director James Adolphus. Using footage of her professional work as well as interviews with loved ones, Being Mary Tyler Moore takes a deep dive into an enormously successful career of both entertainment and activism and looks at what may have been her biggest influences.
Throughout her 80 years of life, Mary Tyler Moore was an actress at the very top of her game, winning seven Primetime Emmys and three Golden Globe Awards. However, as this documentary discusses, it was her work within the progression of feminism that would solidify her legacy. Moving and powerful, Being Mary Tyler Moore really feels like a behind-the-curtain look at the life of a fascinating woman, with this award-winning film not simply documenting her life but also paying homage to it both generously and fairly. – Jake Hodges
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Parasite
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 8.5/10 Parasite
Cast Seo Joon Park , Kang-ho Song , Seon-gyun Lee , Yeo-Jeong Jo , Woo-sik Choi , Hye-jin Jang
Release Date May 8, 2019
Director Bong Joon-ho
Runtime 132 minutes
Genres Comedy , Satire , Drama
Read Our Review The first foreign-language film to win a Best Picture Academy Award, Bong Joon Ho’s genre-bending Parasite follows the working-class Kim family as they slowly infiltrate the lives of the middle-class Park family as employees at their wealthy modern home. Split into two tonal halves sometimes playfully referred to as ‘pre and post-doorbell,’ just as the Kim family feels they have finally gotten away with their plan to steal this lavish lifestyle, a dark twist hidden deep in the house will turn the lives of both families upside down.
A moody, thrilling examination of a discriminatory class system oozes out of Parasite, with each scene layered with gorgeous and nuanced subtext. As the plot begins to develop, a brooding sense of unease lingers behind some genuinely hilarious moments of dark comedy, until suddenly everything changes within both the narrative and tone of the movie. In its second half, Parasite spirals into a twisted horror film with all the suspense and shock one might expect from the likes of Ari Aster. A devilishly cunning twist adds yet another thought-provoking layer to this winding analysis of modern society, all culminating in a final act that will keep you holding your breath for a dangerously long but cinematically unforgettable time. – Jake Hodges
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The Silence of the Lambs
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 8.6/10 The Silence of the Lambs
Run Time 1 hr 58 min
Director Jonathan Demme
Release Date February 14, 1991
Read Our Review Multiple Academy Award-winner The Silence of the Lambs follows Jodie Foster’s Clarice Starling, an FBI cadet tasked with tracking down Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), a serial killer devastating his local area. However, in her hunt for the killer, her journey takes her to the cell of notorious cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). Now part of a twisted mind game, Clarice must learn to trust the evil Lecter so that he can help her on her mission; however, the terrifyingly clever Lecter seems to always be one step ahead.
Filled to the brim with unending tension that culminates in a breathless night-vision battle, The Silence of the Lambs is certainly not for the faint-hearted. Backed by a wonderful cast, including Jodie Foster in an Oscar-winning role, Anthony Hopkins stands out for his chilling portrayal of Hannibal Lecter, turning him into one of cinema’s greatest villains and winning him a Best Actor Academy Award for his trouble despite only actually being on screen for 16 minutes. A terrifying tale, The Silence of the Lambs has gone down in film history as an all-time great, and it really is clear to see why. – Jake Hodges
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All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 7.5/10 All The Beauty And The Bloodshed
Release Date November 23, 2023
Runtime 2 hr 2 min
Genres Documentary
Read Our Review Only the second documentary to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed documents the life and work of photographer, artist, and activist Nan Goldin. Dedicating her life to activism, Goldin has made it her goal to take down the Sackler family and hold them accountable for their role in causing the opioid epidemic. Using tales of her past and footage of her powerful artistic messages, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed paints a detailed image of Goldin’s work and tries to piece together all the elements that created this most unique of individuals.
Directed by Laura Poitras, this documentary aims, like Nan Goldin’s work, to transcend its artistic form and become something of greater meaning and benefit. Providing a look back at Goldin’s long career, the film evokes a numbing sense of nostalgia, with just how much time Goldin has spent fighting for justice equally as powerful as it is heartbreaking. Both inspirational and, at times, melancholy, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed was nominated for an Academy Award, such is its success. – Jake Hodges
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The Suicide Squad
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.2/10 The Suicide Squad
Release Date July 28, 2021
Runtime 132
Read Our Review The world’s most complicated anti-heroes are back in The Suicide Squad (not to be confused with the 2016 film of an almost identical name). After striking a deal to reduce their sentences, a brand-new team of meta-humans led by Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn take to the streets of Corto Maltese in search of an evil scientist known only as the Thinker. However, their mission is interrupted when it becomes clear that a new dastardly force is threatening to take over the world, with the career criminals parking their terrible intentions temporarily in favor of saving it.
Writer and director James Gunn’s penchant for non-stop action fun is out in full force in The Suicide Squad, with this rip-roaring movie taking no prisoners as it hurtles towards its climax. Unlike some other movies in this genre, The Suicide Squad tackles its story with much more adult intent, with plenty of blood and gore likely to put off the squeamish. From Margot Robbie to Idris Elba, the main cast feels perfect in their roles, neatly balancing the unhinged quirks and sadistic yet alluring personality of the perfect anti-hero. – Jake Hodges
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Wonder Woman
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 7.4/10 Wonder Woman
Release Date May 30, 2017
Director Patty Jenkins
Runtime 141
Read Our Review In the fourth installment of the DCEU (DC Extended Universe), Wonder Woman sees the iconic superhero portrayed by Gal Gadot in a prequel to Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. In the film, Wonder Woman, during her origin as Princess Diana of the Amazons, believes that World War I was started by an enemy of the Amazons after being fed information by spy Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) after he crash-lands on their island, Themyscira. Hungry for revenge, the unstoppable warrior will join one of the bloodiest fights in human history as fantasy superpowers meet historical bloodshed.
With many liberties often taken with superhero movies, director Patty Jenkins and the team of writers on Wonder Woman go to great lengths to make sure homage is paid to the true origins of the character, which has certainly pleased a large section of the fandom. Powerful and visually excellent, the movie is not simply a treat for the senses but also a nuanced look at the injustices faced by women during this time period. Among a sea of controversial and sometimes poorly received DC movies, Wonder Woman is a breath of fresh air. – Jake Hodges
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The Batman
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 7.8/10 The Batman
When a sadistic serial killer begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, Batman is forced to investigate the city’s hidden corruption and question his family’s involvement.
Release Date March 4, 2022
Director Matt Reeves
Runtime 176 minutes
Read Our Review This politically charged interpretation of the iconic DC hero sees Robert Pattinson in the titular role as his shadowy night-dwelling lifestyle comes under threat by a classic villain in the form of Paul Dano’s Riddler. When the evil trickster begins targetting local politicians and other political figures in Gotham, Batman is forced into action to try and restore the peace. However, Batman’s attempts to halt the Riddler in his tracks will eventually lead to him coming face-to-face with not just his foe but his own past.
Director Matt Reeves and his co-writers Peter Craig and Bob Kane do a wonderful job at providing a social commentary alongside their action-packed narrative, something that many other interpretations of this legendary character miss. Cinematographer Greig Fraser provides a typically gritty look at Gotham, with many describing this as the most eye-catching the city has ever looked. Dramatic, powerful, and full of tense moments, The Batman is certainly worthy of the heady heights its namesake franchise has previously achieved. – Jake Hodges
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Jennifer’s Body
Rotten Tomatoes: 46% | IMDb: 5.5/10 Jennifer’s Body
Release Date September 19, 2009
Runtime 102
Read Our Review Blending both horror and comedy, Jennifer’s Body follows the unlikely friendship between the reserved, book-smart Needy Lesnicki (Amanda Seyfried) and Megan Fox’s egotistical cheerleader Jennifer Check. After a blazing tragedy at a local bar, Jennifer suddenly develops a taste for human flesh, which translates into the murder of her classmates. With the pressure on, Needy must figure out why her best friend has transformed into a monster and try to save everyone else from her fatal hunger.
Full of genuinely hilarious set pieces, it is the horror that transforms this movie into a unique viewing experience. Surprisingly, writer Diablo Cody never meant for the film to be brandished with the ‘horror’ title, but it is the excellent attention to detail in the gruesome visuals and dedication to creating tension that has accumulated the film its most praise. In their attempt to satirize teen horrors (which they do superbly), director Karyn Kusama and the rest of the crew actually make one of the sub-genre’s most effective features. – Jake Hodges
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Hereditary
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.3/10 Hereditary
Release Date June 8, 2018
Director Ari Aster
Runtime 127 minutes
Genres Horror , Mystery , Drama
Read Our Review Hereditary, follows Annie (Toni Collette), who, along with her family, is dealing with the recent death of her controlling, distant mother. While her husband, Steve (Gabriel Byrne) is supportive, if a little distant, her children, Peter (Alex Wolff) and Charlie (Millie Shapiro), quickly find themselves wrapped up in the machinations of their deceased grandmother’s cult. As the family tries to grieve and move on, Annie, Peter, and Charlie find themselves visited by strange people and strange events. Disturbing dreams, strangers working to ingratiate themselves into their lives, spectral appearances, and strange feelings all hit the family. As the tension mounts, Annie and her brood are taken to the brink of their sanity before realizing they’ve all been prepared to ascend to some unholy position within this shadowy group, their fates fulfilled after all.
Ari Aster’s feature-length directorial debut is as affecting now as it was back when it was released in 2018. Filtering the grief of one family through the lens of a disturbing “What if?” scenario — in this case: “What if you found out your mother was a celebrated member of a cult?” — Hereditary doesn’t aim for the big scares. Instead, it slowly works on you, frying and fraying your nerves with its small frights and knife twists until you’re totally on edge. Hereditary establishes Aster as a master of meting out the dread in a movie. There is a very human weight Aster manages to import into his movie, too, and he knows how to balance it with shocking special effects or plot twists, which blend the genres of drama and horror together seamlessly.
Critic Adam Chitwood praised the film’s originality and performances. “In recent years talented young filmmakers have been working within the confines of ‘horror’ to craft some of the most affecting, thematically rich, and gorgeously crafted films in recent memory,” Chitwood raves. “That’s certainly the case with Hereditary…which not only manages to be deeply horrifying but also stands as a genuinely great family drama as well. Led by an award-worthy performance from Toni Collette, Hereditary digs deep under your skin and refuses to leave.”
– Allie Gemmill
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The Witch
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.0/10 The Witch
A family in 1630s New England is torn apart by the forces of witchcraft, black magic and possession.
Release Date January 27, 2015
Director Robert Eggers
Runtime 92
Genres Horror , Mystery
Read Our Review In The Witch, master of the horror genre Robert Eggers brings a classic spooky folktale style to the screen, following Christian couple William (Ralph Ineson) and Katherine (Kate Dickie) in 1630s New England. Living on the edge of dense wilderness alongside their five children, the couple’s life couldn’t be more routined thanks to their devout religiousness. However, one fateful day, their youngest son disappears and, as their crops begin to fail, a strange depression falls over the family as they begin to fight. As they turn from prayer to sin, just how far will they spiral into evil?
The Witch thrives at bringing an unending sense of fear, not despite its low budget but thanks to it, with his ability with such confinements thrusting writer/director Robert Eggers into the spotlight. Using a lack of cheap tactics such as jumpscares, this movie instead creeps under your skin and buries its nightmarish visuals and brooding atmosphere into your soul. Beautifully accompanied by a chilling score from Mark Korven, The Witch is a perfect example of why the horror genre will never need an impressive budget to succeed. – Jake Hodges
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Singin’ in the Rain
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.3/10 Singin’ in the Rain
Release Date April 10, 1952
Director Stanley Donen , Gene Kelly
Runtime 103 minutes
Read Our Review This classic cinematic masterpiece, directed by both Stanley Green and Gene Kelly, is set in the heights of Hollywood in 1927. Famous couple Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) and Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) are in a picture-perfect romance both on and off-screen if everything is to be believed; however, the truth behind the curtain is that the two are hanging by a thread. As the advent of talking pictures proves itself to be more than a flash in the pan, the pair realize that they must move with the times for fear of being left behind. As this difficult transition is underway, Don suddenly finds himself falling for chorus girl Kathy (Debbie Reynolds), but will the hidden romance succeed in such trying times?
From “Make Em Laugh” to “Singin’ in the Rain,” this musical movie thrives thanks to its iconic soundtrack perfectly performed by one of the musical genre’s all-time greatest ensembles. However, despite being known for its incredible music, Singin’ in the Rain is much more than that, with writers Betty Comden and Adolph Green creating a genuinely touching and heartfelt drama with a central couple that steals every scene. From its overall narrative to each rhythmic beat, Singin’ in the Rain encapsulates the word “timeless,” proving that no amount of evolution in cinematic technology can tarnish the combination of a wonderful story, visuals, and score. – Jake Hodges
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Casablanca
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 8.5/10 Casablanca Cast Humphrey Bogart , Ingrid Bergman , Paul Henreid , Claude Rains , Conrad Veidt , Sydney Greenstreet
Release Date January 23, 1942
Director Michael Curtiz
Runtime 102 minutes
Read Our Review Selected in 1989 by the United States Library of Congress as one of the first for preservation in the National Film Registry, this Best Picture Academy Award-winner stars Humphrey Bogart as downbeat American expat Rick Blaine who runs a nightclub in Casablanca, Morocco during World War II. However, when Rick’s ex-lover Isla (Ingrid Bergman) and her husband Victor (Paul Henreid) show up, Blaine is forced to choose between acting on his burning love for the former or helping the latter escape the city.
Endlessly quotable, Casablanca is considered an all-time classic by many thanks to its timeless story of love, loss, and everything in between. Still visually stunning to this day, director Michael Curtiz paints a picture with each frame, using innovative cinematic techniques to tell the story. Thanks to its stellar cast, each line of dialogue is bursting with subtextual nuance, with both Bergman and Bogart putting in career-best performances. Always captivating, Casablanca is a rare example of a film that seems to age like a fine wine. – Jake Hodges
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