The newly rebranded Max streaming service includes much of what its predecessor, HBO Max, had to offer. In addition to new content, the relaunched streaming platform now also includes more films in crisp 4k resolution, allowing audiences to experience these movies in a whole new light.
From new masterpieces from visionary directors like James Cameron to action-packed comic book movies, the 4k films on Max have a lot to offer film buffs and casual fans alike. Especially with so many movies to choose from, there are some films that subscribers simply can't afford to miss.
Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)
Zack Snyder's Justice League finally takes the director's original vision unrealized from the 2017 theatrical cut of the film and brings it to life. The 2021 director's cut offers a fresh and objectively better interpretation of the Justice League's formation. It establishes the battle against Darkseid and his minions, setting up potential sequels in the process, even if they'll almost certainly never be made.
Justice League may have an extraordinarily long runtime, but it is definitely worth watching again, especially in Max's glorious 4k resolution. The film is beautifully made, with epic imagery and blocking that keeps audiences hooked for all four hours. As the Snyderverse officially comes to an end, Zack Snyder's Justice League still stands as a testament to what could have been.
The Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King (2003)
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King brings Peter Jackson's epic retelling of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic trilogy to a conclusion as the battle for the fate of Middle-Earth enters its final stretch. Receiving widespread acclaim from audiences and critics upon its release, Return of the King went on to win eleven Academy Awards and is considered to be one of the greatest book-to-film adaptations ever.
The sheer size and scale of Return of the King still outshine every fantasy movie, even twenty years after the Lord of the Rings finale hit theaters. Now, audiences have a chance to watch the epic trilogy-ender in ultra HD, giving extra weight to the franchise's epic battles. The Battle of Pelennor Fields and the fall of Sauron have never been so immersive, or so hard to look away from.
Edge Of Tomorrow (2014)
Edge of Tomorrow is a sci-fi action film starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt that certainly deserves more attention. The film follows Cruise's character, Lieutenant Colonel Bill Cage, as he becomes entrenched in a war between humanity and a vicious alien species. After supposedly dying in battle, Cage wakes up to discover he is living the same day over and over again and his weird stasis may be the key to humanity's victory.
Edge of Tomorrow may not have been a box office hit, but the film is an underrated gem that deserves more attention. Not only does the Tom Cruise-led sci-fi film have a terrific story, but it is also intricately crafted with an immersive alien planet and species that look even better in Max's 4k video.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
2001: A Space Odyssey is an all-time sci-fi classic by legendary director Stanley Kubrick. Based on a short story by Arthur C. Clarke, the 1968 film founded almost every iconic trope in the sci-fi genre, including time travel, space travel, artificial intelligence, and otherworldly species.
It isn't often that films from the 1960s are remastered in 4k, but 2001: A Space Odyssey has managed to retain its popularity over the decades. Now audiences are able to experience the classic sci-fi film as never before, as the action, intrigue, and thrills become even more real in 4K resolution.
The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight is the second installment of Christopher Nolan's esteemed Batman trilogy. The 2008 film follows the Caped Crusader as he struggles to maintain his ideology in the face of a new kind of villain, the Joker.
The Dark Knight is still one of the greatest superhero movies ever made, complete with epic set pieces, an immersive portrayal of Gotham City, and memorable action scenes. The fast-paced thrills of Nolan's superhero masterpiece are all the more engaging in ultra-high definition, making the 2008 classic even better.
Godzilla Vs. Kong (2021)
Godzilla vs. Kong is the long-awaited matchup between two of pop culture's most intimidating kaiju. As the culmination of the first phase of the Monsterverse, the 2021 film delivers on its promise of epic monster fights, bringing Godzilla and King Kong face-to-face on multiple occasions for city-leveling fights the likes of which audiences had never seen.
Godzilla vs. Kong is the biggest and best-looking Godzilla movie of all time, demonstrating that modern CGI has caught up to the monstrous concept behind the kaiju genre. Max's ultra-HD version of the film comes the closest to replicating its epic theatrical scale, allowing viewers to experience the shock and terror of Godzilla and King Kong's battle in as immersive a setting as possible.
The Matrix (1999)
1999's The Matrix is considered one of the greatest action movies of all time. The movie follows Keanu Reeves's Neo, who discovers that his reality is nothing more than a simulation made to exploit humans as batteries. Waking up to the real world, Neo helps bring about the fall of The Machines over the course of the next several films in the franchise.
The Matrix has stood the test of time because of its iconic action scenes and compelling imagery. These integral aspects of the film are only elevated by its 4k remaster, which makes the action even smoother and the visuals even clearer. While later Matrix movies may not live up to their potential, the first film feels more real than ever before in ultra-HD.
The Batman (2022)
The Batman reboots the DC Comics character for yet another live-action franchise, this time with Robert Pattinson behind the cowl. Set in a standalone universe devoid of other DC superheroes, The Batman is a gritty detective story following its eponymous character's desperate hunt for a new villainous mastermind, the Riddler.
Matt Reeves's Gotham feels alive in Max's 4k resolution, injecting the film with new energy as audiences experience its thrills from the comfort of home. The Batman is even more epic and captivating in the highest quality possible, making the film a must-watch for Max subscribers, especially in anticipation of the upcoming spinoff, The Penguin.
Dune (2021)
2021's Dune adapts Frank Herbert's classic sci-fi novel, which is often credited as the inspiration for films like Star Wars and Star Trek. Starring an A-list cast, Dune sets up the massive sci-fi franchise as it tells the first chapter in the saga of Paul Atreides and his war against the corrupt House Harkonnen.
Dune's terrific world-building and sci-fi thrills take on new life in ultra-HD, which accentuates the massive scale of the saga. In anticipation of Dune: Part Two, audiences can experience the magic once more in high-res, letting them catch up as the saga continues into its next and most thrilling chapter yet.
Avatar: The Way Of Water (2022)
Over a decade after the original Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water expands James Cameron's fictional world of Pandora in hopes of setting up a new sci-fi franchise. The 2022 sequel follows the Sully family as they migrate to the coast to live among the Water Na'vi. There, they come face-to-face with an old foe who threatens to disrupt the lives they've built.
James Cameron's films are made to be seen on massive movie theater screens. Although The Way of Water is no longer available in most theaters, Max's 4k resolution offers audiences their next best option. Finally, the second installment of the Avatar franchise can be streamed in the highest quality possible, allowing viewers to return to Pandora's stunning visuals at home.