4 Must-See Movies To Stream On HBO Max In July

As one might easily expect, HBO Max has no end to fantastic movies lining its digital library, regardless of whether you’re in the mood for an obscure horror film from the 1970s or a rip-roaring superhero movie from the 2020s.

Of course, Max also specializes in dozens of terrific drama films across its online catalog, many of which have won universal renown upon their initial release. From sweeping romantic epics to gargantuan crime films, here are some of the best dramas streaming on HBO Max right now.

Queer (2024)

A somewhat fictionalized portrayal of author William S. Burrough’s famously tumultuous life, Queer also serves as a powerful love story set in 1950s Mexico City. Led by a remarkable Daniel Craig as Burroughs’ fictional stand-in, Queer hits all the right notes when it comes to portraying the relationship between love and individual identity.

Sing Sing (2024)

As with the aforementioned Queer, Sing Sing undoubtedly serves as one of the best films of the year 2024. A gut-wrenching drama set in the most unforgiving prisons in America, Sing Sing also touches upon the profound sense of comfort that can come with an artistic outlet, be it painting, sculpting, writing, or (in this case) theatrical acting. Based on a real-life prison program, the finished film is a powerful study of incarceration, redemption, and creative expression, brilliantly anchored by Colman Domingo’s lead performance.

The Brutalist (2025)

Among the best releases of 2025 yet, The Brutalist offers a stirring portrayal of the difficulties immigrants face upon migrating to the U.S. Set in the immediate aftermath of World War II, The Brutalist also hammers home the importance of self-reliance and personal resilience in the face of strange and uncertain circumstances: a lesson as relevant today as it was in the 1940s and ‘50s.

Goodfellas (1990)

In many ways, Goodfellas is the perfect antithesis of the other definitive Mafia-themed film, The Godfather. Rather than romanticizing the exploits of mob-aligned gangsters, Goodfellas explores the darkest aspects of life in organized crime, including the rampant greed, violence, and betrayals among close friends and family members. A tour de force from director Martin Scorsese, it’s a beloved classic in the crime genre, remaining every bit as enjoyable today as it was in 1990.