Max’s latest slate blends buzzy originals, international standouts, punchy true crime, and a deep trove of comfort films. If you’ve been waiting for a month that rewards curiosity—whether that’s offbeat animation, a globe-spanning drama, or a prestige movie rewatch—this lineup delivers.
Must-see originals leading Max’s new monthly slate
Boys Go To Jupiter is the conversation-starter. The Floridian animated feature follows teenage delivery worker Billy 5000 through a surreal chain of encounters that tumbles from suburban cul-de-sacs into cosmic weirdness. Directed by Julian Glander—whose candy-colored, slightly uncanny 3D sensibility (see his cult indie game Art Sqool) is instantly recognizable—the film pushes beyond Adult Swim’s house style into stranger, sweeter territory. With voices from Jack Corbett, Elsie Fisher, and Sarah Sherman, it’s the month’s most adventurous bet, and early audience scores hovering in the mid-6s on IMDb suggest an under-the-radar gem for animation fans.
Neighbors, a six-part A24-backed docuseries, takes a microscope to America’s most intimate battleground: the property line. Directors Harrison Fishman and Dylan Redford spent two years collecting stories of petty squabbles and escalating disputes, mapping the perverse theater of coexistence. Expect cringe and catharsis in equal measure. A24’s doc track record primes this to travel well beyond the true-crime crowd.
Also back to anchor your weeklies is Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, the reliable high-wattage staple that tends to puncture the news cycle just when everyone needs a reset. In a month heavy on premieres, it’s a smart cadence setter.
Global stories on Max that are worth your time
Portobello marks HBO’s first original Italian-language drama and arrives with pedigree. Marco Bellocchio—long a defining voice in Italian cinema—renders the rise-and-ruin saga of Enzo Tortora, a beloved TV host ensnared in a mafia scandal that wrecked his life before the truth emerged. With performances from Fabrizio Gifuni, Lino Musella, and Romana Maggiora Vergano, it’s prestige Euro-drama built to spark post-episode Googling. International series have steadily punched above their weight on US platforms, and this one has the hallmarks of a word-of-mouth grower.
Comfort watches and family picks to stream on Max
Puppy Bowl XXII returns with its annual dose of pure serotonin, a co-viewing juggernaut that Warner Bros. Discovery has turned into a multi-platform event. Pair that feel-good fixture with fresh kids’ drops—Batwheels continues to expand its preschool superhero universe, while Isadora Moon brings a cozy, book-to-screen charm.
For movie night, the triumphant return of Paddington 2 is the big exhale. Add in family-friendly films like Hop and Ferdinand, and you’ve got enough to fill a whole weekend without touching a remote app recommendation.
True crime and documentary deep dives to watch
Max’s nonfiction bench is deep this month. Murder In Glitterball City probes a high-society killing with a stranger-than-fiction sheen. Banksters unpacks white-collar rot, while Surviving the Jehovah’s Witnesses amplifies voices from a closed community. The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper returns to synthesize big narratives, and Contraband: Seized at the Border scratches that procedural itch. This is the Discovery DNA at work—broad, bingeable, and sticky.
Industry watchers will note this mix isn’t accidental. Nielsen’s streaming tallies routinely show documentaries and true crime punching above their share in time spent, thanks to easy entry points and autoplay momentum. Expect several of these titles to chart in weekly rankings once the audience finds them.
Notable library movies landing on Max this month
The film library refresh is stacked. Awards darlings The Shape of Water, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and Life of Pi line up alongside canon essentials like Malcolm X. For date night, The Spectacular Now and The Notebook are back; for comfort-food heists and chaos, Get Him to the Greek and MacGruber return in both theatrical and unrated cuts. Classic Hollywood devotees can cue up Wuthering Heights (1939), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932), Mildred Pierce (1945), Mrs. Miniver, and Captains Courageous—proof that black-and-white still plays beautifully on modern OLEDs.
There’s a programming logic here. Research from organizations like Nielsen and the European Audiovisual Observatory has repeatedly shown that licensed catalog fuels the lion’s share of streaming hours. Max’s blend of recent Oscar winners and Golden Age staples is designed to keep you watching after the new-episode buzz fades.
Key arrivals on Max this month at a quick glance
Early in the month, start with Boys Go To Jupiter for a sharp palate cleanser. Mid-month, switch to Neighbors to scratch that docu-drama itch. As the back half rolls in, make room for Portobello and a couple of true-crime picks for discussion fodder. Close things out with a family double feature anchored by Paddington 2. If you prefer serendipity, dive into the library row and let the classics and crowd-pleasers guide your queue.
Bottom line: this is a lineup calibrated for breadth and rewatch value. Originals bring the heat, international programming raises the ceiling, and the deep catalog keeps everyone else on the couch. That’s smart streaming.
