The Best Movies Leaving HBO Max In August (And Also All The ‘Harry Potter’ Films)
There are a bunch of movies leaving HBO Max in August 2020, including all eight of the originalHarry Pottermovies. This piece highlights five of the best movies leaving the service, and it does not include anyHarry Pottermovies, because you’ve all probably seen them a few times by now. But just so you know: you only have a few weeks left to stream them on HBO Max.
Anyway, let’s leave ol' Harry in the dust and break down a few great films you should catch up with before they disappear from HBO Max.
One of the best Stephen King adaptations ever made,Rob Reiner’sMiseryfeatures a powerhouse performance fromKathy Batesas Annie Wilkes, a deranged fan with a misplaced sense of entitlement over a franchise she loves. I don’t think there’s ever been a movie that details the dark side of fandom as well asMisery. Pour one out for James Caan’s ankles.
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
No other movie vanishing from HBO Max in August featuresa lengthy knife fightin which John Wick (Keanu Reeves) dispatches of several mercenaries in an antique shop, or a motorcycle chase involving swords at high speeds. Therefore,John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellumdeserves special attention. I will brook no argument on this point.
Good Will Hunting
The movie that turned writersMatt DamonandBen Affleckfrom struggling actors into Oscar-winning Hollywood wonder boys,Good Will Huntingovercomes any of its shortcomings through terrific lead performances from Damon and the lateRobin Williams. It’s one of the most mythologized films on this entire list for good reason: it’s the launchpad for at least two major careers, but it’s also an emotionally gripping piece of work about friendship, love, and regret. It holds up.
Dumb & Dumber
In the halls of the Peak Moron Cinema pantheon, there’s a huge shrine devoted toDumb & Dumber, the Farrelly brothers' 1993 paean to hilarity and idiocy.Jim CarreyandJeff Danielsare absolutely incredible in the lead roles – so much so, that even if this was the only movie Carrey made in 1994, it would still have gone down as an all-timer. The fact that he also starred in bothAce Ventura: Pet DetectiveandThe Maskin the same year is just icing on the cake.
You’ve Got Mail
Tom HanksandMeg Ryanmade rom-coms look easy. Of course, it helps that this delightful remake of Ernst Lubitsch’s 1940 movieThe Shop Around the Cornerwas written and directed by Nora Ephron, an undeniable queen of the genre. If 2020 has you down and you’re looking for a movie that will actually make you feel good inside for a while, fire up your old AOL account and give this movie a shot.LAST CHANCE TO CATCH: SELECT TITLES LEAVING HBO MAX IN AUGUSTAugust 25:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, 2010
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, 2011
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, 2005
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, 2009
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, 2007
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, 2004
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, 2001
August 28:
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Director’s Cut), 2005 (HBO)
August 31:
42nd Street, 1933
A Perfect World, 1993
Adam’s Rib, 1949
Along Came Polly, 2004 (HBO)
Cabaret, 1972
Dumb & Dumber, 1994
Full Metal Jacket, 1987
Good Will Hunting, 1997
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, 2003 (HBO)
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, 2019 (HBO)
Kill Bill: Volume 1, 2003
Kill Bill: Volume 2, 2004
Love Actually, 2003 (HBO)
