HBO Max’s Must-Watch Movies Leaving in August

HBO Max, which recently reclaimed its original name, is about to bid farewell to several outstanding films from its library. As streaming rights shift and contracts expire, viewers have just days left to catch some remarkable titles before they depart. The timing couldn’t be more bittersweet for subscribers who might have been planning to watch these critically acclaimed films at their leisure. Among the departing treasures are a scientifically accurate space survival drama, a uniquely imaginative superhero film, and an eccentric detective story from one of modern cinema’s most distinctive voices.

Ridley Scott’s “The Martian” (2015) stands as one of the most compelling space survival stories in recent memory, presenting a refreshingly optimistic take on humanity’s potential in the face of impossible odds. Based on Andy Weir’s meticulously researched novel, the film stars Matt Damon as Mark Watney, an astronaut mistakenly left for dead on Mars when his crew evacuates during a violent dust storm. What follows is not just a struggle for survival, but a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. Alone on the hostile red planet with limited supplies, Watney famously decides to “science the hell out of this,” growing potatoes in Martian soil fertilized with human waste and establishing communication with Earth through ingenious means. The film balances its scientific accuracy with genuine human drama, as NASA and Watney’s crewmates—led by Jessica Chastain’s Commander Lewis—work tirelessly to bring him home. Unlike many survival films, “The Martian” maintains a surprisingly upbeat tone, highlighting cooperation and problem-solving rather than despair. The stunning visual effects bring Mars to life in breathtaking detail, making Watney’s isolation all the more palpable while showcasing the beauty of our planetary neighbor.

Before the recent, less successful attempts to bring Dark Horse Comics’ demonic hero to the screen, Guillermo del Toro crafted 2004’s “Hellboy” with the perfect balance of imagination, humor, and heart. Ron Perlman embodies the cigar-chomping, cat-loving demon who was summoned to Earth as a child during World War II but raised by a kindly professor (John Hurt) to fight supernatural evil instead of causing it. Del Toro’s signature visual style infuses every frame with gothic beauty and practical creature effects that still impress nearly two decades later. The film introduces viewers to the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD), where Hellboy works alongside the psychic firestarter Liz Sherman (Selma Blair) and the telepathic amphibian Abe Sapien (Doug Jones). When the villain who originally summoned Hellboy—the undead Russian mystic Rasputin—returns to complete his apocalyptic plan, our hero must confront both external threats and his own conflicted nature. What makes “Hellboy” stand out from other superhero films is its emphasis on monsters as misunderstood outsiders rather than threats, reflecting del Toro’s career-long sympathy for the monstrous. The film’s practical effects and makeup work create a tangible world where the fantastical feels grounded, while Perlman’s performance brings unexpected vulnerability to a character who literally files down his horns to fit in with humanity.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Inherent Vice” (2014) defies easy categorization, blending elements of film noir, stoner comedy, and 1970s period piece into something wholly unique. Based on Thomas Pynchon’s novel, the film stars Joaquin Phoenix as Larry “Doc” Sportello, a perpetually high private investigator navigating the sun-drenched paranoia of 1970 Los Angeles. When his ex-girlfriend Shasta (Katherine Waterston) appears asking for help protecting her current lover, real estate mogul Mickey Wolfmann, Doc tumbles into a labyrinthine mystery involving disappeared persons, drug smuggling, dentist-led syndicates, and possibly a government conspiracy. The film intentionally confuses and disorients, mirroring Doc’s constantly bewildered state as he crosses paths with a colorful cast of characters, including Josh Brolin’s straight-laced, hippie-hating detective “Bigfoot” Bjornsen. Anderson doesn’t provide easy answers or a neatly wrapped conclusion, instead creating an atmospheric meditation on the end of the 1960s counterculture dream and the creeping paranoia of the Nixon era. Phoenix’s performance is a marvel of physical comedy and subtle emotional depth, creating a protagonist who’s simultaneously incompetent and surprisingly perceptive. The film’s hazy cinematography and meticulous period details perfectly capture the transitional moment when the optimism of the 1960s gave way to the corruption and disillusionment of the 1970s.

These departing films represent different genres and sensibilities, but they share a commitment to storytelling that respects viewers’ intelligence while delivering profound emotional experiences. “The Martian” offers a scientifically plausible space adventure that celebrates human ingenuity and cooperation. Rather than relying on traditional antagonists, the film pits its hero against the unforgiving environment of Mars itself, finding drama in problem-solving and tension in the race against dwindling resources. “Hellboy” demonstrates how superhero films can transcend their genre conventions when guided by a director with a singular vision. Del Toro’s film preceded the current superhero saturation and stands apart with its emphasis on practical effects, folklore-inspired mythology, and genuine emotional stakes. “Inherent Vice” represents a filmmaker at the height of his powers, creating a deliberately disorienting narrative that rewards multiple viewings and captures the paranoid zeitgeist of a specific historical moment while remaining oddly relevant to our own conspiracy-laden times.

All three films challenge the distinctions between “art house” and “mainstream” cinema, proving that thoughtful, complex stories can coexist with visual spectacle and entertainment value. They represent what streaming services at their best can offer: access to diverse, high-quality filmmaking that might otherwise go undiscovered by casual viewers. The imminent departure of these titles from HBO Max highlights the ephemeral nature of streaming libraries, where content constantly shifts between platforms based on licensing agreements rather than artistic merit or viewer interest. For cinema enthusiasts, this reality means developing a “watch it while you can” mentality that changes how we consume and prioritize media.

As August 31st approaches, HBO Max subscribers have a limited window to experience these exceptional films before they migrate to other streaming services. “The Martian” offers an inspiring tale of human resilience and scientific problem-solving that feels especially relevant in our current era of climate challenges and renewed space exploration. “Hellboy” presents a uniquely imaginative superhero tale that prioritizes character and practical effects over digital spectacle, showing what’s possible when a filmmaker with a clear vision adapts comic book material. “Inherent Vice” delivers a deliberately puzzling but rewarding journey through a specific moment in American cultural history, featuring career-defining performances from its ensemble cast. While these films will undoubtedly reappear on other platforms eventually, their departure serves as a reminder that in the streaming era, nothing is permanent, and sometimes the best approach is to seize the opportunity to watch exceptional cinema while it’s still just a click away.