It’s the tip of 12 months two of the pandemic and many people staying inside — each to keep away from the unfold of latest variants like Omicron and to keep away from the unpredictable climate of 2021. Whether you’re new to HBO Max or signed up earlier for the half-priced deal however haven’t opened the app shortly, this can be a notably good month to take a look at the platform. HBO Max is streaming a number of the hottest films which might be being concurrently launched in theaters (if you happen to’ve subscribed to the ad-free tier), so you possibly can get pleasure from them from the consolation and security of your individual house.

I hope you might have your favourite snacks and drinks prepared as a result of listed here are 11 films and reveals which might be value watching proper now.

The Matrix Resurrections

This extremely anticipated fourth installment of The Matrix franchise brings stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss again into the Matrix — however this time, Neo and Trinity don’t appear to know one another. Thanks to the brand new Morpheus (not Lawrence Fishburne) providing Neo a crimson capsule to convey him again to a brand new model of the Matrix, Neo finally ends up becoming a member of the resistance to struggle a brand new enemy. Directed by Lana Wachowski, The Matrix Resurrections was concurrently launched on HBO Max and in theaters beginning December twenty second, 2021. But if you happen to’re planning the watch the streaming model, don’t wait too lengthy — you’ve obtained (according to HBO Max) 31 days to do it.

The Matrix Trilogy: The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions

WB Pictures

Before you begin watching The Matrix Resurrections, it’s best to actually fall down the rabbit gap and (re-)watch the entire The Matrix Trilogy. The authentic The Matrix (1999) follows hacker Thomas Anderson / Neo (Keanu Reeves) as he discovers the reality concerning the digital actuality world he and fellow people have been trapped in, a world created by synthetic intelligence overlords within the form of Agent Smith. Written and directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski, The Matrix modified how slow-motion motion sequences are filmed with “bullet time” and is liable for such iconic cultural references as crimson capsule / blue capsule and contours like “There is no spoon.”

The Matrix Reloaded (2003) takes place six months after the occasions of The Matrix, the place a rogue Agent Smith infiltrates Bane, one of many insurgent ship’s crew. Meanwhile, Zion is anticipating an assault by the A.I.-powered Sentinels inside about 72 hours, and it’s as much as Neo as The One to resolve the destiny of Trinity and the human race.

In the conclusion to the trilogy, The Matrix Revolutions (2003), the people in Zion go to battle in opposition to the machines. As the rogue Agent Smith makes an attempt to overcome each the Matrix and the true world, it’s as much as Neo to thwart his plans. Who will succeed?

Succession

Part household drama and half darkish comedy, Succession facilities across the fictional media and leisure mogul Logan Roy as his well being declines and he figures out who amongst his youngsters (or outsiders) has the chops to take over his billion-dollar firm. It’s an expletive-filled, trendy tackle William Shakespeare’s King Lear: the Roy youngsters vie for his or her narcissistic dad and mom’ affection and belief whereas they (and everybody round them) play video games inside video games. The present simply wrapped its third season with a masterful season finale (it has been renewed for a fourth season), so you possibly can go binge all three seasons to see what all these Succession-memes are about.

8-Bit Christmas

Need a brand new Christmas film to like? 8-Bit Christmas (2021) is a hilarious and healthful reminder of how a lot your Christmas current meant to your 10-year-old self. Jake Doyle (performed by Neil Patrick Harris) regales his daughter with a narrative on how he and his associates, who lived in a working-class suburb in 1988 Illinois, tried to get the Nintendo Entertainment System for Christmas. Whether you might have your coronary heart set on a red-headed Cabbage Patch doll or the nonetheless elusive PlayStation 5, we are able to all relate to the trials and tribulations of making an attempt to get that current we’ve been dreaming of and never realizing if Santa will get the job achieved on Christmas Day.

In the Heights

As the primary blockbuster film that was launched this previous summer season (after vaccines turned extra extensively accessible), the film musical In the Heights (2021) didn’t get as massive a field workplace as hoped, however you possibly can watch it on repeat to be taught all of the songs or choreography. Adapted from the Broadway musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda, with a screenplay written by Quiara Alegria Hudes, the film weaves trendy Latino immigrant tales, together with their hopes and desires, into a fantastic soundtrack stuffed with hip hop and Latin beats. Directed by Jon M. Chu and choreographed by Christopher Scott, the staff behind the long-lasting Microsoft Surface “Movement” commercials, the choreography is crisp and reveals off numerous kinds, starting from mambo to ballet, notably in “96,000” — the Busby Berkeley-esque extravaganza on the swimming pool. I dare you to not sing or couch-dance alongside.

Hacks

Jean Smart deserves all of the awards she will get, just like the Emmy she gained for portraying diva comic Deborah Vance in Hacks this 12 months. Just as her Las Vegas present makes plans to cut back the variety of her appearances per week (and due to this fact her paycheck), Deborah finds herself working with a Gen-Z comedy author named Ava who can’t do something proper. Through some sensible writing that’s darkly humorous and but feels all too actual, the 2 discover they will grudgingly be taught from one another and create a extra genuine present for Deborah. It’ll be fascinating to see the place this present goes in season two.

Nora from Queens

When I used to be feeling extraordinarily homesick throughout the first lockdown, my howling laughter from watching season considered one of Nora from Queens actually introduced me a little bit nearer to my household. Co-written and developed by Awkwafina (aka Nora Lum), the present is loosely primarily based on the actress’s family: she was introduced up by her Chinese American grandmother as a result of her Korean mom handed away when she was younger. The present breaks the mannequin minority delusion that every one Asian Americans are over-achievers and highlights a number of the intra-racial tensions inside the Asian American group. When an app created by Nora and her cousin Edmund (performed by SNL’s Bowen Yang) will get purchased up by a Chinese tech firm, the present actually demonstrates what it’s able to. Both seasons one and two can be found on HBO Max.

Raised by Wolves

Raised by Wolves (2020) is a horror sci-fi present that makes you query who’s the great man and who’s the dangerous man. Directed and government produced by Ridley Scott for its first two episodes, the present begins off by introducing you to 2 androids referred to as Father and Mother, who crash land on the desolate Kepler-22b planet and delivery some human infants. They seem to be a loving household till an accident forces them to cross paths with a gaggle of human missionaries who’re very suspicious of the androids. That’s when the viewers realizes the 2 teams have been at battle with one another for a while and are hungry for revenge. Created by Aaron Guzikowski, there’s a robust sense of foreboding on this world, however you simply can’t flip away — good factor this present has already been renewed for season two.

My Neighbor Totoro

I had no thought HBO Max affords the whole Studio Ghibli library on HBO Max (I at all times assumed it could be on Disney Plus). Known for its environmentally acutely aware messages, fantastically hand-drawn animations, and powerful feminine characters, the Hayao Miyazaki-led Japanese studio has one thing for everybody. My Neighbor Totoro (1988) is my private favourite: you expertise the world via the eyes of the sisters Satsuki and Mei as they befriend the forest spirits of their new house. Miyazaki manages to seize the emotions of rising up so completely that I really feel like I simply fell into the rabbit gap of my very own childhood each time I re-watch this basic.