Unmissable Movies Hitting Max in May: ‘Eternal Sunshine,’ ‘Inception,’ and More!

Hard to fathom, but here we are, nearly at the midpoint of 2025! With the departure of April’s rain and the advent of May’s blossoms, a fresh change is upon us in the selection offered by the Max streaming service.

Max has consistently taken pride in catering to a diverse range of tastes, so if you’re eager to catch horror classics, beloved romantic comedies, or this year’s Academy Award winners, here’s a list of the top movies set to premiere on the service in May 2025.

‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’

Streaming May 1

In the 2000s, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Michel Gondry, was rightfully acclaimed as one of the finest films. This movie struck cinematic success as it followed the story of ex-lovers Joel (played brilliantly by Jim Carrey) and Clementine (an outstanding Kate Winslet). After a painful breakup, both characters choose to undergo an experimental medical treatment aimed at removing their memories of each other.

Unfolding before you is a captivating exploration of the ups and downs in romantic partnerships, delving into themes of love, heartache, and questioning if not knowing can bring happiness. Kaufman, who garnered an Academy Award for Original Screenplay with his contribution to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, will be accessible starting on May 1st on Max.

‘Inception’

Streaming May 1

Shortly after “The Dark Knight” took the world by storm, Warner Bros. decided to grant Christopher Nolan the freedom he had long desired, leading to the creation of his ambitious dream project since “Memento”. This resulted in “Inception”, a groundbreaking and visionary blockbuster that remains unmatched in scale even 15 years after its release, leaving us feeling as if it were an otherworldly experience.

In a nutshell, the movie Inception is an intriguing heist story set within dreams, where a group of skilled dream-invaders strive to accomplish what seems impossible: planting an idea in someone’s mind. This unique blockbuster will leave you pondering long after watching it, and it debuts on Max on May 1.

‘The Princess Bride’

Streaming May 1

Initially, The Princess Bride didn’t garner significant success when it was released in 1987. However, over time, this fairy tale romance directed by Rob Reiner has received an incredible amount of favor from audiences, as it tells the story of farmhand Wesley (played by Cary Elwes) who endeavors to rescue his cherished childhood love Buttercup (portrayed by Robin Wright in her first role), from the clutches of the malevolent Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon).

This movie charmingly satirizes fairy-tale love stories while also honoring their unique charm. Boasting a fantastic cast, such as Wallace Shawn, Christopher Guest, and Mandy Patinkin in standout performances, and lines that will leave you quoting them for days, The Princess Bride is a pure joy, and it’s coming to Max on May 1.

‘The Silence of the Lambs’

Streaming May 1

To this day, the terrifying movie “The Silence of the Lambs” continues to send shivers down spines just as it did in 1991. This film, which is one of only a handful to have won all the major categories including Best Picture at the Oscars, follows FBI agent Clarice Starling (portrayed by Jodie Foster) on her mission to locate the notorious serial killer Buffalo Bill, who is known for his gruesome practice of skinning his female victims.

Eager for a clue, she seeks advice from imprisoned psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), known for his cannibalistic tendencies, to fathom the psyche of a serial killer. Unlike most horror movies (and their progressively absurd follow-ups), The Silence of the Lambs avoids dwelling on gore or sensationalism, instead generating psychological fear as Starling grapples with her inner struggles. In essence, The Silence of the Lambs is truly chilling, and it will be available for streaming on Max from May 1.

‘The Brutalist’

Streaming May 16

Following its triumphant run at the Oscars with wins for Best Actor, Cinematography, and Original Score, one of the standout films of 2024 is now available on streaming platforms. Known as “The Brutalist“, this film represents a rare, bold effort that doesn’t come along often, being both extensive in duration and significant in its effects. Adrien Brody delivers an exceptional performance as Hungarian-Jewish architect Laszlo Toth, a role that showcases him at his best. Similarly, Guy Pearce shines as Harrison Lee Van Buren, the enigmatic patron who recruits Toth to build a community center in memory of his deceased mother.

The evolving tale offers an intriguing exploration of absorption and relocation, creativity and trade, as well as Jewish heritage. It’s a movie that is raw yet cryptic, reminiscent of brutalist art, almost like the cinematic version of a monumental American Novel, and it will be available on Max starting May 16.

For a complete list of every film coming to Max in May 2025, check out the list below:

May 1

  • A Haunted House (2013)
  • A Haunted House 2 (2014)
  • A Private War (2018)
  • Badman’s Country (1958)
  • Barricade (1950)
  • Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940)
  • Carson City (1952)
  • Chronicle (2012)
  • Dallas (1950)
  • Enter the Dragon (1973)
  • Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
  • Fort Dobbs (1958)
  • Fort Worth (1951)
  • Funny People (2009)
  • Hannibal (2001)
  • In the Fade (2017)
  • Inception (2010)
  • Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole (2010)
  • Lone Star (1952)
  • Lost River (2015)
  • Madagascar (2005)
  • Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)
  • Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012)
  • Megan Leavey (2017)
  • Notting Hill (1999)
  • Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
  • Rachel and the Stranger (1948)
  • Rancho Notorious (1952)
  • Red Tails (2012)
  • Ride, Vaquero! (1953)
  • Riding Shotgun (1954)
  • Rocky Mountain (1950)
  • Royal Wedding (1951)
  • San Antonio (1945)
  • Santa Fe Trail (1940)
  • Shoot-Out At Medicine Bend (1957)
  • Son of Belle Starr (1953)
  • Son of the Mask (2005)
  • Springfield Rifle (1952)
  • Stars in My Crown (1950)
  • Tall in the Saddle (1944)
  • Tall Man Riding (1955)
  • The Band Wagon (1953)
  • The Bounty Hunter (1954)
  • The First Texan (1956)
  • The Goonies (1985)
  • The Kissing Bandit (1948)
  • The Left-Handed Gun (1958)
  • The Man Behind the Gun (1953)
  • The Mortal Storm (1940)
  • The Naked Spur (1953)
  • The Oklahoma Kid (1939)
  • The Oklahoman (1957)
  • The Painted Hills (1951)
  • The Princess Bride (1987)
  • The Shining (1980)
  • The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
  • The Young Guns (1956)
  • They Died With Their Boots On (1941)
  • This Means War (2012)
  • Thunder Over the Plains (1953)
  • Trail Street (1947)
  • Vengeance Valley (1951)
  • Vivacious Lady (1938)
  • We Bought a Zoo (2011)
  • Westbound (1959)
  • Westward the Women (1951)
  • Wichita (1955)
  • Ziegfeld Girl (1941)

May 2

  • Adult Best Friends (2024)

May 3

  • Ready Player One (2018)

May 9

  • The Whale (2022)

May 12

  • Where the Crawdads Sing (2022)

May 16

  • The Brutalist (2024)

May 20

  • Kong: Skull Island (2017)

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2025-04-28 02:39