Starting in May, HBO Max will officially be no more. Dropping the prestigious "HBO" from its title, the newly-rebranded "Max" service will officially be available on May 23. The decision has been fraught with heated discussions, whether they're surrounding the canceled Batgirl film, multiple original programs being written off, or the overall restructuring that seemingly goes against the service's original intentions. Nonetheless, "Max" will remain a place for high-profile films and prestigious shows for the near future.
But, during this transition, we can expect a lot to leave HBO Max. As in, entire franchises are being vacated from the service by the end of the month. It's going to be a bloodbath this time around, everyone. Morbid metaphors aside, these are just a handful of the best movies leaving the service after it officially re-brands itself into "Max."
Free Guy (May 23)
As one of the first films produced after Disney's acquisition of Fox, Free Guy will leave HBO Max on May 23. Starring the lovable Ryan Reynolds, Free Guy follows the story of "Guy," a bank-teller who lives an ordinary life in Free City. However, when he makes a bizarre discovery, he realizes that he's nothing more than a non-player character in a gigantic multiplayer video game. With his newfound sentience, Guy finds himself embroiled in a race against time as Free City faces certain destruction from outside forces.
A comedic adventure that embraces its digital origins, Free Guy was praised for tackling science fiction concepts in an approachable and entertaining way, with a terrific supporting cast in the form of Jodie Comer, Joe Keery, Lil Rel Howery, and other big names. After the film's removal, it'll remain available on Disney+.
The French Dispatch (May 24)
Wes Anderson's latest film prior to the announcement of Asteroid City, The French Dispatch will be leaving HBO Max on May 24. With a massive ensemble cast and three different storylines, the film follows the ongoing operations of the French fictional newspaper "Liberty, Evening Kansas Sun," as it's tasked with publishing one last issue. Taking the form of an anthology, it has just about every big actor you can think of in a film that plays to Anderson's strengths.
Visually interesting and dripping with Anderson's signature filmmaking techniques, it's a story with a particular focus on French journalism that feels just as fresh as his previous films. It's essential viewing for any fan of Wes Anderson's work, and leading up to the release of Asteroid City, it'll be interesting to see how it compares in terms of visuals.
F9: The Fast Saga (May 31)
Prior to the release of Fast X on May 19, there's no better time to catch up on this popular popcorn franchise with F9. Coincidentally or not, it'll also leave HBO Max by the end of the month. Originally released in 2021, F9 sees the introduction of John Cena in the absence of Dwayne Johnson and the return of Fast and Furious alumni Justin Lin in the director's chair.
While it isn't necessarily as beloved as previous entries in the Fast and Furious franchise, there's something to be said about how it continues to up the ante in the wildest ways possible. That, combined with returning fan favorites and a focus on "family," makes F9 an enjoyable watch for the most ridiculous reasons.
The Star Trek Franchise (May 31)
Almost every classic Star Trek film is leaving HBO Max on May 31. Yes, from the original Star Trek: The Motion Picture to Star Trek: Insurrection, they'll vacate HBO Max shortly after the service is rebranded, with Star Trek: Nemesis remaining. Thankfully, most Star Trek fans would rather forget that Star Trek: Nemesis exists to begin with.
What is there to say about the classic Star Trek films? If you're a newer fan of the franchise, they're essential viewing if you haven't already absorbed the hours upon hours of existing Star Trek content. While the films may take a more deliberate approach in tackling science fiction concepts, they remain an example of the best Star Trek has to offer -- while also, hilariously enough, representing some of the absolute worst.
The Rambo Trilogy (May 31)
The original Rambo trilogy, a staple of Sylvester Stallone's portfolio, is leaving HBO Max on May 31. Following the titular John Rambo, a traumatized veteran of the Vietnam War, he'll find himself struggling with his inner demons and external threats as he's pulled between conflicts. While Rambo would devolve into a simple action series shortly after the first film, they're still entertaining enough as a reflection of the era they were made in, as well as serving as the basis for the newer, modern-day Rambo films.
Between the third film's deleted ending controversy and the first film's commentary on the Vietnam War, the original Rambo trilogy is a fascinating encapsulation of the era's attitude toward international conflicts. While the modern Rambo films would take the level of violence and gore and crank it to a horrific level, the original trilogy remains an entertaining, if not interesting, series of action flicks.
The Wrestler (May 31)
Professional wrestling has always been an industry riddled with triumph and failure. Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler is a heart-wrenching examination of the latter, featuring Mickey Rourke in what is possibly the greatest performance of his career. Randy Robinson is a pro wrestler past his prime, but after a particularly grueling performance, he's faced with a dilemma: does he finally hang up his former glory in favor of his family, or will he find his true happiness in the very same ring that broke him?
Even if you're not a fan of the industry, The Wrestler's unflinching realism in depicting the bitter reality a lot of professional wrestlers face is utterly compelling. Praised by wrestlers and casual moviegoers alike, The Wrestler is a stunning examination of how and why these performers put their lives on the line every night.