Now that we all must haveHBO Maxto watch Hollywood’s latest blockbusters, it’s time to dig deep into its large catalog of library titles to see what else the service has to offer. And after the few years we all just experienced, what could be more appropriate than a great comedy? Luckily, HBO has quite a few to choose from. There are new films, of course, but they have a lot to offer when it comes to library titles, particularly from the ‘80s and ‘90s. Here are some of the best chances you have for a hilarious night in. And this is just at the moment, too; more titles are arriving all the time.
For more recommendations, check out our list of the best comedies onNetflix,Hulu, andPrime Video, or browse our picks for the best movies onHBO.
Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Max.
‘Spy’ (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 7.0/10
DuringMelissa McCarthy’s hot streak of action-comedies in the 2010s, she releasedSpy, the story of the seemingly harmless CIA analyst, Susan Cooper (McCarthy), who must step up to the plate after a series of unfortunate events and become the leading undercover agent on a mission to stop the deadly arms threat facing the world. Brilliantly funny and brimming with McCarthy at her best,Spytakes some of the deepest tropes entrenched in the spy genre — ones most commonly associated withJames Bond— and turns them on their head in intelligently comic fashion. Full of twists and turns,Spyalso benefits from an emotional core that will keep even the coldest of hearts warm and invested. -Jake Hodges
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‘Barbie’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 6.8/10
The biggest film of 2023 and one of the highest-grossing films of the decade,BarbiestarsMargot Robbieas the titular iconic doll who spends her days idolized and living in Barbie Land. However, when Barbie suddenly becomes aware of her own mortality, it is clear something is amiss, and she, alongside Ken (Ryan Gosling), must head to the real world to discover and solve the problem. Pink, powerful, and funny,Barbieis a gorgeously cinematic ride through a poignant feminist message led by two of the best performances in the careers of Hollywood icons. Not just a fascinating and quirky tale,Barbiealso has an already iconic soundtrack, with the likes ofDua Lipa,Billie Eilish, and Gosling himself involved. Simply put,Barbieis well and truly worth the hype. -Jake Hodges
‘Legally Blonde’ (2001)
Rotten Tomatoes: 71% | IMDb: 6.5/10
Legally Blonde (2001)
Despite appearing in some big movies the decade prior,Reese Witherspoon’s breakout role came as Elle Woods inLegally Blonde. A tale of hero to zero and back to hero again,Legally Blondefollows Woods, once a woman who had it all, who loses her boyfriend and decides to make him jealous by applying to Harvard Law School. Like a cross betweenCluelessandTo Kill a Mockingbird,Legally Blondewas a refreshing addition to theaters back in 2001, and it still feels refreshing to this day, with Witherspoon’s endearing lead performance capturing the hearts of all who indulge in it. Comically neat and wonderfully life-affirming,Legally Blondeis the sort of movie that is perfect to watch on any day and at any time. -Jake Hodges
‘The Breakfast Club’ (1985)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.8/10
The Breakfast Club
Considered the bestJohn Hughesmovie by many,The Breakfast Clubfollows five stereotypical high school students as they are placed in Saturday detention together, only to realize that their once-held prejudices of one another may be worth revising. An 80s classic that touched the lives of a generation of viewers upon its debut,The Breakfast Clubteaches lifelong lessons of acceptance and friendship, with even the most unlikely of pairings finding common ground. Whether you identify as ‘the jock’ or ‘the basket case,’The Breakfast Clubwill remind you that we are all one and the same, with Hughes and Co. managing to bring an expertly crafted movie to the table at the same time. -Jake Hodges
‘Uptown Girls’ (2003)
Rotten Tomatoes: 13% | IMDb: 6.2/10
Uptown Girls
Uptown Girls, not to be confused withBilly Joel’s pop anthem, starsBrittany Murphyas Molly Gunn, a woman who has always been handed anything she wanted without ever facing consequences, leading to her displaying an immature attitude to life despite being 22. However, after becoming the nanny of a wiser-than-her-years 8-year-old girl (Dakota Fanning), Gunn is faced with the reality that she might just need to grow up. Although some may see this as a simple chick-flick,Uptown Girls’ thematic core is bathed in some terrifically poignant messaging, with Murphy’s lead performance worthy of a tender drama. Directed with maturity byBoaz Yakin,Uptown Girlsdeserves much more credit than it currently gets. -Jake Hodges
‘Office Space’ (1999)
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 7.6/10
Office Space
Written and directed byMike Judge,Office Spacetackles the crisis of identity that hit late-90s America, with three employees who feel downtrodden due to the mundanity of working life deciding to rise up and rebel against their boss. On the surface,Office Spaceis a comedy with its finger on the pulse of its zeitgeist; however, the movie is invested much more in detailing the frustrating truth of many who feel unrewarded by their adult life. Featuring a stellar set of lead performances from the likes ofJennifer AnistonandRon Livingston,Office Spacemore than deserves its cult following. -Jake Hodges
‘Eighth Grade’ (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 7.4/10
Eighth Grade
From the mind ofBo Burnhamin his feature film debut,Eighth GradefollowsElsie Fisher’s Kayla Day, a 13-year-old in the last days of the titular academic year who struggles to painstakingly survive school despite her anxieties. In an attempt to find solace, Kayla turns to YouTube, much like the writer/director himself did. It is this deep connection Burnham has to this story that permeates through every scene, with the many comic elements trumped by the somewhat raw reminder of just how tough adolescence can be. Tender and heartwarming,Eighth Gradeis proof that Burnham has the world of filmmaking at his feet. -Jake Hodges
‘Sydney White’ (2007)
Rotten Tomatoes: 35% | IMDb: 6.2/10
Sydney White
Amanda Bynesstars in this modern retelling of the Brothers Grimm fableSnow White.Sydney Whitereplaces the dangerous woods of the fairytale with a different kind of dog-eat-dog arena: the college Greek system. After Sydney is banished from her ideal sorority, she joins the “Seven Dorks” to take on the queen of the popular girls and flatten out the hierarchy of coolness. Bynes gives a wonderful performance that is unusually pulled back compared to her other roles, which works perfectly for this movie. It is a fun romp that is a worthy adaptation that even the Grimm Brothers would enjoy.
‘Let Them All Talk’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 87% | IMDb: 6.1/10
Let Them All Talk
Three incredible powerhouses,Meryl Streep,Dianne Wiest, andCandice Bergen,enchantingly play Alice, Susan, and Roberta, respectively, inSteven Soderbergh’sLet Them All Talk.Let Them All Talkfollows these three lifelong buddies as they head out on a cruise together to rekindle their bond – and hopefully heal old wounds. As Alice (Streep) attempts to work on her latest book, her nephew (Lucas Hedges) and her literary agent (Gemma Chan) join the trip, attempting to uncover details about her latest novel. With a clever script from first-time screenwriterDeborah Eisenberg,Let Them All Talkdelicately explores complex themes like friendship, forgiveness, and staying connected through life changes.– Yael Tygiel
‘Tampopo’ (1985)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.9/10
Anyone who enjoys eating food (in other words, everyone) absolutely must check out this 1985 gem from Japan which celebrates the act of eating in pretty much every way you can think of.Tampoposurrounds a central story of a woman striving to perfect her ramen recipe (aided by a young, dashingKen Watanabe) with brief vignettes all centered around delicious, glorious food. It’s like ifKentucky Fried Moviereally were about Kentucky Fried Chicken. The film offers a little bit of everything: thrills, cute kids, sex, gangsters… but above all, it’s hilarious. Just don’t attempt to watch it on an empty stomach.
