7 Best New Movies To Watch Before They Leave Max in October 2023

The scary season is here, with a slew of Halloween picks coming to Max (formerly HBO Max) this month. From the Scream franchise to Beetlejuice, there will be plenty of titles to choose from. While several movies and TV shows are leaving the streaming platform this month, there will be more equally fascinating content on Max. Since not all people like jump scares or masked killers, this list will include a huge number of films of various genres, which will also attract the interest of Viewers who want to stay away from the choice of horrors.

1. If Beale Street Could Talk

After Moonlight was awarded Best Picture at the Oscars in 2016, Barry Jenkins returned in 2018 with an equally impressive film. Based on the novel by James Baldwin, If Beale Street Could Talk follows Tish (Kiki Layne) and Alonso (Stephan James), a young couple who grew up together in 70s Harlem and are now engaged to a baby on the way. While the two lovebirds are looking forward to their near future, Alonso is convicted of a crime that he did not commit. This is a powerful story about a couple who persevere against all odds and is a worthwhile commentary on race and class.

2. Scream (1996)

Halloween is just around the corner and it’s time to revisit some horror classics. Max has been preparing Scream fans for a binge-watch since the first three films in the Slasher series were released on the streaming platform on October 1st. for those who haven’t seen Scream yet, it follows a teenage girl named Sydney Prescott (Neve Campbell) who has been in constant fear since her mother was murdered and raped by a masked killer a year earlier. When Sydney is home alone, she receives mysterious calls and is constantly attacked by Ghostface, the mysterious identity responsible for her mother’s death.

3. Blade Runner 2049

It’s hard to make a sequel to an already beloved franchise. Until Denis Villeneuve became the director of “Dyun”, he worked on “Blade Runner 2049”. The film is a sequel to the 1982 film and follows a new Blade Runner (Officer K, played by Ryan Gosling) to the Los Angeles Police Department when he uncovers a secret that could lead to an all-out war between humans and replicants. To prevent a catastrophe, Agent K must track down a former Blade Runner who has been missing for 30 years. Based on the innovative science fiction effects and great cinematography of OG, Blade Runner 2049 is an example of a well-made sequel.

4. Flight

Last but not least, the flight offers one of Denzel Washington’s best services to date. In it, he plays Pilot Whip Whitaker, an alcoholic and drug addict who somehow managed to keep his career intact. With no travel accidents on his record, Whip’s luck takes a turn when his seat exhibits a mechanical malfunction that forces him to make an emergency landing. With six dead in the accident, the protagonist is determined to put aside his addiction. However, when the investigation of the plane crash reveals his bad habits, Whip is in even more trouble than he would have expected.

5. Beetlejuice (1988)

Another Halloween classic, Beetlejuice, revolves around Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin), a married couple who died in a car accident and whose ghosts continue to roam their former home. When Deetzes moves into the Maitlands’ house, the couple tries to scare her away, but has no luck with it. The more they try to free the new family from their property, the more they attract Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), a ghost who can pose a threat to both the dead and the living. A sequel to Beetlejuice is in the works, which is expected to include Wednesday’s cast members OG and Jenna Ortega.

6. The Phantom of the Opera

Broadway enthusiasts, this proposal is for you. The screen version of The Phantom of the Opera from 2004 was highly praised by critics at the time of its release and continues to fascinate the audience to this day. For those who are not familiar with the history of the film, it’s about an opera genius (Ghost, played by Gerard Butler) who falls in love with a young singer and is determined to make her his muse. Despite his interest in her, Christine Daae (Emmy Rossum) is not attracted to Phantom. Instead, she is in love with a benefactor of the arts. Unable to live without her, Phantom devises a plan to keep her within his reach.

7. Flashdance

Before you dive into another Halloween selection, why not take a breath? Flashdance is the perfect dance movie to watch between creepy content. The focus is on Alex Owens (Jennifer Beals), who spends her days and nights as a welder in a steel mill and as a dancer in a bar. When Alex’s boss at the bar becomes interested in her and her talent, the protagonist feels the hope that with the right training and effort she can be accepted into a prestigious dance company.