5 best new to HBO Max movies in May 2026 with 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes
At the beginning of this month, HBO Max dropped a huge batch of new movies into its already packed library, so there’s no shortage of fresh picks to stream this month.
A packed release slate is great in theory, but with so many new films arriving across multiple streaming services, deciding what to watch can quickly become overwhelming. That’s why I’ve skipped the full HBO Max May lineup and focused on five new additions, all earning at least 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. This is a solid benchmark for quality.
HBO Max is in great form this May, with a lineup full of must-watch movies. With so many well-reviewed titles available, it wasn’t easy to choose, but these five are the ones that stood out the most.
5 top-rated movies to stream on HBO Max this month
‘The Florida Project’ (2017)
One of Willem Dafoe’s most overlooked films has to be “The Florida Project,” an indie drama that sees him play a reluctant father figure, handyman, and protector. Even though it was hailed as one of the best films of the year back in 2017, it has since been forgotten. The film is essentially vibrant yet gut-wrenching, slice-of-life cinema. It sits at the intersection of childhood wonder and the harsh realities of the American “hidden homeless” population.
“The Florida Project” centers around 6-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince), who spends her summer living in a budget motel just outside Walt Disney World with her young mother, Halley (Bria Vinaite). As Moonee roams the surrounding area with her friends, getting into mischief and exploring nearby attractions, the motel’s manager, Bobby (Willem Dafoe), keeps a watchful eye on the residents. Meanwhile, Halley struggles to cover weekly rent, turning to increasingly risky ways of earning money.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Stream “The Florida Project” on HBO Max now
‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ (2023)
I think most of us “Spider-Man” fans know that these animated films are some of the best in the franchise. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” isn’t just a sequel but a massive technical experiment that pushed the boundaries of what a major studio can produce. It uses bold visual choices to tell a deeply personal story, though it trades saturated realism for mind-bending, multi-medium animation. Writing about it now makes me realize I’m due for another rewatch!
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” follows Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) as he reunites with Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) and is pulled into a vast multiverse filled with different versions of Spider-People. While tracking a powerful villain known as the Spot, Miles discovers a secret organisation led by Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac) that monitors threats across dimensions. When their methods clash with his instincts, Miles finds himself on the run, pursued by other Spider-heroes.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
Stream “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” on HBO Max now
‘Love, Simon’ (2018)
![Love, Simon | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX - YouTube](https://www.socialmediaasia.com/wp-content/uploads/maxresdefault-64.jpg)
If you’re in the mood for a glossy romantic comedy, “Love Simon” should be on your watchlist. It takes the classic tropes of the “John Hughes” style coming-of-age movie and updates them for a modern, inclusive audience. This film is also an important one because it explores the ethics of privacy and the idea that everyone deserves to tell their own story on their own timeline. Director Greg Berlanti succeeded in making an honest and good-natured film.
“Love, Simon” focuses on high school senior Simon Spier (Nick Robinson), who appears to have a normal life with close friends and a supportive family. Secretly, he has been exchanging emails with an anonymous classmate known only as “Blue,” forming a connection without knowing his identity. When a fellow student discovers the emails, Simon is blackmailed into helping him pursue one of Simon’s friends or risk having his private messages exposed.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Stream “Love, Simon on HBO Max now
‘Crazy Rich Asians’ (2018)
“Crazy Rich Asians” was a box office hit when it was first released in 2018, and it deserved every bit of praise. In fact, it made around $238-239 million worldwide against a $30 million budget, which is an incredible achievement for a romantic comedy. This film also delivered strong mainstream representation, with a fun group of characters and plenty of charm to go along with it. This is a guaranteed mood-booster.
Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) is a New York economics professor who travels to Singapore with her boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), for his best friend’s wedding. Expecting a simple trip, Rachel is stunned to discover that Nick comes from one of the wealthiest families in the country. As she is introduced to his relatives and their extravagant lifestyle, she becomes the focus of intense attention from high-society figures and faces immediate disapproval from Nick’s formidable mother (Michelle Yeoh).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%
Stream “Crazy Rich Asians” on HBO Max now
‘Lurker’ (2025)
We’re ending this list with a slow-burn psychological thriller, “Lurker,” which is directed by Alex Russell (writer-producer of “The Bear” and “Beef”). The film is visually clever, often clipping between professional film lenses and “found footage” styles, using grainy digital video and social media filters to mirror the way we consume celebrities today. “Lurker” has also been hailed as a defining work for the “TikTok generation,” appearing on several “Top ten of 2025” lists.
“Lurker” follows Matthew (Théodore Pellerin), a lonely retail worker in Los Angeles who becomes fixated on rising pop star Oliver (Archie Madekwe) after a chance encounter in his store. He gradually works his way into Oliver’s inner circle, first by offering help with small tasks and filming behind-the-scenes content, which earns him limited trust. As Matthew becomes more embedded in Oliver’s world, he begins documenting everything while carefully managing his place within the group.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Stream “Lurker” on HBO Max starting May 15
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