Top 3 HBO Max Films to Stream in May 2026, Based on IMDb Ratings
HBO Max has introduced several fantastic films for viewing in May, featuring two standout features — Margot Robbie‘s Wuthering Heights and Charli XCX‘s The Moment.
This month, the platform expanded its library with several remarkable biographical dramas, showcasing three compelling films about complex men who challenged the norms of their societies.
Using IMDb ratings as our gauge, Watch With Us has compiled a list of three must-see movies now streaming on HBO Max this May. These selections are definitely worth your time.
3. ‘The Story of Louis Pasteur’ (1936)
Set in 1860s Paris, where doctors relied on leeches for treatment and handwashing was nonexistent before surgeries, radical chemist Louis Pasteur (Paul Muni) strives to revolutionize this outdated medical practice. Armed with facts, he faces a medical establishment resistant to change, encountering ridicule and even threats to his safety. Despite the challenges, Pasteur is determined to prove his findings can save lives, even at significant personal cost.
A major success for Warner Bros. in 1936, The Story of Louis Pasteur received a Best Picture nomination and earned Muni an Oscar for his compelling portrayal of the pioneering scientist. While the film exhibits some dated perspectives and a Parisian setting reminiscent of a studio lot, its riveting story is captivating, and at just 87 minutes, it is briskly paced for a biopic from the Depression era.
2. ‘A Complete Unknown’ (2025)
With the benefit of hindsight, it’s astonishing that Timothée Chalamet didn’t win an Oscar for his remarkable performance as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. Portraying the young Dylan who arrives in New York City in 1961 with only a guitar and a dream, Chalamet captures the essence of a voice that represents his generation. As he navigates the early ’60s folk scene, befriending icons like Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) and Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro), Dylan’s ascent is meteoric. Yet, his desire to transcend folk music and experiment with sound alienates some fans.
Director James Mangold and co-writer Jay Cooks wisely focus on this pivotal moment in Dylan’s life, hinting at a broader narrative that could fill several films. A Complete Unknown authentically portrays the brief era when counterculture emerged into mainstream culture, with figures like Dylan revered as prophetic characters.
Chalamet transcends mere imitation, embodying the enigmatic allure of the “Like a Rolling Stone” artist. As suggested by the title, Dylan remains a complete unknown, and any attempts to box him into a singular identity would overlook what makes him captivating.
1. ‘Walk the Line’ (2005)
Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) led a tumultuous life, which is what made his music so powerful and his legacy so significant. This provides rich material for a biopic, and Walk the Line encapsulates the hillbilly romanticism and rebel spirit that characterized “The Man in Black” during the mid-to-late 20th century. Much of his allure stems from his deeply intertwined relationship with June Carter (Reese Witherspoon), a sweet country singer drawn to Cash’s bad-boy image. However, as their bond deepens, June confronts Cash’s serious issues, including a severe drug addiction and an unresolved marriage.
Walk the Line adeptly captures the thriving 1960s and 1970s music scene, painting Cash as a lovable outlier with a purpose. Witherspoon rightfully won an Oscar for her nuanced portrayal of June, who reveals layers beyond her seemingly innocent facade, while Phoenix shines as a man battling his inner demons.
