17 hidden gems you can stream on HBO Max right now

Stanley Kubrick's epic sci-fi film changed the face of modern filmmaking, and for good reason. The film's scientifically-accurate portrayals of space flight and gorgeous special effects make it an awe-inspiring watch, even now decades after its original release. With a haunting classical soundtrack and an ending that's considered either depressingly nihilistic or completely uplifting, 2001 is definitely a must-watch for HBO Max subscribers. Immersive and eye-opening without being exploitative, Bourdain's landmark travel show Parts Unknown showcases the best of various world cuisines while also giving the famous chef a chance to make real connections with local restaurateurs. Highlights from the show include an episode in season eight, when Bourdain famously dines with President Barack Obama in a modest Hanoi noodle shop, and the season 12 premiere, which saw Bourdain sample Kenyan cuisine with comic W. Kamau Bell. Bourdain died in 2018. Parts Unknown is worth a watch for anyone who's a fan of the chef. Part Saturday Night Live, part Martha Stewart, Amy Sedaris' wacky comedy series is a treat for anyone who enjoys bizarre crafts, creative hors d'oeuvres, and a surreal sense of humor.The show also features a variety of famous guest stars like Neil Patrick Harris and Rachel Dratch and will have you wielding a hot glue gun like a pro in no time. With an instantly-recognizable theme song (shame on you if you can't rap the whole thing by heart) and a hilarious lead performance by Will Smith, Fresh Prince is one of the best sitcoms to come out of the '90s.Plus, the numerous celebrity guest appearances and iconic '90s fashions make it an all-around entertaining watch. The removal of Friends from Netflix late last year caused quite a stir among the show's regular viewers, but fans of Ross, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Monica can rest easy now that the classic '90s sitcom is available in its entirety on HBO Max. And if, for some reason, you've never taken the time to watch Friends, now's your chance to catch up on the show that made instant stars out of its cast. An endearing, if slightly out-of-touch, time capsule from the late 2000s and early 2010s, Gossip Girl remains as entertaining as it was when it first premiered in 2007. The juicy teen drama follows wealthy Upper East Side teenagers as they fall in love, wear expensive clothes, and occasionally stir up trouble. The show's worth watching for the hilariously dated (yet somehow still chic) outfits alone, but the drama — as well as the characters' hilarious notions about Brooklyn — make it a must-watch for nostalgic fans. A heartwarming animated adventure film, The Iron Giant also contains a powerful but subtle message about war and violence.The voice cast alone is pretty incredible — Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel, and Harry Connick Jr. all voice key characters — but the film's brilliant animation and still-relevant theme of acceptance and empathy make it a must-watch even today. Arguably one of the greatest fantasy series ever made, the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King) is available to stream on HBO Max — meaning you can now watch Frodo and the Fellowship journey through Middle Earth to destroy the One True Ring any time you'd like. Featuring a star-studded cast, an intricately built world, and plot twists that rival even Game of Thrones, there's no better time to lose yourself in the trilogy's nearly 600 minutes of high fantasy adventure. Funny, feel-good, and all-around entertaining, Miss Congeniality has become something of a cult classic in the years after its release.Sandra Bullock gives a funny and engaging performance as a tough FBI agent turned pageant queen, and while the script isn't anything revolutionary, the movie overall will still make you smile. Even if you didn't attend a prestigious women's college in 1950s New England, Mona Lisa Smile will probably have you wishing that you had — if only for professors like Julia Roberts' Katherine Watson.Radically feminist for the time period, and supportive of her female students as they try to forge lives for themselves outside the domestic sphere, Roberts' character is undoubtedly the highlight of this underrated movie. The O.C. is to Newport Beach what Gossip Girl is to the Upper East Side — that is, a juicy, dramatic, and occasionally overwrought show about rich teenagers that's absolutely addicting to watch. Focusing on heartthrob Ryan Atwood as he struggles to fit in amongst his wealthy new family and friends, The O.C. is a fun but enthralling series that's worthy of becoming your next TV obsession all over again.Slick and wildly entertaining, Ocean's Eleven uses its star-studded cast to its advantage, culminating in an enthralling movie that's almost too much fun to watch.Featuring a glitzy setting, brazen robbery, and a perfectly calibrated ending, this heist movie checks all the boxes without taking itself too seriously.Even though the critical response to this teen drama has been mixed, watching Pretty Little Liars is still a pretty entertaining way to spend an afternoon or evening.The show has lots of plot twists, and while the main characters' search for A can feel a little futile at times, there's still plenty of dramatic developments to keep things moving. Another classic from Stanley Kubrick, The Shining redefined the modern horror genre while also spawning numerous theories about the film's supposedly hidden meanings. All conspiracies aside, though, this Stephen King adaptation is chilling and absolutely unhinged, thanks mostly to Jack Nicholson's performance as Jack Torrance, the unstable new caretaker of the Overlook Hotel. The film's imagery alone is enough to give you nightmares, but the ending is also pretty memorable. If you can get past the slightly wacky premise — Michael Jordan teams up with Bill Murray and the Looney Tunes to help defeat an evil group of monsters — Space Jam is actually a pretty good movie.Basketball fans especially will appreciate seeing stars like Jordan, Larry Bird, and Patrick Ewing face off against cartoons, but really, it's an entertaining watch for anyone. Fans of the studio's immersive animation should probably consider an HBO Max subscription since the streaming service has exclusive access to the entire Studio Ghibli library. Whether it's older, beloved titles like My Neighbor Totoro or Kiki's Delivery Service, or newer films like Ponyo, you can't go wrong with any of the charming Studio Ghibli films. When Harry Met Sally is the rare rom-com that's as slide-splittingly hilarious as it is heartwarming. Focusing on two college classmates (the titular Harry, played by Billy Crystal, and Sally, Meg Ryan) as they progress from awkward acquaintances to close friends, the movie is probably most famous for its scene in Katz's Deli, wherein Sally fakes an orgasm in front of the whole restaurant just to prove a point to Harry.Fake orgasming aside, what really makes When Harry Met Sally stand out is the tender chemistry between the lead characters, which culminates in Harry's heartfelt declaration of love to Sally during a New Year's Eve party at the end of the film — a scene that's guaranteed to make you cry every time.

17 hidden gems you can stream on HBO Max right now

"2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968)

"Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" (2013 - 2018)

"At Home with Amy Sedaris" (2017 - present)

"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (1990 - 1996)

"Friends" (1994 - 2004)

"Gossip Girl" (2007 - 2012)

"The Iron Giant" (1999)

The "Lord of the Rings" trilogy (2001, 2002, 2003)

"Miss Congeniality" (2000)

"Mona Lisa Smile" (2003)

"The O.C." (2003-2007)

"Ocean's Eleven" (2001)

"Pretty Little Liars" (2010-2017)

"The Shining" (1980)

"Space Jam" (1996)

"Spirited Away" and the rest of the Studio Ghibli films

"When Harry Met Sally" (1989)