Max is not feeling the vacation hangover as the streaming service formerly known as HBO Max offers subscribers an array of new movies to watch in January 2024

There is a big focus on classic films at Max this month In particular, a collection of iconic westerns starring Clint Eastwood has just appeared But if you're looking for something a little more contemporary, we also have a few well-regarded modern films And if space travel is your thing, most of the Star Trek feature films you can think of have arrived at Max

The list of the best Max movies is already stacked with must-see entries, and this month's slate adds more So, to avoid decision paralysis, here's a roundup of new Max films for January 2024 that have seriously high Rotten Tomatoes scores

Before Oppeheimir timely reminded moviegoers of the dangers of nuclear war, there was Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb In Stanley Kubrick's legendary satirical comedy, an overzealous American general orders an attack on the Soviet Union that will cause global destruction on an unprecedented scale A strategy meeting is then held to prevent total destruction by nuclear weapons [Dr Strangelove is one of the most revered films in cinema history It stands out in Kubrick's outstanding filmography for its biting satire, brilliant acting, and inventive filmmaking Even more surprisingly, or rather frighteningly, its core message has become more pertinent over the past 60 years: it is as important to watch now as it was in the 1960s

Genre Comedy Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98 Streaming on Max

Max has added four more acclaimed westerns starring Clint Eastwood this month, including "A Fistful of Dollars," "For A Few Dollars More," and "Hang 'Em High," but if you only have time to see one Although it received lukewarm reviews when it was released in the late 1960s, it has been herded together in the decades since as a shining example of the genre done right

Directed by Sergio Leone, Eastwood plays the iconic Blondie, the man known as the man with no name, who also appears in "A Fistful of Men" and "For a Few More Dollars" In this timeless classic, two gunmen form an uneasy alliance and face off against ruthless mercenaries in search of treasure buried in a remote cemetery

Genre Western Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97 Streaming on Max

Another classic starring Clint Eastwood, but this time he has changed from his cowboy hat to a prison uniform In Escape from Alcatraz, this legendary American actor plays Frank Morris, a prisoner transferred to the maximum security prison of the same name No prisoner has ever escaped from Alcatraz before, but Morris is undeterred, and with the help of his cellmates, he devises an escape plan

An adaptation of the 1963 nonfiction novel of the same name, "Escape from Alcatraz" set the blueprint for many contemporary films and programs to follow to this day A fantastically tense thriller, the film follows Morris and co as they attempt to execute a daring escape plan that will make your hands sweat The film is also the fifth and final collaboration between Eastwood and director Don Siegel In the decade prior, the duo had produced such classics as "Dirty Harry" and "The Beguiled"

Genre Thriller Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97 Streaming on Max

Provocative documentary by filmmaker Penny Lane Although only six years old when the film was produced in 2019, this religious movement has quickly become a source of controversy With Lucian Greaves, the disturbingly charismatic leader of the "Temples," claiming that a Satanic Revolution is necessary to save the very soul of America, it is no wonder that this documentary made headlines five years ago

Lane not only examines the founding of the movement and what the group claims, but also explores whether the Satanic Temple is a legitimate organization or just trying to cause trouble in the name of causing a little chaos Hail Satan was especially praised for its darkly comedic subject matter and its exploration of social issues such as the ideal separation of church and state

Genre Documentary Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96 Streaming on Max

This 1996 film, the second feature film to feature the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation, brings danger a little closer to home In Star Trek: First Contact, the crew of the USS Enterprise-E and its fearless leader, Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), travel back in time to the 21st century and discover an evil He discovers the Borg Project

Upon its release, "Star Trek: First Contact" was praised for its intriguing premise and high production values that transcended the confines of a television show But don't think that the film reinvented the wheel First Contact was also acclaimed for its delightful return to the original '60s series Over the years, the film has come to be considered one of the best Star Trek movies of all time, but you don't have to be a Trekkie to enjoy this fun sci-fi romp

Genre Science fiction film Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93 Streaming on Max

Semi-autobiographical drama starring Jimmy Fales Jimmy's grandfather tries to reclaim the San Francisco house he built The problem is that his family lost the house years ago, and the gentrification of the surrounding area has increased the value of the house far beyond Jimmy's salary as a low-paid nurse at a senior care facility

The film won Best Director at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, marking Joe Talbot as a filmmaker to watch The film is packed with important themes exploring identity and nationalism, as well as seriously noteworthy images While the eccentric elements may not be for everyone, the characters are compelling and it is very easy to root for Jimmy as he tries to reclaim what he sees as his birthright

Genre Drama Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92 Streaming on Max

"Robocop" is a movie that needs no introduction This 80s action classic spawned a franchise that continues to this day (with none of the sequels), with a remake released in 2014 and a well-received video game released last year But when it comes to RoboCop, nothing beats the original If you've never had the pleasure of meeting this metallic law enforcement officer, it's now or never

Set in a crime-ridden vision of Detroit's future, Alex Murphy is an optimistic street cop reborn as the eponymous cybercrime stopper after an altercation with a gang boss that left him on the verge of death Armed with a wide variety of weapons and capable of smashing anything in his path, Robocop is the ultimate police officer Designed as an emotionless machine, Murphy's fragments of humanity remain, and when a shocking truth is revealed, Robocop may turn against those who created him

Genre Action Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92 Streaming on Max

Another classic starring Clint Eastwood, but this time he's changed from his cowboy hat to a prison uniform In "Escape from Alcatraz," legendary American actor Frank Morris plays a prisoner who is transferred to the maximum security prison of the same name after escaping from a previous prison No prisoner has ever escaped from Alcatraz before, but Morris is undeterred, and with the help of his cellmates, he devises a plan to escape

An adaptation of the 1963 novel of the same name, "Escape from Alcatraz" set the blueprint for many contemporary films and programs to follow to this day A fantastically tense thriller, the film is a sweaty hand as Morris and co try to talk their way out of his daring escape plan The film is also the fifth and final collaboration between Eastwood and director Don Siegel In the decade prior, the duo had also worked on such hits as "Dirty Harry" and "The Beguiled"