What to Watch on HBO Max: ‘The Last of Us,’ ‘Velma,’ and a Jason Momoa Climbing Competition Show
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
There’s no doubt what the big deal premiere at HBO Max is this month. The Last of Us is an ambitious adaptation of a beloved work with a built-in fanbase. (That could also have been said of Game of Thrones a few years ago.)
More from Rolling Stone
What to Watch in January: 'The Last of Us,' 'Velma' and J. Lo's 'Shotgun Wedding'
What to Watch on Hulu: 'Koala Man,' 'The Drop' and 'The 1619 Project'
But that’s not the only notable January premiere and even if you have to wait until mid-month to watch it, the beginning of the month brings the usual crop of classic and notable films to the service. So why not watch a classic Eighties comedy or a terrifying recent horror film while you wait?
Watch all of these shows and films for free with a subscription to HBO Max. An HBO Max subscription costs just $9.99/month.
Go ad-free with the HBO Max no-ads package for just $14.99/month (in line with pricing for Netflix or the popular $13.99 Disney Bundle). See full HBO Max sign-up details here.
HBO Max Subscription
Back to School (January 1)
Rodney Dangerfield’s best starring feature casts him as a loutish but goodhearted self-made millionaire specializing in plus-size clothes for men who decides to multitask by bonding with his college student son (Keith Gordon) and filling a gap in his education by joining him at Great Lakes University. The film’s at once rowdy and sweet and its supporting cast includes everyone from Robert Downey Jr. to Kurt Vonnegut.
The Crying Game (January 1)
Even if you’ve never seen the film you probably already know the big spoiler at the heart of Neil Jordan’s classic film starring Stephen Rea and Jaye Davidson. It doesn’t matter: The Crying Game remains both a tense thriller and a provocative exploration of politics and sexuality and the places they overlap
Crocodile Dundee, Crocodile Dundee II, Crocodile Dundee In Los Angeles (January 1)
A surprise culture clash hit in 1986, Crocodile Dundee helped stoke an international interest in all things Australian via the story of a rough-hewn Outback-dweller (Paul Hogan) who becomes a fish out of water in the big city of New York. The film’s views on race and gender, like everything else about it, remain firmly situated in the mid-Eighties but it still works as a time capsule of a weird cultural moment (even if the joke was already exhausted by the time its sequel arrived two years later).
Hereditary (January 1)
Establishing a tone of deep unease with its first scene that only grows more intense as the film goes on, Ari Aster’s stunning debut follows an artist (Toni Collette) specializing in miniatures who uncovers some family secrets after her mother’s death. That, of course, is putting it mildly: there are moments in this film so intense it’s hard to watch the screen.
Lawrence of Arabia (January 1)
David Lean’s epic biopic of T.E. Lawrence, unforgettably played by Peter O’Toole, really should be seen on the big screen. But chances are it’s not playing at a theater near you, so it’s a good thing the film’s visuals and politically complex approach to Lawrence’s life still have a profound impact at home.
Support the Girls (January 1)
Capturing a day in the life of a Hooters-like restaurant, Andrew Bujalski’s savvy, funny 2018 comedy is filled with details of working in the service industry and the unlikely bonds that form during the long shifts serving deep-fried food and dealing with sometimes unpleasant customers. It’s also a showcase for fun, insightful performances from James LeGros, Haley Liu Richardson, and (especially) Regina Hall.
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (January 1)
Not to be confused with Tony Scott’s remake, this 1974 thriller captures Seventies New York at its grungiest via the story of armed criminals (led by Robert Shaw) who hold a subway train ransom — but they might be undone by the dogged pursuit of transit cop (Walter Matthau) who wants to bring them to justice. The funny, thrilling film features one of the great final shots of any decade.
When We Were Kings (January 1)
Shot in 1974, Leon Gast’s documentary about the Muhammad Ali/George Foreman fight dubbed the “Rumble in the Jungle” went unfinished and unreleased for decades. When it finally arrived in 1996 it proved worth the wait, mixing stunning fight footage with musical performances, interviews, and behind the scenes footage that conveyed the match’s cultural significance.
Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace? (January 6)
Spoiler: for starters, Brian Cox, Jessica Alba, Hugh Jackman and Ina Garten will all be talking to the veteran newsman as the second 10-episode season of his interview series kicks off. You can find it both here and on CNN.
Velma (January 12)
A Scooby-less series focusing on the bespectacled Velma, this new Mindy Ealing-produced animated series revisits the origins of Mystery Inc. before Scoob joined the gang. Kaling voices Velma, a teen caught in a web of complicated relationships with Fred (Glenn Howerton), Daphne (Constance Wu), and Shaggy (Sam Richardson). Expect mystery, irreverence, and hijinks (but no Great Danes).
The Climb (January 12)
A competition series in which amateur climbers take on a series of high-altitude challenges sounds a little scary. But the contestants in The Climb have an experienced pro coaching them on. Chris Sharma co-hosts the series alongside fellow climbing enthusiast Jason Momoa.
The Last of Us (January 15)
One of the most revered titles in gaming history gets a sprawling adaptation via this new post-apocalyptic series starring Pedro Pascal as Joel, a hardened survivor, and Bella Rasmey (Game of Thrones) as Ellie, a teenage girl who might hold the secret to defeating the plague of zombie-like creatures that’s overrun the Earth. Video game adaptations don’t have a great track record, but the source material’s strong narrative, a strong cast that also includes Anna Torv and Nick Offerman, and the presence of original writer Neil Druckerman, who serves as co-creator alongside Craig Mazin (Chernobyl), all suggest this is highly likely to be an exception.
Best of Rolling Stone
