If you find yourself a little lost in HBO Max’s December movie lineup, you’re not alone.
With so many options, it can be tough to pick even if you’re searching for great films you enjoyed but didn’t love enough to buy on Blu-ray.
Regardless, the Watch With Us team has picked three underrated HBO Max movies you shouldn’t miss this December.
This month’s selections include an intense action thriller, a standout mockumentary, and one of the best superhero films ever made.
The cast of The Family McMullen
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‘Atomic Blonde’ (2017)
If you were impressed by Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road, her performance in Atomic Blonde will wow you even more. She plays MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton, a spy who can handle anything from brutal fights in abandoned buildings to steamy encounters in dingy bars. Set in November 1989, Lorraine is sent to West Germany to recover a file that could shake up the entire espionage community.
The file was stolen by David Percival (James McAvoy), who’s all too happy to let Lorraine take the fall. What he doesn’t know is that she’s been fighting for her life since she arrived in Berlin. With twists and turns best experienced firsthand, Atomic Blonde is a thriller that rewards watching without spoilers.
Atomic Blonde is currently streaming on HBO Max.
‘This Is Spinal Tap’ (1984)
There were mockumentaries before This Is Spinal Tap, but as the film famously says, “this one goes up to 11!” Directed by Rob Reiner, who also stars as documentarian Martin “Marty” Di Bergi, the movie follows the English heavy metal band Spinal Tap as they try to reclaim their glory days.
The band members David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), and Viv Savage (David Kaff) all bring eccentric personalities that bounce off each other perfectly, making for a hilarious and unforgettable ride.
Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon in A Hard Day’s Night
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This Is Spinal Tap brilliantly satirizes music films with its bizarre, sublime humor. While it may not be for everyone, fans of the genre recognize it as a seminal ’80s movie. It also paved the way for future rock mockumentaries, including the sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, released in 2025.
This Is Spinal Tap will stream on HBO Max starting December 12.
‘X-Men: First Class’ (2011)
X-Men: First Class stands out among 20th Century Fox’s Marvel films because it was fast-tracked to ensure the studio didn’t lose the rights. This gave director Matthew Vaughn significant creative freedom, resulting in one of the strongest entries in the franchise. Vaughn also demonstrated a keen eye for talent, casting Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Rose Byrne, Nicholas Hoult, and Zoë Kravitz before they became household names.
Michael Fassbender is the standout of the cast, delivering a mesmerizing performance as the future Magneto, Erik Lehnsherr. A Holocaust survivor seeking revenge on Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon), the Nazi responsible for his mother’s death, Erik is offered a different path by Charles Xavier (James McAvoy), who co-founds the X-Men. While most of the team embraces Charles’ philosophy of peaceful coexistence with humans, his adoptive sister Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) is drawn to Erik’s more militant approach.
X-Men: First Class is currently streaming on HBO Max.
