The first weekend of May brings some exciting new movie additions over at HBO Max.
This weekend heralds the streaming premiere of 2026’s controversial adaptation of the classic novel Wuthering Heights, starring Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie.
Watch With Us also wants to highlight two other excellent movies that were recently added to the platform, including Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line and indie breakout The Florida Project.
Keep reading to see why all three movies are worth a watch this weekend.
‘Wuthering Heights’ (2026)
Directed by Promising Young Woman and Saltburn filmmaker Emerald Fennell, Wuthering Heights reimagines Emily Brontë’s classic tale of obsessive love in line with Fennell’s teenage interpretation from decades ago. The story follows Heathcliff (Elordi) and Catherine (Robbie), who meet in childhood and form a strong, intense bond that becomes shaped by class division, emotional volatility and secret love. But when Catherine’s family is on the brink of destitution, she chooses to marry rich to save them — and forgo a life with Heathcliff, which throws both of them headlong into devastating emotional ruin.
Though Wuthering Heights divided critics upon release, it is undeniably a unique and affecting retelling of a story told many times. What makes Fennell’s adaptation compelling is how it leans into mood as much as narrative, and uses atmosphere to heighten the story’s emotional extremity. Fennell embraces the darker impulses of Brontë’s novel with striking and stark cinematography and a haunting score by Charli XCX, furthered by rich performances and a stark visual palette. The film is less of a traditional love story and more of a study in emotional extremity.
‘Walk the Line’ (2005)
Walk the Line traces the rise of country music icon Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix), from his troubled childhood in Arkansas to his emergence as one of the most influential voices in American music. Directed by James Mangold (Logan, A Complete Unknown), Walk the Line charts Cash’s early career, his struggles with addiction and his complicated relationship with fellow musician June Carter Cash (Reese Witherspoon). Ultimately, June’s presence in Cash’s life becomes central to both his personal and professional turning points. But as Cash’s fame increases, so do his internal struggles, which simultaneously pull him between self-destruction and the chance for stability.
Anchored by a truly transformative performance from Phoenix — which wouldn’t be quite what it is without a standout turn from Witherspoon — Walk the Line succeeds the most by leaning heavily into emotional honesty, rather than staying meticulously hewn to real-life facts. In addition to capturing Cash’s career trajectory, Walk the Line paints a portrait of addiction as it informs artistic identity, success and romantic relationships. While the music is an obvious highlight, it’s the raw performances that really make the movie feel powerful.
‘The Florida Project’ (2017)
The Florida Project follows six-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) and her young, single mother, Halley (Bria Vinaite), who struggle to live day-to-day in a budget motel in Florida, just on the outskirts of Walt Disney World. Moonee’s childlike wonder allows her and her friends to treat the motel grounds as a sprawling playground where they can go on adventures, while Halley and the other guardians struggle to maintain stability, relying on increasingly desperate means to keep them afloat. With the help of the kind motel manager (Willem Dafoe), Moonnee and her friends are shielded from the harsh reality of the adult world.
While streamers like Netflix and Prime Video have continued, unfortunately, to raise their subscription prices, the increased cost is arguably worth it when their libraries are full of entertaining content. That’s especially true for HBO Max, which is debuting one hit film after another throughout April. At the top of Watch With Us’ list is […]
The Florida Project successfully balances warmth with unease, capturing moments of joy without losing sight of the instability that guides the lives of its characters. Prince delivers an astonishing breakout performance for such a young child, and Dafoe brings quiet, steadying compassion as the motel manager trying to hold his fragile community together. The film is tender without being overly mawkish; highly observational, yet simultaneously empathetic. Directed by Anora’s Sean Baker, The Florida Project utilizes vibrant, slice-of-life storytelling, a gorgeous pastel color palette and exceptional authenticity to create a rich film about the struggles of ordinary people.
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