Summary
- HBO movies showcase a wide range of genres, from intense dramas like The Normal Heart to hilarious comedies like 7 Days in Hell.
- The talented cast in HBO movies, including Al Pacino and Julianne Moore, bring real-life and controversial figures to life on screen.
- HBO movies tackle important and relevant topics, such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic in The Normal Heart and the scandal surrounding Clarence Thomas in Game Change.
HBO is certainly best known for its ground-breaking television shows like The Sopranos and Game of Thrones, but the best HBO movies showcase their talent for feature-length storytelling as well. From the early days of the premium cable channel to the more recent offerings, the HBO movies have told a wide range of movies that have earned acclaim, brought in big-name talent, and further cemented HBO as a television brand above most others.
Audiences can look back at the wonderful HBO movies that they have made over the years. There are intense dramas like The Normal Heart, ridiculous and hilarious comedies like 7 Days in Hell and there are even continuations of outstanding HBO shows like Deadwood: The Movie. Looking back at the best HBO movies is a reminder that their library of great stories goes far beyond the shows that fans love.
The Rat Pack (1998)
It became a trend of HBO movies that they would tackle real-life and well-known figures in biographical and exploratory movies. The Rat Pack was one of these early hits, bringing an all-star cast in to bring one of Hollywood's most iconic groups of stars together. Goodfellas star Ray Liotta steps into the role of legendary crooner Frank Sinatra, the head of the Rat Pack which also includes Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin, and Peter Lawford. The movie is an exciting bit of Hollywood history as well as a tale of a friendship falling apart.
61* (2001)
The world of sports is not something often explored in HBO movies, but 61* is an intriguing tale, especially for those viewers who like baseball history. Thomas Jane and Barry Pepper star in the movie as Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, respectively, as the two ball players race each other to surpass Babe Ruth's single-season home run record. The movie, directed by Billy Crystal, is a light-hearted yet compelling sports story about an exciting time in the game with Pepper earning a Golden Globe nomination for his role.
Paterno (2018)
Al Pacino has starred in a number of HBO movies, often taking on real-life figures who are steeped in controversy. His latest in this trend of projects is Paterno. The movie is directed by Barry Levinson and details the downfall of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno whose legendary career was brought to an end following the abuse scandal at the university. The subject matter is not easy but Pacino's fascinating performance carries the story as he presents Paterno as someone overcome with guilt and unable to accept his responsibility in the wrongdoing.
Clear History (2013)
Feeling like a lost storyline from Curb Your Enthusiasm, Clear History is a perfect movie for anyone who enjoys that show. Larry David stars as a man who starts a new life in a seaside community, but when his former business partner and the man he blames for ruining his life comes to town on vacation, he hatches a plan to get even. The movie is packed with an all-star cast, including Michael Keaton, Kate Hudson, and Jon Hamm while maintaining the socially awkward humor David does so well.
Bessie (2015)
Another biopic that gives a look into the history of show business is Bessie. It stars Queen Latifa as Bessie Smith in the story of how she transformed from a young and talented singer to being named the "Empress of the Blues." The movie doesn't reinvent the typical Hollywood biopic formula, but it is elevated by the performances of the talented cast. It won the Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie while Latifa, Michael K. Williams, and Mo'Nique all received nominations for their performances.
7 Days In Hell (2015)
Though it is another sports story, 7 Days in Hell takes a much less serious look at the game than something like 61*. The mockumentary details the bitter rivalry between two top tennis players, a cocky American bad boy (Andy Samberg) and a naive British prodigy (Kit Harrington), which leads to a grueling seven-day match. The movie has no interest in realism as it embraces the most ridiculous humor and hilarious gags. It also features appearances from the likes of Karen Gillan, Michael Sheen, and Serena Williams.
RKO 281 (1999)
Over 20 years before David Fincher's Mank, the story behind the making of Orson Welles's all-time classic, Citizen Kane, had already been told on the small screen. HBO's RKO 281 features an excellent cast including James Cromwell, John Malkovich, Melanie Griffith, and Liev Schreiber as Welles. The story tracks how Welles and screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz (Malkovich) boldly risked their careers by making a film inspired by William Randolph Hearst (Cromwell) and how that film wound up becoming one of the greatest movies of all time. RKO 281 has aged well, especially because it is anchored by Schreiber's strong central performance.
The Crash Reel (2013)
A consistent and vital portion of HBO's quality content over the past few decades is its documentary programming. Lucy Walker's The Crash Reel, which follows snowboarder Kevin Pearce's recovery and comeback after a traumatic head injury, exemplifies the intimate and thought-provoking work of HBO documentaries. The Crash Reel follows the narrative of the inspirational comeback story, while also subverting that narrative by depicting the very real concerns from Pearce's family members. The film also dares to ask larger questions about the purpose behind extreme sports given the potentially life-threatening consequences.
The Tale (2018)
Jennifer Fox's harrowing account of her own experiences of childhood sexual abuse was acquired by HBO at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018. The film stars Laura Dern, in one of her best performances, as Fox, a documentarian slowly uncovering the details about the coach who groomed her at 13 years old. The Tale is not an easy film to watch, but it is a profound example of a filmmaker using the medium of cinema to demonstrate how perspective can affect or reframe experiences of trauma.
Normal (2003)
Jane Anderson's adaptation of her own play tells the story of a marriage after one partner (Tom Wilkinson) comes out as transgender. Ruth, formerly known as Roy, becomes ostracized by the small town in which she lives. Ultimately, despite the difficulties she faces, Ruth goes through with her transition and maintains the support of her wife (Jessica Lange). There are several aspects of Normal that do not age well, given the increased visibility of the transgender community. If this film were released today, it would likely face criticism for not including more trans voices in front of and behind the camera. Still, the heartfelt message of this piece remains poignant.
Longford (2007)
This chilling depiction of the decades-long relationship between British politician Lord Longford (Jim Broadbent) and convicted murderer Myra Hindley (Samantha Morton) was praised by British and American audiences alike. The film was directed by Tom Hooper, who had directed numerous projects for HBO (including the miniseries John Adams) before winning an Academy Award for The King's Speech. The subject matter in this film is disturbing; Hindley was imprisoned for helping her lover sexually assault and murder children. However, Longford achieves what few stories about shocking political scandals can: it manages to humanize its two lead characters without trivializing their actions or imbuing the film with sentimentality.
And The Band Played On (1993)
Adapted from Randy Shilts's comprehensive non-fiction book about the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S., And The Band Played On was one of the earliest narratives about the epidemic to appear on television. The film tracks the struggles of epidemiologists and activists against silence from the government. The intersection of politics, science, and human rights in And The Band Played On should resonate with audiences today. This adaptation makes for a tense medical/political thriller despite its nonfiction roots.
Confirmation (2016)
Confirmation is another true story which felt like a very timely story the refocus on. Amidst the confirmation hearings for Clarence Thomas (Wendell Pierce) for a seat as one of the Supreme Court judges, a woman named Anita Hill (Kerry Washington) comes forth with allegations of his past harassment of her. It is a compelling political story that has plenty of lasting implications. It is anchored by fantastic performances from Washington, Pierce, and Greg Kinnear as Joe Biden who oversaw the hearings.
Deadwood: The Movie (2019)
Deadwood was a Western series that was regarded as one of the best shows on HBO, however, it abruptly ended after season 3, making the television masterpiece feel unresolved. More than a decade later, creator David Milch and most of the cast returned to finish the story. Seeing Ian McShane's Al Swearengen and Timothy Olyphant's Seth Bullock sharing a scene again in Gem's Saloon was enough to make the movie worthwhile. There were plenty of other moments that reminded of Deadwood's brilliance while serving as a bittersweet reunion and final farewell to these characters.
Phil Spector (2013)
Another HBO movie that puts Al Pacino's considerable acting talent to good use is Phil Spector. Pacino played the titular character, one of the most successful music producers of all time who, later in life, was arrested for the murder of a young aspiring singer in his home. Helen Mirren plays a high-priced lawyer who sees questions within the case that are worth asking while also fighting against Spector's eccentric behavior which doesn't help the serious situation he is in. With a screenplay by David Mamet, it is a riveting legal drama with Pacino's wild performance at its center.
Lemonade (2018)
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Few artists could have pulled off a project like Lemonade the way that Beyoncé did. The HBO movie is an experimental musical movie that also serves as the music video to Beyoncé's album of the same name. It is an ambitious story that reaches into the past, comments on the future, and tells a deeply personal story from the artist herself. The movie was praised by critics as a revolutionary demonstration of feminism and Black pride as well as a compelling relationship story.
Game Change (2012)
HBO movies have never been afraid to tackle modern politics and Game Change examined one of the most intriguing political figures of the 21st century. The movie details the presidential campaign of John McCain and the decision to select a little-known and untested Alaskan governor named Sarah Palin as his running mate. Julianne Moore gives an entertaining and complex performance as this charismatic politician who refused to admit she was unqualified for the job while Woody Harrleson is also excellent as the campaign manager who begins to regret bringing her on board.
You Don't Know Jack (2010)
Al Pacino's best movies include true masterpieces like The Godfather and Dog Day Afternoon, but his work on HBO movies should not be overlooked as You Don't Know Jack is one of his finest performances. Once again, Pacino plays a controversial real-life figure, Dr. Jack Kevorkian who defied laws to perform assisted suicides for terminal patients. Once again, the movie relies on Pacino to make the audience become invested in this complex character and he excels at the challenge earning Golden Globe and Emmy awards for his performance.
The Normal Heart (2014)
The film adaptation of Larry Kramer's 1985 play The Normal Heart focuses on the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York City and the formation of an advocacy group, inspired by Kramer's own activism. Directed by Ryan Murphy, the film features career-best work by Mark Ruffalo, Julia Roberts, Matt Bomer, and Jim Parsons. Although the film is a disturbing look at the conditions and stigmas that the LGBTQ+ community faced in the 1980s, there is also a deeply moving portrait of LGBTQ romance embedded in the story that drives home the overarching theme of fighting with love.
Grey Gardens (2009)
The classic 1975 documentary following the relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who isolated themselves from the rest of the world in a mansion in East Hampton, has inspired a musical and a beloved parody episode on Documentary Now. The television film, directed by Michael Sucsy, also received much attention and praise for its recreation of iconic moments in the documentary. Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange surprised critics and audiences with their transformative performances, with each actress winning prizes at the SAG and Emmy Awards, respectively.
The Life And Death Of Peter Sellers (2004)
Another Hollywood HBO movie that takes a look at a timeless entertainer is The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. Geoffrey Rush gives an outstanding performance as Sellers in this examination of his career from The Pink Panther to Dr. Strangelove to Being There. However, the more interesting aspects are within her personal life with Sellers losing his own identity to the characters he plays and his relationships suffering as a result.
Temple Grandin (2010)
Perhaps the most critically acclaimed HBO film is Mick Jackson's adaptation of Temple Grandin, based on the activist's own memoirs. Temple Grandin tells the true story of an autistic woman's innovative techniques in creating humane conditions for cows in slaughterhouses. Claire Danes wowed audiences with an unexpected performance that swept awards season. Temple Grandin epitomizes the best of what HBO films have to offer: untold stories with powerful performances and bold filmmaking.
Bad Education (2019)
Though Hugh Jackman's role as Wolverine has defined his career and his musical performances have earned him acclaim, Bad Education is one of the best examples of Jackman's true talents as an actor. Based on a true story, Jackman plays a beloved and successful high school superintendent who finds his ideal world in jeopardy when an embezzlement scandal within the school is discovered. Jackman is exceptional as this man who truly wants to help his students but his achievements are tainted by his crimes.
Recount (2008)
Like Game Change, Recount is a riveting look at one of the most controversial elections in modern history. With George W. Bush and Al Gore vying for the presidency of the United States, the election comes down to a close class with a recount announced which soon turns into a massive political battle between the democrats and the republicans. With a mix of humor and political intrigue, Recount is a fast-based thriller of a story featuring an incredible cast of talented actors.
Behind The Candelabra (2013)
Steven Soderbergh's drama recounting the romance-turned-lawsuit between Liberace (Michael Douglas, in an Emmy-winning performance) and Scott Thorson (Matt Damon) premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and received both a traditional HBO release as well as a theatrical release in the UK. Not only was Behind the Candelabra praised for its performances and direction, but also it serves as a strong example of how the quality of HBO films has blurred the lines between cinema and made-for-television movies. Here was a Hollywood director casting Academy Award winning actors in a TV movie that premiered at one of the most prestigious film festivals.