4 forgotten action movies you can stream on HBO Max today

Is action the most consistent genre in streaming? Notice how I didn’t say “best” or “worst.” There are more solid action movies than dramas, comedies, or horror. I’d much rather watch a mediocre action movie than an average drama. At least in an action movie, you get a few scenes that raise your heart rate.

If you head to HBO Max, there is an entire section dedicated to action movies. Upon first glance, you’ll see some popular movies, including Dune, John Wick, The Dark Knight, Superman, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. There’s nothing wrong with firing those classics up. However, I want to go outside the box and find some forgotten movies that need to be revisited. Some movies require multiple viewings for before they click.

Below are four HBO Max action movies in the U.S. that fit the aforementioned criteria. My top selection is the prequel to one of the greatest action movies of the 21st century. My other picks are a Western by an Oscar-winning filmmaker, an SNL sketch turned feature film, and a ridiculous creature feature.

4

Meg 2: The Trench

Giant shark attack

I’m not sure what it is, but I have an affinity for shark movies. There’s something about a creature you can’t see coming that makes for a perfect villain. It helps that one of my favorite movies of all time, Jaws, is the poster boy for shark movies. Meg 2: The Trench is not Jaws, but it’s not Sharknado. It’s somewhere in the middle, and I’m perfectly fine with that. Set five years after the first movie, Meg 2: The Trench brings back Jason Statham as Jonas Taylor, a deep-sea diver working with a team to explore the Mariana Trench.

During their voyage, the group discovers multiple megladons — giant sharks — and other prehistoric creatures that are nasty and ready to fight. Unsurprisingly, these animals escape the trench and wreak havoc on the surface. The final act of this movie is ridiculous and far-fetched. At one point, Statham uses his legs to prevent a shark’s mouth from eating him. And you know what? It’s awesome. Statham usually fights against villains, so it’s refreshing to see him take out some deadly sharks.

3

MacGruber

Parody done right

MacGruber is kind of a stroke of genius, right? This movie should not work. It worked as a sketch on Saturday Night Live, but I didn’t see its potential as a feature film. Hand up, I was wrong. It is a hilarious action comedy that, despite bombing at the box office, went on to achieve cult status. MacGruber is a play on MacGyver, the 1980s action show about a genius secret agent who constantly finds ways out of impossible situations.

On the other hand, MacGruber (Will Forte) is a cocky special ops agent who seemingly can’t do anything right. He’s the person they call in to defuse a bomb, except he’s incapable of doing it. In the movie, MacGruber must stop terrorist Dieter Von Cunth (Val Kilmer) from destroying Washington, D.C., with a stolen nuclear weapon. It’s dumb humor with tons of vulgarity, but it brings me such joy to watch. Mac-Gru-ber!

2

Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1

Kevin Costner’s epic bet on Westerns

Who’s to tell Kevin Costner how to make a thrilling Western? Costner won Best Picture and Best Director for Dances With Wolves in his directorial debut, beating Martin Scorsese in the process. Then he goes on to star in Yellowstone, one of the most popular TV shows of the last 10 years. If he wants to make a Western, then he’s earned that right. Now, should he have put his efforts into making one movie instead of planning for four and investing $38 million of his own money? Probably, but I’m not Kevin Costner.

The movie Costner did make, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, is fairly solid for the first film of a four-part saga. The Western follows several groups of people heading to a new frontier town, Horizon, in 1859. It then skips ahead to 1863 and introduces an ensemble of new characters, including Hayes Ellison (Costner), a horse trader who eventually looks after a prostitute (Abbey Lee) and a young boy. Not every storyline is perfect, i.e., Luke Wilson’s wagon train. When it focuses on Hayes and the Sykes family, I’m fully on board. I don’t care if I’m the only person in America who wants more — I need Chapter 2.

Don’t shoot the messenger. HBO Max has Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 in the action section. That’s why I have it as an action movie even though it’s more of a Western.

1

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

A prequel for an iconic character

Where does Charlize Theron’s Imperator Furiosa fall on the list of best action characters of the 21st century? It’s certainly in the top 10, and I don’t think it’s a stretch to say top five. When Furiosa collapses on the sand after finding out about the dissolution of the “Green Place,” it’s a soul-crushing moment. I get chills thinking about it, but it cemented Furiosa’s inclusion near the top of the list. When I heard about George Miller’s plans to make a prequel about Furiosa, my excitement was through the roof.

The result, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, traces the titular heroine back to her childhood in the Green Place from her childhood in the Green Place to her kidnapping and rise at the Citadel. The childhood scenes go on longer than they should, and if you expect the same energy as Fury Road, you’ll be disappointed. But when this movie gets to Furiosa aboard the War Rig, it soars to new heights. Don’t let the box office numbers fool you. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is going to age well, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it achieves cult status in a few years.

What else can I watch on HBO Max?

HBO Max is best known for its prestige dramas. One of its most popular shows is Euphoria, which is currently in the middle of a tumultuous third season. Plus, Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd returns with his new show Half Man.