Max vs. Prime Video: Which Streaming Service Has the Better Movie Catalog

If you're deciding between Max and Prime Video just for the movies, you're not alone. Millions of people are stuck in the same spot: both services promise a ton of films, but which one actually delivers the ones you want to watch? It’s not about how many titles they have-it’s about which ones you’ll actually click on and finish.

Max: The Studio Powerhouse

Max, formerly HBO Max, is built on decades of curated film legacy. It’s not just a streaming service-it’s a vault. You’ll find every Christopher Nolan movie from Inception to Oppenheimer, all in 4K with Dolby Atmos. Warner Bros. owns the rights, and they didn’t hold back. If you love critically acclaimed dramas, Oscar winners, or cult classics, Max has you covered.

It also has the entire Studio Ghibli library-My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke-all in their original Japanese with perfect subtitles. That alone makes it a must-have for animation fans. Then there’s the Criterion Collection: over 1,200 meticulously restored films from directors like Ingmar Bergman, Akira Kurosawa, and Agnès Varda. These aren’t just movies-they’re film history.

Max doesn’t just rely on old titles. It’s also the exclusive home to new Warner Bros. theatrical releases after their 45-day window. So if you want to watch The Batman or Dune: Part Two without waiting months, Max is your only option.

Prime Video: The Bulk Buyer

Prime Video doesn’t have the same prestige pedigree, but it makes up for it with sheer volume. Amazon buys movie rights like a warehouse manager buying pallets of canned goods. You’ll find hundreds of action films, rom-coms, horror flicks, and international cinema-many of them obscure, many of them forgotten.

It’s the place to go if you’re in the mood for a random 2008 sci-fi B-movie or a Thai thriller you’ve never heard of. Prime Video also owns exclusive rights to a handful of standout films like The Tomorrow War, The Tomorrow War, and The Lost City. But here’s the catch: most of these are Amazon Originals, meaning they were made for the service, not picked up from theaters.

Prime Video’s biggest strength is its international catalog. It has more Bollywood films than any other U.S. streaming service, plus a strong selection of Korean, French, and Spanish-language cinema. If you’re into foreign films and don’t want to pay extra for specialized services like MUBI, Prime Video gives you access without a separate subscription.

Movie Quality: Depth vs. Breadth

Max wins on quality. It’s the service you turn to when you want to watch something that feels like cinema. Prime Video wins on variety. It’s the service you turn to when you’re scrolling at 2 a.m. and just want something to fill the silence.

Max has 1,800+ movies in its core catalog, but over 60% of them are critically rated above 7.5 on IMDb. Prime Video has over 3,500 movies, but less than 25% hit that same threshold. The difference isn’t just numbers-it’s curation. Max filters out the noise. Prime Video throws everything at the wall and sees what sticks.

For example, if you’re looking for There Will Be Blood, you’ll find it on Max. On Prime Video, you’ll find There Will Be Blood... but only if you’re in the UK. Region locking is a real issue on Prime Video. Max doesn’t play those games. If you’re in Australia, you get the same library as someone in the U.S.

Exclusive Titles That Matter

Max has Oppenheimer, Barbie, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and The Last of Us-all of which were box office hits and award magnets. These aren’t just streaming exclusives-they’re cultural moments.

Prime Video has The Boys and Reacher, but those are TV shows. For movies, the exclusives are weaker. The Marvels and Creed III are on Max, not Prime. Prime Video’s biggest movie exclusive in 2025 was Red One, a Christmas action-comedy that made $80 million globally. It’s fine. But it’s not Oppenheimer.

Price and Value

Max costs $15.99 a month in Australia. Prime Video is $9.99 as an add-on to Amazon Prime, which also includes free shipping, music, and games. If you already pay for Amazon Prime, Prime Video is practically free. But if you’re only getting Prime Video for the movies, you’re paying $9.99 for a service that’s hit-or-miss.

Max gives you more consistent value. You’re not gambling on whether the next movie will be worth it. You know you’re getting something that’s been vetted, restored, and celebrated.

Who Should Choose What?

If you want to watch the best movies ever made, the ones that win Oscars, spark conversations, and stand the test of time-go with Max. It’s the service for people who care about film as art.

If you want to watch a lot of movies, any movie, even the ones you’ve never heard of, and you’re okay with some filler-Prime Video works. It’s the service for people who like to binge and don’t mind skipping the ones that don’t grab them.

There’s no right answer unless you define what ‘better’ means to you. For movie lovers, Max is the clear winner. For casual watchers, Prime Video offers more options at a lower cost.

What You Won’t Find

Neither service has the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. That’s still on Disney+. You won’t find Pixar films on Max or Prime Video-they’re on Disney+ too. Universal titles like The Super Mario Bros. Movie or Minions are on Peacock in the U.S., and on Binge in Australia. Netflix still holds onto Black Mirror and Knives Out sequels.

If you’re trying to cut down on subscriptions, you’ll need to pick one. Don’t try to have both unless you’re serious about movie nights.

Final Verdict

Max has the better movie catalog. Not because it has more titles, but because it has more meaning. It’s the only service that feels like a film festival curated by experts, not an algorithm.

Prime Video is a jungle. You’ll find treasure if you dig deep. But you’ll also waste hours on stuff you’ll never remember. Max gives you the treasure without the digging.

If you care about movies-not just watching, but experiencing-Max is the choice. If you just want something on in the background, Prime Video will do. But if you want to feel something when the credits roll, Max is the only one that delivers.