Max is leaning into a heavy dystopian vibe this month with the highly anticipated arrival of The Long Walk, while simultaneously dropping a massive bucket of 90s nostalgia that actually holds up for a family movie night.
TL;DR: July on Max is headlined by the bleak, high-stakes tension of The Long Walk, which is a must-watch for the older teen crowd who loved The Hunger Games. For the younger set (and parents who miss the 90s), the platform added absolute essentials like Matilda and The Iron Giant. Check our best movies for kids list for the full age-by-age breakdown of what else is worth your time this summer.
If your kid has already cycled through every dystopian book series on the shelf, they are likely already tracking this one. Based on the Stephen King novel (written under his Richard Bachman pseudonym), the premise is simple and brutal: 100 teenage boys start walking. If they slow down below four miles per hour, they get a warning. Three warnings and they are "ticketed"—which is the book’s polite way of saying they are executed on the spot. The last one standing wins whatever they want for the rest of their life.
From the trailers, it looks like director Francis Lawrence—who handled the later Hunger Games films—is leaning into the psychological grind rather than just the gore. It is set to drop later this month, and it will likely be the dominant conversation in middle and high school group chats.
What to know:
- It is intense. This isn't cartoon violence; it’s a slow-burn study of exhaustion and what happens to people under impossible pressure.
- If your kid is already into it, the conversation isn't about the "death" aspect; it’s about the "why." Ask them why they think a society would find this entertaining. It’s a direct line to talking about how we consume media today.
- It lands best for the 13+ crowd. Younger kids will likely find the pacing too slow and the stakes too grim.
Max added a stack of 90s hits on July 1st, and while nostalgia can be a trap, a few of these are genuine masterpieces that deserve a spot in your rotation.
This is arguably the best animated film of the 90s that didn't have a Disney castle at the start. It’s a story about a boy who befriends a giant metal robot from space during the Cold War. It deals with big themes: choosing who you want to be, the fear of the unknown, and sacrifice. It’s a perfect "do it with them" movie because the animation is gorgeous and the ending hits just as hard for adults as it does for kids.
Danny DeVito’s adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic is still the definitive version. It captures that specific Dahl energy—where the world is a little bit grotesque and the adults are often the villains—without being too scary for elementary-aged kids. It’s a great pick for kids who feel like they don't quite fit in. If they love the movie, it’s the easiest "read the book" win you'll ever get.
Look, the original Space Jam is mid. The acting is stiff and the plot is a mess of 90s marketing. But for a Saturday afternoon where you just need something loud, colorful, and harmless, it works. It’s a masterclass in 90s branding, and it’s fun to see how much better (and weirder) the Looney Tunes were back then.
Max is also the current home for Twisters, which hit the platform recently and continues to be a top pick for families with older kids. It’s a rare modern blockbuster that relies on practical-feeling tension rather than just CGI explosions.
If your kid gets obsessed with the survival elements of The Long Walk or the storm-chasing in Twisters, use that interest. Point them toward our digital guide for middle school to find games or podcasts that lean into that "man vs. nature" or "problem-solving under pressure" vibe.
When kids start gravitating toward stories where teenagers are put in life-or-death scenarios, it’s usually not because they’re "edgy." It’s because those stories mirror the high-stakes feelings of being a teenager—where every social move feels like a crisis and the world feels like it has impossible rules.
Try asking these:
- "In The Long Walk, the boys are walking because they want 'The Prize.' What do you think would be worth that kind of risk?"
- "Which character do you think you’d be in that group? The one making jokes, the one keeping their head down, or the one trying to help everyone else?"
- "Why do you think stories about the world ending or being broken are so popular right now?"
Q: Is The Long Walk appropriate for a 12-year-old? It depends on their maturity, but it’s a heavy lift. The book and movie deal with the literal death of teenagers in a very grounded way. If they handled The Hunger Games fine, they can likely handle this, but be prepared for a much bleaker tone.
Q: What are the best family movies on Max right now? For younger kids, The Iron Giant and Matilda are the gold standard. For older kids, Twisters and the original Harry Potter series (which Max keeps permanently) are the best bets.
Q: Are there any good animated shows for kids on Max this month? Max remains the best place for Cartoon Network classics. If you want something that bridges the gap between kids and adults, The Amazing World of Gumball is still the smartest, funniest thing on the platform.
July on Max is about the extremes. You have the grim, high-stakes futurism of The Long Walk for the teens and a warm, high-quality safety net of 90s classics for everyone else. It’s a good month to be intentional about what you’re picking—don't just let the "trending" rail decide your night. Pick the movie that actually matches the energy of your living room.
