Dune

If you want science fiction that respects its own premise, Dune is available in Australia on HBO Max, and in the US on HBO Max Amazon Channel and YouTube TV right now. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. 15,114 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Timothée Chalamet anchors it with a performance that grounds the bigger ideas in something human. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on HBO Max.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Dune earns its spot. The world-building is meticulous, but it is the characters who carry Dune through its more ambitious moments. Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet's exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence - a commodity capable of unlocking humanity's greatest potential - only those who can conquer their fear will survive. Timothée Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson lead a cast that makes the ambitious moments land. Dune came out in 2021. The world-building is meticulous enough to sustain multiple rewatches, with details early on that only make sense later. It rarely drops the ball, and when it does, it recovers fast.

For late-night viewing or a proper weekend binge, Dune fits the bill. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Timothée Chalamet grounds the bigger ideas in something human. Once you are in, you will want to talk about it.