1 of 2010s’ Best Sci-Fi Movies To Leave HBO Max Soon

An Oscar-winning sci-fi film will be removed from HBO Max’s content library very soon. Owing to a combination of powerful performances, an intelligent script, and beautiful visuals, the film has gained a reputation as one of the best sci-fi films of modern times.

Ex Machina to leave HBO Max this month

HBO Max subscribers won’t be able to watch Ex Machina on the platform from Friday, May 1, 2026 (via ComicBook).

The film centers on programmer Caleb Smith, who wins the opportunity to spend a week at the home of his company’s CEO, Nathan. Upon arrival, Nathan reveals that he has created a robot named Ava, an advanced robot with human-like consciousness. He then asks Caleb to evaluate the limits of her consciousness. As Caleb begins to interact with Ava, he realizes that she has developed beyond both Nathan and his expectations.

The cast includes Domhnall Gleeson as Caleb, Oscar Isaac as Nathan, Alicia Vikander as Ava, and Sonoya Mizuno as Kyoko, among others. Alex Garland, popular for 28 Weeks Later and Warfare, wrote and helmed Ex Machina.

Reportedly, Garland developed the idea of a self-thinking computer as a kid (via The Et Cetera). He later built on the concept as an adult, following a discussion with his friend who had an interest in neuroscience. While his friend didn’t believe that robots could become sentient, Garland believed otherwise (via The Washington Post). After extensive research, he eventually developed a script for the film.

A24 handled Ex Machina’s distribution in the United States and premiered it at the 2014 BFI Southbank on December 16. It later arrived in theaters in the United States on April 10, 2015. From the get-go, the film received a favorable reception. It currently has a critic approval rating of 92% and a user rating of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film reportedly had a modest $15 million budget. By the time it exited theaters, it had earned $37.4 million from global markets. And at the 2026 Oscars, it received two nominations, winning one for Best Visual Effects.

Source: Comingsoon.net