David Lynch has a beautiful collection of movies to explore, many of which can be found on the Max streaming service. After an accomplished life as an auteur filmmaker, artist, and musician dating back to the 1970s, David Lynch pᴀssed away on January 15, 2025. While the movie-making world has lost one of its greatest creators, the silver lining is that audiences around the world have begun going back to explore Lynch’s filmography.
Warner Bros.’s streaming service, Max, is one of the best options on the market for exploring cinematic classics, with Turner Classic Movies contributing to their library. The best movies on Max will almost always offer a combination of exciting new releases like Furiosa, Civil War, and Juror #2, as well as celebrated films like The Wizard of Oz (a film that was one of Lynch’s primary inspirations). Not every David Lynch film is available on Max, but a significant portion of his filmography is on the site.
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Blue Velvet
David Lynch & Laura Dern’s First Collaboration
David Lynch was known for working with a select few actors throughout his career, with Laura Dern and Kyle MacLachlan being some of his most frequent collaborators. Laura Dern wasn’t even 20 when Lynch cast her in Blue Velvet, granting her critical acclaim for the first time in one of the director’s most memorable films.
Aside from Laura Dern, Lynch’s erotic thriller and twisted adaptation of The Wizard of Oz includes iconic performances from Isabella Rossellini and Dennis Hopper. Like with Twin Peaks, the 1986 classic explores the dark underbelly of an idealistic small town, examining a pair of teenagers who become allured by a mysterious crime.
David Lynch received one of his three Best Director nominations for Blue Velvet.
5
Inland Empire
One Of David Lynch’s Most Divisive Works
Inland Empire is arguably David Lynch’s most challenging film and likely not the best starting point for a viewer who’s new to his work. However, for a seasoned Lynch fan, this project is worth checking out and forming an opinion on. It’s fascinating to see how Lynch’s style develops over time, particularly with his final three features: Lost Highway, Mulholland Drive, and Inland Empire.
This is David Lynch’s longest feature and also has one of the most terrifying horror scenes in his career. It also has one of the best casts in its filmography, with Laura Dern giving one of her career-best performances. Justin Theroux and Jeremy Irons are also fantastic.
4
Dune
David Lynch’s Only Blockbuster Movie
By all accounts, David Lynch directing Dune seems like an interesting idea on paper. It’s not the type of movie one would imagine him making, given that it’s the only blockbuster film in his career, but the original novel is esoteric enough to make it a compelling combination. This isn’t the director’s most celebrated film, but it’s worth watching for Dune fans or Lynch fans.
it’s a fun movie for some ’80s cheese, and it’s worth seeing Lynch’s first project with Kyle MacLachlan
For someone who’s new to David Lynch, trust that the 1984 Dune movie is among the least akin to his personal style in his work. The film was famously riddled with studio interference, leading to a final product that the filmmaker himself often disregarded. That being said, it’s a fun movie for some ’80s cheese, and it’s worth seeing Lynch’s first project with Kyle MacLachlan.
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Eraserhead
David Lynch’s First Film
Eraserhead was David Lynch’s first feature film, and it’s still one of the most fascinating and unique movies of all time. The film stars Jack Nance, who would go on to appear in several more Lynch projects, including an iconic supporting role in Twin Peaks. The 1977 classic is one of Lynch’s most iconic works, and it’s arguably the most bare-bones representation of a “Lynchian” movie.
Eraserhead is deeply inspired by the works of Franz Kafka, like The Metamorphosis, offering a surrealist approach to caring for a young child. With nearly five decades since it was released, film fans are still deciphering this project for its meaning and themes, with the director famously keeping his own thoughts on his movies close to his chest.
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David Lynch: The Art Life
A Peak Into David Lynch’s Life & Philosophy On Art
David Lynch: The Art Life wasn’t actually directed by Lynch, but it’s a terrific watch for those looking to gain more insight into his life and approach to creativity. There are plenty of interviews available online with Lynch discussing life and the artistic process, but this is one of the best sets of encompᴀssing interviews in film format.
David Lynch’s movies tend to be hit or miss, so The Art Life can be an interesting watch in hopes of better understanding how he views the medium. For aspiring filmmakers, creatives, or really anyone hoping to gain some new perspective on life and film, this movie is worthwhile to check out.
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Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
The Prequel To David Lynch’s TV Masterpiece
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me is one of the most beautiful and unique films ever made, but the hurdle to watching it is that it’s meant to be viewed after watching the first two seasons of Twin Peaks. The movie explores the final days of Laura Palmer, the girl whose murder kicks off the events of the original ABC mystery series, and what transpires is a profoundly emotional ride into the metaphysical realm Lynch and Mark Frost created for their prolific TV show.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me was famously disparaged at its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, with Quentin Tarantino even publicly creating the film. However, it’s grown to be regarded as one of David Lynch’s finest works and a treasure to Twin Peaks lovers, with Sheryl Lee giving one of the most astounding performances that cinema has to offer.
