Where to Watch Materialists: Streaming, Netflix, HBO Max & Reviews

Celine Song’s follow-up to Past Lives arrived with the kind of buzz that makes you want to check your streaming queue immediately. Materialists, starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, landed in theaters in June 2025 and by November had already become a top performer on HBO Max.

Rotten Tomatoes (Critics): 78% Certified Fresh · Rotten Tomatoes (Audience): 65% · Streaming on HBO Max: Yes (subscription) · Release date: June 13, 2025 · Director: Celine Song

Six key facts about the film at a glance:

Where can I watch the movie Materialists?

Streaming on HBO Max

• Materialists is available to stream with a subscription on HBO Max in the United States. Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator) lists HBO Max as the primary subscription option. The film debuted on the platform on November 7, 2025 Decider (streaming guide site) and quickly rose to No. 1 on the domestic viewership charts Collider (entertainment news).

HBO Max subscriptions start at $10.99 per month (with ads). The film is also available to rent or buy on Fandango at Home for those who prefer transactional viewing Rotten Tomatoes.

Streaming on Netflix

• As of December 2025, Materialists is not listed in Netflix’s US catalog. The streaming options on Rotten Tomatoes show only HBO Max and Fandango at Home — no Netflix mention. International availability may vary, but no official source has confirmed a Netflix deal.

Viewers in regions outside the US should check their local Netflix library, but expect the film to remain an HBO Max exclusive for the near future.

Available on Amazon Prime Video (UK)

• In the United Kingdom, Materialists is available for rental and purchase on Amazon Prime Video. ScreenRant (movie news site) notes that the film became available on digital platforms starting July 22, 2025. US Prime subscribers may not have the same access — the film is not currently listed on Amazon Prime Video US.

Rental prices on Amazon UK typically range from £5.99 to £9.99 depending on HD vs. 4K.

Can I watch Materialists on Netflix?

• No — Materialists is not available on Netflix in the United States. The film’s streaming rights are held by HBO Max, as confirmed by Decider and Rotten Tomatoes. Netflix’s catalog does not include the title, and no announcement of a future Netflix addition has been made.

If you’re outside the US, it’s worth checking Netflix’s regional catalog — but expect the same unavailability unless a separate licensing deal exists.

The implication: Netflix is not an option for this film. Stick with HBO Max or digital rental.

Can I watch Materialists on Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime Video availability by region

• In the UK, yes — Materialists is available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video ScreenRant (movie news site). In the US, the film is not listed on Amazon Prime Video as of December 2025. The primary US option remains HBO Max.

Digital release happened on July 22, 2025 across all major platforms including Fandango at Home, Apple TV, and Amazon Mashable (tech and culture outlet).

The trade-off: UK viewers get the convenience of Prime rental; US viewers must use a separate service or pay for a digital copy elsewhere.

Is Materialists worth watching?

Critical reception and Rotten Tomatoes score

• Materialists holds a 78% Certified Fresh score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator) based on 303 reviews. The audience score is 65%. The critics’ consensus calls it “a mature deconstruction of the conventional rom-com” and a reaffirmation of Celine Song as “a modern master of relationship dramas.”

“A mature deconstruction of the conventional rom-com and reaffirms Celine Song as a modern master of relationship dramas.”

— Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus

Paste Magazine (culture publication) described the film as “The Rare Dramedy That Unites the Hearts of Romantics and Cynics.” The New York Times gave a mixed but respectful review, noting the film’s ambition.

Dakota Johnson’s performance anchors a film that critics praise as a mature take on romance, even if audience scores lag behind.

Cast and director reputation

• The film stars Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans — three actors with strong followings. Director Celine Song previously earned widespread acclaim for Past Lives (2023), which was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Her return to the romantic drama genre with Materialists was highly anticipated.

Plot summary

• Per the official synopsis, the film follows Lucy (Dakota Johnson), a matchmaker who has “romance down to a science” — until she meets a wealthy man (Pedro Pascal) and a young actor (Chris Evans), forcing her to choose between practicality and passion. The love triangle plays out in modern New York.

The verdict: If you liked Past Lives and enjoy smart, adult rom-coms, Materialists is worth your time. The 78% Tomatometer suggests it’s a strong genre entry, even if audience scores are a notch lower.

What is the materialist controversy?

• No verified controversy surrounding Materialists has been reported by major outlets. A search across The New York Times, Rotten Tomatoes, and other Tier 1/2 sources (Decider, Mashable, Collider) yields no mention of a scandal. The film’s R rating for “language and references to sexual assault” is the only notable content warning.

Some online discussions may have speculated about behind-the-scenes drama, but no credible evidence has surfaced. The “materialist controversy” question appears to stem from confusion with other films or generic search phrasing.

The catch: There is no controversy to report. The film’s biggest buzz is its streaming success, not a scandal.

How to Watch Materialists Online: Step-by-Step

1. Check your subscriptions. If you have HBO Max, you’re done — log in and search for “Materialists.”
2. No HBO Max? Rent or buy the film on Fandango at Home, Apple TV, or Amazon Prime Video (UK only). Prices range from $4.99 (rental) to $19.99 (purchase).
3. Don’t have a digital store account? Create one on Fandango at Home or Amazon. Most platforms accept credit cards and PayPal.
4. Check regional availability. If you’re outside the US, use a service like JustWatch (streaming search engine) to see local options. Note: the film is not on Netflix anywhere as of December 2025.
5. Watch on any device. HBO Max and rental platforms support streaming on smart TVs, phones, tablets, and game consoles.

The action: Check HBO Max first. If it’s not there, rent — it’s the most flexible route.

Materialists: Pros and Cons

The trade-off: A critically acclaimed film with limited streaming reach. If you’re already on HBO Max, it’s a no-brainer. For others, a rental fee is the price of entry.

What We Know and What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

• Streams on HBO Max (US) Rotten Tomatoes
• Rotten Tomatoes critics score: 78% (303 reviews) Rotten Tomatoes
• Digital release: July 22, 2025 Mashable
• HBO Max debut: November 7, 2025 Decider
• Rated R for language and sexual references The New York Times
• Debuted at No. 1 on HBO Max domestic charts Collider

What’s unclear

• Exact streaming availability in Ireland, Australia, and other regions
• No verified controversy exists
• Future availability on other platforms (e.g., Hulu, Disney+)

The pattern: The known facts are solid for US viewers. International viewers should check local listings before assuming availability.

What Critics and Platforms Say

“A mature deconstruction of the conventional rom-com and reaffirms Celine Song as a modern master of relationship dramas.”

— Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus

“The Rare Dramedy That Unites the Hearts of Romantics and Cynics.”

— Paste Magazine review headline

“Materialists is a Grade C film — it’s competent but never quite reaches the emotional heights of Past Lives.”

— Showbiz Junkies (entertainment blog)

These three perspectives capture the range: strong consensus on Song’s craft, but mixed feelings on whether it matches her previous work.

Frequently asked questions

For US viewers with an HBO Max subscription, Materialists is a one-click watch — and the critical consensus says it’s worth the click. For everyone else, a $4.99 rental is the next best option. The film’s exclusive streaming deal with HBO Max means it won’t appear on Netflix or Amazon Prime (US) anytime soon. For the UK audience, the choice is clear: rent on Amazon Prime Video or wait for a potential HBO Max international rollout. Either way, the cost of entry is low, and the payoff is a thoughtful, well-acted romantic drama that actually has something to say about modern love. Celine Song’s direction gives Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans material that demands attention.