There is no denying that Clint Eastwood is a Hollywood legend, especially when it comes to the Western genre. When he speaks, people tend to listen, particularly when it comes to his views on what defines peak cinema. That said, one of Eastwood’s favorite movies might come as a genuine surprise.
Those who are familiar with HBO Max know that the premium streaming service often curates themed recommendation sections, ranging from pop-culture trends to picks tailored specifically to the user. Four years ago, one of these sections was dedicated to the legendary Clint Eastwood.
Titled “Clint Eastwood’s Picks,” HBO described it as a place where users could “Check out an exclusive playlist of [Clint Eastwood’s] favorite movies on HBO Max.” Among the recommendations was The Hangover (2009).
HBO Max Curates Clint Eastwood’s Favorite Films
The Hangover Stands Out Among Classics Like Cool Hand Luke and The Shawshank Redemption
The HBO curated list included classics like Cool Hand Luke and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, alongside other picks such as A Mighty Wind, The Shawshank Redemption, Lethal Weapon, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Yet, among these elite selections was the surprising, but well-deserved, addition of The Hangover, one of the most memorable and hilarious comedies of the past several decades.
Starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis, The Hangover delivers 1 hour and 39 minutes of pure hilarity. It follows three friends in Las Vegas as they wake up after a wild stag party with no memory of the night and the groom nowhere to be found. This sets them off on a high-stakes mission to locate him before his wedding.
The film boasts a 79% Fresh Score on Rotten Tomatoes and an even higher audience score of 84%, with Eastwood apparently among its fans. While The Hangover may not seem like an obvious Eastwood favorite, it’s undeniably a terrific movie, making it unsurprising that he would include it as a standout addition to Hollywood’s best hits.