HBO (now Max) has been producing its own feature-length films since 1982, averaging 10-15 releases each year. Most of these films have little to no marketing behind them, nor are they distributed by a major studio or star A-list actors. With very few exceptions, these films go mostly unseen. However, there have been exceptions. These include The Normal Heart, Bad Education, Live from Baghdad, and Behind The Candelabra. Perhaps HBO’s most celebrated and widely received original movie is the Billy Crystal-directed (Forget Paris, Mr. Saturday Night) 61*, chronicling the 1961 single-season home run chase between New York Yankees teammates Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.
2001, 61*, Anthony Michael Hall, Barry Pepper, Based on True Events, Billy Crystal (D), Bob Gunton, Bruce McGill, Chris Bauer, Donald Moffat, Drama, Jennifer Crystal Foley, Peter Jacobson, Sports, Thomas Jane, Top 10 Movie of 2001