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"Flawed" is a word movie critics use more often than jewelers. They have looked into the heart of a sparkling gem and found an imperfection. Every movie should be perfect, and on such grounds, "Prime" is flawed. Its flaw is that it employs an Idiot Plot in a story that is too serious to support it. I can forgive and even embrace an Idiot Plot in its proper place (consider Astaire and Rogers in " Top Hat "). But when the characters have depth and their decisions have consequences, I grow restless when their misunderstandings could be ended by words that the screenplay refuses to allow them to utter.

"Prime" is such a movie, yet I must recommend it, because in its comedy of errors are actors who bring truth at least to their dialogue. Meryl Streep and Uma Thurman have line readings that work as delicate and precise adjustments of dangerous situations. They're dealing with issues that are real enough, even if they've been brought about by contrivance. And Streep has that ability to cut through the solemnity of a scene with a zinger that reveals how all human effort is, after all, comic at some level: How amusing, to think we can control fate!

The movie crosses two dependable story structures: (1) the romance between lovers widely separated in age, and (2) a mistaken identity that leads to complications. The trouble begins when Rafi Gardet (Uma Thurman) and David Bloomberg ( Bryan Greenberg ) fall in love. They know there is an age difference, but because they both lie a little, they don't realize how big it is: Rafi is 37 and David is 23.

Rafi discusses her concerns with her psychiatrist, Lisa Metzger (Meryl Streep), who argues tolerantly that if the relationship is otherwise sound and healthy, then age alone is not a reason to terminate it. In this matter Lisa is counseled by her own psychiatrist, Rita ( Madhur Jaffrey ). Now comes a spoiler warning for anyone who has not seen a commercial or trailer for the movie, where Universal eagerly reveals the plot secret. It is: David is Lisa's son. Since they have different last names and his age has been lied about, she has no reason to guess this. On one hand you have a hypothetical case of a man about 27 dating a woman about 34, and on the other you have the real case of a Jewish son of 23 dating a 37-year-old divorced Gentile. This disconnect creates some interesting moments for the Streep character, who is not narrow-minded, but whose feelings as a mother are not hypothetical, while her opinions as an analyst certainly are.

"Prime" gets too much mileage by persisting in the device of the mistaken identity. But it does lead to interesting moments. After Lisa discovers to her horror that the man in Rafi's life is her son, she flees to her own psychiatrist for advice, and is told she has a responsibility to her client. In my opinion, that responsibility is to declare a conflict of interest, but then I'm not a shrink and besides, then we wouldn't have a movie. So Lisa continues the sessions, and perhaps only Streep could produce such gradations of facial expressions as her client describes her son's lovemaking, his opinion of his mother, and admirable details of his physique.

As the movie develops, we're asked to take sides: Should this romance continue? I am in favor of love, but do not believe it conquers all. Rafi's clock is ticking. David has no eagerness to be a father. Rafi is a babe who looks much younger than her years, but the day will come when someone assumes she is David's mother, and they had better be prepared for that day. There is also the religious difference, but here Lisa the psychiatrist strikes a reasonable note which I will leave for her to explain.

The movie works through the performances. The director, Ben Younger (" Boiler Room "), does some nice things with scenes like the family dinner where everyone makes nice and ignores the elephant in the room. There are some one-liners that zing not only with humor but truth. On the whole I was satisfied. The Idiot Plot was necessary up to a point. I thought that point was too long delayed. It is also a problem that this is a comedy about matters that are not, in most people's lives, very funny. There is a final shot in which Rafi and David regard each other with affection and nostalgia, and I wondered if the characters were expressing something else, as well: The wish that they could meet in another movie, and start over.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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Film credits.

Prime (2005)

Rated PG-13 on appeal for sexual content including dialogue and for language

102 minutes

Meryl Streep as Lisa Metzger

Bryan Greenberg as David Bloomberg

Zak Orth as Randall

Jerry Adler as Sam

Annie Parisse as Katherine

Madhur Jaffrey as Rita

Jon Abrahams as Morris

Uma Thurman as Rafi Gardet

Written and directed by

• Ben Younger

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The 18 Best Movies on Amazon Prime Right Now

In Recent years, Netflix and Apple TV+ have been duking it out to have the most prestigious film offerings, but some of the best movies are on Amazon Prime Video. The streamer was one of the first to go around picking up film festival darlings and other lovable favorites, and they’re all still there in the library, so if they flew under your radar the first time, now is the perfect time to catch up.

Our picks for the 16 best movies on Amazon Prime are below. All the films in our guide are included in your Prime subscription—no renting here. Once you’ve watched your fill, check out our lists for the best shows on Netflix and best movies on Disney+ if you’re looking for something else to watch. We also have a guide to the best shows on Amazon if that’s what you’re in the mood for.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more .

The Idea of You

The best rom-coms tend to succeed thanks to how unrealistic they are—the improbable meet-cute, the heightened emotions, the exaggerated gestures of affection, the dizzying spin of falling head over heels for someone. It's something The Idea of You perfectly nails as it charts the relationship between successful gallery owner Solène Marchand (Anne Hathaway) and global music superstar Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine)—who also happens to be 16 years her junior. It could so easily have been cheap scandal fodder—and that’s how it’s played in-universe when the paparazzi get wind of Hayes’ relationship with the “older woman”—but as the pair embark on a globe-trotting romance, the charismatic leads serve up enough genuine chemistry to sweep the audience up in the whirlwind of it all. It’s ultimately less “will they, won’t they?” and more “should they, shouldn’t they?” thanks to a well-handled awareness of the age gap (already narrowed from the source novel by Robinne Lee), but for fans of the genre, it’s a delight.

There’s been no shortage of controversy over director Doug Liman's update of the classic ’80s action flick, from arguments over its supposed cinematic release to its use of CGI for some aspects of its bone-crunching fight scenes. Step back from the real-world drama though, and this is a fun, turn-brain-off-now way to kill a lazy afternoon. Swapping in the Florida Keys for the original’s Missouri setting, and trading Patrick Swayze’s James Dalton for Jake Gyllenhaal’s brooding Elwood Dalton—now with a tortured past as a UFC fighter, of course—this still delivers a satisfying tale of one man clearing out local crime lords, one brutal fistfight at a time. It’s far from high art, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need. If you’re still not sold, it’s worth noting that the 1989 original is also currently on Prime for you to compare and contrast.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Adapted from the stage play of the same name—which in turn was based on a true story—this joyful musical charts the journey of Jamie New (Max Harwood). Bullied at school for being gay, and estranged from his homophobic father, Jamie dreams of escape through the art of drag—and when he finds a mentor in retired drag performer Hugo Battersby (a scene-stealing Richard E. Grant), he's soon on his way to bringing his inner queen “Mimi Me” to life. Rooted in Sheffield, England, it's a tale that dances between themes of class and culture while celebrating the importance of self-expression and the liberating power of drag.

Every high school has its social hierarchy, and PJ (Rachel Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri) are at the bottom of theirs. Known as the “ugly, untalented gays” even to the faculty, their only hope of getting with two of the school's most popular cheerleaders, Isabel (Havana Rose Liu) and Brittany (Kaia Gerber), is, err, setting up an all-girl fight club to teach them how to handle their cheating, disrespectful jock boyfriends. OK, it might sound like the set-up to some dodgy ’70s exploitation flick—and with an approach to violence that straddles the line between raucous and ridiculous, it's never a million miles removed from that—but Bottoms is far smarter and more subversive than its premise would suggest. Defying expectations at every turn, this is the queer, rage-filled, hilarious twist on the high school comedy you (probably) never knew you needed.

Oxford student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) is having trouble fitting in at the prestigious British university—until he befriends the popular Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi). Handsome, rich, and born to the landed gentry, Felix brings the awkward, socially invisible Oliver into his circle, eventually inviting him to spend summer at the family estate, Saltburn. But as Oliver works his way into the family's graces, his obsession with Felix takes increasingly dark and deranged turns. Oscillating between black comedy and psychological thriller, writer and director Emerald Fennel ( Promising Young Woman ) frames the film in 4:3 aspect ratio for a tighter, almost voyeuristic viewing experience that makes its frequently unsettling moments even more uncomfortable. Having attracted plenty of debate since its 2023 release—not least for how it questionably navigates its themes of class and social inclusion— Saltburn was one of the year's most divisive films, but one that demands your attention.

Courtroom dramas are rarely laugh riots, but this tale of funeral home director Jeremiah O'Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) and his flashy lawyer Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) taking on a major player in America's "death care" system brings a dark sense of humor to already grim proceedings. This is no comedy though. Based on true events, director Maggie Betts' ( The Novitiate ) latest drama retells a real-life legal case that exposed massive inequality in funereal care and the way Black communities were being regularly overcharged. Foxx and Jones are in top form throughout, but it's Jurnee Smollett as Mame Downes, Gary's rival attorney who threatens to outpace him at every turn, whose performance threatens to steal the whole movie. For a film about death, The Burial proves warmly life-affirming.

A Million Miles Away

Charting the life of José Hernández, this biopic—based on Hernández's own book—mixes the aspirational with the inspirational as it follows its central figure's rise from, in his own words, migrant farm worker to the first Mexican-American astronaut. Michael Peña is in fine form as Hernández, painting a picture of a man almost myopically driven to reach space, no matter the cost, while Rosa Salazar impresses as his wife Adela, refusing to fade into the background even as she puts her own dreams on pause for José to chase the stars. In lesser hands, this could all be cloying—a twee tale of hard work and achieving the American Dream, with a dash of NASA promo material on the side, but director Alejandra Márquez Abella has her lens as focused on the small beauties of life here on Earth as the splendor and sheer potential of space. A rare delight.

Red, White, and Royal Blue

Look, this is clearly a “best film” by a highly specific metric—and that metric is “gloriously cheesy trash.” Adapted from Casey McQuinston's best-selling novel, this intercontinental rom-com charts the relationship between First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez) and Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine), the "spare" to the British throne, going from rivals through to grudging respect, and ultimately groundbreaking romance. It's often ludicrous, including an inciting incident seeing the pair falling into a wedding cake, a tabloid-worthy tryst in a hotel room, and political intrigue surrounding Alex's mother, President Ellen Claremont (Uma Thurman, vamping scenes with a bizarre “Texan” accent), but it's all just irresistibly wholesome and upbeat. Red, White, and Royal Blue is the movie equivalent of pizza—not good for you, but still delicious.

Shin Masked Rider

If you’re sick of cookie-cutter Hollywood superhero movies, then this ground-up reboot of one of Japan’s most beloved heroes deserves your attention. Helmed by Hideaki Anno ( Evangelion , Shin Godzilla, Shin Ultraman —“shin” meaning “new” or “true” in Japanese), this revamps the 1971 TV series Kamen Rider. Like that show, it follows motorcyclist Takeshi Hongo (Sosuke Ikematsu). Kidnapped by the terrorist organization S.H.O.C.K.E.R. and forcibly converted into a powerful cyborg, Hongo escapes before being reprogrammed as an agent of the group, instead using his newfound powers to take down its forces. However, unlike the original, Anno’s approach taps into the body horror of the core concept, while also challenging his characters—and audience—to hang onto their intrinsic humanity in the face of a world trying to dehumanize them. It’s more violent than you’d probably expect, often showing the grisly outcome of regular people getting punched by superpowered cyborgs and monsters, but never gratuitous. While those with some understanding of the source material will get more out of Shin Masked Rider , it’s an exciting outing for anyone looking for something a bit fresher from their hero movies.

Sure, nowadays Michael Jordan is a bona fide sports god, and Nike’s Air Jordan sneakers are still arguably  the court shoe—but that wasn’t the case back in 1984. Jordan was a rookie, and Nike was about to close down its basketball shoe division. Enter Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a talent scout for the footwear maker who has spotted a rising star in North Carolina who could turn everything around—he just needs to convince everyone else that Jordan is worth betting the company on. We all know how that panned out, so thankfully  Air is more than a two-hour advert for shoes. Damon, Jason Bateman, Chris Tucker, and director Ben Affleck all deliver strong performances—only to be utterly eclipsed by Viola Davis in a magnetic and powerful, if somewhat underutilized, turn as matriarch Deloris Jordan—while Alex Convery’s script keeps the drama on the people and personalities involved, rather than the boardroom. In an age of franchises and endless blockbusters,  Air is the sort of character-focused film that rarely gets made anymore, and is all the more enjoyable for it.

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Kazakh” TV reporter (even if he speaks Hebrew) travels back to the US, 14 years after his last feature-long escapade. This time Baron Cohen has brought his (Bulgarian-speaking) teenage daughter along, with the mission of giving her “as a gift” to some powerful American politicians—initially Mike Pence, then Rudy Giuliani. In classic Boratic fashion, the mockumentary follows the wacky duo on a cavalcade across Trump’s America, filming candid performances by unsuspecting characters ranging from QAnon believers to Republican activists to prim debutantes, all the way to Giuliani himself. Even the coronavirus pandemic, which struck America as the film was being shot, is subverted as a comedic plot point. Baron Cohen delivers, with the expected repertoire of shock gags and deadpanned verbal enormities, and he manages to land some punches at the expense of bigots, too. In contrast to its 2006 predecessor, many of the pranks and stunts here seem more aimed at eliciting the audience’s nervous laughter than at exposing America’s heart of darkness, but it remains a worthy—and funny—watch.

Shotgun Wedding

A raucous spin on the traditional romcom,  Shotgun Wedding lures viewers with a cliché setup—a ceremony on a tropical island, with hijinks courtesy of bickering in-laws—before exploding, literally, into an action escapade as the wedding party is taken hostage by violent pirates. If we’re being honest, it’s a little hammy and self-aware in places, but leads Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel are clearly having so much fun as bride and groom Darcy and Tom, whose special day turns into an often hilariously gory battle for survival, that it’s easy to be swept along for the ride. With a solid supporting cast, including the ever-entertaining Jennifer Coolidge as the mother of the groom stealing every scene she graces with her gloriously chaotic presence, this is a wedding worth RSVPing to.

Aisha (Anna Diop) is a Senegalese woman working as a nanny for a rich couple in New York City, hoping to earn enough to bring her son and cousin to join her in America. However, her future is at the mercy of her employers, who seem content to leave Aisha to raise their daughter, Rose, while often withholding her pay. As the stress of the power imbalance weighs on her, Aisha begins having strange dreams of drowning, worsened by her fears of abandoning her own child. The feature debut of director Nikyatu Jusu,  Nanny contrasts the horror of the immigrant experience in modern America with something darker, while swapping the expected tropes of hope and opportunity for a palpable sadness for culture and community left behind.  Nanny takes a slow-burn, psychological approach to its scares, but Diop is phenomenal throughout, and the meticulous pacing and gorgeous cinematography means every frame lingers.

Coming 2 America

Relying on nostalgia to carry new entries in long-dormant series can be risky business, but Eddie Murphy’s return to the role of Prince—now King—Akeem of Zamunda more than three decades after 1988’s Coming to America shows how to do it right. Drawn back to the US in search of a son he never knew he had, Akeem—and the audience—gets to reunite with familiar faces from the first film, before director Craig Brewer ( Hustle and Flow ) reverses the formula and tests the American characters with a trip to Zamunda. With a sharper, smarter, and more globally aware script than the original, Coming 2 America defies the odds to be a comedy sequel that stands up to the reputation of its predecessor.

Thirteen Lives

Director Ron Howard’s latest gathers a top-notch cast—including Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, and Joel Edgerton—for a dramatization of the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue, where a Thai junior soccer team and their assistant coach were trapped in the flooded cave system. As an international effort mounts to save the children, the challenges of navigating miles of underwater caverns become ever more dangerous, and Howard masterfully captures every perilously claustrophobic moment of it. A nail-bitingly tense movie with some ingeniously shot aquatic scenes, Thirteen Lives is a testament to one of the most difficult rescues ever performed.

One Night in Miami …

Based on the play of same name, One Night in Miami follows four icons of culture, music, and sports—Malcolm X, Jim Brown, Sam Cooke, and Muhammad Ali—at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, a converging and pivotal point in their lives and careers. Meeting in a motel room in the wake of Ali’s—then still Cassius Clay—heavyweight victory over Sonny Liston in 1964, the four men discuss their roles in the movement and society as a whole, all while the audience knows the weight of history is bearing down on them. The close confines of much of the film reflect its theatrical roots, but this feature directorial debut from Regina King perfectly portrays the larger-than-life personalities of its cast. Kingsley Ben-Adir is on fire as Malcolm X, with Aldis Hodge, Leslie Odom Jr., and Eli Goree—as Brown, Cooke, and Ali—all utterly magnetic.

Produced by Amazon, The Report is an engrossing depiction of the US Senate's investigation into the CIA's “enhanced interrogation” program—how it came to be, who knew about it, and how the CIA massaged the facts to support its efficacy. Adam Driver stars as Daniel Jones, the lead investigator who plowed an increasingly lonely path to the truth, battling against political resistance and CIA interference all the way. Driver is, as is his habit these days, superb, and the film's 82 percent “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes is well earned.

Sound of Metal

Punk-rock drummer and recovering addict Ruben starts experiencing hearing loss, and it threatens to upend his entire life. Faced with an impossible choice between giving up his hearing or giving up his career, Ruben begins to spiral, until his girlfriend Lou checks him into a rehab center for the deaf, forcing him to confront his own behavior as much as the future he faces. Riz Ahmed is in spectacular form as the troubled Ruben, while Olivia Cooke’s turn as Lou, who suffers with her own demons, including self-harm, is riveting. Fittingly enough, Sound of Metal also features incredibly nuanced use of sound—and its absence—as director Darius Marder crafts one of the finest dramas in recent years.

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Amazon Prime Video Review

Amazon’s huge library and premium Original content make it one of the best streaming services

Amazon Prime Video has become one of the best streaming platforms available, period. It has more movies than Netflix , a growing list of Original content, exclusive Amazon Prime services , and many existing Amazon Prime members will get the service for free. (And for others, it’s still affordable.)

With big investments in Amazon Original shows, like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power , Gen V, or The Boys , the service shows that it’s betting big on the future of streaming.

And if you're an NFL fan, you'll want Amazon Prime Video for Thursday Night Football because it's now the only place you can watch the TNF game .

While Prime may not be the most essential streaming service, we think it’s a worthy investment for most viewers. Read on to learn more about Amazon Prime Video’s pricing, content, and user interface.

Well, it’s actually the other way around. Signing up for Prime Video doesn’t give you Amazon Prime. But, if you already have an Amazon Prime subscription, you won’t be charged an additional monthly fee for Prime Video. It’s totally free.

How much does Prime Video on Amazon cost?

Amazon Prime Video costs $8.99 a month when you sign up for the service on its own. But many people will already be eligible through an Amazon Prime membership, or will opt to sign up for one for an additional $6.99 a month.

Here’s a quick price breakdown of the two options for getting Amazon Prime Video.

Data as of 02/08/24. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

When you choose to pay for a whole year upfront, an Amazon Prime membership is actually just about $2.58 more per month than a standalone Prime Video membership. That $2.58 gets you a whole bunch of extra perks, like free same-day, one-day, and two-day shipping on your Amazon orders.

But we’re not here to sell you on Amazon Prime—the company does enough of its own advertising. We think that Prime Video is a good enough service on its own to warrant paying $9 a month on its own.

How does Amazon Prime Video compare to Netflix, Disney+, and others?

Amazon Prime Video’s price is in the middle of the pack when you look at other popular streaming services (not including free streaming services ). We’ve got this nifty chart to help you see the comparison.

In terms of the content available, Amazon does pretty darn good when compared to other streaming services. Prime Video has almost 24,000 movies available, more than any of its competitors. 1 But Netflix still wins the gold medal for most streaming shows (Amazon Prime Video comes in third).

What movies and shows are on Amazon Prime Video?

Amazon Prime Video has more hours of content than you could ever watch (go ahead, try, we dare you). We’re going to break it all down into three broad categories: movies, TV shows, and Original content.

Amazon Prime movies

Amazon prime really shines in the movies category. While the offerings are always rotating, Amazon Prime Video currently has popular movies like:

• Knock at the Cabin
• The Terminator
• House Party
• The Locksmith
• The Wolf of Wall Street 
• No Time to Die
• A Quiet Place Part II
• The Tomorrow War 
• Licorice Pizza 

Amazon Prime TV shows

In general, Amazon’s movie selection is geared towards adult audiences, rather than kids. And so are many of its TV shows. Here’s a partial list of shows that are available on Amazon.

• Downton Abbey
• The White Lotus 
• Mayor of Kingstown
• The Devil's Hour 
• Yellowstone
• Succession 

Amazon Prime Original content

While Amazon Prime Video began by mostly offering content made elsewhere, it’s now a huge producer of movies and television shows. In fact, Amazon has bet big and reportedly spent close to $1 billion to produce its new Lord of the Rings series!

Here’s a peek at some of Prime Video’s most popular Original shows and movies: 

• The Consultant
• The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
• A League of Their Own
• The Terminal List
• The Peripheral 
• The Kids in the Hall 
• Outer Range

Adding premium channels

If Amazon Prime Video’s huge library of content isn’t doing it for you, maybe it’s time to throw a little sprinkle of Outlander or spice of live NBA games . You can add “Prime Video Channels'' to your subscription, like STARZ, NBA League Pass , and Paramount+ . It’s kind of like having multiple streaming services in one.

This chart breaks down the prices of some of these original channels.

While these channels aren’t very cheap, they do add a lot for those who are missing live sports, documentaries, kids’ programming, and other special interest content. Plus, many channels are available for a free, seven-day trial for Amazon Prime members.

How does Amazon Prime Video’s interface work?

Amazon is the world’s largest online retailer, which means it should have an incredible, intuitive, and highly usable website, right? *Ahem* Right?

Well, the truth is, Amazon Prime Video’s user interface is probably the worst part about the service. It’s a bit overcrowded and messy, in no small part because Amazon insists on linking it with their larger marketplace.

Just take a look at this cluttered header bar.

Now compare that to Netflix’s simple header bar.

Simply put, Amazon Prime Video has too much going on. This clutter is not helped by the fact that Amazon puts all of its video content into the same user interface, including the content that is not included in Prime Video.

This means that you’ll often see movies and shows that you have to rent or buy in order to view. Imagine getting a pop up window while you’re on Netflix, asking you to pay $3.99 to rent the movie you want to watch. Yeah, it’s that bad.

To be fair, Amazon Prime Video’s interface gets a little better when you actually start going into the menus to browse or search for content. There are helpful categories and genres to choose from, and some of the top shows are highlighted.

The site has also added a useful blue flag that denotes what content is available with a Prime membership (seen below in the upper left hand corner of each show).

Amazon’s interface is definitely a strike against it, but it’s not a dealbreaker. Most people will get used to it and won’t end up having any problem finding their next binge-worthy show.

Amazon Prime Video app

The Amazon Prime Video app makes it easy to access the platform’s content from pretty much any device, be it a smartphone, tablet, computer, or TV. The app is generally well reviewed by customers and has a seamless interface that’s better than the browser version.

One neat perk about the app is that it lets you download video content onto your devices. We’ll talk about that more in a section below.

Simultaneous streaming

Amazon Video allows you to have three simultaneous streams per account. But the service will limit you to just two simultaneous streams of the same title. (So much for our plan to watch Taxi reruns on three TVs at once.)

That’s better than Netflix , which allows only two streams at a time for its “Standard” plans or you can upgrade to four streams with a pricier “Premium” plan. It also easily beats Hulu’s limit of one stream at a time.

4K high definition and other neat perks

Amazon Prime Video offers almost all of its Original content in super high-definition, making it one of the best ways to enjoy your 4K TV . Other streaming platforms, like Hulu and Netflix, are catching up in terms of 4K content, but Amazon Prime is still leading the pack.

Another nice perk that Amazon Prime Video users will get is the ability to download content. At any given time, you can have up to 25 Amazon Video titles downloaded to your computer, phone, tablet, or other device. That way, you can binge watch Jack Ryan on the plane without paying for onboard Wi-Fi. Nice.

Recap: Is Amazon Prime Video good?

That’s about it, but we like to throw out a quick recap before we go. Here’s the TL;DR version of this article.

• Price: Amazon Prime Video costs $8.99 a month, which puts it in the middle of the pack when compared to other streaming services . But many people will get the service for free with their Amazon Prime account.
• Content: Prime Video boasts more movies than any other streaming service and has tons of classic television shows. But the service’s best selling point may be the Original content, like the new Lord of the Rings,  or the access to Thursday Night Football to keep track of your Fantasy team.
• Additional channels: You can supplement Prime Video’s paltry sports, family, and live TV offerings by signing up for additional channels, like MLB.TV .
• User experience: The interface of Prime Video is probably its biggest weakness. It’s cluttered, hard to navigate, and includes a lot of content that you actually have to pay extra to watch.

That wraps up our Amazon Prime Video review. We hope you found it helpful, whether you decide to sign up or not!

Methodology

We spend a lot of time working on these reviews and we like to give our readers a little peek under the hood, so to speak. Here are the four main features that we took into consideration when researching and evaluating Amazon Prime Video.

• Content: Does it have great Original programming? Does it have a well-rounded library for all kinds of audiences? Is there live TV and specialty content?
• Price: Is it affordable for casual viewers? How does it compare to other similar services?
• User experience: Is the website easy to understand and navigate? Does it help users find new and relevant content?
• Additional perks: Do customers get any bonus subscriptions or services? Are there options to add on live TV or other premium content?

Amazon Prime Video FAQs

The only way to stream Thursday Night Football games is with Amazon Prime Video .

Only pay $9–$15/mo. to get access to four games per month, plus quick Prime shipping and more.

Amazon Prime Video is $9 per month. You'd have to upgrade to the $15 plan if you'd like Prime shipping.

Netflix plans cost $7, $10, $15.50, and $20. The difference for each plan is the number of simultaneous streams. Netflix also offers a cheaper plan with ads. 

Amazon Prime Video has loads of new content set for 2023. A few newer releases to check out are Daisy Jones & The Six, Carnival Row , Good Omens, and  Shotgun Wedding .

Later this year, look out for the release of The Power, Wilderness, Foe , and Somebody I Used to Know. 

• Travis Clark, Business Insider, “ How Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and more major streamers compare on content and cost ,” April 20, 2022. Accessed February 21, 2023.

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By Jason Bailey

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As Netflix pours more of its resources into original content, Amazon Prime Video is picking up the slack, adding new movies for its subscribers each month. Its catalog has grown so impressive, in fact, that it’s a bit overwhelming — and at the same time, movies that are included with a Prime subscription regularly change status, becoming available only for rental or purchase. It’s a lot to sift through, so we’ve plucked out 100 of the absolute best movies included with a Prime subscription right now, to be updated as new information is made available.

Here are our lists of the best TV shows and movies on Netflix , and the best of both on Hulu and Disney +.

‘Thelma & Louise’ (1991)

Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis are dangerously good in this Ridley Scott road movie, which became the center of a national conversation for its portrait of two modern women who reject toxic masculinity. Sarandon and Davis play friends whose weekend getaway is derailed by an attempted sexual assault; when they strike back, they find themselves on the run. Callie Khouri won an Oscar for her screenplay. “It reimagines the buddy film with such freshness and vigor that the genre seems positively new,” our critic wrote. (Harvey Keitel also astonishes in “ Bad Lieutenant .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘Call Me By Your Name’ (2017)

Sometimes a movie can seem to meander, running on vibes and nostalgia, and then snap itself together with full emotional force in its closing passages. That’s what happens in Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of the novel by André Aciman (with a screenplay by the great James Ivory, of Merchant-Ivory productions). Timothée Chalamet is remarkable in the leading role of Elio, a withdrawn young man who falls in love for the first time with a visiting graduate student (Armie Hammer). The rural Italian locations are gorgeous, and the supporting players are charming (particularly Michael Stuhlbarg as Elio’s understanding father). But most important, and impressive, is Guadagnino’s skill at capturing the sheer intoxication of one’s first flush of love and playful lust. (“ Summer of 85 ” and “ Cinema Paradiso ” are similarly nuanced coming-of-age stories.) Watch it on Amazon

‘Erin Brockovich’ (2000)

Julia Roberts won the Academy Award for best actress — and Steven Soderbergh solidified his status as one of Hollywood’s great contemporary journeyman directors — with this ruthlessly intelligent yet undeniably crowd-pleasing drama, based on a true story. Roberts plays the title character, a tough-as-nails single mom in deep debt who talks her way into a nothing job at a law firm, only to become the key investigator in a horrifying case of corporate malfeasance. Albert Finney (himself nominated for an Oscar) is terrific as her seen-it-all boss. Our critic praised the picture’s “ offbeat pacing ” and “sharp sense of visual detail.” (For more Oscar-winning acting, watch “ My Left Foot .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘The Holdovers’ (2023)

Nearly two decades after the triumph of “Sideways,” the director Alexander Payne and the actor Paul Giamatti reunited for this bittersweet comedy-drama. Giamatti stars as Paul Hunham, an unapologetically miserable (if masterfully insulting) instructor at a boarding school who finds himself stuck spending the Christmas break with a smarmy student (Dominic Sessa) and a grieving cafeteria manager (Da’Vine Joy Randolph). Giamatti finds poignant new notes for the kind of acerbic character he’s made his specialty, Oscar-winner Randolph is both uproarious and heartbreaking and newcomer Sessa shows real promise. And Payne uses the look, feel and ephemera of ’70s cinema to make a film that not only recalls the work of masters like Hal Ashby, but earns comparison to it. (Ashby’s influential “ The Last Detail ” and “ Shampoo ” are also streaming on Prime.) Watch it on Amazon

‘Whiplash’ (2014)

The “La La Land” director Damien Chazelle’s breakthrough feature was this 2014 hybrid of sports movie and musical melodrama, in which a young jazz drummer (Miles Teller) at a Juilliard-inspired music school comes under the tutelage — or, perhaps, the thumb — of an uncompromising professor and conductor (J.K. Simmons). It’s a complicated tale of the sacrifices one must make in pursuit of excellence. Teller is an ideal anchor for such a story, projecting a mixture of both arrogance and uncertainty, and Simmons deservedly won an Oscar for his nightmare-fuel performance as the merciless mentor. Watch it on Amazon

‘Malcolm X’ (1992)

Denzel Washington turns in one of his finest, fiercest performances in this thrilling, powerful biopic from the director Spike Lee, who tells the story of the civil rights activist on an epic, “Lawrence of Arabia”-sized scale. It’s a story of evolution, following Malcolm X’s progression from petty thief to religious leader to international figure, refusing to reduce his theology and philosophy into easy catchphrases or simple explanations. Our critic called it “an ambitious, tough, seriously considered biographical film that, with honor, eludes easy characterization.” (Washington also electrifies in “ Glory .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘Titanic’ (1997)

Few expected James Cameron’s dramatization (and fictionalization) of the 1912 sinking of the RMS Titanic to become a nearly unmatched commercial success (it was the top-grossing movie of all time for over a decade) and Academy Award winner (for best picture and best director, among others); most of its prerelease publicity concerned its over-budget and over-schedule production. But in retrospect, we should have known — it was the kind of something-for-everyone entertainment that recalled blockbusters of the past, deftly combining historical drama, wide-screen adventure and heartfelt romance. And its stars, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, became one of the great onscreen pairings of the 1990s. Our critic called it “a huge, thrilling three-and-a-quarter-hour experience.” (For more romance, watch “ The Notebook ” or “ Heaven Can Wait .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘Neighbors’ (2014)

The future “Platonic” stars Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne first teamed up for this wildly funny and surprisingly thoughtful comedy, which merges the reliable tropes of the frat-house flick (drugs, booze, sex and bodily functions) with more mature material concerning marriage and family. Mac (Rogen) and Kelly (Byrne) are new parents, still coming to terms with their metamorphosis into boring ol’ adults — a transition writ large when a fraternity, led by the unreasonably buff Teddy (Zac Efron) buys the house next door. High jinks ensue, but not always along expected lines, and the cast (which also includes Ike Barinholtz, Jerrod Carmichael, Carla Gallo and Lisa Kudrow) finds the nuances in potentially stock characters. (For more wild comedy, try “ Bottoms ” and “ Blockers .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘Kicking and Screaming’ (1995)

The “Marriage Story” and “Frances Ha” director Noah Baumbach made his feature debut with this wry and witty 1995 indie comedy. He tells a story of 20-something ennui, as four university pals (played with verve by Chris Eigeman, Josh Hamilton, Carlos Jacott and Jason Wiles) knock around their college town in the year after graduation, not quite sure what to do with themselves. Baumbach’s dialogue is crisp and quotable, and the relationships are uncommonly rich, thanks in no small part to the performances of Olivia d’Abo, Parker Posey and Cara Buono as the endlessly patient women in their lives. (If you like the shaggy vibe of this one, try John Cassavetes’s “ Minnie and Moskowitz ” and “ Husbands .” ) Watch it on Amazon

‘West Side Story’ (1961)

Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents’s ingenious musical adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet,” which updated its setting and story to the streets and gangs of New York, remains one of the towering achievements of the Broadway stage. So it’s no surprise that it spawned one of the great movie musicals. The original stage director and choreographer Jerome Robbins and the filmmaker Robert Wise shared directorial duties, thrillingly placing the show’s songs and dances on the real streets of New York City while using the proximity and intimacy of the camera to render the longing and loss of the story even more poignant. Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer perform admirably in the leads, but Rita Moreno and George Chakiris steal the show in support — and won Oscars for their efforts. (Fans of ’60s cinema should also check out “ Lilies of the Field .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘Out of Sight’ (1998)

This delightful adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s crackling crime novel starred George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez, and returned Steven Soderbergh to the movie mainstream. Yet Soderbergh’s cockeyed sensibility is what makes “Out of Sight” so special: the film’s “ sleek moodiness and visual sophistication ” elevates what could have been yet another “Pulp Fiction” riff into something distinctive and pleasurable. And the casting is genius, not only in the two leads (who generate enough sparks to power a small country) but a jaw-dropping ensemble that includes Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle, Catherine Keener, Steve Zahn, Isaiah Washington, Viola Davis and Albert Brooks. Watch it on Amazon

‘The Dead Zone’ (1983)

The director David Cronenberg rarely made traditional horror films, and his adaptation of the best seller by Stephen King is no exception. It’s as much science-fiction as horror, focusing on a regular Joe (Christopher Walken, muted and effective) who comes out of a coma with the ability to see the futures of those he touches. This thoughtful and tricky picture is as interested in moral dilemmas and historical ramifications as it is in thrills and chills; our critic found it “unsettling” and “ quietly forceful .” (For more spooky stuff, try “ From Beyond ” or “ Bird With the Crystal Plumage .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘A Thousand and One’ (2023)

The writer and director A.V. Rockwell begins this wrenching character drama in New York City circa 1994, nicely recapturing the look and feel of Gotham indies of that era. But that’s not just window dressing. While ostensibly telling the story of a young woman trying to raise her son after a stint at Rikers Island, Rockwell adroitly incorporates relevant reminders of the city’s history into her characters and their ongoing struggle, reminding us that “quality of life” policing and the dirty business of gentrification are never purely policy issues. Yet it’s more than just a polemic; Teyana Taylor is shattering as the mother in question, Josiah Cross is charismatic and sympathetic as her son as an older teenager, and the revelations of the closing scenes are wrenching and powerful. (If you like heart-wrenching dramas, try “ Morvern Callar ” and “ The Way Back .”)

Watch it on Amazon

‘Clerks’ (1994)

In 1994, a scrappy, movie-crazy kid brought his chatty, low-budget debut to Sundance and took the town by storm, winning a filmmakers’ trophy for dramatic features. But Kevin Smith wasn’t trying to impress anyone with the slickness of his debut feature; he embraced the low budget, shooting his grainy movie during late nights at the convenience store and video shop where he worked (and which inspired the events of the film). Ultimately, its surveillance-camera aesthetic was to the picture’s benefit; it captured a particular kind of pop-culture-obsessed slacker, and became a defining ode to Generation X. Watch it on Amazon

‘I Am Not Your Negro’ (2017)

This stunning documentary concerns the life and writings of James Baldwin, but it’s less focused on tracing the arc of its subject’s life than on the potency of his words . Director Raoul Peck uses as his framework the notes of Baldwin’s unfinished book “Remember This House,” in which Baldwin was attempting to reckon with the legacies of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Medgar Evers; guided by Baldwin’s passages, Peck constructs an urgent and audacious essay about our past and our present. Our critic called it “a concise, roughly 90-minute movie with the scope and impact of a 10-hour mini-series.” Watch it on Amazon

‘Rain Man’ (1988)

Dustin Hoffman won his second Oscar for his meticulously wrought performance as Raymond Babbitt, an autistic savant who meets his brother Charlie (Tom Cruise) for the first time after the death of their father. But “Rain Man” is not a heartfelt, tear-jerking family drama; it’s “ a becomingly modest, decently thought-out, sometimes funny film ” in which Charlie, a small-time hustler, has to drag his brother on a cross-country road trip to fight what he feels is an unfair inheritance. In retrospect, though Hoffman collected all the awards and accolades, this is Cruise’s film — he’s the character who changes between the beginning and the end — and it’s a marvelous performance, expertly revealing and exploring the psychological cracks in the gleaming golden-boy persona he spent the ’80s perfecting. (Cruise’s smash “ Top Gun: Maverick ” is also on Prime; for more Oscar-winning acting, watch “ My Left Foot .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘Monster’ (2003)

The power of Charlize Theron’s Oscar-winning performance in this film from Patty Jenkins goes much deeper than a physical transformation into the real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Theron manages to provoke both fear and sympathy in her portrayal, capturing not only Wuornos’s rage and dangerousness but also her love for a kind woman (Christina Ricci, also excellent). Jenkins (who later directed “Wonder Woman”) makes no apologies for Wournos’s acts, but neither does she minimize them, telling Wuornos’s story with grace and nuance and allowing her actors the space to bring these haunted souls to life. Watch it on Amazon

‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ (1978)

The original 1956 version ( also streaming on Prime ), in which alien invaders implant themselves in humans and take on their form, was widely seen as an allegory for the Red Scare. This “ dazzling remake ,” as our critic described it, is updated and released from that context, but it found another in post-hippie, health-obsessed San Francisco. The stakes are lower, but the remake has a self-aware sense of humor and a decent proportion of gross-outs and jump-scares, as well as an ending that’s just as creepy as the original’s. Watch it on Amazon

‘Thief’ (1981)

The director Michael Mann made his big-screen debut with this moody thriller, and with much of his distinctive aesthetic already in place: sleek photography, synthesized music, insider dialogue and a keen interest in the interior lives of men who make their living in crime (either committing or solving it). James Caan is riveting as a used-car salesman who moonlights as a safecracker, while Tuesday Weld is sweetly sympathetic as the young woman who seems to offer a road out. But the film’s scene stealer is the great character actor Robert Prosky, who turns his customary warmth and affability into the deceptive shell of a truly malevolent boss. (For more vintage action, check out “ The Warriors ” and “ The Great Escape .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘The Burial’ (2023)

Maggie Betts’s adaptation of Jonathan Harr’s 1999 New Yorker article feels like a throwback to the John Grisham thrillers of the era, and that’s intended as high praise; we just don’t get many of these mid-budget, middlebrow, crowd-pleasing courtroom dramas anymore. The sharp script tells the true story of a flashy personal injury lawyer (Jamie Foxx) who argues the hard-to-win case of the owner of a funeral home (Tommy Lee Jones) who is taking on a giant corporation for breaking an oral agreement. The tropes of the courtroom drama are well-deployed, yet thornily augmented by the sticky racial dynamics of its Deep South setting. Foxx dazzles — he always excels in this kind of showboat role — and Jones’s quiet dignity is an effective counterpoint.

‘Mansfield Park’ (1999)

Filmmakers never seem to tire of adapting Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility,” “Pride and Prejudice” and “Emma,” but they seem comparatively uninterested in her 1814 coming-of-age story, “Mansfield Park.” That’s one of the many reasons to check out this “ smart, politically pointed screen adaptation ” from the screenwriter and director Patricia Rozema, who remains faithful to the spirit of Austen’s novel while indulging in a handful of fascinating modifications. Frances O’Connor is dazzling in the leading role, and Jonny Lee Miller, Alessandro Nivola, Embeth Davidtz, James Purefoy, Hugh Bonneville and the playwright Harold Pinter lend able support. (For more period drama, stream Akira Kurosawa’s “ Ran .”)

‘Silver Dollar Road’ (2023)

Early in the new documentary by Raoul Peck (“I Am Not Your Negro”), Gertrude Reels remembers her father’s deathbed wish: “Whatever you do, don’t let the white man have my land.” That land, a 65-acre spread (including acres of invaluable waterfront property) in Carteret County, North Carolina, has been at the center of a long, complex legal battle for decades. Not all gentrification happens in the cities, and Peck’s keenly observed “ intimate portrait ” follows this family through years of injustice and wrangling, capturing (and sharing) their indignation. Watch it on Amazon

‘Women Talking’ (2022)

The writer and director Sarah Polley, adapting the novel by Miriam Toews , tells the haunting tale of an insular religious community ripped apart by the actions of its predatory men. Those crimes are seen briefly, in flashback; the primary focus of Polley’s film is a long, difficult debate between several of the women in the community about what will happen next. Assembling a cast of first-rate actors (including Jessie Buckley, Claire Foy, Judith Ivey, Rooney Mara, Frances McDormand and Ben Whishaw), Polley turns what could have been a polemic into an urgent, thoughtful morality play. Watch it on Amazon

‘Some Like It Hot’ (1959)

Two jazz musicians (Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis) disguise themselves in drag to escape some gangsters, but one of them falls for a seductive singer (Marilyn Monroe, in one of her best performances), while the other becomes the object of a millionaire’s desire. Both uproariously funny and tight as a drum, “Some Like It Hot” works through every complication of its farcical setup, landing not only on a picture-perfect conclusion but also on one of the best closing lines in all of cinema. Our critic called it “ a rare, rib-tickling lampoon .” (Wilder and Lemmon’s “ The Front Page ” is also on Prime.) Watch it on Amazon

‘Capote’ (2005)

In 1959, the famed novelist and bon vivant Truman Capote traveled to Kansas to write about the shocking murder of the Clutter family; the resulting book, “In Cold Blood,” all but created the nonfiction novel. It also changed the author forever, according to this biographical snapshot by the director Bennett Miller, which argues that Capote’s interactions with (and betrayal of) the killers Dick Hickock and Perry Smith haunted him for the rest of his life. Philip Seymour Hoffman won a much-deserved Oscar for his stunning work in the title role, and much as his performance eschews impersonation in favor of psychological truth, “Capote” jettisons the clichés of the cradle-to-grave biopic, focusing instead on this moment in the writer’s life and career and then and zooming in. (Hoffman is also magnificent in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “ The Master .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘The Accused’ (1988)

Jodie Foster won her first Academy Award for her forceful turn in this brutal but essential sexual-assault drama. It’s a hard film to watch, particularly in its relentless dramatizations of the rape, and yet it is not without hope or catharsis, and it prompts fascinating (and still very poignant) questions about responsibility, harassment and victim blaming. Foster’s performance is still a stunner: Detailed and grounded, her character refuses to pander for sympathy or “likability.” Our critic deemed it “ a consistently engrossing melodrama .” Watch it on Amazon

‘Road to Perdition’ (2002)

This adaptation of the graphic novel by Max Allan Collins (itself inspired by the “Lone Wolf and Cub” manga and film series) was only the second feature film from the director Sam Mendes. Yet it plays like an elegy, a film about endings, mortality and what we leave behind. It was the final film of the award-winning cinematographer Conrad L. Hall, whose visions of Depression-era America here are staggeringly evocative, and one of the final onscreen appearances for Paul Newman. The actor nabbed one last Academy Award nomination for his work as the patriarch of a crime family, caught between his irresponsible biological son (a pre-Bond Daniel Craig) and his beloved surrogate son (Tom Hanks, in a rare and affecting non-hero turn). Watch it on Amazon

‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979)

Francis Ford Coppola’s loose, Vietnam-era adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” was a notoriously troubled production, harassed by weather woes, political struggles, budget and schedule overages and problems with actors. Considering how much drama occurred offscreen, it’s somewhat miraculous that the final product is so singular and powerful — an awe-inspiring fusion of ’60s psychedelic film, ’70s genre reimagining and classic wide-screen epic, its ambition even more striking in this extended “Redux” cut from 2001 . Our critic called it “ a stunning work .” (For more vintage action, check out “ The Warriors ” and “ The Great Escape .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘Schindler’s List’ (1993)

After almost 20 years of popcorn moviemaking, Steven Spielberg proved himself to be not only a serious dramatist but also one of our most gifted historical chroniclers with this 1993 film. In it, he tells the true story of Oskar Schindler (the Oscar nominee Liam Neeson), a German businessman and member of the Nazi party who became the unlikely savior of more than 1,000 Jewish workers in his factories. Our critic wrote that Spielberg directed the film “ with fury and immediacy .” (For more Oscar-nominated acting, stream “ Sounder ” and “ The Dresser .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘The Birdcage’ (1996)

Robin Williams and Nathan Lane are warm, winning and hilarious in this clever riff on the classic French comedy “La Cage Aux Folles.” The screenwriter Elaine May and the director Mike Nichols smoothly reconfigure the material for the Clinton-era culture wars — our critic praised its “ giddy ingenuity ” — building the kind of farce in which each half-truth and outright deception leads to another, creating a house of cards that grows funnier and more precarious the higher it climbs. Watch it on Amazon

‘Rear Window’ (1954)

James Stewart stars as an antsy magazine photographer recovering from an on-the-job injury whose nosy but harmless observation of his apartment-complex neighbors turns deadly in this “ tense and exciting ” nail-biter from the director Alfred Hitchcock. Grace Kelly is his high-society girlfriend who joins him in his amateur investigation of a possible murder. It’s a deliciously good mystery, and more besides; as in his best films, Hitchcock uses the genre story as clever cover for his explorations of voyeurism, sexual frustration and guilty impulses. (Hitchcock’s “ Psycho ,” “ Vertigo ” and “ The Birds ” are also on Prime.) Watch it on Amazon

‘The Graduate’ (1967)

This wryly funny drama from Mike Nichols, adapted from the novel by Charles Webb, has become such an entrenched piece of popular culture, it is easy to lose track of what great entertainment it is. But it is: Using Dustin Hoffman as his marvelously dry-witted vessel, Nichols dramatizes youthful ennui with a skill rarely seen in American cinema. Our critic called it “ funny, outrageous, and touching .” (Nichols’s “ Carnal Knowledge ” is also streaming on Prime.) Watch it on Amazon

‘Fried Green Tomatoes’ (1991)

Fannie Flagg’s best-selling book “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe” got the big-screen treatment via director Jon Avnet (“Up Close and Personal”). Kathy Bates plays a housewife who finds escape from her unsatisfying life in the stories a nursing home resident (Jessica Tandy) tells her about her hometown; Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker and Cicely Tyson are among the residents whose yarns she spins. Some of the edges of Flagg’s book have been sanded down to make this adaptation, which is regrettable — but as it stands, it’s a lovely film, capably crafted and poignantly played. Watch it on Amazon

‘The Deer Hunter’ (1978)

The writer and director Michael Cimino won the Oscars for best picture and best director for this harrowing drama, one of the first American films to deal with the ramifications of the Vietnam War on those who fought it. Robert De Niro, John Savage and (in an Oscar-winning turn) Christopher Walken, star as friends from a Pennsylvania steel town who head off to do their patriotic duty, though their experiences during the war and beyond it are far more complicated. Meryl Streep is marvelous in her big-screen breakthrough role, while John Cazale (“The Godfather”) makes his final film appearance as a pal back home. Our critic at the time wrote, “its vision is that of an original, major new filmmaker.” (The post-Vietnam revenge thriller “ Rolling Thunder ” is similarly harrowing.) Watch it on Amazon

‘The Night of the Hunter’ (1955)

The esteemed character actor Charles Laughton made his one and only trip behind the camera for this haunting small-town thriller, which melds the conventions of film noir and Hitchcock-style suspense with a healthy taste of Southern Gothic. Robert Mitchum crafts a chilling, unforgettable performance as Harry Powell, a mysterious stranger who romances a widowed mother (a superb Shelley Winters) whose children seem to be the only ones capable of seeing the evil within him. Our critic called it “ clever and exceptionally effective .” (If you love classic dramas, stream “ The Swimmer .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘On the Waterfront’ (1954)

The director Elia Kazan (“A Streetcar Named Desire”) and the star Marlon Brando teamed up for this hard-hitting drama of corruption and betrayal among the longshoreman working the docks of Hoboken, N.J. Brando won his first Academy Award for his tortured and sensitive turn as Terry Molloy, a dockworker torn between doing the smart thing and doing the right thing; Eva Marie Saint also won an Oscar for her work as the woman who could love him. Our critic called it “ moviemaking of a rare and high order .” (For more classic drama, stream Douglas Sirk’s “ Magnificent Obsession ” and “ All That Heaven Allows .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘Take Shelter’ (2011)

This unsettling thriller from the writer and director Jeff Nichols (“Midnight Special,” “Loving”) harnesses its dread and tension not from the impending apocalypse, but from the reliability of its harbinger; we’re never quite certain about the visions of the protagonist (Michael Shannon). He plays the role with grounded authority and wild-eyed abandon as he is consumed with the fear that something bad may happen to his wife (Jessica Chastain) and daughter (Tova Stewart). Chastain conveys the frustrations and fears of a woman who wants to follow her husband, but perhaps not this far. Our critic called it “ a perfect allegory for a panicky time .” Watch it on Amazon

‘Bull Durham’ (1988)

Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins were all propelled to the next level of stardom by this 1988 sleeper hit from the writer-director Ron Shelton, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a laid-back charmer, endlessly funny and casually sexy, and it gives all of them the opportunity to do what they do best: it features Costner shooting straight, Sarandon smoldering and Robbins playing an amiable goofball. Our critic praised its “ spirit and sex appeal .” (Sports film fans will also enjoy “ Air .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘Young Adult’ (2011)

We’ve seen countless stories of nasty, selfish people who go on a voyage of self-discovery and come out the other side as better, wiser souls. This acidic comedy-drama asks: What if that journey didn’t take? Mavis Gary ( Charlize Theron , in take-no-prisoners mode) is a bitter young-adult author who returns to her hometown in hopes of reuniting with her high-school boyfriend, his picture-perfect married life be damned. A film that zigs when you’re certain it will zag, “Young Adult” tells a satisfying story that is also a sly critique of the conventions of modern moviemaking. Our critic praised its “ brilliant, brave and breathtakingly cynical heart .” Watch it on Amazon

‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ (1985)

The director Susan Seidelman was just trying to make a small New York movie — a slightly more mainstream portrait of the downtown art scene than her breakthrough picture “Smithereens” — when she cast a somewhat popular club performer in the title role of this delightful comedy. By the time the film came out, that actress, Madonna, had become one of the biggest stars on the planet. Yet her persona doesn’t eclipse Seidelman’s screwball-tinged presentation; the character of the free-spirited Susan is something of a celebrity to Roberta (Rosanna Arquette), the suburban housewife who first lives vicariously through her, and ends up taking on her identity. “Susan” is energetic and engaging, while simultaneously capturing a distinct moment in the city’s subculture. (For more ’80s comedy, stream “ Airplane! ” and “ The Blues Brothers .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘The Aviator’ (2004)

Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese’s next collaboration, after 2002’s “Gangs of New York,” was this uncommonly nuanced biopic of the notoriously reclusive and eccentric millionaire Howard Hughes. DiCaprio ages several decades as Hughes, who goes from the boy genius of a Texas tool company to a celebrated film producer, pilot and tycoon — all while dealing with various mental maladies. Scorsese’s stylish direction vividly captures the 20th-century settings, while DiCaprio ably conveys both the brilliance and madness of the man. (Scorsese’s “ The Last Temptation of Christ ” and “ The Last Waltz ” are also streaming on Prime Video.) Watch it on Amazon

‘Chinatown’ (1974)

The neo-noir films of the 1970s, and particularly the era’s plethora of private eye movies, took advantage of the temperature of the times; in a decade where distrust of authority and institutions was high, it’s not surprising the unshakable moral ethos of the dedicated detective was again in vogue. Few films reanimate the golden age of noir as expertly as Roman Polanski’s best picture nominee. The beauty of John A. Alonzo’s cinematography and the Oscar-nominated performances of Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway resulted in one of the finest films of the decade. (For more iconic ’70s cinema, stream “ Saturday Night Fever .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘12 Angry Men’ (1957)

Sidney Lumet (“Serpico,” “Network,” “Dog Day Afternoon,”) made his feature directorial debut with this “ incisively revealing ” ensemble piece — one of the great courtroom dramas, or more accurately, jury room dramas. Twelve jurors huddle up to determine the fate of the man they’ve just watched on trial for murder, and what seems to be an open-and-shut conviction is complicated by the questions and protestations of a single juror (Henry Fonda). Lee J. Cobb is his primary antagonist; Jack Warden, Martin Balsam and E.G. Marshall are among the impressive cast. (Fans of classic cinema will also enjoy “ The Best Years of Our Lives ” and “ It’s a Wonderful Life .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘The African Queen’ (1952)

Humphrey Bogart won his only Oscar for his role as the gin-soaked roughneck at the helm of the titular vessel; this was also his only on-screen pairing with his fellow icon Katharine Hepburn. Most of what happens is predictable, from the outcome of the dangerous mission to the eventual attraction of the opposites at the story’s center, but the actors and John Huston’s direction keep the viewer engaged and entertained. Our critic praised the picture’s “ rollicking fun and gentle humor.” (The Bogart-fronted “ The Barefoot Contessa ” is also on Prime.)

‘Strawberry Mansion’ (2022)

Kentucker Audley and Albert Birney wrote, directed and edited this “ soulful sci-fi oddity ” — a true indie with a look, sound and feel all its own. Audley is also the deadpan leading man, a government auditor in a not too distant future, where citizens are taxed for the extravagancies of their dreams. It’s a digital process, so he meets a considerable challenge in the form of the batty Bella (Penny Fuller), whose dreams are still analog, leaving him with thousands of videotapes to watch and log. And that’s when things start getting really weird. Audley and Birney’s wild screenplay adroitly captures the touch-and-go intricacies of dream logic, the special effects are impressively D.I.Y. and the humor is deliriously cockeyed throughout. (If you like quirky indies, try “ Ghost World .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘Cassandro’ (2023)

“The exotico has lost, like always,” shrugs the announcer of the low-rent wrestling match, which doesn’t really bother Saúl (Gael García Bernal) all that much — he’s “the runt,” and he’s got problems of his own. One of the pleasures of Roger Ross Williams’s comedy-drama, which is loosely based on a true story, is how steeped it is in the lore of the lucha libre, the traditions and characters and lingo that give this world its juice. Saúl, a cheerfully, unapologetically gay wrestler, devises a flamboyantly theatrical new character: an exotico, yes, “but he wins. ” (Roberta Colindrez plays his trainer.) Williams deftly dramatizes how this persona, and his success with it, changes everything, and while he follows the standard sports-underdog playbook, the picture’s overwhelming exuberance and kindness set it apart.

‘Catherine Called Birdy’ (2022)

The “Girls” creator and star Lena Dunham is about the last person you’d imagine to direct a film adaptation of a children’s book set in 13th-century England. (Perhaps that’s why she did it.) What she accomplishes is a minor miracle: a delightful film that inserts a modern comic sensibility into the past, without resorting to anachronism or satire. She gets a big assist from the star (and “Game of Thrones” alum) Bella Ramsey, who brings the title character to vivid, playful life, involving us in her tribulations and frustrations, as her oft-drunken father (Andrew Scott, the “hot priest” of “Fleabag”) desperately attempts to marry her off. Our critic called it a “winning,” “ headstrong comedy .” Watch it on Amazon

‘Guys and Dolls’ (1955)

The classic gangster movie gets a snazzy musical makeover in this bouncy film adaptation of the Broadway hit, itself based on the colorful New York characters of Damon Runyon’s fiction. Joseph L. Mankiewicz (“All About Eve”) directs with energy and pizazz, coaxing cheerful, engaged performances out of Frank Sinatra, Jean Simmons, Vivian Blaine and that most unlikely of crooners, Marlon Brando. Our critic called it “as tinny and tawny and terrific as any hot-cha musical film you’ll ever see.” (For more Sinatra, stream “ The Man With the Golden Arm ”; for more classic musical fun, stream “ South Pacific ” or “ Oklahoma! ”) Watch it on Amazon

‘A Quiet Passion’ (2017)

This vibrant and playful exploration of the life of Emily Dickinson comes from the fertile mind of the great British writer and director Terence Davies (“The Deep Blue Sea”), who so frequently and masterfully unearths raw desires and emotional truths. This time, he has the good fortune of partnering up with Cynthia Nixon; she adroitly dramatizes Dickinson’s journey, emphasizing the humor and happiness of her earlier years and how that joy gradually dissipated. (Her cheerful interactions with her sister, played with warmth by Jennifer Ehle, place the role closer to her “Sex and the City” breakthrough than you might expect.) This is filmmaking that is searing, smart and often sublime.

‘Memento’ (2000)

Christopher Nolan made his first big splash with this, his second feature film, a stylish film noir riff that tells its familiar story in an exuberantly inventive way: In order to mirror the disorientation of its protagonist, Leonard (Guy Pearce), who has lost his ability to create new memories, Nolan tells the story by ordering its scenes in reverse chronology. As Leonard pursues an investigation of his wife’s murder, revelations fold back on themselves and betrayals become clear to the audience before they’re known to him. Yet even without that narrative flourish, “Memento” would be a scorching piece of work, loaded with sharp performances, moody cinematography and a noir-inspired sense of doom. (Nolan’s “ Interstellar ” is also on Prime, as is the similarly stylized “ Run Lola Run .”) Watch it on Amazon

‘Selma’ (2014)

Ava DuVernay directs this “ bold and bracingly self-assured ” dramatization of the events surrounding Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1965 marches for voting rights in Selma, Ala. DuVernay is telling the story not of a man but of a movement; the picture bursts with the urgency of promises unkept. David Oyelowo is astonishing as King, capturing the unmistakable cadences but also the man — uncertain, jocular, determined. The stellar ensemble cast includes Dylan Baker, Carmen Ejogo, André Holland, Stephan James, Wendell Pierce, Tim Roth, Tessa Thompson, Lorraine Toussaint, Tom Wilkinson and Oprah Winfrey. Watch it on Amazon

‘The Lady From Shanghai’ (1948)

Orson Welles attempted to repair his flailing film career (and his marriage to Rita Hayworth, whom he cast as a femme fatale) in this moody and visually striking film noir. Welles portrays a crewman hired to sail Hayworth and her husband’s yacht, and finds himself drawn into a wicked web of deception, sex and murder. As was often the case with his later works, “Shanghai” suffered from extensive studio interference and reshoots. But even in its expurgated form, this is an expert potboiler, and its oft-imitated house-of-mirrors climax is as gripping as ever. Our critic called it “at once fluid and discordant ,” and “filled with virtuoso set pieces.” (Hayworth’s iconic turn in “ Gilda ” is also on Prime.) Watch it on Amazon

‘In A Lonely Place’ (1950)

This hard-edged and harrowing drama from the director Nicholas Ray (“Rebel Without a Cause”) has elements of not only shadowy noir but movie-biz roman à clef, yet it ultimately takes on a much bigger subject: the recklessness, jealousy and distrust of a dysfunctional relationship. Humphrey Bogart turns in perhaps his finest screen performance, as the troubled and unstable Hollywood has-been, while Gloria Grahame is dizzyingly complex as the woman who could save him if she can survive him. Ray’s dark direction and the shockingly downbeat conclusion make for a rich and honest picture that still seems decades ahead of its time. (The Bogart-fronted “ The Barefoot Contessa ” is also on Prime.) Watch it on Amazon

‘Rosemary’s Baby’ (1968)

It looks, at first glance, like the perfect New York City romance: a roomy apartment on the Upper West Side, a beautiful wife and her handsome actor husband, a baby on the way. Look closer. Roman Polanski’s “ mainstream masterpiece ” is a chilling examination of the terror that lurks just beneath those shiny surfaces, beneath the wide-eyed good intentions of new friends and the cheerful opportunism of the young couple at it center. Mia Farrow does some of her finest acting as the increasingly sickly mother-to-be, John Cassavetes is appropriately devil-may-care as her career-minded husband, and Ruth Gordon won an Oscar for her work as the couple’s nosy next-door neighbor. Watch it on Amazon

‘The Limey’ (1999)

On the heels of “Out of Sight,” the director Steven Soderbergh further fused art-house experimentation and genre storytelling in this tale of a revenge-seeking ex-con (Terence Stamp, in a career-best performance). The film combines fractured timelines, stream-of-consciousness editing and even clips from an earlier Stamp performance (in Ken Loach’s “Poor Cow”). In doing so, Soderbergh turns what could’ve been a “Death Wish” remake into a thoughtful, mournful, elegiac meditation — on family, on forgiveness, on the past in general and the ’60s in particular. (Thriller fans should also try “ The Big Easy .”) Watch it on Amazon

An earlier version of this article misspelled an actor's surname. It's Yul Brynner, not Brenner.

An earlier version of a picture caption misspelled an actor’s surname. He is Joe Mantegna, not Mantenga.

An earlier version of this article referred imprecisely to the character Jerry Lundegaard’s occupation in the film “Fargo.” He is a car salesman, not a used car salesman.

An earlier version of this article misstated the year “House of Games” was released. It was 1987, not 1986.

An earlier version of this article misidentified the year in which “California Split” was released. It is 1974, not 1978.

An earlier version of this article incorrectly referred to Michelle Williams’s character in “Take this Waltz.” She is married, but she is not a mother.

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The 30 Best Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now

This list is regularly updated as movies rotate on and off of Amazon Prime Video . *New additions are indicated with an asterisk.

Amazon has a little bit of everything on their streaming service, but they don’t have an interface that makes it particularly easy to find any of it. They also love to rotate out their selection with reckless abandon, making it hard to pin down what’s available when you want to watch a movie. It’s the kind of digital minefield that demands a guide. That’s where we come in! This regularly updated list will highlight the best films currently on Prime Video, free for anyone with an Amazon Prime account, including classics and recent hits. There’s truly something here for everyone, starting with our pick of the week.

This Week’s Critic’s Pick

Year: 1985 Runtime: 2h 34m Director: Akira Kurosawa

Late in his career, Akira Kurosawa delivered one of his most epic films in this adaptation of William Shakespeare’s King Lear , blending that story with legends and history of Japan. The most expensive Japanese film ever made at the time, this 1985 war epic was a worldwide hit, bringing new viewers into the career of one of the best filmmakers of all time.

How We Pick Our Films

Critic Brian Tallerico watches and writes about movies and TV every day. To curate this list, he dives into Prime Video’s catalogue to surface acclaimed, surprising, or otherwise noteworthy titles — using his taste and a lifetime of cinema study as his guide, instead of whatever the algorithm happens to be pushing. After triple-checking to make sure they’re still available, he watches each, organizes them by category, then writes his recommendation. We highlight more than just Oscar winners or popcorn flicks: These films present interesting ideas, made an impact on cinema, and changed our culture. Read on to find something to watch.

12 Angry Men

Year: 1957 Runtime: 1h 32m Director: Sidney Lumet

Sidney Lumet’s American classic impacted not just the courtroom dramas that would follow but the very judicial process. Who hasn’t gone into jury duty thinking they would be the “Juror 8” in their group, the one willing to really look at the case before rushing to justice? Henry Fonda gives one of his most iconic performances in a movie that holds up six decades after it was released.

*Call Me By Your Name

Year: 2018 Runtime: 2h 11m Director: Luca Guadagnino

One of the best films of the 2010s, this drama stars Timothee Chalamet as a boy who discovers his own sexuality when he’s wooed by an older man, played by Armie Hammer. Delicate and moving, Call Me By Your Name is remarkable for how true it feels, anchored by great performances throughout, not just from the two leads but the amazing Michael Stuhlbarg too.

King of New York

Year: 1990 Runtime: 1h 43m Director: Abel Ferrara

The amazing Abel Ferrara directed this crime epic that oozes with style. Three decades after its release, it’s still one of the most cited films of this kind of its era. One of the main reasons for that is the cast. Christopher Walken leads the way as the legendary drug lord Frank White, but the whole ensemble here is amazing, including Laurence Fishburne, David Caruso, Wesley Snipes, Steve Buscemi, and Giancarlo Esposito.

Year: 1999 Runtime: 1h 28m Director: Steven Soderbergh

Steven Soderbergh directs a searing performance by Terence Stamp in his thriller about a Brit who comes to California trying to find his missing daughter, and those who may be responsible for hurting her. Soderbergh rarely missteps and The Limey is one of his most underrated films, a perfectly paced angry shout of a movie that matches its captivating leading man.

Year: 2001 Runtime: 1h 53m Director: Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan announced himself to the world with this Sundance thriller that really reshaped the indie and eventually the blockbuster landscape. Guy Pearce gives one of his best performances as a man with such severe memory loss that he has to use his body to remind himself of the details he needs to solve a mystery. It’s still so clever and riveting.

Out of Sight

Year: 1998 Runtime: 2h 2m Director: Steven Soderbergh

Steven Soderbergh only makes good movies, and one of his best remains this crime dramedy that features George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez at the peak of their blinding star power. An ode to old-fashioned noir/crime films with a modern twist, Soderbergh’s adaptation of the Elmore Leonard novel of the same name is one of the most purely entertaining films ever made.

Passion Fish

Year: 1992 Runtime: 2h 15m Director: John Sayles

The brilliant writer/director John Sayles delivered one of his most beloved films in this 1992 drama about a soap opera star (Mary McDonnell) who has been paralyzed after being hit by a cab. She returns to her family home, where she crosses paths with a nurse (Alfre Woodard) who refuses to give up on her. It’s moving in a way that feels genuine, never manipulative.

* Rear Window

Year:  1954 Runtime:  1h 52m Director:  Alfred Hitchcock

Rear Window  is the gateway drug for young people learning about the Master of Suspense. It’s the perfect film to introduce someone in your family to Hitchcock. Jimmy Stewart stars as a man stuck in a wheelchair with the apartments across his courtyard as his only entertainment. When he thinks he witnesses a murder, movie history is made.

* Schindler’s List

Year: 1994 Runtime: 3h 15m Director: Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg’s personal masterpiece is the saga of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), who saved the lives of hundreds of Jewish refugees in Poland during the Holocaust. Spielberg is one of our greatest film historians, telling chapters of world history in a way that only he can, and this drama remains one of his most notable achievements, a reminder of the power of extreme good even in the face of extreme evil.

Year:  2015 Runtime:  2h 1m Director:  Denis Villeneuve

Denis Villeneuve has become one of the biggest directors in the world on the back of beloved films like  Blade Runner 2049  and  Dune , but  Sicario  was really his breakthrough, a thriller about an FBI agent (Emily Blunt) who gets drawn into the war between the U.S. government and the Mexican drug cartels. Benicio Del Toro gives one of the best performances of his career here.

Take Shelter

Year: 2011 Runtime: 2h 1m Director: Jeff Nichols

Jeff Nichols wrote and directed this film that features the best film work by his regular collaborator, Michael Shannon. The actor plays a young husband and father who starts to have visions of the end of the world that leads him to think he may be prophetic. An allegory for mental illness and acceptance, Take Shelter is a riveting drama with an unforgettable ending.

Year: 1997 Runtime: 3h 14m Director: James Cameron

More than just a blockbuster, this Best Picture winner was a legitimate cultural phenomenon, staying at the top of the box office charts for months. And the headline-grabbing story of the Titan submersible in Summer 2023 certainly gives this flick new relevance. There was a point when it felt like not only had everyone seen the story of Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet), but most people had seen it twice. And they’re probably all going to watch it again now.

Year: 1958 Runtime: 2h 8m Director: Alfred Hitchcock

A common choice for the best film of all time, Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece works on multiple levels at the same time. On the surface, it’s a brilliant thriller about a detective (James Stewart) who becomes obsessed with a woman (Kim Novak) he’s been hired to follow, but it also reflects Hitch’s own life and career in the way it plays with perspective and image. It’s quite simply one of the best films ever made.

Year: 2014 Runtime: 1h 46m Director: Damien Chazelle

Damien Chazelle may still be startled by the divisive response to last year’s Babylon, but he can go back to the near-universal praise for the film that really broke him, earning one of its stars an Oscar and getting a nomination for Best Picture. Chazelle’s drama about a perfectionist drummer and his militaristic teacher thrilled viewers from the minute it premiered at Sundance. It was a major piece of pop culture, a film that feels like it’s being referenced more every year.

A Knock at the Cabin

Year: 2023 Runtime: 1h 40m Director: M. Night Shyamalan

One of the most inventive directors of his era adapted a screenplay for the first time when he tackled Paul Tremblay’s stunning 2018 novel The Cabin at the End of the World . Shyalaman does some bad things to the final act, but this is still worth a look for its incredible craft and an excellent performance from Dave Bautista as the leader of a group of people who believe that a sacrifice must be made to stop a pending apocalypse.

High Tension

Year: 2005 Runtime: 1h 29m Director: Alexandre Aja

This movie is bonkers. Directed by Alexandre Aja (and sometimes called Switchblade Romance ) it stars Cecile de France and Maiwenn as two young woman who go to a secluded farmhouse, where they’re attached by a serial killer. The twist ending to this brutal film will likely either make it or break it for you. Note: Shudder also added a few other French Horror Wave films, including Inside and Martyrs —both essential for horror fans, neither for the faint of heart.

Year: 2007 Runtime: 1h 59m Director: Bong Joon-ho

The success of Parasite brought an entirely new, larger audience to the work of Bong Joon-ho, and they probably loved this riveting genre piece about a giant monster living in the Han River. Parasite star Song Kang-ho plays the patriarch of a family that’s forced into action when the creature kidnaps his daughter. When it was released, it became the highest-grossing South Korean film of all time.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Year:  1978 Runtime:  1h 55m Director:  Philip Kaufman

There’s a reason that Hollywood keeps returning to Jack Finney’s novel  The Body Snatchers —it strikes at a common fear that our neighbors and loved ones aren’t who they were yesterday. The best film version of Finney’s tale is the ‘70s one with Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Veronica Cartwright, Jeff Goldblum, and Leonard Nimoy. A riveting unpacking of ‘70s paranoia, this is a truly terrifying movie.

Year: 1979 Runtime: 1h 29m Director: Don Coscarelli

Another low-budget flick that produced an empire, Don Coscarelli’s totally bonkers 1979 film isn’t as much an influential genre classic as it is kind of unlike anything before or since. Who can forget the first time they saw Angus Scrimm as The Tall Man, one of the best horror characters of his era? The crazy plot here is secondary to the unforgettable imagery and style. There’s a reason it spawned four sequels and has a very loyal cult following 40 years later.

Year: 1960 Runtime: 1h 48m Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Often on lists of the best movies ever made, Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller undeniably changed the genre forever. With its drastic POV shift and stunning mid-film murder, no one had ever seen a movie that played with structure like this one before. It’s still a riveting piece of work, a movie in which one can find new tricks and joys with every single viewing.

Year: 2005 Runtime: 1h 25m Director: Wes Craven

With one of his last great movies, the master of horror Wes Craven proved he could also do thrills without supernatural monsters. Red Eye is a film that Alfred Hitchcock would have loved, the story of an average woman (Rachel McAdams) terrorized by the guy in the seat next to her on a red-eye flight to Miami. Cillian Murphy is chilling in this memorable, tight little genre movie.

* Airplane!

Year: 1980 Runtime: 1h 27m Directors: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker

Movies just don’t get much funnier than this classic from David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, and Jim Abrahams. Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, and Leslie Nielsen star in a parody of the disaster flicks of the ‘70s but Airplane! has far transcended its roots to become one of the most quotable and beloved comedies of all time. It’s held up.

Year: 1994   Runtime: 1h 32m Director: Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith rocked the indie filmmaking world with his comedy that was shot for almost nothing and became a worldwide hit. Films at the convenience and video stores at which Smith worked in real life with his buddies, no one could have expected that this comedy would still be influencing writers a quarter-century later.

Year: 1989 Runtime: 1h 43m Director: Michael Lehmann

Talk about a movie ahead of its time. Coming-of-age teen comedies were never quite as wonderfully cynical before this movie about four teenage girls whose lives are upended by the arrival of a new kid, played by Christian Slater. More than just seeking to destroy the damaging cliques at his new school, Slater’s character has plans for something a little more permanent in this comedy that really shaped the teen genre for years to come.

* The Holdovers

Year: 2023 Runtime: 2h 13m Director: Alexander Payne

Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph were Oscar-nominated for this phenomenal comedy (and Randolph won!), which was exclusive to Peacock but has now escaped out to Prime Video. The ‘70s-set story of a boarding school over holiday break already feels like a comedy classic, a movie that people will be watching, especially around the end of the year, for generations to come.

Year: 1989 Runtime: 2h 6m Director: Tim Burton

The modern superhero movie owes an incredible debt to what Tim Burton did in 1989 with Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, and Kim Basinger. It wasn’t the first superhero movie, but it felt darker and different from the candy-coated men in tights movies that came before, especially the superior sequel, also on Prime.

* Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Year: 2001 Runtime: 2h Director: Ang Lee

One of the most successful foreign language films of all time, Ang Lee’s wuxia epic was so popular that it landed an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, along with nine other nominations (winning four). It’s a gorgeous epic based on the Chinese novel by Wang Dulu that stars the legendary Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, and Chang Chen. It hasn’t aged a day in the over-two decades since its release.

The Great Escape

Year: 1963 Runtime: 2h 52m Director: John Sturges

Classic action! The star power is blinding in this epic war film about prisoners of war who escape a German camp during World War II. It’s led by Steve McQueen, but also includes great turns from James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasance, James Coburn, and many more.

Interstellar

Year: 2014 Runtime: 2h 49m Director: Christopher Nolan

The most underrated film from the director of The Dark Knight and Oppenheimer remains this 2014 sci-fi epic, a film that’s better if you approach it as an emotional journey instead of a physical one. Matthew McConaughey gives one of the best performances of his career as an astronaut searching for a new home for mankind, and realizing all that he left behind to do so. It’s a technical marvel with some of the most striking visuals and best sound design of Nolan’s career.

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The 25 best Prime Video movies to stream in May 2024

Looking for the best Prime Video movies around? TechRadar's entertainment experts have you covered

Looking for the best Prime Video movies to watch right now? This guide is for you. We’ve selected the best films on Amazon ’s primary streaming service that we think are well worth your time. 

If you have an Amazon Prime subscription, all of the best Prime Video movies in our guide are free to watch. That’s one of many reasons why we think Prime Video is one of the best streaming services around. But even though Prime Video has a huge library of films, not all of them are good. We’ve created this guide to help you discover only the best Prime Video movies. You’ll find tense drama, epic fantasy, family classics, high octane action and much more. There's something for everyone. With that in mind, read on for our pick of the best Prime Video movies.

The Notebook

RT (Rotten Tomatoes) score: 54% Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12A (UK) Runtime: 124 minutes

The Notebook is a now classic romantic story starring a young Ryan Gosling ( Barbie, The Gray Man ) and Rachel McAdams ( Mean Girls, Doctor Strange ). It's based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks and although some roll their eyes at its soppy sentimentality, we dare you to watch it and not feel a little teary throughout. 

It follows the story of Noah (played by Gosling) and Allison (played by McAdams), a pair of star-crossed young lovers who are forbidden from seeing each other again by Allison's parents. New romantic interests, World War II and investments take place throughout their time apart. But will they be together again in the end? That's the big question that The Notebook hinges on.

RT score: 57% Age rating: PG (US), 12A (UK) Runtime: 110 minutes

Top Gun: Maverick may have landed on our screens more recently, but the original 1986 movie it follows on from is still a must-see classic. 

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Top Gun takes us back to where everything began, telling the story of hotshot fighter pilot Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (played by Tom Cruise), who is given the opportunity to train at the US Navy's elite Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) along with his intercept officer, Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (played by Anthony Edwards). But his cocky and reckless attitude don't go down too well with some other trainees, particularly Iceman (played by Val Kilmer).

Yes, some of the film is a little cheesy to watch now nearly 40 years on, but we think it's still filled with enough tense action scenes and drama to delight all ages.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

RT score: 95% Age rating: PG (US & UK) Runtime: 99 minutes

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is a modern and fresh spin on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles story many of us already know and love about a group of turtles transformed into sassy teen mutants. In telling the stories of the popular heroes in a half shell, it manages to appeal to older fans who will tune in for the franchise’s legacy while serving up a new slice of mythos.

Visually, this movie is a real treat, with a unique style of animation that's incredibly fun to watch. Combine that with a fantastic voice cast including new talent and well-known names, as well as lots of genuinely funny writing and we think  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem  could be one of the the best films in the TMNT franchise, and a must-watch for the whole family.

Although Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is technically available to watch through Prime Video, it's only available to stream using the Paramount Plus channel add-on. If you enjoy the movie, you'll be happy to learn there's a sequel on the way and Paramount Plus is gearing up to launch a new series called Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set in the same universe.

RT score: 88% Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12 (UK) Runtime: 195 minutes

Titanic is an epic movie in story, ambition and length that stands the test of time more than 25 years on. It follows Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) who fall for each other despite being from different social classes. Although it's a fictionalized romantic story, it's set against the very real backdrop of the sinking of Titanic in 1912. You've been warned, expect tragedy.

Directed by James Cameron ( The Terminator, Avatar ), the visuals are stunning, especially for the late 90s, the story is fluffy but will tug at your heartstrings and there's fantastic acting here, especially from Winslet, DiCaprio and antagonist Cal (Billy Zane).

RT score: 90% Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK) Runtime: 88 minutes

At first glance, Bottoms may seem like it's going to be a typical Americal high school movie, but it doesn't take long to realize this is refreshing absurdist comedy that's delightfully weird and incredibly fun to watch – fans of Booksmart will love it.

It follows the story of PJ and Josie, two girls at Rockbridge Falls High School who are unpopular, lesbians and desperately pining for the affection of cheerleaders Isabel and Brittany. They end up hatching a plan that involves setting up a self-defense club. 

If you're looking for a fun but smart film, Bottoms is it. We're expecting great things from this fresh young cast, especially Rachel Sennott who plays PJ and co-wrote Bottoms with director Emma Seligman ( Shiva Baby ).

RT score: 71% Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK) Runtime: 131 minutes

Saltburn is a visually stunning, thrilling and fairly controversial Prime Video movie from director Emerald Fennell (known for Promising Young Woman ). Initially set in Oxford, England, it follows the story of Oliver Quick, an Oxford University student who becomes fixated on fellow student Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi) who invites him to  spend the summer at his family's estate, Saltburn.

What follows is a funny, disturbing and deliciously grotesque story of classic extravagance and debauchery with plenty of unexpected twists along the way. However, the less said about the story, the better. Part black comedy and part psychological thriller, Saltburn has a similar aesthetic vibes to a Baz Luhrmann film, yet the story reminds us of The Talented Mr Ripley. 

RT score: 24% Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK) Runtime: 110 minutes

Foe is a sci-fi movie-meets-psychological thriller based on a book by Iain Reid of the same name. Now, this isn't the best movie you'll watch in 2024, but it does have an unusual premise, as well as a few unexpected twists. If you're a fan of quieter, speculative sci-fi, you'll enjoy it.

Foe is set in 2065 when the Earth is becoming less habitable. A new settlement called OuterMore is being established in space, and a lottery system is introduced to decide who will be allowed to live there. Anyone who movies to OuterMore is replaced with an AI substitute that look and act just like humans. The movie follows the story of a young couple (played by Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal) who live on an isolated farm in the Midwest when one of them is selected for relocation.

Totally Killer

RT score: 87% Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK) Runtime: 103 minutes

Totally Killer is best described as a comedy horror, which pays tribute to 80s-era slasher movies and time travel films. It follows the story of Jamie (played by Kiernan Shipka) whose mother is murdered by the Sweet 16 Killer who went on a murdering spree 35 years earlier. Jamie travels back in time (naturally) to find her mother and catch the killer back during his original spree.

It's a homage to legendary movies from both sci-fi and horror, like Back to the Future and Scream. Yes, it sounds like a bonkers mash-up of genres, but we promise that although it's not winning any awards, it's an incredibly fun watch nonetheless. 

RT score: 92% Age rating : R (US), 15 (UK) Runtime: 126 minutes

Set in 1995, The Burial is loosely based on the true story of Jerry O'Keefe, played here by Tommy Lee Jones. O'Keefe is a struggling funeral home owner facing financial difficulties who agrees to a contract with a man called Raymond Loewen of the Loewen Group to help him make ends meet. But Loewen doesn't see their agreement through, and a bitter battle ensues. What follows is a riveting story that sees Jerry hiring a man called Willie E. Gary to help him (Jamie Foxx), a bold and showy personal injury layer. 

Both Tommy Lee Jones and Jamie Foxx have been praised for their contrasting performances, making an unexpected legal team that take the story on some unexpected twists and turns. If you enjoy high stakes courtroom dramas with two fantastic leads, The Burial is a must-watch.

John Wick: Chapter 4

RT score: 94% Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK) Runtime: 169 minutes

John Wick: Chapter 4 is the latest instalment in the hyper-violent, neon-drenched series of movies about retired assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves). In John Wick: Chapter 4, John's feud with the High Table (a council of notorious crime lords) continues, which pits him against a whole new cast of villains, including the Marquis Vincent Bisset de Gramont, played brilliantly here by Bill Skarsgård. 

Expect mind-blowing action sequences, some super quotable one-liners from the titular character, a mouth-watering aesthetic and a fast-paced, frenetic soundtrack from one of the best Prime Video movies.

We loved that this movie explored the murky depths of the rich, dark history and lore of the Wick-iverse. Find out more about what we thought of the film in our John Wick: Chapter 4 review . If you're new to the series or feel like it's time for a re-watch, take a look at our guide to how to watch the John Wick movies in order , or read our review of prequel show The Continental: From the World of John Wick .

RT score: 77% Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12A (UK) Runtime: 159 minutes

Elvis is director Baz Luhrmann's ( Romeo & Juliet, The Great Gatsby) interpretation of the life of American rock and roll singer and actor Elvis Presley (Austin Butler). As you might expect from a flick by Luhrmann, it's bold, flashy and fantastic-looking, laced with a lot of heart-aching tragedy. 

Interestingly, the story is told from the perspective of Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, played here by Tom Hanks. Austin Butler was highly-praised for his portrayal of Elvis and bagged several prestigious awards. Reassuringly, the movie also got the seal of approval from Presley's family who have all been vocal about the portrayal of Elvis and his life.

Interstellar

RT score: 73% Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12A (UK) Runtime: 165 minutes

It's not often that we think movies deserve to be called epic, but that's how we'd describe Interstellar , a sci-fi movie that weaves a story across space and time all in the name of love, discovery and saving humanity – see, we told you it's epic!

Interstellar is set in a dystopian future and follows the story of a team of astronauts who must travel through a wormhole that's discovered near Saturn in order to find a new home for humanity. What follows is a sprawling adventure filled with wonder, heartache and a dash of cosmic horror. 

If you're a fan of science-fiction, there's a lot to love here with beautiful new worlds and wondrous space-faring scenes. But at its core, this is a movie about human relationships and the lengths people will go to help the ones they love. See where it placed in our Christopher Nolan movies ranked guide.

Three Thousand Years of Longing

RT score: 71% Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK) Runtime: 108 minutes

If you're looking for a dose of rich and, at times, sensual fantasy then we've got you. Three Thousand Years of Longing is a visually-stunning movie from acclaimed director George Miller ( Mad Max, Babe and Happy Feet ). 

Three Thousands Years of Longing is about a professor, played by Tilda Swinton, who finds an antique bottle on a trip to Istanbul and discovers a djinn (a spirit), played by Idris Elba, inside of it. The djinn offers to grant the professor three wishes but also tells her three stories about his past, explaining how he wound up trapped inside a bottle.

His tales whisk us back thousands of years to royal romances, heart-breaking schemes, murder and lust. Three Thousands Years of Longing is the perfect film to watch if you're seeking some fantastical escapism and romance that isn't twee but epic in its intensity. 

Gangs of Lagos

RT score: TBC Age rating: R (US), 18 (UK) Runtime: 124 minutes

Gangs of Lagos tells the tale of Obalola and the lives of his friends, Gift and Ify, as they grow up on the busy and chaotic streets of Isale Eko, a neighbourhood in Lagos, Nigeria.

A film centered on family, friendship and betrayal, while also exploring the impact of violence and politically-affiliated gang culture in Nigeria, Gangs of Lagos isn't an easy Sunday afternoon watch – especially when you consider that it's based on true stories from Isale Eko. It's also the first Amazon movie to be mad in Africa; the pioneering flick being the first of many upcoming international projects.

Top Gun: Maverick

RT score: 96% Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12 (UK) Runtime: 131 minutes

It was Q2 2022 when Top Gun: Maverick landed in theaters and wowed many with its box office performance. Now, the movie is available to watch at home thanks to Prime Video (it's also available on Paramount Plus ). 

You'll want to check it out, too. Maverick is an action-packed, fast-paced movie with impressive special effects, top-class performances and top-tier set-pieces that'll leave your jaw on the floor. Its story is a little formulaic at times, but it’s nonetheless well worth a watch.

If you loved the original Top Gun movie you’ll love this one, too. It’s just as fun, exciting, and edge-of-your-seat tense as the first. You won’t be able to take your eyes off Tom Cruise’s electric performance as Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell and, as mentioned, there are top performances from its younger stars, too, especially Miles Teller as Lieutenant Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw. Read our exclusive chats with director Joseph Kosinki about the mind-boggling number of cameras used on set and how the film got the green light in the most Tom Cruise way possible .

Palm Springs

RT score: 94% Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK) Runtime: 90 minutes

There have been plenty of phenomenal time loop movies over the years, including Source Code and Edge of Tomorrow. But for a take that's less edgy sci-fi and has more humor, charm, and romcom threads, Palm Springs should be on your must-watch list.

Two strangers called Nyles (Andy Samberg) and Sarah (Cristin Milioti) meet at a wedding and find they're the only ones living the same day over and over. According to reports, the creators were heavily inspired by Groundhog Day, but wanted a fresh take on the time loop trope, which is why the movie begins with Nyles already in the loop. Samberg fans or those of a quirky, sci-fi disposition will love this. US viewers can also catch it on Hulu .

RT score: 80% Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12 (UK) Runtime: 139 minutes

Devotion tells the tale of an African American fighter pilot in the Korean war, who has suffered unspoken racial injustices during his time in the US military. Isolated from his white colleagues, Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors) finds it hard to trust anyone – until he meets Glenn Powell (Tom Hudner). Together, they make heroic sacrifices that result in them becoming two of the most celebrated pilots in history. 

Based on the novel of the same name, Devotion is full of thrilling aviation and deep racial tension, which it navigates very well. It's been well-received by critics and audience alike.

Sound of Metal

RT score: 97% Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK) Runtime: 120 minutes

Riz Ahmed shines in the lead role of Sound of Metal , a thoughtful and provocative movie about grief, addiction, and identity. He plays Ruben, a metal drummer who begins to experience hearing loss. He’s told to eliminate loud noises, but continues to perform, worrying that his career, relationship, and life as he knows it could soon be over. 

Sound of Metal is a challenging watch at times, but one of the best Prime Video movies as it's also deeply moving and introspective. You’ll need to be in a certain mood to watch it, but when you do, you’ll be blown away. A crowd-pleasing flick that was nominated for numerous Academy Awards in 2019, winning in the Best Sound and Best Film Editing categories. Easily one of the best Prime Video movies around.

The Big Sick

RT score: 98% Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK) Runtime: 120 minutes

Here’s a cool fact about The Big Sick: it’s written by writer, producer, and podcast host Emily V. Gordon, plus actor, comedian and screenwriter Kumail Nanjiani (the duo are married), and is inspired by their real-life relationship. It’s a story about an interracial couple, played by Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan, who have to deal with cultural differences when Emily becomes seriously ill. 

It’s a funny and heartfelt movie, and feels fresher and smarter than a lot of more recent rom-coms. Critics and cinephiles agreed, too, with it being chosen by American Film Institute as one of the top 10 films of the year when it came out in 2017. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. 

One Night in Miami

RT score: 98% Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK) Runtime: 110 minutes

One Night in Miami comes from Regina King, who makes her directorial debut. The story is based on a 2013 stage play of the same name – written by filmmaker and playwright Kemp Powers – which itself is inspired by a real meeting that took place in February 1964 at the Hampton House in Miami. 

During that supposed event, Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Muhammad Ali (Eli Goree), Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge), and Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr) gathered to celebrate Ali’s title win against Sonny Liston. Events unfold over the course of a single night as the legendary quartet talk about power, race, discussing their roles in the Civil Rights Movement, and the culture of the era. It's one of the best Prime Video movies around and, when it was first released, was nominated for several Academy Awards. 

Manchester by the Sea

RT score: 96% Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK) Runtime: 137 minutes

Manchester by the Sea is a heavy movie. It’s about a depressed and grief-stricken man who needs to care for his teen nephew after his brother dies. Understandably, then, it focuses on themes of guilt, responsibility, and families. 

It’s masterfully told and beautifully acted by Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams in the lead roles. The film received critical acclaim, winning Academy Awards for Best Actor for Affleck and Best Original Screenplay, and was considered one of the best films of 2016 by most critics.

The Vast of Night

RT score: 92% Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12 (UK) Runtime: 90 minutes

The Vast of Night is a 2019 sci-fi mystery set in 1950s New Mexico. It’s loosely based on real events, including the Kecksburg UFO incident – an unidentified fireball being spotted in the sky – and the Foss Lake disappearances, which saw a group of teens and adults mysteriously go missing. 

The film follows young switchboard operator Fay Crocker (played by Sierra McCormick) and radio DJ Everett Sloan (Jake Horowitz) who discover an audio frequency that they think could be extra terrestrial. It’s an engrossing thriller that’s lo-fi and yet shows a lot of film-making skill.

RT score: 95% Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK) Runtime: 93 minutes

Honey Boy is loosely based on actor Shia LaBeouf’s childhood and his relationship with his father – the title of the movie coming from his nickname as a kid. LaBeouf wrote the screenplay and also stars in it but, rather than play himself, he portrays his father. It follows the troubled relationship between 12-year-old Otis, who is finding some success as a TV star, and his abusive father, who signs himself up as Otis' guardian.

LaBeouf allegedly wrote the script as a form of therapy when he was in rehab. For that reason, it’s a difficult watch and feels very raw. Strangely, though, it’s oddly therapeutic for the viewer, too. At its core, this is a movie about a man’s struggles to understand himself and forgive himself, as well as his past trauma.

Licorice Pizza 

RT score: 90% Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK) Runtime: 133 minutes

Licorice Pizza is a US comedy-drama written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, a filmmaker famous for movies like Boogie Nights, Magnolia , and There Will Be Blood. 

It's follows the development of a young couple’s relationship in the early ’70s, played by the exceptionally talented Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman. With its laidback and meandering charm, there’s a kind of dreaminess to the movie at times. Equally, though its plot doesn’t unfold in a conventional way. And, although it’s a comedy, it's heartfelt with unexpected action and tension, too. One of the best Prime Video movies available today.

RT score: 65% Age rating: R (US), 18 (UK) Runtime: 152 minutes

This Amazon Original is a supernatural horror inspired by Dario Argento's classic 1977 Italian film of the same name. It stars Dakota Johnson as an American woman who enrols at a prestigious dance academy in Berlin but, unfortunately for her, it’s run by a coven of witches. Tilda Swinton bizarrely but convincingly co-stars in three roles. 

Not for the faint-hearted, you can expect weirdness, gruesome scenes, and lots of deliciously disconcerting atmosphere from this one. Unlike the original film, which used exaggerated colors, it has a bleak and bare palette. Suspiria wasn't a box office hit but, if you like odd, atmospheric movies, it's a great choice.

For more Prime Video-based coverage, read our guide on all of the new Prime Video movies to arrive this month. Alternatively, see how much a Prime Video subscription costs or read our best Prime Video shows guide.

Becca is a contributor to TechRadar, a freelance journalist and author. She’s been writing about consumer tech and popular science for more than ten years, covering all kinds of topics, including why robots have eyes and whether we’ll experience the overview effect one day. She’s particularly interested in VR/AR, wearables, digital health, space tech and chatting to experts and academics about the future. She’s contributed to TechRadar, T3, Wired, New Scientist, The Guardian, Inverse and many more. Her first book, Screen Time, came out in January 2021 with Bonnier Books. She loves science-fiction, brutalist architecture, and spending too much time floating through space in virtual reality. 

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Amazon Prime Video Review and Prices

Amazon Prime Video ranks No. 6 in our rating of the Best On-Demand Streaming Services. Read our review to see if Prime Video by Amazon is right for you.

Included in existing Amazon Prime Memberships

Standout original content

Complicated interface

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What Is Amazon Prime Video?

Amazon prime video review.

• Amazon Prime Video Base Price

Amazon Prime Video (owned by Amazon) is among the best streaming services , scoring a 3.8 and earning it sixth place in our roundup. It also comes in at No. 6 in our rating of the Best Movie Streaming Services and No. 1 in Best Horror Film Streaming Services. It’s a versatile on-demand service that offers a large, impressive library of originals, as well as options to easily integrate other channels and streaming products, too. The service is included with an Amazon Prime membership, or you can subscribe to Prime Video as a standalone streaming service.

Amazon Prime Video Details

• #6 in  Best Overall
• #2 in  Best Horror Film Streaming
• #6 in  Best Movie Streaming

Users who want to take advantage of other Amazon Prime benefits

Fans of Prime’s award-winning original series

Viewers who want to keep on-demand, purchased, and rented titles all in one place

Cord-cutters hoping to tune into sports, local news, and other live TV

Families looking for popular kids’ programming

Users easily confused by complicated interfaces

Amazon Prime Video is Amazon’s entry into the streaming arena. It's free for Amazon Prime members, or you can subscribe to it separately.

Prime Video is well known for its long lineup of award-winning original TV shows, including the dystopian “The Handmaid’s Tale”, science fiction classic “The Man in the High Castle”, as well as contemporary crime thriller “Reacher”. It also has a decent selection of movies, though the series are what carry the service.

You’ll be happy to know that Prime Video is pretty cheap, coming in at just $8.99 per month. A full Prime membership with Prime Video included goes for $14.99 per month or $139 per year.

That said, Prime Video’s library is a bit thin for children. If you want more content than what’s on offer, you can easily plug in live TV or even other streaming services, but you’ll end up paying for those, too.

A final strike against Prime Video is that it’s not exactly easy to use. The interface is a confusing mess, and help topics are terse and will often redirect you to community discussions that may or may not always be relevant to your issue.

Bottom Line: Prime Video is a great pick for anybody that likes sharp, well-written original TV shows while also having many of the other advantages of Prime membership.

What Is The Base Price for Amazon Prime Video?

Prime Video currently offers only one plan, which gives you full access to its entire library, depending on your region. This plan costs $8.99 per month. For $14.99 per month, you also get access to all the other benefits of an Amazon Prime membership, such as free shipping when ordering products through Amazon and the like.

Streams at once

What Other Plans Does Amazon Prime Video Offer?

Prime Video has two plans, one for Amazon Prime members and one for everyone else. In addition, it's easy for people to add subscriptions to other streaming services. In this way, Prime Video can be a command center for all your online entertainment as well as being a library all its own. Some examples of the content you can add include multiple live sports channels, existing cable channels, as well as other streaming services, such as Showtime or Max .

Does Amazon Prime Video Have a Free Trial?

Amazon offers a 30-day free trial for Amazon Prime, which includes access to Prime Video (plus all the other Prime member perks, like fast delivery on Amazon purchases).

Yes, Prime Video offers a free 30-day trial. The only restriction is that you can’t have been a member of Prime in the last 12 months and that you have an active credit card to register.

What Channels Can You Watch With Amazon Prime Video?

Amazon Prime Video is primarily an on-demand streaming service, meaning it doesn’t offer much in the way of live TV shows. That said, it recently added the ability to watch CBS News, and you can also add subscriptions to other live TV channels through Amazon Prime Video.

Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan

The Man in the High Castle

Choose the Amazon Prime Video Packages that’s right for you and start watching live sports, entertainment, and on-demand TV today.

Does Amazon Prime Video Have Local Channels?

Amazon Prime Video doesn't offer any local channels directly. However, you can add some through secondary subscriptions. Note that these will cost extra on top of the cost of Prime Video.

How To Watch Live Sports on Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video doesn't offer any sports channels itself, but you can add subscriptions via the service. Just go to the “channels” tab in your account overview and select whichever sports channels you like.

Visit our guide to the Best Sports Streaming Services of 2024 for more options.

How To Stream Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video can be streamed using apps on number of devices. The only real requirement seems to be that the app and device can access the internet. Among the devices available are all major web browsers, mobile devices that run either Android or iOS apps, as well as game consoles like the PlayStation and the Xbox.

Naturally, you can also watch Prime Video on Amazon’s very own Fire TV or Fire Stick, and Roku devices can also handle it. Set-top boxes should also be able to handle Amazon Prime Video, as, of course, all smart TVs.

Amazon Prime Video vs. the Competition

Amazon prime video vs paramount+.

Paramount+, which ties for No. 7 in our rating. Amazon Prime Video offers better programming, with more and better-quality TV shows, and also better pricing if you take Prime membership’s many benefits into account. That said, if you’re into sports in any way, Paramount+ is the much better choice as it offers a lot more in this regard, especially when it comes to American football or European or Brazilian soccer. When it comes to streaming in general, Paramount+ is no match for Amazon Prime Video, though.

Learn more in our Paramount+ review .

Amazon Prime Video vs. Apple TV+

Apple TV+ also ties for No. 7. Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+ both have a lot of content, Amazon prime Video offers more. Where Apple TV+ has a handful of famous shows, Prime Video has dozens, and even throws in Prime membership for a small extra fee, making it a great pick for people that like to order from Amazon. That said, if you’re a big fan of Apple, or already embedded in its ecosystem, the pendulum may swing back to Apple TV+.

Learn more in our Apple TV+ review .

Amazon Prime Video FAQ

Account owners can restrict access to what children using the account are able to watch or purchase. Access can be restricted differently by age group. Parental controls can also be customized across different devices.

Note: The Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Fire Tablet have their own parental controls that need to be adjusted and managed separately.

Each Amazon Prime Video account allows users to stream content on up to three devices simultaneously. However, Amazon Prime only allows two devices to simultaneously stream the same movie or TV episode. The same goes for downloads. Identical content can be downloaded on a maximum of two devices. Downloads expire after 30 days, at which point additional devices can download the identical content.

You can have up to six profiles per account, which includes both profiles for adults as well as for kids.

Amazon Prime Video doesn’t include cloud DVR or any other way to record live TV.

Amazon Prime Video is difficult to stream through most VPNs. This is because it’s very good at detecting VPN use, and each account is linked to a region or country, meaning you can’t just “hop” around as you do with other streamers. Still, you can try using a top VPN like ExpressVPN .

Learn more about VPNs here and see our rating of the Best VPNs of 2024 .

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Prime – Netflix Review (1/5)

Posted by Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard | Jan 3, 2024 | 3 minutes

PRIME on Netflix is a thriller from South Africa. Unfortunately, it would’ve been better off as a short film. Also, I was not a fan of the handheld camera which didn’t help. Read our full Prime (2023) movie review here!

PRIME is a new Netflix thriller from South Africa. Depending on whether you read the plot on Netflix or IMDb, you’re expectations will surely differ wildly. Unfortunately, for both me and the movie, I read the one on Netflix.

Whichever plot you’re expecting, the execution of this movie would’ve been better for a short film. It’s simply far too slow, heavy-handed on the symbolism, and doesn’t come across with all the passion, I’m sure the filmmaker made it with.

Continue reading our Prime (2023) movie review below. Find it on Netflix from January 3, 2024.

A story of trauma and prejudice

Marius is quick to push away his loving partner, Thembi, when his racist father dies. His own unwillingness to forgive his father starts causing him actually to lose his mind. His mother took her own life, which Marius’ father could’ve prevented. This is years  in the past though.

In other words, a lot of old trauma that is suddenly and very quickly all Marius can think of. That part of the story is too forced for my liking. It escalates in no time and he seems to just give up on all reason immediately.

This story of a young man wanting to be nothing like his father somehow makes him seem like he is exactly like his father. In that sense, it’s just sad.

It goes without saying that any story focused on trauma and prejudice won’t be enjoyable to watch. Still, a story focusing on trauma can (or could) offer hope as well. For most of Prime , it’s just a very dark tunnel with a young man who can’t trust his own eyes or mind.

OTHER MOVIES ABOUT TRAUMA You might want to check out a movie like Mother, May I?  >

Of course, one is tempted to say, this is all due to an ancient demon. The demon is named Eva and “preys on men’s souls through seduction and manipulation”.

Ahh yes, a story as old as time – or certainly the Bible, which isn’t that old at all – and I am not a fan of these religious-based stories spinning the same lies. Women are always either virgins or whores and all the trouble of men is due to the weakness or intentional evil of women.

A country like South Africa has plenty of issues to deal with. Surely, regurgitating this  old story isn’t the most interesting angle for a trauma story?!

A very depressing story

I have no problem with a movie being depressing because the story is dark and/or the characters are going through something terrible. However, there are ways to make such a movie that can speak more or less to the viewer.

Prime  (2023) definitely spoke less to me than I would’ve liked. Also, I think Netflix could’ve chosen a much better release date than at the beginning of a new year.

And then there’s the handheld camera and the “bold” lighting choices. They give it an air of Nicolas Winding Refn which also goes for the story with its heavy layer of symbolism. However, neither is nowhere near as strong or efficient.

Watch Prime  (2023) on Netflix now!

Thabiso Christopher is the writer and director of this new Netflix addition. This is the feature film debut of Thabiso Christopher, who only has a short film on his IMDb resume prior to this new thriller. The runtime of this feature film is 94 minutes, but it feels much longer!

I feel that Prime shows talent and potential, but the movie needed more work before being ready for a wide release. There’s a “film school project”-vibe to it that doesn’t do much good for it.

I can’t recommend watching this movie because I didn’t enjoy it. However, that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be ready to watch whatever Thabiso Christopher does next. There’s something there that makes me curious, but it needs more work.

Prime  is on Netflix from January 3, 2024.

Director: Thabiso Christopher Writer: Thabiso Christopher Stars: Richard Gau, Nomsa Twala, Jasmine Hazi, Michael Lawrence Potter, Gérard Rudolf, Llewellyn Cordier

Tormented by the death of his racist father, Marius struggles with increased tension in his relationship with Thembi. Is something sinister at play?

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About The Author

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!

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Check out this great movie before it leaves Amazon Prime Video next week

We’re thankfully living in an era when more and more foreign movies and TV shows can become genuine phenomena in the U.S. Thanks to the increasing use of subtitles, and the global distribution of many of these movies, we can see the best of what cinema has to offer from all around the world.

It stars Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh

It features some of the best kung fu choreography in history.

• It’s a movie about the pointlessness of repression

Amazon Prime Video is home to many of these titles, as well as a broader selection of great movies that cut across every imaginable genre. If you’re struggling to find just one movie to watch, you should start with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon . The movie was a major phenomenon in the U.S. in an era when few international movies got that treatment, and it’s also leaving Prime Video at the end of May. Here are three reasons you should check it out.

Michelle Yeoh absolutely deserved the Oscar she won for  Everything Everywhere All at Once , but she probably should have already had one for  Crouching Tiger . Here, Michelle plays a legendary warrior who is in love with another legendary warrior, but the two have repressed their feelings for one another.

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In addition to plenty of genuinely stunning action sequences, Yeoh again shows here why she’s one of the most gifted actors of her generation. Without ever actually saying what she’s feeling, everyone in the audience can read her face perfectly. It’s a stunning, deeply emotive performance.

The wuxia style of fight choreography recent had an American resurgence thanks to  Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings , and few movies execute that style more brilliantly than  Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It’s not just that these scenes are beautifully conceived and shot, it’s that each character’s fighting style actually tells us a lot about who they are as people.

The fighting is not designed merely to entertain us, but to inform us about these characters and the reasons that they are in conflict with one another. As a result, it becomes a part of the language of the movie itself.

It’s a movie about the pointlessness of repression

Like so many movies set hundreds of years ago,  Crouching Tiger  is really a movie about people who don’t feel like they can live the way they want to. Each of the characters longs for something they are either keeping themselves from having or are told they can’t have.

It’s immensely satisfying, then, to watch the ways the arcs of each character interact with one another, ultimately leading to a climax that feels like it speaks to the ultimate goal of total liberation. Few movies come to more satisfying conclusions, or leave you with a more complete feeling of weightlessness.

Editors' Recommendations

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Not even Amazon Prime Video is immune from slow weeks near the end of the month. That's because new movies will be arriving on June 1, which is just over a week away. In the meantime, one of the only recent additions of note is The Blue Angels, a documentary that is simultaneously streaming on Prime Video while also playing in IMAX theaters. For drama fans, Prime Video is adding Bombshell on Saturday, May 25.

Next week's list of the best movies on Amazon Prime Video is bound to look different from the list we have now, simply because some titles may be leaving at the end of May. So check out the full lineup now and catch your favorites while you can. Because on May 31, we'll be presenting the best Prime Video movies that you can watch in June.

What's new on Netflix in May? Atlas, the sci-fi blockbuster starring Jennifer Lopez, hits the streamer on May 24. Bridgerton released the first four episodes of season 3 involving the courtship between Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington. Other new titles include Jerry Seinfeld’s Unfrosted and the much-maligned Madame Web.

You know how this works. When new stuff comes in, old stuff must go out. There are several significant movies leaving Netflix at the end of the month that you have to watch now. Our selections include the final film in a beloved young-adult franchise, an iconic comedy involving golf, and a groundbreaking drama set in South Central Los Angeles. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay -- Part 2 (2015)

If you want proof that 2024 is flying by, stop and realize that spring is almost over. The season of flowers, perfume, cheer, and a fresh start is about to end, so you should definitely make the best out of these last weeks. Luckily, there are more than a few movies to enjoy during these last few days of bliss.

The best movies on Amazon Prime include everything from romantic stories, exciting adventures, and a few bittersweet tales. These movies are perfect for the last days of spring, capturing the feeling of bittersweetness for what is ending and excitement for what's coming. So say goodbye to April showers and pollen with these movies, which will help you go into the summer with a new outlook. The Idea of You (2024)

From 'Atlas' to 'Dune 2,' here are 10 movies you need to stream right now

If you plan on reusing your "Dune: Part Two" popcorn bucket for your Memorial Day food festivities this long holiday weekend, then we know what you'll probably be streaming.

The super-cool sci-fi sequel is one of several new movies available on your favorite services: Netflix, Amazon's Prime Video, Max, Hulu and Disney+ have a bunch of good stuff to watch from your couch. There's original fare like a Jennifer Lopez sci-fi action extravaganza and documentaries on the Beach Boys and the Blue Angels, plus theatrical releases arriving on streaming, such as Michael Mann's Enzo Ferrari biopic and a Dakota Johnson superhero flick.

Here are 10 notable new movies you can stream right now that nicely pair with burgers and hot dogs:

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'American Fiction'

Amazon is finally streaming one of last year's best movies ! Better late than never to see Oscar nominee Jeffrey Wright at the absolute top of his game as a curmudgeonly academic who writes a book with stereotypically Black tropes as a joke and is shocked when it becomes a hit in this tremendously funny and thoughtful film.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Where to watch: Prime Video

The futuristic sci-fi thriller casts Jennifer Lopez as a counterterrorism expert out to take down a robot (Simu Liu) bent on wiping out most of mankind. What's better than rom-com J.Lo ? Action-hero J.Lo making friends with an AI and taking on villainous machines in mechanized armor.

Where to watch: Netflix

'The Beach Boys'

You guessed it, this documentary chronicles the musical legacy of the Beach Boys . With interviews and archival footage, the film digs into the origins behind their signature harmonies, the genius of Brian Wilson , a rivalry with The Beatles in the 1960s and the game-changing influence of their "Pet Sounds" album.

Where to watch: Disney+

'Biosphere'

Sterling K. Brown and Mark Duplass play best buds living in a biosphere, the last two dudes on Earth after an apocalyptic situation, when evolution throws them a curve ball. That's all you should know going into this clever character study about sexuality, masculinity and friendship, because it's got quite the twist.

Where to watch: Hulu

'The Blue Angels'

"Top Gun: Maverick" star Glen Powell and J.J. Abrams produce this documentary taking viewers behind the scenes of the Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron. The movie chronicles a year in the lives of these elite pilots, with veterans helping rookies get up to speed for a thrilling and dangerous show season.

'Dune: Part Two'

Timothée Chalamet 's Paul Atreides gets to know love interest Chani (Zendaya) better and might even be a messiah in Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi sequel, which boasts plenty of staggering visuals, all the gigantic sandworms you’d ever want, and deep thematic exploration of power, colonialism and religion.

Where to watch: Max

Adam Driver stars in Michael Mann's drama as Italian automaker Enzo Ferrari, who enters his racing team in a dangerous event to save his empire. Come for the domestic drama – with Penelope Cruz as Ferrari's wife and Shailene Woodley as his mistress – but stay for four-wheeled scenes that show the sport's beauty and brutality.

'Madame Web'

In this clunker of a "Spider-Man" spinoff , Dakota Johnson at least exudes sassy scrappiness as a suddenly psychic paramedic who has to protect a trio of potential future crimefighters. Unfortunately, everybody in this thing gets stuck in its web of nonsense, which boasts bad dialogue and rampant B-movie silliness.

'The Sweet East'

For those needing a road trip – and not wanting to actually go on one – this whimsical satire centers on a high school senior (Talia Ryder) who ditches her classmates on a D.C. field trip. She sets off on a surrealist odyssey where she meets a white-supremacist professor (Simon Rex), an excitable director (Ayo Edebiri) and an A-list actor (Jacob Elordi).

'Thelma the Unicorn'

The "Napoleon Dynamite" filmmakers are behind this engaging animated comedy featuring musical animals and nifty songs. Farm pony Thelma (voiced by Grammy winner Brittany Howard) becomes a viral singing sensation after she's accidentally covered in pink paint and glitter, but finds out being famous has its drawbacks.

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