Amazon dominates the market in just about everything these days, and its streaming service is top notch, too. So, let us help you find the best movies on Prime Video to get the most out of your subscription.
While most thoughts jump to Netflix when discussing the best streaming services, Prime Video has been steadily rising the ranks with its diverse offerings and user-friendly features. In fact, a recent study ruled it to be in first place when it comes to customer satisfaction.
With brilliant original TV shows and movies, a wide selection of free-to-view content in its library, and the ability to buy or rent just about anything else, you really are spoiled for choice with Amazon Prime Video.
But, with all that choice, picking the best movies to watch can be tricky and time consuming. That’s where we come in.
10. Heathers (1989)
Before Mean Girls mean girled, Heathers heathered. Michael Lehmann’s iconic 1989 dark comedy stars Christian Slater and Winona Ryder in their peak. It is the definition of a cult classic, combining teen humor and romance with plotting, murder, and delightfully sardonic satire.
Ryder takes on the role of Veronica Sawyer, a student and member of the Heathers clique, made up of three privileged girls called Heather. Disapproving of their nasty nature, she teams up with JD, who decides to play a prank on the head of the group – but things soon take a deadly turn.
Heathers is such a classic, it’s a film you can watch over and over again without getting tired of it. Thankfully, subscribers can make the most of the movie being available on Prime Video right now.
9. Road House (2024)
Do you want to see a super-ripped Jake Gyllenhaal beating the crap out of Conor McGregor? The answer to that question should always be yes, and this Road House reboot offers exactly that.
Listen, if it’s high-brow, artistic stuff you’re after, this ain’t it. But Road House is just the right balance of chaos, slapstick humor, and hard-hitting action. The best thing is, everyone involved has clearly leaned into the absurdity of it all, and they’re having lots of fun.
You can learn more about the movie with our guide to the Road House filming locations and the Road House soundtrack.
8. American Fiction (2024)
For something ever so slightly more serious, American Fiction is a sharp dramedy with a focus on the way Black Americans are perceived and stereotyped. Luckily, Thelonious ‘Monk’ Ellison is able to use those prejudices to his advantage to get ahead in the literary world.
American Fiction is hilarious at times, and heartbreaking at others. You’ll also find absolutely brilliant performances from lead, Jeffrey Wright, and his onscreen brother, Sterling K. Brown.
7. Black Bear (2020)
Just when you think you’ve figured out the premise of Black Bear, writer-director Lawrence Michael Levine pulls the rug from under you. That’s just one of the many reasons this mind-bending film delivers an unpredictable, enthralling, and entertaining experience.
The narrative unfolds in two distinct halves, both involving a secluded lake house and its occupants. As always, Aubrey Plaza gives a truly captivating performance as Allison, an actress-turned-filmmaker seeking inspiration.
Black Bear defies genre conventions with its intricate meta-plot, engaging audiences in a complex exploration of creativity, reality, and relationships. In short, it’s a cinematic Rubik’s cube, one that you’ll no doubt have fun trying to solve.
6. Creed (2015)
Creed reignited the Rocky franchise, introducing Adonis Johnson, the son of Rocky Balboa’s rival-turned-friend, Apollo Creed. Michael B. Jordan delivers a powerful performance as a young man wrestling with his legacy, while Sylvester Stallone reprises his role as Balboa.
Director Ryan Coogler skillfully blends thrilling boxing sequences with emotionally-charged character development, resulting in a revitalized take on the classic underdog story. It’s one of the best sports movies of the modern era, and has gone on to spawn a wildly successful film series.
5. Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
A24’s genre-bending hit Everything Everywhere All at Once absolutely cleaned up at the Oscars, earning a whopping seven Academy Awards in 2023 – and for good reason.
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The Daniels’ film is fresh, innovative, funny, heartfelt, and action-packed. It also features standout performances from the likes of Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan.
Everything Everywhere is a story of repairing familial rifts, disguised as a time travel thriller. It’s got wicked visuals, plenty of laughs, and the multiversal mayhem offers up a twist or two, as well.
4. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
It might not be Halloween yet, but horror lovers know there’s never a bad time to delve into the scary stuff. We recommend the 1978 remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, a classic sci-fi movie with a spooky twist, that may or may not be a metaphor for ideological paranoia.
The plot revolves around the inhabitants of San Francisco, whose identities are surreptitiously replaced by extraterrestrial duplicates whose lack of empathy and emotion make for a tense and terrifying watch.
It boasts an exceptional cast, including Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams, whose performances intensify the overall sense of creeping dread. Director Philip Kaufman skillfully amplifies the original 1956 movie’s metaphorical resonance, reflecting contemporary anxieties about loss of individuality and autonomy.
3. Licorice Pizza (2021)
Masterful auteur Paul Thomas Anderson has produce some of the greatest cinematic works of the modern era. From his earlier works like Boogie Nights and Magnolia, to The Master and There Will Be Blood, you’re guaranteed a hit with PTA.
Licorice Pizza is no different. It serves yet another intricate character study with delightfully rich storytelling, inspired by the life of actor, producer, and entrepreneur Gary Goetzman.
It’s a slice-of-life, coming-of-age romance film featuring standout performances from rising stars Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman, all set amongst the backdrop of San Fernando Valley circa 1973. If you want to feel dreamy and nostalgic while enjoying a masterclass in the beauty of filmmaking, this is for you.
2. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Though it was an initial box office flop, The Shawshank Redemption soon went on to become an absolute classic, and is widely considered to be one of the best Stephen King adaptations of all time.
This inspiring tale of resilience, hope, and redemption set against the backdrop of a grim penitentiary chronicles the journey of Andy Dufresne, a banker wrongfully imprisoned for murder, and his enduring friendship with fellow inmate Red.
Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins are simply exceptional, bolstered by powerful dialogue and an atmospheric score. The Shawshank Redemption is one of the greats, and it’s very nearly the best movie on Prime Video right now.
1. Train to Busan (2016)
Train to Busan breathed new life (or death, should we say) into the zombie subgenre. It delivers an apocalyptic thriller that combines heart-stopping action with emotional depth.
The story revolves around a workaholic father and his estranged daughter, whose train journey turns into a nightmare when a virus outbreak transforms passengers into ravenous zombies. Director Yeon Sang-ho crafts a high-octane survival tale, with incredible turns from its cast, including Gong Yoo and Kim Su-an.
It’s not just a brilliant horror movie, though. At the film’s core is a focus on human relationships and societal commentary, making Train to Busan a standout in the realm of zombie flicks.
Those are the best movies on Prime Video for now, but we’ll keep checking that catalogue for more. Until then, discover the new movies streaming this month, or sink your teeth into some binge worthy TV shows.
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