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In Recent times, Netflix and Apple TV+ have been competing to offer the most esteemed film selections, but some of the finest movies can be found on Amazon Prime Video. The platform was among the first to acquire critically acclaimed films and other beloved favorites, all still available in the library. If you missed them the first time, now is an ideal opportunity to catch up.
Below are our selections for the 16 greatest movies on Amazon Prime. All films featured in our recommendations are part of your Prime subscription—there’s no need to rent. After you’ve watched these, be sure to check out our recommendations for the best shows on Netflix and top movies on Disney+ if you’re seeking new viewing options. Additionally, we have a list of the finest shows on Amazon if that’s more to your liking.
American Fiction
Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Jeffrey Wright) is a thriving literature professor but a struggling writer, with his manuscripts consistently rejected for not meeting the expected “Black” standards. Witnessing fellow novelist Sintara Golden (Issa Rae) being celebrated for her conforming, stereotype-driven work, Monk anonymously authors a novel overflowing with every tired cliché and trope imaginable to mock the situation—only to be shocked when it becomes an overnight sensation. As a substantial advance transforms into a multimillion-dollar movie deal, Monk descends into chaos as everyone, from the public to his own family, praises the intentionally provocative piece. Adapted from Percival Everett’s book Erasure, American Fiction is a sharply satirical piece with a sharp wit—an infrequent modern comedy with a significant message, led by one of Wright’s finest portrayals.
The Notion of You
Most successful romantic comedies thrive on their impractical nature—the unlikely chance encounter, the intensified emotions, the exaggerated displays of affection, the dizzying whirlwind of falling completely for someone. This is exactly what The Notion of You accomplishes as it traces the relationship between accomplished gallery owner Solène Marchand (Anne Hathaway) and global music icon Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine)—who also happens to be 16 years her junior. It could have easily turned into sensational tabloid fodder—and that’s how it’s portrayed within the story when the media catches wind of Hayes’ affair with the “older woman”—but as the duo embarks on a globe-spanning romance, the charming leads deliver enough authentic chemistry to captivate the audience in the whirlwind of it all. It’s not so much a question of “will they, won’t they?” but rather “should they, shouldn’t they?” due to a sensitively handled acknowledgment of the age disparity (already minimized from the original novel by Robinne Lee). Nonetheless, for fans of the genre, it’s a delightful watch.
Road House
Director Doug Liman’s reimagining of the classic ’80s action film has been the subject of numerous controversies, from debates over its intended theatrical release to the use of CGI for certain aspects of its intense fight scenes. Set aside the real-world drama, and this film is a fun, switch-off-your-brain-now way to while away a languid afternoon. Swapping the original Missouri location for the Florida Keys, and exchanging Patrick Swayze’s James Dalton for Jake Gyllenhaal’s brooding Elwood Dalton—now burdened with a tormented past as a UFC fighter, naturally—this rendition still provides a gratifying account of one man eliminating local crime bosses, one brutal brawl at a time. It may not be high art, but sometimes that’s precisely what you need. And if you remain unconvinced, it’s worth noting that the 1989 original is also presently available on Prime for comparative purposes.
Everybody’s Chatting About Jamie
Based on the stage production of the same name—which itself drew inspiration from a real-life tale—this exuberant musical traces the odyssey of Jamie New (Max Harwood). Bullied at school for his homosexuality and distanced from his homophobic father, Jamie envisions liberation through the art of drag—and with guidance from retired drag artist Hugo Battersby (an unforgettable Richard E. Grant), he embarks on transforming his inner diva “Mimi Me” into a reality. Grounded in Sheffield, England, it’s a narrative that traverses themes of societal class and heritage while celebrating the significance of self-expression and the empowering influence of drag.
Bottoms
Every high school has its social ranking, and PJ (Rachel Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri) occupy the lowest rung. Branded as the “unattractive, talentless homosexuals” even by the school staff, their only chance to connect with two of the school’s popular cheerleaders, Isabel (Havana Rose Liu) and Brittany (Kaia Gerber), is to set up an all-girl…scuffle group to educate them how to manage their dishonest, disrespectful jock boyfriends. Sure, it may seem like the setup for some sketchy ’70s exploitation film—and with a strategy for aggression that balances on the edge between rowdy and absurd, it’s not a far cry from that—but Bottoms is significantly more intelligent and subversive than one might think based on its premise. By defying expectations at every juncture, this movie offers a queer, anger-fueled, amusing twist on the high school genre that you (quite possibly) didn’t realize you were missing.
Saltburn
Oliver Quick, an Oxford student portrayed by Barry Keoghan, faces challenges fitting in at the esteemed British university—until he strikes up a friendship with the popular Felix Catton, played by Jacob Elordi. Handsome, affluent, and hailing from a privileged background, Felix introduces the socially awkward Oliver into his social circle, eventually extending an invitation for him to spend the summer at the family’s estate in Saltburn. However, as Oliver ingratiates himself with the family, his fixation on Felix takes a darker and more unhinged turn. Shifting between dark comedy and psychological thriller, writer and director Emerald Fennel (Promising Young Woman) frames the film in a 4:3 aspect ratio, creating a tighter, almost voyeuristic viewing experience that intensifies its frequently unsettling moments. Since its release in 2023, Saltburn has sparked significant debate, particularly regarding its handling of themes related to class and social inclusion, making it one of the year’s most divisive films that nevertheless commands attention.
The Burial
Legal dramas are not typically known for their humor, but this narrative of funeral home director Jeremiah O’Keefe, masterfully played by Tommy Lee Jones, and his flamboyant attorney Willie Gary, portrayed by Jamie Foxx, taking on a key figure in America’s “death care” industry injects a darkly humorous tone into an already grim scenario. Based on actual events, director Maggie Betts’ (The Novitiate) latest drama revisits a real-life legal battle that exposed significant disparities in funeral services and the systematic overcharging of Black communities. While Foxx and Jones deliver stellar performances throughout, it is Jurnee Smollett as Mame Downes, Gary’s rival lawyer who threatens to outshine him at every step, whose acting prowess risks stealing the spotlight. Despite being a movie about death, The Burial ultimately emerges as a warmly life-affirming experience.
A Million Miles Away
Tracing the journey of José Hernández, this biographical film—adapted from Hernández’s own literary work—blends the aspirational with the inspirational as it chronicles the protagonist’s evolution from a migrant farm laborer, as he puts it, to the first Mexican-American astronaut. Michael Peña delivers a compelling performance as Hernández, portraying a man whose unwavering determination to reach outer space, regardless of the sacrifices, drives his every action, while Rosa Salazar shines as his wife Adela, who refuses to be relegated to the background even as she momentarily sets aside her own ambitions for José to pursue the stars. In less skilled hands, this narrative could easily veer into sentimentality—a saccharine tale of perseverance and attaining the American Dream, with a hint of NASA promotional material thrown in, but director Alejandra Márquez Abella chooses to focus her lens as much on the simple joys of earthly life as on the magnificence and endless potential of space. A rare cinematic gem.
Red, White, and Royal Blue
Listen, this film is unequivocally the “top movie” as per an exceptionally unique standard—which happens to be “delightfully cheesy rubbish.” Adapted from Casey McQuinston’s best-selling novel, this intercontinental romantic comedy traces the evolving relationship between First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz, portrayed by Taylor Zakhar Perez, and Prince Henry, played by Nicholas Galitzine, the second in line to the British throne, as they progress from adversaries to reluctant allies, and eventually trailblazing lovers. It frequently ventures into the realm of the absurd, featuring an incident that kickstarts with the duo ending up in a wedding cake, a scandalous rendezvous in a hotel suite, and political machinations surrounding Alex’s mother, President Ellen Claremont, vividly portrayed by Uma Thurman in a peculiar “Texan” accent, but it all blends into an irresistibly heartwarming and optimistic narrative. Red, White, and Royal Blue embodies the cinematic equivalent of pizza—not necessarily beneficial, but undeniably delightful.
Shin Masked Rider
If you’re exhausted with formulaic Hollywood superhero flicks, then this complete overhaul of one of Japan’s most beloved superheroes demands your consideration. Led by Hideaki Anno (Evangelion, Shin Godzilla, Shin Ultraman—”shin” translates to “new” or “true” in Japanese), this modernizes the 1971 TV series Kamen Rider. Similar to its predecessor, the story follows motorcyclist Takeshi Hongo, portrayed by Sosuke Ikematsu. Abducted by the terrorist group S.H.O.C.K.E.R. and forcibly transformed into a formidable cyborg, Hongo breaks free before being brainwashed into becoming an agent of the organization, opting instead to utilize his enhanced abilities to thwart their operations. Unlike the original series, Anno’s approach delves deep into the concept’s body horror aspects, while challenging both his characters—and the audience—to retain their inherent humanity in a world that seeks to dehumanize them. It ventures into more intense territory than one might anticipate, often displayingthe gruesome result of ordinary individuals being struck by superhuman cyborgs and creatures, yet never excessive. Even those with some grasp of the source content will gain more from Shin Masked Rider, making it a thrilling escapade for those seeking a slightly different take on their hero films.
Air
Presently, Michael Jordan is an undisputed sporting deity, and Nike’s Air Jordan sneakers are arguably the top choice for the court—but this was not so in 1984. At that time, Jordan was a newcomer, and Nike was on the brink of shuttering its basketball shoe sector. Enter Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a talent spotter for the shoe company who has identified a rising star in North Carolina who has the potential to reverse the company’s fate—he simply must convince everyone else to take a chance on Jordan. It is common knowledge how that tale unfolded, hence fortunately, Air is more than a prolonged ad for shoes. Damon, Jason Bateman, Chris Tucker, and director Ben Affleck all bring solid performances to the table—only to be overshadowed by Viola Davis, who portrays matriarch Deloris Jordan with magnetic power, albeit somewhat underutilized—while Alex Convery’s script places the focus on the characters and their interactions, rather than the corporate room. In an era dominated by franchises and never-ending blockbusters, Air stands out as a character-driven film that is seldom made nowadays, enriching the viewing experience.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Sacha Baron Cohen’s character, the “Kazakh” TV correspondent (though he converses in Hebrew), returns to the US, 14 years subsequent to his last feature-length adventure. This time, Baron Cohen is accompanied by his (Bulgarian-speaking) teenage daughter, embarking on a mission to offer her as a “gift” to influential American politicians—initially Mike Pence, then Rudy Giuliani. True to Borat’s style, the mockumentary follows the duo on a wild journey across Trump’s America, capturing candid performances by unsuspecting individuals ranging from QAnon followers to Republican activists to prim debutantes, culminating with Giuliani himself. Even the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, coinciding with the film’s production, is twisted into a comedic element. Baron Cohen delivers his anticipated array of shock humor and deadpan verbal audacities, managing to land some jabs at the expense of bigots as well. In contrast to its forerunner in 2006, many of the pranks and antics here seem aimed more at prompting uneasy laughter from the audience than unveiling America’s darker depths, yet it remains a worthwhile—and amusing—watch.
Shotgun Wedding
A rowdy twist on the classic romcom, Shotgun Wedding entices viewers with a typical setup—a wedding on a tropical island, with comedic chaos ensuing courtesy of quarreling relatives—before transitioning, quite literally, into an action-packed adventure when the wedding party falls into the hands of ruthless pirates. Admittedly, it may come across as a tad theatrical and self-aware in certain instances, but leads Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel exhibit sheer delight as bride and groom Darcy and Tom, whose special occasion evolves into a comically gory fight for survival, resulting in a highly enjoyable journey. Bolstered by a strong supporting cast, with Jennifer Coolidge igniting each scene with her gloriously tumultuous presence as the groom’s mother, this wedding is one you should definitely RSVP to attend.
Nanny
Aisha (Anna Diop) is a Senegalese woman employed as a caregiver for a wealthy couple in New York City, striving to amass enough funds to bring her son and cousin to join her in America. Nonetheless, her future rests in the hands of her employers, who seem content to leave Aisha to care for their daughter, Rose, often withholding her pay. As the burden of the power disparity weighs her down, Aisha begins experiencing haunting dreams of drowning, exacerbated by her fears of abandoning her own child. Director Nikyatu Jusu’s debut film, Nanny, juxtaposes the horror of the immigrant journey in contemporary America with deeper, darker themes, veering away from the conventional expectations of hope and opportunity towards a poignant yearning for the culture and community left behind. Nanny opts for a gradual, psychological approach to its frights, with Diop delivering an outstanding performance throughout, and the deliberate pacing and exquisite cinematography ensuring each frame resonates.
Coming 2 America
Leveraging nostalgia to propel new installments in long-inactive series can be a risky endeavor, yet Eddie Murphy’s revival of the role of Prince—now King—Akeem of Zamunda over three decades after 1988’sComing to America showcases how to execute it adeptly. Drawn back to the US in search of a son he unknowingly fathered, Akeem—and the viewers—reunite with familiar faces from the previous film before director Craig Brewer (Hustle and Flow) flips the script, subjecting the American characters to a journey to Zamunda. With a script that is sharper, more intelligent, and globally conscious compared to the original, Coming 2 America defies expectations to emerge as a comedic sequel that upholds the distinction of its precursor.
ThirteenExistence
Guided by Ron Howard, the most recent production assembles a superb ensemble—including Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, and Joel Edgerton—for a reenactment of the 2018 Tham Luang cavern rescue, in which a Thai youth soccer squad and their mentor became trapped in the submerged cave system. As an international operation launches to rescue the youngsters, the obstacles of navigating through extensive underwater passages grow increasingly perilous, and Howard skillfully captures each tense and constricted moment of it. A movie fraught with suspense and cleverly filmed underwater sequences, Thirteen Lives stands as a testimony to one of the most challenging rescues ever conducted.
An Evening in Miami …
Adapted from the play of the same title, One Night in Miami tracks the journey of four cultural, musical, and athletic icons—Malcolm X, Jim Brown, Sam Cooke, and Muhammad Ali—during the apex of the Civil Rights Movement, a pivotal moment when their personal and professional lives intersect. Gathering in a motel room following Ali’s—then known as Cassius Clay—triumph over Sonny Liston in 1964, the four individuals engage in conversations about their roles in the movement and society at large, all while being aware of the historical weight bearing down upon them. The film’s intimate settings reflect its theatrical origins, yet Regina King’s directorial debut beautifully captures the larger-than-life personas of its cast. Kingsley Ben-Adir shines as Malcolm X, supported by the magnetic performances of Aldis Hodge, Leslie Odom Jr., and Eli Goree as Brown, Cooke, and Ali respectively.
The Findings
Created by Amazon, The Findings provides a captivating portrayal of the US Senate’s inquiry into the CIA’s “enhanced interrogation” initiative—unveiling its origins, the individuals involved, and how the CIA manipulated data to justify its effectiveness. Adam Driver takes on the role of Daniel Jones, the primary investigator who tirelessly pursued the truth despite political opposition and CIA obstruction. Driver, as usual, delivers a stellar performance, earning the film a commendable 82 percent “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Noise of Metal
A punk-rock percussionist and recovering addict named Ruben begins to lose his hearing, posing a threat to his entire existence. Faced with a daunting decision between his hearing and his profession, Ruben spirals into chaos until his partner Lou admits him to a rehabilitation facility for the hearing-impaired, compelling him to confront his actions and the future ahead. Riz Ahmed delivers a remarkable performance as the troubled Ruben, while Olivia Cooke’s portrayal of Lou, who battles her own struggles including self-injury, is captivating. Appropriately, Noise of Metal intricately uses sound—and its absence—while director Darius Marder shapes one of the finest dramatic narratives in recent years.
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