Remember when you had to rent a movie from Blockbuster to watch? Or wait in line to get a movie ticket when the newest film was about to release? Nostalgic days, those were. But in today's times, few go to the movies because it's easier to have the movies come to you. Sitting at home in your pajamas, eating ice cream while your TV plays a movie for your mood is an unquestionable comfort.
Amazon Prime Video should be a definite contender in your head when watching shows in your home. Customized to your liking, there are movies on Amazon Prime for every mood. There are so many choices that it can be daunting to pick which movie to watch. So we took on the task, watched most of the movies on Amazon Prime, then rewatched the good ones. From this, we put together 30 of the best movies on Amazon Prime. This list has something for everyone, and we promise that these movies are worth your while. Enjoy!
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022)
If you're in the mood for a heartwarming film that'll leave you feeling optimistic without being too cheesy, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris might be the movie for you. Starring the incredibly talented Lesley Manville as the titular character, this movie follows a cleaning lady from London who embarks on a journey to France in search of the Dior dress of her dreams. Mrs. Harris' character is an absolute delight, and the way she brings light to the lives of those she encounters is truly heartwarming.
What's great about this movie is that while it's fundamentally positive, it doesn't sugarcoat the tough moments, which only serves to make the uplifting moments all the more powerful. It's a beautiful, charming story that's perfect for a quiet night in.
Three Thousand Years of Longing (2022)
If you're looking for a movie that's both fantastical and moving, Three Thousand Years of Longing might just be the ticket. Led by the stunning Tilda Swinton and the charismatic Idris Elba, this George Miller film tells the story of a scholar who unwittingly releases a djinn trapped within a mysterious memento.
Unlike traditional genie tales, the film takes a more philosophical approach to wishing, as Swinton's character resists the temptations of greed and instead listens to the djinn's life story. Based on the short story "The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye" by A.S. Byatt, this epic and surreal film is a true gem that shouldn't be missed.
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
If you're a fan of martial arts movies but haven't seen Kung Fu Hustle yet, you're missing out on something special. This movie is really in a league of its own! Sure, it combines martial arts and comedy like many other films before it (Jackie Chan was basically the king of this genre), but there's something about Kung Fu Hustle that takes it to another level.
Maybe it's the over-the-top action sequences or the sheer absurdity of the story - I mean, who would have thought that a Kung Fu master would end up being targeted for murder by a pair of wannabe gangsters? But somehow, it all comes together in a way that's both hilarious and thrilling. If you're looking for a wuxia movie that's a little bit different, this is definitely one worth checking out!
Nope (2022)
Imagine one of the best horror films of recent years not winning an Oscar. Crazy, right? That's the case for Jordan Peele's Nope. But honestly, calling it just a "horror film" doesn't do it justice. This movie is the whole package - brilliant cinematography, mind-blowing visuals, and a sharp script that flips everything you thought you knew about UFOs on its head.
The story follows two sibling horse-wranglers, OJ and Em, who stumble upon a strange, possibly alien presence that's hunting on their land. Plus, there's a subplot about a theme park owner trying to tame this otherworldly predator. It's not just scary; it's an epic cinematic experience you won't forget. How this movie got snubbed is beyond me.
Nanny (2022)
If you're looking for a nail-biting thriller that's grounded in the realities of immigrant life, look no further than Nanny. Anna Diop stars as Aisha, a nanny caring for the child of a wealthy family in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and she's joined by an all-star cast that includes Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Spector, and Sinqua Walls.
Nanny marks the feature directorial debut of Nikyatu Jusu, and the film is nothing short of haunting. With thrilling drama and psychological suspense, Nanny takes us on Aisha's journey towards the American Dream, complete with hallucinations that will leave you questioning what's real and what's not. So buckle up, because Nanny is one wild ride.
Alice, Darling (2023)
Alice, Darling follows a young woman who is desperately trying to escape an abusive relationship. Her two closest friends, however, have other plans and devise a daring intervention aimed at helping her reclaim her self-esteem and freedom.
Through the journey of rediscovery that follows, Alice finds the strength she needs to overcome what was once thought impossible and ultimately reclaims her life from her captor.
M3GAN (2023)
In the movie M3GAN, Gemma, a brilliant roboticist, has invented a marvel of artificial intelligence - the M3GAN doll. This life-like doll is programmed to be the ultimate companion for children, helping them learn and grow through play as well as providing them with protection.
When Gemma unexpectedly finds herself responsible for her 8-year-old niece, she decides to give her an M3GAN prototype. But this choice leads to unexpected, and possibly disastrous, consequences that no one could have predicted.
It's a Boy Girl Thing
In the movie It's a Boy Girl Thing, Nell and Woody could not be more different. Nell is bookish and eager to forge ahead to college while Woody dreams of nothing but playing football. However, an unexpected class trip to a museum leads them to be placed under an ancient Incan spell that switches their bodies.
As they attempt to understand the predicament they have been put in, both Nell and Woody soon realize that if they ever want to switch back, they will have to find a way to undo the spell themselves.
Thirteen Lives
The movie Thirteen Lives tells the story of an incredible rescue mission undertaken in Thailand to save a group of young boys and their soccer coach trapped in a system of underground caves that are rapidly flooding.
Under immense pressure from rising waters, the heroes embark on a challenging mission to find a way out before they succumb to the threatening danger. With courage and unity, they race against time to survive this extraordinary ordeal.
Shotgun Wedding (2023)
In the movie Shotgun Wedding, Darcy and Tom gather their families for a destination wedding, only to have their special day ruined when gunmen take everyone hostage.
With the lives of their loved ones on the line, they must use every tool at their disposal to survive. But in order to save them all, they must first overcome the chaos and confusion -- or risk tearing themselves apart before they succeed.
The People We Hate At The Wedding (2022)
If you're looking for a laugh-out-loud comedy, you'll want to check out The People We Hate at the Wedding. The movie follows Alice and Paul, two siblings who begrudgingly agree to attend their wealthy half-sister's wedding in England.
While there, they must deal with their mother, Donna, who is determined to make the most of the trip. Throughout the film, the siblings (and their mother) grapple with class and family dynamics issues while trying to survive the wedding from hell. Kristen Bell, Allison Janney, and Ben Platt star in this hilariously relatable movie that will have you laughing from beginning to end.
Something from Tiffany's (2022)
It's the season of jingle bells, mistletoes, and comedy movies! Something from Tiffany's is the latest 2022 holiday classic to look out for. Starring Zoey Deutch, Kendrick Sampson, Ray Nicholson and Shay Mitchell, this romantic Christmas movie tells the story of Rachel, who finds a ring box in her bf Gary's belongings and assumes he wants to get married; when in fact it belongs to ethical bystander Ethan whose box got mixed up with Gary's at the store.
The two then bond during an invite for treats at Rachel's bakery. On Christmas day, surprise - both open their respective boxes, and guess what? Yup, you guessed it. The mix-up gets uncovered, but Ethan plays it cool as his current GF Vanessa likes the earrings that Gary got her! From a shocking twist, n turns to festive holiday scenes – make sure you don't miss out on all the comic chaos!
Smile (2022)
Dr. Rose Cotter, played by Sosie Bacon, just witnessed one of the most horrific things that have ever happened during her practice, leaving scars in her mind and soul. But when random occurrences that stop her in her tracks out of fear start happening out of nowhere, she realizes that the first traumatic incident was just the beginning.
She has no solution other than dealing with her troubling past to find the answers. A stellar performance packed with truly bloodcurdling scenarios, smiling is the last thing you will do when you watch Smile.
Run Sweetheart Run (2020)
The premise that Run Sweetheart Run takes is one that we’ve seen a lot of times – a woman gets attracted to a charming man who then reveals himself to have a monstrous nature. We keep coming back for these movies because it speaks to something inside us and keeps us gripped.
Run Sweetheart Run takes a new approach to this concept by introducing a terrible game of survival – Cherie must live through the night if she wants to be free from Ethan. A dark thriller complemented by stellar performances, Run Sweetheart Run is a great movie.
Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022)
Bringing back the famous TV show via a cinematic return, Downton Abbey: A New Era showcases the story of the cast we adore on a journey to the South of France, where Lady Grantham has inherited a villa from one of her former lovers.
The movie takes its sweet time to get rolling, but the performances will make even the most cynical smile. We’ll be the first to say that the Crawley household was sorely missed from our screens, and this timely cinematic return is more than welcome. For fans of the original show, make sure to watch this movie as soon as you can.
Catherine Called Birdy (2022)
Based on the original novel, Catherine Called Birdy is a coming-of-age story set in 1290. This movie follows the greedy Lord Rollo (played by Andrew Scott), who plans to marry off his 14-year-old daughter (Bella Ramsey). He sees marrying her as the only option to escape his financial struggles to gain land and money.
But his daughter Lady Catherine is a spirited, adventurous, and intelligent teen who is set out to find her path. Will Lady Catherine (Birdy) be able to put off all wealthy suitors? Watch the movie to know how the story unfolds.
The 355 (2022)
Jessica Chastain, Diane Kruger, Lupita Nyong’o, Penelope Cruz and Sebastian Stan combine their superstardom to deliver a passable action thriller – The 355. CIA agent Mason “Mace” Brown must embark on a mission to retrieve a top-secret weapon from ruthless mercenaries.
For this, she must put together a team of unique characters to stay ahead of the villains and rescue the world.
Marry Me (2022)
A typical story of fake relationships turning real, Marry Me pits together the star cast of Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson to create a movie that will leave you smiling throughout.
When Kat Valdez, an international superstar publicly catches her celebrity fiancé cheating on her, she takes the plunge to declare her engagement with Charlie Gilbert, a stranger at her concert. But how will Kat and Charlie deal with the consequences when things turn real?
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Belle Vie (2022)
During the pandemic, the extended shutdown of restaurants and cafes did quite a number on their owners. Especially for small independent restaurants, for whom the daily customer is the source of their bread and butter.
Belle Vie shows us this through the lens of Vincent Samarco, who runs Belle Vie, a famous Parisian bistro in Los Angeles, and his struggles with making ends meet during the shutdown.
Serena (2014)
Few movies maintain the air of mystery throughout the movie, and Serena is one of them. Serena meets George Pemberton, an ambitious timber baron from North Carolina during the Depression era. But when things go sideways for their business and family, the madly-in-love couple is further driven to the edge because they have no children.
Serena soon finds out that George has an illegitimate son, and hell hath no fury as a woman scorned. Set on taking revenge, she plans to murder the woman responsible, no matter the cost. The movie shines with the natural chemistry these actors have built over their multiple on-screen pairings.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2014)
The Wolf of Wall Street is one of the finest examples of the infectious dynamic between the director and lead actor. We all know Leonardo DiCaprio to be a top-class actor, but this role, in particular, shows us a different depth of character in the actor’s skill set.
Based on the real life of Jordan Belfort of Stratton Oakmont, who made a massive fortune with his friends by defrauding millions from his wealthy investors, this movie teaches us not to be foolhardy with our luck. This movie is a must-watch for film lovers because of the energetic brilliance of Scorsese’s directional skills.
No Time to Die (2021)
No Time To Die starts with Agent 007 living the life he deserves after his years of active service – a life of peace and tranquility in Jamaica. But when his old friend Felix Leiter comes knocking on his door for help rescuing a scientist from his kidnappers, Bond jumps rather too suddenly at the opportunity.
But the stakes are much higher than rescuing someone, as Bond faces Lyutsifer Safin, his most mysterious and dangerous villain yet. Even out of active service, Bond feels accurate, relevant and the right person for the job.
The Sound of Scars (2022)
The album River Runs Red by Life of Agony was hailed by Rolling Stones as one of the greatest metal albums of all time. But there’s a lot underneath the surface, and The Sound of Scars is what we didn’t know we needed.
Founded by three childhood friends who overcame some of the worst odds one can experience, to form a band that shook the world, this documentary shows the struggles they moved away from to the new troubles they landed into. To metal fans, this documentary is the answer to the power behind the band’s exceptional music, and the journey is more emotional than you would expect.
House of Gucci (2021)
There’s always been an air of high luxury around the Gucci brand. There’s no denying that Gucci is a brand all of us aspire to own, but what do you know about the brand? House of Gucci brings the true story behind this Italian fashion behemoth to your screens. But it’s nothing like we think.
What does Patrizia Reggiani’s marriage to the Gucci family unfold, and how will this unravel the family legacy? It’s laid out bare for us to understand. Lady Gaga and Adam Driver lead this movie to its heights, but the star cast will make it hard for you to ignore.
Death on the Nile (2022)
Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot is a character we all grew up with. Death on the Nile has the Belgian detective coming to life on-screen on a glorious Egyptian vacation. But this vacation doesn’t plan to let Poirot have his peace when a murder aboard their river streamer cuts the vacation short.
The movie does Agatha Christie’s novel natural justice, with the star cast and a marvelous rendering of the novel’s highlights through Kenneth Branagh’s direction lens. Death on the Nile is an easy movie to watch and enjoy. So on these evenings when you want easy entertainment, this movie checks all the boxes.
All the Old Knives (2022)
All the Old Knives is a readaptation of the original spy thriller movie by Janus Metz Pedersen, which is a fabulous hit in its time. Henry Pelham, played by Chris Pine, is tasked with hunting the mole inside the CIA, responsible for the lives of more than 100 people in an aircraft.
Pelham’s undercover operation takes him across the world, and back into the hands of his ex-lover and colleague Celia Harrison. Amid a rekindled spark, Pelham is forced to sort out the web of global espionage to find the person responsible for the betrayal.
Scream (2022)
Fair Warning: Scream is a modern-day reimagination of the Ghostface mask, but this time in a more horrific manner. When a series of brutal murders begins to shake the town of Woodsboro, Sidney Prescott and Dewey Riley recognize the pattern of the serial killer who targets teenagers and makes his first appearance 25 years ago.
After three murders, they must move fast to save the rest of the group before it’s too late. If you feel skeptical about this, don’t. We thought this movie was a refreshing take, and easily one of the more enjoyable thriller movies to be released in the recent past.
A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
A Fish Called Wanda exemplifies how some movies are timeless in their comedic adventures when a winning combination of cast, story, and direction is put together. George Thomason and Ken Pile, two gangsters of British origin recruit American misfits Wanda and Otto to pull off a diamond heist, they do not expect the job to fall out so badly.
In an attempt to get their cut, Wanda decides to entrap Archie, George’s lawyer, and find out where the diamonds are hidden. With Ken off to finish off a lady witness to the diamond heist and other things going wrong, how will it all end up?
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
While the coming-to-age genre has a set routine that makes it almost always predictable Napoleon Dynamite is a one-of-a-kind movie that offers a steady stream of laughs from the gut. Napoleon Dynamite has an awkward time fitting into his high school, and just when this is enough to deal with, his grandmother is injured and his uncle Rico shows up to take care of him.
To find some semblance of normalcy, he befriends Pedro, a Hispanic boy new to the area, and who speaks little to no English. But when the decision to run for class president, how will their existing lives be transformed?
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
Ace Venture: Pet Detective is worth the watch to the global fanbase of Jim Carrey, famous for his twitchy antics and quick humor. Ace Ventura, a private investigator specializing in rescuing missing animals, is brought into the film as the lead on the case of the missing dolphin mascot of the Miami NFL team.
While investigations are underway, several players are also kidnapped, pointing to a definite malicious culprit, one Ace Ventura must find out before it’s too late. But this search does not come without its overenergized misadventures, that will have us holding our jaws in lain from laughing.
The Tender Bar (2021)
There are very few movies that do better than their books. The Tender Bar easily qualifies as one such. The story revolves around the life of J.R., a young boy abandoned by his father but a nephew to a bar full of drunks. As J.R. works in his uncle's bar, he comes across drunk strangers who offer advice on how to live well.
The movie focuses on how J.R. develops a unique outlook toward life - and watching this, it's difficult not to tear up. The actors could not be more perfect for their roles. The Tender Bar is a movie with the right mix of humor, wisdom, and character development, wrapped up in a heart-touching story.
Being the Ricardos (2021)
Creating a show that captures audiences for 180 episodes is no easy task. To take that show, reimagine it into a movie and still keep all its magic is something only Being The Ricardos can achieve. Based on the lives of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, two Hollywood stars who were once the talk of every household in America, Being The Ricardos is a complex powerplay between their professional and personal lives.
Stitched together using past interviews, black-and-white sequences, and flashbacks, this movie pulls back the curtain on America's most successful TV stars of all time.
Encounter (2021)
Encounter is a movie that has a basic premise but finds a way to repackage it remarkably. Malik is a decorated Marine who must go on a mission to save his two sons from an unknown, uncanny threat. In a race to save his sons, he must walk them out of their childhoods and repair their families. The movie mixes alien invasion and paranoia genres and carefully toes the line without falling to either side.
We recommend this movie because we felt it was an undiscovered gem, with Riz Ahmed and Octavia Spencer doing full justice to their roles.
The Farewell (2019)
If there was a comedic way to portray how to spend time with someone who has only a few weeks to live, The Farewell is a case in point. Billi and her family find out that her grandmother has only a few weeks to live, so they return to China. While trying to ensure that grandma doesn’t get the bad news, they cook up the story of a fake marriage so that she can spend the last days with her family.
The movie finds a way to blend in cultural traditions that can seem foreign to a child raised outside of it, the feelings of grappling with loss, and comic scenes that are incredibly honest and moving.
The Big Sick (2017)
If you watch The Big Sick, we guarantee that rom-coms will hold a new place in your heart. Kumail plays the role of a Pakistani comic, who gets into a relationship with Emily. But with his conservative background, he has no idea about their future together. When Emily goes into a coma, Kumail bonds with Emily’s parents, which is told in a story filled with sincerity, humanity, and compassion.
We loved that this movie tries to explore how different cultures can co-exist peacefully if they discover together the universal meaning of love. And yes, the movie is funny and light-hearted, investing you in character development.
Sound of Metal (2019)
Sound of Metal is the movie that brought forward the gem of an actor, Riz Ahmed. This movie dives into the unexplored territory of the lives of the deaf community. Ruben, a drug-addicted punk-metal drummer, is slowly losing his hearing ability.
When he is told that it will soon become permanent, he struggles to find meaning in his life and even his relationship. To rediscover this meaning, he checks into a sober house for the deaf, and as the movie progresses, he finds himself adapting to his condition. Few movies can piece together addiction recovery, denial, emotional turmoil, and realization in one sitting - and Sound of Metal achieves all this and more.
One Night in Miami (2020)
If there were a guide on writing fiction that feels closely tied to historical facts, One Night In Miami would be a case in point. Set in the backdrop of the famous fight that turned Cassius Clay into the legend Muhammad Ali, the movie features the interactions between Cassius, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown in 1964. The movie stitches fiction and historical accuracy in a hauntingly exciting manner.
The perspectives of four men, at the top of their fields, on the happenings in America at that time is captivating to the extent that 110 minutes pass by too quickly. Regina King, through this movie, allows us to absorb the ideologies of these men and see them as more than just the historical titans we know, but as incredibly relatable human beings.
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
Manchester by the Sea is a story of how grief can bring a broken family together and be the catalyst for mending the cracks that were initially there. When Lee finds out that his dead brother has made him the sole guardian of his nephew Patrick, Lee is forced to unwillingly leave his dead-beat job in Boston and return to his hometown Manchester-by-the-Sea.
He is forced to deal with the past that made him run away in the first place - all while trying to maintain a compelling drama that holds us at the edge of our seats. This is not a bright movie, and the scenes are mostly dark. But the plot has us sympathizing with this quiet man suffering from grief. Just make sure to have those Kleenex ready!
Alien (1979)
Alien is a sci-fi movie that feels contemporary despite its creation over four decades ago. The commercial starship Nostromo answers a distress call from an alien vessel. When they board the ship, they unknowingly come across a nest of eggs, which starts the journey to their race for survival.
What is possibly even scarier than the alien, is the devastating side to humans when we are forced to do anything to survive. This movie set a bar for sci-fi movies to live up to; when you watch this movie a second time, Alien does not lose its touch of horror.
Everybody's Talking About Jamie (2021)
Inspired by true events, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie portrays the life of Jamie, who dreams himself to be a proud drag queen performing on stage. But even if his best friend and his mother support him endlessly, he still must tread down a path few take and face much prejudice from his father and his school.
This movie impacts the viewer and forces one to explore the issues of coming out as a gay man. But the story comes to a heartwarming end, and Max Harwood shines in this role, promising us better days.
The Tomorrow War (2021)
Time travel is not a new concept to be explored, but The Tomorrow War freshly does this. When time travelers from 2051 come to deliver a message of doom, that the human species is losing to aliens, this world is thrown into chaos. The time travelers come with an ultimatum: the only way to win is to take the soldiers and civilians from the present to the future to join their war.
When Dan is also recruited, he is determined to change the planet’s fate for the sake of his daughter. The Tomorrow War is an easy watch, and Chris Pratt does an excellent job of taking the movie forward.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Anthony Hopkins is a man who can carry an entire movie on his shoulders. But the Silence of the Lambs is a testament to how Anthony Hopkins can be equally matched with an actor of Jodie Foster’s quality - armed with a well-written script, of course.
Clarice is a star student at the FBI’s training academy and is tasked by Crawford with interrogating Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a psychiatrist extraordinaire who is also a criminal psychopath serving time. Clarice has to extract information from Lecter, while not losing herself and her mind in the process. This movie might be one of the greatest thrillers of all time, with its craftily written plot and resourceful actors.
Val (2021)
If you could follow one man's life for 40 years, what would you conclude about him? Val is a documentary that invites us to answer this question. Val Kilmer documented his life across his career as an actor, an artist, and someone living on the extremes.
Something about his life and showcasing its complex chapters draws us closer to this man. A resounding theme in the movie is how a man can be his own worst enemy while maintaining a vibrant sense of self-reflection. Ultimately, it comes full circle when we ask ourselves: can we judge a man for his actions when we know how much he can change over 40 years?
Coming 2 America (2021)
What we enjoyed about Coming 2 America is that it is effortlessly enjoyable, without needing us to put much thought into the plot. In the sequel to the much-famous “Coming to America”, the new ruler of Zamunda, King Akeem, and his right-hand Semmi journey from the wealthy African nation to the boroughs of Queens.
Their adventures throughout the journey are featured throughout most of the film. We think it is a comedy that manages to be inclusive in its approach, making it a favorite of ours and a definite contender on this list.
