The best movies on Amazon Prime right now
New month, new streaming titles to recommend. If you're scrolling through a seemingly endless list of movies on Prime Video with no idea what to watch, you're not alone.
Fear not though, for we have now crafted a list of films to give a try if you find yourself exploring the offerings on Amazon Prime Video. The choices range from riotously funny, to borderline incomprehensible (in a good way), all the way towards the more deeply disturbing, if that's what you're into.
Given how the platform does regular monthly updates, our list may be forced to swap films in and out, so bookmark this for future reference — we're keen on providing new recommendations each month.
The Big Sick (2017)
Having producer Judd Apatow and director Michael Showalter in your corner are both great, but the deeply personal script written by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon (which got them an Oscar nomination) is what makes the movie. The film finds a way to cover arranged marriages, mysterious illness, comedian growing pains, and more, all while providing laugh after laugh.
Watch The Big Sick on Amazon Prime Video here.
EW grade: N/A
Talent: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Ray Romano, Holly Hunter
Related reading: The Big Sick writers Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani remembered their first date differently
Bumblebee (2018)
After some sequels that were a bit difficult to sit through, a strong case had to be made for the existence of another Transformers movie. Thankfully, this reboot delivers with much help from a winning performance by Hailee Steinfeld. Rather than go full maximalist space opera like his predecessor Michael Bay, director Travis Knight opts for a movie rooted in humor and '80s nostalgia.
Watch Bumblebee on Amazon Prime Video via Paramount+ channel here.
EW grade: B+ (read the review)
Talent: Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, Pamela Adlon
The Farewell (2019)
A rare box office hit coming from Sundance, filmmaker Lulu Wang's semi-autobiographical story of her trip abroad to say goodbye to her sick grandmother finds both humor and tragedy in not being able to let a loved one know they are dying. While the film didn't get any Academy love, it helped redefine what an American story is, providing a look at China through the eyes of a first-generation Chinese American.
Watch The Farewell on Amazon Prime Video with Showtime channel here.
EW grade: B+ (read the review)
Funny Girl (1968)
While it gained a second wind through all the times it was referenced on the show Glee, this William Wyler-directed movie musical is most known as the project that made Barbra Streisand an icon. She earned a Best Actress Oscar for playing Fanny Brice, the real-life comedian with a voice as smooth as butter, rip-roaring through songs like "Don't Rain on My Parade."
Watch Funny Girl on Amazon Prime Video here.
Talent: Barbra Streisand, Omar Sharif, Anne Francis
His Girl Friday (1940)
Adapted from the play The Front Page — which has had multiple Broadway revivals — this Howard Hawks-directed film is one of the foundational examples of screwball comedy. As a newspaper editor trying to prevent his star reporter ex-wife from remarrying, Cary Grant provides snappy back and forth banter with Rosalind Russell that has helped shape the dynamics of many a romantic comedy.
Watch His Girl Friday on Amazon Prime Video here.
EW grade: B– (read the review)
Talent: Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Ralph Bellamy
Related reading: 20 'classic' movies you call overrated
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Why wait for the holidays to watch a movie this iconic? The Frank Capra-directed film is another one that brings on the waterworks with its tale of a suicidal man who's shown the positive impact he has left on the world. It also has an ending that is the best PR that bells have ever received.
Watch It's a Wonderful Life on Amazon Prime Video here.
EW grade: A+ (read the review)
Talent: Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore
Short Term 12 (2013)
Is this indie following a young residential treatment facility employee an easy watch? Not at all. But the tearjerker has become part of the origin story for some of Hollywood's most exciting new entertainers, including its writer-director Destin Daniel Cretton, who went on to direct Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings for Marvel Studios.
Watch Short Term 12 on Amazon Prime Video via Freevee here.
EW grade: A (read the review)
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