The best movies on Amazon Prime right now
New year, same recommendation to stay indoors. As we ring in 2021, many wonder if another dread last year has left us with is if we’ve exhausted our options on what good films to stream at home.
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. 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 to 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 stars Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon wrote (that 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 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 maximal 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 here.
EW grade: B+ (read the review)
Talent: Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, Pamela Adlon
Casino Royale (2006)
It’s a tough pill to swallow thinking of how there are now adults who have only grown up knowing a blonde James Bond. With its successful approach to back to basics storytelling (it quite literally is an adaptation of the first Bond book author Ian Fleming ever published), it is hard to believe Daniel Craig was not seen at first as someone who would eventually reinvigorate the spy film franchise.
Watch Casino Royale on Amazon Prime here.
EW grade: A (read the review)
Talent: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Judi Dench, Mads Mikkelsen, Jeffrey Wright
Related reading: Why Jeffrey Wright was so excited to play Felix Leiter alongside James Bond in Casino Royale
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 here.
EW grade: B+ (read the review)
Related reading: How Awkwafina and director Lulu Wang told an authentic — and universal — story with The Farewell
Fast Color (2018)
Words like “poetic” don’t often get paired with superhero movies, but this film imaginatively weaves superpowers into what is at its core a compelling family drama about three generations of black women out west. Watch it on Amazon Prime in anticipation for the TV series adaptation the streaming platform has planned for it.
Watch Fast Color on Amazon Prime here.
EW grade: B (read the review)
Related reading: Gugu Mbatha-Raw becomes a superwoman in Fast Color
Funny Girl (1968)
While it gained a second wind through all the times it was referenced in 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 playing Fanny Brice, a comedienne with a voice as smooth as butter, rip-roaring through songs like “Don't Rain On My Parade."
Watch Funny Girl on Amazon Prime 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 back and forth with Rosalind Russell that has helped shape the dynamics of many a romantic comedy.
Watch His Girl Friday on Amazon Prime 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 it’s 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 here.
EW grade: A+ (read the review)
Talent: Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore
Knives Out (2019)
Much love to writer-director Rian Johnson for giving whodunnits a much needed update with Knives Out. The film’s modern themes surrounding immigration and American greed all serve the mystery at hand. A perfect film to unwind to in your house, with your rules, and your coffee.
Watch Knives Out on Amazon Prime here.
EW grade: B+ (read the review)
Talent: Daniel Craig, Ana De Armas, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis
Rocketman (2019)
More jukebox musical than music biopic, this story of Elton John serves as a corrective to some of the less stately recent rockstar stories. Taron Egerton earned a hard-fought-for Golden Globe by not only embodying the multi-talented, troubled music icon, but by singing all the songs as well.
Watch Rocketman on Amazon Prime here.
EW grade: B+ (read the review)
Talent: Taron Egerton, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden
Related reading: Exclusive: Watch Taron Egerton and Richard Madden have a lovers' quarrel in Rocketman deleted scene
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’s currently working on Shang Chi for Marvel Studios.
Watch Short Term 12 on Amazon Prime here.
EW grade: A (read the review)
A Simple Favor (2018)
While first billed as his departure from comedy, director Paul Feig proved he was capable of a much darker humor with this film. The project provides everything from mommy vlogs to murder mysteries to Blake Lively wearing the hell out of a range of bespoke suits.
Watch A Simple Favor on Amazon Prime here.
EW grade: B+ (read the review)
Talent: Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding, Linda Cardellini
Related reading: A Simple Favor director Paul Feig on martinis, menswear, and making Blake Lively go dark
Warrior (2011)
The best of a burgeoning genre of mixed-martial arts films, this two-hander stars Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy as estranged brothers who are set to reunite by fighting in the octagon. Directed by Gavin O’Connor, the testosterone-heavy movie gives a surprising tug at the heartstrings, leaving audiences (especially men) in tears by the end.
Watch Warrior on Amazon Prime here.
EW grade: B (read the review)
Talent: Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Morrison
Related reading: I'm Still Not Over... The ending of Warrior
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