Best Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now
Amazon Prime Video has a reputation problem: everyone knows Netflix's library, but Prime's is often overlooked. The truth is, Prime Video has some of the best films ever made — from classics like GoodFellas to modern masterpieces like The Holdovers. Here are the 15 best movies on Prime Video right now, including Amazon Originals you cannot miss.
Amazon Originals
Amazon Studios has quietly built one of the best original film catalogs in streaming. These are the must-watch Amazon Originals.
The Holdovers (2023)
Alexander Payne's warm, funny, heartbreaking film about a cranky teacher (Paul Giamatti), a grieving student (Dominic Sessa), and a head cook (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) stuck together at a boarding school over Christmas 1970. Randolph won the Oscar. The film is a masterclass in tone.
It's the best film of 2023, and it's an Amazon Original. If you somehow missed it, fix that tonight. Streaming exclusively on Prime Video.
The Wrecking Crew (2026)
Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista are estranged half-brothers forced to reunite to solve their father's murder. Momoa plays a reckless ex-cop and Bautista a by-the-book Navy SEAL. It is exactly as fun as that premise sounds — an action buddy comedy with real chemistry.
The biggest Amazon Original of 2026 so far. Momoa and Bautista together is pure entertainment. Streaming now on Prime Video.
Rental Family (2026)
Brendan Fraser stars in this touching drama about a down-on-his-luck American living in Japan who starts working for a "rental family" agency — a real Japanese service where actors impersonate relatives for lonely clients. Fraser is phenomenal, and the film is a gentle exploration of connection and loneliness.
Fraser's post-Oscar career continues to impress. This is a beautiful, quiet film. Available on Prime Video now.
Air (2023)
Ben Affleck directs and Matt Damon stars in this gripping drama about the Nike executive who made Michael Jordan the Air Jordan shoe deal. It is one of the most entertaining movies about business ever made — tense, funny, and genuinely inspiring. Viola Davis steals the movie with one scene.
The best movie about a shoe deal you will ever see. An Amazon Original. Damon and Affleck together again.
Licensed Classics
Prime Video's licensed library punches well above its weight. Here are the classics you can stream right now.
GoodFellas (1990)
Scorsese's gangster masterpiece is a ferocious, funny portrait of life in the mob. The Copacabana tracking shot, the "funny how?" scene, the helicopter paranoia — it is cinema at its peak. Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci are all operating at the top of their game.
The greatest gangster film ever made. Streaming on Prime Video right now. Do not argue, just watch it.
12 Angry Men (1957)
Sidney Lumet's feature debut is a masterclass in tension. Twelve jurors deliberate a murder case, and one man (Henry Fonda) is the sole vote for not guilty. It is almost entirely set in one room, yet it is more gripping than most modern blockbusters.
100% on Rotten Tomatoes. A perfect film about justice, prejudice, and persuasion. Streaming on Prime Video.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Spike Lee's masterpiece is as urgent today as it was in 1989. Set on the hottest day of the year in a Brooklyn neighborhood, the film builds to an explosive climax that forces you to sit with uncomfortable questions. It is funny, angry, brilliant, and essential.
One of the most important American films ever made. Streaming on Prime Video. Everyone should see this.
The Godfather (1972)
The greatest American film ever made. Actually, maybe just the greatest film ever made. Marlon Brando's Vito, Al Pacino's Michael, the horse head, the baptism — every frame is a masterclass. The Corleone saga is Shakespeare on screen.
It's the Godfather. On Prime Video. What more do you need?
Modern Must-Sees
The 2020s have been rich with great cinema. These recent films are available on Prime Video right now.
Arrival (2016)
Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi drama about a linguist (Amy Adams) trying to communicate with alien visitors is not about war or invasion — it is about time, language, and what it means to love someone when you know how the story ends. The ending is one of the most devastating in modern cinema.
Arguably the best sci-fi film of the 2010s. Amy Adams was robbed of an Oscar nomination. On Prime Video now.
Parasite (2019)
Bong Joon-ho's Palme d'Or and Best Picture winner is a genre-defying masterpiece about class, family, and the spaces between rich and poor. It is a thriller, a comedy, a tragedy, and a horror film all at once. The basement reveal is one of cinema's great twists.
The first foreign-language film to win Best Picture. It is flawless. Streaming on Prime Video.
The Northman (2022)
Robert Eggers's Viking epic is a brutal, beautiful, and deeply strange revenge saga. Alexander Skarsgård is a force of nature as Prince Amleth, the inspiration for Hamlet. The film is a sensory overload — mud, blood, and mystical visions. It is Shakespeare by way of Conan the Barbarian.
The most authentic Viking movie ever made. Ambitious, violent, and unforgettable. Streaming on Prime Video.
Underrated Gems
These Prime Video films flew under the radar. Each one deserves a much bigger audience.
The Vast of Night (2019)
Andrew Patterson's low-budget sci-fi debut is a love letter to 1950s radio drama and Twilight Zone paranoia. Set in a small New Mexico town where strange signals are picked up on the switchboard, it is a masterclass in building tension with almost no resources.
One of the most impressive independent debuts of the decade. A hidden gem that deserves to be discovered. On Prime Video.
The Report (2019)
Adam Driver stars in Scott Z. Burns's understated drama about the Senate investigation into the CIA's post-9/11 torture program. It is a procedural, methodical, and absolutely riveting. Annette Bening is excellent as Dianne Feinstein.
An Amazon Original that was overshadowed at release but is vital, gripping filmmaking. Driver is incredible.
One Night in Miami (2020)
Regina King's directorial debut imagines the night Cassius Clay, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown gathered in a Miami motel room after Clay's championship win. It is a four-hander of exceptional quality — a talky, passionate film about Black excellence and responsibility.
98% on Rotten Tomatoes. Kingsley Ben-Adir's Malcolm X is awards-worthy. An essential Amazon Original.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best movies on Amazon Prime Video right now?
Our top picks are The Holdovers (2023) — an Amazon Original and arguably the best film of 2023 — GoodFellas (1990), Parasite (2019), 12 Angry Men (1957), and the new action-comedy The Wrecking Crew (2026) starring Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista. Prime Video's library is deep in both classics and originals.
Does Amazon Prime Video have ads now?
As of 2025, Prime Video includes limited advertisements unless you pay an additional $2.99/month for an ad-free experience. The ad load is lighter than most ad-supported streaming services, but it is worth noting if you are planning a movie marathon. The content library is the same regardless.
What are the best Amazon Prime Originals?
Top Amazon Originals include The Holdovers (2023), Air (2023), One Night in Miami (2020), Rental Family (2026), and The Report (2019). Amazon has focused on quality over quantity, and the results speak for themselves — multiple Best Picture nominees and a growing collection of auteur-driven films.
What is the difference between Prime Video and Amazon Freevee?
Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime subscription and offers the full library ad-free (or with reduced ads depending on your plan). Freevee is Amazon's free ad-supported service with a smaller library and more commercials. Some titles appear on both, but Freevee has a rotating selection and fewer exclusives.
Can I download movies from Prime Video to watch offline?
Yes. Prime Video allows you to download most titles for offline viewing on mobile devices and tablets. Downloaded titles expire after 30 days or 48 hours after you start watching. There is no limit on how many titles you can download at once.
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