The Best Movies On Amazon Prime Video to Watch Right Now

Next to Netflix, Prime Video has delivered some of the heaviest hitters in terms of quality streaming films in the last few years. Heart-wrenching dramas and explosive action flicks are just a smidgen of the offerings available on Prime’s dedicated streaming service, with some of their films dominating in terms of audience reception and critical reviews. But with hundreds of films on offer at Prime Video, it may be hard to sift through the hours of cinema for the best of the best.

We’ve found it useful to compile the best of the best films streaming on Prime Video, incorporating as many diverse genres and entries as possible. All films placed here have been the subject of widespread critical praise and numerous award nominations and wins, with positive audience reception acting as a cherry on top. Without further ado, these are just some of the best movies streaming on Prime Video right now.

Updated on March 14th, 2023, by Soniya Hinduja: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.

37 Bottoms (2023)

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Co-written and directed by Emma Seligman, Bottoms is the bloodiest and most outrageous high school comedy film of the decade. It centers around two best friends, PJ and Josie, who are so fed up with not having girls at their school notice them that they decide to start a fight club, meet cute cheerleaders, and lose their virginity. However, when the players of Rockbridge Falls Vikings hear of this and the popular girls start to actually beat each other up, PJ and Josie realize that the matters have gone way out of hand.

Offbeat and Hilarious

Irresistibly charming and refreshingly hilarious, Bottoms is a genuine surprise of a movie. It stars a lovely ensemble of young stars that include Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edebiri, Ruby Cruz, Havana Rose Liu, Kaia Gerber, and Nicholas Galitzine, who have you hanging on to their every movement and hijinks. Sennott and Seligman have written a script that is over-the-top and self-aware, which is why the jokes hit the right notes and the ultimate conclusion leaves viewers dumbfounded and exhilarated at the same time.

36 Hot Fuzz (2007)

The second and most successful film in the Three Flavours Cornetto, Hot Fuzz starts off by introducing us to Nicholas Angel, a top-notch and high-achieving police officer in London. His superiors, however, are not too happy with the fact that Angel is so good at his job. So they send him to a small village named Sandford where nothing ever happens. But when a string of grisly murders occur in the town, even the most laid-back local cops join Angel in uncovering the sinister device at play.

Infused With Simon Pegg’s Signature Humor

Directed by Edgar Wright, who co-wrote the script with Simon Pegg (who also plays the lead role in the movie), Hot Fuzz is an entertaining celebration of the buddy cop genre and action flicks. Despite having an unassuming premise, the movie is packed with wit, hilarity, heart, and amazingly choreographed fight sequences. Pegg is accompanied by Nick Frost, Timothy Dalton, and Jim Broadbent among others, each terrific in their roles. Simply put, the movie offers a good time.

35 Get Out (2017)

In his directorial debut, Jordan Peele deftly blends elements of psychological horror and social commentary. We follow a young African-American man named Chris who has been dating a Caucasian girl named Rose for some time now. Eager to take things forward, Chris agrees to meet Rose’s parents and the two drive out to their secluded farm estate for the weekend. But as soon as he sets foot in their house, he is increasingly unnerved by Rose’s parents’ behavior and their questions about interracial relationships. He soon discovers their true motives and, needless to say, they’re terrifyingly dark.

A Brilliant Social Thriller

Peele’s first movie in an unofficial trilogy turned out to be a breakthrough. Get Out subverts genre expectations by crafting strange atmospheres and escalating tensions by the minute. Not to forget the piercing comments on society, their persistent ills, and systematic racism, which make the film more clever and thought-provoking. Daniel Kaluuya earned an Oscar nomination for his ingenious turn, with the movie getting a nod in three more categories. Overall, Get Out is a richly crafted and unsettling horror masterpiece.

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33 Forrest Gump (1994)

One of the most beloved, feel-good, and heartwarming movies of the 1990s, Forrest Gump chronicles 30 years worth of historical events through the eyes of its titular character. Born with a low IQ and a childlike perspective towards ordinary things, Forrest Gump always navigates life with kindness and grace. While recounting his story, Gump reminisces about several instances in his life – from playing football in high school and fighting in Vietnam to losing and reconnecting with his childhood love and turning a comrade’s dream into a mail-order business.

Classic American Epic

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Forrest Gump created a legacy of its own by not only being ambitious and thoughtful but also earning six Academy Awards in major categories including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Tom Hanks who delivered the best performance of his career as the tender and loving titular character. Nestled between flashes of Gump’s real life were flashes of a changing America, where the narrative intertwined with presidents and protests, adding levity to one man’s joyful and magical place in history.

32 Asteroid City (2023)

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Set in a fictional American town circa 1955, Asteroid City follows war photojournalist Augie Steenbeck who arrives at a space-themed educational institute or Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention with his children. As more participants, experts, and guests arrive to discuss outer space and the true nature of the universe, their itinerary is interrupted by world-changing events. Directed by Wes Anderson, the film is staged as a play, and it pays homage to aliens and UFOs.

A Transportive World

By using a pastel palette and meticulous sets made of symmetrical buildings and perfectly manicured lawns, Anderson works his magic to transport viewers to an imaginative mid-century utopia that feels as familiar as it feels strange. Populated by a stellar ensemble that includes Tom Hanks, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, and many more, the movie portrays deeply human characters who glance around in search of meaning. Overall, Asteroid City is a whimsical masterpiece that uplifts you and enriches your heart with its tender humor and profound meaning.

31 It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

For as long as he can remember, George Bailey has been trying to make the lives of the people of Bedford Falls easier. But on Christmas Eve, when his business bears a great loss, he finds himself at his lowest. An unexpected guardian angel named Clarence shows up to take George on a journey to see how different the town would be had he never been born. It’s A Wonderful Life is a heartwarming story about a single person’s significance in so many people’s lives.

An Enduring Tale of Introspection

It has been almost eight decades since director Frank Capra’s cinematic classic made its way to the audiences’ hearts and spread warmth and joy. Playing the troubled Bailey was no easy feat, but James Stewart gave the finest performance of his career, layering the character with intense internal conflict. Donna Reed’s Mary is equally resonant as the good-hearted angel lighting up Bailey’s world with a vivid romance. But beyond the feel-good entertainment, it is the movie’s enduring message about understanding life and its little blessings that makes it a Christmas classic.

30 A Good Person (2023)

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Disappearing in the whirlwind of 2023, A Good Person is a tender little film about Allison Johnson, a young woman who is engaged to her high school boyfriend, and the two expect to tie the knot soon. But one night, when Allison causes a careless accident, it sends her and their two families into a tragedy filled with loss, addiction, grief, and trauma. The movie chronicles the years it takes for Allison to pick herself up and the bond she forms with Daniel, her would-be father-in-law, in the process.

Powerful Central Performances

Written, directed, and produced by Zach Braff, A Good Person is a genuinely moving film. It stars Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman as the primary leads, with Celeste O’Connor, Molly Shannon, and Chinaza Uche as the supporting cast. Pugh and Freeman have that distinct quality of immersing you in any narrative they are a part of, and that’s where the movie wins all its points.

29 Foe (2023)

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Set almost 40 years into the future, in 2065, Foe introduces us to a loving and healthy couple, Henriette and Junior, who live a quiet life on secluded land. Their relationship is tested when a stranger shows up and makes a startling proposal – to pluck Junior from his life as a candidate for an off-earth inhabitation and replace him with an AI substitute who would live with Hen just as he did. The ensuing decision threatens to give the leads a crisis of identity.

A Compelling Existential Premise

Director Garth Davis makes the movie all about the atmosphere, which is almost dreamlike and bizarre. From start to finish, it dives into questions about survival, perception, and the fragility of human relationships. Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal are two of the industry’s greatest actors, and they elevate the movie to a higher standard. From the compelling shots inside their house to the haunting music, Foe is a film that ratchets up the emotion right until the end.

28 Saltburn (2023)

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Written and directed by Emerald Fennell, Saltburn is a psychological thriller with heavy undertones of black comedy. It follows Oliver Quick, a scholarship student struggling to fit in at the University of Oxford. All around him are privileged, upper-class students who cause him unease. When Oliver notices Felix Catton, he’s immediately fascinated and tries to befriend him by making up stories about his troubled childhood filled with abuse. Nice guy Felix invites Oliver to spend the summer with him at their family estate, and it kickstarts a series of disturbing events.

Visually Rich and Narratively Exciting

Drawing several parallels with Anthony Minghella’s The Talented Mr. Ripley, Saltburn is an outrageous turn from Fennell. The super ensemble cast includes Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, and Carey Mulligan, who all earned widespread acclaim for their performances as twisted Oliver and the eccentric Catton clan. It’s entertaining from start to finish, getting stranger with each scene that passes.

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26 Polite Society (2023)

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Polite Society is a recent action comedy that holds immense potential to turn into a classic. It thrusts you into an incredible world where Ria Khan, a martial artist-in-training, is hellbent on helping her sister Lena get out of her upcoming marriage. By bringing together a bunch of willing girlfriends and devising a foolproof plan, Ria decides to carry out an impossible heist.

Impeccable Genre Blending

The movie is directed by Nida Manzoor in her feature film directorial debut, who infuses this action-packed movie with more resonant themes like independence and sisterhood to make the narrative speak to a wider audience. Ritu Arya and Priya Kansara are truly fierce and unstoppable as two sisters finding their voices while still being hilarious and relatable. Overall, a smart, funny, and poignant film about fighting patriarchy.

25 The Burial (2023)

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The film follows Jeremiah Joseph O’Keefe, a simple funeral home owner who faces a tremendous crisis when a corporate giant threatens to take business away from him. O’Keefe is already undergoing financial pressures and his only hope is Willie E. Gary, an attorney who won’t stop until he’s brought justice.

A Hidden Gem of 2023

Co-written and directed by Maggie Betts and loosely based on the book of the same name by Jonathan Harr, The Burial is a recent biographical drama that proves Hollywood isn’t done with the genre yet. Not only does the movie incorporate aspects of legal drama, but more than that, it is a story of resilience and friendship. Impeccably paced and crafted with an aesthetic that seems stoic but is just ordinary, the movie also makes comments on the socio-economic disarray we face today.

24 Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)

Read Our ReviewChris Pine plays Edgin Darvis, a charming thief who may have left behind his life of crime, but his foes continued to haunt him and his family and murdered his wife in the process. Now in search of a long-lost relic, Edgin and his criminal companions find themselves trying to restore life and give his daughter the mother she so needs. Their journey takes them on perilous paths where they face magical enemies and discover their true destinies.

Delightful, Romping Fun

With an all-star cast including Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, and Sophia Lillis, this outstanding fantasy adventure casts a spell on its audience. Considering the era Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was made in, it is obvious that the film features fantastic CGI and mesmerizing set pieces. But more than anything, the film is a funny, faithful adaptation which means all D&D fans are in for a treat.

23 Sicario (2015)

In Sicario, Emily Blunt plays Kate Macer, an idealistic FBI agent pulled into a shady mission alongside Josh Brolin’s mysterious operative, Matt, as the two target Mexican drug cartels. Their point of action is the border area between the U.S. and Mexico, and needless to say, the situation is quite tense.

What Makes It Great?

From the incredible mind of director Denis Villeneuve, this gripping neo-noir film makes the 2010s even more memorable. Blunt cements herself as a powerful action heroine in Sicario and anchors the drama with her performance. Also, Benicio del Toro is as cold as assassins come. Villeneuve showcases his directing skills in scenes that pulsate with so much intrigue that you cannot help but feel for those fighting for justice and hate those who simply wage war for the sake of it.

22 Interstellar (2014)

On a different end of the Christopher Nolan spectrum, we have Interstellar. Here, the Earth has become uninhabitable due to severe crop blight and famine. Scared of extinction, the authorities call upon a former NASA pilot turned farmer named Joseph Cooper to embark on a desperate mission to find a new home planet. He assembles a team and takes a spacecraft through a wormhole, not knowing just how it would alter space and time.

A Heart-Wrenching Familial Tale

With brilliant direction from Nolan and a haunting musical score by Hans Zimmer, Interstellar arrives as a space odyssey that drives humanity into the unknown. The film won an Oscar for Visual Effects, so its immersive cinematography and phenomenal camerawork have a great role in infusing the plot with suspense, wonder, emotion, and love. Despite being sci-fi, at its heart, Interstellar is a story about the unbreakable bond shared by a father and daughter.

21 Babylon (2022)

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Babylon may be a work of fiction, but it takes heavily after the sheer lows and depravity faced by ambitious actors in 1920s Hollywood. At the center of it all is a renowned movie star Jack Conrad, who begins to lose his grip on reality and fame due to the shift from silent movies to talkies. On the other hand, there is Nellie LaRoy, who is so overwhelmed by the industry and the limelight that her desire to escape leads her to a massive decline.

The Epic Highs and Lows of Hollywood

With its star-studded streets and lush visuals, this era of Hollywood was definitive of a high that knew no bounds. However, it was also when the industry was in the middle of a painful transition, which naturally affected a lot of artists. Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie shine as the main characters, and the movie gives us a heady glimpse into the glorious days.

20 Air (2023)

Read Our ReviewAir plunges us into the real events that led to Nike and Michael Jordan collaborating to create the sneaker that would become the world’s greatest brand of all time. Sonny Vaccaro is the sports marketing executive responsible for collaborating with Michael Jordan, who at the time was a basketball rookie, but there was no seeing past his potential to represent the sport and the country, into the deal.

A Well Crafted True Story

Ben Affleck’s latest directorial outing proves just why his stories are so awe-inspiring and uplifting. From seeking a proper and profitable partnership to the many negotiations with the star player’s mother, the film stirs reflections on what it takes to fashion a game-changing union. As a result, Air is one of the decade’s best biographical sports dramas.

19 Elvis (2022)

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With an electrifying energy and a great rock n’ roll soundtrack, Elvis brings the singular rise of music icon Elvis Presley to life. Austin Butler plays the character with ease and astonishes the audience as an emerging star, and Tom Hanks plays his enigmatic but secretly cunning manager Colonel Tom Parker, who oversees all of his affairs and makes sure Elvis makes it to the stage despite his steadily declining mental health.

Baz Luhrmann’s Kinetic Direction Is Perfect For Elvis

While we are on the subject of biopics, let’s make a turn from sports to music. The movie showcases Elvis’ transformation from a shy country boy to a superstar who defined a generation of rebellion through his music. Few music biopics manage to capture the scope of an artist who brought such joy to the world and remained isolated from it.

18 Train to Busan (2016)

The movie follows Seok-woo, a workaholic father who decides to take his young daughter to Busan to spend her birthday with her mother. But the nation is in the middle of a viral outbreak and the only place not infected is this fast-moving train. When a fellow passenger comes in contact with a zombie on the station and boards the train, pure chaos erupts. Through it all, Seok-woo remains agile and fights through carriages of ravenous zombies. He even forms alliances with the other passengers to save one another.

A Modern Zombie Classic

Train to Busan is an extremely thrilling South Korean zombie horror movie that won international acclaim for its perfect blend of action, gore, and emotion. Train to Busan has been highly praised for its action and incredible camerawork, but what makes it so moving is the narrow escape moments where Seok-woo’s only priority is his daughter. The film is an overall masterpiece for its pacing and emotion.