Amazon Prime has some fantastic original movies – and we’re here to discuss it.
There are many outstanding original projects from streaming platforms, considering the sites have been on top of the world, and Amazon Prime (as well as MGM studios) has plenty of great options.
From heartbreaking dramas to hilarious comedies to horrors unlike any other, Amazon Studios has produced and made some seriously impressive original movies, all of which you can watch with your Amazon Prime subscription. Keep in mind that some of these did have theatrical releases, but Amazon (or their movie company, MGM) still made them.
Uncle Frank (2020)
First up on this list is Uncle Frank. The comedy-drama released in 2020 details the story of a man named Frank in the 1970s and his journey of self-acceptance as he travels across the country with his niece to the funeral of his family’s patriarch. But along the way, he runs into his past.
Uncle Frank was such an under-the-radar film and so good. Not only is it something you should watch if you like Paul Bettany, considering he's the star of it, but the story is almost like an adult coming-of-age story. It has a lot of heart and a lot of lessons that anyone can understand.
Not only that, but it stars the amazing Sophia Lillis, who has been on a roll since she first broke out onto the scene with the Stephen King adaptation of IT: Chapter One in 2017. Her chemistry with Bettany is unlike any other.
Stream Uncle Frank on Amazon Prime.
The Big Sick (2017)
If you want a romantic comedy, then The Big Sick is the film for you. Starring Kumail Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan, the film is inspired by Nanjiani and his real-life partner Emily Gordon's relationship. It follows the couple after one of them is placed in a medically induced coma, and it documents the complexities they face as they navigate their families and cultural differences.
The Big Sick is one of those movies that, once you see it, you’ll fall in love with it. You should watch it if you like Kumail Nanjiani, who has been blowing up over the last few years. But besides that, the cast is full of life, and there’s plenty of hilarious comedy that balances itself out with the drama.
Stream The Big Sick on Amazon Prime.
Challengers (2024)
If you were online in 2024, chances are, you have heard of Challengers. Released in theaters by MGM and directed by Luca Guadagnino, this sports romance drama follows the story of a love triangle that takes place over thirteen years, and how it all comes down to one big match in the ATP Challenger Tour.
Starring big names like Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Conner, Challengers was a cultural moment back in early 2024, from the drama to the memes to people taking up the sport of tennis due to the way it was shot in the film made it look so amazing. The movie itself is full of some awesome cinematography, and the acting performances are top-notch.
Stream Challengers on Amazon Prime.
One Night In Miami…(2020)
This Academy Award-nominated film is a must-watch. One Night In Miami… is Regina King's directorial debut, and it is based on the meeting between some of the most influential people of the 1960s – Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke -- in a Hampton room in Miami when they were celebrating Ali’s win, and what might have happened that night
Regina King kills it in everything she does, but her directing is fantastic. This movie will not only grip you from the beginning, but you’ll want to watch it again because it’s unlike anything else. The One Night In Miami…cast is brilliant – especially Leslie Odom Jr. You must watch this movie if you like him.
Stream One Night In Miami… on Amazon Prime.
The Idea Of You (2024)
The Idea of You, based on the novel of the same name by Robinne Lee and directed by Michael Showalter, is a romantic comedy about a woman who winds up engaging in a whirlwind romance with the lead of a popular boy band after attending one of their concerts at a music festival, and the struggles they face in their non-conventional relationship, as he’s significantly younger than she is.
I think what I love about The Idea of You is that it shows an older woman out there, having the literal time of her life, and paints the picture that fun can happen at any age. You don’t need to hold off on your dreams or your wants just because you’re older – and that can also mean that you have a crazy romance that you never expected. Plus, the chemistry between the two leads, Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine, is off the charts that you almost feel like you have to turn away during the steamy scenes.
Stream The Idea of You on Amazon Prime.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is the sequel to the legendary movie Borat. Starring Sacha Baron Cohen, it marks the return of the Kazakh journalist Borat, who travels to the United States with his daughter to offer her as a bride for the former Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence.
This movie is just so out there. You have to be a fan of Cohen’s comedic style to enjoy it, but it’s clear there are plenty because of how successful it was. While it is weird in many ways, it surprisingly has a lot of heart and genuine moments. Also, Borat's sequel received good reviews, and it was nominated for two Academy Awards.
Maria Bakalova, who plays Cohen’s daughter, scored a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. And that perfect Tom Hanks cameo is just amazing.
Stream Borat Subsequent Moviefilm on Amazon Prime.
American Fiction (2023)
Starring Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction is an Academy Award-winning film that tells the story of a Black novelist who writes a satire book that is based on many “Black” books that are published in America – but his satirical novel winds up becoming popular and leading to massive sales.
The movie is based on the book Erasure, and quite simply, this is one of the best films of 2023. It’s expertly paced, brilliantly acted, and of course the story is fantastic – which is why it won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. It was also nominated for Best Picture, as well.
Stream American Fiction (through MGM+) on Amazon.
Manchester By The Sea (2016)
In a gut-wrenching pick, Manchester By The Sea is directed by Kenneth Lonergan and stars Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, and more. The movie, which won two Oscars for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay, follows a man who has gone through the worst loss imaginable, and now he has to become the legal guardian for his nephew after he loses his brother.
This movie will wreck you. I mean that in the best way possible. Is it a great movie overall? Of course it is. But God, it will break you to pieces, and you will struggle to place all of them back together. You’ll need a few moments to collect yourself afterward. The story is heartbreaking, and the acting is out of this world. No matter what, you will most likely cry. But that’s a good thing, right?
Stream Manchester By The Sea on Amazon.
Saltburn (2023)
Directed by Emerald Fennell, Saltburn is a black comedy/thriller film about a student at Oxford who attempts to get close to a high-class student – who ends up inviting him to his family’s estate, Saltburn, for the summer, leading to an eventful stay full of twists and turns.
I feel like Saltburn is one of those films that you only watch once, but man, when you do, it sticks with you. This movie has a fun story, but you’ll end up watching Saltburn just for the shock factor alone. There are plenty of moments that make you just stare at the screen with your mouth open and ask out loud, “Did they really just show that?” Because yes, yes they did.
Stream Saltburn on Amazon Prime.
Beautiful Boy (2018)
While everyone has been loving Timothée Chalamet in either the Dune franchise or Wonka, I’ve been loving him since Beautiful Boy in 2018. Starring Chalamet and Steve Carrell as his father, the movie tells the story of how their relationship strains as the son grows up and becomes addicted to drugs.
Look, I won’t sit here and tell you that this movie is a fun watch – Beautiful Boy is a hard watch. It’s great, but you need to know what you’re getting yourself into because it picks at your heartstrings like it’s a guitar at a concert. The performances are powerful and the story will make any parent – or child, really – cry at some point.
Stream Beautiful Boy on Amazon.
Música (2024)
Directed by Rudy Mancuso, Música is the coming-of-age romance film that will make your day even brighter. Starring Camila Mendes and J.B. Smoove, Música tells the story of a young man who suffers from synesthesia and how it impacts both his personal life but potential professional life, and the woman he winds up meeting who understands his struggles all too well.
For those who don’t know, synesthesia is when your brain processes multiple senses at the same time, so much so that they interact – like seeing colors when you hear music, and Música does an excellent job of showing what that’s like on the big screen. But what really makes this movie so fun is the great chemistry between Mendes and Smoove. Truly such an underrated gem.
Stream Música on Amazon Prime.
Being The Ricardos (2021)
Directed and written by Aaron Sorkin, Being the Ricardos is another great biographical drama you should check out. Starring Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem, the movie documents the relationship between the real-life couple Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and their time on the iconic and legendary show I Love Lucy.
As someone who grew up watching reruns of I Love Lucy with my dad and mom, I loved watching this film. It’s still a biographical drama, so you must take it with a grain of salt for certain things, but there’s no denying the captivating story. Also, this is one of Nicole Kidman’s best movies. She earned that nomination for Best Actress at the Academy Awards.
Stream Being the Ricardos on Amazon Prime.
Red, White, And Royal Blue (2023)
Oh, is that the sound of BookTok I hear, coming to watch Red, White, and Royal Blue? Yes, my friends, come and join me.
Red, White, and Royal Blue became a huge hit on social media in the early 2020s and it wasn’t long before the book received the film adaptation it deserved. The movie tells the story of a prince and the son of the American President starting off as enemies but creating a fake friendship in order to prevent a media incident. And, of course, feelings begin to develop.
This movie is exactly what you think it is – classic rom-com, a couple of steamy scenes, the typical tropes we all love, and so much more. Truthfully, this is the best feel-good movie here and I would rewatch it over and over. There’s even a planned sequel in the works, so you might as well check out the first film.
Stream Red, White, and Royal Blue on Amazon.
Sound Of Metal (2019)
Starring Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal is something that I’m pretty sure anyone can get behind. It follows a young man who loses his hearing after being a drummer for an avant-garde metal band, causing his life to turn upside down.
The movie was nominated for six awards at the Oscars, and it won two for Best Sound and Best Film Editing. Not only that, but it’s undoubtedly one of Riz Ahmed’s best movies, and he did earn a nomination for Best Actor for his performance.
Stream Sound of Metal on Amazon Prime.
Road House (2024)
Last but not least, we have Road House. This action film, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, is a remake of the 1989 film of the same name and follows an ex-UFC fighter who decides to take a job as a bouncer at a roadhouse, and the trouble he gets into.
Look, Road House isn’t a film that’s going to win any Academy Awards or is going to make you cry but this movie is so much fun. The action is off the charts and Jake Gyllenhaal is just as energetic as an action star as he always is. There’s even a Road House 2 already in development so you might as well check out the first.
Stream Road House on Amazon Prime.
These are just some of the best movies Amazon Prime offers, and I’m sure the streamer will release more awesome films soon.
