In the world of streaming subscription services, there’s what’s become known as the “big three.” Netflix is still the biggest kahuna in the game, but Hulu and Amazon Prime are hot on its heels. Each service offers its own large selection of movies, with thousands of titles of various calibers included. Currently, Amazon Prime actually boasts the largest movie library of the three, but it could be argued that quantity isn’t nearly as important as quality.
25 of the very best movie titles offered on Amazon Prime can be found below, featuring a mix of blockbuster hits, award-winning critical darlings, hilarious comedies, bone-chilling horror movies, and more. The list below attempts to include something for everyone, and thankfully, Amazon Prime’s selection houses quite the robust grouping of worthwhile streaming choices.
Before the list begins proper, there are some important notes to be made. First the movies below are available to stream on Amazon Prime at the time of this writing. As movies expire, the list will be updated, and new great options will be added. Also, the 25 films below, while numbered for convenience, are not ranked. So the movie marked number one is not meant to necessarily be seen as superior to the movie at number 25.
Last updated: February 6, 2020
25 Planes, Trains and Automobiles
While there are many iconic films set on or around holidays like Christmas, Halloween, and the 4th of July, one big occasion with less great movies than it deserves is Thanksgiving. Probably the most beloved of the bunch is 1987 comedy Planes, Trains and Automobiles, written and directed by John Hughes. Steve Martin stars as Neal Page, a stressed out marketing executive who’s just trying to make it home to Chicago from New York City in time for the big day. Unfortunately, his attempts to do so keep getting intertwined with kind but bothersome salesman Del Griffith (John Candy). The two men’s misadventures form the crux of the film, and both leads are up to the task. it may not be November, but Planes, Trains and Automobiles is worth an Amazon Prime stream any time of the year.
24 Hereditary
Most horror films are full of obvious supernatural threats, whether they be vampires, ghosts, demons. or even the occasional sadistic leprechaun. Sometimes though, a horror effort comes along to reinforce that at the end of the day, the fear of losing a loved one is one that audiences can’t escape, even after the latest scary movie stops playing. One recent example of that type is 2018’s critically lauded (89% on Rotten Tomatoes) Hereditary, directed by Ari Aster, and starring Toni Collette as Annie, an emotionally scarred mom who finds her life spinning more and more out of control following the death of her own mother. Hereditary has become a bit divisive in horror circles, but it’s worth watching on Amazon Prime and judging for oneself.
23 Zodiac
History is full of brutal serial killers, with human monsters like Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, and Jeffrey Dahmer proving popular targets for coverage by the world of film. Those names all share one commonality outside of their predilection for murder though, that being that they were all eventually caught. That can’t be said for the Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area during the 1960s and 1970s. Directed by David Fincher, 2007’s Zodiac takes a look at the manhunt for the infamous murderer, and can be streamed anytime on Amazon Prime. The cast is full of recognizable faces, including Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Donal Logue, Chloe Sevigny, and John Carroll Lynch.
22 The Avengers
While the MCU has topped it many times over since, 2012’s The Avengers was Marvel Studios’ first big test, the culmination of Phase 1. Thankfully, the Joss Whedon-directed film passed with flying colors, giving birth to many moments that still remain iconic in superhero cinema. Seeing Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Hawkeye, and Black Widow all team up to face off with Loki and Thanos’ alien army was truly magical for Marvel fans, many of which had spent years hoping to see anything close to that on the big screen. The Avengers will probably become exclusive to Disney Plus eventually, but for now, it’s available on Amazon Prime.
21 Eighth Grade
The feature writing and directing debut of comedian Bo Burnham, Eighth Grade wowed many in 2018 with its very relatable, and often very frank depiction of what it’s like to be transitioning into one’s teenage years. Most movies and TV shows tend to depict childhood and young adulthood as this time full of nothing but fun and carefree idealism, but in reality, many people spend their youths battling social awkwardness, dealing with anxiety, and struggling to fit in. Fronted by a great lead performance from Elsie Fisher, and bolstered by one of the best speeches ever given from a parent to their child onscreen, Eighth Grade isn’t always easy to sit through, but it’s consistently rewarding. Another impressive offering from Amazon Prime.
20 Some Like It Hot
Those looking to watch a classic comedy on Amazon Prime need look no further than 1951’s Some Like It Hot, directed by Hollywood icon Billy Wilder, helmer of other golden age hits like Double Indemnity and Sunset Boulevard. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon star as two Chicago musicians forced to assume female identities to get out of town after witnessing a gangland murder. Both quickly notice the singer of their new all-female band, played by Marilyn Monroe near the height of her stardom. Some Like It Hot includes some moments that are problematic by today’s standards, but those willing to view it through a historical lens will still find plenty to enjoy.
19 12 Angry Men
Hollywood loves itself a good courtroom drama, and the movie that solidified just how worthwhile they could be was 1957’s 12 Angry Men, ready to stream anytime on Amazon Prime. Directed by Sidney Lumet, 12 Angry Men’s story is simple, yet compelling. A group of jurors, forced to deliberate together for hours in the same room, must come to a unanimous verdict about the guilt or innocence of an 18-year-old accused of murder. Such classic film heavyweights as Henry Fonda, Martin Balsam, Jack Klugman, E.G. Marshall, and Lee J. Cobb star.
18 Sherlock Holmes
This 2009 film from director Guy Ritchie served to reinvent the world famous Sherlock Holmes character for a new generation of moviegoers, all while handing a resurgent Robert Downey Jr. another popular franchise to star in as the titular detective. Jude Law co-stars as Dr. John Watson, Sherlock’s trusty sidekick, in a movie that would take the property in a much more action-oriented direction. With Sherlock Holmes 3 on the horizon for 2021, why not give the original a spin on Amazon Prime?
17 The Cabin in the Woods
2012’s The Cabin in the Woods, directed by Drew Goddard, is a decidedly unique film. It’s both a deconstruction of and loving tribute to the many tropes and cliches that make the horror genre work, and while other films have done that before and since, few have managed the feat as well. It would be criminal to spoil the film’s twists for those unfamiliar, but suffice to say the ending sequence will leave any fan of horror grinning from ear to ear.
16 Platoon
While director Oliver Stone is most closely associated nowadays with his penchant for conspiracy theories and being outspoken politically, that doesn’t mean his films aren’t still by and large brilliant, and worth checking out on Amazon Prime. One of the best is 1986’s Platoon, which is based on Stone’s own experiences serving in the Vietnam War. The cast is loaded with talent, including Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Keith David, Forest Whitaker, and even Johnny Depp in an early role. War truly is hell, and Platoon presents that reality more vividly than the vast majority of movies.
15 Rain Man
One of the many triumphs to come out of the 1980s from director Barry Levinson, Rain Man tells the unlikely story of slick, fast-talking hustler Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise, in one of the early roles that proved to audiences that he was capable of far more then headlining popcorn fare like Top Gun), who is shocked to find out his father’s sizable estate is being passed on almost entirely to autistic savant Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), an older brother he never knew he had. A critical darling, Rain Man picked up four Oscars, including Best Picture, and Best Actor for Hoffman.
14 The Machinist
While Oscar-winner Christian Bale has become well-known for his ability to transform himself physically for roles in acclaimed films like The Fighter and Vice, one of Bale’s earliest transformations occurred for a film that didn’t even receive a wide theatrical release. However, that doesn’t mean 2004’s The Machinist isn’t worth watching on Amazon Prime. Directed by Brad Anderson, The Machinist stars Bale as Trevor Reznik, a man whose chronic insomnia issues have caused him to become horrifyingly emaciated. After Trevor causes an accident at work and loses his job, his mental state spirals downward fast. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Michael Ironside also star.
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13 WarGames
Shall we play a game? One of the most well-known movie lines of the 1980s, that question sets the plot of 1983’s WarGames in motion. Matthew Broderick stars as young hacker David Lightman, who – without realizing it – gains access to a U.S. military supercomputer called WOPR. Once inside the system, David begins playing a “game” called Global Thermonuclear War, only to discover too late that the now confused computer is on track to cause a real life World War III. Ally Sheedy co-stars as David’s friend Jennifer, while Dabney Coleman plays a NORAD systems engineer who ‘s eventually convinced David’s story is true. WarGames remains worth playing on Amazon Prime.
12 The Dead Zone
A Stephen King movie adaptation that tends to get unfairly overlooked among the lot is 1983’s The Dead Zone, directed by David Cronenberg, and now available on Amazon Prime. Christopher Walken stars as Johnny Smith, a teacher who’s sent into a coma after a particularly bad auto accident. Years later, Johnny wakes up to find his life in tatters, with his true love married to another man, and his body badly damaged. His brain, however, now has the ability to see into a person’s past or future by touching them.
11 To Kill a Mockingbird
Often cited as one of the greatest films of all time, director Robert Mulligan’s 1962 classic To Kill a Mockingbird is an adaptation of author Harper Lee’s equally acclaimed 1960 novel of the same name. Gregory Peck stars as Alabama lawyer Atticus Finch, a principled man who accepts the task of defending Tom Robinson (Brock Peters), a black man accused of raping a young white woman. Local racial tensions flare, leading to perhaps the quintessential courtroom drama, although To Kill a Mockingbird offers Amazon Prime viewers much more than just that.
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10 A Simple Plan
In a career that includes hit franchises like Evil Dead and Spider-Man, A Simple Plan has never been director Sam Raimi’s most highly rated work, despite sporting a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. With it now on Amazon Prime, it’s a perfect time to discover Raimi’s 1998 neo-noir thriller, which was adapted from a novel by Scott B. Smith. Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton star as brothers Hank and Jacob Mitchell, who find a crashed plane with millions of dollars onboard. With Hank’s wife Sarah (Bridget Fonda) involved, an attempt is made to cover up what happened and keep their ill-gotten gains. Sadly, things go horribly wrong.
9 The Goonies
One of the most beloved films of the 1980s, The Goonies embodies the decade’s Spielbergian-style of kid adventure movies more than any other. A clear influence on Stranger Things, director Richard Donner’s film focuses on the titular group, headed up by future star Sean Astin and Corey Feldman, as they seek a legendary pirate treasure in an attempt to save their families’ homes. Complicating things is a family of criminals who also want the loot. A young Josh “Thanos” Brolin plays Astin’s older brother in this Amazon Prime treasure.
8 Leave No Trace
One of the most critically acclaimed films of 2018, director Debra Granik’s Leave No Trace is a recent addition to Amazon Prime, and one worth checking out. Leave No Trace is the story of Will (Ben Foster) and his daughter Tom (Thomasin McKenzie), who begin the film living inside a public park in Portland, Oregon. The pair spends most of their time isolated, but after they’re discovered and arrested by police, Will and Tom are forced to try and adjust to life within normal society. Tom finds herself being won over by the charms of a standard American life, but Will’s war-induced PTSD won’t allow him to change so easily.
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7 The Disaster Artist
Every consummate film fan knows that sometimes a movie can be so bad that it’s entertaining. An incredibly inept production can still be a work of art that came from good intentions and a passion for the project, and sometimes that shines through the screen, even if the movie in question objectively stinks. One such film is 2003’s The Room, directed by and starring the notoriously eccentric Tommy Wiseau. Tommy is quite a character, so much so that 2017’s acclaimed The Disaster Artist turned his story into a genuinely good film, and a great Amazon Prime pick. James Franco stars as Wiseau, and appropriately, directed The Disaster Artist as well.
6 Captain America: The First Avenger
The movie that ultimately set the stage for the aforementioned 2012 Avengers film, Captain America: The First Avenger will probably also migrate to Disney+ exclusively at some point, but for now, Amazon Prime customers can still enjoy it. Chris Evans stars in the role that made him a household name, World War II-era youth Steve Rogers, who becomes the titular superhero as the result of an experiment. Pure of heart and always seeking justice, Steve was the perfect choice to become Captain America, and take the fight to the likes of the evil Hydra. Sadly, it would take many decades to finally get that dance he wanted with Peggy Carter.
5 Highlander
While not exactly a critical darling, 1986’s Highlander is most definitely a cult classic, and has gone on to spawn an enduring franchise of both films and TV shows. In director Russell Mulcahy’s original film, Christopher Lambert stars as Connor MacLeod, the titular immortal warrior. Trained to fight by the extravagantly named Juan Sánchez Villa-Lobos Ramírez (Sean Connery), MacLeod knows he’ll eventually have to participate in “The Gathering,” in which all immortals fight to the death, only being killed by decapitation. Opposing Connor is The Kurgan (Clancy Brown). Boasting a rocking theme song by Queen, Highlander is a great addition to the Amazon Prime library.
4 Bone Tomahawk
Horror crosses over with many other genres, the most common being sci-fi and comedy. Less common is the horror/western mashup, but one of the best example of that combo is 2015’s Bone Tomahawk, directed by S. Craig Zahler. Sporting an impressive 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, Bone Tomahawk never got a wide release in theaters, making its streaming run on Amazon Prime the first opportunity many will have had to see it. Like, From Dusk Till Dawn, Bone Tomahawk makes a sharp left turn into horror country, and exactly how it does so is best left unspoiled. The terrific cast includes names like Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, and Richard Jenkins.
3 Hellraiser
Any dedicated horror fan has surely had their soul torn apart multiple times by Hellraiser‘s Pinhead (Doug Bradley) by this point. Director Clive Barker (adapting his own novella) crafted one of the most enduring tales of terror to come out of the 1980s, spawning one of the longest-running horror franchises out there as well. Hellraiser may only have a 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but it’s a certified classic of the genre, and needs to be watched by anyone who enjoys a good fright flick. Direct sequel Hellbound: Hellraiser II is also part of Amazon Prime’s roster.
2 It’s a Wonderful Life
There are certain movies that just about everybody associates with Christmas. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Home Alone. The Santa Clause. For the less jolly out there, Silent Night, Deadly Night. Arguably the most iconic Christmas movie in history though is director Frank Capra’s 1946 classic It’s a Wonderful Life. Quite possibly the most uplifting film about suicide ever made, It’s a Wonderful Life stars Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, a man whose attempted death is foiled by his guardian angel. George is then shown just how much worse the lives of those around him would be if he was never born, a premise that’s since been ripped off endlessly. Christmas might be many months away, but it’s always a wonderful time to watch It’s a Wonderful Life on Amazon Prime.
1 Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Based on a 1954 novel by Jack Finney, 1956’s Invasion of the Body Snatchers presents one of the most enduring alien invasion tales in pop culture history, now on Amazon Prime. The film has already been remade three times, and a fourth update is in development. Instead of spaceships and laser guns, Body Snatchers’ aliens invade in a much more subtle way, replacing human beings while they sleep with duplicates that are physically identical, but devoid of emotion and the complexities that makes humans human.
