Like every other major streaming service, Prime Video joined the fray when it comes to producing its own original movies, starting back in 2018. The results of these projects are, as is the case with all distribution companies, a mixed bag with some great and some that miss the mark.
On the good side of these original films, there are Oscar nominees like Sound of Metal and One Night in Miami…, trending movies like The Idea of You and Red, White, & Royal Blue, and goofy fun flicks like Jackpot! and Ricky Stanicky. However, the true finds on the platform are the hidden gems.
These are the films that were overlooked upon release, unjustly cast aside, or that simply deserved more admiration from subscribers. Anyone with a Prime Video subscription should give these movies a chance because they are some of the best and most enjoyable in recent memory.
10
Emergency (2022)
A Misunderstanding Leads To A Wild Night
Based on a short film of the same name, 2022’s Emergency shines a light on a touchy subject in America. The movie centers on three college students (two who are Black and one who is Hispanic) who, ahead of attending a party, stumble upon an unconscious white teenage girl in their dorm room.
The story deals with the three trying to weigh the pros and cons of the situation as they fear calling the police will raise suspicions, given the color of their skin. That leads them to embark on a wild night of mishaps, danger, and an intense standoff with the police.
Sabrina Carpenter appears as Maddy, a friend of the unconscious girl who thinks the worst of the guys.
RJ Cyler, Donald Elise Watkins, and Sebastian Chacon are very good as the trio of students, while pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter appears as Maddy, a friend of the unconscious girl who thinks the worst of the guys. Though not a big movie, Emergency landed a Best First Screenplay nomination at the Independent Spirit Awards.
9
Something From Tiffany’s (2022)
A Welcome Holiday Rom-Com
A lot of people tend to down upon lighthearted romantic comedies, especially ones that feel like they could be Hallmark movies. Since those are also often Christmas-themed, a film like Something from Tiffany’s, which has a similar vibe, was overlooked by many Prime Video subscribers.
Based on a novel of the same name, Something from Tiffany’s tells the story of two people whose lives become intertwined when the man’s engagement ring accidentally is given to the woman in a wacky mixup, only for the two to ultimately fall for each other.
While the premise of Something from Tiffany’s isn’t anything overly new or fresh, the film manages to work well because of the two leads. Zoey Deutch and Kendrick Sampson have strong chemistry that carries the movie. Add in the fact that this is an easy, brisk 87-minute watch, and it’s worth a viewing.
8
Sylvie’s Love (2020)
Tessa Thompson Shines In A Touching Romance
The COVID-19 era made it so plenty of movies went directly to streaming, meaning a bunch of them got lost in the shuffle. That feels like the case for Sylvie’s Love, which hit Prime Video at the tail end of 2020 and was well received, but flew under the radar and has remained that way to this day.
Set in New York City during the ’60s, Sylvie’s Love follows the тιтular character as she falls in love with an aspiring saxophone player. It showcases their romance across time, various locations, and changes in their professions.
With great performances and a beautiful celebration of Black love, this is one of Prime’s best movies.
Tessa Thompson, fresh off her major roles in the MCU and Westworld, is brilliant as Sylvie, earning herself a Critics’ Choice Award nomination. The film was also up for Outstanding Television Movie at the Primetime Emmys. With great performances and a beautiful celebration of Black love, this is one of Prime’s best movies.
7
I’m Your Woman (2020)
Rachel Brosnahan Stars In A Neo-Noir Crime Film
In between breaking out on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and starring as Lois Lane in 2025’s Superman, the talented Rachel Brosnahan delivered a tremendous performance in I’m Your Woman. This overlooked crime film is set in the ’70s and tells a tense story bolstered by Brosnahan’s performance.
In it, she portrays Jean, a woman on the run after her husband goes missing and she learns that he was involved in organized crime. On top of Brosnahan’s strong acting, Julia Hart is excellent as the director, following her impressive work on Miss Stevens and Fast Color.
Ultimately, I’m Your Woman wasn’t nominated for many awards but it was a critical hit and currently sits at 82% on Rotten Tomatoes. With Superman fresh in the minds of audiences, it’s the best time to go back and watch Brosnahan deliver some of her best acting.
6
Música (2024)
A Creative Rom-Com Fueled By Music
Again, romantic comedies often get a raw deal from far too many audience members. That’s likely why Música was yet another Prime Video original film that didn’t end up as a big hit for the platform, even though it deserved it for the unique take on the genre.
Música centers on Rudy, a man with synesthesia which makes him hear symphonies and music in everyday sounds, as he finds love in New Jersey with a woman named Isabella. Rudy Mancuso directed the film, co-wrote it, and stars as the lead character.
The way the synesthesia is showcased makes for a visual delight, while the music throughout the film is just as good. Mancuso has electric chemistry with Camila Mendes (who is part of another underrated Prime Video rom-com, Upgraded), and J.B. Smoove is a blast in a supporting role.
5
Merry Little Batman (2023)
The Caped Crusader In An Animated Christmas Tale
Dating all the way back to the ’60s, there have been so many movies about the DC Comics’ superhero Batman. Whether it was something campy with Adam West or directed by Joel Schumacher, something goth from Tim Burton, Christopher Nolan’s trilogy, Matt Reeves’ new take, or the many animated films, Batman has done it all.
That even includes movies where he’s fought alongside the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. However, one of the most fun takes on the character is Prime Video’s Merry Little Batman, which is set at Christmas and focuses on Batman and his son Damian Wayne.
In Merry Little Batman, Damian goes toe-to-toe with the Joker while his father is away. The animation style is unique, there’s a heartwarming nature to Damian and Bruce’s relationship, and it has plenty of the action fans come to expect from a Batman story.
4
Totally Killer (2023)
A Time Travel Slasher
It seems like the slasher subgenre finds new life every once in a while. The late ’70s and ’80s saw a rise with Halloween and Friday the 13th, the ’90s saw a revival thanks to Scream, and it seems like the 2020s is bringing more to the forefront with films like X and the return of Scream.
However, we’ve now had a lot of slashers with a comedic twist to them, including Freaky and Totally Killer. The latter is an overlooked Prime Video project that also includes a sci-fi aspect, as time travel is involved.
The homages to classic slashers, the performance from Shipka, and the love letter to the ’80s all make Totally Killer a blast.
After Jamie’s (Kiernan Shipka) mother is murdered by the Sweet 16 Killer, she travels back to 1987 to try and stop his initial killing spree, sending her on a wild adventure. The homages to classic slashers, the performance from Shipka, and the love letter to the ’80s all make Totally Killer a blast.
3
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (2021)
One Of The Best LGBTQ+ Musicals
Based on a stage musical of the same name and adapted from a documentary, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie follows a British teenage boy who dreams of one day becoming a drag queen. He must deal with bullying, prejudice, and growing as a person on his road to that moment.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie benefits from having catchy songs, big musical numbers, and some emotionally gripping songs. Max Harwood is fantastic as the тιтular Jamie, Sarah Lancashire shines as his mother, and Richard E. Grant steals the show in a supporting role.
The film was met with strong critical acclaim, holding an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and being nominated for accolades at the British Independent Film Awards and the GLAAD Media Awards. There’s also a hilarious cameo from Rupaul’s Drag Race winner Bianca Del Rio as an added bonus.
2
I Want You Back (2022)
A Rom-Com With A Talented Cast
Our third and final overlooked romantic comedy here (though there are still many others out there) is I Want You Back. Released in 2022, the film sees Peter and Emma, two recently dumped strangers, join together to sabotage their exes’ new relationships.
Again, it’s not the newest concept for a rom-com, yet it’s one that is boosted by the tremendous cast. Jenny Slate and Charlie Day are hilarious as Emma and Peter, while Scott Eastwood, Gina Rodriguez, Manny Jacinto, and Pete Davidson make up a fun supporting cast.
It has an impressive 87% Rotten Tomatoes rating and is one of the best modern rom-coms, meaning any fan of the genre needs to give it a watch.
With that level of talent, a sharp screenplay, and some truly funny scenes, I Want You Back manages to stand out from the pack. It has an impressive 87% Rotten Tomatoes rating and is one of the best modern rom-coms, meaning any fan of the genre needs to give it a watch.
1
The Vast Of Night (2019)
A Gripping Sci-Fi Flick About Aliens Set In The ’50s
If any Amazon Prime Original movie deserved to be a bigger hit than it was, it’s The Vast of Night. The sci-fi movie takes place in New Mexico during the 1950s and is loosely based on the Foss Lake disappearances and the Kecksburg UFO incident.
The film focuses on a switchboard operator and radio DJ who accidentally uncover a radio frequency that could be from an alien origin. The two then go on a journey to find the source or learn anything they can about the frequency.
The movie truly shines thanks to first-time director Andrew Patterson, who makes sure the atmosphere is eerie and includes one of the most impressive tracking sH๏τs you’ll ever see in a movie. Whether it’s the cinematography, the writing, the performances, or any other aspect, The Vast of Night is a special film.
