There are so many great movies for film fans to check out on Prime Video this week, as this streaming platform is packed with must-watch classics across all genres. Whether it’s heartfelt rom-coms that fell under the radar or blockbuster animated favorites, there’s truly something to suit all tastes.

Many of the best movies on Prime Video were Amazon Studios originals that make up a large section of the streamer’s output, but there are also plenty of other releases from across the history of cinema. From indie favorites to Oscar-nominated triumphs, viewers are truly spoiled for choice on Prime Video this week.

I Want You Back (2022)

While the glory days of the traditional rom-com may be long over, it’s movies like I Want You Back that remind us just how enjoyable these stories can be. With a talented cast led by Charlie Day and Jenny Slate, this story of two recently dumped strangers attempting to ruin their old partners’ new relationship blends chaos with surprising heart.

I Want You Back didn’t get the attention it deserved when it dropped on Prime Video back in 2021, but looking back, this was a top-tier rom-com that deserves a lot more attention. As the rare kind of rom-com that succeeded equally on the romantic side of things as it did the comedic, it struck the perfect balance.

Although audiences will know Day for his chaotic unraveling on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and recognize Slate as the equally wild sister of Jean-Ralphio on Parks and Recreation, these sitcom stars proved their movie star potential here. I Want You Back was funny, heartfelt, and thought-provoking, ticking all the right boxes for a great rom-com.

Brittany Runs A Marathon (2019)

Writer and director Paul Downs Colaizzo captured the woes of a quarter-life crisis perfectly in his directorial debut, Brittany Runs A Marathon. With Workaholics star Jillian Bell as a struggling 28-year-old getting by as a theater greeter in New York City, there was a heartfelt realism underscoring this poignant dramedy about breaking free of self-imposed limits.

Like so many others who see their 30s looming ever closer, Brittany’s quest to overcome her weight issues and live a healthier life is shown through relatable trips to the gym and ultimately toward signing up for the New York City marathon. As a story of everyday resilience, Brittany Runs a Marathon captured the incremental triumphs of changing one’s life.

Brittany Runs a Marathon was a hit with critics and even earned the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival. With a fantastic lead performance from Bell, this underseen comedy was the perfect vehicle for her unique talents and showcased her as one of the most underappreciated female comedians working today.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (2024)

The Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise has quickly proved itself one of the most consistent and high-quality video game adaptations of all time. With an incredible voice cast including Ben Schwartz as Sonic, Idris Elba as Knuckles, and Keanu Reeves as Shadow, Jim Carrey brings his unique comedy styling to his dual role as Ivo and Gerald Robotnik.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was bigger and better than everything that came before it, and the addition of Reeves to the voice cast brought a darkness and maturity that had been previously missing from the series. By exploring more complex themes around Sonic and Shadow’s juxtaposed idenтιтies, this was an entry that could be enjoyed by the entire family.

The cinematic universe of the Sonic series has been continually expanding, and this third film highlights its potential to branch off into many fascinating directions. The animation is also top-tier, as the epic final showdown tapped into the grand scale and spectacle that made the video games so exciting to play.

Paterson (2016)

While Prime Video is full of blockbuster hits and family-friendly crowd-pleasers, it also has plenty of releases for indie film fans looking for something a bit more introspective. Those with a taste for slow cinema and more minimalist stories will appreciate the poetic beauty of Paterson, a hugely underrated drama starring Adam Driver.

Paterson was written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, a movie auteur with a distinctive style that revels in quiet observations, understated humor, and the poetry of everyday life. Adam Driver played a bus driver named Paterson who lives in the city of Paterson, as we experience one week in his quiet and introspective life.

The beauty of this film comes from the patterns it creates as we follow Paterson, overhearing conversations on the bus, quietly writing poems in his notebook, and carving out small but powerful connections with those he meets. As an unimposing and heartfelt addition to Jarmusch’s unique body of work, sentimental souls will take a lot from Paterson.

Sound Of Metal (2020)

Riz Ahmed gave one of the most powerful performances in his career in Sound of Metal, which told the story of a heavy metal drummer whose life is turned on its head when he starts experiencing hearing loss. Coming from director and co-writer Darius Marder, this was an extraordinary debut.

By not only depicting the challenges those with hearing issues experience but also actually making the audience feel what it’s like through clever sound editing, Sound of Metal was a unique cinematic experience. As an evocative look at the deaf community, the way that the drummer Ruben Stone’s career and livelihood were intrinsically linked to sound made it all the more effective.

Sound of Metal was an awards season favorite and earned six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Ahmed. Ultimately, the film succeeded in the sound and editing categories, where it picked up two Academy Awards. While Sound of Metal received great acclaim at the time, it stands as a must-watch on Prime Video for those who haven’t seen it.