While Prime Video might be home to one of the largest movie libraries of any streaming service, its selection of original films can sometimes get overlooked. That’s unfair because Prime originals tend to be some of the best movies in recent memory and rival the likes of what Netflix produces.
Prime Video has put out captivating sci-fi movies, Oscar-nominated projects, hidden gem indie flicks, and underrated romantic comedies, just to name a few. It’s a diverse and expansive list to choose from, but a handful of these films are absolute must-sees for any cinema fan.
Uncle Frank (2020)
It flew under the radar when it was released in late 2020 but that just makes Uncle Frank a true diamond in the rough when it comes to Prime Originals. The film is set in the ’70s and centers on a man who travels with his teenage niece to the family patriarch’s funeral, only for secrets to come out.
Among those secrets is the fact that the protagonist, Frank Bledsoe (Paul Bettany) is a closeted gay man and his lover (Peter Macdissi) unexpectedly joins them on the trip. The two bond with the niece (Sophia Lillis) in what ends up being a heartwarming story.
Reviews for Uncle Frank were quite strong as it sits at 77% on Rotten Tomatoes and won Outstanding TV Movie at the GLAAD Media Awards. Bettany and writer/director Alan Ball both took home a handful of awards at ceremonies targeted at indie films as well.
Totally Killer (2023)
Nahnatchka Khan is a name more people should know. Her television resume includes Fresh Off the Boat, Laid, and Don’t Trust The B**** in Apartment 23, which were all well-received comedies, while she’s directed Always Be My Maybe and Totally Killer, two impressive comedy films.
The latter, Totally Killer, is an underrated Prime Video Original that blends elements of sci-fi, horror, and comedy expertly. The movie follows Jamie, who, after the Sweet 16 Killer murders her mother, travels back in time to 1987 to join forces with her younger mother to stop the killer, who was around back then.
While Totally Killer is not as funny as most of Khan’s other projects, it nails the sci-fi and slasher aspects. There are legitimate thrills in there and a solid story, boosted by the lead performance of Kiernan Shipka. The film is basically a guaranteed good time.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)
When Borat was released in 2006, it became something of a cultural phenomenon. The film was a mᴀssive box office success that still gets quoted to this day. Despite that, not many people ever expected that we’d get a sequel, yet that’s just what happened in 2020.
What made Borat Subsequent Moviefilm work was that it came during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing Sacha Baron Cohen to play on the harrowing time period. The concept sees Borat attempt to offer up his daughter to then U.S. Vice President Mike Pence as a bribe.
This sequel was met with a strong critical reception and major controversy, which was right in line with the original. The true standout aspect of Borat Subsequent Moviefilm was Maria Bakalova, who broke out because of the role. She made history as the first Bulgarian actor to be nominated for an Oscar, as she was up for Best Supporting Actress.
I Want You Back (2022)
There’s always fun to be had with romantic comedies and it feels like there has been a resurgence in the genre in the past 10 or so years. One of the better recent examples is I Want You Back, which has all the staples you could want from a great rom-com.
The movie has a wacky premise as Peter and Emma meet after they both get dumped and agree to try to help each other get back their former partner. As you’d expect, their zany plan goes awry and the two ultimately fall for each other instead.
While the setup might not be too original within the genre, it is endlessly charming and well-written. When you add in the tremendous cast of Jenny Slate, Charlie Day, Manny Jacinto, Gina Rodriguez, Scott Eastwood, and more, it’s a home run of a film.
Air (2023)
Hollywood history is littered with sports biopics, whether they center on all-time great athletes, inspirational underdogs, or controversial figures. However, it’s not often that we get a sports biopic where the athlete at the center is never actually seen.
That’s the case with Air and it’s actually one of the aspects that makes it work so well. Instead of telling the story of Michael Jordan’s greatness, Air focuses on how his historic contract with Nike, which is still hugely beneficial to this day, came about.
Matt Damon plays the Nike executive trying to sign Jordan and he mostly deals with Jordan’s mother, played by the always outstanding Viola Davis. Watching this legendary deal, which changed the course of brand deals for athletes everywhere, come together is remarkable. Air ended up nominated for Best Picture at the Golden Globes.
One Night In Miami… (2020)
Sometimes, a movie comes along and you just know it’s destined for greatness. One Night in Miami… is one of those films, thanks to the talent involved, the people the story is about, and the well-received stage play of the same name it’s based on.
One Night in Miami… tells the story of a fictionalized meeting between four of the most prominent Black people in American history: Malcolm X, Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali, and Sam Cooke. They come together in a room in the Hampton House to celebrate Ali’s тιтle victory.
The film was met with widespread acclaim, which includes a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and three Academy Award nominations. On top of that, Regina King was nominated for Best Director at the Golden Globes in what was her directorial debut. Kinglsey Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Leslie Odom Jr., and Aldis Hodge are also all tremendous as the four legends.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (2021)
Another movie based on a stage play of the same name, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is about the тιтular Jamie, a gay teenager in England who dreams of becoming a drag queen. As he pursues those dreams, he deals with bullying and prejudice.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie hits hard on an emotional level as we sympathize with Jamie and watch how he and those who love him handle the struggles he faces. The movie ended up nominated for Outstanding British Film at the BAFTA Awards.
Max Harwood was heavily praised for his performance as the lead actor, but the scene stealer is Richard E. Grant as a former drag queen who bonds with Jamie. Their relationship is one of the best parts of the movie. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is also a musical that features catchy and well-written songs.
Saltburn (2023)
Likely the most well-known Amazon Prime Original, Saltburn became a viral sensation thanks to one particular scene at the very end and for its outlandish moments sprinkled in throughout. That closing scene helped make “Murder on the Dancefloor” a hit song over two decades after it premiered.
Saltburn comes from the Oscar-nominated Emerald Fennell, who had previously directed Promising Young Woman. This film focuses on a student at Oxford who gets invited to spend the summer at the estate of a popular, wealthy student he’s obsessed with.
Saltburn goes places you probably would never expect it to, meaning a viewer has to stay on their toes. Barry Keoghan, Rosamund Pike, and Jacob Elordi lead a tremendous ensemble in this movie that was nominated for five BAFTA Awards and two Golden Globes.
The Vast Of Night (2020)
Nobody ever talks about it but The Vast of Night is an absolute sci-fi gem that is in the conversation for the best movie on Prime Video. It marks the debut of director Andrew Patterson, whose follow-up film, The Rivals of Amziah King, is already receiving strong critical acclaim.
The Vast of Night takes place in a small town in New Mexico in the 1950s and centers on a switchboard operator and radio disc jockey who uncover a mysterious frequency and investigate further. The origin of the frequency is extraterrestrial, giving this its sci-fi edge.
What makes The Vast of Night so great is how it utilizes its small budget. There’s a specific tracking sH๏τ that crosses over the entire town, through a basketball game, and more, which is masterfully done. The performances are great, the mystery is intriguing, and the setting is perfectly captured.
Sound Of Metal (2019)
Prime Video’s greatest release is Sound of Metal, which tells the story of a drummer who loses his hearing and how he handles the major life changes that come with it. The movie was a hit at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019 before hitting Prime Video the following year.
Sound of Metal was a critical darling that currently sits at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and was nominated for several major awards. Among them were nods for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards, while winning Best Sound and Best Film Editing.
Riz Ahmed plays the lead and as great an actor as he is, this is the best performance of his career, which is telling. Olivia Cooke and the Oscar-nominated Paul Raci lead a strong supporting cast in an emotionally-charged drama that’s truly gripping.
