The 40 Best Movies on Amazon Prime (December 2024)

Stop scrolling and watch one of these great films now

"Oppenheimer"
Cillian Murphy in "Oppenheimer" (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

Finding a good movie to watch on Amazon Prime Video can be difficult to say the least. While Amazon’s robust library of titles is available to every Amazon Prime subscriber, they don’t exactly make it easy to find what you’re looking for. That’s where we come in. Below, we’ve assembled a growing list of the best movies on Amazon Prime right now. Our carefully curated selection runs the gamut from crowd-pleasing blockbusters to Oscar-winning dramas to delightful rom-coms and beyond. There’s a little something for everyone, so stop the endless scrolling and simply choose one of these great movies to watch.

Check out our list of the best movies on Amazon Prime video below. The list will be updated weekly with new titles.

The Holiday

the-holiday
Sony Pictures

Now’s the time for “The Holiday” rewatches to commence, and you can stream Nancy Meyers’ beloved romcom right now on Prime Video. Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz star as two strangers who decide to swap houses for Christmas – Winslet leaves her English cottage for Diaz’s Los Angeles mansion, while Diaz moves to the snowy countryside only to strike up a relationship with a suave Jude Law. It’s a little long, but the heartwarming vibes are immense and inescapable.

Oppenheimer

Cillian Murphy in "Oppenheimer" (Universal)
Cillian Murphy in “Oppenheimer” (Universal)

Christopher Nolan’s Best Picture-winning “Oppenheimer” lives up to the hype. This thrilling drama chronicles the creation of the atomic bomb through the eyes of J. Robert Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy in an Oscar-winning performance. What Nolan does so brilliantly is put the viewer inside Oppenheimer’s shoes, digging into the moral dilemma at the heart of Oppenheimer’s creation and choices. The story vacillates between the Manhattan Project and the aftermath, during which Oppenheimer was questioned about potential Communist ties. The incredible ensemble includes Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh and Robert Downey Jr., the latter in an Oscar-winning performance of his own.

Saltburn

"Saltburn"
“Saltburn” (CREDIT: Courtesy of Amazon)

Sultry, sexy and shocking. “Saltburn” lives up to its title. The original film from Oscar-winning “Promising Young Woman” writer-director Emerald Fennell stars Barry Keoghan as a young man from a modest background who gets invited to spend the summer with a posh college friend (Jacob Elordi) and his family (Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant). Lust and jealousy ensue as Keoghan’s Oliver can’t quite contain his desire, but how far will he go to get what he wants? The film is lavishly shot and composed and features an all-timer ending.

13 Going on 30

Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner in 13 Going on 30
Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner in “13 Going on 30” (Credit: Sony Pictures)

An absolute delight of a romantic comedy, the 2004 film “13 Going on 30” is the epitome of “feel-good movie.” The story concerns a 13-year-old girls in 1987 who, after being humiliated by her friends, wishes on her birthday that she was 30 years old. She’s then suddenly pushed forward in time to her 30-year-old self’s body (played by Jennifer Garner), and is appalled to see where life has taken her. Garner delivers a terrific performance as a teen trapped in an adult’s body, and her romantic pairing with Mark Ruffalo is swoon-worthy. There’s also a top-notch “Thriller” dance break.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

dungeons-and-dragons-honor-among-thieves-chris-pine-michelle-rodriguez
Paramount Pictures

This movie rules. In the vein of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” the “Dungeons & Dragons” movie hails from the guys who made “Game Night” and stars Chris Pine as the leader of a disparate group of individuals who must band together to stop a common enemy in a fantasy-filled adventure. Hugh Grant is delicious as the film’s baddie, there’s some really cool practical effects and Bradley Cooper makes a hilarious cameo. This film is far more fun than you think it’s going to be, and you don’t need to know anything about “Dungeons & Dragons” to have a great time.

Catch Me If You Can

catch-me-if-you-can-leonardo-dicaprio-jennifer-garner
DreamWorks

One of Steven Spielberg’s absolute best, “Catch Me If You Can” tells the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio), a young man who conned his way into being a doctor, lawyer and airline pilot all before he was 19. DiCaprio is impeccably cast as wide-eyed Frank, while Tom Hanks gives a subtly comedic performance as the cop hot on his trail. Christopher Walken, Amy Adams, Jennifer Garner and more star in this delightful caper that has a heartbreaking emotional center. It’s also one of John Williams’ best-ever scores, and that’s saying something.

The Bad Guys

Bad Guys
DreamWorks Animation

Here’s an animated movie both kids and adults can enjoy. “The Bad Guys” tells the story of a group of thieves on the run. Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina, Marc Maron, Zazie Beetz, Craig Robinson and Anthony Ramos lead the voice cast, and the animation from DreamWorks is striking and unique. If your little one loves action and talking animals, check this one out.

Love Actually

love-actually-alan-rickman-emam-thompson
Universal Pictures

A perennial favorite. Richard Curtis’ “Love Actually” is, in many ways, the ultimate holiday romcom with its anthology-like story of various types of love during Christmas in England. Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson and Bill Nighy lead an all-star cast that hits just the right notes throughout, offering stories that are joyful, mournful and everything in between.

Indiana Jones Franchise

raiders-of-the-lost-ark-harrison-ford
Paramount Pictures

The first four films in the “Indiana Jones” franchise are streaming on Prime Video, and what better way to spend a movie marathon than with Harrison Ford’s swashbuckling hero? “Raiders of the Lost Ark” remains one of the best movies ever made and helped further cement Steven Spielberg’s status as one of the greats. “Temple of Doom” is a dark prequel, but has its moments. And “The Last Crusade” is the ultimate father-son story that brings Sean Connery into the fold. “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” well, consider it an optional watch in your marathon.

Die Hard

"Die Hard" (Credit: 20th Century Studios)
“Die Hard” (Credit: 20th Century Studios)

The first “Die Hard” is a classic and one of the best films ever made, period. A masterclass in story structure and character, Bruce Willis anchors the whole thing as the reluctant hero John McClane, facing obstacle after obstacle as he finds his wife’s holiday party has been overrun by terrorists. And Alan Rickman is incredible.

Challengers

Mike Faist stars as Art and Josh O’Connor as Patrick in director Luca Guadagnino’s CHALLENGERS An Amazon MGM Studios film Photo credit: Niko Tavernise © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Left to right: Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor in “Challengers” (MGM)

“Challengers” is hypnotic. At once a tennis drama, steamy love triangle and dark comedy, the film charts the relationship between three gifted tennis players — played by Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor — over the course of several years. Directed by “Call Me by Your Name” filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, the film offers a fractured narrative, zipping back and forth in time to maximize the impact of reveals, turns and hook-ups. Backed by a pulsating score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, the film builds to a thrilling finale that’ll have you leaping out of your seat. – Adam Chitwood

The Idea of You

the-idea-of-you
Prime Video

Based on the Robinne Lee bestseller of the same name that was famously partially inspired by Harry Styles fanfiction, “The Idea of You” is more romantic drama than romantic comedy, but one thing’s for sure: it’s certainly romantic. Anne Hathaway stars as a mother who strikes up a relationship with the lead singer of her daughter’s favorite band, played by rising star Nicholas Galitzine. Complications ensue as tends to happen when you date a pop star, but director Michael Showalter brings a tender touch to this story of loneliness and the desire to be loved. – Adam Chitwood

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning

Hayley Atwell and Tom Cruise in "Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1" (Paramount)
“Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1” (Paramount)

Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt in “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning,” delivering another adrenaline-pumping installment in his acclaimed 20+ year action franchise. Once again, Cruise gives his all to the jaw-dropping stunts that have come to define his long-running, unusually consistent spy franchise. “Fallout” and “Rogue Nation” director Christopher McQuarrie also returns, and once again demonstrates his knack for crafting intricate set-pieces with breathless stakes. As for newcomers, Hayley Atwell’s Grace makes a welcome, magnetic addition to Hunt’s impossible adventures while the reliably great Shea Whigham acts as a fantastic, endlessly exasperated obstacle to the mission at hand. The film isn’t quite as successful in its attempts to reckon with god-like AI, but “Mission: Impossible” continues to be among the most technically accomplished, character-fueled action franchises in film history. – Haleigh Foutch

The Silence of the Lambs

the-silence-of-the-lambs-jodie-foster
Orion Pictures

Still the only horror film to win Best Picture, “The Silence of the Lambs” is a classic for a reason. Director Jonathan Demme’s adaptation stars Jodie Foster as a young FBI trainee who is tasked with enlisting imprisoned serial killer/cannibal Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) for help in tracking down a serial killer of women who goes by the name Buffalo Bill. Demme’s direction is the secret weapon here, preventing the film from becoming gross or exploitative and submerging the viewer into the point of view of Foster’s character. The film won Oscars for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress and Adapted Screenplay. – Adam Chitwood

Everybody Wants Some!!!

everybody-wants-some
Paramount Pictures

Glen Powell is (deservedly) everywhere these days, but if you missed his breakout role in Richard Linklater’s incredible 2016 hangout film “Everybody Wants Some!!” now’s the perfect chance. Described as a spiritual sequel to Linklater’s seminal “Dazed and Confused,” this film takes place in the 1980s and revolves around a group of college students (in contrast to the ‘70s high school setting of “Dazed”). It is a pure hangout movie in the sense that the plot is light but the characters are rich, and we follow a number of Texas college kids – most of whom are on the baseball team – over the course of a couple of days. Blake Jenner, Zoey Deutch, Wyatt Russell and Tyler Hoechlin costar. – Adam Chitwood

Good Will Hunting

matt-damon-good-will-hunting
Miramax

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s breakout 1998 drama “Good Will Hunting” remains a stellar and poignant film all these years later. Damon and Affleck won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for their story of a genius janitor who struggles to reach his full potential. The Boston-set film also finds Robin Williams turning in one of his finest (and Oscar-winning) performances, with lovely direction from Gus Van Sant. – Adam Chitwood

Mission: Impossible 1-5

mission-impossible-ghost-protocol
Paramount Pictures

The first five “Mission: Impossible” movies are now streaming on Netflix, and they are a great hang. This is one of the best franchises still running, as Tom Cruise offers death-defying stunts and an entirely new vibe for each movie owing to a change in directors. Brian De Palma’s first entry is a sexy thriller, John Woo’s “Mission: Impossible 2” is a balletic actioner, J.J. Abrams’ “Mission: Impossible III” is nearly a rom-com and Brad Bird’s “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” brings the ensemble to the forefront for a full team movie. These films are spectacular, and you can also stream “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” and “Dead Reckoning” with a Paramount+ trial. – Adam Chitwood

The Firm

the-firm-tom-cruise-gene-hackman
Paramount Pictures

Who doesn’t love a good legal thriller? They truly don’t make movies like “The Firm” anymore – a character-driven, two-and-a-half-hour mid-budget human drama. Based on the John Grisham book of the same name, the 1993 release stars Tom Cruise as a Harvard Law School graduate who lands a high-profile gig at a top law firm in Memphis, But as he gets deeper into the job, he starts to uncover secrets and conspiracies within. The late, great Sydney Pollack directs and the cast includes Jeanne Tripplehorn, Ed Harris, Holly Hunter and Hal Holbrook.

Bones and All

bones-and-all-timothy-chalamet
“Bones and All” (MGM/United Artists)

The 2022 horror drama from “Call Me by Your Name” and “Suspiria” director Luca Guadagnino stars Timothee Chalamet and Taylor Russell as two young cannibals living in 1980s America, struggling to contain their impulses as they strike up a tenuous relationship. Based on the book of the same name by Camille DeAngelis, it’s a chilling, moving and sometimes sweet film that will rattle you to your bones with a stirring performance by Mark Rylance.

Air

air-matt-damon
Amazon Studios

Have you ever wondered how Nike secured the rights to Michael Jordan’s likeness and created the unstoppable Air Jordan brand? Well, even if you haven’t, here’s a movie that explains it anyway. Matt Damon stars as Sonny Vaccaro, a plucky employee of upstart Nike (which was on the verge of shutting down its basketball division), who comes across a Freshman player that he thinks has what it takes – Michael Jordan (who is never fully seen, just glimpsed in archival footage and from the neck down). He’s got to convince his boss, Phil Knight (Ben Affleck), his fellow Nike colleagues (including Chris Tucker and Jason Bateman) and, most crucially, Jordan’s parents (played by real-life couple Viola Davis and Julius Tennon). Oddly charming and uplifting for a movie nakedly about the triumph of capitalism, it is smartly directed by Affleck and features a ton of winning performances. Even if you don’t care about the Air Jordan brand and how it was secured by Nike, you’ll still be utterly riveted. – Drew Taylor

I Want You Back

i-want-you-back-charlie-day-jenny-slate
Amazon Studios

A clever rom-com with a heck of a charming duo, Amazon’s “I Want You Back” stars Charlie Day and Jenny Slate as two strangers who bond after being dumped by their respective partners at the same time. Determined to get them back, they conspire together to sabotage their ex’s new relationships, building a complicated web of friendships, feelings and — of course — accidentally falling for each other. Day and Slate make for a fantastic pair of lovable wrecks at their worst, sparking believable chemistry while delivering the laughs. – Haleigh Foutch

The Outfit

Mark Rylance stars as “Leonard” in director Graham Moore’s THE OUTFIT, a Focus Features release. Courtesy of Nick Wall / Focus Features

A contained spy thriller with a heck of a lead performance, “The Outfit” hails from Oscar-winning “The Imitation Game” writer Graham Moore who serves as writer and director on the story of an English tailor (played by Mark Rylance) who gets caught up in a mob war one night while working late in his shop on Saints Row. Zoey Deutch, Dylan O’Brien and Johnny Flynn co-star in the film which largely takes place in the same location, but is dripping with tension and packed with reveals. – Adam Chitwood

The Lost City of Z

the-lost-city-of-z-charlie-hunnam-robert-pattinson
Amazon Studios

A Tom Holland adventure movie of a very different sort, “The Lost City of Z” is based on the David Grann book of the same name and follows a British explorer in the early 1900s who is sent to Brazil to search for a supposed lost city in the Amazon. Charlie Hunnam plays the explorer Percy Fawcett, Robert Pattinson plays fellow explorer Henry Costin and Tom Holland plays Percy’s son Jack. As directed and written by James Gray, “The Lost City of Z” is an enthralling story about colonialism and the relationship between a father and a son. – Adam Chitwood

Lucy and Desi

Lucy and Desi
Amazon Studios

If you’ve already seen Aaron Sorkin’s fictional account of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in “Being the Ricardos,” check out the Amy Poehler-directed documentary “Lucy and Desi.” The film explores the partnership between the “I Love Lucy” stars, offering an insightful and candid look at the relationship between the two buoyed by interviews with Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill, Norman Lear, Desi Arnaz Jr, Carol Burnett and Bette Midler. – Adam Chitwood

The Courier

the-courier-benedict-cumberbatch
Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions

“The Courier” is a great “dad movie,” and that’s pejorative. This Cold War thriller is based on a true story and stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Greville Wynne, a British businessman who was recruited by the Secret Intelligence Service to serve as a messenger between a Russian spy source and the British government in the 1960s. What begins as an exciting romp turns deadly serious, and Cumberbatch commands the screen in the lead role (flanked by Rachel Brosnahan as his wife and Jessie Buckley as his handler). This one’s taut, compelling and surprisingly emotional. – Adam Chitwood

Brittany Runs a Marathon

Amazon Studios

The 2019 comedy “Brittany Runs a Marathon” manages to be both hilarious and inspiring at the same time, as Jillian Bell stars as a twentysomething woman living in New York City named Brittany who decides to try and get her life together – and to start, she’s going to train to run the New York Marathon. But as Brittany gets deeper and deeper into running, making new friends along the way, she discovers that a change on the inside may be what’s most prudent to pointing her life in the right direction. Bell is fantastic in the lead role, and writer/director Paul Downs Colaizzo’s script is pleasantly surprising in where it takes Brittany’s story. – Adam Chitwood

Suspiria

Amazon Studios

After he made the Oscar-winning romance “Call Me by Your Name,” filmmaker Luca Guadagnino took on a horror classic with 2018’s “Suspiria.” Set in 1988 Berlin, the film stars Dakota Johnson as a young woman leaving her Mennonite family in Ohio to audition for and train as a dancer at an esteemed academy. But as her training continues, it becomes clear that perhaps this dance troupe has something more sinister, more witchy going on. The brilliance of Guadagnino’s take on the story is how it uses the supernatural horror to tell a real-life horror story about fascism, and the festering wound of evil. Tilda Swinton is mesmerizing pulling double duty here as the dance troupe’s leader and a male doctor curious about the goings-on at the school. – Adam Chitwood

The Report

Amazon Studios

If a real-life investigative thriller in the vein of “All the President’s Men” is more your speed, check out “The Report.” Released in 2019, the true-story drama stars Adam Driver as Daniel Jones, a staffer for Senator Dianne Feinstein (played by Annette Bening) who is tasked with investigating the CIA’s use of torture following the 9/11 attacks. Writer/director Scott Z. Burns crafts a film that is taught with tension, but also powerful in its pursuit of the truth. The ensemble includes Jon Hamm, Michael C. Hall, Corey Stoll, Ted Levine and Maura Tierney. – Adam Chitwood

Late Night

Amazon Studios

Screenwriter Mindy Kaling pulled from the world of late night television for her 2019 comedy “Late Night,” which stars Emma Thompson as a veteran late night TV personality who is in danger of being pushed out by the network, and enlists the help of a new (and inexperienced) writer (played by Kaling) to bring some diversity to her all-male writing staff. The comedy has shades of a mismatched buddy film, behind-the-scenes Hollywood tale and middle-aged drama, and it’s anchored by a terrific performance from Thompson as a woman struggling to keep up with the times. – Adam Chitwood

It’s a Wonderful Life

its-a-wonderful-life
Liberty Films

If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit, you can’t go wrong with Frank Capra’s 1946 classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The film stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man extremely down on his luck who, after attempting to take his own life, is shown what life in his small town would look like had he never existed. While the film is ultimately uplifting, it’s far darker than many remember, and is a brilliant tale about life and the relationships we make (and take for granted) along the way. – Adam Chitwood

Cold War

Amazon Studios

If you’re into period dramas, the 2018 film “Cold War” is a must-see. Directed and co-written by Pawel Pawlikowski, the Polish-language drama takes place in Poland and France and begins in the 1940s before ending in the 1960s as it follows the relationship between a musical director and a young singer he discovers. Against the backdrop of their love affair, the war rages on. – Adam Chitwood

The Big Sick

Amazon Studios/Lionsgate

A romantic comedy straight from the heart, the based-on-a-true-story “The Big Sick” is delightful and emotional all at once. Written by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, the film is based on the origins of their relationship as Gordon slipped into a coma soon after they started dating, and Nanjiani was forced to confront his own fears and contend with Gordon’s parents all with the uncertainty of her condition looming large. Zoe Kazan portrays Gordon in the film with a hearty dose of moxie, and Nanjiani delivers a complex performance that clearly pulls from the depths of his personal life – not just his relationship with Kazan’s character, but his own relationship to his family. – Adam Chitwood

The Handmaiden

CJ Entertainment

“Oldboy” filmmaker Park Chan-wook’s 2016 epic erotic drama “The Handmaiden” is absolutely one of his best films, and is a blast from start to finish. The psychological thriller plays out in three parts chock full of twists and turns, but begins as the story of a con man who conspires with a pickpocket to hatch a plan that would involve marrying a Japanese heiress and committing her to an asylum, thus stealing her wealth. But the film takes a number of turns as various romantic and sexual entanglements ensue. This one’s for adults only. – Adam Chitwood

Manchester by the Sea

manchester-by-the-sea-casey-affleck-michelle-williams
Amazon Studios

“Manchester by the Sea” is a brilliant film, but fair warning it’s also a significant bummer. This 2016 film won Oscars for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay and stars Casey Affleck as a janitor living in Massachusetts who is suddenly tasked with caring for his nephew following his brother’s abrupt death. The event triggers substantial trauma that Affleck’s character has yet to process, and what follows is a somber, sometimes darkly funny and ultimately touching meditation on grief and guilt. – Adam Chitwood

One Night in Miami

one-night-in-miami-cast
Amazon Studios

Regina King’s 2020 drama “One Night in Miami” is an excellent snapshot of a moment in time, and how four of the most famous African-Americans in history each approached the changing societal landscape of the 1960s. Set over the course of one night in 1964, the story follows four friends – Cassius Clay (Eli Goree), Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge) and Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.) – as a night of celebrating soon turns into a night of lively conversation about their roles and responsibilities to the African-American community. The film is cleverly drawn and tremendously compelling, and provides much food for thought as it connects the struggles of the 1960s to today. – Adam Chitwood

The Vast of Night

the-vast-of-night
Amazon Studios

If you like hidden gems, 2020’s “The Vast of Night” is one of the most exciting indies of the last few years. Set in 1950s New Mexico, the story takes place over the course of one evening where a young switchboard operator and a radio DJ pick up a mysterious audio frequency that may or may not be inhuman in nature. This small-scale sci-fi mystery is light on effects but heavy on evocative filmmaking, intrigue and dimensional characters. It’s so good, a scene with a man talking about his experience with aliens over the radio will have you on the edge of your seat. – Adam Chitwood

Sound of Metal

the-sound-of-metal-riz-ahmed
Amazon Studios

2019’s “Sound of Metal” is an indie with a heart of gold – and an Oscar-winning one at that. The film stars Riz Ahmed as a metal drummer named Ruben who begins to lose his hearing. He leaves his bandmate to go to a facility for Deaf recovering addicts, where he begins to learn how to live his life differently but also struggles with his own demons. Ahmed gives a powerhouse performance, and the film’s sound design puts you right in Ruben’s headspace. – Adam Chitwood

Love and Friendship

love-and-friendship-kate-beckinsale
Amazon Studios

If it’s a lovely costume dramedy you’re in the mood for, 2016’s “Love and Friendship” is an absolute delight. Based on the Jane Austen novel “Lady Susan,” the film is written and directed by Whit Stillman and stars Kate Beckinsale as a recently widowed woman who sets out to secure wealthy husbands for herself and her daughter. A comedy of errors ensues, with Beckinsale and Chloe Sevigny sharply leading an ensemble that also includes Stephen Fry, Tom Bennett and Xavier Samuel. – Adam Chitwood

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