There is an ever-growing list of excellent Amazon Prime Video original movies. Though Amazon Prime Video may not boast the same level of success as other streaming platforms, its commitment to making original content is commendable. Originally launched in the U.S. in 2006 under the name Amazon Unbox, Prime Video evolved into its current form and was released to a global audience in 2016. In the years since then, it has amassed more than 175 million s.
Amazon Prime is regularly beaten by rival streaming service Netflix with regard to its total number of s, but Amazon Prime's consistent success has led to a number of popular shows and movies made specifically for the platform. Each year sees an impressive number of Amazon Prime Original TV shows released to the platform, which so far has included popular series such as The Boys, Invincible, Jack Ryan, and Reacher. There are also many other Prime original shows currently set to release throughout the latter half of 2022 and into 2023.
With the popularity of its many original series, Amazon Prime's original movies sometimes go overlooked. However, there are a great many excellent titles made for or released exclusively on the platform across a range of genres. There are original Prime Video movies to suit all tastes and moods, making the streaming platform a viable choice for feature-length entertainment.
Uncle Frank (2020)
Uncle Frank stars Paul Bettany, Sophia Lillis, and Peter Macdissi. Bettany plays Frank Bledsoe, a gay man in the 1970s who travels with his niece to his father's funeral along with his secret long-term partner. Considered one of the best LGBTQ+ movies on Amazon Prime, Uncle Frank tells the powerful story of a man struggling to confront his own identity in an unaccepting world.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)
The follow-up to 2006's Borat sees Sacha Baron Cohen's fictional Kazakh journalist return to the U.S. to offer his daughter Tutar (Maria Bakalova) as a bride to then-vice president Mike Pence. Made in the same mockumentary style as the original, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm delivers a somewhat scathing commentary on American culture and was praised for the performances of Baron Cohen and Bakalova. The former's return to one of his most famous characters is both entertaining and genuinely insightful, making it one of Amazon Prime Video's most-watched original comedy offerings.
I Want You Back (2022)
I Want You Back features a cast packed with talented comedic actors. The movie follows Peter (Charlie Day) and Emma (Jenny Slate) as they attempt to sabotage the new relationships of their respective exes. Widely praised for the performances of its cast, I Want You Back pumps a liberal dose of comedy into its romantic premise, making for a uniquely entertaining experience.
Without Remorse (2021)
Loosely based on Tom Clancy's 1993 novel of the same name, Without Remorse is a 2021 action thriller starring Michael B. Jordan as John Kelly, a U.S. Navy SEAL who sets out to exact revenge on a group of Russian assassins after the murder of his pregnant wife. Though Without Remorse received mixed reviews, it was praised for Jordan's performance, and featured a number of exciting action sequences that make it well worth watching. As Without Remorse's ending sets up a sequel, it may well prove to be the start of Amazon Prime Video's first original franchise.
Chi-Raq (2015)
Billed as a musical crime comedy-drama, Spike Lee's Chi-Raq proved to be a controversial film due to its portrayal of its female characters and their role within the narrative. Based on the ancient Greek play Lysistrata, Chi-Raq concerns a group of women in Chicago who withhold sex from their husbands in an attempt to encourage an end to the violence in their community. Despite its controversial nature, Chi-Raq is a powerful film with an overwhelmingly talented cast including Nick Cannon, Wesley Snipes, Teyonah Parris, Jennifer Hudson, Angela Bassett, John Cusack, and Samuel L. Jackson.
The Tomorrow War (2021)
The Tomorrow War's time-traveling story follows a present-day former Green Beret (Chris Pratt) who is enlisted to help fight in a future war against deadly alien creatures who have invaded Earth. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the Chris McKay-helmed sci-fi action movie, which also stars Yvonne Strahovski and J. K. Simmons, proved to be a success for Prime Video, breaking the platform's previously established viewership records. The Tomorrow War's intriguing sci-fi premise and excellent action scenes make it a thoroughly enjoyable watch.
Everybody's Talking About Jamie (2021)
Biographical coming-of-age musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie achieved positive reviews upon release, recapturing the success of the stage musical of the same name. It follows the life of 16-year-old Jamie New as he discovers and embraces his identity as a drag queen. Everybody's Talking About Jamie's excellent musical soundtrack enriches its story in a way that creates an uplifting story of self-discovery and acceptance. With an impressive British cast featuring the likes of Sarah Lancashire, Ralph Ineson, and Richard E. Grant, Everybody's Talking About Jamie is one of the best musicals available on Amazon Prime Video.
The Map Of Tiny Perfect Things (2021)
The Map of Tiny Perfect Things belongs to the very select sci-fi romantic comedy genre. Starring Kyle Allen and Kathryn Newton as two teenagers stuck in a time loop, The Map of Tiny Perfect Things earned positive reviews for its heartfelt charm and the chemistry between its leads. Following a similar vein as other films, such as Groundhog Day and Palm Springs, The Map of Tiny Perfect Things caters perfectly to those interested in a decidedly sweet take on the time-loop concept.
One Night In Miami (2020)
Based on a One Night in Miami follows the real-life meeting of four iconic figures in Black history. The big-screen directorial debut of Regina King, One Night in Miami recreates the events of February 25, 1964, at the Hampton House Motel in Overtown, FL, where boxer Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) met with Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown to celebrate Clay's defeat of Sonny Liston and his newly minted status as heavyweight champion of the world. A powerful exploration of the racial tension of the 1960s and the larger-than-life figures that make up its story, One Night in Miami is one of the very best films available on Amazon Prime Video.
The Big Sick (2017)
Better known now for the role of Kingo in Eternals, Kumail Nanjiani's first major movie role was in The Big Sick, which he co-wrote with his wife, Emily V. Gordon, based on their own real-life romance. The film follows Kumail and Emily, an interethnic couple, who attempt to deal with their cultural differences after Emily is diagnosed with a serious illness. Not only was the film a commercial success, but it received positive reviews, and cemented Nanjiani's status as a rising movie star. The Big Sick is a heartfelt, intelligent examination of its characters that captures the essence of modern relationships.
