If you're looking for the best Prime Video movies to watch this weekend, then you've come to the right place. Our guide is packed with more than 20 of the best films you can find on Amazon's streaming platform to suit all kinds of moods, genres, and ages.
Prime Video is one of the best streaming services out there with a huge catalog of the movies, shows and documentaries to choose from, and many of them are bundled into your Amazon Prime subscription for no extra cost. Our guide to the best films on Prime Video is filled with intense thrillers, silly rom-coms, mind-bending sci-fi, and everything in-between. Whatever you fancy watching, then, there's a movie here for you.
If you can't find what you're looking for here, or you've already watched the flicks on the list, we recommend you also read our other Prime Video-based lists, like our new Prime Video movies and best Prime Video shows collections. For now, here are our top recommendations of the 22 best Prime Video movies to stream in March 2023.
Best Prime Video movies: 22 top picks to watch right now
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The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
If you're looking for a fun (and, at times, silly) movie for a Sunday afternoon, then watch The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. This movie is about Nicolas Cage (played in brilliantly meta fashion by the iconic actor himself), who's given a secret mission for the US government to infiltrate the home of a notorious crime lord (Pedro Pascal) who just so happens to be a Nic Cage super fan.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is an incredibly enjoyable movie. It's also one to put on your must-watch list if you're craving more Pascal in your life (who isn't?) after, finished The Last Of Us, and are freshly caught up on The Mandalorian Season 3. As Javi, Pedro brings a lot of authenticity, humility, and humor to proceedings. Whether it's delivering one of the most iconic memes of the moment when he's driving in a car with Cage, the duo's drug-fuelled trip, or the sequence involving Javi's collection of Cage memorabilia, you'll be laughing out loud for much of its runtime. Oh, and Cage is on suitably wacky form as per usual.
Palm Springs
There have been plenty of phenomenal time loop movies over the years, including Source Code and Edge of Tomorrow. For a take that's less edgy sci-fi and has more of the humor, charm, and romcom threads, though, Palm Springs should be your next port of call.
Two strangers called Nyles (Andy Samberg) and Sarah (Cristin Milioti) meet at a wedding and find they're the only ones living the day over and over. According to reports, the creators were heavily inspired by Groundhog Day, but wanted a fresh take on the time loop trope, which is why the movie begins with Nyles already in the loop. Samberg fans or those of a quirky, sci-fi disposition will love this. US viewers can also catch it on Hulu.
The Machinist
The Machinist is considered one of the best cerebral thrillers and features one of the most shocking transformations in movie history – lead star Christian Bale had to lose a huge amount of weight to play the leading role of Trevor Reznik.
In this acclaimed flick, Reznik is a machinist struggling with paranoia after suffering with insomnia for more than a year. Unsurprisingly, things aren't as they seem and his life begins to unravel in even more strange and unsettling ways. This isn't a fun movie to watch, but Bale's performance is phenomenal and deeply unnerving, so it's deserving of a place on our best Prime Video movies list.
Annihilation
A sci-fi movie based on Jeff VanderMeer's novel of the same name, Annihilation tells the tale of a group of explorers who enter 'the shimmer', a quarantined section of forestry and coastline that's been infected by a mysterious alien presence.
The cast of Annihilation is brilliant, with Jennifer Jason Leigh, Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac, and Tessa Thompson all on top form throughout (or as long as they're on the screen, anyway). It's also a flick directed by Alex Garland (best known for The Beach and Ex Machina), so expect eerie atmosphere, unsettling mystery, and an engrossing plot to be part of proceedings.
Good Will Hunting
Considered one of the greatest movies of all-time, Good Will Hunting is a drama with a stellar cast, including Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, and Minnie Driver.
It's about a man called Will Hunting (played by Damon), who's a janitor at MIT. He also just so happens to be a genius and – in a now infamous scene – solves a complex mathematical problem that's left on a blackboard as a challenge for graduate students. It's a deeply emotional movie with fantastic acting, top writing, and a lot of heart, with the late Williams particularly delivering a powerhouse of a performance. Get the tissues ready.
Being John Malkovich
Best described as a surrealist fantasy with a hint of black comedy, Being John Malkovich is a movie like no other.
Created by a dream team of Spike Jonze, the film's director and head writer Charlie Kaufman, Being John Malkovich is about a puppeteer (played by John Cusack) who discovers a portal leading into John Malkovich's mind. What follows is a bizarre and unique movie with dark undertones and unforgettable performances from Cusack, Cameron Diaz, and Catherine Keener. A mind-bending movie where every minute is as strange, humorous, and shocking as the last.
Men
This chilling horror flick stars Jessie Buckley (Wild Rose) as Harper, who heads to the countryside to recuperate from a recent trauma with a two-week stay in a stately manor. But she soon realizes there's something very wrong – everyone in the vicinity is male and, not only that, they all seem to be the same man (Rory Kinnear).
Starting off as chilling and progressing into pretty terrifying, the man won't leave her alone, and Harper has no escape. It's a technically excellent movie, with some genuinely frightening moments (and some not-so-terrifying, to be honest). Regardless, it's well worth a watch.
Devotion
Devotion tells the tale of an African American fighter pilot in the Korean war, who has suffered unspoken racial injustices during his time in the US military. Isolated from his white colleagues, Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors) finds it hard to trust anyone – until he meets Glenn Powell (Tom Hudner). Together, they make heroic sacrifices that result in them becoming two of the most celebrated pilots in history.
Based on the novel of the same name, Devotion is full of thrilling aviation and deep racial tension, which it navigates very well. It's been well-received by critics and audience alike, bringing in a terrific 82% on Rotten Tomatoes. You can rent or buy it on Prime Video, or see it on the Paramount Plus channel (see how to get a Paramount Plus free trial here).
Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
Emma Thompson stars in this taboo-busting story of a retired teacher wanting to reignite her sex life post-marriage. Nancy Stokes (Thompson) hires young, charming and skillful sex worker Leo Grande (Daryl McCormack) to give her the adventure she craves – and the two discover an unexpected connection.
Written by Katy Brand, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande has been praised for its sex-positive approach and electric script. Unfortunately, it's only available in the UK on Prime Video, but US viewers can stream it on Hulu.
Sound of Metal
Riz Ahmed shines in the lead role of Sound of Metal, a thoughtful and provocative movie about grief, addiction, and identity. He plays Ruben, a metal drummer who begins to experience hearing loss. He’s told to eliminate loud noises, but continues to perform, worrying that his career, relationship, and life as he knows it could soon be over.
Sound of Metal is a challenging watch at times, but one of the best Prime Video movies as it's also deeply moving and introspective. You’ll need to be in a certain mood to watch it, but when you do, you’ll be blown away. A crowd-pleasing flick that was nominated for numerous Academy Awards in 2019, winning in the Best Sound and Best Film Editing categories. Easily one of the best Prime Video movies around.
The Big Sick
Here’s a cool fact about The Big Sick: it’s written by writer, producer, and podcast host Emily V. Gordon, plus actor, comedian and screenwriter Kumail Nanjiani (the duo are married), and is inspired by their real-life relationship. It’s a story about an interracial couple, played by Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan, who have to deal with cultural differences when Emily becomes seriously ill.
It’s a funny and heartfelt movie, and feels fresher and smarter than a lot of more recent rom-coms. Critics and cinephiles agreed, too, with it being chosen by American Film Institute as one of the top 10 films of the year when it came out in 2017. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
One Night in Miami
One Night in Miami comes from Regina King, who makes her directorial debut. The story is based on a 2013 stage play of the same name – written by filmmaker and playwright Kemp Powers – which itself is inspired by a real meeting that took place in February 1964 at the Hampton House in Miami.
During that supposed event, Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Muhammad Ali (Eli Goree), Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge), and Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr) gathered to celebrate Ali’s title win against Sonny Liston. Events unfold over the course of a single night as the legendary quartet talk about power, race, discussing their roles in the Civil Rights Movement, and the culture of the era. It's one of the best Prime Video movies around and, when it was first released, was nominated for several Academy Awards.
Manchester by the Sea
Manchester by the Sea is a heavy movie. It’s about a depressed and grief-stricken man who needs to care for his teen nephew after his brother dies. Understandably, then, it focuses on themes of guilt, responsibility, and families.
It’s masterfully told and beautifully acted by Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams in the lead roles. The film received critical acclaim, winning Academy Awards for Best Actor for Affleck and Best Original Screenplay, and was considered one of the best films of 2016 by most critics.
The Vast of Night
The Vast of Night is a 2019 sci-fi mystery set in 1950s New Mexico. It’s loosely based on real events, including the Kecksburg UFO incident – an unidentified fireball being spotted in the sky – and the Foss Lake disappearances, which saw a group of teens and adults mysteriously go missing.
The film follows young switchboard operator Fay Crocker (played by Sierra McCormick) and radio DJ Everett Sloan (Jake Horowitz) who discover an audio frequency that they think could be extra terrestrial. It’s an engrossing thriller that’s lo-fi and yet shows a lot of film-making skill.
Honey Boy
Honey Boy is loosely based on actor Shia LaBeouf’s childhood and his relationship with his father – the title of the movie coming from his nickname as a kid. LaBeouf wrote the screenplay and also stars in it but, rather than play himself, he portrays his father. It follows the troubled relationship between 12-year-old Otis, who is finding some success as a TV star, and his abusive father, who signs himself up as Otis' guardian.
LaBeouf allegedly wrote the script as a form of therapy when he was in rehab. For that reason, it’s a difficult watch and feels very raw. Strangely, though, it’s oddly therapeutic for the viewer, too. At its core, this is a movie about a man’s struggles to understand himself and forgive himself, as well as his past trauma.
Licorice Pizza
Licorice Pizza is a US comedy-drama written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, a filmmaker famous for movies like Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and There Will Be Blood.
It's follows the development of a young couple’s relationship in the early ’70s, played by the exceptionally talented Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman. With its laidback and meandering charm, there’s a kind of dreaminess to the movie at times. Equally, though its plot doesn’t unfold in a conventional way. And, although it’s a comedy, it's heartfelt with unexpected action and tension, too. One of the best Prime Video movies available today.
Suspiria
This Amazon Original is a supernatural horror inspired by Dario Argento's classic 1977 Italian film of the same name. It stars Dakota Johnson as an American woman who enrols at a prestigious dance academy in Berlin but, unfortunately for her, it’s run by a coven of witches. Tilda Swinton bizarrely but convincingly co-stars in three roles.
Not for the faint-hearted, you can expect weirdness, gruesome scenes, and lots of deliciously disconcerting atmosphere from this one. Unlike the original film, which used exaggerated colors, it has a bleak and bare palette. Suspiria wasn't a box office hit but, if you like odd, atmospheric movies, it's a great choice.
Creed
Creed may be a Rocky spin-off movie, but it's taken on a life of its own.
This first movie is about Adonis Johnson (Michael B Jordan) who is trained by Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) so he can become a professional boxer like his father, the late Apollo Creed. As Adonis climbs the ranks of the boxing world, he must also confront his own demons and fight for his legacy, with Rocky by his side.
Creed is an emotional story that's bound to appeal to new fans and those who loved the original Rocky franchise. When you're done, check out Creed II, which is also available via Prime Video. Creed 3 is in theaters now and will be coming to Prime Video on April 14, but not for free. Be sure to read our guide to how to watch the Rocky movies in order, too, if you need to catch up on some of the best Prime Video movies.
Star Trek (2009)
Star Trek (2009) is a quais-reboot of the legendary sci-fi franchise. It's about a young James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto), who must fight – alongside the rest of their crew – against a vengeful Romulan called Captain Nero (Eric Bana) who wants to destroy the Earth.
Whether you love the Star Trek or not, this is a fresh take on the classic franchise and a fun adventure through time and space that's packed with fast-paced action. When you're finished, watch Prime Video's selection of later Star Trek reboot movies, like Star Trek Beyond and Star Trek Into Darkness. Alternatively, read our guide to how to watch Star Trek in order, which features all of the franchise's TV shows and movies to date.
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Everything Everywhere All At Once is a brilliant and bonkers movie that's won multiple awards on the 2023 circuit.
It tells the tale of Evelyn (played by the wonderful Michelle Yeoh), who discovers she's connected to multiple alternate universes and could be the key to defeating a dark and unknowable cosmic threat. Ke Huy Quan, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Stephanie Hsu also deliver terrific performances as the movie's supporting cast.
Everything Everywhere All At Once is a mind-bending, genre-defying adventure big on action, comedy and, heart. And, after its multi-award winning performance at this year's Academy Awards – read our piece on the 2023 Oscars biggest winners and losers – it's one you simply can't afford to miss.
A Quiet Place
In A Quiet Place, aliens with incredible hearing have taken over the planet and killed most of the population. The Abbott family have survived by staying as silent as possible, which means they avoid attracting the deadly aliens that hunt by sound. However, their peaceful existence is threatened and they must hunt for a new place to live.
In an era where movies have become increasingly reliant on explosive and bombastic sound to appeal to audiences, A Quiet Place's penchant for silence and/or softly spoken dialog makes for incredibly tense and terrifying viewing. When you're done, if you can handle the tension, watch the sequel A Quiet Place Part 2, which is also available on Prime Video.
Mad Max: Fury Road
The fourth instalment in the Mad Max movie franchise, Mad Max: Fury Road is set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where life is brutal and water is scarce.
The titular Max (Tom Hardy) is captured by the crazy tyrant, Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne), but it isn't long before Max joins forces with a group of women, who are also trying to escape Joe's clutches – the group being led by Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron), a strong and fearless character trying to find her homeland.
It's been eight years since Fury Road debuted in theaters, but its visuals are striking imagery are as stunning now as they were back then. The tense battle scenes between Joe's army and the rebels are executed perfectly, too, with incredible stunts, high-octane action, and incredible stakes throughout. Oh, and who doesn't want to see a heavy metal guitarist playing a fire-breathing electric guitar while standing on the cockpit of a kitted out truck?
