Are you looking for a movie for tonight? Or maybe you’re organizing a film marathon for friends soon and are looking for inspiration? If so, we’re here for you. We’ve put together the perfect compilation of some of the best movies available on Amazon Prime Video. Our list includes both all-time classics and Amazon originals you may not have even heard of before. These 7 top picks are sure to satisfy even the pickiest movie buffs.
What You Should Know About Amazon Prime Video
We assume that if you’re reading this article, you’re very familiar with Amazon Prime Video, but if you’re not, we’ll give you a brief summary of what the platform actually is.
Prime Video is an online video platform created by one of the largest companies in the world, Amazon. At first, in 2006, it operated as an on-demand DVD service (much like Netflix), then, as the Internet grew and the entertainment industry transformed, it turned into a video streaming website. Eventually, along with the rapid growth of the entire corporation, and the rise in popularity of the Prime membership program (which Amazon Prime Video was a part of), the platform established itself as one of the market leaders in the US states. This allowed it to go international and in 2016, Amazon Prime Video launched globally.
Currently, Amazon’s streaming service is Netflix’s biggest competitor. As of September 2022, it has more than 200 registered users worldwide. Of course, a huge part of this is Prime beneficiaries.
How Much Is Prime Video?
As we mentioned, most people use Amazon Prime Video as part of their Amazon Prime membership. However, there is also an option to subscribe to the streaming service itself. Below you will find the costs associated with both of them.
Prices for Amazon Prime Membership
- $14.99 per month
- $139 per year
or If you’re a student:
- $7.49 per month
- $69 per year
Prices for Amazon Prime Video
- $8.99 per month
Which option is better?
This is entirely up to you. However, admittedly, it’s hard to say that Amazon Prime isn’t worth it. For a price not much higher than what you have to pay for the streaming service itself, you also get a range of discounts, free delivery, audiobooks, a Twitch account, and much more. Still, we understand that if someone doesn’t need all these other things, then subscribing to Prime Video alone is just enough.
Can You Get Amazon Prime Video for Free?
While an Amazon Prime subscription is a great deal, we know all too well that everything is better if you don’t have to pay for it. That’s why at CashYea you have access to a series of simple tasks in exchange for which you can get free Prime accounts. These include watching videos, completing surveys, and playing games. Once you are done with them, you receive Gems, which can later be exchanged for things like free gift cards, subscriptions, or simply paid out in the form of a traditional bank transfer.
Top 7 Best Movies on Amazon Prime
It’s time for a list of the top 7 movies currently available on Prime Video. We can guarantee that no movie marathon is fully complete without at least one of these films.
Also, check out our compilation of the best shows currently available on Amazon Prime Video if you’re in the mood for something to binge-watch.
Air
Have you ever wondered how one of the world’s biggest footwear brands evolved? No? Well, it’s high time you started. Air is a 2022 film directed by the famous actor Ben Affleck. It tells the story of how Nike escaped the pressure of brands like Converse and Adidas and became the market leader in basketball shoes. Viewers get to see how the now-iconic Air Jordan label was created and how one young NBA player completely changed the way athletes later teamed up with clothing brands. It’s a real treat for all fans of basketball and 80s music. What’s more, the lead role is played by Ben’s best friend, Matt Damon, which means audiences will once again see the legendary duo on screen.
Top Gun: Maverick
The first Top Gun movie, starring Tom Cruise, came out in 1986 and was directed by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. The film became an instant hit, and its soundtrack continued to haunt many people for years to come. Which probably had a big impact on the fact that in 2022, Joseph Kosinski decided to continue the story of the legendary US soldier. And well, you have to give him credit, because the film not only broke many box office records, but also received huge critical acclaim. Movie buffs were delighted with it, so much so that it received 6 Oscar nominations, one of which it won. So if you haven’t had a chance to watch Top Gun: Maverick in the cinema, be sure to see it on Prime Video.
My Policeman
In the summer of 2022, all movie and pop culture fans were talking about only one thing – Harry Styles’ big screen debut. Yes, he already had a small part in Dunkirk and a cameo in one of the Marvel movies, but Don’t Worry Darling and My Policeman were his first major roles. What’s more, his appearances were also accompanied by numerous controversies (something about spitting, Olivia Wilde and Chris Pine). Nevertheless, regardless of the rumors, we think it’s worth seeing for yourself if one of the most popular musicians of our time also has acting talent. My Policeman is a story of a British policeman who struggles with his sexuality at a time when same-sex relationships were not accepted, much less in law enforcement. It’s an immersive drama that will bring more than a few people to tears.
Thirteen Lives
In 2018, the eyes of the world were on Thailand, where a soccer team of young boys tragically got stuck in a cave as a result of heavy rains. Director Ron Howard was one of the people watching, which is why he decided to make a feature film depicting the incident a few years later. Thirteen Lives is a movie based on true events, and it tells the story of one of the most amazing rescue operations in the history of mankind. The leading roles in this film are played by acting legends such as Viggo Mortensen, known for Green Book and Lord of the Rings, and the star of The Banshees of Inisherin, Colin Farrell. If you love gripping storylines that are likely to bring you to tears (more than once), then Thirteen Lives is sure to work perfectly for you.
Sound of Metal
The Sound of Metal is a film produced by Amazon Studios, which premiered worldwide in 2019. Upon entering the big screens, it swept all the world festivals including the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival. Its director Darius Marder took it upon himself to tell the unique story of a metal drummer who lost his hearing and is currently battling his own demons. It is an amazing tale of passion, mental illness, addictions, and other parts of human life, all accompanied by an amazing soundtrack. What’s more, viewers can see performances from a star-studded cast that includes Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci, and Lauren Ridloff. So if you’re looking for a unique option for tonight, be sure to watch The Sound of Metal. There’s a reason this film has earned as many as six Academy Award nominations, two of which it won.
Wolf of Wall Street
Wolf of Wolf Street is a film that has already passed into cinema legend. Its director is the irreplaceable Martin Scorsese, who knew exactly what he was doing when he assembled a stellar cast consisting of the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Jonah Hill, and Matthew McConaughey. It tells the life story of Jordan Belfort, an entrepreneur known for his colorful life and numerous financial crimes. The memoir he wrote became the inspiration for a more than three-hour feature, that earned as many as five Oscar nominations and more than 400 million at the box office. Whether you’ve already watched Wolf of Wall Street or not, this movie is definitely worth a rewatch on Prime Video, as it is one of the best films ever made.
Tár
Cate Blanchett is a name that all movie fans are familiar with. We know her from such blockbusters as Lord of the Rings, Blue Jasmine, Queen Elizabeth, and many more. At the end of our list, however, we bring you the star’s latest acting work, Tár. This is a film released last year that tells the story of a famous female orchestra conductor whose career may be over, due to accusations of mistreatment. Whether you’re a fan of classical music or not, Tár is a truly amazing production, dealing with difficult topics such as violence and mental illness. If you’re in the mood for a challenging film, this is definitely the item for you.
Conclusions
Amazon Prime Video is a great platform that features a plethora of outstanding films, perfect for a movie night at home. It features Oscar-winning and independent productions, comedies, and dramas, works by the most famous directors, and directorial debuts. Everyone is guaranteed to find something for themselves, so if you are not yet a Prime subscriber, be sure to change that. Remember, too, that thanks to CashYea, you can become a program member completely free of charge.