Now is a great time to get an Amazon Prime subscription and start watching movies. Much like Netflix, Prime Video can be unnecessarily difficult to navigate. If you don’t already know what movies or Amazon Prime TV shows you’re looking for, you really only have the app’s suggestions to go off of. To help you out, we’ve slogged through thousands of movie titles to find the best movies on Amazon Prime in January 2022.
If you’re looking for more than just what movies are on Amazon Prime, we’ve also found the best Netflix movies, Hulu movies, Disney+ movies, and documentaries to stream right now.
Added to the list this month
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Val2021 -
The Terminator1984
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Fargo1996
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The Waterboy1998
Val (2021) new
109m
Genre
Documentary, Biography
Stars
Val Kilmer, Kevin Bacon, Marlon Brando
Directed by
Ting Poo, Leo Scott
Focused on and filmed over a span of more than 40 years by Val Kilmer, Val is an Amazon original movie about the mythical man who portrayed legendary roles such as Batman, Doc Holliday from Tombstone, Jim Morrison, and Ice from Top Gun. A recent survivor and still recovering from throat cancer, Val Kilmer has decided to tell his story from the multitudinous, never-before-seen film that shines a light into his private life.
The Report (2019)
119m
Genre
Biography, Crime, Drama
Stars
Adam Driver, Annette Bening, Jon Hamm
Directed by
Scott Z. Burns
An incredible Amazon Original chock full of award-worthy performances from the leading actors, The Report is a chillingly accurate telling of the highly questionable torture conducted by the CIA following the 9/11 attacks. Based on the true story of the investigational findings from Senate staffer Daniel J. Jones (Adam Driver), he uncovers some horrible information about the merciless and sometimes unprovoked torture tactics exercised on captured Muslims in a CIA black site.
The Terminator (1984) new
107m
Genre
Action, Sci-Fi
Stars
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn
Directed by
James Cameron
In one of the best James Cameron films of all time, this classic sci-fi thriller stands the test of time. Sent back to 1984 from 2029, a human soldier (Michael Biehn) attempts to protect a young woman who would give birth to the key to human salvation, but a near-invincible cyborg is sent back simultaneously to cease the bloodline at any cost. Chillingly emotionless and terrifyingly ruthless, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s killer cyborg portrayal is absolutely unforgettable.
Manchester by the Sea (2016) new
137m
Genre
Drama
Stars
Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler
Directed by
Kenneth Lonergan
With career-defining performances from Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, and Lucas Hedges, Manchester by the Sea is a stunningly raw portrayal of tragedy and what it can do to the human spirit. When Lee (Casey Affleck) finds out that his brother has died and has made him the guardian of his teenage nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges), he is forced to quit his job and move back to his hometown where he faces all the traumas that made him leave in the first place.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
119m
Genre
Action, Adventure, Comedy
Stars
Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Anjelica Huston
Directed by
Wes Anderson
One of the more serious movies from writer/director Wes Anderson, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is still quite high on the quirky scale even for the famously quirky creator. When marine biologist/documentarian/ship captain Steve Zissou loses his mentor to the legendary jaguar shark, he makes it his mission to hunt and kill the creature while, of course, documenting it all. The reason the movie is bleak is the main character, Steve Zissou (played wonderfully by Bill Murray), who provokes a strange sort of curiosity if the viewer chooses to look a little deeper and see his many life failures.
Fargo (1996) new
98m
Genre
Crime, Thriller
Stars
William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi
Directed by
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
One of the best Coen Brothers films out there, Fargo boasts an original premise and some off-beat, dark laughs that make you want to come back for more. Hardworking policewoman Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) stumbles upon a curious case in the sleepy, midwest town of Fargo, North Dakota, when she untangles a messy web of crime weaved by a local car salesman with a bad intention.
Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
114m
Genre
Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Stars
Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike, Tracy Ann Oberman
Directed by
Peter Chelsom
A lovely and pleasant affirmation of life, Hector and the Search for Happiness plays to Simon Pegg’s strengths in a great way. When Hector (Simon Pegg) starts treating his job in psychiatry as just the daily grind, he decides he must find out what happiness means by searching the globe for it himself before he can give it to others. Delightfully British and intensely charming, this film is a great tale of life, love, and happiness.
Honey Boy (2019)
94m
Genre
Drama
Stars
Shia LaBeouf, Lucas Hedges, Noah Jupe
Directed by
Alma Har'el
Loosely based on the life of erstwhile child actor and now tabloid target Shia LaBeouf, Honey Boy is a gripping and emotional tale riddled with fantastic performances. A 12-year-old boy starts to make it in Hollywood on a hit comedy show, causing his alcoholic and abusive father to push him forward in his own manipulative way. Fun fact: LaBeouf chose to portray his own father in the film, despite telling his father that Mel Gibson would portray him to get him to sign off on the film’s creation.
The Manual Streaming Roundup
Alien (1979)
117m
Genre
Horror, Sci-Fi
Stars
Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt
Directed by
Ridley Scott
The first of the unforgettable sci-fi movie series, Alien delivers a horrifyingly creative concept that began the universe of canon it has become today. Responding to a distress call, a crew of space travelers is ambushed by a creature that slowly picks them off one by one as it grows into its final form.
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978) new
116m
Genre
Action, Adventure, Drama
Stars
Chia-Hui Liu, Lieh Lo, Yue Wong
Directed by
Chia-Liang Liu
A film that heavily influenced hip hop music group Wu-Tang Clan, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is referenced by RZA as the core of Kung Fu films. When the Manchu government destroys his school, ravages his town, and kills his father, San Te (Chia-Hui Liu) travels to a Shaolin temple to learn the ways of Shaolin Kung Fu and be at peace.
Train to Busan (2016)
118m
Genre
Action, Horror, Thriller
Stars
Gong Yoo, Yu-mi Jung, Ma Dong-seok
Directed by
Sang-ho Yeon
One of the most intense and claustrophobic zombie movies ever made, Train to Busan is an incredible Korean film by director Sang-ho Yeon. Riddled with well-established backstories to multiple characters and great performances to boot, Busan follows a group of passengers trying to survive on a train while heading to a supposed safe zone during a zombie outbreak. The creativity and originality of the plot is enough to give it a watch, especially if you enjoy a good zombie flick from time to time.
The Waterboy (1998) new
90m
Genre
Comedy, Sport
Stars
Adam Sandler, Kathy Bates, Henry Winkler
Directed by
Frank Coraci
“Now that’s what I call high-quality H20.” The first of Adam Sandlers’ greatest hits, The Waterboy is all-out ridiculousness with the forever quotable lines that are still repeated to this day. Bobby Boucher (Adam Sandler) is a waterboy for his local college football team, but he gets a chance to play for another team when his anger is accidentally unleashed and lays out a player.
Sound of Metal (2019)
120m
Genre
Drama, Music
Stars
Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci
Directed by
Darius Marder
An Amazon original and a breakout starring role for Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal is an intensely dramatic film of a man torn between two lives as he loses his hearing. After hearing the distressing news that his condition will only worsen, he tries not to go back into his ways of heavy drug use and the rock star lifestyle he has come to know and love. Winner of best film editing and best sound editing at this year’s Oscars, it was also nominated for a handful of other awards including best picture.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)
95m
Genre
Comedy
Stars
Sacha Baron Cohen, Maria Bakalova, Tom Hanks
Directed by
Jason Woliner
In a shockingly ridiculous social experiment of a movie, Sacha Baron Cohen takes his classic Borat character back to the screen in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. Borat is released from prison in his home country of Kazakhstan under one condition: return to America and redeem Kazakhstan by giving the vice president a great gift. Loose plot aside, this film goes to new lengths of shock with the help of Tutar (Maria Bakalova), Borat’s daughter and “gift” to the vice president. Nominated this year for best adapted screenplay and best actress in a supporting role, Bakalova is instrumental to the hilarity of this raunchy sequel, acting at times alone opposite normal people unaware of the movie’s production.
Highlander (1986)
116m
Genre
Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Stars
Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown
Directed by
Russell Mulcahy
If you’re looking to experience one of the most ’80s movies ever made, look no further than this for a somewhat corny but timeless epic that has been forever referenced in pop culture since its premiere. Russell Nash aka Connor MacCleod (Christopher Lambert) is the Highlander: An immortal warrior among a handful of others destined to battle throughout the centuries, only defeated by decapitation. Featuring a rock-operatic soundtrack and the excellent, spine-chilling villain Kurgan, played by the under-appreciated Clancy Brown, Highlander might make your list of favorites (given you enjoy ’80s films).
Guns Akimbo (2019)
98m
Genre
Action, Comedy, Thriller
Stars
Daniel Radcliffe, Samara Weaving, Ned Dennehy
Directed by
Jason Lei Howden
One of the few Daniel Radcliffe films following his career in the Harry Potter series, this film runs the exact opposite direction from family entertainment and headfirst into blood and carnage. An unconfident, office-working internet troll messes around on the wrong comment thread, resulting in his unwilling recruitment into a modern-day gladiator fight with the city as its battlefield. With some fun and original special effects and plot devices, Guns Akimbo gives Radcliffe an opportunity to expand and explore his acting range.
The Big Sick (2017)
120m
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Stars
Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano
Directed by
Michale Showalter
The Big Sick is based on the real-life love story of comedian Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon. The story follows Nanjiani as he struggles to build up a career in standup. After a run-in with a heckler named Emily (Zoe Kazan), a relationship quickly forms. However, the couple is faced with a family pushback, and when they break up, a coma is what brings them back together. This original dramedy is one of the best romantic comedy movies of our generation.
The Lighthouse (2019)
110m
Genre
Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Stars
Robert Pattinson, Willem Dafoe
Directed by
Robert Eggers
Two men both named Thomas (Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson) are working as lighthouse attendants on a dislocated New England island, both struggling to maintain sanity and their grasp on reality itself. Though this film is classified as horror, that is really only because of the tension created by masterful cinematography, a haunting soundtrack, and the stirring performances by Pattinson and Dafoe.
One Night in Miami... (2020)
114m
Genre
Drama
Stars
Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge
Directed by
Regina King
A film based on true events follows four icons in their prime, Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke, as they meet in Miami one historic night. As these figures come together in the mid-1960s, they discuss what their success and responsibility mean as they carry the weight of the world during the civil rights movement. In Regina King’s directorial breakout, we learn more about the struggle of civil rights in its time and how it has changed today. Boasting a handful of Oscar nominations this year, this film is a powerhouse of performance and information to take with you.
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
110m
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Music
Stars
Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman
Directed by
The Coen Brothers
This comedic music movie drama follows a week in the life of young folk singer Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961. Following the death of his partner, Davis struggles to make it as a musician during a harsh New York winter. With many seemingly insurmountable obstacles to overcome, the life of a folk musician is not a glamorous one. If you like the Coen brothers as filmmakers, then you’re most likely going to enjoy this movie.
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