The 26 best Prime Video movies to stream in July 2024
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If you're looking for the best Prime Video movies, this guide is for you. Below you'll find our pick of the top films you can stream right now on Amazon's Prime Video platform.
Anyone can watch all of the best Prime Video movies if they have an Amazon Prime subscription. It's well worth it because with such an impressive library of films, there's plenty of choice. It's no surprise Prime Video is one of the best streaming services around today. To help you find the best Prime Video movies for you, we've selected our favorites. We've included epic fantasy, tense drama, family classics, high octane action and much more. There's a movie for everyone in this guide. Read on for our selection of the best Prime video movies.
Oppenheimer
RT score: 93% (Critical); 91% (Audience)
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 180 minutes
Oppenheimer is a difficult watch. There’s no getting around it. That’s because the movie follows the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who became known as the “father of the atomic bomb.” Directed by Christoper Nolan (Interstellar, The Dark Knight trilogy, Dunkirk), the film gives viewers a tense and meditative portrayal of Oppenheimer’s contribution to the Manhattan Project during World War II, along with the personal dramas and moral dilemmas he was forced to confront at the same time.
The film boasts stellar performances with Emily Blunt as Katherine "Kitty" Oppenheimer, Oppenheimer's wife, and Florence Pugh as love interest Jean Tatlock. But Cillian Murphy is outstanding in the lead role, playing Oppenheimer with presence and a simmering unease. Oppenheimer’s intricate storytelling combined with breathtaking visuals and a chilling score make it a must-watch and deserving of a place in our best Prime Video movies guide.
Rocky
RT score: 92% (Critical); 69% (Audience)
Age rating: PG (US), PG (UK)
Runtime: 119 minutes
Rocky is a classic sports drama that’s an incredibly fun and uplifting watch whether you’ve seen it many times already or you’re introducing the film to your kids. The movie tells the inspiring story of Rocky Balboa, an underdog boxer from Philadelphia, played by Sylvester Stallone. Stallone's portrayal of Rocky has been highly praised over the years for being both gritty and touching.
Directed by John G. Avildsen, the film follows Rocky's journey from a small club fighter to earning a shot at the world heavyweight championship. Rocky is so widely loved because of its heartfelt story, iconic training montages and powerful performances, all set to a rousing score that’ll have you pumping your fists in the air just like Rocky. It’s a timeless tale of hope and resilience. It's no surprise that we picked Rocky as one of our must-watch Prime Videos of the day.
Air
RT score: 93% (Critical); 98% (Audience)
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 112 minutes
Air is best described as a sports drama, which follows the story of the ground-breaking partnership between Nike and Michael Jordan, leading to the creation of the iconic Air Jordan brand. Directed by Ben Affleck, he also stars alongside Matt Damon, Viola Davis, and Jason Bateman. Air explores the behind-the-scenes negotiations and the visionary marketing strategies that enabled Nike to revolutionize the sneaker industry.
As well as providing a surprisingly compelling story about sports and business history, we like this movie for its sharp dialogue, stellar performances, and insightful portrayal of real-life events that shaped modern sports marketing. It's easy to see why Air was selected as one of our best Prime Video movies of the day.
The Report
RT score: 83% (Critical); 82% (Audience)
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 119 minutes
The Report is a gripping and, at times, hard to watch political thriller that follows the story of the investigation into the CIA’s use of torture following 9/11. Directed by Scott Z. Burns, Adam Driver plays Senate staffer Daniel J. Jones, who is tasked with leading up the investigation.
The movie focuses on the moral and ethical challenges faced by those in charge of uncovering the grim realities of the US government’s actions. Driver is excellent in the lead role, with a strong supporting cast, including Annette Bening and Jon Hamm. It's an intense but thought-provoking movie, which is why The Report was chosen as one of our top Prime Video movies of the day.
Musica
RT score: 96% (Critical); 86% (Audience)
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12 (UK)
Runtime: 91 minutes
When we picked Musica as one of our Prime Video movies of the day, we said it’ll “warm your heart without being so sugary it'll rot your teeth”. This fresh and fun story is a romance with a twist. It’s about a man called Rudy who is “tortured by music”, which means he can hear it wherever he goes. His unusual skills are shown on screen as everyday scenarios burst into life as musical performances.
One of the more recent picks in our best Prime Video movies guide, Musica takes its inspiration from main star Rudy Mancuso’s experience of synesthesia, a neurological condition in which senses can merge and overlap – so Mancuso can see and feel the shapes of music. The rest of the story is described as “true-ish” and is about what happens when Rudy meets, and almost instantly falls for, Isabella (Camila Mendes). Expect a high energy and fun love story with plenty of music along the way.
How to Train Your Dragon
RT score: 99% (Critical); 91% (Audience)
Age rating: PG (US & UK)
Runtime: 98 minutes
How to Train Your Dragon is a heartwarming animated movie that will charm viewers of all ages – and if you don't believe us just look at that exceptional Rotten Tomatoes score. The story follows a young Viking called Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) whose father (played by Gerard Butler) is chief of the clan. He’s an unconventional hero who befriends an injured dragon he names Toothless, challenging the longstanding traditions of his dragon-slaying tribe.
The animation in How to Train Your Dragon is a treat to watch, with beautiful aerial sequences and complex dragon designs. This first film’s success ended up leading to a whole franchise, which includes more movies and a TV series. Expect a delightful combination of humor, heart and action, all in a visually stunning package for the whole family, which is why How to Train Your Dragon was chosen as one of our Prime Video movies of the day.
12 Angry Men (1997)
RT score: 93% (Critical); 87% (Audience)
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12 (UK)
Runtime: 117 minutes
12 Angry Men is a remake of the 1950s film about social justice and the way bias and group-think can so easily influence us all. This 1997 version follows the same story about a group of 12 jurors. One of the jurors (played by Jack Lemmon) is the only one stopping the conviction of the alleged murderer that the men have been called to judge. But, over the course of the film, more and more people agree with Jack.
The 1957 version didn’t really need to be remade, as it’s such a classic. But director William Friedkin (The Exorcist, The French Connection) did a fantastic job creating a fresh take on the gripping story, as did the star-studded cast, including James Gandolfini and Edward James Olmos alongside Lemmon.
Thirteen Lives
RT score: 85% (Critical); 94% (Audience)
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12A (UK)
Runtime: 147 minutes
Thirteen Lives follows the real-life story of a group of boys and their soccer coach who were stuck in a cave in Thailand back in 2018 due to flooding. Yes, we all know how the predicament ends (it ends well, don’t worry). But that doesn’t stop this story from being incredibly compelling. Which is why we’ve already recommended Thirteen Lives as one of our Prime Video movies of the day.
The now famous rescue mission is very well adapted in this film by famous director Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, Splash), who retells the deeply gripping story about the power of working together and holding onto hope against all odds.
Skyfall
RT score: 92% (Critical); 86% (Audience)
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12A (UK)
Runtime: 143 minutes
For anyone who hasn’t been keeping count, Skyfall is the 23rd instalment in the iconic James Bond series of movies. It’s directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty, 1917) and offers the expected blend of espionage, action and quippy one-liners that makes Bond films so entertaining.
Skyfall revitalized the Bond saga and took an interesting turn, venturing into the relationship between Bond and M. In Skyfall we also meet a chilling new villain, Raoul Silva (played by Javier Bardem), whose personal vendetta adds some psychological weight to the story. Stunning locations, from Shanghai to the Scottish Highlands, are incredible to watch unfold on screen, and Adele provides a haunting and beautiful theme song.
Skyfall is well worth watching if you haven’t caught up on the more recent Bond flicks (it's worth seeing where it ranks in our best Daniel Craig 007 movies guide, too). Alternatively, indulge in a whole Bond saga rewatch, in which case you’ll need our how to watch the Bond movies in order guide.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
RT score: 95% (Critical); 90% (Audience)
Age rating: PG (US & UK)
Runtime: 99 minutes
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is a modern and fresh spin on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles story many of us already know and love about a group of turtles transformed into sassy teen mutants. In telling the stories of the popular heroes in a half shell, it manages to appeal to older fans who will tune in for the franchise’s legacy while serving up a new slice of mythos.
Visually, this movie is a real treat, with a unique style of animation that's incredibly fun to watch. Combine that with a fantastic voice cast including new talent and well-known names, as well as lots of genuinely funny writing and we think Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem could be one of the the best films in the TMNT franchise, and a must-watch for the whole family.
Although Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is technically available to watch through Prime Video, it's only available to stream using the Paramount Plus channel add-on. If you enjoy the movie, you'll be happy to learn there's a sequel on the way and Paramount Plus is gearing up to launch a new series called Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set in the same universe.
Bottoms
RT score: 90% (Critical); 89% (Audience)
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 88 minutes
At first glance, Bottoms may seem like it's going to be a typical Americal high school movie, but it doesn't take long to realize this is refreshing absurdist comedy that's delightfully weird and incredibly fun to watch – fans of Booksmart will love it. It follows the story of PJ and Josie, two girls at Rockbridge Falls High School who are unpopular, lesbians and desperately pining for the affection of cheerleaders Isabel and Brittany. They end up hatching a plan that involves setting up a self-defense club.
If you're looking for a fun but smart film, Bottoms is it. We're expecting great things from this fresh young cast, especially Rachel Sennott who plays PJ and co-wrote Bottoms with director Emma Seligman (Shiva Baby).
Totally Killer
RT score: 87% (Critical); 77% (Audience)
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 103 minutes
Totally Killer is best described as a comedy horror, which pays tribute to 80s-era slasher movies and time travel films. It follows the story of Jamie (played by Kiernan Shipka) whose mother is murdered by the Sweet 16 Killer who went on a murdering spree 35 years earlier. Jamie travels back in time (naturally) to find her mother and catch the killer back during his original spree.
It's a homage to legendary movies from both sci-fi and horror, like Back to the Future and Scream. Yes, it sounds like a bonkers mash-up of genres, but we promise that although it's not winning any awards, it's an incredibly fun watch nonetheless.
The Burial
RT score: 92% (Critical); 82% (Audience)
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 126 minutes
Set in 1995, The Burial is loosely based on the true story of Jerry O'Keefe, played here by Tommy Lee Jones. O'Keefe is a struggling funeral home owner facing financial difficulties who agrees to a contract with a man called Raymond Loewen of the Loewen Group to help him make ends meet. But Loewen doesn't see their agreement through, and a bitter battle ensues. What follows is a riveting story that sees Jerry hiring a man called Willie E. Gary to help him (Jamie Foxx), a bold and showy personal injury layer.
Both Tommy Lee Jones and Jamie Foxx have been praised for their contrasting performances, making an unexpected legal team that take the story on some unexpected twists and turns. If you enjoy high stakes courtroom dramas with two fantastic leads, The Burial is a must-watch.
Elvis
RT score: 77% (Critical); 94% (Audience)
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12A (UK)
Runtime: 159 minutes
Elvis is director Baz Luhrmann's (Romeo & Juliet, The Great Gatsby) interpretation of the life of American rock and roll singer and actor Elvis Presley (Austin Butler). As you might expect from a flick by Luhrmann, it's bold, flashy and fantastic-looking, laced with a lot of heart-aching tragedy.
Interestingly, the story is told from the perspective of Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, played here by Tom Hanks. Austin Butler was highly-praised for his portrayal of Elvis and bagged several prestigious awards. Reassuringly, the movie also got the seal of approval from Presley's family who have all been vocal about the portrayal of Elvis and his life.
Interstellar
RT score: 73% (Critical); 86% (Audience)
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12A (UK)
Runtime: 165 minutes
It's not often that we think movies deserve to be called epic, but that's how we'd describe Interstellar, a sci-fi movie that weaves a story across space and time all in the name of love, discovery and saving humanity – see, we told you it's epic!
Interstellar is set in a dystopian future and follows the story of a team of astronauts who must travel through a wormhole that's discovered near Saturn in order to find a new home for humanity. What follows is a sprawling adventure filled with wonder, heartache and a dash of cosmic horror.
If you're a fan of science-fiction, there's a lot to love here with beautiful new worlds and wondrous space-faring scenes. But at its core, this is a movie about human relationships and the lengths people will go to help the ones they love. See where it placed in our best Christopher Nolan movies ranked guide.
Gangs of Lagos
RT score: TBC (Critical); 82% (Audience)
Age rating: R (US), 18 (UK)
Runtime: 124 minutes
Gangs of Lagos tells the tale of Obalola and the lives of his friends, Gift and Ify, as they grow up on the busy and chaotic streets of Isale Eko, a neighbourhood in Lagos, Nigeria.
A film centered on family, friendship and betrayal, while also exploring the impact of violence and politically-affiliated gang culture in Nigeria, Gangs of Lagos isn't an easy Sunday afternoon watch – especially when you consider that it's based on true stories from Isale Eko. It's also the first Amazon movie to be mad in Africa; the pioneering flick being the first of many upcoming international projects.
Top Gun: Maverick
RT score: 96% (Critical); 99% (Audience)
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12 (UK)
Runtime: 131 minutes
It was Q2 2022 when Top Gun: Maverick landed in theaters and wowed many with its box office performance. Now, the movie is available to watch at home thanks to Prime Video (it's also available on Paramount Plus).
You'll want to check it out, too. Maverick is an action-packed, fast-paced movie with impressive special effects, top-class performances and top-tier set-pieces that'll leave your jaw on the floor. Its story is a little formulaic at times, but it’s nonetheless well worth a watch.
If you loved the original Top Gun movie you’ll love this one, too. It’s just as fun, exciting, and edge-of-your-seat tense as the first. You won’t be able to take your eyes off Tom Cruise’s electric performance as Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell and, as mentioned, there are top performances from its younger stars, too, especially Miles Teller as Lieutenant Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw. Read our exclusive chats with director Joseph Kosinki about the mind-boggling number of cameras used on set and how the film got the green light in the most Tom Cruise way possible.
Palm Springs
RT score: 95% (Critical); 89% (Audience)
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 90 minutes
There have been plenty of phenomenal time loop movies over the years, including Source Code and Edge of Tomorrow. But for a take that's less edgy sci-fi and has more humor, charm, and romcom threads, Palm Springs should be on your must-watch list.
Two strangers called Nyles (Andy Samberg) and Sarah (Cristin Milioti) meet at a wedding and find they're the only ones living the same 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.
Devotion
RT score: 80% (Critical); 92% (Audience)
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12 (UK)
Runtime: 139 minutes
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.
Sound of Metal
RT score: 97% (Critical); 90% (Audience)
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 120 minutes
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
RT score: 98% (Critical); 88% (Audience)
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 120 minutes
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
RT score: 98% (Critical); 78% (Audience)
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 110 minutes
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
RT score: 96% (Critical); 78% (Audience)
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 137 minutes
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
RT score: 92% (Critical); 66% (Audience)
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12 (UK)
Runtime: 90 minutes
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
RT score: 95% (Critical); 92% (Audience)
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 93 minutes
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
RT score: 90% (Critical); 66% (Audience)
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 133 minutes
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.
For more Prime Video-based coverage, read our guide on all of the new Prime Video movies to arrive this month. Alternatively, see how much a Prime Video subscription costs or read our best Prime Video shows guide.
