Let’s be honest—we’ve all done it. You fire up Prime Video, spend 45 minutes scrolling, then sigh and put on Friends again. Happens to the best of us. But I’m here to end the scrolling nightmare. I dug through the good, the bad, and the “why is this even on here?” so you don’t have to.
Here’s my no-BS list of 20 movies on Amazon Prime that are absolutely worth watching in 2025. Some are big blockbusters, some are smaller gems, but every single one earns its spot.
1. Oppenheimer (2023)
Three hours. A ton of dialogue. And yet? You won’t look away. Nolan basically dropped a cinematic nuke here (pun intended). It’s heavy, sure, but it leaves you sitting in silence afterward.
2. The Burial (2023)
Jamie Foxx eats up every scene. A legal drama that’s actually fun? Yep, it exists. Real story, real heart, and just the right amount of sass.
3. Air (2023)
A whole movie about a shoe deal? Sounds boring, right? Wrong. Damon + Affleck turn Nike’s Hail Mary into a surprisingly inspiring ride. By the end, you’ll want Jordans—even if you hate sneakers.
4. Sound of Freedom (2023)
Not an easy watch. But important. Intense thriller about human trafficking. You’ll feel angry, uncomfortable, and probably need a walk afterward.
5. The Tomorrow War (2021)
Chris Pratt shooting aliens in the future. Is it dumb? A little. Is it entertaining? Oh, absolutely. Sometimes you just want explosions and cheesy one-liners.
6. Saltburn (2023)
Dark. Twisted. A little gross. And yet—you can’t look away. It’s one of those “did that really just happen?” kind of films. Perfect if you like your comedies pitch black.
7. Manchester by the Sea (2016)
This movie will crush your soul. In the best way. Affleck’s performance is devastating. Do not, I repeat, do not watch this if you’re already sad.
8. The Report (2019)
Adam Driver digging into CIA secrets. It’s talky, serious, and will probably make you mad. But it’s also really, really good.
9. One Night in Miami (2020)
Four legends in one room. Imagine Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown debating life, fame, and change. Doesn’t sound exciting? Trust me, it’s electric.
10. A Simple Favor (2018)
Anna Kendrick being quirky, Blake Lively being mysterious, and a plot full of twists. It’s like Gone Girl but with cocktails and sass.
11. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)
Yep, Borat is still insane. Still offensive. Still hilarious. You’ll laugh, cringe, and maybe even… feel something? Weirdly heartfelt at times.
12. The Big Sick (2017)
Top-tier rom-com. Funny, sweet, awkward—basically life. Kumail Nanjiani tells his own love story here, and it’s impossible not to root for him.
13. The Vast of Night (2019)
Tiny indie sci-fi. Almost no special effects. Just atmosphere, dialogue, and mystery. Honestly? More gripping than most $200M blockbusters.
14. Coming 2 America (2021)
Is it as good as the original? Nope. Is it still a fun nostalgia trip? Totally. Eddie Murphy hasn’t lost his charm.
15. Blow the Man Down (2019)
A quirky little crime story set in a fishing town. Think Fargo but with more gossiping old ladies and chowder.
16. Without Remorse (2021)
Michael B. Jordan blowing stuff up and looking cool while doing it. Plot? Eh. Action? Solid. Sometimes that’s all you need.
17. The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021)
Yes, it’s about a guy painting cats. Sounds silly, but it’s actually heartbreaking and gorgeous. Also, Benedict Cumberbatch being all eccentric—what’s not to love?
18. I Want You Back (2022)
Two strangers trying to break up their exes’ new relationships. Messy? Very. Funny? Absolutely. Great Sunday night comfort watch.
19. Guava Island (2019)
Donald Glover + Rihanna in a dreamy, musical fairytale. Short, stylish, and basically a vibe.
20. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Still the wildest ride out there. Drugs, yachts, chaos, and DiCaprio going full unhinged. If you somehow missed this one, fix that now.
Final Thoughts
Prime’s library is a mixed bag—plenty of “why is this here?” movies—but when you dig, you strike gold. This list? Solid gold. Whether you want to laugh, cry, or watch things blow up, there’s something here.
So next time you’re staring blankly at the Prime menu, pick one of these instead. Worst case, you waste two hours on my recommendation. Best case, you find a new favorite. Either way, it beats scrolling.
