Amazon Prime Video drops a bunch of movies at the beginning of each month if you’re looking for something new, but it doesn’t have a ton of new weekly releases.
However, every now and then he knocks an original or a recording out of the vault and deserves to be on your radar. Below, you’ll find this month’s highlights and CNET’s full list of the best Amazon Prime Video original movies.
What’s new this week (June 27-July 3)
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Best Amazon Prime Video original films
Drama
Ben Stiller stars in this comedy-drama as Brad, a 47-year-old man plagued by thoughts of comparison and self-doubt. He has a comfortable life with a nonprofit job, a loving wife (Jenna Fischer) and a talented college-prep son (Austin Abrams), but he still compares himself to old friends who have ended up in glamorous and lucrative careers. See the article : The 50 original original films of Netflix. This introspective film is very interesting, and Stiller perfectly embodies the unflattering, often creepy role of a protagonist obsessed with paths he didn’t take.
Adapted from the young adult novel by Brian Selznick (who also wrote The Invention of Hugo Cabret), this film shifts between bold color and black and white to tell the story of two children who live in different time periods but go on similar journeys . One is the newly orphaned Ben, who after losing his mother (Michelle Williams) in 1977 is searching for his missing father. The other is Rose, who tracks down a silent film star (Julianne Moore) 50 years earlier. Separated by time, their paths cross in New York. This family-friendly film from director Todd Haynes is full of adventure and childlike wonder.
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021)
Benedict Cumberbatch stars in this biopic about English artist, inventor, entrepreneur and caretaker Louis Wain. It is set in the late 19th century and follows a man who, after taking in a stray cat, creates the surreal cat paintings that have made him world famous. On the same subject : The Best Movies Come for Prime Video in July 2022. They also seem to reflect his declining sanity. A feel-good drama with a typically enthralling central performance from Cumberbatch, this warm portrait is full of whimsy, if a bit uneven.
The Sound of Metal received a slew of Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for the extraordinary Riz Ahmed. (It won in two categories: best sound and best film editing.) He plays Ruben, a punk-metal drummer who unfortunately begins to lose his hearing. In addition to battling drug addiction, Ruben is forced to adapt to a new life in the deaf community and learn American Sign Language. The film’s stunning sound design immerses you in Ruben’s tense story and the experiences of the people around him.
Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot (2018)
If you liked Joaquin Phoenix in Joker or her, this is another movie where his acting skills are on full display. Phoenix plays the late cartoonist John Callahan, a Portland artist who became a quadriplegic at age 21 and had a penchant for dark humor in his work. This may interest you : Global food kilometers account for almost 20% of total food system emissions. “Don’t Worry” tells a story of addiction and recovery, and the time we get with its central character is well spent. Jonah Hill stars as Callahan’s devoted sponsor, and the cast also includes Jack Black and Rooney Mara.
Selah and the Spades (2019)
If you like the genre of dark stuff that takes place in boarding schools, then Selah and the Spades might be a theme for you to sign up for. The senior leads a faction called the Spades that sells drugs to other students. But Selah is about to graduate, so she needs to find the right candidate to carry on her legacy. Beautifully shot and directed through the unique lens of debut director Tayarisha Poe, this is a taste of even greater things to come.
Being the Ricardos (2021)
Aaron Sorkin writes and directs this biographical drama based on the relationship between I Love Lucy stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. It stars Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem as Ball and Arnaz, respectively. In other words, expect jaw-dropping dialogue, memorable lines, and a rich response. The standout Kidman embodies the actress-comedian who brings heart to the couple’s complicated romantic and professional relationship.
A sublime anthology that does not abandon its five films. Small Ax is a collection of various stories about the life of West Indian immigrants in London from the 1960s to the 1980s. It’s all directed by Steve McQueen, who is at his best (when isn’t he?), crafting stories like the courtroom drama Mangrove, based on the 1971 trial of the Mangrove Nine and starring Letitia Wright as the Black Panther. Sit back and enjoy this massive achievement.
This Irish drama shares some themes with the 2021 Netflix series The Maid: A mother leaves an abusive partner and must rebuild her life. Like Maid , it’s a compelling and heartbreaking journey that has a lot going for it. The film is difficult to watch, but it is also exciting. After encountering obstacles, Sandra (Clare Dunne) perseveres to build her own house. Many of the characters we meet come to the rescue. It is a worthy story on its own, offering hope in the midst of darkness.
Shia LaBeouf wrote the script for this autobiographical film about a child actor and his relationship with his father. We follow Otis, who is traumatized after days of filming accompanied by his father, a former rodeo clown. LaBeouf actually plays a character inspired by his father, which gives Honey Boy even more psychological layers. It’s fascinating, cinematic therapy from a unique perspective.
One Night in Miami (2020)
If you still haven’t seen One Night in Miami, this is a sign to clear your schedule. The Oscar-nominated drama offers a fictional take on the real-life encounter between Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, Muhammad Ali and Jim Brown in 1964. Each of the four main actors shines, and when they finally gather for the title film at night, their imaginary conversations and debates seem real. A lively, thought-provoking film enhanced by scenes between Leslie Odo Jr. and Kingsley Ben-Adir.
Pawel Pawlikowski’s historical drama, which follows lovers from different backgrounds and temperaments, is set in devastated Poland after World War II. Zula is an aspiring young singer masquerading as a peasant, while Wiktor is a jazz musician auditioning for a state-sponsored folk music ensemble. The politics are handled elegantly, and the black and white visuals are accurate and beautiful. For an 88-minute treat of a lavish, passionate, almost impossible love story, look no further than the Cold War.
King Lear is, of course, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, but two powerful forces help it stand out: Anthony Hopkins and Black Widow scene-stealer Florence Pugh. Not to mention Emma Thompson! This adaptation is set in an alternate universe of the 21st century, where London is under strict military control. Lear is ready to divide his kingdom between his three daughters, but they all disagree. If Shakespearean dialogue is your thing, just sit back and marvel at Hopkins and the full cast, including Emily Watson, Jim Broadbent and Andrew Scott.
Before we get into this Spike Lee movie, please note that it is technically a stage play. But still, it somehow captures the magic of cinema, thanks mainly to the engaging performances of Jon Michael Hill and Julian Parker. They play two young men who dream of the promised land from their permanent spot on the sidewalk. Educational, touching, funny and surprising, Pass Over will keep you on your toes more than you think.
Get ready for Amazon’s first big, blockbuster movie to hit you in the chest. A broken man who has experienced terrible losses becomes the guardian of his teenage nephew. Lee Chandler’s story will thrill you with punch after punch of emotion, as well as outstanding performances from the likes of Michelle Williams. Another Kenneth Lonergan achievement, Manchester by the Sea is full, memorable storytelling.
In trademark Jim Jarmusch style, this low-key indie focuses on the small details of ordinary life with a distinct sense of humor. Over the course of a week, Paterson follows a bus driver and poet named Paterson, who listens to passengers talking, walks his dog, and stops for a beer at a local bar. Only Adam Driver makes it all endlessly watchable. Dotted with idiosyncratic characters living in a New Jersey town, Paterson offers a wise outlook on life, delving into personal failures and the new paths woven around them.
Thriller
Prime Video must be an Adam Driver fan. He has starred in several original films, including Paterson, Annette and this political thriller based on a true investigation into the CIA’s interrogation practices after 9/11. The film follows Senate staffer Daniel Jones (Driver) as he works on the titular report and goes back in time to present the agency’s use of torture. It’s an ambitious drama with a well-crafted narrative and a compelling cast that also includes Jon Hamm and Michael C. Hall.
All The Old Knives (2022)
Prime Video’s new spy thriller didn’t wow all critics ( here’s a review you should definitely read ), but it wasn’t a complete flop either. The film introduces two former lovers and colleagues at the CIA station in Vienna (Chris Pine and Thandiwe Newton), who are reunited under less than pleasant circumstances. A CIA mole allegedly threatened an agent years ago, so the agency sent Pine to question Newton. Filled with flashbacks, this twisted film is catchy enough to keep coming back to if you need an evening escape.
As this comedic thriller opens, we learn that high school seniors and best friends, Kunle and Sean, plan to become the first black men to complete the “Legendary Tour,” a feat that involves frat-hopping on an epic scale. But when the students find a young white woman slumped over in her dorm, the night turns into something else entirely. The film, which interweaves comedy and social commentary, is at times tense and harrowing. An important part is the bond between Kunle and Sean, played by the excellent RJ Cyler and Donald Elise Watkins.
The Mad Women’s Ball (2021)
Mélanie Laurent directs, co-wrote and stars in this emotional French thriller set in the late 19th century. Laurent is Geneviève, a nurse who tries to free Eugénie (Lou de Laâge), a woman committed to a mental institution when her family learns that she communicates with spirits. A ball of crazy women, carried by the two outstanding performances in the two main roles, poignantly sweeps the inequalities of the period into its disturbing melodrama. The finished watch.
The Coen brothers meet Wes Anderson in this black comedy thriller led by two brilliant young female leads. Set in a snowy fishing town in Maine, Blow the Man Down follows sisters played by Morgan Saylor and Sophie Lowe as they try to hide the body of a man after he attacks one of them and she fights back. While going on a crime spree, they find themselves unearthing the dark secrets of the town’s matriarchs and turning it into a noir mystery. It’s as wonderful as it sounds.
A psychological thriller with pre-Joker Joaquin Phoenix? Yes, more people need to watch You Were Never Really Here. Lynne Ramsay’s masterful take on the story of an assassin hired to rescue a politician’s daughter from a human trafficking ring is stark, brutal and mercifully straight to the point, running a tense 90 minutes. With Phoenix doing his brilliantly committed acting thing, You Were Never Really Here is more than your average thriller.
Even if you’ve heard good things about The Maid, nothing can prepare you for the crazy twists and turns of this excellent South Korean film. The Handmaiden, which is classified as an erotic psychological thriller, contains explicit scenes that should probably be avoided by parents. It all starts with a con man who proposes to a Japanese heiress with the intention of putting her in an asylum when they get married. But his pickpocket partner, posing as her maid, deviates from the plan. If Parasite introduced you to South Korean movies, you need to watch this.
Documentary
Mother, activist, and entrepreneur Fox Rich is the focus of this Academy Award-nominated documentary that explores the impact of incarceration on a family. Early in the film, we learn that Fox’s husband, Robert, has been in prison for 20 years for a robbery he and Fox committed in a moment of desperation in 1997. Home videos and present-day footage are stitched together to show a passage spanning more than two decades. It is a visually stunning film with powerful messages about the American criminal justice system.
Do you love Lucy? How about insightful, nostalgic documentaries? If so, you’ll need to tune into this exploration of the lives of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, led by Amy Poehler. Based on home movies and audio provided by Ball and Arnaz’s daughter, Lucie Arnaz, the feel-good doc chronicles everything that led up to the couple’s iconic run on the 1950s sitcom I Love Lucy. When you’re done, there’s also a fictional movie about the stars, The Ricardos, available on Prime Video.
My Name Is Pauli Murray (2021)
This 90-minute documentary provides important context in the life of Paula Murray, a gender non-conforming lawyer, poet and civil rights activist who was ahead of her time but remains overlooked by history. Murray championed racial and gender equality, and her ideas later influenced Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Thurgood Marshall. Directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen (RGB, Julia), this thorough and thought-provoking film showcases Murray’s many accomplishments and indelible influence.
In 2011, three years after retiring from the NFL, former New Orleans Saints quarterback Steve Gleason was diagnosed with the nervous system disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This emotional film documents Gleason’s battle with ALS. Gleason’s story, mostly told through self-shot videos, involves his loving wife, Michel, and his newborn son, Rivers. It’s a stunning look at how devastating ALS can be. If you have a Prime Video subscription, Gleason is a must watch.
This film chronicles the fascinating career of rapper Kid Cudi and features sit-down interviews with a bunch of other music industry heavyweights, including Cudi, Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky and Cudi’s longtime collaborator Kanye West. It offers a candid look at the Cleveland-born rapper’s journey, from the massive success of his debut song, Day ‘n’ Nite, which was originally posted on his MySpace page, to the rapper’s struggles with mental health. While there’s no shortage of new music documentaries to stream these days, this one stands out from the crowd.
Comedy
A teenage comedy-horror-thriller with a touch of social commentary. What a combination! Get Duked! follows three slacker students, one nerd, and their ordinary teacher as they head to the Scottish Highlands to try and win a prize that involves navigating the area using only a paper map. Things get a little more exciting when the four teenagers end up fending off the killer Duke, played by the brilliant Eddie Izzard, on their own. The entire young cast is fantastic, playing off a taut script bursting with banter. Boy Scouts meets Attack the Block, Get Duked! he is a walking, cursing, and eating chaos of questionable local flora.
Late Night, written by and starring Mindy Kaling, follows a popular news anchor whose ratings are falling. She hires an Indian-American writer to raid her white writer’s room. Never preachy, even as it makes the case for transforming Emma Thompson into a true talk show host, Late Night is a lively comedy with a touch of The Devil Wears Prada. That alone should be a good reason to watch.
Set in New York in 1995, this comedy drama follows sisters Ali and Dana, who are at different stages of life and often at odds. When Ali (Abby Quinn) comes across proof that their father is having an affair, she runs into Dana (Jenny Slate), who happens to be dealing with infidelity issues herself. Whether you’re interested in stories about complicated families, fascinated by the idea of pre-cellphone settings, or (reasonably) a fan of anything Jenny Slate does, call in to see the stationary.
A feel-good comedy, yes, but Brittany Runs a Marathon also hits home by focusing on the things we all obsess over: food, body image, and exercise. Brittany, played by the relatable Jillian Bell, receives strong advice from her doctor to lose weight and quit her party-heavy lifestyle. She starts running and takes all the hard steps towards the finish line that changes her life. Watch it from the couch and then it inspires you to go out for a run.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)
Nearly 15 years after Kazakh journalist and TV personality Borat first appeared on our big screens, he’s back to prey on unsuspecting Americans while making some incredibly sharp cultural commentary. In Borat 2, or Borat After the Movie: Delivering an Incredible Bribe to the American Regime to Benefit the Once-Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, Borat travels to the United States to offer his daughter Tutar (played by a revelatory Maria Bakalova) to Vice President Mike Pence. between the 2020 presidential election — and the COVID-19 pandemic. Prepare to cringe at the doubled-up political incorrectness before succumbing to the outrageous laughter.
Need more Paul Bettany in your life? Sure, especially since WandaVision is done and dusted. Try Uncle Frank, a road movie set in the 1970s about a gay man and his relationship with his family, including niece and college student Beth (Sophia Lillis of It and I Am Not Okay With This). The couple drive across America to attend a funeral, and Frank struggles with whether to let his partner Wally (Peter Macdissi) come along. A comedy with sharp edges, Uncle Frank leaves you on a convincingly positive note at the end.
Sci-fi
It’s hard to believe that there was a time when I only recognized Chris Pratt as the lovable goofy Andy on Parks and Recreation. He has since established himself as a consummate action star, appearing as the lead actor in films such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World and this sci-fi thriller Tomorrow’s War. In the film, travelers from the future visit Earth to report that humanity is losing the war against aliens. Pratt joins the others who are transported to the future to fight them, making for an intense, action-packed feature that goes on for a long time, but will likely appease sci-fi fans.
The Vast of Night is a quirky indie sci-fi film from debut director Andrew Patterson that plays with narrative in a clever way. Long, sweeping shots follow two young radio workers investigating a sound frequency they believe could be tracking aliens. The distinctive setting of 1950s New Mexico and characters speaking monologues with the polished intonations of those on the radio create an eerie atmosphere with a satisfying payoff.
The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (2021)
Following in the footsteps of Palm Springs, The Map of Tiny Perfect things is a rom-com that explores the lives of its protagonists through a time loop. Katheryn Newton and Kyle Allen play Margaret and Mark, two teenagers who repeat the same day over and over again. Their cute encounter involves saving someone from being thrown into the pool by a beach ball. Charming and honest, it’s a good, if not entirely perfect, watch.
Musical drama
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (2021)
This coming-of-age musical drama is based on the true story of teenage British schoolboy Jamie Campbell, who secretly dreams of becoming a drag queen. Infused with songs from the original score of the stage musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will lift you up with optimism and hit all the right feel-good beats.
This story comes from the minds of an all-star team including Donald Glover, his brother Stephen Glover, and fellow Atlanta native Hiro Murai. Donald Glover voices free-spirited Deni Maroon, a musician who lives with Kofi, voiced by none other than Rihanna. Deni encounters various obstacles in her mission to organize a music festival for her island community, exploring big themes like capitalism in the film’s short 56-minute running time. Mind you, Rihanna doesn’t sing, but overall, this musical is just catchy and sweet enough to warrant a watch.
Romance
While Sylvie’s Love is at its heart an old-fashioned love story, her dewy romance is remarkably refreshing: a period drama centered around black people, not dominated by issues of race and bigotry. Set in the aesthetically charming New York of the 1960s, it follows Sylvie and Robert, who have the chance to reconnect after a summer romance five years ago. Both are into music, and the film’s soundtrack, featuring Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson and more, helps transport you to that glowing place.
The Big Sick introduced the world to Kumail Nanjiani, who co-wrote the film based on his real-life romance with partner Emily V. Gordon. After the pair go on a few promising dates, Emily inexplicably falls ill and has to be put into an induced coma. While Kumail meets her worried parents in the hospital, his own Pakistani family keeps setting him up on dates with other women. Not only ripe for cultural comedy, Big Sick is also a down-to-earth and heartfelt story about an interracial couple.
Horror
Regina Hall stars in this chilling thriller that centers on three women at an elite college in New England. The school comes with a creepy ghost story, but the racism the protagonists experience at the predominantly white university is just as disturbing as any twisted portraiture or witchcraft element. You’ll want to see this exciting and effective directorial debut from Mariama Diallo.
Luca Guadagnino’s creepy painting framed in a gloomy art house window won’t be for everyone, but those who go down the rabbit hole of her prestigious Berlin dance school are in for a twisted treat. Tilda Swinton is the magnificent head teacher who mentors young inventor Dakota Johnson. Watch out: flexible dancers bring new twists to body horror. It’s a long movie at over two and a half hours long, but if you’re into disturbing visuals and a touch of magic, there are some stunning scenes that will make you want to stick around.
This impressive directorial debut from Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr. hits the same emotional buttons as an episode of Black Mirror. It centers on Nolan Wright (Mamoudou Athie), a man who survived a car accident but now suffers from amnesia. After failing to pick up his 10-year-old daughter from school, he embarks on an experimental treatment that leads to terrifying results. Part of Blumhouse’s anthology, this sci-fi horror flick plays familiar cards, but will satisfy with its focus on character and the twist we’re looking forward to at the end.
Crime
Not your usual crime thriller, I’m Your Woman follows the perspective of a mobster’s wife, played by Rachel Brosnahan of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. The betrayal forces Jean to run away with her newborn baby and bodyguard, her husband’s former colleague Cal (Arinzé Kene). The 1970s neo-noir revolves around themes of racial tension, privilege, and survival. It moves at a surprisingly steady pace, giving you time to absorb the powerful psychological impact of Jean’s new situation.
Adventure
Based on the life of British adventurer Percy Fawcett, The Lost City of Z takes you into the Amazon rainforest in search of an ancient lost city. If that setting for an adventure isn’t inviting enough, the movie stars Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson and Tom Holland…with mustaches. A beautiful, magnificent film put together with great care, The Lost City of Z may unfold more slowly than you think, but that only enhances its fascinating psychological layers.
Movies Coming in 2022 From Marvel, Netflix, DC and More
