Complete List of Best Movies to Watch on Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime has an expansive library of movies across different genres and languages. Read on to discover some of the greatest movies of our times that are available on Amazon Prime and ought to be a part of your to-watch movies list!

Complete List of Best Movies to Watch on Amazon Prime

Nothing makes my Friday night more enjoyable than pizza and a good movie. I look forward to 2-3 hours of pure entertainment in any genre. As soon as it’s Saturday, I am back to researching which movie deserves my time on the upcoming Friday.

After many hits and misses, I have made this list of the best movies to watch on Amazon Prime based on all the great movies I watched and all the terrible movies I sat through, so you don’t have to. Amazon Prime has a great variety and collection of movies that will keep you engaged for weeks, if not months. These movies are scattered through different genres, so there is something in here for every day!

Read on and discover some excellent cinema that will stick in your mind long after you’ve reached their concluding credits.

1. No Country For Old Men

I watched this movie after listening to the rave reviews of Javier Bardem’s performance, and man, was I impressed! He carries this movie solely on his shoulders, making it look so real that you almost shudder at the thought of meeting someone like him IRL!

No Country For Old Men is about a hunter who discovers 2 million dollars amidst a shootdown that resulted from an abandoned drug deal. He is on the run after taking the money and is pursued by a psychopathic killer who wants the money back.

This movie is applauded for many things, but it’s a suspense-filled plot and a surprise ending. It has you sitting on the edge of your seat for two hours. I was so engrossed I almost forgot I had the most delicious pizza from Pizza Hut on my lap!

This movie is written on morality, fate, choices, risk and justice themes. It is based on a novel written by Cormac McCarthy, wherein the choices made by the hunter to steal the money and flee eventually lead him to the door of justice.

Although this movie has no ghost or evil spirit, I could easily classify it as horror/crime-thriller because Javier Bardem’s performance will give you chills down your spine! Undoubtedly one of his finest works, you must watch this movie if you are a fan of suspense and crime thrillers!

2.The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Can you miss watching the movie that finally won Leonardo Di Caprio an Oscar? It took him yet another stellar performance and yet another collaboration with Martin Scorsese to take home the golden beauty, so I wouldn’t miss this movie for anything!

This black comedy crime film is based on the life of Jordan Belfort, a corrupt and impulsive stock broker, tracing his fast-paced life from rise to fall. This movie is generously sprinkled with drugs, abuse, profanity, sex and expletives, so it isn’t for any non-adults in the house! While critics applauded the film’s performances, they gave it some backlash for a free hand in language and expletive content.

With good reason, this movie makes it to BBC’s 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century. It depicts the lack of morals and the obsession with money, sex and power that can be the downfall of even the brightest minds in the world!

If you are a business buff or a budding entrepreneur, aside from all the books you can stash up from AbeBooks, you must also give this movie a watch for the many business lessons it shares. The way Belfort trains and motivates his employees is the stuff of legend. It displays the difference the right training can make to your success. Another important lesson the movie shares is gathering a loyal team.

If you watch this movie through the right lens, there is much to learn. For the rest of us, it is an intriguing story with plenty of good performances to make your movie night a success.

3. Sound of Metal (2020)

Imagine being able to do the thing you love the most for a living every single day – and then suddenly not being able to do it anymore! Sound of Metal is the story of a heavy metal drummer who suddenly begins to lose his sense of hearing. From how it breaks his spirit to how he grows to accept his deafness is the premise of this movie.

The biggest takeaway for me from this movie is the importance of acceptance. Oftentimes, we fight and struggle against situations that, deep down, we know we can change. If only we invest that much energy and time in strengthening our power of acceptance – what a difference it can make!

Riz Ahmed shines in his portrayal of Ruben Stone, the protagonist. It even earned him a well-deserved Academy Award nomination. He displays strong feelings of anger, helplessness, desperation and dissent so well through the movie that I couldn’t help thinking about his performance days after watching it. I must admit, I loved his flashy blond hair in the movie. So much so I even walked into Bblunt to replicate the same look on myself. It turned out fine. But hey, not everyone is Riz Ahmed, right?

Watch this movie to experience the wide spectrum of human emotion displayed in full swing by Ahmed. You won’t be left disappointed!

4. Air

Those swanky Nike Air Jordans you are a fan of has an entire backstory to it! As a die-hard fan of Nike kicks, I knew I had to watch this movie as soon as it came out! And, with a star cast that includes Matt Demon, Ben Affleck and Chris Tucker, this movie was set to go big from the word go!

Air follows the story of how Sonny Vaccaro, a sports marketing executive, and Nike pursue an upcoming sports basketball Michael Jordan to create a brand of shoes that revolutionized sports, fashion and modern culture.

This movie is made for those sports buffs and fashion enthusiasts who love a good true story. The process, people, idea and effort behind a now iconic line of shoes is open for viewers to see and enjoy. What’s not to love?

Although I already own a pair of Air Jordans, I was so tempted to invest in another pair of these swanky shoes after watching the movie. After all, who wouldn’t be?! So what did I do? Well, I did buy them from the Nike Store. Thankfully, I got a great deal, so I had my cake and ate it too. Don’t fret, I went running in my new Air Jordans the next morning!

No doubt Air is a movie of keen interest for kids, you must save the movie from them until they’re at least 16 years old. Air is laced with language, profanity, anger and even a blink-and-miss appearance of a nude male statue.

So, all in all, Air is a great watch for fans of sports, cinema or just great content. Among the Best movies on Amazon Prime India 2023, Air is one of my top picks.

5. Sharmaji Namkeen

Sharmaji Namkeen is one of the best Bollywood movies on Amazon Prime for more reasons than one. From breaking gender stereotypes, spreading some laughs and bringing the iconic Juhi Chawla – Rishi Kapoor duo back on screen, this movie has everything going right.

Sharmaji Namkeen is the story of a widower who is forced to retire and uses his free time to pursue his flair for cooking. He begins cooking for ladies’ kitty parties and soon becomes famous in Delhi’s social circles for his lip-smacking food. What follows is a slew of adverse reactions from his children and society.

This movie is exceptional as it is the last time Rishi Kapoor appeared on the silver screen. He, unfortunately, couldn’t complete filming the movie, and the stellar Paresh Rawal steps in to play the character of Brij Gopal Sharma with just the same nuances and style. This comedy-drama film never loses your attention throughout. It is a true-blue masala Bollywood film with a generous dose of drama, comedy, emotion and romance.

Anyone watching this movie and all the delicious food the protagonist dices up will undoubtedly feel the hunger pangs. So my advice before you press on Sharmaji Namkeen is to keep some healthy yet tasty snacks from Snackible within arm’s reach because this movie will shoot up your cravings and how!

Also, keep some tissues ready because this movie may tear you up in several scenes. All in all, you can watch a typical mushy Bollywood masala movie with your family!

6. Rocky Franchise (1976-1990)

What do I say about the Rocky franchise that’s not already been said? Inspiring, glorious, motivational, and timeless are just some of the adjectives to decorate the Rocky Franchise with.

Rocky 1 to 5 traces the life and journey of a small-time boxer, Rocky Balboa, who gets to fight against the world champion boxer, Apollo Creed. Miraculously, Rocky puts up a fight of a lifetime, with many people believing he is the true winner of the game. From then on begins Rocky’s journey as a champion boxer, working through all his personal and professional challenges.

Sylvester Stallone delivers the performance of a lifetime in all the installments of this iconic series. A true ode to the American Dream, Rocky movies have lived on in viewers’ hearts for almost five decades. These five movies are certainly the best on Amazon Prime India for anyone looking to beat the odds and needing motivation. If there ever was a spectacle of sportsmanship, guts, glory and going the distance, it is Rocky.

I have seen the Rocky franchise before in fragments. But, when I heard it is available on Amazon Prime, I dedicated an entire Sunday to watching all the parts in one go. And what a Sunday it was! I was so inspired by the movie I promised myself to work out at least four times a week and increase my protein intake to match my body composition. Bodybuilding was the #1 recommendation by my bodybuilding friends as the most trusted website for fitness supplements. It’s been six weeks – I am going strong and getting stronger. No pain, no gain!

7. Spencer

So many times, the tumultuous life of Princess Diana has been illustrated on screen. Yet, so many times, we have all watched it! Here’s another movie on the life of this much-loved public icon that struck a chord with my heart.

Spencer touches upon Princess Diana’s particularly trying period in 1991, wherein she contemplates separating from Prince Charles. Kristen Stewart essays the role of Princess Diana wonderfully, from her diction to her classic gait and personality. Not many other movies about Princess Diana have touched upon her childhood and her happy memories, which this movie does quite intriguingly.

Spencer is special because it illustrates the shift in Princess Diana from sitting on the fence about her separation to breaking free (figuratively) from the binds of royal life. The drive towards the end of the movie is symbolic of how she steers her life and future away from Prince Charles.

This movie gets the costumes, jewellery, mannerisms and grandeur of the time absolutely spot on. Every time one watches the portrayal of the elegant and charming Princess Diana, one can’t help but take a leaf out of her book and embody her sense of dressing and style. I watched Spencer with my sister, who loved the pearl necklace and earrings that adorned the on-screen Princess. Thankfully I found something very similar at Giva, which made for a perfect birthday gift for my kid sister!

So, watch Spencer for Stewart’s stellar performance and revisit yet again the life of the world’s most favourite Princess. Spencer is one of the new movies on Amazon Prime India that are undoubtedly worth your time. It’s been almost three decades since her unfortunate passing, yet we just can’t have enough of this ethereal beauty.

8. The Shawshank Redemption

No movie can better depict the power of hope better than The Shawshank Redemption. Lauded as one of the greatest feature films of all time, and with good reason, The Shawshank Redemption is adapted from a book written by Stephen King. It is one of the best movies on Amazon Prime India you can watch. And once you watch it, you will want to watch it again! It is the kind of movie that lingers in your thoughts long after watching it for its engaging plot, gripping performances and, most importantly, the story’s message.

The Shawshank Redemption has a celebrated star cast, including Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins and Clancy Brown. The story is about two “lifies” (prisoners serving a life sentence) who develop a strong bond of friendship and how they eventually redeem themselves and their jail term. It is a drama/crime genre, although the storytelling style is very understated and palatable to the taste of many viewers.

I particularly love the soundtrack of The Shawshank Redemption. All of the times I have watched this film, the opening sequence and the song ‘If I Didn’t Care, would it Be the Same’ has always caught my attention. So much so that I have this song as a permanent feature on my Spotify list. This music and the fantastic narration by Red (Morgan Freeman) are the crowning glory of this excellent film, IMO. If you haven’t watched this classic already, it’s time you put your Amazon Prime membership to good use and did.

9. The Big Sick (2017)

Here is a rom-com with desi masala, NRI twist, and modern Gen Z feels at its best! The Big Sick stars Pakistani American comedians Kumail Nanjiani, Ray Romano, Zoe Kazan, and Shena Treasurywala in critical roles. If you’re looking for an accessible yet engaging drama comedy film to binge on this weekend, The Big Sick is just what you need.

This story is about an American-Pakistani comedian who meets and falls in love with an American student. While he worries about how his traditional desi parents will accept this relationship, his girlfriend slips into a coma due to an illness. He finds himself developing a bond with her parents, and that’s how the movie unfolds further.

I love these desi/NRI stories with realism, comedy, drama, and romance all rolled into one. The conflict of traditional values from the sub-continent juxtaposed with American life = interesting content (well, almost always!)

A fun fact about this movie is that it is based on the life of Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon. They co-wrote the film, which is why all the characters have been essayed with so much realism and relatability.

I loved watching this light-hearted movie with my better half. We immensely enjoyed Nanjiani’s comedy piece, which made us want to attend a show in the flesh! If you’re left with the same longing, head to Insider for all the information on events and shows in your city.

PS: Still through till the end credits to get a sneak peek into Nanjiani and Gordon’s real-life wedding with all the desi drama!

10. Schindler’s List

The best movie ever made on the Holocaust, Schindler’s List is a bone-chilling and thought-provoking film. It is based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German Industrialist and a member of the Nazi party who saved the lives of more than 1300 Jews working with him.

This movie boasts fine performances by Ralph Fiennes, Liam Neeson and Ben Kingsley. A historical drama that’s disturbing and moving in its depiction of mass murder and grisly violence, Schindler’s List shows the true face of the Holocaust. The horrors of the Auschwitz concentration camp, the monetary benefits of World War II and other inhumane happenings in Germany at the time are accurately shown in The Schindler’s List. One thing is for sure, once you watch this film, you will be left thinking about it for a long, long time. It is indeed one of Stephen Speilberg’s finest films.

Interestingly, the entire film is in black and white except for a few stills or scenes. This is mainly done to show it in historical light and heighten the impact of the film’s violence.

This movie is dark, disturbing and hard-hitting. But, despite all of this, it is a must-watch to show the extent of evil in humans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which movie is most viewed on Prime Video?

The Godfather (1972) is the most-watched movie on Amazon Prime. The Godfather traces the life of Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), the leader of a mafia family, and the subsequent transfer of power to his youngest son (Al Pacino). This movie is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential movies ever. It is a landmark in the crime genre and cinema in general, serving as a manual for budding actors, directors and artists at large.

What are some 5-star movies?

Some of the five-star movies that you can watch on Amazon Prime are:

• Aliens
• Fight Club
• The Help
• Forrest Gump
• The Matrix
• Star Trek
• The Silence of The Lambs
• The Dark Knight

Which is the highest-rated iMDB film on Amazon Prime?

The Shawshank Redemption is the highest-rated iMDB movie on Amazon Prime. This crime drama has often topped many voting charts as the best movie ever. It finds fans among viewers from all over the world and even the best minds in filmmaking. The Shawshank Redemption traces the story of two life-term prisoners who develop a close bond through their years in prison and finally redeem themselves and their jail term towards the end of the story.

What should I watch on Amazon Prime when bored?

Amazon Prime has a wide library of movies, TV shows and Amazon originals that are great to watch when bored. Some of the most watched shows and movies on Amazon include Good Will Hunting, The Imitation Game, Farzi, Top Gun Maverick, Dahaad, Taal, The Big Short, Ki & Ka, House of Gucci and The Boss Baby, among several others.

Is Amazon Prime free for 30 days?

Yes, Amazon Prime provides a 30 days free trial for all new users. Aside from great movies, TV shows and Amazon original series, Prime members can also enjoy same-day free delivery on their Amazon orders for groceries, shopping and other essentials. You also enjoy Prime Gaming benefits as a Prime member. Getting an Amazon Prime membership is beneficial in more ways than one. Interestingly, if you are a student, you can sign up for Amazon Prime Student Membership which is 100% free for six months.