Don’t feel overwhelmed by Prime Video‘s huge catalog of movies, watch these three cinematic gems that are guaranteed to please even the pickiest moviegoer. One of the earliest adopters of the streaming model, Amazon’s Prime Video was at the cutting edge of the modern way audiences consume media. Years later, they remain an industry leader for good reason.
Unlike other streamers which feature a small and curated collection, Prime Video’s selling point is that it is essentially a nexus for all movies and TV shows. Because it’s a digital storefront and streaming service, almost everything is available on Prime Video. While that is certainly a selling point, it is also something of a double-edged sword.
It’s easy to get lost in a scrolling spiral on Prime, and picking something to watch can be quite daunting. This is made doubly difficult when new movies land on Prime Video each month, many of which are fresh from theaters. Thankfully, the best films usually float to the top, and they land in the top 10 week after week.
This week’s selection of Prime Video movies is a diverse bunch, and represents several genres and time periods. There’s a bit of family-friendly fun, a classic thriller, and even an underrated action flick starring Liam Neeson in the leading role. Pleasing everyone is almost impossible, but these three movies have a little bit of something for everybody to enjoy.
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The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
The Silence of the Lambs is one of those transcendent horror movies that broke through the stigma of its own genre to become a masterpiece. The Thomas Harris adaptation is one of the few horror movies to snag Oscar wins, including the elusive Best Picture award. It isn’t hard to see why, and it’s a perfect example of horror storytelling.
There are tons of great horror flicks on Prime Video, but The Silence of the Lambs tops them all. It is a masterclass in performance thanks to Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster, and its tension is so perfectly executed as to be nearly unbearable at times. It isn’t just a terrifying experience, but an intellectual experience as well.
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Transformers One (2024)
The latest film in the massive movie franchise, Transformers One returns the series to its roots. Eschewing live-action in favor of animation, it’s closer to the charming feel of the original ’80s cartoon. Transformers One is a great starting point for those who are interested in the larger franchise, more so than even the popular 2000s blockbusters.
That aside, Transformers One is also a well-made movie all around. The visuals are unique and appealing, and the A-list voice cast includes Scarlett Johansson and Chris Hemsworth to name a few. It has movie theater scale, but still makes for a fun watch at home on Prime Video. Kids will love it, but so too will most adults.
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The Grey (2012)
Liam Neeson movies always tend to be popular on streaming, and there are a handful on Prime Video at all times. The Grey is one of the Irish actor’s lesser-known gems, and it illustrates his action movie prowess as well as his acting chops. Instead of playing a man out for revenge, Neeson plays a survivalist braving the elements.
Released in the wake of Neeson’s success in the Taken franchise, The Grey accentuates his strength as a believable tough guy. However, it’s also a well-written example of the man versus nature archetype, which makes it stand out from the rest of Neeson’s recent work. Prime Video flourishes thanks to underrated films, and The Grey deserves more attention.