Best movies on Amazon Prime Video to watch now

Forget the ever-growing franchise it has spawned – the original Jurassic Park is an essentially perfect action-adventure movie, introducing us to a host of richly developed, fun characters and setting them up against dinos realised through stunning practical effects which still hold up.

The basic premise of the film and the novel upon which it is based – a wealthy businessman invites a small group of selected visitors to enter his currently unopened theme park, in which he has brought dinosaurs back from extinction – still holds up, because rather than focusing simply on the thrills and set pieces, it also had a lot to say about genetic experimentation, the impact of man's battle with nature and obsessive commercialisation.

It's one of Steven Spielberg's best ever films, and the fact it came out in the same year as another of his acclaimed films, Schindler's List, feels like a minor miracle. If you've never seen it before, or are simply looking for a rewatch, know that Jurassic Park really does hold up exceptionally well to this day. - James Hibbs

With acting talent like Russell Crowe and Karen Gillan at the helm, it'll likely not take much convincing to tune into this mystery thriller which is set to take viewers on many twists and turns.

The film follows a former homicide detective who is suffering from memory loss and is trying to solve a brutal murder that he can't recall. But as he pieces together evidence from a decade-old investigation, he soon uncovers a sinister web of buried secrets tied to his forgotten past.

This exciting, behind-enemy-lines thriller is set in the southern Philippines and revolves around a 48-hour battle against Islamic State. Tensions run high as drone operative Sergeant JJ “Playboy” Kinney (Liam Hemsworth) and his team (played by Liam’s brother Luke Hemsworth, plus Ricky Whittle and Milo Ventimiglia) attempt to rescue an asset. When the operation goes wrong, Playboy is left stranded alone in the jungle, while Captain Eddie Grimm “Reaper” (Russell Crowe) is back at base providing air support.

William Eubank is a great action director, and the attack scenes are terrific. - Matt Glasby

Adam McKay's more recent topical comedy-dramas, Vice and Don't Look Up, may have been more divisive, but when he came out with The Big Short, viewers and critics were blown away. McKay was best-known up to that point for his work on out-and-out comedies such as Step Brothers and Anchorman, so to turn his hand to an Academy Award nominated feature on the 2008 financial crash was something of a surprise.

Starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt, The Big Short manages to break down and simplify some big complex topics surrounded in jargon, and make them accessible to audiences without patronising them. It's also a visual feast, blending drama with documentary style elements, and retains McKay's sharp sense of humour. - James Hibbs

If you're in the mood for a raucous, laugh-out-loud comedy, look no further than Joyride.

This film stars BEEF's Ashley Park as Audrey Sullivan, a successful lawyer who was adopted by an American family as an infant and has therefore never spent any significant time in China, her place of birth. But when a business trip sends her there, she sees an opportunity to investigate where she came from – perhaps even reuniting with her birth mother.

For moral support, she has a group of larger-than-life friends, including artist Lolo (Sherry Cola), actor Kat (Everything Everywhere All at Once's Stephanie Hsu) and eccentric cousin Vanessa (Sabrina Wu). Together, this group get into a series of utterly outrageous situations, each more farcical than the last.

But between the risqué humour and absurd comedy, there's plenty of heart as Audrey uncovers some astonishing revelations about her birth. A must watch!

Last year, something very surprising happened. A new Saw movie came out – and it received good reviews!

Yes, while the gory horror franchise has plenty of advocates, it's no secret that it has never enjoyed much love from critics. The first film has recently been reappraised as an impressive psychological thriller, but the later sequels remain targets of disdain by some film buffs. As a result, Saw X is actually the first film in the franchise to secure a "fresh" rating on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes.

Taking fans back to the period between Saw I and II, the film finds a terminally ill John Kramer (Tobin Bell) travelling to Mexico on the lure of a miracle cure for his cancer, which ultimately proves to be a scam. The perpetrators have no idea who they've just messed with and it's safe to say they're going to regret it. With help from accomplice Amanda (Shawnee Smith), Kramer proceeds to subject them to his typically twisted traps.

But in addition to the usual blood and gore, this entry in the Saw canon was praised for its surprisingly compelling character work, with Bell being electric as ever.

Inglourious Basterds marked something of a change in direction for Quentin Tarantino – who until that point had largely made films set in contemporary times. All of his films since Basterds have been period pieces – not that this change in approach led to any watering down of his instantly recognisable style or his fascination with revenge narratives.

Starring Brad Pitt as a lieutenant leading a troop of vengeful Jewish-American soldiers, and an Oscar-winning Christoph Waltz as the chilling Nazi villain Hans Landa, this film is electric throughout – from the unbearably tense opening scene to the immensely cathartic conclusion. Complete with plenty of Tarantino's trademark dialogue and a handful of perfectly constructed set-pieces, this two-and-a-half-hour epic is the writer/director at the very top of his game. – Patrick Cremona

One of the rare occasions where a comedy sequel exceeded its predecessor, 22 Jump Street takes its meta shenanigans to their utmost, but does so in a way which somehow never manages to seem excessive or self-indulgent. Instead, it makes for one of the most roundly entertaining action comedies we've seen for a long time, with Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill proving to be a perfect match-up, both at the top of their game.

The film sees the duo assigned to a new undercover case at a college, trying to do exactly the same mission as they completed at school but in the new setting. Ice Cube once again steal scenes as the captain of the Jump Street programme, and its end credits sequence is perhaps the most inventive, uproarious conclusion that you could imagine. - James Hibbs

Jonathan Glazer doesn't make too many films, but when he does they tend to be masterpieces – and that was certainly the case with his most recent work, The Zone of Interest. Loosely adapted from a Martin Amis novel of the same name, the film follows the everyday lives the commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his family as they seek to enjoy a life of idyll despite living mere paces away from the unimaginable suffering in the concentration and extermination camp that he played a major role in creating.

The result is both chilling and devastating, with the Oscar-winning sound work of Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn crucial in creating an atmosphere of utter horror even as Glazer's camera avoids directly showing any of the atrocities. Exploring the banality of evil and humanity's willingness to look away from the horrendous pain it can inflict on others, it's a film that remains steadfastly relevant today - and will have a profound impact on anyone who watches it, up to and including its enigmatic final scene. – Patrick Cremona

This romantic comedy is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Robinne Lee, which became a veritable sensation and built up an extremely devoted fanbase following its publication in 2017. Rumoured to have begun as Harry Styles fan fiction, the story tells of Solène, a 40-year-old single mother who unexpectedly falls for the much younger – and world famous – boy band member Hayes Campbell when she accidentally walks into his trailer while accompanying her teenage daughter to Coachella.

The lead roles are charmingly played by Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine – with the pair sharing great chemistry – while several original songs have been penned for the production by veteran songwriter Savan Kotecha, whose credits including hits for One Direction and Ariana Grande. Meanwhile, the film probes into the toxicity of unwanted press attention that can greet celebrities' private lives and the gendered double standards in the public perception of age gap relationships, and addresses one of the only complaints fans had with the original novel: its ending. – Patrick Cremona

This tender adaptation of Judy Blume's beloved coming-of-age novel was one of the most underrated films to be released in UK cinemas in 2023. Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, it stars young actress Abby Ryder Fortson as an 11-year-old girl muddling her way through her stressful pre-teen years following a move from New York City to suburban New Jersey in the early 1970s.

Among the quandaries she has to deal with is a decision regarding which religion to follow – she is part Jewish, part Christian and has been left to make up her own mind. This dilemma serves as an interesting backdrop to a film that is populated with warm, likeable characters and portrays the everyday anxieties of growing up with generous portions of empathy and wit. Meanwhile Rachel McAdams, Benny Safdie and Kathy Bates all turn in delightful supporting performances as Margaret's parents and grandmother, respectively. – Patrick Cremona

Ahead of Robert Eggers's highly anticipated remake of Nosferatu arriving later this year, his most recent release, The Northman, is available to stream on Prime Video now. It stars Alexander Skarsgård as Prince Amleth, a Viking who over years goes on an epic quest to save his mother and kill his uncle, who betrayed and murdered his father, the king.

It's a blood-soaked, brutal watch, which strays more into mainstream entertainment than any of Eggers's previous efforts, but which still retains his off-kilter tone and sense of style. Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy and Willem Dafoe all put in exceptional supporting performances, while Skarsgård is electric in the central role, carrying the film as he makes his way through foes to get his long-dreamed-about vengeance. - James Hibbs

This film from French director Justine Triet was a genuine sensation following its release last year – winning both the Palme D'Or at the Cannes Festival and the Best Original Screenplay Award at the Oscars, where it was also nominated for Best Picture. And it's by no means difficult to see why it was so acclaimed, with the film offering both a captivating courtroom mystery and an affecting portrait of a crumbling marriage.

Sandra Hüller, who was also in the running for Best Actress at the Oscars, is exceptional in the central role – which requires her to speak three different languages – while there are also super performances from child actor Milo Machado-Graner and even from dog Messi, who delivers what is surely one of the best animal performances ever committed to film. Meanwhile, you'll never hear 50 Cent's PIMP the same way again. – Patrick Cremona

One of the greatest British films ever made, London-set gangster drama The Long Good Friday is a terrific showcase for the late Bob Hoskins, who stars as Cockney crime boss Harold Shand. The film follows Harold as his attempts to forge good relations with the American Mafia and redevelop the London Docklands are set a major blow by a series of bombings that he suspects are the fault of a mole within his criminal outfit.

His methods of trying to determine the apparent mole are often ruthlessly violent but always captivating, and Hoskins is electric in the central role. Meanwhile, there's also a great supporting performance from Helen Mirren and a small but vital role for a very fresh-faced Pierce Brosnan – who plays a a key part in the film's truly chilling climax, one of the finest endings in movie history. – Patrick Cremona

First-time director Cord Jefferson both wrote and directed this comedy-drama which went on to win the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, with the script having been based on Percival Everett's 2001 novel Erasure. Meanwhile, the film was also nominated in four other categories at the Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Jeffrey Wright.

The film follows Wright's character Monk, an author who writes a satire of stereotypical "black novels", only for it to become a major success.

It's clear why it was such as critical darling – not only is it a hugely funny watch at times, but it also has a real emotional core, as well as fascinating intellectual interrogation at its centre, around the ways race, class and media intersect. Meanwhile, the cast are all phenomenal, especially Wright, who sells the exasperation of Monk, as well as his complexities as a character. - James Hibbs

The fascinating true story of American whistleblower Reality Winner is explored to chilling effect in this razor-sharp drama from debut filmmaker Tina Satter. Using a script drawn from genuine transcripts, the film recreates the former NSA translator's interrogation by two FBI agents after she was arrested in 2017 for leaking a classified report about Russian interference in US elections to the press.

Bolstered by a superb central performance from Sydney Sweeney, the film is all the more tense for Satter's decision to eschew melodrama in favour of sober realism, which has the effect of making even the seemingly banal moments appear sinister. The choice to obscure certain words of dialogue adds a sense of paranoia that ensures the film feels more like a conspiracy thriller than a docudrama, and it all adds up to a captivating experience for both those in the know, and those with no prior knowledge of Winner's case. – Patrick Cremona

While Ayo Edebiri is becoming a deserved household name from her role as Sydney in The Bear, fans of hers can see her bring her usual comedic charm in Bottoms opposite Rachel Sennott (Shiva Baby). The pair star as friends PJ and Josie who aren't the most popular in their high school and so, start up a fight club with the intention of meeting girls and losing their virginity.

But they soon find themselves way in over their heads, with the their actions having some hilarious consequences. Bottoms is unique in its storytelling and while there's been some criticism waged over its storytelling, the queer comedy packs the laughs and is a refreshing take on the beloved high school romcom genre. - Morgan Cormack

Described as a "a beautifully wicked tale of privilege and desire", Saltburn follows Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) a shy, quiet and apparently innocent Oxford Student who is drawn into the life of the charming Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi). When Felix invites Oliver to spend the summer with him at his eccentric family home, Saltburn, both their lives, and the lives of everyone around them, are changed forever.

Directed by the Oscar winning and always wonderful Emerald Fennell, Saltburn is a superbly acted, well paced and boldly written tale of complicated friendship and intense obsession. And with a scene (or three) that will leave you with your eyes wide and your mouth agape, Saltburn is certainly not to be missed. – Chezelle Bingham

As awards seasons heats up, now's the perfect time to revisit some of the nominees from last year's Oscars, and there's no better place to start than with Women Talking.

This quietly powerful drama stars Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Ben Whishaw and Frances McDormand, all putting in excellent work, and follows a group of women in an isolated Mennonite community who must decide whether to leave or stay after a series of horrific attacks perpetrated by the men.

If you're looking for fast paced thrills, this isn't it. Instead, this is a moving, thoughtful and oftentimes harrowing drama with some stunning central performances, which leaves you with a lot to sit with and think about as the credits roll. – James Hibbs

If you're celebrating Barbie's multiple Oscar nominations, or commiserating the fact that Greta Gerwig didn't get a nod in the Best Director category, then why not check back in with some of her previous work, including 2012's Frances Ha?

Gerwig didn't direct this one but instead starred in it and co-wrote it alongside her now husband and the director of the film, Noah Baumbach. Whether a black and white comedy-drama about a struggling dancer sounds up your street or not, the film has an infectious, light and funny tone to it, and will likely blow away any expectations you had going in. Gerwig is excellent in the central role, while Adam Driver also provides a strong supporting turn. - James Hibbs

Part screwball comedy, part Mob-movie pastiche, this outlandish yarn stars Toni Collette as a timid American mom who is installed as the head of a crime syndicate following the death of her grandfather. While attending his funeral in Italy, she finds herself in the midst of a war between rival families and forced to broker peace while dodging assassination attempts. The broad gagfest isn’t subtle, but there’s a lot to like, including Collette, whose comic timing is exemplary. – Terry Staunton

Ever since the first one debuted, the John Wick films have been a masterclass in how to make an action film work. The plot machinations have been light and breezy, and the action itself has been exhilaratingly choreographed. Plus, it doesn't hurt to have the excellent Keanu Reeves in the central role.

However, this might just be the best yet in the franchise - a breathless, three hour epic in which we watch John on the run, attempting to beat the high table once and for all, and escape the hit they put out on him. Reeves is brilliant as ever, while Donnie Yen brings an intriguing new character, Caine, to life. The action is absolutely top notch and you'll find yourself mouth agape at the audacity of some of the sequences. - James Hibbs

We love a film title that pretty much sums up the premise of the film and while you’d most certainly think that this new Prime Video original film was all about pretty cakes sitting atop dingy bar counters, it takes a surprisingly heartfelt turn.

The film follows Jane (Yara Shahidi) who is slightly shy but bakes avidly during her LSAT study breaks, and her childhood best friend turned roommate Corinne (Odessa A’Zion) as they navigate life together. Corinne continually tries to get Jane out of her shell so sets her a task of baking cakes for a year and taking them to bars in order to meet people and build up her dwindling social skills. The result? An oftentimes funny but seriously heartwarming tale of female friendship in the wake of serious life issues that may just have you reaching for the tissues. – Morgan Cormack