An (action-packed) deep dive into the Prime Video movie library
This breaks down what Prime Video gets right, where it can grow, and why its movie lineup keeps surprising me.
When it comes to streaming movies, my wife and I keep finding ourselves back on Prime Video . We’ve had it forever through our Amazon Prime subscription, but lately it’s become a much bigger part of our movie nights. And a big part of that is because Prime Video is giving us what we want and can’t really find elsewhere: big, funny action comedies. We’ve watched all of them this year, including “Playdate ,” “Heads of State ,” and “Deep Cover ” just to name a few. And it feels like every time we open the app, there’s some new Prime Original that actually looks fun.
Now, I’ve always been a little overwhelmed by Prime Video’s selection and interface (more on that shortly). Unless there’s a specific movie on the platform I know I want to watch, it’s not always my first choice. But after digging deeper into the “included with Prime” catalog, I realized just how strong Prime Video’s lineup really is. Between nonstop Amazon Originals, a massive evergreen library bolstered by MGM, and a constant rotation of thrillers, comedies, action movies, and hidden gems, Prime has quietly become one of the most reliable places to stream movies. So, here’s a closer look at what Prime Video does best, where it could improve, how often new movies land, and how deep the library really goes. This is obviously my opinion, and your mileage may vary, but here’s my take.
Everything you need to know about the Prime Video movie library
What does it do well? What could it do more of? How often does new content drop? How deep is its library? TLDR summary
TBD
What movie genres does Prime Video do really well?
What Prime Video does best comes down to two things: its massive library and its recent commitment to high-energy Amazon Originals. The service easily has one of the deepest movie catalogs in streaming and piles on new originals every month. Whether you want a slick action thriller, a big rom-com, a glossy musical, a crime drama, or a horror movie with teeth, there’s a good chance Prime has something fresh and free with your subscription.
Action comedies and crime thrillers might be Prime’s strongest lanes right now. Just this past year, Amazon has dropped a string of slick, high-budget originals that Tara and I had a blast watching. “Playdate ,” “Heads of State ,” “Deep Cover ,” and “The Pickup ” all feel like theatrical crowd-pleasers that just happen to be free on Prime.
And then there’s “Play Dirty .” It’s a gritty, twist-heavy heist thriller that follows Parker, played by Mark Wahlberg, as he tries to navigate a score gone wrong while getting squeezed by crime lords, dictators, and billionaires. LaKeith Stanfield and Rosa Salazar are great here, too. The whole thing is pulpy, muscular, and packed with double-crosses, the kind of high-stakes crime story that makes Prime’s action lineup feel alive. This is where the service is at its best.
“Another Simple Favor ” is another example. It brings back the stylish, tongue-in-cheek energy of the first movie , with Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively slipping right back into their playful, suspicious dynamic. Prime seems to know this is a great lane for them and keeps doubling down on glossy, fashionable thrillers that go down easily.
Rom-coms are another sweet spot. Prime has built up a strong lineup of originals and cozy rewatches, especially around the holidays. “EXmas ” is a good example of how the service leans into that warm Christmas vibe. You also get glossy studio rom-coms like “Moonstruck ” and “The Family Stone ”, which always hit the spot. And Prime has leaned into modern comfort watches, too. Stuff like “Something From Tiffany’s ”, “Picture This ”, and “Puppy Love ” keeps the lineup feeling fresh whether you want a holiday movie-of-the-week or a bigger studio classic.
Prime Video’s drama lineup is no slouch either. Amazon Studios has built a strong reputation here with films like “Air ” and “The Burial.” These are smart, polished adult dramas that have become rare in theaters. And Amazon has the prestige titles too. “Manchester by the Sea ” and “Sound of Metal ” are both Oscar winners streaming right now.
And then you have horror, a category Prime has been quietly dominating for years. The service has one of the widest horror catalogs around, mixing cult classics, international favorites, slasher staples, and new originals. Blumhouse has been a huge part of that, giving Prime exclusives like “Totally Killer ” and festival hits like “Nanny .” You also get iconic titles like “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre ” and “Let the Right One In .” And now Prime’s loading up on buzzy new drops too, with “Terrifier ,” “Speak No Evil ,” “Nosferatu ,” and “The Woman in the Yard ” all showing up on the page right now. I’m not a big horror guy, but it’s clear to me just how deep this part of the library is, and not just with filler.
What movie genres could Prime Video do more of?
If there’s one area where I’d love to see Prime Video grow, it’s in family-friendly movies. The library has some good picks, but it’s not nearly as stacked as Disney+ or Netflix when it comes to big animated releases and iconic kids’ franchises. I’d love to see more original family comedies or animated projects that feel like genuine Prime exclusives and not just licensed drops that rotate in and out.
Prime could also go deeper into original comedies. Yes, they’re pumping out action comedies, and I so appreciate it, and the service has winners like “Ricky Stanicky ,” but I’d love to see more mid-budget comedies and rom-coms that feel tailored for streaming. Movies that are smart, funny, and have the same kind of charm as Prime’s bigger hits. This is a space where Prime already shows promise; it just needs more of it.
Finally, on a personal note, I don’t love Prime’s interface. I never quite know what’s going to surface, and I sometimes have to dig to find the movie I actually want to watch. Plus, Prime Video surfaces movies (and TV shows) that aren’t included free with your Prime subscription, so at first glance, it seems like you’re getting a lot more than you actually are. It’s not a huge issue, but it’s something to keep an eye on as you’re browsing their library.
How often do new movies drop on Prime Video?
Prime Video updates its movie library constantly. Each month, dozens of new movies land on the platform, split between Amazon Originals and licensed titles. The best part is how frequently high-profile movies arrive free for Prime members. One week it might be a big studio thriller like “Play Dirty ,” the next week it’s an action comedy like “Playdate”, and the week after that it’s a new Amazon Studios drama.
Recent Prime Originals like “Playdate ,” “Deep Cover ,” and “The Pickup ” show just how active Prime has become. And when you mix those with licensed arrivals like “Spider-Man: Homecoming ,” “Migration ,” “Child’s Play ,” “Hot Pursuit ,” “Annie Hall ,” and “The Man From U.N.C.L.E. ,” the lineup feels new almost every week.
Now, the volume can sometimes feel overwhelming, but that’s a good problem to have for a streamer. And I have noticed the recent Prime Originals have been getting pushed up to the surface, so I’m missing a lot less of them than I used to.
How deep is Prime Video’s movie library?
The depth of Prime Video ’s movie library is where the service really stands out. Thanks to the MGM acquisition, Prime now owns one of the richest film libraries in the world. That gives subscribers access to decades of iconic movies, from Oscar winners to cult classics to foundational Hollywood favorites.
First, there’s the wildly valuable “James Bond ” IP. If you care about blockbuster franchises, this is the crown jewel of the MGM deal. Prime is now the streaming home for almost the entire James Bond saga, which means every era of 007 is right there waiting for you. You can jump into the Daniel Craig run with “No Time To Die ,” “Spectre ,” “Skyfall ,” “Quantum of Solace ,” and “Casino Royale .” You also get the Pierce Brosnan era, including “GoldenEye ,” “Tomorrow Never Dies ,” “The World Is Not Enough ,” and “Die Another Day .”
Then there is the classic run. “Dr. No ,” “From Russia with Love ,” “Goldfinger ,” “Thunderball ,” “You Only Live Twice ,” “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service ,” “Diamonds Are Forever ,” “Live and Let Die ,” “The Man with the Golden Gun ,” “The Spy Who Loved Me ,” “Moonraker ,” “For Your Eyes Only ,” “Octopussy ,” “A View to a Kill ,” “The Living Daylights ,” and “Licence to Kill .” If you want the full Bond experience, Prime is the place. No hunting across four different apps. It’s all lined up in one giant run through spy-movie history.
Beyond Bond, the MGM library adds real depth to Prime’s catalog. You can see the influence right away in the classics and cult favorites now sitting in the service. Stuff like “Thief ” gives Prime a piece of crime-movie history. “Yentl ” adds prestige and awards pedigree. You get genre landmarks like “Legend ,” comedies like “UHF ” and “Uncle Buck ,” and horror favorites like “Sleepaway Camp ” and its sequels.
There is also a healthy selection of deep-cut dramas and thrillers. “The Whistle Blower ,” “The First Power ,” and “The Missouri Breaks ” give the library a real sense of range. Even something like “The Bear ” has an old-school, big-studio craftsmanship you do not see much anymore. Put it all together, and the MGM catalog fills in the gaps that other streaming services leave open. Prime gets the prestige, the cult hits, the genre pillars, and the kind of mid-budget Hollywood films that have almost vanished from new release slates.
Prime also fills out its library with classic movies and franchises that sit outside the MGM deal but still deserve attention. The “Indiana Jones” films are the clearest example, with all three original movies giving the service a burst of old-school adventure. You also get Woody Allen’s “The Purple Rose of Cairo ,” which adds a different kind of cinematic pedigree. Nicolas Cage fans will spot “Vampire’s Kiss ,” a cult oddity that always finds a new audience. There are genre favorites like “Exorcist III ,” “Hell Squad ,” and the Cannon-era action throwback “Attack Force Z .” Even lighter picks like “Uncle Buck ” and “Yellowbeard ” round things out. These movies are not part of the MGM acquisition. They’re simply smart catalog additions that help Prime feel bigger, older, stranger, and more complete.
Prime Video also shines when you look at its Bollywood lineup. It’s one of the deepest collections you’ll find on any major streamer, and the variety is wild in a good way. You get absolute classics like “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai ” and “Dil Chahta Hai ,” which still hit as hard today as they did when they came out. You also get newer favorites like “Section 375 ,” the sunny nostalgia of “Maine Pyaar Kiya ,” and stylish comedies like “Singh Is Kinng .” And if you want something with a little more heft, Prime Video has you covered with titles like “Kaashi in Search of Ganga ” and the international award-winner “Joyland.” It’s a great section to browse when you want big emotion, big stars, and big filmmaking you won’t always find on other U.S. platforms.
And with the holiday season around the corner, Prime Video has leaned hard into the Christmas spirit. The service has the heavy hitters people search for every year, like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas ” and the timeless classic “It’s a Wonderful Life .” You also get modern originals like “Candy Cane Lane ” and the big holiday adventure “Red One ,” which give Prime its own signature seasonal hits. The lineup keeps growing. “Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy ” brings family energy. “EXmas ” brings chaos and laughs. And “Something From Tiffany’s ” delivers a warm, cozy rom-com glow that fits perfectly this time of year. It’s a strong mix of classics, originals, and easy holiday rewatches, all sitting in one place.
Too long didn’t read summary
Prime Video has become one of the most versatile movie libraries in streaming. You get a steady flow of new originals, a deep MGM library, and a huge range of genres, including a surprisingly strong global and Bollywood lineup. The interface can be confusing, and the family section could grow, but the overall catalog is big, varied, and always getting updated. If you want one service that covers a little of everything, Prime Video delivers.
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Prime Video is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 10,000+ movies, TV shows, and Prime Originals like “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” “Jack Ryan,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “The Boys,” and more. Subscribers can also add third-party services like Max, Showtime, STARZ, and dozens more with Prime Video Channels . Prime Video also offers exclusive live access to NFL Thursday Night Football .
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The Prime Video interface includes content with your subscription, alongside the ad-supported Freevee library, and some shows and movies that require a purchase, so double-check your selection before watching.
Prime Video is included with Amazon Prime for $14.99 per month ($139 per year), or can be purchased on its own for $8.99 per month.
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