The age of streaming presents a consistent conundrum — finding a movie to watch can often take more time than actually watching the movie. Amazon Prime Video has tons of great titles to choose from, but finding the titles that are underrated and skipping the titles that are genuinely bad can feel impossible.
That’s why we’ve collected these three movies on the streaming service that are well worth your time. From a great rom-com to a top-notch Western, the movies on this list cover a wide range of what Prime Video has to offer.
We also have guides to the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.
Open Range (2003)
A great Western that is a perfect reminder of why the genre has endured, Open Range tells the story of a group of a group of cowhands who pass through territory belonging to a land baron. When they find themselves under attack, they vow to enact vengeance on the baron, who is trying to privatize the entire country.
Kevin Costner (Yellowstone), Robert Duvall (Lonesome Dove), and Annette Bening (Nyad) are all excellent in their lead roles, and Costner’s direction emphasizes the beautiful vistas of the American West. Open Range climaxes with one of the best gunfights in the history of Westerns, and the movie is riveting even before violence erupts.
You can watch Open Range on Amazon Prime Video.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
A romantic comedy about sports, mental illness, and love, Silver Linings Playbook tells the story of a middle-aged bipolar man who returns to his Philadelphia home after having a violent breakdown. As he works to win his ex-wife back, he meets a depressed dancer, and the two of them begin practicing together.
As their feelings for one another deepen, we see the ways that their relationship is healing for both of them. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence are both terrific in their central roles, so much so that Lawrence won an Oscar for her performance. Robert De Niro is just as good in a key supporting performance that includes at least one scene that might leave you in tears.
You can watch Silver Linings Playbook on Amazon Prime Video.
Paddington (2014)
While Paddington 2 has understandably earned plenty of hype, Paddington has flown a little bit under the radar. The film tells the story of the famous bear from Peru as he travels to London and falls in with a family there.
Paddington is certainly a more conventional film than its sequel, but it features a genuinely great villainous turn from Nicole Kidman, and has much of the humor that makes these movies so utterly charming. Paddington is a movie about being kind, and somewhat remarkably, it’s a compelling movie in spite of its treacly message.
You can watch Paddington on Amazon Prime Video.
