No streaming service has every movie under the sun, but if you’ve ever dug into Amazon Prime Video, you might recognize that there are plenty of intriguing titles worth exploring. If you’ve ever taken a look and found yourself overwhelmed by all the options at your fingertips, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve pulled together three of the best and most underrated movies available on Prime Video that are worth checking out this weekend. Each of these movies is directed by a master of their form, but these titles in particular aren’t their most famous.
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+.
The King of Comedy (1982)
If you’re someone who liked Joker, you should check out the movie that served as its most direct inspiration. The King of Comedy is one of Martin Scorsese‘s less famous films, but it’s definitely worthy of your attention. The film tells the story of an amateur comedian who becomes increasingly convinced that his passing relationship with a late-night host will ultimately be his big break.
In order to make that dream into a reality, he takes increasingly drastic action. Featuring one of Robert De Niro’s most underrated performances, The King of Comedy isn’t as extreme as Joker, but is terrifying in part because it feels more plausible.
You can watch The King of Comedy on Amazon Prime Video.
Red Rocket (2021)
Red Rocket is a brilliant, uncomfortable movie about a washed-up porn star who begins plotting his comeback after he returns to a hometown where basically no one tolerates him. Anchored by a brilliant central performance from Simon Rex, Red Rocket is a deeply uncomfortable movie about a man who is caught in a cycle of self-destructive behavior.
Like all of director Sean Baker’s movies (including the 2024 release Anora), Red Rocket zooms in on a very particular kind of American story that is often ignored by major Hollywood productions. The movie earned every ounce of acclaim it received when it was first released.
You can watch Red Rocket on Amazon Prime Video.
The Master (2012)
Paul Thomas Anderson’s riff on Scientology, The Master tells the story of a World War II veteran who was clearly messed up both by the war and by the rest of his life who finds himself under the influence of the charismatic leader of a new religious sect. As he attempts to understand the strange teachings of his new religion, he finds himself in conflict with other members of the group who see him as a threat.
Featuring career-best performances from Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Master is a movie about strange people behaving strangely, but it is both riveting and hilarious from beginning to end.
You can watch The Master on Amazon Prime Video.
