If you’re looking for something new to watch on Amazon Prime Video, the streaming service’s list of the top 10 most-watched movies is a good indicator of which flicks are getting the most attention from your fellow subscribers.
However, a high ranking on the list is certainly not an indicator of quality. For example, Jackpot! has been the #1 movie on Prime Video for several weeks and, to be honest, it’s pretty terrible (it has a poor 31% rating on Rotten Tomatoes). So to make sure you’re choosing the Prime Video movies that are worth your time, I’m picking the top three 10 movies you need to watch first.
Before you dive into my picks, please note that this article is based on Prime Video’s Top 10 as of Friday, September 13, 6:00 a.m. ET.
Best movies in the Prime Video Top 10
“Passengers” (2016)
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Critics have not been kind to Passengers, criticizing it for its supposedly shallow story and other flaws, but in this case, I think the critics are wrong. Passengers is an excellent feel-good film. Although it doesn’t break anything in the romantic comedy genre, it brings together two lovable leads, Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, and makes good use of its clever sci-fi setting. It deserves more than its pathetic 30% on Rotten tomatoes.
Jim Preston (Pratt) finds himself aboard a massive spaceship transporting thousands of colonists to a new planet. When his sleep pod malfunctions and he is awakened early, he faces intense social isolation. With the ship still decades away from its final destination and him unable to bear being alone for the rest of his life, he makes the selfish decision to awaken another passenger, Aurora Lane (Lawrence). As a romance blossoms between the two, the truth threatens to come out.
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“Transformers” (2007)
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Michael Bay’s Transformers franchise eventually went completely off the rails, focusing more on flashy CGI than characters and story, but the first installment in the sci-fi action series is still very entertaining (admittedly, it’s still pretty cheesy). Now also seems like an oddly appropriate time to watch, as Linkin Park’s song “What I’ve Done” has become synonymous with the film thanks to its use in the end credits, and the American rock band only recently reunited after a long hiatus.
In Transformers, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) discovers that a race of alien robots capable of transforming into various mechanical objects lives among us when his 1976 Chevrolet Camaro turns out to be an Autobot in disguise named Bumblebee. In search of the all-powerful AllSpark, Bumblebee gathers his allies, including leader Optimus Prime, and when the evil Megatron escapes from his captivity, the war for Earth begins.
Regard “Transformers” on Prime Video Now
“21 Jump Street” (2012)
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Based on the ’80s cop drama of the same name, 21 Jump Street could have been a cynical attempt to capitalize on a vaguely recognizable series, and an indication that Hollywood really is out of fresh ideas. So it’s pretty remarkable that instead of a boring reboot, we got one of the freshest comedy films of the last decade and a half. 21 Jump Street is incredibly confident and wonderfully entertaining throughout.
The film focuses on the two police officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum). In their youth they were rivals, but as adults they quickly become friends. But they are soon confronted with their school days again when they are assigned to a secret undercover unit. In this quick-witted action comedy, Schmidt and Jenko discover that the school rules have changed.
Regard “21 Jump Street” on Prime Video Now
The 10 best films on Prime Video right now
- “Jackpot!” (2024)
- “The Beekeeper” (2024)
- “Passengers” (2016)
- “Overboard” (2018)
- “Transformers” (2007)
- “The Bouncer” (2023)
- “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001)
- “Minions: The Hunt for the Mini Boss” (2022)
- “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (2009)
- “21 Jump Street” (2012)
