Although it may not always get the kind of attention that Netflix, Disney+ or even HBO Max does, Amazon Prime is home to some of the best original films and movies found anywhere. The top Amazon Prime original movies come directly from the spectacular Amazon Studios.
In the past, they've distributed well-received films like Manchester by the Sea, The Lost City of Z, Paterson, Guava Island, The Big Sick, and more. In 2020, they released 22 movies not including documentaries. That included tense dramas, hilarious comedies, and unsettling horror flicks among others. To find the one most worth checking out, you can look at the ratings at IMDb.
7500 (6.3)
There aren't many situations more intense than the hijacking of an airplane. That is the main setup for 7500, which focuses on a pilot whose plane is taken over. With most of the story told from his perspective, things remain in the cockpit for a claustrophobic setting.
Originally released at the Locarno Film Festival in the summer of 2019, 7500 stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the pilot. While it was viewed as not being something truly great, the film was praised for how it used the tight setting to deliver something filled with thrills.
My Spy (6.3)
Like Netflix, Amazon Studios will sometimes purchase the rights to distribute a film on their streaming service. That's just what they did with My Spy. It was meant to come to theaters but Amazon released this delightful spy comedy on June 26 (though it did reach select theaters too).
My Spy stars Dave Bautista as a CIA operative who forms a bond with the 9-year-old girl from a family he is surveilling. While it doesn't exactly tread on new ground for the genre, the heartwarming nature and comedic chops of Dave Bautista were seen as a positive by many.
Blow The Man Down (6.4)
When looking at the ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, this ranks much higher for the studio in 2020. Released on March 20 almost a year after premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival, Blow the Man Down is arguably the most unique movie to appear on this list.
The plot centers around two sisters who are struggling with the death of their mother. One of them kills a man who attempts to attack her and the two cover up the crime by going deeper and deeper into the criminal world. Blow the Man Down is considered clever and unlike anything else you'll see from 2020.
Sylvie's Love (6.6)
One of the more recent releases, Sylvie's Love hit the streaming service on December 23, though it was first shown at the Sundance Film Festival back in January. It stood out for its strong cast including Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Aja Naomi King.
The film is basically the ultimate love story, as it follows a woman and the aspiring saxophone player she falls for. Their romance begins in the late 1950s and it's captivating to watch everything that it goes through while celebrating the beauty of Black love.
The Vast of Night (6.7)
Every once in a while, a first-time director delivers a debut that just blows people away. Andrew Patterson is someone who did that with The Vast of Night, which initially was shown at the 2019 Slamdance Film Festival before coming to Amazon Prime on May 29. It's one of the best sci-fi movies of the year.
In terms of a plot, the movie is simple as it focuses on the discovery of an unsettling radio frequency in the '50s that could be from another world. However, Patterson shines by focusing on the characters, setting an eerie tone, and doing some incredible things like a particular tracking shot that spans throughout a town.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (6.7)
There was no bigger release on Amazon Prime in 2020 than Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. Arriving over a decade after the 2006 original on October 23, this once again sees Sacha Baron Cohen as the titular Borat during a pretty ridiculous visit to the United States for journalism purposes.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm takes place during the COVID-19 pandemic and focuses a lot on the 2020 Presidential Election. The true highlight is probably the relationship between Borat and his daughter Tutar, in a breakout performance by Maria Bakalova.
Troop Zero (6.9)
Troop Zero is one of the earliest Amazon Studios releases of the year After a successful run at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, it came to the streaming service on January 17. The movie takes place in 1977 Georgia and boasts an impressive cast of stars.
Viola Davis, Mckenna Grace, Allison Janney, and Mike Epps are all part of this wonderful film. Troop Zero centers on a bunch of misfit children who form their own group of scouts. It is inspired by a 2010 play titled Christmas and Jubilee Behold The Meteor Shower.
Uncle Frank (7.3)
Another movie that debuted at Sundance Film Festival, Uncle Frank was eventually released to Amazon Prime on November 25. It's also yet another case of an Amazon Studios movie taking place in the past, with this one being set during the 1970s.
Alan Ball, who created series like Six Feet Under and True Blood, wrote and directed Uncle Frank. The premise sees a teenage girl who embarks on a road trip with her uncle to her grandfather's funeral. Along the way, she discovers that her uncle is gay, as his roommate/lover joins them.
Les Misérables (7.6)
No, this is not the Les Misérables you're probably most familiar with, though it's notable along those lines. The famous play and the 2012 film adaptation are all based on the 1862 novel of the same name written by Victor Hugo. This movie also gets its title from there.
This Les Misérables premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019 and took home the Jury Prize. It is based on the real-life events of police violence that took place after the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which happened in Montfermeil. That's the commune where Les Misérables was written and partially set.
Sound Of Metal (7.8)
Already racking up award wins all over the place, Sound of Metal arrived on December 4 to Amazon Prime and is being called one of the best movies of the year. It originally was shown at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and the rave reviews made people eager to see it.
Sound of Metal tells the story of a recovering addict drummer who starts to lose his hearing, taking away the thing he loves most in the world. He must then get acclimated into the deaf community. Riz Ahmed delivers a masterful performance, as do the supporting cast of Olivia Cooke and Paul Raci.