Amazon has time and time again released several well-loved and critically acclaimed movies throughout the years that have created a special place in our hearts. The streaming giant contains a library of emotionally resonant, thought-provoking and entertaining films that can catch the fancy of anyone watching. And it is to no one’s surprise that many of them come out of Amazon’s studios. And, it’s not just fluffy romance films; the streaming platform has many thrillers, dramas, and even gritty documentaries that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
These Amazon Original movies are a mix of everything that one might fancy but one thing that they have in common is that they are all immersive experiences that capture the mind’s attention!
The Big Sick (2017)
This romantic comedy-drama film has won many accolades and stolen many hearts after its release and for good reason. Starring Kumail Nanjiani, the film tackles an interracial couple who has to overcome the obstacles around them when the wife falls mysteriously ill. The film freshens up the formulaic romance genre and brings forth a story that is heartfelt, funny and very relevant. With great, relatable performances, the movie’s cynicism melts together with its humour, giving us a (sometimes) sad but aching love story that really feels like watching something that any of us can be a part of.
You Were Never Really Here (2018)
This neo-noir crime psychological thriller film starring Joaquin Phoenix received critical acclaim for its direction (by Lynne Ramsay) and Phoenix’s performance as a retired mercenary who is hired to save a young girl from a human trafficking network. The storyline is taut and unrelenting and it keeps audiences on the edge of their seats for the entirety of its 90-minute runtime. The movie is a brilliant exploration of how good writing and direction can give a movie a breath of fresh air, with the revenge thriller going under your skin more than once.
The Report (2019)
This historical political drama film is a rigid exploration of the CIA’s torture methods following the September 11 attacks that rocked the United States in 2001. Starring Adam Driver, it follows staffer Daniel Jones and the Senate Intelligence Committee’s investigation into the depths of despair and brings out a tale that is both shocking and arresting. It showcases a dark chapter in American history with conviction and showcases how one public servant’s crusade for accountability can shake the very foundation of the tallest of institutions. It’s a really interesting and eye-opening film that makes you rethink a lot of things that you might think that you know.
Sound of Metal (2019)
Riz Ahmed stars in this emotionally exhilarating film about a metal drummer who loses his hearing and finds a way to accept his new way of life and get back to his passions. The movie, which made quite a splash when it was released, received praise for his storytelling and painting a relatable portrait of a man whose entire life goes for an overhaul all of a sudden. Along with showcasing a very intimate look into the experiences of the deaf community, it is Ahmed’s performance that reels you into the story and leaves you drowning in the various emotions that it goes through throughout the runtime.
One Child Nation (2019)
Nanfu Wang and Jialing Zhang bring an impactful documentary to the viewers showcasing the horrors of the one-child policy enacted by China and the horrifying fallouts that followed and changed the nation forever. Throwing light on the problems that government interference can have on the nation’s structure itself when it comes to family planning, the film is a heartbreaking and uncomfortable account that will get a rise out of anyone who watches it, especially when you come face-to-face with the facts of the little lives lost as a result of it.
One Night in Miami… (2020)
Regina King’s drama film is a fictional account of Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke meeting in a room at the Hampton House is impactful in many ways, more so because of its wonderful direction and the excellent performances by the entire cast. These larger-than-life characters come to life through King’s expert direction and give you a movie that is worth its weight in gold. The screenplay is as good as the direction and the performances give audiences a piece of media that will live on with them long after the runtime has run out.
Time (2020)
Garrett Bradley’s documentary follows Sibil Fox Richardson’s unrelenting fight for her husband’s release from prison where he serves 60 years for taking part in an armed robbery. Bradley’s movie gives an impactful story to follow about one family’s fight against the injustices and the flaws of the American justice system and the tinge of romance and hope makes the story whole – giving it the necessary emotional push to make it relatable and horrifying at the same time. The documentary, of course, focuses on many different things and begs the question of whether incarceration is the best course of action to rid the world of crime.
The Vast of Night (2020)
This science fiction mystery film is based on the Kecksburg UFO incident and Foss Lake disappearances and showcases how a switchboard operator and a radio disc jockey find mysterious audio frequencies which might just be extraterrestrial. The character-driven film is an arresting watch, especially for those who like something a little alien in their weekend binge. The storyline is gripping and doesn’t relent throughout and the movie lives up to its ambitious storyline with ease. What, however, really wins in this project are Sierra McCormick and Jake Horowitz’s electric performances that ground the movie and give it the kick that it needs to really be memorable.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)
This mockumentary black comedy film, with Sacha Baron Cohen helming the character of fictional Kazakh journalist and television personality Borat Sagdiyev, was another hit with critics and fans alike thanks to its rich political commentary with the help of humour. The film, taking place in 2020, follows Borat as he travels from Kazakhstan to America to get his daughter Tutar married to then–U.S. Vice President Mike Pence during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 presidential election. It throws a light on American culture’s most disturbing corners with a fierceness that can leave anyone astounded.
Shershaah (2021)
Based on the life of Vikram Batra, an Indian Army officer who was killed during the Kargil War, this biographical war film touches the emotional nerve of most audiences. Thanks to its brilliant war sequences, the film is arresting, especially in the second half, and keeps you hoping for the best for your frontline heroes. With sincere performances, especially from Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, the movie is impactful and well-done and in spite of some directional and script mishaps here and there, this one will live in your heart rent-free all the same.
Nanny (2022)
Focusing on the plights of the immigrant communities in America, writer-director Nikyatu Jusu brings forth a story that is both riveting and mind-boggling. This psychological horror film’s horrors come from very different avenues and one might even think of this movie as a drama in some cases. Showcasing the powerful bonds between a mother and child, the movie is distressing in many ways and keeps you glued to the mystery at hand, making you wonder what is tormenting Aisha in her upscale workplace. When the answers become clear, however, it’s a heartbreak that makes the strongest of us feel sad.
Thirteen Lives (2022)
Based on the Tham Luang cave rescue, this biographical survival film is a harrowing retelling of true events that rocked a nation to the core. Its gripping narrative will strike fear into the hearts of the viewers as they watch what started as a fun activity slowly turn into a life-and-death situation. Although we see it from the outside perspective and from behind our screens, one will have no doubt that it doesn’t make anything less tense. The claustrophobia-inducing visuals and the immediate peril that the kids are in are evident in every scene and director Ron Howard pulls it off with ease. Although you know the reality of the situation, you still wait with bated breath thanks to the amazing craft of the cast and crew.
Air (2023)
Starring a whole host of well-known names including Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris Messina, Chris Tucker, and Viola Davis, this biographical sports drama follows the inception of Nike’s Air Jordan shoeline. This riveting tale is both directed and acted excellently and its fast pace and warm & funny performances will win over anyone’s hearts. The dramatic retelling of the facts makes it a helluva entertaining film that banks on the talents of its insanely great cast and crew to deliver a story that is hard to turn off. There’s also a part in there about wishing for a dream and seeing it come to life that is hopeful, endearing and extremely inspiring in its own right as well.
Red, White, and Royal Blue (2023)
This frothy romantic comedy film is, well, for everyone. For those who are tired of rom-coms being the same old and the ones who can’t get enough of them, this 2023 release, directed by Matthew López, is a heart-stealer. Featuring very cute performances from Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine, who look like two teenagers hopelessly in love in every frame, this movie is so warm and sweet that you can’t help but smile at the smallest of silliness. The inclusivity is one of the good parts of the film because it doesn’t seem fake and is almost a natural progression and the formulaic storyline feels fresh and endearing at every turn.
Mast Mein Rehne Ka (2023)
Vijay Maurya’s romantic-comedy film, starring Jackie Shroff and Neena Gupta, is a light-hearted and endearing watch that is set in Mumbai. Featuring warm performances that will steal your heart and a storyline that is relatable in every scene of the term, the movie feels like the story that could’ve happened to you! The friendship and romance showcased by the storyline will bring back your faith in mankind and it is so kind and gentle that you can find yourself lost in the story somewhere. You root for the characters as they try to reestablish emotional ties and the movie also highlights the staggering issues that the older generation face.
Which of these movies did you love? Let us know your favourites in the comments below.
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