Finding a good movie to watch can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack these days, considering the sheer volume of content available on streaming platforms. With new releases and popular films taking up the feed, it is all too easy for underrated gems to get buried deep within the algorithm. However, if you know where to look,Prime Videocan be a gold mine of hidden cinematic masterpieces.
As one of the biggest and most diverse streaming libraries out there, Prime Video knows just what films to host. From the most-talked-about fresh releases tocult classics that have stood the test of time, it gives you so much to choose from. But that can also be overwhelming when all you want is to watch something lesser-known and more deserving of attention.
Recently, a huge pile of underrated movies has found their way into Prime Video’s collection, and we have sifted through them to bring you 10 that are worthy of your time.
10’Group Therapy' (2024)
Group Therapy
Neil Berkeley’sGroup Therapyis a documentary film that brings together a group of well-known comedians to engage in raw and unfiltered conversations about mental health. With Neil Patrick Harris moderating the talk, the movie unfolds in a live setting, where each comedia shares deeply personal and introspective experiences with a touch of humor and emotion.
Honest and Humorous Conversations
The documentary is filled with candid discussions that explore the fine line between using comedy as a coping mechanism and the genuine struggles behind the laughter. The result is both hilarious and heartfelt because it sheds light on the power of open dialogue while also keeping the audiences entertained. It creates an engaging space for comedians todissect their own lives and mental health struggles.
9'18½' (2021)
A quirky political thriller,18 ½is set against the backdrop of the Watergate scandal in 1974. It follows Connie, a young White House transcriber who stumbles upon the only copy of the infamous 18 ½-minute gap in Nixon’s tapes. She teams up with journalist Paul Marrow and checks into a motel to listen to the recording, only to find herself embroiled in a web of paranoia and unexpected twists.
Political Thriller with a Twist
The film shifts from a political thriller to a darkly comedic mystery as the two main characters dive deeper into the truth. The offbeat storytelling paired with subtle historical intrigue makes it an unconventional dive into the past. The movie is clearly underrated because not many people have talked about it much since its release. But the bizarre encounters and malfunctioning tape players and absurd dialogue makes it a must watch.
8’Better Watch Out' (2016)
Better Watch Out
It is a seemingly ordinary night for 17-year-old Ashley, who is tasked with babysitting 12-year-old Luke in a quiet suburban home. Luke, who has long harbored feelings for her and is hoping to seduce her, stages a set of increasingly bizarre and unsettling events that unfold at a shocking pace and subvert expectations in ways that are both thrilling and disturbing.
Twisted Take on Home Invasion
Better Watch Outstarts off like a standard holiday horror flickwith a home invasion premise. But it takes little time to morph into something far more sinister and reveals the dark psychological layers beneath its festive setting. It thrives on its ability to turn familiar horror tropes on their head and is anchored by Levi Miller and Olivia DeJonge’s chilling performances. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds a respectable score of 86%, so it’s well worth your time.
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7’Laggies' (2014)
Kiera Knightley’s Megan is stuck in a quarter-life crisis inLaggies. Overqualified and underemployed, she is watching her friends move forward in life while she aimlessly drifts away. When her high school sweetheart proposes, Megan panics and impulsively starts living with 16-year-old Annika, whom she befriended outside a grocery store. Megan hides in her home and forms a special bond with her single father, Craig, who forces her to confront the truth.
Reminds You It’s Okay To Be a Late Bloomer
The pressures of adulthood are relentless, andLaggiesresonates with anyone who has or is currently walking the ever-elusive path to maturity. Lynn Shelton’s direction brings warmth and sincerity to this story of self-discovery, making Megan’s journey both relatable and honest. Knightley is accompanied by Chloë Grace Moretz and Sam Rockwell, who deliver authentic turns. Of course, it was overshadowed by other indie films back in the day.
6’John Q' (2002)
John Qfinds Denzel Washington playing John Quincy Archibald, a hardworking father whose world is shattered to pieces when his son collapses due to heart failure. With his health insurance refusing to cover the life-saving surgery he so desperately needs, John takes drastic action – he holds the hospital’s emergency room hostage and demands that his son be placed on the donor list ASAP.
Desperate Fight for Justice
Directed by Nick Cassavetes, this one is a gripping thriller that keeps audiences emotionally invested by balancing intense drama with genuinely moving moments between John and his son. Washington’s portrayal of John, a father pushed to the edge, is nothing short of phenomenal. It’s alsoone of his most underrated roles yet. Critics praised the performances but felt its message was heavy-handed. That didn’t stopJohn Qfrom becoming a commercial success though.
5’Joy Ride' (2001)
Estranged brothers Lewis and Fuller are on a cross-country road trip to pick up Lewis’ friend and childhood crush, Venna, from college. On their way, they decide to use a CB Radio to mess with a trucker named Rusty Nail. But their harmless prank backfires when Rusty turns out to be a relentless psychopathic killer who becomes obsessed with hunting them down across the desolate highways.
Overshadowed by Bigger Horror Releases
Road trip thriller meets a twisted revenge plot inJoy Ride, an underrated movie directed by John Dahl and starring Steve Zahn, Paul Walker, and Leelee Sobieski in the main roles. Despite its simple premise, the movie takes unexpectedly sharp narrative turns. Rusty’s voice alone is enough to send chills down the spine. The motel scenes, where the trio takes pit stops and Rusty watches them all along, are true tension-builders.
4’The Negotiator' (1998)
The Negotiator
The Negotiatorfollows Danny Roman, a Chicago Police Lieutenant and the best negotiator in the city. When he finds himself framed for his partner’s murder and embezzlement, Roman has no one to trust, and he takes matters into his own hands, holding members of Internal Affairs hostage till he can find evidence that suggests he’s innocent. Meanwhile, fellow negotiator Chris Sabian handles the situation.
Smart, Thrilling, and Cerebral
Meticulously crafted,this one elevates the thriller genrewith its intelligent storytelling and stunning character dynamics. The movie takes little time to transform into a tense, psychological showdown between two men trained to manipulate, and they are played with absolute brilliance by Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey. Their verbal sparring and F. Gary Gray’s direction make the claustrophobic setting impossible to look away from.
3’The Island on Bird Street' (1997)
The Island on Bird Street
The Island on Bird Streetis set in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II and it follows the story of 11-year-old Alex, who is left alone after his family is taken to a concentration camp by the Nazis. Determined to survive, he hides in the ruins and scavenges for food, waiting patiently for his father to return while his pet mouse gives him company.
About Strength and Hope
Days turn into months for the young protagonist in this movie as he evades danger by using underground tunnels and abandoned buildings to stay alive. It’s a heartbreaking depiction of war, blending fear and the passage of innocence with themes of resilience and hope. But despite its harrowing subject matter, it stands out as an intimate and character-driven story. The film’s cinematography enhances its haunting nature and reflects how war forces children to grow up too soon.
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2’Split Second' (1992)
Split Second
In a dystopian London where rain-soaked streets and perpetual darkness have become the norm, Detective Harley Stone is haunted by the brutal murder of his partner. With rookie detective Dick Durkin, he tries to track down the killer, but when a series of gruesome murders surface – victims found with their hearts ripped out – Stone realizes that he’s hunting for something far worse than a human serial killer.
Cult Classic with Horror Twist
Split Secondis a cult classic that gives an investigative thriller a sinister edge. The result is a wild mix of cyberpunk, horror, and buddy-cop action, making it one of the most unique yet underrated movies of the early ‘90s. Rutger Hauer’s grizzled performance as Stone adds weight to the dark and moody aesthetic, while the creature design – reminiscent ofAlien– keeps the horror element alive from start to finish. Critics dismissed the film as violent and messy, but fans embraced its sheer absurdity.
1’Dreaming Out Loud' (1940)
Dreaming Out Loud
Based on the popular Lum and Abner radio show,Dreaming Out Loudfollows two elderly storekeepers in a small Arkansas town. Their general store serves as the heart of the movie and the community, and as Lum Edwards and Abner Peabody navigate local misadventures like dealing with a town drunk and matchmaking young lovers, the film captures the charm and beauty of rural life.
A Forgotten Gem
A lighthearted comedy that transports audiences to the golden age of radio and fills them with warmth,Dreaming Out Loudthrives on its simplicity. Chester Lauck and Norris Goff are perfect in their roles, embodying the wisdom and humor of small-town elders. Their chemistry is the driving force behind the film’s moments of kindness and loss because it’s so genuine and organic.If you enjoy classic filmsthat celebrate slow living, community, and the importance of human connection, this one is worth a watch.
