11 Must-Watch Movies on Prime Video in May

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Prime Video often releases a huge number of movies and shows at once, but honestly, many of them aren’t very good. It can be hard to find the hidden gems among all the options, and that’s where we can help. Each month, we pick out about a dozen worthwhile titles available to Prime subscribers. This month, we’ve got a fantastic selection, including important films by directors like Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Soderbergh, as well as some lesser-known movies you might enjoy.

Do the Right Thing

Year: 1989
Runtime: 1h 50m
Director: Spike Lee

Even after over 35 years, Spike Lee’s film remains powerfully relevant and timely. While it sparked debate when it first came out, it’s now recognized as a lasting and important exploration of race in America. As critic Roger Ebert pointed out in 1989, some early reviews wrongly accused the film of promoting violence, revealing more about the reviewers’ own biases than about the movie itself. ➽ Now available to stream.

GoodFellas

Year: 1990
Runtime: 2h 26m
Director: Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese’s GoodFellas is widely considered one of the best films of the 1990s, and it revolutionized how gangster stories are told. Over the last thirty years, the film has remained remarkably impactful—and many subsequent movies have tried, without much success, to imitate its style. GoodFellas is still incredibly engaging, packed with energy and vitality. You can watch it now on streaming services.

Heat

Year: 1995
Runtime: 2h 50m
Director: Michael Mann

Featuring iconic performances from Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, Heat is a thrilling crime drama often considered one of the best films of the 1990s. It tells the story of a seasoned criminal and a dedicated detective locked in a tense battle of wits. The recent release of the novel Heat 2 and plans for a sequel film have renewed interest in this classic, which remains incredibly compelling decades after its original release. It’s a true cinematic masterpiece. ➽ Available to stream now.

Hot Fuzz

Year: 2007
Runtime: 2h
Director: Edgar Wright

Considered the highlight of Edgar Wright’s comedic horror trilogy (including Shaun of the Dead and The World’s End), Hot Fuzz is a standout film – and all three are currently available on Prime Video. Starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as everyday police officers, the movie follows their investigation into a series of bizarre murders in a quiet English town. It brilliantly spoofs action movies while also being a genuinely thrilling action film itself, making it one of the best genre blends of the 2000s. ➽ Watch it now on streaming.

The Immigrant

Year: 2014
Runtime: 1h 57m
Director: James Gray

James Gray’s 2013 film is a beautifully made period drama starring Joaquin Phoenix, Marion Cotillard, and Jeremy Renner. The story follows a Polish woman (Cotillard) who arrives at Ellis Island in 1921 with her sister and becomes drawn into the world of a theater and its performers, played by Phoenix and Renner. It’s a captivating film with stunning attention to historical detail. ➽ Now streaming.

The Limey

Year: 1999
Runtime: 1h 28m
Director: Steven Soderbergh

In this 1999 thriller, director Steven Soderbergh brings out a powerful performance from Terence Stamp, who plays a British man searching for his missing daughter and those who harmed her. Often praised for his consistently excellent work, Soderbergh delivers another gem with this underrated film—a gripping and fast-paced story that perfectly complements Stamp’s captivating performance. ➽ Now streaming.

The Little Rascals

Year: 1994
Runtime: 1h 22m
Director: Penelope Spheeris

The director of Wayne’s World brings a funny and heartwarming take to the classic Our Gang shorts – those beloved comedies from years ago. This movie includes updated versions of some familiar scenes, and it’s a great way to let a new generation discover these wonderful characters. ➽ Now streaming.

The Phoenician Scheme

Year: 2025
Runtime: 1h 41m
Director: Wes Anderson

This clever and funny movie didn’t get the recognition it deserved when it came out in theaters last summer, following its debut at the Cannes Film Festival. It’s truly excellent. Benicio del Toro stars as Zsa-zsa Korda, a businessman who finally believes someone is serious about trying to kill him. The film offers a sharp look at the worlds of business and religion, and it’s among Wes Anderson’s best work, featuring what might be Michael Cera’s strongest performance yet. ➽ Now available to stream.

Seagrass

Year: 2024
Runtime: 1h 54m
Director: Meredith Hama-Brown

You might not have heard of this film yet, but it’s a must-see. It thoughtfully explores themes of depression and grief, asking whether we even need a reason to feel sad. The story centers around a couples retreat shadowed by the recent death of a family member, and how the children cope with their feelings through group therapy – each in their own way. It’s a smart, emotionally resonant, and beautifully shot independent film that’s worth finding. ➽ Now available to stream.

Under the Silver Lake

Year: 2018
Runtime: 2h 19m
Director: David Robert Mitchell

A24 wasn’t sure how to market David Robert Mitchell’s film after It Follows, delaying its release for nearly a year after it premiered at Cannes and then giving it a limited rollout. While the lack of promotion was disappointing initially, this stylish, Los Angeles-based mystery – about a laid-back guy (Andrew Garfield) searching for a missing woman (Riley Keough) – has slowly gained a dedicated fanbase. It feels like the kind of movie people will claim to have loved for years to come. ➽ Now available to stream.

The Zone of Interest

Year: 2023
Runtime: 1h 45m
Director: Jonathan Glazer

The Best International Feature Film winner at the 2024 Oscars is now streaming on Prime Video, and it’s particularly relevant today. Adapted from Martin Amis’s novel, the film tells the story of Rudolf Höss, the commandant of Auschwitz, and his family, who lived near the concentration camp. It’s a disturbing and unsettling film that shows how they benefited from the horrors of the Holocaust, and serves as a chilling reminder that evil can exist anywhere, even close to home. ➽ Streaming now.

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2026-05-11 21:55