Must Watch Movies on Prime Video: Love Stories, Law Films, and More

We have all been in this situation. Our friend or colleague is talking about an iconic film, and if we haven’t watched it, we open ourselves to alarmed expressions and a series of “What have you been doing with your life?” variants.

Such movies slide under the radar if you are not particularly looking for them. So whether it’s a law film from the 1950s, a timeless Bollywood tale of love across borders, or a classic narrative of female friendships, you will be missing out if you haven’t given these films a watch.

Here are five must-watch movies on Amazon Prime Video to sneak into your workweek:

12 Angry Men (1957)

An old black-and-white courtroom drama which doesn’t actually show much of the trial is a must-watch movie? Really? Yes!

This scintillating movie, with a stellar ensemble cast (including Henry Fonda), is not only studied in law schools for its focus on juror bias and critical thinking while parsing legal issues, but it’s also one of those must-watch films on Amazon Prime Video for anyone who loves movies with plots that unfold in a single room setting. In this case, the location is the New York City jury room.

12 Angry Men is a timeless classic. As the title suggests, it represents the thought processes of a 12-member jury in a homicide trial. By focusing only on the jurors and their discussions, the movie unpacks a wealth of legal principles in accessible language and shows how there’s no such thing as an “open-shut case” after all.

Tension is built through passionate arguments and tight dialogue, and in just under 100 minutes, the film establishes itself as a crash course in camerawork, dialogue writing, and intense performances.

Thelma & Louise (1991)

A movie that defied gender stereotypes both intentionally and unintentionally — seriously, the chemistry between Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) opened up a world of female-forward casts and friendships for scriptwriters — has to be on the list of movies you must watch on Amazon Prime Video.

The film doesn’t shy away from its bold commentary on patriarchy, the defiance of which underpins the friendship between the two women. It cements itself as a great road trip film with scenic visuals and a fugitive film with a little bit of action as well. Despite some heavy themes, the movie manages to be a playful take on female friendship and discovering oneself away from one's partners.

This movie's pacing is just right, allowing us to feel the emotions that Thelma and Louise feel in each act without overdoing it. The narrative construction of Thelma & Louise makes it a feminist crime classic that’s also a crowd-pleaser, a.k.a. a must-watch movie on Amazon Prime Video.

Veer Zaara (2004)

Yash Chopra and Yash Raj Films have given us many masterpieces over the decades, and Veer Zaara is definitely one of them. On the surface, Veer Zaara is a love story about two individuals who belong to different countries, but they may as well have been from different worlds. This film is among Amazon Prime Video’s must-watch movies because it binds themes like sacrifice, patriotism, and prejudice to create a compelling saga of love that knows no bounds, but neither does love for your country.

Veer (Shah Rukh Khan) is a pilot with the Indian Air Force, and Zaara Khan (Preity Zinta) is a Pakistani woman he saved during a rescue mission.

Their love for each other seamlessly unfolds over years of turmoil, familial expectations, and a single court case (with Rani Mukerji portraying a lawyer), which is a product of evocative storytelling and a focus on human connection.

Moreover, the soulful music with lyrics by Javed Akhtar will probably still be on most millennials’ Spotify playlists.

Sully (2016)

Based on Highest Duty (2009), an autobiography of Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and Jeffrey Skies, two pilots who were commandeering US Airways Flight 1549, which had to be abandoned after the plane’s engines failed.

If you are choosing among movies you must watch on Amazon Prime Video, Sully needs to be on that list. Not just because of its gripping representation of an intense aviation incident but also because of its powerful performances. Captain Sullenberger (Tom Hanks) is the epitome of calmness in this film as he delicately tries to execute a miraculous landing. As you watch the story unfold, his demeanour will keep your stress at bay. Jeff Skiles (Aaron Eckhart) is a formidable partner in crisis.

Clint Eastwood's meticulous direction allows for a visually stunning and immersive journey, so much so that you will feel you’re on that plane with them.

October (2018)

This is a simple story about a man named Dan (Varun Dhawan) and his unwavering commitment to his co-worker and friend, Shiuli (Banita Sandhu), as she battles for her life after an accident. It’s not a love story with drama and intense conflict. It’s a story about compassion and love that will leave you moist-eyed by the end.

One of Varun Dhawan’s most promising performances, October is almost a meditative experience. Its narration is slow and paced, like a poem that unfolds slowly but surely. Dan and Shiuli are not partners and perhaps not even close friends. Their personalities, if compared, are akin to a sunny, bright day versus a strangely quiet night. And yet, their bond transcends everyday synonyms of love.

Shoojit Sircar’s vision of making a film that evokes the same emotion as walking through the falling leaves of autumn comes through with its serene music, minimalistic dialogues and unpredictable storyline, with no over-the-top acting or monologues.