Every streaming service has the movies they champion that they know will excite people, along with originals they place at the front of the service when you log on. Certainly, a large majority of these flicks get the deserved hype, but this also tends to bury some great titles in the bowels of their available selection. It can certainly be fun to dig a bit deeper and look for some gems, and Prime Video is no exception when it comes to great content that you won’t see unless you actively seek it out.
Here are 11 titles that get overlooked but are very much worth adding to your queue. Check out each one below. We tried to piece together a list that spans multiple genres and decades to highlight the diversity of content you can find on Prime.
‘Magic’ (1978)
Corky Withers (Anthony Hopkins) is struggling to make it as a magician, in need of revamping his act. He introduces a dummy in ‘Fats’ and adds ventriloquism to his act to great acclaim. Offered a TV deal, Corky’s becomes hesitant when they ask for a psych evaluation first, as, since partnering with Fats, he believes the dummy is alive and talks to him. To escape mounting pressure, Corky flees to his remote hometown and soon finds himself building a relationship with a childhood crush. Fats, however, does not like being out of the spotlight.
A Trip Into Madness with a Dummy
Despite starring the acclaimed Anthony Hopkins, Magic has fallen under the radar due to it being one of the actor’s earliest roles. Moreover, the horror movie is not what many would expect from the ‘killer doll’ subgenre, with the horror lying more in exploring Corky’s failing mental health and violent delusions. On its own, the film is an engaging exploration of one man’s madness, but what makes this an ideal inclusion in the Prime Video catalog is that, with the recent announcement that Sam Raimi is remaking the movie, horror fans can catch up on the source material.
‘Cold Skin’ (2017)
Set in 1914, a young man known as “Friend” (played by David Oakes) takes on a remote posting at a lighthouse on the Antarctic Circle, where he is partnered with the grizzled and headstrong Gruner (Ray Stevenson). Shortly after his arrival, Friend discovers a new species of fish people. Gruner sees them as a threat to mankind and wants them exterminated, while Friend becomes obsessed, particularly with a female Aneris (Aura Garrido), whom Gruner kidnaps to question.
Becoming Monsters
Cold Skin is an interesting oddity. One would think it was a more modest budget attempt to capitalize on Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse if not for the fact that it came out two years prior. That said, fans of the A24 standout films should give the Xavier Gens film a shot, as it does touch on the same themes of isolation with some cosmic horror vibes. Moreover, the film does enough to differentiate itself with some utterly disturbing moments of cruelty from the hands of men who discover a new form of life.
‘Welcome to Me’ (2014)
Alice Klieg (Kristen Wiig) has lived a socially isolated existence, with only a few friends and spending most of her time watching reruns of Oprah and playing the Powerball lottery. When Alice wins a whopping $86 million, she decides to stop taking her medication and embrace her dream of having her own show. Paying for a spot on a local broadcaster, Alice creates “Welcome to Me,” a show that becomes famous for its over-the-top and bizarre formatting that quickly burns through the massive amount that she won.
How To Waste $86 Million on a Passion Project
Kristen Wiig is a comedic gem, but out of her body of work, Welcome to Me often seems to get overlooked. The Shira Piven-directed comedy certainly has an absurdist approach that even goes beyond Wiig’s regular over-the-top comedic roles, with much of the humor a spectacle of strangeness. At one point, Alice’s show switches to having her perform countless spaying and neutering procedures in an attempt to raise awareness for controlling the pet population. Comedy is subjective, and there is a sense of tragedy in Wiig’s Alice that takes some adjustment to get used to. Still, once invested, it is an utterly unique vehicle for the talented comedian that you need to watch.
‘Jug Face’ (2013)
Jug Face follows teenager Ada (Lauren Ashley Carter), who lives within a remote forest community that is heavily steeped in superstition and ritual. The group worships a pit in the woods, which is believed to demand sacrifices to ensure the safety and prosperity of the people. When the community’s prophet, a potter, makes a jug with the image of Ada’s face on it, she is deemed the next sacrifice. In an attempt to escape fate, she leaves the community, causing a series of violent events as her friends and family hunt her down.
An Underated Folk Horror Gem
Southern Gothic is an aesthetic that is seldom done so perfectly as it is with Jug Face, blending elements of folk horror and coming of age to tell an engaging and macabre tale steeped in superstition. The small-budget film certainly punched above its weight and would become noticed by a small, yet vocal group championing it as the truly unique story that it was. Fans of folk horror, in particular, should make a point to add Jug Face to their watchlist.
‘Project Wolf Hunting’ (2022)
During the transportation of dangerous criminals from the Philippines to South Korea, the police in charge of watching over them are attacked. Yet, there is an even greater threat on the boat, an experimental super soldier, who awakens after feeding off the blood of the police and gangsters as it drips into the decks below. Now, everyone on the ship is the target in a deadly fight for survival.
A Bloody Fun Popcorn Flick for Action Fans
Project Wolf Hunting comes with a quick warning, as the film’s ultra-gory approach to action won’t be for everyone. Still, those looking for non-stop, over-the-top chaos will appreciate this South Korean genre mash-up of horror and action that is not afraid to get gritty. Just go in, willing to embrace a fun ride, and the movie certainly delivers; don’t get caught up in the minor details and silly premise and characters.
‘Crumb Catcher’ (2024)
Newlyweds Shane (Rigo Garay) and Leah (Ella Rae Peck) are constantly at odds, and their honeymoon is filled with constant arguing. Yet, their stay at a remote cabin becomes tenser when a waiter from their service, John (John Speredakos), and his wife, Rose (Lorraine Farris), show up with a deal they can’t refuse. Using blackmail against Shane, the two begin to sell the couple a new product known as the Crumb Catcher. As the night goes on, the negotiations to invest in the product turn violent.
Unwanted Company Leads to a Night of Awkwardness and Violence
To be clear, Crumb Catcher will not be a comedy for everyone. The movie thrives on awkward social interactions, lacks likable characters, and has an absurd basic premise. This admission is not to sell the film short but to prepare a potential audience. Comedy fans of Tim and Eric, Quinten Dupieux, and Richard Bates Jr. will find a wonderful mix of absurdity, awkwardness, and disturbing elements to delight them. Additionally, John Speredakos’s portrayal as a desperate and vindictive huckster is unforgettable for those who enjoy complex and disturbing characters.
‘Submarine’ (2011)
Based on Joe Dunthorne’s novel, Submarine is a coming-of-age romance story set in Wales in the 1980s. The film follows awkward and studious teenager Oliver Tate, who is looking to lose his virginity before his next birthday. Oliver finds himself fixated with new student Jordana Bevan, who uses him to make her ex jealous. However, as the two get to know each other better, they slowly build a sincere relationship.
A Cleverly Constructed Coming-of-Age Tale
The directorial debut of Richard Ayoade, best known as Moss in The IT Crowd, is a sincerely charming coming-of-age story with some light comedic tones. Any awkward teenager who struggled through their first romance will find the story endearing. Its British cultural elements also offer insight into a life slightly different from what Americans are accustomed to. The movie also has a visual flair via Ayoade’s influence from French New Wave cinema and a unique way of crafting its narrative that will be pleasant for fans of coming-of-age romance/dramas.
‘The Day of the Beast’ (1995)
Father Ángel Berriartúa, a Basque priest, believes he has deciphered the rise of the antichrist, which is set to happen on Christmas. To stop the end of the world, he immerses himself in sin, committing as many crimes as possible while trying to contact a famous TV Satanist for help. A chance meeting with a Satan-worshiping, drug-taking, metal-head gives him an unlikely ally in his quest.
Satan Rises on Christmas
The Day of the Beast is a satanic Christmas horror-comedy that most don’t realize they need in their lives. From the mind of the brilliant and underappreciated Álex de la Iglesia, The Day of the Beast seamlessly blends dark comedy and religious paranoia, set against a backdrop of urban decay and a society in decline. The film is a wild ride, with eccentric characters, spurts of over-the-top violence, and the looming threat of the world’s end.
‘The Pizzagate Massacre’ (2020)
Inspired by the Pizzagate conspiracy theory, The Pizzagate Massacre follows struggling journalist Karen Black (Alexandria Payne), who reaches out to a right-wing group for help investigating crimes conducted in secret at a pizza parlor. There, she meets Duncan Plump (Tinus Seaux), an outsider within his militia group who eventually agrees to help her. Their meeting sets off a chain of events that turns violent and gets the attention of prominent media figures.
Humanizing Those on the Fringe
As micro-budget as they come, The Pizzagate Massacre is deceptive in its title. While there are certainly elements of horror and violence, the movie works better as an exploration of conspiracy theorists and the mindset that leads to belief in such things as “pizzagate” and lizard people. At the same time, filmmaker John Valley is not exploitative in his approach, nor does he go for the low-hanging fruit. Instead, he creates sincere, heavily flawed characters that he humanizes despite their questionable beliefs. The film is a fascinating, well-acted character study with flares of impactful violence. It deserves greater recognition.
‘Millennium Actress’ (2002)
Reclusive golden-era cinema star Chiyoko Fujiwara decides to give an interview when news that the studio she started at is being torn down, and documentarians are looking to chronicle her history with it. As a duo arrives to make record of Fujiwara’s remarkable career, they find themselves drawn into her world that is a mix of her real-life romantic struggles and the many roles that made her an icon of her era.
An Anime Masterpiece That Anyone Can Enjoy
The perfect blend of fantasy and romance, Millennium Actress is a visually rich anime experience with a lot of heart and emotion. Satoshi Kon is a popular name for anime fans, yet even then, Millennium Actress remains among his least championed works compared to Perfect Blue or Paprika. Still, the generation-spanning romance is not just for anime fans, as Millennium Actress also works as a celebration of cinema; you don’t have to appreciate anime to enjoy the brilliance on display here, both in visuals and storytelling.
