Best Movies and TV Shows on Prime This Month

I’ve scoured the September releases on Amazon’s Prime and FreeVee platforms to find the best new and new-to-streaming movies and shows, plus some older choices for extra flavor.

It seems like a slow month at Prime; there aren’t a ton of high-profile originals premiering on the streamer, but there’s still a lot to watch, if you’re into slightly older movies.

The Money Game

On July 1, 2021, college sports changed forever when student athletes were granted the right to profit from their names, images, and likenesses. This docuseries follows Louisiana State University players and alums whose lives were radically altered by the decision. Gymnast Olivia Dunne, basketball star Angel Reese, and Heisman trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels are among the athletes featured in The Money Game, and each has their own way of dealing with the sudden influx of cash and controversy.

Starts streaming September 10.

A Very Royal Scandal

This three-part docuseries dramatizes the events leading up to the world-shaking 2009 BBC interview in which Prince Andrew sat down with Emily Maitlis to discuss his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Ruth Wilson plays Maitlis and Michael Sheen plays the prince who forever tarnished the “good” name of the British royal family.

Starts streaming September 19.

The Grand Tour: One for the Road

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May aren’t household names in the United States, but it’s a different story in the UK, where the trio were hosts of Britain’s beloved Top Gear for years before striking out on their own in The Grand Tour, an irreverent “British motoring show.” Every tour comes to end though, and One for the Road documents Clarkson, Hammond, and May going out in style: driving around Zimbabwe in a Lancia Montecarlo, a Ford Capri 3-litre, and a Triumph Stag.

Starts streaming September 13.

Paddington 2 (2018)

There’s a scene in 2022 The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent where Nicolas Cage, playing himself, is moved to tears watching Paddington 2. Cage’s foil in the film explains that Paddington 2 “made me cry and made me want to be a better man.” I relate. This tale of a stuffed bear who perseveres through decency and kindness is so good, it feels more like an act of generosity to mankind than a movie. Watch it or rewatch it; it will make you a better person.

Starts streaming September 26.

The Invisible Man (1933)

It’s getting near Halloween, and that means Prime is giving out treats to horror fans. The best of them is 1933’s The Invisible Man, a movie that confidently blends horror, comedy, and social commentary into a perfect cinematic experience. Directed by James Whale and starring Claude Rains, The Invisible Man is the the best Universal horror movie (sorry, Bride of Frankenstein) and one of the best horror movies, period.

The Invisible Man isn’t the only Universal horror movie streaming on Prime this month. You can (and should) watch these too:

Drag Me to Hell (2006)

Director Sam Raimi’s Drag Me to Hell is a perfectly paced horror flick that effortless whipsaws between humor and horror. Alison Lohman plays Christine, a loan officer whose decision to foreclose on the home of a wizened crone has disastrous, supernatural consequences—and like the title promises, there is dragging to hell.

Starts streaming September 1.

Ghost Story (1981)

Ghost Story is a genteel horror movie that builds tension so gradually that you might not notice until you’re at the edge of your seat. The cast is amazing: Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and John Houseman play rich, respected old white guys who did something unspeakable when they were callow youths. Despite the careful cover-up and the many years that have passed, the bill comes due in terrifying ways.

Starts streaming September 1.

Last month’s picks

Jackpot!

How’s this premise for an action-comedy: California awards a randomly selected person a multi-billion dollar jackpot, but anyone who murders the winner gets to take the money. Now imagine the “lucky” winner is played by Awkwafina and John Cena plays a bodyguard who tries to protect her when the entire city of Los Angeles is trying to knock her off. Does Jackpot! sound good? It sounds good to me.

Starts streaming August 15.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, season 2

Internet opinion-havers and fantasy nerds didn’t exactly love the first season of Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, but critics were positive, and a new season means a new chance to tap into that demanding audience’s Tolkien-glands. Season 2 of Rings of Powers will have eight episodes that detail Sauron’s stab at creating the Rings of Power so he can rule Middle Earth, while heroic underdogs fights to stop him—you know, fantasy shit.

Starts streaming August 29.

August’s Thursday Night Football match up between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals is the opposite of the barn-burner. Both teams had mediocre, 9 and 8 records in 2023 and it’s a pre-season game, so it doesn’t even count. But on the other hand, it’s flipping football! And it’s back! (Finally, something to wash the taste of the Olympics out of my mouth.)

Starts streaming August 22.

One Fast Move

Sometimes you want to kick back and watch a rags-to-riches, Rocky-like story about redemption through sport. One Fast Move is that movie. KJ Apa plays Wes Nea, a directionless man who was recently released from prison. With nowhere else to turn, Wes asks his estranged father to help him realize his dream of becoming a professional motorcycle racer.

Starts streaming August 8.

Batman: Caped Crusader, Season 1

The newest animated iteration of Batman was produced by Matt Reeves, J.J. Abrams, and Bruce Timms, so I have high hopes. Caped Crusader is a family-friendly Batman series, so gather the kids, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be serious action and thrills as Batman faces off against Clayface, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and a female version of The Penguin.

Starts streaming August 1.

Superman 1, 2, 3, 4 and Superman Returns

If a new Batman series isn’t enough super-heroics for you, in August, Prime is offering the original four Christopher Reeves Superman movies as well as the 2006 series reboot Superman Returns. This is the perfect opportunity to grab some super-popcorn, sit on your super-couch and have an old fashioned super-film festival.

Starts streaming August 1.

Imitation of Life (1959)

Featuring both Lana Turner and Mahalia Jackson, Douglas Sirk’s study of the lifelong friendship between a white woman and a black woman is a fearless (for 1959) examination of race, class, alienation, gender and more, told through lush visuals and Sirk’s patented ironic-melodrama style. If you haven’t seen it, you really should watch Imitation of Life; they really don’t make movies like this anymore.

Starts streaming August 1.

Judy Justice, Season 3

TV judges like Judge Joe Brown, Judge David Young, and Judge Faith come and go, but there’s only one Judge Judy Justice, the stalwart queen of grouchy zingers and the ultimate haver of no bullshit. Season 3 of Judy Justice is unlikely to mess with the winning formula, so expect a slew of satisfying (but legally dubious) decisions meted out to the kinds of dipshits you’d expect to see on a daytime courtroom show.

Starts streaming on FreeVee August 5.