Sure, the free movies and TV Shows available on Amazon Prime isn’t packed with quality choices, but there are some absolute gems that I would rate 5/5. I scrolled through all the free TV shows and movies available and chosen nine which I think when you should watch at least once. I’ve ordered the list by highest WYALAN rating:
WYALAN star rating explained:
- 5 stars – Highly enjoyed and would highly recommend as a must watch
- 4 stars – Enjoyed and would watch again in the future
- 3 stars – Glad I watched it once, but I’ll probably never watch it again
- 2 stars – Watched to the end, but I wouldn’t watch it again
- 1 star – DNF (did not finish)
Click the three dots on the left hand side to open the table of contents and quickly jump to a series or movie you haven’t seen.
Films on BBC iPlayer | Films on Channel 4 | Films on ITVX | Films and TV Shows on Tubi
The Nice Guys
Created by: Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang), Anthony Bagarozzi
Stars: Russell Crowe (Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind), Ryan Gosling (La La Land, Drive), Angourie Rice (Mare of Easttown, Spider-Man: Homecoming)
WYALAN Rating: 5/5
In 1977 Los Angeles, The Nice Guys follows a mismatched duo: Jackson Healy, a tough enforcer-for-hire, and Holland March, a bumbling yet oddly resourceful private investigator. When teenage activist Amelia disappears after the suspicious death of a porn star named Misty Mountains, Healy is hired to warn off March, who is investigating the case. But their interests align when both realize Amelia may be in danger. As they reluctantly team up, they uncover a sprawling conspiracy involving the Department of Justice, the auto industry, and a pornographic film made to expose corruption. Their chaotic investigation leads them through wild parties, car chases, and brutal confrontations, all while forming an unexpectedly effective—if dysfunctional – partnership.
Tim’s Take: One of the best comedies to have been released in the last decade, The Nice Guys is also one of the best buddy cop comedies of all time. There’s brilliant scenes of physical comedy from Crowe and Gosling. If you liked Lethal Weapon, you will probably like Lethal Weapon.
Jury Duty
Created by: Lee Eisenberg (The Office, Bad Teacher), Gene Stupnitsky (The Office, Good Boys)
Stars: Ronald Gladden, James Marsden (Westworld, Enchanted), Alan Barinholtz (The Chicago 8)
WYALAN Rating: 5/5
Jury Duty presents a fictional civil trial through the eyes of Ronald Gladden, an unsuspecting participant who believes he’s part of a real jury selection process. What Ronald doesn’t know is that everyone else involved – from fellow jurors to the judge – is an actor, and the entire scenario is staged. As absurd events unfold in the courtroom, Ronald becomes the unwitting straight man to a cast of increasingly eccentric characters. His genuine reactions to the chaos form the heart of the series. Jury Duty was nominated for several awards including an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series.
Tim’s Take: One of the best comedy TV series to have been released in the last five years, Jury Duty mixes reality TV, sitcom and mockumentary to create a truly unique comedy. Ronald is incredibly genuine which is offset by the oddball cast who bring so much laughter.
Fargo
Created by: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men, The Big Lebowski)
Stars: Frances McDormand (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Nomadland, Olive Kitteridge), William H. Macy (Shameless, Boogie Nights, Magnolia), Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire, Reservoir Dogs, Ghost World)
WYALAN Rating: 5/5
Set in the snowy, small-town landscapes of Minnesota and North Dakota, Fargo (1996) is a darkly comic crime thriller that begins with a desperate plan gone disastrously wrong. Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy), a struggling car salesman, hires two criminals – Carl Showalter (Steve Buscemi) and Gaear Grimsrud (Peter Stormare) – to kidnap his wife in a scheme to extort ransom money from his wealthy father-in-law. But what seems like a quick fix spirals into chaos when the plan results in a trail of murder and confusion across the stark, icy Midwest.
Enter Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand), the unflappable and heavily pregnant police chief of Brainerd. With keen intuition and steady determination, she follows the bloody breadcrumbs through a series of grim and bizarre events. As the body count rises, Marge’s calm intelligence contrasts starkly with the increasingly frantic actions of the criminals.
The film received widespread critical acclaim and won two Academy Awards: Best Original Screenplay (Joel and Ethan Coen) and Best Actress (Frances McDormand). It was also nominated for five additional Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Tim’s Take: What I love about Fargo is the movie starts in reality but slowly descends into chaos with the plot bordering on absurd. I watch Fargo every few years and it still remains an enjoyable watch every time. Buscemi and Stormare conversations could have been taken from any Quentin Tarantino movie.
BuzzFeed Unsolved
Created by: Ryan Bergara (Watcher), Shane Madej (Watcher)
Stars: Ryan Bergara, Shane Madej
WYALAN Rating: 5/5
BuzzFeed Unsolved is a digital documentary series split into two main strands: True Crime and Supernatural. Hosts Ryan Bergara and Shane Madej explore notorious unsolved mysteries, alternating between Bergara’s belief in the paranormal and Madej’s comic skepticism. From infamous crimes like the Zodiac Killer to haunted locales such as the Winchester Mystery House, the duo mixes research, on-location footage, and spontaneous humor.
Tim’s Take: There is a sea of true crime and supernatural shows and podcasts now, but BuzzFeed Unsolved remains my favourite. Their incredibly silly humour sets them apart from everything else. If you like this, you like their new channel, Watcher Entertainment.
Spaceballs
Created by: Mel Brooks (Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein)
Stars: Mel Brooks, John Candy (Uncle Buck, Planes, Trains and Automobiles), Rick Moranis (Ghostbusters, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids)
WYALAN Rating: 3.5/5
A send-up of Star Wars and other sci-fi blockbusters, Spaceballs follows the roguish Lone Starr and his half-man, half-dog sidekick Barf as they race to rescue Princess Vespa from the clutches of the evil Dark Helmet. Planet Spaceball, led by President Skroob, seeks to steal the atmosphere of peaceful Druidia, and the heroes must stop them using the mystical power known as the Schwartz. With slapstick gags, rapid-fire jokes, and fourth-wall-breaking humor, the film satirizes everything from merchandising to space opera clichés.
Tim’s Take: Spaceballs is one of the better parody films you’ll see. It’s incredibly silly as you’d expect from a Mel Brooks project and John Candy and Rick Moranis as leads. If you enjoy other slapstick movies like Naked Gun or Airplane!, you’ll probably like Spaceballs.
Drive
Created by: Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson, Only God Forgives), screenplay by Hossein Amini (The Wings of the Dove)
Stars: Ryan Gosling (La La Land, The Notebook), Carey Mulligan (An Education, Promising Young Woman), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
WYALAN Rating: 3.5/5
Drive follows a mysterious Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver. His quiet, controlled existence unravels after he befriends his neighbor Irene and her young son. When Irene’s husband is released from prison and forced into a heist to pay off debts, the Driver offers to help – but the job goes wrong. Suddenly, he’s targeted by violent criminals and must use his skills to protect Irene and her son. It won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival.
Tim’s Take: While I didn’t think the film deserved the hype at the time of release, I still think Drive is worth watching at least once.
Hoosiers
Created by: Directed by David Anspaugh (Rudy), written by Angelo Pizzo (Rudy)
Stars: Gene Hackman (The French Connection, Unforgiven), Barbara Hershey (Beaches), Dennis Hopper (Easy Rider)
WYALAN Rating: 3.5/5
Based on a true story, Hoosiers follows Norman Dale, a disgraced college basketball coach who takes over a small-town Indiana high school team. Facing community skepticism and a lack of resources, Dale instills discipline and teamwork in his players. With the help of a recovering alcoholic assistant coach and a town skeptical of change, the team gradually defies expectations and advances to the state finals. Hoosiers won Two Academy Award nominations – Best Supporting Actor (Hopper) and Best Original Score.
Tim’s Take: I did not know the movie was based on a true story prior to researching for this article which makes me like it even more. A great underdog sports movie, Hackman is terrific as a stubborn yet inspirational basketball coach.
Moonstruck
Created by: Directed by Norman Jewison (Fiddler on the Roof), written by John Patrick Shanley (Doubt)
Stars: Cher (Mermaids, Burlesque), Nicolas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas, National Treasure), Olympia Dukakis (Steel Magnolias)
WYALAN Rating: 3.5/5
In Moonstruck, Cher plays Loretta Castorini, an Italian-American widow in Brooklyn who agrees to marry Johnny Cammareri, a kind but dull man. When Johnny travels to Sicily to visit his dying mother, Loretta meets his estranged brother Ronny—fiery, passionate, and deeply wounded. Sparks fly, and the two fall into a complicated affair. Amid family drama and a full moon that seems to drive everyone slightly mad, Loretta must choose between safe routine and unpredictable love. Moonstruck won three Academy Awards: Best Actress (Cher), Best Supporting Actress (Dukakis) and Best Original Screenplay.
Thelma & Louise
Created by: Directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator), written by Callie Khouri (Nashville)
Stars: Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking), Geena Davis (The Accidental Tourist), Harvey Keitel (Reservoir Dogs)
WYALAN Rating: 3.5/5
Thelma & Louise tells the story of two women seeking an escape from their mundane lives. Thelma is a housewife trapped in a stifling marriage, while Louise is a waitress burdened by past trauma. A weekend getaway spirals out of control when Louise kills a man attempting to assault Thelma. They flee in a Thunderbird convertible, pursued by the police and grappling with the consequences of their choices. Along the way, they experience fleeting freedom, unexpected love, and a deepening bond. The film’s iconic ending cements it as a feminist classic and cultural touchstone. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay; nominated for six Oscars including Best Actress (both leads) and Best Director.