This month's Top Cinematic Gems and Series to Binge on Prime
I've explored the September offerings on Amazon's Prime and FreeVee platforms to find the most exciting new and recently added movies and shows, along with a few older gems to spice things up.
It appears to be a rather quiet month at Prime; there aren't many high-profile originals debuting on the platform, but there's still plenty to keep you entertained if you're fond of classic films.
The Cash Game
The landscape of college sports was forever altered on July 1, 2021, when student-athletes were granted the right to monetize their names, images, and likenesses. This docuseries follows Louisiana State University athletes and alums whose lives were drastically changed by this decision. Gymnast Olivia Dunne, basketball star Angel Reese, and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels are among the featured athletes in The Cash Game, and each has their own unique approach to dealing with the sudden surge of wealth and controversy.
Streaming starts September 10.
A Royal Scandal Exposed
This three-part docuseries dramatizes the events leading up to the watershed 2009 BBC interview, where Prince Andrew shared his thoughts on his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Ruth Wilson takes on the role of interviewer Emily Maitlis, while Michael Sheen brings the Prince to life. Known for the damage he inflicted on the "respectable" British royal family's reputation, the Prince's own story is explored in A Royal Scandal Exposed.
Streaming begins September 19.
The Grand Tour's Last Lap
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May might not be household names in the U.S., but in the UK, they're beloved stars of Britain's popular Top Gear series. They ventured out on their own with The Grand Tour, an irreverent "British motoring show." In The Grand Tour's Last Lap, the trio take a stylish farewell drive around Zimbabwe in a Lancia Montecarlo, a Ford Capri 3-litre, and a Triumph Stag.
Streaming begins September 13.
Paddington 2 (2018)
There's a scene in the 2022 film The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent where Nicolas Cage, playing himself, becomes emotional watching Paddington 2. Cage's co-star explains that the film "made me cry and inspired me to be a better person." That's how I feel about this heartwarming tale of a stuffed bear facing numerous challenges but persevering through kindness and decency.
Streaming starts September 26.
The Invisible Man (1933)
It's almost Halloween, and that means it's time for Prime to hand out some frightening treats to horror fans. The best of them is the 1933 classic The Invisible Man, a film that masterfully blends horror, humor, and social commentary into an unforgettable cinematic experience. Directed by James Whale and featuring Claude Rains, The Invisible Man ranks as the best Universal horror film (sorry, Bride of Frankenstein) and is one of the greatest horror films of all time.
Universal Horror Delights on Prime:
- Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
- Dracula (1931)
- The Mummy (1932)
- Son of Dracula (1943)
- The Wolf Man (1941)
Drag Me to Hell (2006)
Director Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell is an expertly paced horror film that smoothly transitions between comedy and terror. Alison Lohman plays a bank employee whose decision to take away a elderly woman's home results in supernatural repercussions — and as the title implies, there's a trip to hell involved.
Streaming starts September 1.
Ghost Story (1981)
Ghost Story is a chilling horror movie that expertly builds tension gradually, making it easy to become enthralled without noticing until you find yourself on the edge of your seat. The all-star cast of Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and John Houseman plays a group of wealthy, respected elders who have a dark secret. Despite their efforts to cover up the past and move on, the consequences of their youthful transgressions come back to haunt them.
Streaming starts September 1.
Last month's favorites
Jackpot!
What if the premise for an action-comedy film were: California grants a randomly chosen individual a multibillion-dollar jackpot, but anyone who murders the claimant gets to take the money. Now imagine Awkwafina as the lucky winner and John Cena in the role of her bodyguard, working overtime to protect her from the city of Los Angeles' attempts to off her. Does Jackpot! sound compelling? Yes, it does soon enough.
Streaming starts August 15.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, season 2
While some critics and devoted fans weren't too thrilled about the first season of The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, the second season still offers a chance to entice that demanding audience's Tolkien-craving. The second season of Rings of Power will include eight episodes chronicling Sauron's efforts to create the Rings of Power and rule Middle Earth, with a band of brave rebels fighting to thwart his plans.
Streaming starts August 29.
August's NFL preseason game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals isn't exactly a thriller. Both teams had average records of 9-8 in 2023 and it's a pre-season game, so it doesn't even count. But hey, it's football! And it's back! (Finally, something to distract me from the Olympics.)
Streams from August 22.
Speedy Transformation
Sometimes you just want to relax and watch a underdog story about reinvention through sports. Speedy Transformation is that movie. KJ Apa portrays Jake Nea, a aimless man fresh out of jail. With nowhere else to turn, Jake asks his estranged father for help in realizing his dream of becoming a professional motorcycle racer.
Streams from August 8.
Batman: Nighttime Crusader, Season 1
The latest animated version of Batman was created by Matt Reeves, J.J. Abrams, and Bruce Timms, so I have high expectations. Nighttime Crusader is a family-friendly Batman series, so gather the kids, but that doesn't mean there won't be intense action and thrills as Batman faces off against Clayface, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and a female version of The Penguin.
Streams from August 1.
Superman 1, 2, 3, 4 and Superman Returns
If another Batman series isn't enough superhero action for you, this August, Prime offers the original four Christopher Reeves Superman films as well as the 2006 series reboot, Superman Returns. This is the perfect opportunity to grab some super-sized popcorn, settle on your super-comfortable couch, and enjoy an old-fashioned superhero movie marathon.
Streams from August 1.
Copy of Life (1959)
Starring Lana Turner and Mahalia Jackson, Douglas Sirk's exploration of the lifelong friendship between a white woman and a black woman is a bold (for 1959) study of race, class, isolation, gender, and more, told through stunning visuals and Sirk's signature ironic-melodrama style. If you haven't seen it, you really should watch Copy of Life; they just don't make movies like this anymore.
Streams from August 1.
Judge 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 unyielding queen of sharp wit and the ultimate dispenser of no nonsense. Season 3 of Judge Judy Justice** is unlikely to shake up the winning formula, so expect a series of satisfying (but legally questionable) judgments handed down to the kinds of people you'd expect to see on a daytime courtroom show.
Streams on FreeVee August 5.
Despite the limited new releases, you can still find an array of entertainment options on Prime. If you're a fan of classic films, September is the perfect time to explore the 'Best shows and movies on prime' in the streaming section. For instance, the critically acclaimed docuseries 'The Cash Game' is set to stream starting September 10, offering an in-depth look at the lives of college athletes who gained the right to monetize their names, images, and likenesses.
