Amazon Prime Video is often overlooked as secondary to other streaming services by cord-cutters, but that may be a mistake. In the areas where it excels — fantasy, sci-fi, and mysteries — it is ahead of the pack. Another upside is that Amazon originals tend to be a little less predictable than Netflix. Amazon has been working hard to solidify its streaming service brand identity with new high-quality shows and the rights to some of the hottest films.
New releases on Amazon Prime Video won’t disappoint cord-cutters. They include something for everyone’s tastes, including drama, fantasy, and rom-coms. We’ve highlighted the latest and best releases with the biggest buzz.
‘Riches’
“Riches,” a British drama that premiered on Amazon Prime Video on Dec. 2, follows the super-wealthy Richards family. Stephen Richards (Hugh Quarshie) made a fortune with his cosmetics empire, and has become a strong advocate for Black-owned businesses. When Stephen unexpectedly has a stroke, his long-neglected American children arrive in the U.K. to see what has been left to them. Before the will is even read, tensions run high between Stephen’s British and American heirs.
If you’re missing the tense and glamorous vibes of “Empire” with the added interest of cultural divides, “Riches” is perfect for you.
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’
Despite the contention its announcement caused among the hyper-loyal “Lord of the Rings” fanbase, “The Rings of Power” has surprised everyone with its highly positive reviews. Based on the historical lore of Middle Earth laid out by J.R.R. Tolkien in the appendices of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Silmarillion,” “The Rings of Power” takes place thousands of years before the classic story. The show covers events including the forging of the Rings of Power, the origin of the Dark Lord Sauron, the fall of the kingdom of Númenor, and the last alliance of men and elves. Beautiful cinematography and pristine CGI will transport you back to the most beloved fantasy world of all time and introduce a new generation of fans to Middle Earth.
Find out if it’s worth subscribing to Amazon Prime Video in order to jump into this mesmerizing fantasy adventure.
‘Something From Tiffany’s’
It wouldn’t be the holiday movie season without a festive new rom-com to cozy up with, and “Something From Tiffany’s” fits the bill perfectly. Two men go to Tiffany’s to pick out something special for the women in their lives. One chooses earrings, and the other a diamond engagement ring. When the two little blue boxes get swapped, their girlfriends get a big surprise. While trying to correct the mistake, the couples find that they can’t always control the direction their hearts take them.
This is a heartwarming story with a Christmas-in-New-York backdrop that is sure to fill your home with holiday cheer.
‘Nanny’
“Nanny” surprised the film world this year when it became the first horror film to take the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. The movie follows Aisha (Anna Diop), an undocumented Senegalese immigrant in New York City who works as a nanny for a wealthy family. Working hard to bring her son to the U.S., Aisha comes to witness strange events that threaten her American dream.
“Nanny” is notable for its beautiful visuals, suspenseful emotional journey, use of color, and the aching sense of loss it captures. It opens an important dialogue about race, gender, privilege, power, and breaking into the American Dream as an outsider.