If your idea of a perfect night involves diving into films that have captured the Academy’s attention, then Prime Video is your ideal movie haven.
Whether you’re in the mood for a gut-punch drama, a clever animated feature, or something a little more offbeat, there’s a goldmine of award-worthy titles waiting to be streamed. From theatrical showdowns to low-key reflections, here are 7 of the year’s top Oscar contenders to see right now—numbered for your convenience.
7. Shaun the Sheep Movie
Think the Oscars only honor serious films? Think again. This dialogue-free, stop-motion odyssey is a warm, laugh-filled ride from the animation masters at Aardman. Full of visual jokes and heart, it demonstrates that great storytelling can succeed without words.
6. Anomalisa
Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson bring a creepy yet profoundly moving animated film about loneliness and self-discovery.
Narrated by haunting stop-motion images, this man’s quest to find purpose amid an ocean of conformity is touching, insightful, and remarkably original. Its Best Animated Feature nomination was richly deserved.
5. Women Talking
This subtle but potent film has a lot to say about large subjects—spirituality, trauma, independence—through the prism of a group of women in an isolated religious community. The acting is richly nuanced, and the dialogue is raw and incisive. A movie that whispers but shouts.
4. Half Nelson
Ryan Gosling delivers a tour de force performance as a conflicted teacher struggling with addiction and growing attached to a student. It’s an honest examination of vulnerability, responsibility, and attachment that avoids cliches and commits to emotional authenticity.
3. I Am Not Your Negro
Raoul Peck brings James Baldwin’s late manuscript to life in this incendiary documentary, read by Samuel L. Jackson. It’s more than a tribute to Baldwin’s genius—it’s a gripping commentary on race in America that is as current as the day it was made.
2. Cold War
Shot in striking black-and-white, Paweł Pawlikowski’s love story is as visually stunning as it is emotionally devastating. Spanning years and borders in postwar Europe, Cold War captures the ache of a romance trapped by time, politics, and fate.
1. Her
Spike Jonze’s romantic near-future drama examines our connection to technology and our desire for human contact. Joaquin Phoenix is great as a socially isolated man who falls in love with his computerized assistant, narrated warmly by Scarlett Johansson. It’s lovely, haunting, and more timely than ever.
So, whether you’re in the mood for animated whimsy, historical weight, or existential contemplation, Prime Video’s Oscar-worthy catalog has something for every mood.
Pop the popcorn, turn out the lights, and get ready to be touched—these movies are a reminder that film at its finest doesn’t merely entertain, but lingers.