Not sure what to watch onAmazonthis month? Not to worry, we’ve combed through the calendar of new and upcoming releases to highlight the best new movies arriving on the streaming service this month. From comedy classics to new originals to one of the last movies to play in theaters before the pandemic, there’s a pretty good variety depending on what you’re in the mood to watch.
If you’re looking for a laugh, you can’t go wrong withComing to America- especially with the sequel right around the corner - but this month also brings the streaming debut of the surprisingly delightful, laugh-out-loudSonic the Hedgehogmovie. If you’re more in the mood for something dramatic,Notes on a ScandalandThe Prestigewill scratch that itch, whileMoulin Rouge!will scratch that itchandgive you the opportunity to sing and weep to your heart’s content. And if you’re looking for somethingnew new, Amazon’sThe Map of Tiny Perfect Thingsis a time-loop charmer that’s well worth your time.
Check out the details on all our picks for the best new movies on Amazon below, and head over to thecomplete list of new arrivalsif you want to seeeverythingthat’s new on the streaming service this month.
Coming to America
Available:February 1
Director:John Landis
Writers:David Sheffield and Barry W. BlausteinCast:Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, John Amos, Madge Sinclair, Shari Headley
Just in time to get you caught up forComing 2 America’s arrival on Amazon next month, the 1988 original is available to stream this month.Eddie Murphystars (from a script based on his own story idea) in one of his most iconic roles as crown prince Akeem Joffer of Zamunda – well, in classic Eddie Murphy fashion, he plays several roles, but it’s as Akeem that he delivers one of the most understated and commanding comedic performances of his career. Faced with an arranged marriage to a woman he doesn’t love, Akeem travels to New York in the hopes of finding a woman who will love him, not for his crown, but for himself. With his trusty best friend (Arsenio Hall) at his side, he makes his way through the city streets, setting up some excellent fish-out-of-water comedy amidst the romancing. And it holds up.Coming to Americais still funny, full of joy, and surprisingly sweet.
Notes on a Scandal
Director:Richard Eyre
Writer:Patrick Marber
Cast:Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Bill Nighy, Juno Temple, Andrew Simpson, Joanna Scanlan
This 2006 thriller was rather a to-do in the awards circuit when it was first released, but it’s flown under the radar a bit in the years since, which is a shame since it’s a gripping, provocative piece built around two absolute powerhouse performances.Judi Denchstars and narrates (the writer of all those scandalous notes) as a prickly, pernicious wolf in sheep’s clothing who develops a fixation on a beautiful new colleague (Cate Blanchett), and when she discovers her new obsession is tangled up in an illicit affair with an underage student, she uses the opportunity to weasel into an imposing intimacy, upending both their lives. The film shows its age at times in how the student-teacher affair is depicted, but Dench and Blanchett’s performances haven’t lost a bit of their bite and the script from celebrated playwrightPatrick Marber(Closer) remains a fascinating and ferocious battle of the wits
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Moulin Rouge
Director:Baz Luhrmann
Writers:Baz Luhrmann, Craig PearceCast:Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent, Richard Roxburgh
Ornate, opulent, and dazzling to the point of being dizzying,Baz Luhrmann’sMoulin Rouge!is the height of cinematic spectacle. Heck, they even went and put an exclamation point on the title for good measure.Ewan McGregorstars as an unknown Bohemian poet who comedy-of-errors his way into a gig writing for the hottest cabaret in Paris and falls hopelessly in love with the tragic star of the show, Satine (Nicole Kidman). Kidman and McGregor are both positively luminous in the roles, and they kick up some crackling chemistry as the doomed lovers singing and sashaying through Luhrmann’s kaleidoscopic vision. A musical comprised of pop song covers, positively drenched inaesthetic,Moulin Rouge!is a delight to the senses for some, an assault to the senses for others, but it’s one of the most manic, decadent movie musicals ever made. And not for nothing, butJim Broadbentlooks like he’s having the time of his life, which is always a treat to watch.
The Prestige
Director:Christopher Nolan
Writers:Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan
Cast:Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Andy Serkis, David Bowie, Piper Perabo
I don’t know if you’ve heard, but thisChristopher Nolanfella makes some dang good movies, and his 2006 magician mystery is my favorite of them all.Christian BaleandHugh Jackmanstar as a pair of magicians who go from partners to enemies, their rivalry escalating from dangerous one-upsmanship to a reality-bending existential nightmare. In part, I thinkThe Prestigeis Nolan’s strongest film because he and co-writer/brotherJonathan Nolanadapted existing source material, andChristopher Priest’s novel gave them an excellent architecture of twists and terrors in which they could anchor their cinematic retelling. And of course, through Nolan’s lens (and Wally Pfister’s cinematography), it looks absolutely fantastic, anchored in the positively vicious performances from Bale and Jackman. Bonus:David Bowieplays Nikola Tesla, which is probably all I needed to say.
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The Village
Writer/Director:M. Night Shyamalan
Cast:Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, Adrian Brody, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Brendan Gleeson, Michael Pitt, Cherry Jones, Judy Greer
How long has it been since you’ve seenThe Village? Because folks, this movie is Good Actually and now that we’ve had enough distance from the misleading and Bad Actually marketing campaign, it might be the perfect time to giveM. Night Shyamalan’s unfairly maligned thriller another shot. Forget the twist, forget the monsters (though I still think the design is very cool),The Villageholds up because it’s a fantastic, stomach-churning psychological thriller built from very genuine and real social phobias about what makes a society “safe”. And I thinkThe Villageworks even better on a re-watch when you understand the character motivations. So if you’ve always considered this one a “lesser Shyamalan” picture, give it another shot, and after you do, check out Todd Gilchrist’s sharp take onwhy that divisive ending is actually great.
The Map of Tiny Perfect Things
Available:February 12
Director:Ian Samuels
Writer:Lev Grossman
Cast:Kyle Allen, Kathryn Newton, Jorja Fox, Jemaine Harris, Anna Mikami
Time loops are all kinds of so hot right now, but fortunately, storytellers keep coming up with interesting ways to implement the narrative device without getting too repetitive. Now, on the heels of hits likeHappy Death Day,Russian Doll, andPalm Springs, Amazon has deliveredThe Map of Tiny Perfect Things,a charming YA time-loop rom-com, written by the author ofThe Magiciansnovels, no less.Kyle Allenstars as a high schooler stuck living the same day, until he meets a charming and free-spirited classmate (Kathryn Newton) who’s stuck in the same dang loop. Naturally, they start to fall for each other, butThe Map of Tiny Perfect Thingsalso finds a resonant emotional hook as the answer to the essential “how do we get out of this loop?” question. It’s not the deepest or most existential time loop narrative we’ve seen lately, but that only makes it a breezier watch and leaves plenty of room for the cutesy chemistry to shine.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Available:February 18
Director:Jeff Fowler
Writers:Pat Casey and Josh Miller
Cast:Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Tika Sumpter, Adam Pally
I did not expect to likeSonic the Hedgehogvery much, in full honesty. I certainly didn’t expect to fall in love with it, butJeff Fowler’s take on the beloved video game character is a genuine delight. A feel-good road movie for the whole family,Sonic the Hedgehogknows exactly what it is and giddily straps in for the ride. WithBen Schwartzvoicing Sonic,James Marsdenas the local cop/Donut Lord who helps him, andJim Carreygoing back to the heights of his manic comedy as the villainous Doctor Robotnik, nobody here is phoning it in and their energetic embrace of the material givesSonica contagiousvibe. I respect any project that understands the full range of James Marsden’s appeal, but Marsden credentials aside, it’s just a total blast from start to finish, with cleverly designed set-pieces, some incredible line deliveries, (“Of course I want a latte.I love the way you make them”is a real doozie), and most importantly, enough genuine heart to make it all tick.
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