Prime Video is a great streaming service for finding your next favorite movie. While Amazon doesn’t have the deepest library of original movies, it adds dozens of movies to its streaming service each month. In fact, it just added 69 new movies and shows on July 1 alone.
This week, I’ve scoured the list of what’s on Prime, and I’ve landed on three must-watch films. At the top of the list is “Project Hail Mary,” which is making its Prime Video debut this weekend. Then, there’s “Gladiator,” a movie that needs no excuse to be watched. Finally, I’m ending things on a high note with “Tropic Thunder,” which absolutely would not get made today, yet remains a comedy classic.
So, here are the three new to Prime Video movies that you need to be streaming this weekend. If you need more recommendations, check out our full guide to everything new on Prime Video in July 2026.
Malcolm has been with Tom’s Guide since 2022. He watches dozens of movies every year, so you don’t have to watch any bad ones.
‘Project Hail Mary’ (2026)
Genre: Science fiction movie
What’s it about? “Project Hail Mary” stars Ryan Gosling as Grace, a school teacher who awakes to find himself in space, where he meets the alien, Rocky (James Ortiz). Together, they try to solve why an alien dubbed “Astrophage” is killing nearly every sun in the galaxy, while Grace starts to remember who he is and how he ended up as part of Project Hail Mary.
Why you need to watch it: This was my best movie of 2026 until it was finally beaten out by “The Invite” at the end of June. It’s an incredible display of technical filmmaking skill, anchored by Oscar-worthy performances from Gosling and Ortiz, who is both the puppeteer for the alien Rocky and the voice.
Stream “Project Hail Mary” on Prime Video now
‘Gladiator’ (2000)
Genre: Epic historical fiction movie
What’s it about? “Gladiator” tells the tale of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe). Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions. Loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). Father to a murdered son (Giorgio Cantarini), husband to a murdered wife (Ginnina Facio). He will have his vengeance, in this life or the next.
Why you need to watch it: This movie is always worth a rewatch. If you’ve never seen it before, go watch it now. If you don’t like it, I’ll give you your money back (but not really).
Stream “Gladiator” on Prime Video now
‘Tropic Thunder’ (2008)
Genre: Action comedy movie
What’s it about? “Tropic Thunder” stars Ben Stiller as action star Tugg Speedman, who, along with Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black), Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.) and many other (fictional) stars, heads to Vietnam to film a war movie. But when the film’s director (Steve Coogan) explodes, stepping on a land mine, and Tugg gets captured by rebels, everything becomes chaos.
Why you need to watch it: This movie is, simply put, hysterical. The cast is excellent, especially Downey Jr., whose Kirk Lazarus is in Blackface as Lincoln Osiris for nearly the entire movie. Even though it’s a satirical performance, it almost certainly would stop this movie from getting made today, despite earning the Marvel star an Oscar nomination.
Stream “Tropic Thunder” on Prime Video now
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