Amazon’s Prime Video to Remove 55 Movies In 10 Days – Here’s the 7 to Watch Before They Leave

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.

Amazon’s Prime Video plans to remove 55 movies from its streaming lineup after December 31, 2024. Here are the seven you should watch before they leave, in my humble opinion:

The Batman (2022)
Just when you thought that the Batman saga had been exhausted, director Matt Reeves stepped up with this absorbing 2022 gem starring Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader fighting crime in Gotham City. The film, which matches director Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight trilogy) in moodiness and atmospherics, breaks some new ground with its portrayal of Batman as trauma survivor and Paul Dano as a deeply psychotic Riddler. The Batman is too dark for the kiddies but it’s a faithful continuation of the graphic comic book series.

Reservoir Dogs (1992)
And speaking of sensational directorial debuts, Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs announced to the world that a new cinematic genius had been born. Reservoir Dogs is ostensibly a bank robbery picture, but Tarantino’s collection of misfits (Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Chris Penn, Michael Madsen) represent a unique stew of wry cultural observations, misguided loyalty, and strict adherence to the criminal code. And that makes Reservoir Dogs unlike any bank robbery picture you’ve ever seen.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Bradley Cooper shines in this David O. Russell comedy/drama film as a bipolar teacher named Pat who loses his grip on reality after seeing his wife having sex with a fellow teacher. Once out of a mental institution, Pat attempts to rebuild his life but is soon thrown a curve by a curvaceous young widow (Jennifer Lawrence) whose hold on reality is equally suspect. Cooper and Lawrence are wonderful together in this dysfunctional romcom and Robert De Niro is a hoot as Pat’s mentally uncertain father who lives and dies with the hometown Philadelphia Eagles. Silver Linings Playbook is a great movie that will make you smile, laugh and cry.

Lost in Translation (2003)
Lost in Translation is a hidden gem from director Sofia Coppola (Priscilla) who captures the human need for connection through the weary eyes of an over-the-hill TV actor (Bill Murray) and a beautiful ingenue (Scarlett Johansson). Set in the over-crowded but still isolating city of Tokyo, the film’s delicate exploration of cross-cultural encounters, coupled with Murray and Johansson’s on-screen chemistry, evokes an indelible and bittersweet emotional resonance. Beautiful, charming movie.

The Doors (1991) 
Oliver Stone’s 1991 love letter to the legendary 1960s band featuring Val Kilmer channeling lead singer (and part poet, part madman) Jim Morrison. The film is a dizzying and vastly entertaining look at an era in music when anything seemed possible and impossible at the same time. (Psychedelics, man.)

The Good Shepherd (2006)
Did you know that Robert DeNiro was originally slated to play the Jack Nicholson role in Martin Scorsese’s classic crime drama, The Departed? Bobby D bowed out because he had a previous commitment — he wanted to direct The Good Shepherd. While that may now sound like a poor choice, The Good Shepherd is an underrated film that deserves some love. The 2006 drama chronicles the early days of the Central Intelligence Agency through the eyes of Matt Damon’s character, who was based on two real-life CIA officers. It depicts the moral conflicts that quickly emerged at The Company as the agency’s architects tried to use their position to further American influence across the globe but actually resulted in diminishing that influence through abuse and overreach.

The King of Comedy (1983)
Robert De Niro stars in this black comedy from director Martin Scorsese about a nobody who obsesses of landing a stand-up spot on a late-night talk show. Jerry Lewis plays the talk show host with low-key charisma and De Niro is fascinating as the psycho comedian wannbe, Rupert Pupkin. The film received mixed reviews upon release but The King of Comedy was ahead of its time in portraying the dangerous lure of fame, something quite apparent in the era of Tik Tok.

Honorable mentions to True Romance, Roundewrs, The Last Picture Show, Almost Famous, The Master, The Third Man, Husbands and Wives, Richard Pryor – Live On the Sunset Strip, Fail Safe, Play Misty For Me and Kill the Irishman. (Lots of great movies leaving!)

Movies Leaving Amazon’s Prime Video After December 31, 2024

The Batman
True Romance
Rounders
Catch-22
The Last Picture Show