As little as one year ago, it’s unlikely that anyone thought Amazon Prime could rival Netflix as a streaming service, much less a source of original content. They’ve surprised us all, though, by adding tv shows like The Sopranos and creating instant classics of their own like Transparent. Now, like Netflix, you can count on a slew of new movies and tv shows coming out each month, and January is no exception. I’ve listed my favorites in no particular order, and below that, you can see the full list of this month’s additions.
(Check out Netflix’s new January releases here.)
Bottle Rocket (Available now)
Year: 1996
Director: Wes Anderson
Yes!!! Wes Anderson’s first movie, based on a short of the same name that got him into Sundance, is an incredibly funny, poignant piece of art that’s especially fun to revisit now that we know the brilliant films he created later in his career.
Justified, Season 5 (1/13)
Year: 2014
Star: Timothy Olyphant
Is it me, or is Justified the most underrated of the really good current tv shows? I feel like Sons of Anarchy gets more credit, despite the fact that Jax Teller and the gang clearly jumped the shark two seasons ago. The world of Raylan Givens hasn’t yet lost its Kentucky magic, and this is necessary binge-watch material.
On the Waterfront (Available Now)
Year: 1954
Director: Elia Kazan
This is one of the classic movies I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never seen. All I know for sure is that its the source of the “I coulda been a contender” quote, and features a young Marlon Brando. It’s time to atone for some of my past sins.
Big Fish (Available Now)
Year: 2003
Director: Tim Burton
The first time I saw this classic Tim Burton film, I cried like a baby at the end. Not ashamed to admit it. Okay, I’m a little ashamed, but I still say it represents the most perfect synthesis of Burton’s fantastical imagination and a grounded emotional core—the latter of which can be hit-and-miss with the visionary director.
Patton Oswalt: Comedy Plus Tragedy Equals Time (1/18)
Year: 2014
Star: Patton Oswalt
It almost sounds strange to say, but Oswalt is such a political comedian, with such a huge, opinionated presence on Twitter, that it’s easy to forget how funny he is. This stand-up special, on the other hand, makes it easy to remember.
On to the full list…
Available Now
The Amityville Horror
The Amityville Horror 2: The Possession
Barbershop 2: Back in Business
Beverly Hills Cop 2
Beverly Hills Cop 3
Bottle Rocket (exclusive)
Big Fish (exclusive)
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
The Congress
Footlose
Hoosiers
It Happened One Night
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
Moonstruck
Mr. Mom
On the Waterfront
Shall We Dance?
Snatch
Starred Up
Swingers
The Winning Season
Available Jan. 13
Justified (Season 5)
Available Jan. 15
Hit by Lightning
Available Jan. 18
Patton Oswalt: Comedy Plus Tragedy Equals Time
Available Jan. 25
Repentance
Available Jan. 27
Gloria (1980)
Available Jan. 30
Frida