Amazon has released its list of new TV shows and movies coming to its Prime Video streaming service in December and there’s plenty of Amazon Originals and classic films to rival all the new Netflix TV shows and movies for December 2018. Prime Video is typically stronger on more recent movies while Netflix dominates when it comes to TV – when in doubt, get both.
Here are some top picks for what to watch on Prime Video in December across TV and movies, new releases and old gems – this isn’t a comprehensive list. Unless we specify these titles are free to watch with a Prime subscription.
Boogie Nights (1 December)
2 hours 36 minutes
Prime Video has been good to PTA (Paul Thomas Anderson) fans this year, streaming Magnolia and Phantom Thread. Now his Burt Reynolds/Mark Wahlberg/Julianne Moore-starring 1997 cult classic Boogie Nights, about the making of “exotic pictures” in the 70s, is hitting the service for December. You won’t regret it.
All The President’s Men (1 December)
2 hours 18 minutes
Still very relevant and still one of the best films about investigative reporting. This 1976 story of real-life reporters Woodward and Bernstein working with their informant Deep Throat to uncover the corruption in Nixon’s White House is gripping and intelligent. It stars Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 2 (5 December)
Amy Sherman-Palladino’s extremely charming comedy-drama about a Jewish housewife who gets into stand-up in downtown New York in the 50s has lush production values and the performances are – as Midge would say – terrific. Let’s hope Season 2 can match the Emmy Award-winning first season in this delightful Amazon Original. In 4K and HDR.
Life Itself (21 December)
1 hour 58 minutes
No, this is not the excellent Roger Ebert film of the same name, this is a romantic drama starring Oscar Isaac and Olivia Cooke. Another Amazon Original, Life Itself is from writer-director Dan Fogelman (Crazy, Stupid, Love) and has had mixed reviews from the critics so far but could suit late December tastes pretty well.
Vanity Fair (21 December)
This ITV/Amazon take on the period drama favorite Vanity Fair arrives in seven episodes with Olivia Cooke looking to camera as social climber Becky Sharp and a stellar supporting cast including Johnny Flynn. If you can’t wait, this is already available to buy on Prime Video UK.
Hereditary (27 December)
2 hours 7 minutes
A thoughtful, melancholy family drama mixed with well-executed jump scares, Ari Aster’s Hereditary from A24 should be the horror of choice for Prime Video subscribers this Christmas. Toni Collette, Milly Shapiro, and Ann Dowd command your attention every second they’re on screen and you’ll be talking about the ending for days to come.
Niko and the Sword of Light Season 2 (28 December)
This Amazon Studios kids animation, based on a comic book and with Legend of Zelda and Avatar vibes, returns for a second series. The story centers on Niko and his magic sword with princesses, sorcerers and magical creatures along for the ride.
Also coming to Amazon Prime Video this December 2018 and worth a watch are A Clockwork Orange (1 December), A Fish Called Wanda (1 December), A Fistful Of Dollars (1 December), Groundhog Day (1 December), The Firm (1 December), The Dark Crystal (1 December), Line of Duty (1 December), LOL: Last One Laughing Season 1 (14 December), A Simple Favour (15 December), Evan Almighty (16 December) and Iron Man 2 (25 December).
