Prime Video is kicking off the new month by changing its film lineup, introducing a strong batch of fresh movies for August 2026. If you're figuring out what to stream over the next few days, a few highlight releases are well worth adding to your watchlist.
To save you some time, I’ve pulled together movies boasting a Rotten Tomatoes score of at least 90%. Scores don’t always represent quality alone, but crossing that threshold is a reliable indicator that a film earned top marks from critics. The list includes a classic crime thriller, one of Florence Pugh’s most underrated movies, and a raunchy comedy.
Each of these five recent additions to Prime Video's library has earned rave reviews from film critics.
‘Fargo’ (1996)
If you didn’t already know, “Fargo” is a landmark neo-noir dark comedy-thriller written, directed, and produced by Joel and Ethan Coen. It stands as one of the most critically acclaimed American films of the 1990s, winning two Academy Awards (Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress for Frances McDormand). At its heart, the film contrasts people driven to destruction by pettiness and financial desperation with those who find deep satisfaction in a quiet life.
“Fargo” follows Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy), a struggling Minneapolis car salesman who hires two criminals to kidnap his wife so he can collect a ransom from her wealthy father. However, the plan quickly falls apart when the criminals leave a trail of deaths behind them, drawing the attention of heavily pregnant police chief Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand). As Marge investigates the case, she uncovers the connection between the kidnapping, the missing money, and Jerry’s desperate attempts to cover his tracks.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
Stream on Prime Video now
‘Fighting With My Family’ (2019)
“Fighting With My Family” is a biographical sports comedy-drama built around British working-class humor and the spectacle of American professional wrestling. The film earned widespread praise for its warmth, charm, and surprisingly big heart. Stephen Merchant and Dwayne Johnson were inspired to bring the story to the big screen after watching the 2012 British documentary “The Wrestlers: Fighting with My Family,” which profiled the real-life Knight family from Norwich, England.
Saraya “Paige” Bevis (Florence Pugh) is a young woman raised in a wrestling family in Norwich, England, where she and her brother perform at local events alongside their parents. When the siblings get the chance to audition for WWE, only Saraya is selected for the training programme, forcing her to leave home. As she prepares for her new career in America, she faces intense competition and the pressure of proving she belongs while her family deals with the changes happening back home.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
Stream on Prime Video now
‘Blue Velvet’ (1986)
Anyone who loves a good mystery should stream “Blue Velvet” this month. It’s a neo-noir mystery film written and directed by David Lynch, and stands as a defining moment in 1980s cinema. The story delves heavily into psychological obsession, curiosity, and the unsettling threshold between observing violence and participating in it. Safe to say it quickly became a major cult classic and is now widely considered one of the greatest films ever made.
College student Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) returns to his quiet hometown of Lumberton after his father suffers a stroke. While walking through a field, Jeffrey discovers a severed human ear and begins investigating the mystery alongside Sandy Williams (Laura Dern), the daughter of a local detective. Their search leads them to Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini), a nightclub singer connected to the case, and Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper), a violent criminal who has a dangerous hold over her.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%
Stream on Prime Video now
‘Joy Ride’ (2023)
Comedy fans will want to stream “Joy Ride” on Prime Video, an R-rated comedic road trip film directed by Adele Lim in her feature directorial debut. Produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, it brings the same unfiltered, raunchy comedy style seen in films like “Superbad” and “Neighbors.” The film thrives on chaotic physical comedy, outrageous humor, and rapid-fire banter while keeping its focus on the friendship at its core. Basically, you’ll have a good time.
“Joy Ride” centers around Audrey (Ashley Park), a successful lawyer who travels to China for a business trip and reconnects with her childhood best friend Lolo (Sherry Cola), college friend Kat (Stephanie Hsu), and Lolo’s eccentric cousin Deadeye (Sabrina Wu). When the trip takes an unexpected turn, the four friends set out on a chaotic journey across the country while searching for Audrey’s birth mother, leading to plenty of wild misadventures.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Stream on Prime Video now
‘Licorice Pizza’ (2021)
“Licorice Pizza” is a critically acclaimed coming-of-age comedy-drama that will likely get overlooked on Prime Video this month, given it’s a smaller film. But if you’re looking for something a little different to stream, I’d highly recommend Paul Thomas Anderson’s nostalgic story. Plus, it’s a great pick for music lovers, featuring a memorable collection of classic 1970s tracks from artists like David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Nina Simone, The Doors, and Gordon Lightfoot.
15-year-old former child actor Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman) and 25-year-old Alana Kane (Alana Haim) meet in California’s San Fernando Valley in 1973. After an unexpected encounter at Gary’s school picture day, the pair begin spending time together as Gary pursues various business ideas, including selling waterbeds and opening a pinball arcade. Alana becomes involved in Gary’s ventures while exploring opportunities of her own, leading them through a series of unusual encounters with actors and businessmen.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Stream on Prime Video now
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