3 Hidden Gem Prime Video Films to Enjoy This Weekend (August 15-17)

Even though summer blockbuster season is coming to a close, there’s no reason to stop enjoying movies.

Prime Video offers a wide selection, including new originals like The Pickup featuring Eddie Murphy and thrilling action films such as Uncharted starring Tom Holland.

Additionally, the platform is packed with underrated gems waiting to be explored.

This weekend, Watch With Us suggests three lesser-known films worth your time: the sci-fi remake Death Race, the horror mystery Stigmata, and the war epic Battle of Britain.

‘Death Race’ (2008)

First off, the 2008 remake of Death Race doesn’t quite match the original from 1975. However, once you look past that, the 2008 version stands out as a surprisingly good action film, further cementing Jason Statham as one of the top action stars of our time.

Set in 2020, the world has turned grim. The U.S. economy has collapsed, and prisons host deadly car races that captivate a public eager for entertainment, where convicted criminals compete for the chance to have their sentences reduced. Jensen Ames (Statham) is one such inmate; wrongfully convicted of killing his wife, he intends to win the Death Race to prove his innocence. However, he faces fierce competition from fellow inmates, all desperate to escape by any means necessary.

Death Race primarily focuses on thrilling car races and delivers enough clever one-liners from Statham to fulfill its character development. It also surprises by giving otherwise serious actors like Joan Allen and Ian McShane larger-than-life roles that contribute to the fun. The outcome is a futuristic action flick that’s more engaging than you might expect.

Death Race is available for streaming on Prime Video.

‘Stigmata’ (1999)

Andrew Kiernan (Gabriel Byrne) is a priest dispatched by the Vatican to investigate a young woman named Frankie (Patricia Arquette), who may be possessed by a demonic entity. An atheist, Frankie displays stigmata— the five wounds that Jesus Christ suffered during crucifixion. This strange affliction draws Andrew to Frankie, but as he gets closer, he uncovers secrets that the Vatican would rather keep hidden. Can Andrew save Frankie without risking their lives?

Stigmata may be somewhat sensational, yet it manages to entertain. Long before winning her Emmy and Oscar, Arquette delivers a relatable and captivating performance, making Frankie a character you can cheer for. Byrne effectively portrays the brooding priest with chemistry alongside Arquette, making you root for their “forbidden” connection. Though not a masterpiece, Stigmata is a solid horror flick for a lazy weekend.

Stigmata is available for streaming on Prime Video.

‘Battle of Britain’ (1969)

Hollywood once produced war films by the hundreds annually, but nowadays, they are often relegated to streaming platforms as extended miniseries like Masters of the Air. One of the last major productions was Battle of Britain, a 1969 film that featured nearly every prominent British actor of its time, including Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer, Robert Shaw, and more.

This film chronicles the events surrounding the Battle of Britain, a confrontation between German forces and the British in 1940. Much of the action occurs in the skies as RAF pilots confront daunting odds against Germany’s superior weaponry, which ravages London under relentless bombardment. With America still neutral and Europe crippled by the Nazis, England must fight alone to avoid capitulation to Hitler.

Initially underappreciated when released in 1969, Battle of Britain stands out today for its impressive scale and ambitious filmmaking. The action scenes, especially the climactic air battle on September 15, 1940, are remarkable, and the human drama is compelling enough to elicit empathy for the characters involved. Battle of Britain exemplifies classic moviemaking at its best and serves as a nostalgic treat for fans of the war film genre.

Battle of Britain is available for streaming on Prime Video.