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Amazon Prime Video Review
Amazon Prime Video is Amazon’s on-demand streaming service with a growing slate of franchise-driven originals. Recent standouts include “Fallout,” “The Boys,” “Reacher,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” and “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” with Fallout topping Nielsen’s U.S. streaming chart at launch and renewed quickly, and Reacher and The Boys reinforcing Amazon’s tentpole strategy. You can read how Prime Video pricing works, but note that Prime Video now includes limited ads by default with an optional ad-free upgrade (details). Access to HBO series today primarily comes via the Max channel on Prime Video rather than being included with Prime Video itself. If you already subscribe to Prime for shopping and other perks, the bundle remains compelling.
Amazon Prime Video Packages at a Glance
How We Evaluated Amazon Prime Video
On-demand streaming services have come into their own in the entertainment marketplace. These services are here to stay, and they’ve become tightly competitive. As such, they’re all very similar in functionality and experience, so our evaluation focuses on original content strength, catalog breadth, pricing and ad tiers, and the overall value of the service. Netflix continues to dominate most‑streamed lists, Hulu excels at next‑day TV, and Prime Video’s edge is breadth plus a few big tentpoles (Nielsen Streaming Unwrapped).
We took a look at user reviews, industry write-ups, and Amazon Prime Video’s terms, stats, and library to create a picture of the service as compared to rivals like Netflix and Hulu. Independent satisfaction studies place Netflix and Hulu at or above category averages, while Prime Video dipped after the move to default ads (ACSI; Whip Media). Even so, Prime Video’s originals continue to break out on the charts—e.g., Fallout and Reacher—supporting the case for its tentpole strategy.
Amazon Prime Video vs. Other Video Streaming Services
Key Amazon Prime Video Features
Award-winning original series
It really does come down to content when looking at a streaming video service, and Amazon Prime Video originals are worth the price of admission. While Amazon may not be spending what Netflix is on original content, it’s spending a lot, and that investment shows. Early breakouts like “Transparent” earned a slew of awards and nominations, and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” cleaned up at the Emmys. More recently, franchise tentpoles and prestige projects have driven momentum: Fallout posted a chart‑topping debut and was renewed quickly, Reacher vaulted to No. 1 at its Season 2 launch, The Boys has earned top Emmy nominations and spawned spinoffs, and The Rings of Power returned with a new season. Unscripted and limited series have also garnered major recognition, from Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls winning at the Primetime Emmys to The Underground Railroad receiving a Peabody.
Access to HBO series
In addition to its emphasis on high-quality original series, Amazon now makes HBO programming available through add-ons and a few free options within the Amazon ecosystem. In the U.S., the comprehensive way to watch HBO on Amazon is to add Max via Prime Video Channels. While older licensing led some HBO titles to appear free with ads on Amazon Freevee, that catalog is limited and rotates (Max returned to Channels; licensing deal; Freevee inside Prime Video). Many HBO series are also available to buy a la carte in the Prime Video Store (for example, Game of Thrones).
Great deal with Amazon Prime
While Amazon’s originals may be its strongest sell, one of the biggest value adds with the service is the broader Prime bundle. Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year in the U.S. and includes shipping, deals, and digital perks like Prime Video (see Prime). Since early 2024, Prime Video streams include limited ads by default; U.S. members can add an ad-free option for an extra monthly fee (launched at $2.99 and commonly $3.99 in 2024–2025; check your current price in-account) (policy, Prime Video offers). If you’re already a Prime member for shopping or other perks, the bundle’s overall value can easily make Prime Video worth it.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a very large catalog, marquee originals (like Fallout, Reacher, and The Boys), or you’re already a Prime member, Amazon Prime Video offers a solid option. Note that Prime Video now includes ads by default; if you want uninterrupted viewing, you’ll need to add the paid ad-free option (details). If you just need an inexpensive streaming service and don’t use Prime’s other perks, Netflix’s $6.99 ad plan or Hulu’s $7.99 ad plan may be cheaper (Netflix plans; Hulu plans).
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