Amazon Prime Video Review & Guide
KEY POINTS
- Amazon Prime Video is an on-demand movie and television streaming service, available anywhere you have an internet connection.
- An Amazon Prime Video subscription is available for $9.99 per month or $79 as an annual subscription. Your subscription also includes Amazon Prime delivery and Amazon Music.
- Amazon Prime Video offers a wide library of popular film and TV, as well as exclusive Amazon Prime Originals.
As one of the biggest streaming services to hit Australian shores, Amazon Prime comes with a big reputation. But is the hype justified? Find out how you can get Amazon Prime Video, what you can watch, how much it costs, and how it compares to Netflix and Stan in this Canstar Blue review.
What is Amazon Prime Video?
Amazon Prime Video – or just ‘Prime Video’ – is a streaming video-on-demand (SVOD) service that is run by Amazon, the massive online retailer. The service has actually been around in some form since 2006, but only in 2016 did Prime Video start to take off when it acquired rights to The Grand Tour, a show featuring former Top Gear hosts James May, Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson. Now it has many shows and films to watch, and competes with the other big-name streaming services in Australia such as Netflix and Stan. Amazon Prime Video has a range of features including:
- Stream content on up to three devices at once
- Download content to your iPhone, iPad, tablet or Android device to watch on the go
- Data-saver feature, which controls data usage while downloading and streaming on select devices
- 30-day free trial, cancel anytime
- Add up to six profiles to one account so every member of your household can personalise their viewing experience
Watch all your favourite shows on Prime Video
| Brand | Subscription Type | Advertised Cost^^/month or year | ||
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min. cost $9.99 over one month |
$9.99 |
Get Deal | |
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min. cost $79 over one year |
$79 |
Get Deal | |
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How much does Amazon Prime Video cost in Australia?
Amazon Prime Video costs $9.99 per month, or is available as $79 if you sign up for an annual subscription, which equates to $6.58 per month.
If you’re a regular Amazon shopper, you might find an Amazon Prime subscription could be more value. At the same price as the Prime Video subscription, you’ll also get the free and fast delivery on orders, along with subscriptions to Prime Video, Prime Reading, Prime Music and Prime Gaming.
Does Amazon Prime Video have a free trial?
There is a 30-day free trial for new customers for Amazon Prime, the online store and delivery service, which includes free access to Amazon Prime Video. You’ll have to create an account and provide your details, but there aren’t many streaming services that offer a 30-day free trial anymore.
How can I watch Amazon Prime Video?
Like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video is web-based and is able to be watched on pretty much any device that can access the internet. In addition to watching on your web browser, there are a range of compatible devices including:
- Certain smart TVs (brands include Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, LG, Hisense, Sharp, TCL, Haier and Philips)
- Amazon Devices (FireTV/Fire TV Stick, Echo devices with a screen, Fire Tablet)
- Gaming consoles such as the Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
- Select Blu-Ray players (brands include LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony)
- Android and iOS (Apple) devices including phones and tablets (download the app from the Apple App store or Google Play store)
- Set-top boxes and media players (including Google Chromecast and Apple TV)
What shows are on Amazon Prime Video Australia?
Prime Video includes a wide range of shows and movies, but perhaps, much like Netflix, its draw card for many viewers is its selection of Amazon Originals. As somewhat of a reflection of its cost, Prime’s library is much smaller than what you’ll get with Netflix. However, there are some exciting shows on Prime Video that may tickle your fancy:
- Star Trek: Picard
- Reacher
- Jack Ryan
- The Boys
- The Legend of Vox Machina
- American Gods
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
- Modern Love
- Mozart in the Jungle
- The Tick
- Good Omens
- Hanna
- Jonas Brothers Chasing Happiness
- Carnival Row
- The Grand Tour
- Le Mans
- Patriot
- Goliath
- Fleabag
- Sneaky Pete
- ‘I Love Dick’
- The Man in the High Castle
If you’re keen for more, check out our guide on the best shows on Amazon Prime Video. And if you get bored of the shows, why not check out what sports docos Amazon Prime Video has?
Much like with Netflix in Australia, licences for other non-original shows and movies differs from other countries. Certain shows might be on Prime Video in other countries, but on Netflix or Stan in Australia. Much of this is due to the fact that many studios, particularly in the US, have their own streaming platforms in the US, but need to reach an agreement with a provider in Australia for streaming rights.
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Are you looking for something binge-worthy? Why not check out BINGE? With multiple subscription plans available, you can choose a plan that suits you (or your family) and settle in for a night on the couch with a wide range of movies and shows!
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month | |
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min. cost $10 over one month |
1 | $10 |
Go To Site |
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min. cost $19 over one month |
2 | $19 |
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min. cost $22 over one month |
4 | $22 |
Go To Site |
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^^View important information | |||
What movies are on Amazon Prime Video Australia?
Amazon Prime Video has a large catalogue of movies on offer, including some of the newest releases. Here is a small selection of movies currently streaming on Prime Video:
- Babygirl
- Blink Twice
- Final Destination
- Longlegs
- Saltburn
- Coming 2 America
- Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
- Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
- Jumanji: The Next Level
- Joker
- Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood
- Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture
- Love Actually
If you’re looking for something for movie night, check out our guide on the best movies on Amazon Prime Video.
Test your NBN speed
Got Amazon Prime Video lined up but aren’t sure if your internet can handle it? Test your NBN Speed below!
How does Prime Video compare to Netflix and Stan?
As is becoming a theme for Australia, US streaming services frequently water down their products for the Australian market – Netflix and Prime Video included. Prime is comparable, starting at $9.99 a month, while Netflix and Stan start at AUD $7.99 and $12 respectively, although the cheapest Netflix plan comes with ads.
While slow to catch up, Amazon Prime Video has a range of similar features and titles for viewers to get excited about, making it arguably one of the go-to options in the Australian streaming market. Add in you can get some additional benefits if you’re already an Amazon customer, and Prime Video may just have the inside edge.
You may also be interested in:
- The best shows and movies to watch on Stan
- The best movies to watch on Netflix Australia
- The best shows to watch on Netflix Australia
Is Amazon Prime Video worth it in Australia?
Considering how competitive the streaming market has become, it’s almost worth checking out each platform, even just for a little bit. And with Amazon Prime Video offering a free trial and cheap price, it could be be worth a go.
It’s hard to argue against Netflix, Stan or even Disney+, but Amazon Prime Video does offer enough to keep you entertained. And if you’re still not sure, why not check out our pay TV and streaming services ratings to see what else is on offer, and how they stack up against each other.
About the author of this page
Dean Heckscher was a content producer and editor at Canstar Blue for more than five years until 2024, most recently as the Site Editor. He holds dual Bachelor degrees in Business and Creative and Professional Writing from the Queensland University of Technology.