Prime Video adds a number of new movies each month, and while originals and the latest blockbusters tend to grab subscribers' attention, the streaming service is also known for adding several classics to its library, and August 2024 is no different

Now, to avoid confusion, when I say “classic,” I really mean classic I don't mean films that were released just a few years ago, or even just a few decades ago, but films that may be older than your parents, many of which are shown in black and white These vintage films will be dismissed as “too old” by some viewers, but if, like me, you are a connoisseur of Hollywood history, these five films should be at the top of your watch list

Each scored over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, and one scored a perfect 100% So without further ado, here are the best classic films available on Prime Video this month

Don't confuse this 1941 comedy with the classic adventure tale Gulliver's Travels Although “Sullivan's Travels” is named after Jonathan Swift's beloved novel, the film is not set on an island inhabited by puny humans Instead, it is set in Hollywood itself, a setting that has been well explored during this period of film history

Directed by Preston Sturges and portrayed as a satire on the film industry of the time, John L Sullivan (Joel McCrea) was a young, talented director who was frustrated by the disposable nature of his work Instead of making cheesy comedies, he wants to make epic films that highlight the experiences of the underprivileged The only problem is that he has no direct experience of their plight So he disguises himself as a hobo and embarks on a farcical journey of self-discovery Along the way, he meets a poor aspiring actress (Veronica Lake) and finds himself in over his head

Rotten Tomatoes: 100 Streaming on Prime Video

Many modern horror films owe a debt of gratitude to The Body Snatchers This 1950s sci-fi chiller is still the standard by which many films today attempt to set the standard for their scares In addition, the film also coined the term “pod people” Directed by Don Siegel, this adaptation of Jack Finney's novel Body Snatchers stars Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wintour, King Donovan, and Carolyn Jones, not to be confused with the 1978 version

“Invasion of the Body Snatchers” centers on the eponymous alien invasion by a group of extraterrestrials capable of mimicking human form The aliens begin taking the form of people throughout the fictional town of Santa Mira, California, and Dr Bennell (McCarthy), his ex-girlfriend Becky (Winter), and his best friend Jack (Donovan) must stop the invasion by any means necessary But who can they trust when their enemies may take the form of their closest allies?

Rotten Tomatoes: 97 Streaming on Prime Video

Ask anyone to name a classic film, and the answer is likely to be “Psycho” This Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece is the most iconic, influential, and celebrated film ever made Its claws are felt across the horror and thriller genres to this day, and even as it approaches its 65th birthday in 2025, the film remains a surprisingly nerve-wracking experience What's more, its big twist is as shocking today as it was in 1960

Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), claustrophobic, comes to stay at the Bates Motel after stealing a large sum of money from her employer When she meets the motel's owner, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), she immediately feels uneasy, and when she overhears Norman arguing with his mother, her sense that something is wrong at the motel is heightened What followed has shocked viewers for decades

Rotten Tomatoes: 97 Streaming on Prime Video

No list of classic films would be complete without at least one western (the genre was all the rage during Hollywood's Golden Age) In fact, this epic spaghetti western is considered so important that it was included in the Library of Congress' National Film Registry in 2009

Directed by Sergio Leone, who also directed the genre giant The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, this Western was originally slated to star Clint Eastwood, but he ultimately decided not to appear Instead, the lead role of the enigmatic gunfighter went to Charles Bronson, with Henry Forda stepping into the boots of the villainous Frank (a very ill-fitting role for the usually very likable actor) The result is a very thrilling western that has more than stood the test of time

Rotten Tomatoes: 96 Streaming on Prime Video

Almost certainly the least well-known film on this list, Lover Come Back deserves to be ranked as a classic Rock Hudson and Doris Day co-star in this '60s romantic comedy, whose smart screenplay was nominated for the 34th Academy Award Directed by Delbert Mann, this was the second film with Hudson, Day, and Tony Randall, who also co-starred in 1959's “Pillow Talk” and 1964's “Flowers Never Give”

Jerry (Hudson) is an executive at a big-city advertising agency who prefers entertaining clients to performing hard work However, his cheap ways soon draw the ire of Carol (Day), an executive at a rival agency She reports him to the Advertising Council for misconduct, but Jerry, with his usual charm offensive, manages to convince the Council to do things his way The deciding factor was the glowing testimony of a nightclub performer whom Jerry had bribed to be used in the ad But when Jerry's deal with the chorus girls dramatically backfires, the astute businessman finds himself in a tight spot

Rotten Tomatoes: 92 Streaming on Prime Video