Summary
Amazon hasn’t always had the strongest track record when it comes to original movies or series on Prime Video. However, it looks like the streamer may have found its niche in the action genre. That looks to be continuing with their latest release featuring two big names:Heads of State, which stars John Cena and Idris Elba.
Heads of Statefinds the president of the United States (Cena) and the British Prime Minister (Elba) reluctantly teaming up when Air Force One is shot down over Belarus. There, they must fight against a terrorist threat with the help of an undercover operative played by Priyanka Chopra Jonas. It’s a pretty straightforward plot helped along by the dynamic of Cena and Elba’s begrudging objective to work together. The movie’s star power and exciting action have also turned it into a big hit for Amazon.
Heads of State is a Certified Hit on Prime Video
Heads of Statehas already been impressing critics, holding a decent-enough68% on Rotten Tomatoesbased on 47 reviews (as of writing). Its audience rating is even more impressive, standing at 80%. Those numbers have translated to high viewership all over the world, asHeads of Statenow stands at the top of Prime Video’s streaming charts.According to FlixPatrol,Heads of Stateis Amazon Prime Video’s top movie as of July 3rd, edging outThe Accountant 2, which takes the second spot. The movie is also the overall number one title in multiple countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, Brazil, the Philippines, and New Zealand.
Clearly, the movie’s blend of action, humor, as well as some real star power from its two leads has hit on something that audiences have been craving. Throw in some great supporting performances from Jack Quaid(who had his own action outing earlier this year withNovocaine), Carla Gugino, Paddy Considine, and Stephen Root, andHeads of Statehas a winning formula on its hands. It’s a bit of a shame that amovie like this couldn’t get a theatrical release, as it would probably be more fun to watch on the big screen in a full theater, but at least anyone interested can stream it now on Prime Video.
While it may seem likeAmazon doesn’t know what to do with its IP after cancellingThe Wheel of Timeand struggling to makeLord of the Rings: The Rings of Powera hit on the scale ofGame of Thrones, it’s obvious that their movie studio may be starting to get it together. Last year, Amazon’s reputation was marred by the quarter-billion-dollar disasterRed One,which failed to capture audience enthusiasm (and spawned some pretty unflattering rumors aboutDwayne Johnson’s work ethic). In 2025, the studio has found success with titles likeDeep Cover, an action-comedy that finds improv performers thrown into the world of espionage. Similarly, the action sequelThe Accountant 2, led by Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal, proved to be a hit with critics and audiences.
