Heads of Stateis a fun movie that, unfortunately, continues a frustrating trend. Amazon MGM Studios has carried on a lengthy legacy of filmmaking, earning the studio some serious critical attention over the years thanks to films likeManchester by the Sea,Sound of Metal, andAmerican Fiction. It’s also produced some genuinely great broad-appeal movies, withthe action-packed buddy comedyHeads of Statejust being the latest star-studded flick to debut on the Prime Video streaming app.
This reinforces Amazon MGM Studios' approach to broad-appeal films, which seems like a waste of an opportunitygiven how popular their movies can become over time.Heads of Statewas perfectly designed for a theatrical release, but instead dropped straight onto Prime Video instead of going on the big screen. While this helped it dodge competition from movies likeJurassic World Rebirth, it does feel like a waste given how well the studio’s broader films could be doing on a big screen.
Prime Video’s Recent Movie Slate Was Perfect For Movie Theaters
Heads Of State Is Just The Latest Amazon MGM Studios Movie That Deserved A Better Rollout
Heads of Stateis just the latest Prime Video film that is perfectly designed to do well on the big screen, making its streaming debut all the more frustrating.Heads of Stateis a broad action-comedy that’s just self-aware enough to have fun without crossing the line into pure parody.
It’s a mass-appeal movie in a way that many films simply aren’t anymore. It’s also not the first Prime Video movie in 2025 that could be described like that, either.You’re Cordially Invited,Deep Cover, andAnother Simple Favorwere also star-studded romps that embraced a comedic tenor even while playing with other genres like romance or crime thrillers.
All of them are fun movies, the kind that used to populate theaters fifteen years ago to some impressive staying power.Heads of Statein particular works largely because of the charm of the leads, the inventive nature of the action, and a rousing third act that seems perfectly designed to elicit cheers from a theater audience.
As a result, I wish more people got to see them on the big screen. I wish cinephiles and casual audiences alike got the chance to enjoy the film together on the big screen. The problem is that because the movie went straight to Prime Video,it never got the chance to reach its true potential in front of a wide audience.
I’ve Seen Prime Video’s Recent Films On A Big Screen (And I Wish Others Could Too)
All Of Them Are Fun Films To See With A Theatrical Audience
Because I’m a member of the entertainment press,I see most films early and on the big screen, whether or not they’re debuting on streaming. This was the case forYou’re Cordially Invited,Another Simple Favor, andHeads of State— all of which I saw theatrically with an audience of fellow media professionals and studio employees.
WhileDeep Coverwas sent to me as a private screener, it’s clear it shared that same kind of energy that elevated the other three on the big screen. None of them are necessarily perfect films, but they’re all well-made,with certain charms and the kind of energy that thrives on the big screen.
The big action beats ofHeads of Stateare the best example of that. The movie played well to the early audience that I saw the film with, especially the bigger action moments.Jack Quaid’s memorable appearance, Priyanka Chopra’s fight scenes, and a chase scene in the third act focused on Idris Elba and John Cena all worked wonderfully on the audience, including myself.
It had a notable effect on how I took in the film.The experience took on a communal feelingwhere we could all cheer at a sudden turn or laugh at an unexpected joke. I enjoyedHeads of Stateon its own, but seeing it in a theater made me love it.
It’s something that I love about my job, and makes me sad for everyone else.Movies likeHeads of StateandDeep Coverare crowd-pleasers, the sort of movies that could benefit from solid reviews and good word-of-mouth to become sleeper hits for their star-studded casts. Unfortunately, no one else gets to experience them that way.
I Don’t Understand Prime Video’s Movie Rollout
Films Like Heads Of State Would Land Better On The Big Screen
All four of those films are exactly the kind of movies audiences always complain about not seeing anymore. All of them are geared towards adults, with big names and original characters. OnlyAnother Simple Favorwas connected to an established franchise, and even then,the expansion felt like a natural growth from the success of the previous movie.
These movies are all charming, fun, and work with non-established IP. They also all premiered on Prime Video, where they may find an early audiencebut can quickly become lost in the sheer deluge of other available moviesand shows on the streaming platform.
Just because the movies are destined for Prime Video doesn’t mean they have to skip the big screen entirely.
Just because the movies are destined for Prime Video doesn’t mean they have to skip the big screen entirely. These movies have box office draws in the lead roles, with a natural ability to earn potentially solid results at the box office. They could earn the studio some solid box office gross, but would also be ideal for expanding the Amazon MGM Studios brand.
Amazon MGM Studios could release these movies theatrically, even just in short bursts, to garner more attention for their later debut on Prime Video. This way,the influx of positive reviews and good word-of-mouthcould help make their debuts on streaming land with more excitement.
I Have Faith That Prime Video Can Make MGM A Big-Screen Name Again
Successful Theatrical Releases Could Make Audiences More Confident About Amazon MGM Studios' Next Bond
None of this is to chastise Prime Video for their choices in films.I love that all four movies were dependent on strong casts, fun writing, and clever directioninstead of established IP. I appreciate that all of them were relatively fresh concepts, with evenAnother Simple Favor’s Italian and soap opera-style expansion giving the story fresh energy after the first film.
I just wish more people got to see these movies like I do and enjoy them together on the big screen.They make these films inherently more memorable and personal, an event at the theater instead of something you can just put on in the background while you fold laundry.
Because Amazon MGM Studios operates as part of a larger Amazon conglomerate, its measure of success is different from most studios. It doesn’t have to rely so heavily on box office numbers, which gives the studio some unique freedoms. However, embracing the theatrical release, at least in some capacity,could be the key to elevating their original films in the public eye.
Think of it as the ultimate teaser for Prime Video,a showcase of the clever films available on the service. While a limited theatrical engagement might be all that’s called for, these movies could draw attention to the studio’s output and show off the kind of stories they’re producing.
It would also likely earn Amazon MGM Studios some love from the theatrical arm of the film industry, moving them away from an existential threat to a more active part of the theatrical ecosystem. WithAmazon MGM Studios more actively in control of the next James Bond film, that connection needs to be shored up ahead of release.
Releasing movies likeHeads of Stateon the big screen ahead of their streaming debuts might be the key to that approach. It could prove that Amazon MGM Studios belongs to be alongside other marquee studio releases, earn back favor with the theater chains, and ensure that movies likeHeads of Stateget the kind of showcase they deserve.
