Prime Video in Singapore
A deep back catalogue, and the most useful digital rental store in Singapore — which is often the cheapest way to watch one film.
Prime Video's subscription tier is a solid back catalogue with a few strong originals. Its more useful half in Singapore is the rental and purchase store, which is frequently where a recent cinema release lands first — and renting one film beats subscribing to anything if one film is all you want.
What it is good for
Two distinct things, which the interface unhelpfully mixes together. The subscription carries a deep and slightly random back catalogue plus Amazon's originals. Separately, the store rents and sells recent releases, often months before they reach any subscription service.
That store is the answer to the most common question this site gets asked. A film leaves Singapore cinemas, and the first legitimate place to watch it at home is usually a rental — not a subscription. It is covered in full on where a film goes after cinemas.
- A deep, eclectic back catalogue on the subscription tier
- The most complete digital rental store available here
- Recent cinema releases available to rent early
- Bundled with Amazon Prime delivery, which many already pay for
Where it falls short here
The interface. Search results mix titles included with the subscription against titles that cost extra, and the distinction is easy to miss until you are charged. Check whether a title says it is included before pressing play.
Asian content is also weak — thin on Chinese-language drama, and with no Singaporean production to speak of.
Languages and subtitles
English subtitles are reliable on the subscription catalogue and slightly less so on rentals. Chinese subtitles are inconsistent. For a rental in particular it is worth checking the listed subtitle tracks before paying, because a rental is not refundable once started.
Pricing shape
The subscription comes with Amazon Prime membership rather than being sold separately, so many households already have it without realising. Rentals and purchases are priced per title, with rentals typically giving a viewing window of a few days.
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Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a separate Prime Video subscription?
- No. It comes with Amazon Prime membership. Check whether your household already has one before paying for anything.
- Is renting cheaper than subscribing?
- For a single film, almost always. A rental does not renew, which is the more important difference — most people who subscribe for one title keep paying long after watching it.