Screen Rant’s television team has singled out three Prime Video titles that deserve a binge‑session from October 10‑12, 2025, and the lineup reads like a micro‑festival of fresh comedy, spooky thriller and true‑crime documentary. The picks matter because Amazon’s October slate is unusually thin – just four original releases – so these three titles become the weekend’s must‑watch events. Prime Video rolls out the comedy The Ballad of Wallis Island on October 1, the thriller Lazarus on October 22, and the docuseries Hollywood Hustler: Glitz, Glam, Scam on October 17.
Why These Picks Matter This Weekend
The weekend falls right after the U.S. midterm elections, when many viewers are glued to the news cycle. With streaming competition at an all‑time high, Prime Video’s limited new content forces it to lean on quality over quantity. As Screen Rant senior editor Robert Yanis, Jr. noted, “When the pipeline dries up, the few titles that do drop become cultural touchstones.” That’s why a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score for a debut feature is such a big deal – it signals that Prime Video still has the chops to deliver standout programming even in a quiet month.
'The Ballad of Wallis Island' – A Fresh Comedy Gem
The top‑ranked pick is Timothy Charles Key, writer‑actor’s The Ballad of Wallis Island. Set on the remote Welsh isle of Wallis Island, the film follows lottery‑winner Charles Heath (played by Key) as he attempts to reunite the estranged folk duo McGwyer Mortimer. The duo’s members – Simon Basden as Herby McGwyer and Carey Mulligan as Nell Mortimer – have not spoken in a decade, and their on‑screen chemistry feels as real as a sibling reunion after a long feud.
Screen Rant writer Alex Perry praised the film on October 9, saying, “I fell in love with the film almost immediately. Tim Key’s quirky dialogue and the gentle comedic timing make every scene feel like a warm hug.” The movie holds a certified‑fresh 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 47 critic reviews, with the consensus describing it as “a lovingly crafted character study that lingers long after the credits roll.” By the end of the weekend, the film is expected to climb into Prime Video’s most‑watched list, especially among UK viewers who appreciate the authentic Welsh backdrop.
'Lazarus' – Coben’s Supernatural Thriller Arrives Soon
The second recommendation is the upcoming series Lazarus, adapted from a concept by bestselling author Harlan Coben. The show stars William David Nighy as the tragic Dr. Lazarus Sr., whose suicide triggers a haunting for his son, forensic psychologist Dr. Jonathan Lazarus, played by Samuel George Claflin. As the younger Lazarus begins seeing his father’s ghost and the spirits of murder victims, the series weaves a tension‑filled narrative that blends psychological drama with paranormal intrigue.
According to GamesRadar reporter Morgan Park, showrunner Danny Brocklehurst promises “twists galore” and a “dark, atmospheric” tone that pushes Bill Nighy into new territory. The six‑episode arc, produced by Amazon Studios in partnership with Coben’s own production company, drops in full on October 22, 2025. Early buzz suggests the series could become a cult favorite among fans of gothic thrillers, especially given the timing – it arrives just as the Halloween season kicks into high gear.
'Hollywood Hustler: Glitz, Glam, Scam' – Inside a Hollywood Ponzi
The third pick is a three‑part docuseries that pulls back the curtain on a real‑life white‑collar crime. Directed by Academy‑Award‑nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay through her company ARRAY, Hollywood Hustler: Glitz, Glam, Scam examines how former talent manager Richard Matthew 'Rick' Sternberg ran a $143.75 million Ponzi scheme masquerading as the “Starlight Entertainment Fund.” Between January 2021 and March 2023, Sternberg duped 87 industry clients, promising high‑yield returns that never materialized.
Federal court records show Sternberg was convicted on June 15, 2024 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California on charges of securities fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. The docuseries, which premieres at 12:01 AM PT on Friday, October 17, 2025, mixes courtroom footage, victim interviews and never‑before‑seen emails that reveal the elaborate deception. Screen Rant editor Michael Chin called it “one of those bizarre true‑crime stories you have to see to believe,” and predicts it will dominate social‑media conversation throughout the weekend.
What This Says About Prime Video’s October Slate
Prime Video’s October 2025 content calendar, released by Amazon on September 25, includes only four major originals: the three above plus a modern adaptation of Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler starring Norwegian star Renate Reinsve, set to stream on October 29. The limited output reflects a strategic pause while the platform reevaluates its production pipeline. Nonetheless, the high critical scores – 96% for The Ballad of Wallis Island, a projected 85%+ Rotten Tomatoes rating for Lazarus, and early festival buzz for DuVernay’s docuseries – suggest Amazon is betting on quality over quantity.
Analytics firm FlixPatrol reported that as of October 9, the platform’s most‑watched titles remain legacy hits like The Boys Season 4 and Reacher Season 3. That means new releases need to work doubly hard to break through. By curating a comedy, a thriller and a true‑crime doc, Prime Video offers three distinct entry points for different audience segments, maximising the chance that at least one title captures the weekend’s attention.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Prime Video?
Experts say the upcoming holiday season will see a surge of new films and series, as Amazon aims to compete with Netflix’s blockbuster slate. In the meantime, the October weekend becomes a case study in how a streaming service can turn a thin calendar into a focused promotional push. If the three picks perform strongly, we may see Amazon schedule more genre‑diverse drops in future “quiet” months, using data‑driven insights from viewership spikes. For now, binge‑watchers have a clear itinerary: start with the heartwarming Welsh comedy on Saturday, move to the supernatural thriller on Sunday, and finish the weekend with the gritty Hollywood exposé before the credits roll.
- Top pick: The Ballad of Wallis Island – 96% Rotten Tomatoes, released Oct 1
- Second pick: Lazarus – debut Oct 22, six‑episode thriller
- Third pick: Hollywood Hustler: Glitz, Glam, Scam – docuseries premieres Oct 17
- Prime Video’s October slate includes only four originals
- All three titles received strong early‑review buzz
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' getting so much hype?
The film’s 96% Rotten Tomatoes rating, based on 47 critic reviews, signals near‑universal acclaim. Combined with its charming Welsh setting and a cast featuring Timothy Charles Key, Simon Basden and Carey Mulligan, it offers both fresh talent and seasoned performers, making it a safe bet for weekend viewers.
When will the series 'Lazarus' be available?
All six episodes of Lazarus drop on Prime Video on October 22, 2025, as confirmed by Amazon’s official October content schedule released on September 25.
Who directed the documentary 'Hollywood Hustler'?
The three‑part series was directed by Oscar‑nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay through her production company ARRAY, bringing her signature storytelling style to the true‑crime narrative.
How does Prime Video’s limited October lineup affect viewers?
With only four original releases scheduled for the month, each new title receives heightened attention and marketing push. This scarcity means binge‑watchers are more likely to gravitate toward the highlighted picks, boosting viewership numbers and giving the platform clearer data on audience preferences for future programming decisions.
What were the financial details of Rick Sternberg’s fraud?
Court filings show Sternberg’s scheme defrauded 87 entertainment‑industry clients of approximately $143,750,000 between January 2021 and March 2023, using a bogus “Starlight Entertainment Fund” to promise unrealistic returns.
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