Kai Rivers
Amazon Prime Video subscribers have access to a catalogue of free content, but they must rent or buy other titles. This is because Amazon has limited rights to some content and charges a fee for customers to access it. Content that requires additional purchase is marked with a yellow shopping bag icon on the homepage. Rented titles are available for 30 days from the date of the rental, and once played, users have a minimum of 48 hours to finish watching. Amazon Prime Video subscribers can also pay an additional $3 monthly fee to avoid commercials.
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What You'll Learn
Amazon Prime Video's rental and purchase model
Amazon Prime Video offers a large selection of TV shows and movies that are free to watch with a Prime subscription. However, there are also many titles that require additional payment to rent or buy. This includes newer movies released soon after their theatrical run and titles that were previously included with Prime but became subject to purchase due to changes made by content owners.
When browsing the Amazon website or Prime Video app, content requiring additional payment is marked with a yellow shopping bag icon on the homepage carousels. Once a title is purchased or rented, it can be accessed through the "'My Stuff' section of the app or website.
Purchasing a title grants unlimited access to it, although it may become unavailable due to licensing restrictions or other reasons. Rented titles are available for a limited period, typically 30 days from the rental date. During this time, users can watch the movie as many times as they want, but there is a time limit for finishing the movie once it has been started.
The rental and purchase model of Amazon Prime Video has been a source of frustration for some users, who feel that they are paying for a subscription service only to be met with additional charges for certain titles. This has led some to prefer alternative streaming platforms like Netflix, which typically offers all its content without the need for additional rentals or purchases.
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The viewing period for rented movies
Amazon Prime Video offers a large selection of TV shows and movies that are free to watch with a Prime subscription. However, there are also titles that are not included with the subscription and require additional payment to rent or buy.
It is worth noting that some users have reported instances where the movie continued to play past the 48-hour mark as long as it was actively being watched without pauses or interruptions. However, this may not always be the case, and it is best to adhere to the stated viewing period to avoid any interruptions.
Amazon Prime Video's rental policy differs from the traditional physical video rental model, where rentals could be kept for a longer duration. This digital rental model is a result of licensing requirements and agreements between Amazon and the content owners.
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Commercials during Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is a streaming service that is a part of the Amazon Prime membership or can be purchased as a standalone service. Amazon Prime Video includes a large selection of TV shows and movies that are available to stream for free as a part of the subscription package. However, there are also titles that are not included with the subscription and must be rented or bought to watch. This is because Amazon does not own the rights to all content and therefore cannot provide it as a part of the subscription package.
Amazon Prime Video includes advertisements or commercials that play during streaming. These advertisements can be skipped but cannot be removed with a Prime Video Ad-Free subscription. The Ad-Free subscription is available for an additional monthly fee and allows users to stream movies and TV shows without advertisements. However, some titles may include promotional trailers that run before the main content, even with the Ad-Free subscription. These promotional trailers can be skipped.
The experience of browsing and selecting content on Amazon Prime Video can be frustrating for some users. The platform includes titles that are unavailable to watch with a subscription but are advertised in submenus, requiring an additional rental or purchase fee. This can make it difficult to navigate and find content that is included with the subscription. Some users have expressed a preference for competing streaming services, such as Netflix, which offer all their content without requiring additional rental or purchase fees.
It is important to note that the availability of advertisements and the ability to skip them may vary depending on the user's location and the device they are using to stream. Amazon Prime Video Ad-Free is not available in all territories, and some devices may have limitations on the streaming quality and features offered.
Overall, while Amazon Prime Video offers a wide selection of content, the inclusion of commercials and the need to rent or purchase additional titles can be a source of frustration for some users.
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![Rent [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61gNC08X3PL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The 'Included with Prime' feature
Amazon Prime Video offers a wide range of movies and TV shows to its subscribers. However, it is important to note that not all titles are included in the standard Prime Video subscription. While having a Prime membership provides access to a vast array of content, there are still certain movies and shows that require additional payment to rent or buy.
The "Included with Prime" feature is a selection of titles that Prime members can access without any extra cost. These titles are included as part of the Prime subscription and can be streamed or downloaded without the need for additional rental or purchase fees. This feature provides a diverse range of movies and TV shows that are readily available to Prime members.
The "Included with Prime" feature offers both streaming and downloading options for eligible titles. When streaming, subscribers can access the content through their web browser or compatible devices, such as Internet-connected TVs, Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, and Fire tablets. The downloading option allows subscribers to temporarily download certain titles to their Android or iOS devices for offline viewing.
However, it is important to note that the availability of titles under the "Included with Prime" feature may change over time. Amazon Prime Video's content offerings are subject to licensing agreements and distribution rights, which can result in titles being added or removed from the "Included with Prime" selection. Additionally, the specific restrictions applicable to each video depend on the method of access, such as through a purchase, rental, subscription, or promotional trial.
While the "Included with Prime" feature provides a substantial collection of movies and TV shows, there are still titles that fall outside of this selection. Amazon Prime Video offers the option to rent or buy these additional titles, providing subscribers with access to an even larger catalog of content. However, it is essential to understand that renting or buying a title does not guarantee perpetual ownership and is subject to the same licensing restrictions as the "Included with Prime" titles.
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Amazon's response to the lawsuit
Amazon has been the subject of a number of lawsuits relating to its Prime Video service. In 2024, a lawsuit was filed against Amazon on behalf of Prime Video users, accusing the company of false advertising and deceptive practices over the addition of advertisements by default. Amazon sought to dismiss the lawsuit, stating that it "never promised that the service would be ad-free".
In 2025, Amazon faced another lawsuit, this time over how it markets movies and television shows on Prime Video. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Seattle, alleges that Amazon misleads consumers by describing digital transactions as "purchases" when customers are, in fact, only receiving a revocable license to view the content. The lawsuit claims that Amazon does not clearly disclose that purchases can disappear if Amazon loses the rights to the content.
In response to the 2025 lawsuit, Amazon has not yet publicly commented on the complaint. However, in a similar lawsuit filed in 2020, Amazon maintained that its use of the word "buy" for digital content is not deceptive because consumers understand that their purchases are subject to licenses. Amazon quoted Webster's Dictionary, stating that the term "buy" means "rights to the use or services of payment" rather than perpetual ownership. Amazon also argued that its disclosures properly warn people that they may lose access to the content.
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Frequently asked questions
No, but you do have to rent or buy certain titles that are not included with your subscription. You can browse the catalog on the Amazon website or in the Prime Video app to see which titles are available for rent or purchase, marked with a yellow shopping bag icon on the homepage.
Once you press play on a rented title, you have a minimum of 48 hours to finish watching it. The rental stays in your video library for 30 days from the date of the rental.
Amazon Prime Video has viewing restrictions on certain titles due to limitations imposed by content suppliers. Amazon does not own the rights to all content and is therefore unable to control when and if a TV show or movie will require purchase.
