Moonrise Kingdom

Moonrise Kingdom has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available on Amazon Prime Video and Hollywood Suite. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. Its 8/10 TMDB score, built from 6,382 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Jared Gilman is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Available now on Amazon Prime Video — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Moonrise Kingdom is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate Moonrise Kingdom from the crowd. Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, Moonrise Kingdom tells the story of two twelve-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore – and the peaceful island community is turned upside down in more ways than anyone can handle. Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward lead a cast that never overplays a joke. It hit screens in 2012. Moonrise Kingdom earns its laughs from character rather than situation, which is why it does not wear thin the way pure farce tends to. It rarely drops the ball, and when it does, it recovers fast.

Moonrise Kingdom is the kind of thing you put on in the background and end up fully watching. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Jared Gilman's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.