From killers to Candy—3 Prime Video docs to watch this weekend (January 16-18)

abdulmanannet77@gmail.comJanuary 15, 2026

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If you’re looking for a weekend viewing session that covers all the feels: excitement, bittersweet, and a few scary thrills, I’ve unearthed a few documentaries on Prime Video I think you’ll like.

From January 16 to 18, the lineup includes a tense and political hockey saga, a tribute to the most lovable of all comedy icons and a disturbing crime documentary series that ventures into the minds of murderers.

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The five Russians

I think this might be one of the coolest sports documentaries I’ve ever seen. Based on the book by Keith Gave The Russian Five: a story of espionage, defection, corruption and courage, This captivating and unique documentary from 2019 surprised me with its mix of Russian spy thrills and a great back-to-the-ice story with one of the NHL’s most iconic teams, the Detroit Red Wings.

The five Russians takes us back to the late ’80s and early ’90s, with the struggling Red Wings, desperate to end their decades-long Stanley Cup drought, going to great (and clandestine) lengths to extract talent from behind the Russian Iron Curtain. The film, of course, focuses on five Russians who would change the team forever – Sergei Fedorov, Igor Larionov, Slava Fetisov, Slava Kozlov and Vladimir Konstantinov – whose unique “keep it out” style, powers and skills would lead the Red Wings to their first championship in 42 years.

Including insider interviews with every front-office dealmaker like Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch and Jimmy Devellano, who facilitated the defection and recruitment of players, to Wayne Gretzky, Steve Yzerman and the Russian Five themselves, The five Russians uses stock footage, as well as noir-style animation for the Cold War defection portions of the film. It’s a fun, sneaky look at a fascinating story in NHL history with some great twists and turns.

The five Russians

Release date: April 11, 2018
Runtime: 109 minutes
Director: Joshua Riehl

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John Candy: I like myself

John Candy is a Canadian national treasure and was one of the most beloved comedic actors of his generation, portraying such legendary roles as outgoing traveling salesman Del Griffith in Planes, trains and automobilesBuck Russell imperfect but sweet in Uncle Buckand (my favorite) Lonestar’s adorable furry companion, Barf, in Space balls— “I’m a Mog. Half man, half dog. I’m my own best friend!”

Candy’s life ended too soon in 1994, but not before leaving a lasting impression on fans and those who worked with him over his twenty-plus year career, chronicled in this hilarious and heartwarming tribute, John Candy: I like myselfdirected by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds.

I grew up watching Candy on SCTV and fondly remember watching his films with my father, who loved the big teddy bear’s mix of silly comedy and endearing dramatic ability. I’m also from Toronto, so I like myselfUsing old archive footage to trace Candy’s career back to his roots at Second City in Toronto and where he grew up really struck a chord. The documentary also features interviews with a who’s who of big stars who can barely hold back their tears when talking about Candy, including Bill Murray, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks and Dan Aykroyd, who share stories of a brilliant career and life.

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Murder in the head

If you are a fan of the Netflix drama series Spirit HunterYou might be interested in this revealing and disturbing true crime documentary series on Prime Video, which also delves deep into the sobering story of what drives seemingly normal people to kill. Be careful with your hair though. will Stand tall as criminal psychologists Dr Julia Shaw and Kerry Daynes guide viewers through ten 45-minute episodes, each focused on a single murderer or case.

Murder in mind, as its slogan suggests, “seeks to explain – not excuse – the psychology behind what drives people to kill.” For each case, Shaw and Daynes examine and track warning signs such as trauma and pivotal life moments that often set would-be killers on a path to violence. Episode one, Kill for the thrillis scary from the start, telling the story of Brian Cohee, a 19-year-old Colorado teenager, who killed and dismembered a 69-year-old homeless man to satisfy a lifelong curiosity about what that would be like. Using a mix of police body camera footage of encounters with the seemingly unaffected Cohee, interrogation footage and expert information, it offers a shocking realism that dramatizations cannot compete with.

This is just the tip of the iceberg with Murder in the headwhich continues to cover dark and shocking stories, including the story of a paranoid TikTok influencer who spies on then shoots his wife, a deranged Incel who vents his frustration on a crowded beach, and a deranged housewife who fakes a home invasion to cover up her husband’s murder.

I don’t usually look for true crime material, especially those about grisly murders, but what drew me to Murder in the head is his more clinical, factual and analytical approach, which avoids dramatizations and hyperboles, letting the shock of reality provide all the drama.

Prime Video can sometimes be a moving target when it comes to finding good documentaries to watch, but I hope this week’s trifecta of the Cold War and hockey, a touching homage, and a chilling true crime hits something you love.