“Be excellent to each other.” Perhaps one of the wisest philosophies ever uttered didn’t come from the likes of Socrates or Aristotle, but from two dim-witted San Dimas teenagers: Bill S. Preston, Esq., and Ted “Theodore” Logan. Decades after they embarked on a journey through time in a phone booth, Bill and Ted remain beloved characters to this day.
The cult status of these films ultimately stems from the charisma and charm of the trilogy’s two leading heroes. It’s a story that begins with two high school pals vying to earn a passing grade in their history class and ends many years later as they attempt to unite the world through their music.
Now, fans of the trilogy can watch the entire saga from beginning to end on Prime Video. For some movie buffs, this is a trip down memory lane. For the younger crowds among us familiar with Keanu Reeves through hit franchises like John Wick or The Matrix, the Bill & Ted films offer a glimpse at the actor in one of his earliest iconic roles.
- Simultaneous streams
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3
- # of profiles
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6
What is the Bill & Ted trilogy all about?
An introduction to one of comedy’s most beloved franchises
This fun-loving duo’s quest begins in the 1989 film Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, where we witness academically-challenged friends struggling to maintain a passing grade in history class. Bill S. Preston, Esq. (Alex Winter) and Ted “Theodore” Logan (Keanu Reeves) are threatened with a fractured friendship when Ted’s father resolves to send Ted to military school if he can’t simply earn a passing grade in history.
Their world is rocked when Rufus (George Carlin), a messenger from the future, tells them they are revered in the future as rock icons who unite the world with their music. Rufus sends them on a time-traveling adventure to help them pass history class and solidify their future as legends.
The journey continues in 1991’s Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, where the titular heroes find themselves in the afterlife. Instead of historical figures, Bill and Ted tangle with the likes of Death (William Sadler). Make no mistake, this isn’t a dark film despite the premise. That classic Bill & Ted charm is alive and well.
Fast-forward several years, when Reeves and Winter return as middle-aged versions of their famous Bill and Ted characters in Bill & Ted Face the Music. After several decades, Bill and Ted set out on yet another quest. This time, however, they’re finally going to make good on their long-prophesied success of uniting the world through music. This threequel retains the heart and humor of the series and is a perfect end-cap to a film series that captured audiences’ hearts over three decades ago.
How to watch the Bill & Ted Trilogy on Prime Video
Here’s how you can start streaming
Luckily for fans of charming slacker-comedy films, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, and Bill & Ted Face the Music are now available to stream on Prime Video. So, whether you’re a longtime fan or a curious newbie to the Bill & Ted saga, you can now experience all three of these films back-to-back on the same streaming platform.
To watch this “excellent” trilogy, you will need an active Amazon Prime or Prime Video subscription. If you are not interested in obtaining a full Amazon Prime membership, Prime Video is available as a standalone subscription for $8.99/month. After you have subscribed, you can access the entire Prime Video library either on your web browser or via an app on compatible smart TVs, streaming sticks, mobile devices, and gaming consoles.
Remember, in the age of streaming, nothing lasts forever when it comes to licensed titles. Licensing agreements often change, and films like these often rotate on and off platforms. So, there’s no better time than now to experience the “most triumphant” charm and whimsy of Bill and Ted.
What to watch after the Bill & Ted trilogy
Prime Video has plenty of other cult favorites to explore
Prime Video is home to a growing and constantly changing library of films. If you consider yourself a fan of Bill & Ted, you might want to check out another cult classic slacker comedy: filmmaker Kevin Smith’s Mallrats from the View Askewniverse made famous by Clerks and Jay and Silent Bob. Another fun option that might feel adjacent to Bill & Ted in the comedy arena is the 2004 film Napoleon Dynamite. It’s yet another slacker comedy with vibrant, humorous characters and a penchant for absurdity.
If you’re simply a Keanu Reeves fan and want more, Hardball is currently available on Prime Video. Granted, this film strays a great distance from the whimsical comedy that is a trademark of Bill & Ted, but it showcases Reeves in a more earnest and drama-infused role as a man crippled by gambling debt, and who finds his purpose mentoring a baseball team of troubled youths. You’ll trade laughs for tears, but it’ll be worth your while.
- Release Date
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August 28, 2020
- Runtime
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92 minutes
- Director
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Dean Parisot
