Now that we’re several weeks into 2024 and the dust has settled from the busy holiday season, it’s time to curl up on the couch with some great new shows. Amazon Prime Video has plenty from which to choose, ranging from new series like Expats to classic library titles you can stream with a base subscription, like Friday Night Lights and L.A. Law.
Not sure where to start or what’s available without an add-on subscription? We have you covered with this carefully curated list of the best shows on Amazon Prime Video right now.
Looking for something else? We’ve also rounded up the best shows on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, and the best movies on Disney+.
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Expats2024
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Hazbin Hotel2024
Expats (2024) new
Nicole Kidman stars in Expats, a gripping drama based on the Janice Y. K. Lee novel The Expatriates. The series follows a group of American expatriates who all live in an affluent community in Hong Kong. Their lives become intertwined and linked by tragedy, and each person is on the brink of a breakdown.
The series explores the complications when your personal problems are never just your own. The series follows one woman grieving the disappearance of her child, another who is dealing with the inevitable breakdown of her marriage, and finally, a young woman trying to make a living in the bustling gig economy. Observational, emotional, and tense, Expats is a look into how privilege plays into every situation.
Hazbin Hotel (2024) new
Did we really need another adult animated sitcom? If the positive response for Hazbin Hotel is any indication, the answer is an emphatic yes. This musical comedy centers around Charlie Morningstar (voiced by Erika Henningsen), the princess of Hell. She’s a typical Gen-Z-er, seeing the best in everyone and believing she can rehabilitate these lost souls to grant them permission to enter Heaven. She calls her rehab facility Hazbin Hotel, and it’s where she gives demons a shot at redemption before they are killed in the next annual purge.
Naturally, there’s an antagonist, and that’s “Radio Demon” Alastor (Amir Talai), who joins her cause and helps her run the hotel, but secretly it’s just to amuse himself with the ridiculousness of her idea. Described as vibrant, colorful, fast-paced, potty-mouthed, and even sometimes grotesque by critics, Hazbin Hotel is a fabulous addition to the mix.
Friday Night Lights (2006)
Follow the residents of the fictional town of Dillon, Texas, as they deal with everyday challenges centered around a high school football team. Friday Night Lights earned multiple Emmy awards and nominations during its run.
While Friday Night Lights is, at its core, a sports drama, it’s really a show about family, coming-of-age, and the typical issues facing residents of a close-knit rural community in the U.S. Bottom line: You’ll love it if you love football and will appreciate it even if you don’t. Based on H.G. Bissinger’s nonfiction book, Friday Night Lights is one of those shows with a message, tone, and depiction of everyday challenges that’s timeless and relatable to people from all walks of life. All five seasons of Friday Night Lights can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.
Vikings (2013)
For those who enjoy the political maneuvering and messy military battles of shows like Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, but want something a bit more grounded, Vikings is sure to please. A down-to-earth historical fantasy saga, Vikings chronicles the rise of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) from farmer to legendary warrior. Ragnar sails around Northern Europe searching for plunder, accompanied by his warrior wife, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), and other allies.
Vikings is a grim series, drawing on the legends surrounding Viking raids in the Middle Ages. Although not the most historically accurate show, Vikings does maintain a grittier aesthetic than some of its fantasy contemporaries; there’s a lot of blood and a lot of mud. Once you work your way through the six seasons, check out the sequel series Vikings: Valhalla on Netflix.
Reacher (2022)
The character first popularized on-screen by Tom Cruise on the big screen is now on TV in the Amazon original action show Reacher. Except this time, Alan Ritchson (Smallville) plays Jack Reacher, the former U.S. Army major who has moved on to travel the U.S., looking for whatever odd jobs he can find to take down bad guys.
The series is based on the Lee Child book series, and like the first movie, season 1 of Reacher focuses on the storyline from the debut novel Killing Floor. After being arrested for a murder he did not commit, Reacher finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy. In season 2, the story is based on the events in the book Bad Luck and Trouble. With danger at every turn, it’s a thrilling ride all the way through.
The Affair (2014)
Dominic West (The Crown), Ruth Wilson, Maura Tierney, and Joshua Jackson shine in this drama about extramarital affairs and the emotional toll they can take on everyone involved. Through the 5 seasons, all of which are available to stream this month, each episode is broken into two parts, with the first part told from the perspective of one person and the second half from another.
The Affair uniquely captures the complexity of situations, including memory bias and motivations. The series was widely praised and though it shifts more to psychological drama in later seasons, The Affair keeps the intensity and emotions running high throughout.
Invincible (2021)
With a star-studded cast and Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead universe, behind it, it’s no surprise that this Amazon original series has received rave reviews. While it’s an animated superhero series, Invincible isn’t a show to watch with the kids. As per Kirkman’s signature style, there’s a lot of violence and gore. At the heart of the story is Mark Grayson (voiced by Beef‘s Steven Yeun), the teenage son of the world’s most powerful superhero, Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons). Once Mark turns 18, he begins to develop his own superhero skills and must balance becoming Invincible with being a typical teenage boy, as well as learning the truth about his dad.
Keep an ear out for the members of the Guardians of the Globe superhero team, loosely based on the Justice League, all of whom are voiced by Walking Dead cast members, past and present. Also lending their local talents to the series are A-listers like Zachary Quinto, Gillian Jacobs, Walton Goggins, Seth Rogen, Mark Hamill, Mahershala Ali, and Zazie Beetz.
American Horror Story (2011)
Gen V (2023)
Fans of The Boys will want to put Gen V on their radar. The superhero series spin-off follows a group of students at the Godolkin University School of Crimefighting who are tasked with competing in various battles as part of the deadly, special powers-filled curriculum. The goal? To see who is worthy of becoming a member of the next generation of supes for Vought International.
The series has an entirely new main cast but there will be cameo appearances from a handful of fan-favorite characters from The Boys. Expect the same bloody gore and political satire while exploring the idea of how Vought gets its greedy, selfish grips on young supes in training. Each one has their own unique superpowers, and combined with the drive and determination to succeed (and survive), and the naivety about what’s in store, Gen V will get the blood boiling at the absurdity of it all.
Upload (2020)
In 2033, people who are near death can be “uploaded” into virtual reality afterlives of their choosing; but it will cost their families a pretty penny. These VR afterlives are run by six tech firms, setting up a new kind of corporate competition over human death. When Los Angeles party boy Nathan’s (Robbie Amell) self-driving car crashes, his girlfriend uploads him into the luxurious Lakeview digital afterlife. There, he meets Nora, a customer service representative for Lakeview, who onboards Nathan to his version of heaven.
The series follows their friendship as Nathan grows accustomed to life away from his loved ones while Nora balances her connection with the virtual Nathan with her real-life financial and personal struggles. But when Nathan, a talented coder who was on to something big before he died, discovers his death might not have been an accident after all, he must try to unravel what really happened. It all comes down to the economic disparity that continues to exist in Upload‘s afterlife just as strongly as it does in real life.
Spin City (1996)
Michael J. Fox was at the head of this ‘90s and early ‘00s sitcom until he had to depart the show due to worsening symptoms from Parkinson’s disease. After that, Charlie Sheen took over in the lead role for the final two seasons. You can now stream all six seasons on Prime Video.
Spin City centers around a fictional New York City local government office, with Mike Flaherty (Fox) as Deputy Mayor and later Charlie Crawford (Sheen) as new Deputy Mayor. The series explored the interpersonal relationships among staff members and the challenges they face running the city. With an eclectic mix of characters and plenty of humorous intertwining storylines and recurring gags, Spin City is easily one of the best yet most underrated sitcoms of the ‘90s.
The Wheel of Time (2021)
L.A. Law (1986)
It’s the legal drama that arguably ushered in an entirely new subgenre. L.A. Law originally aired from 1986 to 1994 and centered around the staff, partners, and associates at a law firm in Los Angeles. Despite being from decades ago, L.A. Law touched on subjects that still remain topical today, from abortion to capital punishment, racism, sexual harassment, homophobia, and domestic violence.
Among its guest cast was a laundry list of unknowns at the time who have gone on to achieve superstardom, including Don Cheadle, Jeffrey Tambor, David Schwimmer, James Avery, Bryan Cranston, and Lucy Liu. Meanwhile, the main cast included actors like Harry Hamlin, Jimmy Smits, and Blair Underwood. The show earned 15 Emmy Awards through its run, four of which were for Outstanding Drama Series. L.A. Law is worth a rewatch or a first watch for a new generation to see how crime was solved and tried long before the internet and cell phones.
Good Omens (2019)
Based on the Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman novel of the same name, Good Omens sees the main characters, a demon named Crowley (David Tennant) and an angel named Aziraphale (Michael Sheen), trying to prevent Armageddon. The show follows various Christian themes as angels and the devil fight for control of humanity and the future.
Initially developed only as a limited series, the star-studded cast (along with a voice cast that includes Frances McDormand, Brian Cox, and Benedict Cumberbatch) and compelling story have seen it extended beyond that.
The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022)
Giving off total To All The Boys and Never Have I Ever vibes, The Summer I Turned Pretty is a similar coming-of-age story about a 16-year-old young woman named Isabel who visit Cousins Beach with her family every summer. But she has a feeling that this summer will be different, and she’s right when a love triangle ensues between the brothers of her mom’s childhood best friend, with whom they vacation. It’s about love, heartbreak, and a young woman coming into her own during one pivotal summer that will change everything.
Based on the book of the same name by popular YA novelist Jenny Han, the show, which returned for a second season, generated plenty of buzz before it even debuted.
Jack Ryan (2018)
I'm a Virgo (2023)
American film director, producer, screenwriter, rapper, and communist activist Raymond “Boots” Riley (Sorry to Bother You) is behind this absurdist comedy about a 19-year-old Black man who stands 13 feet tall. Cootie is played by Jharrel Jerome (Moonlight, When They See Us), who actually stands about 5 feet, 8 inches The illusion of height is achieved through the use of old-school camera tricks (think Will Ferrell in Elf), not CGI.
I’m a Virgo follows Cootie as he comes out of hiding for the first time to join a society he knows nothing about, with the support of a new group of welcoming teenage friends. Meanwhile, there’s a vigilante superhero trying to make the city right by using brute force against minor criminals, and Cootie has attracted his attention. I’m a Virgo is worth a watch even just to see how they pull off the special effects without any use of CGI. But it’s also a unique coming-of-age story like no other that will have you laughing the whole way through.
The Grand Tour (2016)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017)
If you want to watch a star being born, stop what you’re doing and immerse yourself in Rachel Brosnahan’s work as Miriam “Midge” Maisel on the 1950s-set comedy The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Midge is a housewife who pursues a career in stand-up comedy after her husband, Joe Maisel (Michael Zegen), unexpectedly leaves her.
After a drunken, impromptu, and mile-a-minute stand-up set that ends with Midge being arrested, hard-nosed venue employee Susie Myerson (Alex Borstein) takes Midge under her wing in hopes of molding a diamond in the rough. The show has won numerous well-deserved awards, solidifying its place among the best period comedy-dramas you can watch right now.
The Devil's Hour (2022)
Nothing good ever happens at 3 a.m. If you have ever heard this saying, you know that the time between 3 and 4 a.m. is known as the “Devil’s Hour,” and this is precisely when Lucy (Jessica Raine of Call the Midwife) keeps waking up, night after night, following the same recurring nightmare. The event, in fact, has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. It doesn’t help that Lucy’s eight-year-old son appears to be lacking emotion and is socially withdrawn.
When Lucy becomes tied to a string of murders in town, she begins to question her own sanity and why so much darkness surrounds her. The British psychological thriller The Devil’s Hour also stars Doctor Who’s Peter Capaldi as a reclusive, murderous nomad, and Nikesh Patel (Starstruck) as a detective named Ravi who is investigating the killings. This show is dark, ominous, and totally creepy.
Freaks and Geeks (1999)
Cancelled way too soon, it’s unbelievable to think back and realize that Freaks and Geeks only lasted a single season. But all 18 episodes are now available to stream. The Judd Apatow-produced teen comedy-drama stars a who’s who of the young comedy landscape who were, back then, relatively unknown actors. This includes Linda Cardellini, James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel. Designed to depict the monotony of teenage life, the ‘80s-set series, which originally aired from 1999-2000, follows Lindsay (Cardellini) and her brother Sam (John Francis Daley) who each have their own unique cliques in school: Lindsay’s are known as the “freaks” and Sam’s are the “geeks.”
Having developed a cult following long after its cancellation, Freaks and Geeks has been named by sources like Time, Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide, and Rolling Stone magazine as one of the best TV shows of all time, despite its short run.
Jury Duty (2023)
A sleeper hit for Amazon one of 2023’s best comedies, Jury Duty is available through the streaming service’s Freevee channel, an ad-supported video-on-demand (VOD) option formerly known as IMDb TV. It’s worth sitting through the short ads, however, to enjoy the unique docu-comedy about those who end up called in for the most dreaded task: jury duty. But there’s a twist: the case isn’t actually real, and all but one person knows it.
Ronald Gladden stars as himself, a juror who happens to be the only one who doesn’t realize the trial is not actually real. James Marsden also stars as a parody of himself, an alternate juror, while the other jurors are up-and-coming actors with backgrounds in improv. Hailing from the producers of The Office, Jury Duty is not your typical workplace comedy. It’s a fun, semi-improvised series that critics have been mixed on, but fans seem to truly enjoy, giving it an almost perfect score on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.
Dead Ringers (2023)
Rachel Weisz takes on a dual role in this gender-reversed interpretation of the 1988 David Cronenberg psychological thriller of the same name. Playing the roles initially portrayed by Jeremy Irons, she’s a set of codependent twins named Elliot and Beverly who both work as gynecologists. They’re also unafraid to bend the rules in the name of delivering proper women’s health care.
The show is reportedly not for the faint of heart, with graphic depictions of childbirth and various medical procedures. But Dead Ringers combines hearty laughs with plenty of foul language, drugs, and debauchery. Elliot and Beverly are very different from one another, but both have the same goal: change the system, at any cost, in a way they think it should be done.
Billions (2016)
Check out the first four of the current six seasons of this riveting Showtime drama that follows Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis), a ruthless hedge fund manager in New York who continues to grow his wealthy portfolio, and increase the power that comes with it.
He doesn’t accomplish this on the up-and-up, though, and his sometimes illegal dealings have caught the attention of prosecutor Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti), who is intent on taking Axelrod down. With a mix of fiction and storylines that mirror real-life financial crimes, the series has been lauded for its fresh narrative each season and new character introductions that represent a who’s who of the A-list Hollywood scene.
The Power (2023)
Based on the Naomi Alderman novel of the same name, this British sci-fi drama takes place in a future world where teenage girls develop a strange power: they can electrocute others using nothing but their fingertips and sheer will. The mysterious power arrives without warning and becomes hereditary and unremovable. These young women feel the thrill of having a deadly power that can fend off attackers and effectively get them whatever they want. But when they discover that they can awaken the same power in older women, the world and its power dynamics change dramatically.
This raises the stakes considerably in The Power, which examines a matriarchal society and how tremendous power might corrupt, liberate, and change the course of the world. The Power stars Toni Collette, Auli’i Cravalho, and John Leguizamo. Ted Lasso’s Toheeb Jimoh also appears as Tunde, an aspiring journalist who becomes fascinated with covering the story.
Flack (2019)
In her first big television role since True Blood, Anna Paquin trades vampire blood for high heels as Robyn, a public relations executive from America navigating the industry in Britain. Despite her best efforts, however, her high-profile and high-maintenance clients keep getting themselves into ridiculous messes, leaving her (alongside her sassy colleagues) to pick up the pieces.
Ironically, while Robyn always knows just what to do to get her clients out of tough situations, her sharp wit translates to self-sabotage when it comes to her own personal life.
Class of '07 (2023)
It’s like a more light-hearted version of Yellowjackets meets The Afterparty. When a group of women who attended an all-girls high school a decade prior come together again for a 10-year reunion, they wind up stuck at the school literally, and figuratively stuck in the past. A tidal wave hits causing the apocalypse, and the ladies must band together at the top of an island peak where their high school campus is located to try and survive.
The women, now grown, however, can’t help but revert to their adolescent selves. This forces them to deal with unresolved high school drama. A fun comedy, Class of ’07 will have you reliving your high school days and the friendships you made in an unbelievably absurd way.
Swarm (2023)
Donald Glover is behind this horror thriller about a young woman named Dre (Dominique Fishback), who is obsessed with a pop star (that bears an eerie resemblance in look and style to Beyoncé). Dre isn’t just a member of The Swarm, the name coined for the pop star’s followers (once again, similar to Beyoncé’s “BeyHive” group of die-hard fans), she takes her obsession to dark and troubling levels.
Swarm also stars Chloe Bailey (Grown-ish), Damson Idris (Snowfall), Paris Jackson (American Horror Stories), pop singer Billie Eilish, and Rory Culkin (Under the Banner of Heaven). Interestingly, Swarm also counts Malia Obama, daughter of President Barack Obama, among its writers.
Daisy Jones & the Six (2023)
While Daisy Jones & The Six is a fictional band created by author Taylor Jenkins Reid for her novel of the same name, the story is loosely inspired by Reid’s own experiences growing up watching the band Fleetwood Mac. The 10-episode miniseries is presented like a documentary, providing background interviews with the band members. Set in the ‘70s, the look and feel is that of the wild, hippie-centric world of music during that pivotal decade.
Follow Daisy Jones & The Six and their rise from unknown rock band to one of the biggest bands in the world, along with their subsequent downfall when the members shockingly decide to split at the height of their success. The series, which stars Riley Keough and Sam Claflin and hails from Reeese Witherspoon’s production company Hello Sunshine, shares parallels with many other popular rock bands of the ‘70s, ‘80s, and beyond that music lovers will enjoy dissecting.
The Terminal List (2022)
Based on the Jack Carr novel of the same name, The Terminal List stars Chris Pratt as Reece, a military man who is ambushed while his platoon is on a mission. Following his return home and his struggles with severe PTSD from these events, Reece begins to question what he remembers and what his role might have been in what happened. Through his investigation, Reece realizes that there might be more at play. And there are people working against him, which puts both himself and his family in danger.
The action thriller also stars Taylor Kitsch, Constance Wu, Riley Keough, and Patrick Schwarzenegger. While it was met with mixed reviews, The Terminal List has been renewed for a second season.
The Legend of Vox Machina (2022)
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022)
Mr. Robot (2015)
Comrade Detective (2017)
Downton Abbey (2010)
Bosch
The Kids in the Hall (2022)
The Outlaws (2021)
Mozart in the Jungle (2014)
Fleabag (2916)
Outer Range (2022)
The Expanse (2015)
The Man in the High Castle (2105)
The Boys (2019)
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