There are so many great shows on Amazon Prime Video that it’s easy for some of the best hidden gems to pass you by while you focus on high-profile series like the latest hit, Fallout. But if you delve deep into the Amazon Prime Video library, you’ll find tons of great shows, new and old, originals and network classics, that are worth watching.
Once you sign up for an Amazon Prime subscription, you have instant access to Amazon Prime Video. You can watch shows with ads or upgrade to the ad-free tier for a few additional bucks per month. There’s also an option to sign up for Amazon Prime Video on its own if you don’t need fast and free shipping from Amazon. Why get a subscription? The best shows on Amazon Prime Video right now are constantly being updated with new titles and new seasons of popular shows that you won’t want to miss out on. We have curated this list to help you cut through the noise and find the best shows worth watching on the streamer.
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+.
-
Eureka2006
-
Clarkson's Farm2021
-
Outer Range2022
Eureka (2006)
Earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Visual Effects for a Series the year after its debut almost two decades ago, Eureka is one of those great sci-fi series you haven’t heard about. The show, which originally aired on Sci-Fi Channel (which later became Syfy) is set in a secret fictional town called Eureka that’s guarded by an electromagnetic shield and run by a company called Global Dynamics. The town is populated by mostly scientific geniuses who have worked on all the biggest technological developments through the decades. In each episode, there’s an accident or nefarious act involving technology that the new fish-out-of-water town sheriff Jack (Colin Ferguson), working alongside the eccentric residents, must solve.
Eureka has drawn comparisons to shows like Twin Peaks and Northern Exposure, and the show was cancelled after five seasons. It was, however, given an extra episode to wrap up the story for a fitting send-off, making it worth watching the entire way through. It’s one of those hidden gems that’s satisfying from start to finish.
Clarkson's Farm (2021)
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to run a farm? British TV presenter, journalist, and writer Jeremy Clarkson, best known for shows Top Gear and The Grand Tour, owns a farm in the Cotsworld. He uses his experience as a TV presenter to bring viewers fully into the experience in a compelling, educational, and engaging way in Clarkson’s Farm. The thousand-acre farm had been growing barley, rapeseed, and wheat before Clarkson decided to venture into farming himself and take over.
Humorously, Clarkson renamed the farm Diddly Squat in reference to the fact that it wasn’t producing much of anything. But together with viewers along for the ride, he learns the ropes and tries to make something of it. Inspirational, entertaining, and educational, Clarkson’s Farm takes you right from the first stages of running a farm (think learning how to use a tractor and seed drill) to running a farm shop, dealing with unexpected challenges (including the COVID-19 pandemic), herding cows, and by the end of the second season, opening his own restaurant. It’s a fascinating watch that sheds light on the importance and hard work of farmers and the farming community.
Outer Range (2022)
Outer Range stars Josh Brolin as a rancher in Wyoming who undercovers supernatural mysteries while investigating the outskirts of his land. Presented like Yellowstone meets Stranger Things, the mystery thriller is sure to excite fans of either (or both) shows as well as those who grew up watching Brolin on screen (remember The Goonies?), or just came to know him as Thanos from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films.
With Brolin serving as an executive producer alongside a team that also includes Brad Pitt, there’s plenty of drama, intrigue, and chatter around this original show. While season one was shrouded in mystery, Amazon promises plenty of payoffs in the second season along with lots more twists, turns, and compelling character journeys.
Fallout (2024)
One of the most anticipated new series of the year, Fallout is a post-apocalyptic tale based on the popular role-playing video game franchise of the same name. When a nuclear exchange in an alternate history leads to the apocalypse, a retro-futuristic society emerges above ground. Beneath it, those who survived live in bunkers known as Vaults. Centuries later, a woman who grew up in the Vault and knows nothing about life above ground decides to venture outside into a sinister and dangerous world.
Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets) stars as Lucy, and Walton Goggins (The Righteous Gemstones) as The Ghoul, while the guest-starring cast includes Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Emerson, and Chris Parnell. With the story faithful to the game, gamer fans are excited to watch it play out in live-action form. Offering an interesting take on a post-apocalyptic scenario, however, Fallout will appeal to those who aren’t even familiar with the game, too.
Them (2021)
The black mirror anthology series Them from Lena Waithe (The Chi) is back this month with a second season called Them: The Scare. The first season was set in the ‘50s and followed a Black family moving into an all-white neighborhood during the Second Great Migration. While they try to acclimate, evil forces and otherworldly events begin to haunt them.
The second season, which comes three years after the first, sees actress Deborah Ayorinde return to the series but in a completely different role and time period, though it still takes place in Los Angeles. It’s now the ‘90s, and she’s LAPD Detective Dawn Reeve, who is investigating a horrific murder. She soon discovers a serial killer is on the loose, and her family becomes wrapped up in the evil that surrounds her. If you’re looking for a show with jump scares and are not against graphically violent scenes, curl up to the blood-curdling Them: Covenant (season one) and Them: The Scare (season 2).
House (2004)
When it comes to surly, blunt doctors with special skills, none quite measures up to Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie), the pain med-popping doctor who also happens to be a medical genius. But his bedside manner leaves much to be desired, both with patients and staff. Each episode of House, like other medical dramas of its ilk, follows House’s examination of patients, often who have strange and unexplained illnesses. He always figures it out, however, usually using unconventional, sometimes questionable methods.
The complicated relationship and back and forth between Dr. House and his boss, Dr. Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein), filled with tension because of his complete disregard for rules, is one of the most intriguing parts of the show. He refuses to listen and does things his own way, but there’s no one better. With a supporting cast that includes Jennifer Morrison, Omar Epps, Olivia Wilde, Kal Penn, and Amber Tamblyn throughout various seasons, House is one of the best medical dramas of the 2000s. The series aired for eight seasons, all of which are available to stream.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024)
A loose TV interpretation of the 2005 action comedy starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Mr. & Mrs. Smith stars Donald Glover and Maya Erskine. The spy series has been well received for its combination of action with comedy and romance. The pair, both spies, agree to pose as a married couple, assuming the names of John and Jane Smith. In each episode, they get a new case with instructions delivered by anonymous text. From intercepting a package to infiltrating a black-tie silent auction, the pair have skills they put to the test in unique scenarios. Through eight episodes, they complete various missions while also growing closer to one another, and their budding romance could complicate things.
The two leads, both comedic talents, are what make this show a fun modern-day interpretation of the story. If you love spy shows with comedic twists and a dash of romance thrown in for good measure, Mr. & Mrs. Smith is worth checking out.
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.
Undone (2019)
From the creators of BoJack Horseman, Undone is an Amazon Original Series that tells a young woman’s complex journey to solve the mystery of her father’s death and uncover the keys to her past. A genre-bending animated series, Undone sees Alma Winograd-Diaz (Rosa Salazar) come apart at the seams after a near-fatal accident induces visions of her late father, Jacob (Bob Odenkirk). The persistent visions begin to tap into a mysterious ability that allows her to pass through space and time, with the ultimate goal of stopping his untimely death.
As Amazon’s first-ever adult animated original series, Undone is a visual spectacle that uses a unique combination of live action motion capture and rotoscoping, giving a sense of fantasy to a very real and relatable story. After two seasons, the fate of Undone remains unknown, as the show has neither been renewed nor cancelled. Given the positive ratings, which includes a 97% score from critics on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, fans hope it will return for a third.
Expats (2024)
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 living 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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
Downton Abbey (2010)
Bosch
The Kids in the Hall (2022)
The Outlaws (2021)
Mozart in the Jungle (2014)
Fleabag (2916)
The Expanse (2015)
The Man in the High Castle (2105)
The Boys (2019)
Editors' Recommendations
- The 10 best movies on Tubi right now (May 2024)
- 3 underrated Amazon Prime Video movies you should watch this weekend (May 17-19)
- The 50 best movies on Netflix right now (May 2024)
- The 22 best YouTube videos for kids (May 2024)
- If you have to watch one Amazon Prime Video show this May, stream this one
