When it comes to stand-up comedy specials, the major streamers are trailing well behind the path that Netflix has already set up. Hulu and Amazon Prime Video’s don’t seem to threaten Netflix’s dominance in the category after most of the big names in stand-up from the last few years have already had their Netflix specials.
This month, late night comedy legend Conan O’Brien is the butt of the joke as he’s roasted while accepting The Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. It’s easily the best new addition to Netflix’s stand-up lineup in May, followed by a special featuring Tim Dillon. You can find these specials and all of the rest of the best stand-up comedy on Netflix below.
Looking for something else? We’ve also rounded up the best new movies to stream, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime, and the best movies on Disney+. For Netflix fans, check out the 10 most popular shows on Netflix right now.
Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2025)
8.4/10Conan O’Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is somewhere between The Roast of Conan O’Brien and This is Your Life, Conan O’Brien. Old friends from late night including Triumph the Insult Dog, Andy Richter, Steven Colbert, and even David Letterman show up to shower O’Brien with praise and commedically rip him a new one. Bill Burr, Nikki Glaser, and Kumail Nanjiani were also among the performers for this special. But O’Brien got the final word with a monologue about comedy in the modern age and the legacy of Mark Twain that might be a closer for the ages.
Tim Dillon: I'm Your Mother (2025)
The reaction to Tim Dillon’s special, I’m Your Mother, has come down to those who think it was an incredible comedy master class and those who aren’t impressed with his material. There doesn’t seem to be much middle ground as Dillon goes after some familiar targets while keeping his comedic persona more grounded than usual.
Dillon’s signature rants are out in force, including his assertion that unlike some English prince and his bride who used to be an actress, he’d never give up on being a part of the royal family. But what royal family would have him?
Gabriel Iglesias: Legend of Fluffy (2025)
Gabriel Iglesias is pushing 50, and he’s one of the most recognizable comedians in the world. That’s not a bad way to cap off nearly three decades in the industry. His latest special, Gabriel Iglesias: Legend of Fluffy, isn’t very wild or innovative. But that wasn’t really Iglesias’ brand to begin with. He’s a natural storyteller, and that’s what he does here while sharing tales from his life when he’s not in the spotlight.
The key part of Iglesias’ act is he keeps the audience listening even when he’s not necessarily telling a joke. This isn’t Fluffy at his comedic peak, but you should already know what to expect when watching him.
Ari Shaffir: America's Sweetheart (2025)
Ari Shaffir is no Joe Rogan, but he is Joe Rogan adjacent. Which is to say that he’s not afraid of diving into more politically sensitive topics for comedy, like racism, terrorism, and even the ever-prevalent presence of guns in our society.
Plus, there aren’t many comedians who would dare to find the lighter side of COVID-19 or the few benefits of being a heroin addict. Of course, Shaffir doesn’t let himself entirely off the hook for being less successful than Rogan and his other famous friends. At least he can laugh about it.
Your Friend, Nate Bargatze (2024)
After a brief sojourn to Amazon Prime Video for his previous comedy special, Nate Bargatze makes his return to Netflix with Your Friend, Nate Bargatze. The special’s quick rise among the most popular shows on Netflix is more proof that he still ranks among the top comedians. Bargatze’s humor does go into “dad jokes” territory, and you may have heard some of this material before in his previous specials. However, Bargatze was performing to a larger crowd in this taping, so it’s understandable why he broke out a few selections from his greatest hits.
Stories about his wife are also a big part of this special, as are a few anecdotes about his own parents. That includes a tale about his mother being too friendly with strangers. If you’re looking for a comedy special that kids and families can watch too, this is it.
Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was... (2024)
If you’re expecting a traditional comedy set from Jamie Foxx, then you’re not going to get it here. Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… is less of a special and more of a one-hour testimonial about the April 2023 health scare that nearly ended his life. For the first time, Foxx speaks openly about suffering a stroke and suffering bleeding from his brain, which left him unable to remember nearly a month of his life.
There are definitely comedic bits where Foxx uses his gift for impersonation. However, the backbone of this special sees Foxx wearing his emotions on his sleeve as he embraces his second chance to keep on living. He’ll also provide some laughs along the way.
Anthony Jeselnik: Bones and All (2024)
Hasan Minhaj: Off with His Head (2024)
In some alternate universe, Hasan Minhaj is probably hosting The Daily Show‘s election coverage. But in our universe, Minhaj missed out on the opportunity of a lifetime after The New Yorker — as he puts it — fact-checked his stories from previous stand-up comedy specials. The resulting scandal put Minhaj’s career on its heels, but he’s back in a new special, Hasan Minhaj: Off with His Head.
Minhaj does address The New Yorker scandal during the special, but his act has also been somewhat divisive among his fans. The comedian is still making jokes about his life, race relations, and the American dream for immigrants. But some reviewers are taking issues with his delivery. You’ll have to make your own evaluation.
Tim Dillon: This Is Your Country (2024)
Ali Wong: Single Lady (2024)
Adam Sandler: Love You (2024)
6.8/10Hannah Berner: We Ride at Dawn (2024)
Reality star Hannah Berner is going all-in on comedy in her first special, We Ride At Dawn. She goes on at length about why Beast from Beauty and the Beast is such a catch, amid jokes about marrying a much older man. Berner is also pretty fearless when it comes to talking about sex, including some very uncomfortable moments in bed.
The title of this special comes from Berner’s rant about why we’d all be safer if only women could legally have guns, and her punch line may back up her point.
Keith Robinson: Different Strokes (2024)
Keith Robinson has been a comedian for nearly four decades, and you can really tell by the way he commands the room in Keith Robinson: Different Strokes. The name of this special is not directly related to the ’80s sitcom with a similar name. Instead, it’s a reference to Robinson’s two debilitating strokes. Those strokes may have slowed him down physically, but mentally, Robinson’s comedy is just as sharp as ever.
Robinson mines his strokes and subsequent recovery struggles for laughs, and he also mentions that Chris Rock now calls him “Strokey Robinson.” Even now, far from his peak condition, Robinson remains a master storyteller on stage.
The Roast of Tom Brady (2024)
7.4/10Tom Brady is one of the greatest football players of all time. But a comedian, he is not. The Roast of Tom Brady puts the former quarterback in the hot seat as a killer lineup of comedians, celebrities, and sports stars line up to take shots at him.
Not everybody brings their A-game, as Ben Affleck fans will discover. However, Nikki Glaser absolutely scorches Brady, fellow comedian Kevin Hart (Lift), and anyone in the vicinity of those two. Some of the other comedian guests include Tony Hinchcliffe, Sam Jay, Bert Kreischer, Jeff Ross, Tom Segura, and Andrew Schulz.
Neal Brennan: Crazy Good (2024)
Former Daily Show contributor Neal Brennan has complete control over his format in Crazy Good. This works to great effect when he reframes his jokes through the screen of a smartphone. He also comes up with religious attack ads in the style of every political attack ad that you’ll see between now and November. Brennan also raises an interesting point about fans holding up comedians as moral paragons, only to be upset when their opinions aren’t politically correct. Comedians are almost always going to offend someone, but that doesn’t mean Brennan and other prominent comedians on Netflix are immune from self-inflicted wounds when saying something dumb.
Demetri Martin: Demetri Deconstructed (2024)
7.5/10It’s been over half a decade since Demetri Martin filmed a comedy special, and his newest one, Demetri Deconstructed, is certainly unique. It was shot mostly in black and white with the conceit that Martin is undergoing medical procedures that have placed him in a comedy simulation that lets him comment on his own routine before and after he delivers it.
The stark contrast of the colorless visuals does keep the focus locked on Martin, who also introduces some props and visual gags to keep things from getting stale. There’s even a hook for Martin’s next stand-up special, which will probably not take another five years to arrive.
Steve Treviño: Simple Man (2024)
Brian Simpson: Live from the Mothership (2024)
Chappelle's Home Team - Donnell Rawlings: A New Day (2024)
Mike Epps: Ready to Sell Out (2024)
It’s easy to forgive Mike Epps for his role in Madame Web, because it’s not a very big part and it’s not the kind of selling out that’s referenced in the title of his fourth Netflix special, Mike Epps: Ready To Sell Out. To explain the meaning of the title here would be stepping on one of Epps’ funnier moments in the special.
At times, it’s unclear how much of what Epps is saying about his drug habit is real and how much is exaggerated for comedic effect. Among other revelations, Epps contends that his addiction cost him all of the money that he’s earned from his movie career. A key part of this special is Epps talking about his therapy and exploring why he’s so paranoid about his romantic partners cheating on him, especially when he’s willing to admit that he’s done some cheating himself.
Taylor Tomlinson: Have It All (2024)
7.2/10Since her last Netflix special, Taylor Tomlinson has gone on to host CBS’ After Midnight, and achieved even greater stardom. However, Taylor Tomlinson: Have It All is not a victory lap for the comedian. Instead, she openly wonders whether it’s truly possible to have it all and if people root against each other for achieving both personal and professional happiness.
Tomlinson’s comedy here veers between self-assurance and anxiety, especially in romantic relationships. Because as much as Tomlinson has now, she doesn’t feel like she has to have it all.
Jack Whitehall: Settle Down (2024)
Jack Whitehall is back on Netflix with his special, Jack Whitehall: Settle Down, and it’s like he never left at all. Whitehall’s hair may be longer, and he may be more domesticated, but he’s still largely the same guy at heart. He’s also somewhat miffed that he’s not quite famous enough to be touted by his former school and yet somehow famous enough to be linked to someone truly heinous.
Much of the material focuses on Whitehall’s family life, including getting a dog, having a kid, and realizing that he can never watch a Leonardo DiCaprio film (like Killers of the Flower Moon) again.
Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer (2023)
Ricky Gervais: Armageddon (2023)
As the former star of the original U.K. version of The Office and a stand up legend in his own right, Ricky Gervais’ comedy legacy is largely secure. But Ricky Gervais: Armageddon is far from the comedian’s best material. There’s so much grievance comedy, especially against LGBT people, that it seems like Gervais should go on the road with Dave Chappelle.
This special only really comes to life when Gervais actually addresses Armageddon and shares his belief about how the world will end. That’s the stuff worth watching the special for, and the rest is hit or miss as Gervais fails to realize that he’s a bigger snowflake than the people he’s ridiculing.
Trevor Noah: Where Was I (2023)
6.6/10Chris Rock: Selective Outrage (2023)
Chelsea Handler: Revolution (2022)
Nick Kroll: Little Big Boy (2022)
Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special (2022)
7.5/10Jim Gaffigan: Comedy Monster (2021)
Seth Meyers: Lobby Baby (2019)
James Acaster: Repertoire (2018)
Bo Burnham: Inside (2021)
Pete Davidson: Alive from New York (2020)
John Mulaney: New in Town (2012)
Marc Maron: End Times Fun (2020)
Hannah Gadsby: Nanette (2018)
Hannibal Buress: Comedy Camisado (2016)
Eric Andre: Legalize Everything (2020)
Bill Burr: Paper Tiger (2019)
Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis (2020)
Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah (2019)
Iliza Shlesinger: Elder Millennial (2018)
Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones (2019)
Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America! (2019)
Whitney Cummings: Can I Touch It? (2019)
John Leguizamo's Latin History for Morons (2018)
Jerry Seinfeld: Jerry Before Seinfeld (2017)
74%
7.0/10Sarah Silverman: A Speck of Dust (2017)
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979)
8.1/10
