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The best stand-up comedy on Amazon Prime right now

Stand-up comedy is a unique and challenging medium, both for the performer and the audience. In an age where we’re accustomed to burying our eyeballs in our mobile devices, one is expected to pay attention to another human being for an hour-plus. Fortunately, though, the payoff is often unforgettable hilarity. 

There are stand-up specials all over the streaming world these days, but one of our go-to spots to indulge in gut-busting laughter is Amazon Prime Video. Home to hundreds of comedy specials, there’s certainly no shortage of laughter to be had, and we thought we’d chip in by recommending a bunch of our favorites. Mind you, this list is always changing, so be sure to check back soon to see what new specials we’re crazy about!

The best stand-up on Prime Video is going to leave you in stitches for weeks! Here’s all the latest material you can watch for February 2024, including new specials from Kevin James and Hank Chen.

Looking for even more laughs? Check out our other streaming guides, including the best stand-up comedy on Netflix, as well as the best comedies on Amazon Prime and the best comedies on Hulu

Kevin James: Irregardless (2024)

Kevin James: Irregardless
60m
Genre Comedy
Stars Kevin James
We’re betting that most of the media-consuming world knows Kevin James from a little show called The King of Queens. Another chunk of humanity may know him from films like Grown Ups with Adam Sandler (Hustle) and Paul Blart: Mall Cop co-starring a Segway. Whatever show or movie you know him from, we’d like to draw your attention to the goofball’s latest stand-up special: Irregardless. Mr. James isn’t here to push the envelope per se, and that’s OK in our book! If you’re in the mood for some family-friendly fun, or you’d like your kids to experience their first stand-up special, Irregardless is the perfect Kevin James tour de force to indulge in.

Hank Chen: I'm Not Supposed to Be Here (2023)

Hank Chen: I'm Not Supposed to Be Here
60m
Genre Comedy
Stars Hank Chen
Directed by Brian Volk-Weiss
Not many stand-up comics can say they’ve taken the stage merely six hours after being in a car accident, but such is the case for Hank Chan. The performer’s debut special is called I’m Not Supposed to Be Here, and Chen proves to be a fireball of comedic genius . Everything from dictatorships to family life gets roasted in this blistering hour.

Russell Peters: Deported (2020)

Russell Peters: Deported
4.5/10
67m
Genre Comedy
Stars Russell Peters, Jason Collings, Vicky Kaushal
Directed by David Higby
Canadian comic Russell Peters has been around for a minute, and his comedic talent and notoriety has skyrocketed. Peters’ new comedy special is called Deported, and it’s his first production for Amazon Prime Video (his last two specials are on Netflix). A bulk of the material focuses on immigration and ancestry, two subjects that Peters is well-versed in. Let’s just say this is an observational masterpiece you don’t want to miss.

Nate Bargatze: Hello World (2023)

Nate Bargatze: Hello World
8.1/10
60m
Genre Comedy
Stars Nate Bargatze
Directed by Mike Lavin
Nate Bargatze is one of the rare comics of today who manages to get everyone keeled over in laughter without dropping any f-bombs or racy material; a comedic skill he’s been honing for years. In his latest special Hello World, Bargatze covers everything from family conundrums to the many disadvantages of being a first-born child. Hello World is a major triumph for Bargatze, and it’s all clean (for the most part), it’s all succinct, and it’s ridiculous amounts of fun from start to finish.

Zarna Garg: One in a Billion (2023)

Zarna Garg: One in a Billion
6.0/10
66m
Genre Comedy
Stars Zarna Garg
Directed by Brian Volk-Weiss
Zarna Garg is the kind of comedic talent that isn’t afraid to get introspective, tapping into her personal life to deliver her iconic jokes and riffs. Such bravura is on full display in One in a Billion, a 2023 release that finds Garg tackling every facet of family drama, and all from the unique perspective of being an Indian-immigrant mother who isn’t afraid to push the envelope. With a runtime of an hour and five minutes, the “time flies when you’re having fun” adage couldn’t be more true here, as One in a Billion feels like it’s over in a flash.

Kellen Erskine: Zoomed Out (2022)

Kellen Erskine: Zoomed Out
7.6/10
43m
Genre Comedy
Stars Kellen Erskine
Directed by Brian Volk-Weiss
When we walk around the world, there’s stuff that inevitably strikes us all as bizarre. Why rush out for bread and milk before a huge storm? Do we really need a blessing whenever we sneeze? Call it tradition or just idiosyncratic, but if you want to watch a stand-up comic call out these eccentricities in a bold and unforgiving fashion, you need to watch Kellen Erskine’s Zoomed Out. Throwing a spotlight on the absurdities of everyday life is what Erskine does best, and we guarantee you’ll be in stitches when you watch the man do his work. 

Sebastian Live (2009)

Sebastian Live
63m
Genre Comedy
Stars Sebastian Maniscalco
Directed by Manny Rodriguez

Sebastian Maniscalco is the kind of comedic talent who isn’t afraid to shine a light on the many idiosyncrasies of humanity, and if his stand-up special Sebastian LIVE is to be believed, our species has plenty of quirks to poke fun at.

the special was filmed at the prestigious Paramount Theatre in St. Louis, and if you’re in the mood for the kind of observational humor that will have you rolling around on the floor in laughter, look no further than Mr. Maniscalco.

Jim Gaffigan: Noble Ape (2018)

Jim Gaffigan: Noble Ape
67m
Genre Comedy
Stars Jim Gaffigan
Directed by Jeannie Gaffigan

You don’t get into our comedy roundup twice unless you’re really funny, but it should come as no surprise that Jim Gaffigan gets a second shout-out. In his 2018 special Jim Gaffigan: Noble Ape, the renowned talent (he starred in the wonderful Linoleum earlier this year) gets a bit more personal, incorporating his wife’s harrowing run-in with cancer into the show.

It’s a bold decision on Gaffigan’s behalf, but it’s a mature call that serves to remind us that life may throw a million wrenches our way, but sometimes all we can do is snicker as the projectiles fly toward us.

Jim Breuer: And Laughter for All (2013)

Jim Breuer: And Laughter for All
r 58m
Genre Comedy
Stars Jim Breuer
Directed by Jay Chapman

Jim Breuer is an unchained force to be reckoned with in the outrageous 2013 stand-up special, Jim Breuer: And Laughter for All. Originally produced for Epix, Jim ditches the Goat Boy threads in favor of something a bit more rooted but equally off-the-charts.

Exploring topics of fatherhood, modern suburbia, and teen-year antics, Breuer’s approach may be unrelenting, but fans of his style know exactly what they’re signing up for.

George Carlin: Life Is Worth Losing (2005)

George Carlin: Life Is Worth Losing
r 74m
Genre Comedy, TV Movie
Stars George Carlin
Directed by Rocco Urbisci

One of the O.G. titans of stand-up, the late-great George Carlin left far more than your traditional mark on the entertainment world. A constantly called-upon influence for today’s leading comic legends, the man’s talents are on full-display in George Carlin: Life is Worth Losing. Jam-packed with Carlin’s rapid-fire and astute commentary on the continually-crumbling Planet Earth, this humorously bleak eulogizing remains as relevant today as the maestro’s words were nearly 20 years ago.

Iain Stirling Failing Upwards (2022)

Iain Stirling Failing Upwards
5.9/10
67m
Genre Comedy
Stars Iain Stirling
Directed by Chris Howe
Iain Stirling is best known as the narrator for the seminal hit Love Island, but Stirling also has a solid stand-up career. In Failing Upwards, the Scotsman talks about his life and how he compares to his more famous wife, which often pits him as the lesser half of the duo. Stirling also does an excellent job of taking what the audience gives him, from laughter to the occasional heckler. This is Stirling’s first stand-up special for Prime Video.

Cocoa Brown: Famous Enough (2022)

Cocoa Brown: Famous Enough
53m
Genre Comedy
Stars Cocoa Brown
Directed by Brian Volk-Weiss
Cocoa Brown may not be famous enough to have her own Wikipedia page (yet), but she is famous enough to have her own stand-up special on Amazon Prime Video. In her set, Brown speaks on dating and parenting during Covid, as well as double standards in the dating world and family drama. The special was filmed in New York City and marks Brown’s stand-up debut. Viewers may recognize Brown from Never Have I Ever and Tyler Perry’s Single Moms Club.

Eddie Izzard: Wunderbar (2021)

Eddie Izzard: Wunderbar
6.5/10
78m
Genre Comedy
Stars Eddie Izzard
Directed by Sarah Townsend
Wunderbar was filmed at the tail-end of a world tour that would soon be made near-impossible due to the pandemic. Eddie Izzard’s London show has the usual laughs but also serious musings about aging and the cosmic power of circles. Izzard has a number of stand-up specials on Amazon Prime, so feel free to check them out once you’ve run through Wunderbar.

George Carlin: You Are All Diseased (1999)

George Carlin: You Are All Diseased
8.5/10
65m
Genre Comedy, Documentary, TV Movie
Stars George Carlin
Directed by Rocco Urbisci
George Carlin is a stand-up comedy legend. In You Are All Diseased, the late comic rants about airport security, germ phobias, businessmen, cigars, and angels. Some of the jokes don’t age well — particularly some of the thoughts on airport security, as this was filmed pre 9/11 — but Carlin’s act still shows why he was one of the best comedians to ever take a stage.

Jimmy O. Yang: Good Deal (2020)

Jimmy O. Yang: Good Deal
7.1/10
r 57m
Genre Comedy
Stars Jimmy O. Yang
Directed by Marcus Raboy
Jimmy O. Yang is most known for his roles in Silicon Valley and Space Force, but he’s also a veteran of the stand-up comedy circuit. In Yang’s stand-up debut, Good Deal, he introduces himself to audiences, discusses his background and upbringing, as well as the key differences between Chinese supermarkets and American supermarkets. The special tackles some familiar, stereotypical territory, but Yang’s delivery of the material is endearing and emblematic of his rise in the industry.

Brad Williams: Daddy Issues (2016)

Brad Williams: Daddy Issues
7.6/10
61m
Genre Comedy
Stars Brad Williams
Directed by Scott L. Montoya
Brad Williams has no issue addressing the elephant in the room. In Daddy Issues, the comedian born with a form of dwarfism makes jokes about the prejudice he faces on the daily due to his height. One particular story delves into the time he ran in the Special Olympics,  and it’s a hilarious tale. While Williams’ jokes are funny, some of what he has to say is also biting, particularly in regards to the adversity that drives him, due in some part to his father. This is Williams’ second stand-up special, following Fun Size.

Problem Child: Leslie Jones (2010)

Problem Child: Leslie Jones
5.9/10
60m
Genre Comedy
Stars Leslie Jones
Directed by Gary Binkow
Before Leslie Jones was stealing scenes in Saturday Night Live, she was going by “Big Les” and putting out stand-up DVDs (remember those?). In her 2009 debut special Problem Child, Jones shows off the same brash and raunchy style that would shoot her into the stratosphere. The best part of the special is when Jones works the crowd, showing that her ability to engage is her best asset, something she regularly puts on display for her Twitter audience.

Rhys Darby: Mystic Time Bird (2021)

Rhys Darby: Mystic Time Bird
6.7/10
83m
Genre Comedy
Stars Rhys Darby, Rachel House
Directed by Barry Castagnola
Rhys Darby has fans for life courtesy of anyone who ever watched Flight of the Conchords. The New Zealand comedian shows off some of that same charm in Mystic Time Bird, which debuted last year. The comic takes stock of physical comedy, making strange observations and even stranger sound effects while discussing mysticism and birds, as the title suggests. The fact that Darby can make so many bird noises and not turn off viewers during this special is a feat in itself.

Andrew Santino: Home Field Advantage (2017)

Andrew Santino: Home Field Advantage
5.6/10
71m
Genre Comedy
Stars Andrew Santino
Directed by Brandon Dermer
You’ve probably seen Andrew Santino before. He’s popped up as a producer of a fictional television show in This Is Us and currently stars as the manager in FX’s Dave. Santino is also a stand-up comedian, with his coup de grace Home Field Advantage released in 2017. The special, which debuted on Showtime, is very much a product of Santino’s love for Chicago, where the special was filmed, as he gets into all things Windy City. He also jokes about his signature red hair and expresses his problematic takes on gender, although he mostly avoids politics. His cynical character from I’m Dying Up Here shines through in his special.

Maria Bamford: Weakness Is the Brand (2020)

Maria Bamford: Weakness Is the Brand
7.8/10
75m
Genre Comedy
Stars Maria Bamford
Directed by Robert Cohen
Maria Bamford’s comedy is genius, and there’s no better proof than her 2020 special Weakness is the Brand. One of her overpowering strengths as a comic is her ability to make the most brilliantly constructed jokes come off as neurotic improvisation, and that’s never more fully on display than it is here. From hearing about the bizarre role-playing she enjoys with her husband, to stories about negotiating with her alma mater, to her deceptively adorable reminder that while it is not okay to visit harm upon certain politicians it’s perfectly legal to lead them “into a bramble,” Weakness Is the Brand is a delightful and hilarious watch.
Maria Bamford: Weakness Is The Brand (Official Trailer)

Josh Blue: Broccoli (2020)

Josh Blue: Broccoli
7.1/10
66m
Stars Josh Blue
Directed by Brandon Naughton
Citing a ranting man in Reno who loudly accused the comic of having no hobbies, Josh Blue describes himself as a crazy person magnet in his 2020 special Broccoli. Wearing a black T-shirt bearing the title vegetable of the special and coming off like a time-lost hippy, Josh Blue revels in making his audience uncomfortable as much as he keeps them howling. From lamenting the choice to move downwind from a dog chow factory to the comic’s self-deprecating humor about his cerebral palsy, Blue will keep you laughing as well as wondering about the awkward benefits of using your lips to point rather than your fingers.
Josh Blue: Broccoli (2020) | Official Trailer HD

Jayde Adams: Serious Black Jumper (2020)

Jayde Adams: Serious Black Jumper
7.4/10
62m
Genre Comedy
Stars Jayde Adams
Directed by Peter Orton
In her 2020 Amazon Original special, Serious Black Jumper, Jayde Adams wants to educate you. She gives you a crash course in the history of feminism, “yoof-‘splaining” for the over-50 crowd, and ably demonstrates how all you have to do to force the world to take you seriously is wear a black turtleneck. The sharply witty and brilliant British comic delivers a hilarious hour of social commentary mixed with good, plain fun.
Amazon Prime Video presents Jayde Adams: Serious Black Jumper (Trailer)

Jim Gaffigan: Quality Time (2019)

Jim Gaffigan: Quality Time
7.6/10
75m
Genre Comedy
Stars Jim Gaffigan
Directed by Jeannie Gaffigan
In the opening moments of Jim Gaffigan’s 2019 Quality Time special, the comic pats his stomach and says “This is what I look like. It’s mostly my fault.” And that sets the tone for the comic’s charming and childlike self-deprecating humor. Still obsessed with food, Gaffigan kicks things up to a new level with Quality Time. He goes to the rarely explored areas of cannibal humor, as well as discussing what it’s like to try reindeer meat right after Christmas. As usual, we get not only Gaffigan’s stand-up but his hilarious whiny-voice internal critic responding to his jokes.
Jim Gaffigan: Quality Time - Official Trailer

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