53 Of The Best TV Shows To Stream On Amazon Prime Video In August
We hope you love the shows and movies we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of revenue or other compensation from the links on this page. Oh, and FYI: Platform, prices, and other availability details are accurate as of time of posting.
1.30 Rock (2006–13)
Tina Fey serves as creator and star of this satirical workplace comedy based on her own experiences. Liz Lemon (Fey) is the head writer of The Girlie Show, a live comedy sketch TV show. Life is good, but things take a turn when arrogant new network executive Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) starts meddling with the show. His first order of business is to add erratic and problematic movie star Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) to the show and change the name to TGS With Tracy Jordan, creating conflict with the show’s current star Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski). Liz now has to navigate these new relationships as she tries to maintain success on and off the screen. Named after the location of NBC Studios, 30 Rock features sharp writing and a great cast with undeniable chemistry. Prepare to laugh your way through seven seasons of chaos in this witty interpretation of the life of a show from behind the cameras.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
2.The Affair (2014–19)
Allison (Ruth Wilson), a diner waitress, is struggling in her marriage to Cole (Joshua Jackson). Noah (Dominic West) is a teacher vacationing at his in-laws’ in the Hamptons with his wife (Maura Tierney) and kids. Noah meets Allison at the diner where she works, and the namesake affair of this critically acclaimed drama begins. Eventually, the indiscretion causes things to unravel in both of their lives. The series uses the memory biases and perceptions of each character to tell the story, flipping back and forth between perspectives. It is an unusual form of storytelling, but works very well in taking the audience on an emotional journey as each character is broken down to grow anew.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
3.Alias (2001–06)
I can always tell how good a series is going to be by how much story is packed into the first episode — and let me tell you, J.J. Abrams' Alias pilot could basically be a stand-alone film. Before she was kicking ass in Peppermint, Jennifer Garner starred as Sydney Bristow, a college student turned double agent working for the CIA to infiltrate and bring down an international organization. Garner’s performance is magnetic (as is her assortment of wigs) as she navigates her responsibilities as a super spy and her relationships with her coworker, Michael (Michael Vartan), and her father, Jack (Victor Garber). Earning 36 Emmy nominations throughout its five-season run (three of those were Victor’s, by the way), I’ll be surprised if you don’t make it though at least three episodes in the first sitting.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
4.American Horror Story (2011–)
Halloween is a hop, skip, and a jump away, which makes now the perfect time to dive into this Emmy Award–winning horror anthology series. Created by Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck, Glee), this series does a great job of showcasing some of horror's most beloved tropes. Murder House, Coven, Freakshow, Asylum, Hotel — each season of this FX series is self-contained with its own storyline. In essence, you can start with any season, but there are some minor connections between the seasons as you continue through the series. Some seasons are noticeably better than others, but if you’re a fan of horror, you’ll find this show a treat. Not only does each season contain reimagined stories pulled from real headlines and passed down folklore, they’re also stacked with all-star casts. Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, Angela Bassett, Lady Gaga, Matt Bomer, Emma Roberts, Taissa Farmiga, Gabourey Sidibe, and so many more will grace the screen throughout the series via a solo feature or recurring appearance. Season 10 of AHS, Double Feature, premieres on Aug. 25. If you’re looking for a show that comes with a massive cult following that’ll live tweet through each episode, this is it.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
5.The Americans (2013–18)
Keri Russell (Felicity) and Matthew Rhys (Perry Mason) star as Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, two Soviet spies deep undercover in America during the Cold War. Fully submerged in their suburban neighborhood with their two children, the Jennings struggle to balance the relationships they’ve fostered over the years under their aliases and their loyalty to the missions of their motherland. Winner of four Emmy Awards, this spy thriller is a dynamic watch that always has you wondering who will betray who and who will remain loyal. It has a lot of pieces to the puzzle but doesn’t feel overwhelming as a viewer. If you’re looking for a series that maintains a steady pace of story and characters, this is a great option for you.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
6.Bones (2005–17)
Emily Deschanel (My Sister's Keeper) and David Boreanaz (Angel) star in this intriguing forensic drama based in Washington, DC. Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Deschanel) is a brilliant forensic anthropologist at the Jeffersonian Institute. A bit stiff and somewhat awkward, she initially clashes with cocky yet empathetic FBI agent Seeley Booth (Boreanaz). Together with Brennan’s team, which includes her best friend and forensic artist Angela Montenegro (Michaela Conlin), forensic entomologist aka “bug boy” Jack Hudgins (T.J. Thyne), and a string of interns, they work together to solve murders where sometimes the only evidence is literally a bone. While the cases are interesting, the thing that really makes this show work is the character building that results. You’ll enjoy all 12 seasons of this one-hour drama series — the longest-running of its kind from 20th Century Fox Television.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
7.The Boys (2019–)
This Amazon Original series based on the Garth Ennis–Darick Robertson comic books offers a gritty subversion to black-and-white renderings of superhero morality. Granted, in the age of Jessica Jones and Watchmen — which all examine a similar question of whether superheroes can also have flaws, or even go so far as to commit evil — it's hard to say if we can really call this a "subversion." Where we can say the show paves its own exciting path is in its framing of capitalism as the greatest villain of all. The main group of superheroes in The Boys are known as The Seven — complete narcissists, only interested in helping people if it furthers their celebrity, influence, and their pockets. Sometimes, as we see, that means committing crimes themselves. After Hughie Campbell (Jack Quaid) experiences a tragedy at the hands of a super, he links up with Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), a vigilante who provides Hughie with a chance to get payback. Enter The Boys, a group of non-powered Anti-Supes hunting The Seven and looking to expose them and the multi-billion dollar conglomerate that's been covering their crimes.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
8.Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
So you’re super into Vampire Diaries, huh? Well, some would say that Buffy the Vampire Slayer walked so Vampire Diaries could run. In every generation there is a chosen one. In this case, that “one” is Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), a vampire slayer who, with the help of her friends, defends her hometown Sunnydale from vamps, demons, and other supernatural dark forces. The quotables alone will have you coming back to rewatch the action drama over and over again (I’ve seen it from start to finish at least five times). At the end of the day, Buffy just wants to be a regular high school student. But, unable to outrun her destiny, she struggles to find the balance between slaying midterms and slaying vampires.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
9.Burn Notice (2007–13)
Espionage and comedy converge in this Emmy-nominated USA Network original series. Michael Westen (Jeffery Donovan) is a covert spy in the middle of an undercover operation when he gets a burn notice (or a pink slip for spies). Once you’re burned by the government, you’re cut off immediately, which, for Michael, means he’s stuck living out his days in his hometown of Miami. Forced to fly under the radar of the intelligence network, Michael uses his expertise to help others in need while he tries to find out who burned him and why. Thankfully, he has a few friends left in high (and equally low) places to help him in his quest, including his ex-girlfriend — an IRA spy name Fiona — and former spy Sam. (And let's not forget his hypochondriac mother, who makes certain there's never a dull moment.) The shotgun start continues throughout the seasons, which makes for a charming ride filled with witty humor and entertaining action sequences.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
10.Dexter (2006–13)
Crime dramas are often a big television hit. The thrill of following the detectives and crime analysts as they gather evidence to catch the bad guy is exciting to watch. But this Showtime original series is a little different. Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) works with his sister, detective Debra Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter) at the Miami Metro Police Department as a blood splatter analyst. Charming, smart, and fun, Dexter leads a complex double life, using his expertise to help solve crimes and also to commit some of his own as a serial killer. But he doesn’t just kill anyone. His personal code of honor allows him to only target other bad guys who escaped justice. The inner turmoil Dexter experiences as he struggles with his compulsion to kill and his desire to be a good person carries this series for eight great seasons. Well, seven great seasons and one divisive eighth season that fans are still disturbed over. Catch them all now and be ready for the reboot, Dexter: New Blood, in November.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
11.A Different World (1987–93)
Ah, some quintessential ‘90s viewing that’ll make you wish you could relive your college years. A Different World started as a lukewarm spin-off of The Cosby Show following Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) at Hillman University, an HBCU and her father’s alma mater, but with Debbie Allen (Grey’s Anatomy) steering the ship in its second season as director and producer, it got a complete makeover and some legs of its own to stand on. A Different World will forever be one of the best documents we have of the Black college experience — addressing controversial topics with humor and compassion while being utterly ahead of its time.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
12.Catastrophe (2015–19)
Sharon Horgan (This Way Up) and Rob Delaney (Deadpool 2) wrote and starred in this Amazon original comedy series about an American ad exec, Rob Norris, who has a fling with an Irish schoolteacher, Sharon Morris, during a business trip in London. Rob no doubt thought he’d never see Sharon again, and is shocked when he receives a call from her telling him that their week together resulted in her becoming pregnant. Rob decides to move to the UK in order to figure out if this relationship could actually have a future. The Emmy-nominated series is a British import, originally airing on Channel 4. It could be compared to Judd Apatow’s Knocked Up as the two come from different worlds, and from the outside looking in, their current situation could seem like a catastrophe — staying true to its name. But the series does a great job of incorporating realistic discourse, weighing out all the options including the consideration of having an abortion. As you’d expect, there’s a lot of turbulence in this story. Not only are they from two different cultures, but they don’t know anything about each other, including their last names. This makes for a truly adorable comedy that you’ll hope ends in anything but a total disaster.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
13.The Expanse (2015–)
We’re 200 years in the future. The U.N. controls Earth, and Mars is an independent military power. Air and water are scarce resources and are only found on the Asteroid Belt. Tensions are high at the series’ opening, and things quickly escalate. When a rich girl goes missing, a hardened detective and rogue ship captain come together to expose a larger conspiracy. This science fiction political thriller originally aired on Syfy but was canceled in 2018 after Season 3. Amazon, at the ready, scooped it up for Season 4 and the show hasn’t missed a beat. The series features an impressive cast, which includes Thomas Jane (Hung, The Mist), Steven Strait (The Covenant), Shohreh Aghdashloo (The Punisher, Star Trek Beyond), Dominique Tipper (The Girl With All The Gifts), Cas Anvar (How To Get Away With Murder, The Strain), and Chad L. Coleman (All American, The Walking Dead). If your sc-ifi palette has been underwhelmed since the end of BattleStar Galactica, you’ll be more than happy with this show.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
14.Farscape (1999–2003)
If you’re a sci-fi fan that loves to dip into a good classic on a weekend, this series is a good contender. Farscape is an Australian-American science fiction epic series about an astronaut on an experimental space mission who gets lost after traveling through a wormhole right in the middle of an intergalactic conflict. With no time to figure out how to get back to earth, he quickly has to figure out how to survive unchartered territories, navigating new allies and new enemies. The series ran in the late ‘90s early ‘00s so it’s filled with deliciously corny effects (you simply love to see). The series was cancelled after its fourth season and fans rioted, leaving SciFi Channel with no choice but to offer a bit of fan service and create the mini-series, Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars. If you’re a fan of the genre and you haven’t seen this series, you’re in for a special treat.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
15.Flack (2019–)
I’ve always wondered how far PR agents would go to protect the image of their clients. While I suspect this show is an exaggerated version (it is), something tells me it’s not far from the truth. Anna Paquin (True Blood) stars as Robyn, an American publicist working in London. Robyn is a great public relations flack, excellent at covering her client’s bad behavior and protecting their public image. But, when it comes to her own life, let’s just say she could use a crisis manager of her own. Originally the show aired on Viacom CBS’ POP TV, but the network pulled the plug on the series days before its Season 2 premier. Their loss is our gain — now we get Paquin in all of her anti-hero glory, stooping to some rather despicable (albeit entertaining) lows to protect her clients. Here, she joins the ranks of Walter White in Breaking Bad, Nancy Botwin in Weeds, and Jason Bateman in Ozark.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
16.Fleabag (2016–19)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge plays a maladjusted woman processing grief and guilt following the death of her friend in this bitingly funny series adapted from a one-woman play of the same name. While Fleabag's first season was a quiet, critical darling, its second (and last) had the whole Internet clamoring for the "Hot Priest" and awards bodies lavishing it with every statuette under the sun. (This series is the first British-made show to win an Emmy for Best Comedy Series.) There's no doubt that the Amazon show served as a tremendous launchpad for Waller-Bridge, who has since acted in the film Solo: A Star Wars Story and, more recently, cough, a Harry Styles music video for his "Fine Line" track "Treat People With Kindness."
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
17.Good Omens (2019–)
After numerous attempts at an adaptation, this 30-year-old comic fantasy novel, co-written by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, finally found its home on Amazon, and it was well worth the wait. David Tennant and Michael Sheen star as Crowley and Aziraphale, a demon and an angel who are trying to prevent Armageddon. The antichrist has been born, and this unholy bromance is on a mission to sabotage the end times by interfering in the child's upbringing with the hopes of postponing the apocalypse so they can continue living their earthly lifestyle to which they’ve become accustomed. Nominated for three Primetime Emmys, this whimsical tale is filled with so many characters to fall in love with, played by some top-notch actors including Frances McDormand (Nomadland), Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation), Michael McKean (Better Call Saul), and Brian Cox (Succession). The series is beautifully shot, ridding us of the stereotypical dark and shadowy scenes where you can barely tell what’s happening. It’s comical with witty scripting and British humor, turning what should be a perilous time for the world into quite an exciting ride.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
18.Grimm (2011–17)
A police drama inspired by Grimms’ fairy tales? Yes, please! Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli) is a homicide detective for Portland PD. After a visit from his aunt, Nick’s world turns upside down when he finds out he’s a descendant from a long line of monster hunters known as Grimms. As a Grimm, Nick can see things that others can’t, including the half-human half-mythological creature known as Wesen. Now, Nick has to figure out how to balance his role as a detective and his role as a Grimm, which doesn’t always leave him on the right side of the law. Each episode starts with an excerpt from a fairy tale that gives a hint at what the theme of the episode will be. If you’re into crime shows and the supernatural, this show offers a healthy serving of both. FWIW, Grimm was labeled TV's "most engaging," show by Nielsen back in 2011.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video (all six seasons are available to stream for free with a Prime membership)
19.Half & Half (2002–06)
This early '00s sitcom focuses on the lives of half-sisters that don’t have much in common except for their father. Rachel True (The Craft) plays Mona, a free-spirited music exec, and Essence Atkins (Marlon, A Haunted House) plays Dee Dee, a recent college graduate and aspiring attorney. The two become neighbors in their father’s apartment building in order to develop a closer relationship. Getting to know each other proves to be challenging as they navigate familial issues and heal old wounds. This is further complicated by the ongoing feud between their mothers, brilliantly portrayed by Telma Hopkins and Valarie Pettiford. With relatable sibling struggles and a great cast, it’s easy to see why this show was the second most-watched show on its former network for four seasons.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
20.Hoarders (2009–)
Now in its 12th season, Hoarders dives into the lives of adults who suffer from hoarding — a mental health disorder characterized by a persistent unwillingness to discard one’s belongings, regardless of its condition or value. The people in this show collect things like newspapers, plastic bags, and other items that most people would deem worthless or trash. It's certainly not an easy watch, but like Intervention and My 600lb Life, it often rewards viewers with an upbeat ending. Teams of experts, including psychologists and professional cleaners, come to the aid of these adults in an effort to help them reclaim their homes and their lives. You’ll be glued to the television as you wonder with each episode if the homes and property can be salvaged.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
21.House (2004–12)
Two-time Golden Globe winner Hugh Laurie shines in this medical drama as Dr. Gregory House. Set in New Jersey in a fictional Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, House and his team of young diagnosticians take on the most mysterious cases and work diligently to save their patients’ lives while simultaneously stressing out the Dean of Medicine. Although incredibly brilliant, House is also antisocial, arrogant, rude, and addicted to painkillers. With interesting cases, great character development, and a slew of celebrity guest stars (Michael B. Jordan, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Amanda Seyfried, and Evan Peters — just to name a few), this Emmy award-winning show will not let you down. So, settle in with some popcorn and get ready to find out why it’s never lupus.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
22.Humans (2015–18)
Ah, nothing like having your half-baked fantasies of living amongst robots totally spoiled. In this series, humanoids — known as Synths — have been integrated into human society and, as it goes with most shows in this vein, things take a bit of a turn for the worst. Humans, which stars (a pre-Marvel and Crazy Rich Asians) Gemma Chan, will make you rethink how much you rely on technology and, ultimately, arrive at a definition of what it means to be human. While this AMC series drew obvious thematic comparisons to HBO's (mammoth in comparison) Westworld, some critics argued at the time that Humans was, in fact, the superior robot TV show. Not only does the series offer up a fresh perspective on “the rise of the machines” but it may just have you questioning Alexa’s motives the next time she tells you the weather.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
23.Inuyashiki Last Hero (2017)
If you’re not someone who can handle violence, this won’t be the show for you. Whether you’re a diehard anime fan or someone new to the genre, like myself, this series will surprise you. We open with Ichiro Inuyashiki, a boring office worker who is pretty much invisible to everyone in his life. He just bought his family a home; they complain that it’s crap. He rides a crowded train to and from work and gets bullied by school kids. If that isn’t bad enough, he's recently been diagnosed with cancer. One night, he breaks down, sobbing in a park. When he looks up, he sees a teenage boy standing there staring off into the distance, and boom — they’re both struck by an alien spacecraft. The aliens didn't intend to hurt them and decide to restore them using robotic weaponry. Now, genetically altered, Ichiro decides to use his new abilities to help those in need. The same cannot be said for Hiro Shishigami, the teenage boy who was also given special abilities. Hiro is the total opposite of Ichiro. He has a family and friends that love him, he’s well off, and yet he torments simply because he can. The series is adapted from a comic by Gantz creator Hiroya Oku and carries a good vs. evil plot, but with added exploration into human psychology. Produced by MAPPA, the same studio behind Attack On Titan: The Final Season, Hajime No Ippo: Rising, and Dororo, it’s not a surprise that this series has fans holding out hope for a Season 2. It even got a live-action release in July 2018. Again, I caution, some of the violence is hard to stomach, even with it being an animated series. However, once I started the first episode, I found it difficult to stop out of curiosity of what would come of Ichiro and his evil counterpart, Hiro.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
24.Invincible (2021–)
Adult animated superhero series? Before you roll your eyes at this concept, you'll want to consider that this critically acclaimed series is one of the most watched new shows on Amazon. Based on the comic series by The Walking Dead co-creator Robert Kirkman, Invincible delivers a great story, action-packed sequences, and stellar performances. Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) is a 17-year-old boy whose father happens to be the world’s most powerful superhero, Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons). As Mark begins to develop powers of his own, he soon discovers the super life is not as heroic as he thought. Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t just hand out a 98% rating for anything, and this series is well deserving of that score.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
25.Just Add Magic (2015–19)
When Kelly and her two besties, Darbie and Hannah, find her grandmother’s cookbook in the attic they're alarmed to learn that it's actually packed with potion recipes — from "shut 'em up" shortcakes (which work wonders on Kelly’s younger brother) to healing hazelnut tarts (that heal Darbie’s ankle). With great power comes great responsibility and the girls now have to learn how to use the cookbook for good, while keeping it out of the wrong hands. Think: Charmed, but for tweens. If you have kids or younger siblings and you need a safe-for-kids show to watch that’s also interesting enough to keep your attention, too, go ahead and add this one to the queue.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
26.Lorena (2019)
This four-part docu-series from Executive Producer Jordan Peele revisits the notorious trial of the '90s involving a woman (Lorena Bobbitt) who was quick to be painted by the masses as hysteric after cutting off her husband John Wayne Bobbitt’s penis and tossing it in a Virginia field. Not unlike the recent doc Framing Britney Spears or the second season of the "Slow Burn" podcast highlighting Monica Lewinsky and the Clinton impeachment, Lorena is laser-focused on the media's failures in the '90s/'00s — specifically in its mistreatment of women. In dialogue with the #MeToo movement, the doc allows viewers to re-examine the incident with clear eyes decades later and understand how far we've come (and how much further we have to go) in our treatment of domestic violence survivors.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
27.Lost in Oz (2015–18)
Who doesn’t love a good twist on a classic? Dorothy finds her mother’s magical journal beneath the floorboards of her house. The book triggers a tornado and begins to uproot the house with Dorothy inside, and transports Dorothy and her dog Toto to the city of Oz. Sound familiar? Well, in this version of the story, Oz is a modern-day metropolis. In order to get back home, Dorothy has to follow the yellow brick-line train system to secure magic elements. But, resources are scarce as Oz is in a magic crisis. So, Dorothy sets out to find Glinda the Good, in hopes that she can give Dorothy the magic she needs to get back home to Kansas. Though the show clearly has a younger demographic on its mind, this animated series has just enough of a nostalgia factor to keep parents and older siblings engaged (and possibly feeling rather ancient).
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
28.Married at First Sight (2014–)
Here's something wild: meeting your life partner for the first time at your own wedding. If you’ve been watching Marriage or Mortgage, 90 Day Fiancé, or were completely enraptured by Love Is Blind last year, then Married at First Sight should be right up your alley. The marriages on this show are 100% real, and, shockingly, many of the couples are still together to this day. But that's not to say there isn't drama along the way — this is a Lifetime reality TV show we're talking about, after all. Once the couples agree to tie the knot, they're shipped off on their honeymoon and then plunked back into the real world, where they must decide if it's *really* death do them part.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video (the first three seasons are available to stream for free with a Prime membership, while seasons 4–12 can each be purchased for $2.99).
29.The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–)
Enter one of Amazon’s most popular original series. Miriam “Midge” Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan) is the quintessential '50s housewife living in an elegant apartment in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Life is good until her husband, a wannabe comedian, leaves her for his secretary. Devastated, a drunk Midge finds herself on stage at a comedy club where she tells her story in a way that leaves the audience in stitches. After moving with her two small children into her parents’ house, Midge gets a day job at a local department store and begins her unconventional career as a stand-up comedian managed by her new friend Susie (Alex Borstein). Winner of 20 Emmy Awards, and three Golden Globes, including Best Musical or Comedy TV Series, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is a visual delight captivating viewers with incredible set design, costumes, and a well-written story.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
30.Moesha (1996–2001)
Mo to the E to the — Moesha is a coming-of-age story starring R&B icon Brandy and remains an important cultural text as one of the few major sitcoms to position dark-skinned Black girls with natural hair at its center and address everyday, human issues outside the realm of trauma. In case you need reminding, it was also absolutely packed with great guest-star appearances, including Bernie Mac (The Bernie Mac Show), who played Moesha’s uncle, Usher, Jamie Foxx (Soul, Project Power), Jason Winston George (Grey’s Anatomy, Station 19), Kobe Bryant, Gabrielle Union (L.A.’s Finest, Being Mary Jane), Lil’ Kim, Maya Angelou, and more. Following the life of a middle-class family in Los Angeles, everything from the writing to the acting of this '90s sitcom feels authentic in its depiction of Black life.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
31.One Mississippi (2015–17)
There's nothing particularly new about a comedian mining their personal life for fodder — but how many can say they were able to spin the worst year of their life into a successful memoir ("I'm Just a Person"), Netflix documentary (Tig), and a semi-autobiographical Amazon Original (One Mississippi)? This is the magic and singularity of the hilarious, straight-shooting comedian Tig Notaro. Co-created and written by Diablo Cody (Juno, Young Adult, Tully) and featuring directing by Nicole Holofcener (Enough Said), One Mississippi (the most recent iteration of Notaro's story) finds Tig "Bavaro" returning to her hometown of Bay St. Lucille, Mississippi to take her dying mother off life support. While battling her own health issues, Tig is forced to deal with uncomfortable truths about herself and her family. This tale of grief feels real and relatable thanks to input from people who know Notaro best, including her partner, Stephanie Allynne, and friend, Rebecca Walker. If you’ve ever lost someone, you’ll be able to cry and laugh with Tig as she strives to move forward and reconnect with her family.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
32.Orphan Black (2013–17)
This Canadian sci-fi thriller follows petty criminal Sarah Manning (Tatiana Maslany), as she assumes the identity of a dead woman she shares an uncanny resemblance with in the hopes of making some quick cash. Little does she know, she is about to make the earth-shattering discovery that she's actually a clone. Unable to just walk away, Sarah searches for answers, meeting several of her sisters along the way. The closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous her journey becomes. You’ll be blown away by Maslany’s portrayal of each clone, performances that earned her three Emmy nominations and a long-overdue win. While the show's ratings during its five-season run were nothing to write home about, it attracted a loud and dedicated fanbase online, known as #CloneClub.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
33.Panic (2021–)
If you’re at the end of Cruel Summer and are panicking about what you’ll watch once the season ends, then look no further than Amazon’s latest YA series, Panic. The show is an adaptation of Lauren Oliver’s bestselling novel of the same name. She also wrote the adaptation and serves as the show’s executive producer, along with Joe Roth, Jeff Kirschenbaum, and Adam Schroeder. The story is set in Carp, Texas, a small and unextraordinary town filled with recent high school graduates that are itching to get out. Each summer, a group of these teens compete in a secret game with dangerous challenges with the hopes of walking away with the grand prize — enough money to hit the road and get a head start on their future. The game is unpredictable, and this year, the rules have changed and the pot is the highest it’s ever been. In Panic, the only way to win is to face your deepest and darkest fears. How far will they go to take home the $50K prize? And is this secret game the only secret dwelling in this small town? Starring familiar faces Mike Faist (West Side Story, Dear Evan Hansen), Olivia Welch (Unbelievable, Modern Family), Jessica Sula (Split, Skins), and Ray Nicholson (Promising Young Woman) among others, this one-hour drama is made for fans of Nerve and The Hunger Games.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
34.Poldark (2015–19)
Captain Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) returns home to Cornwall after the American War of Independence in 1783. His presence shocks family and friends, as they all presumed he was dead. In the three years since he left, his father has died, his estate is in shambles, and the love of his life is engaged to his cousin. Ross must begin the hard work of rebuilding his life with new alliances, business opportunities, and even new love. Adapted from the novels of Winston Graham, this historical drama series does more than give us one man’s story — it explores concepts like status, wealth, and familial bonds. Interestingly, this is the second adaptation of these novels, the first airing in 1975. I guess the BBC couldn’t get enough, and after watching all five seasons, you’ll know why.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
35.Psych (2006–14)
Phew, after that series you’re going to need a pick-me-up. Enter: Psych, which pushes the expression "fake it ‘til you make it" to its absolute comedic limit. Shawn Spencer (James Roday) cons his way into working as a detective for the Santa Barbara Police Department by making everyone think he has psychic powers that can help them solve crimes. He reels in his best friend, Burton "Gus" Guster (Dulé Hill), to help with the cases, and it's here the show really throws away the tired procedural script and goes to some truly colorful places in the name of "buddy comedy." Take for example: “Dual Spires," a favorite Season 5 episode that pays homage to Twin Peaks and brings in supporting cast members like Catherine E. Coulson, Sheryl Lee, and Ray Wise, or Season 2's “American Duos," which satirizes a particular reality television singing format that persists today.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
36.Queer As Folk (2000–05)
As the chapter closes on Pose, it’s a good time to revisit some of the earlier depictions of LGBTQ+ culture on television. This Showtime original series follows a group of queer men and women in their twenties as they navigate life in the early '00s. Although the original UK show only ran for 10 episodes, the US adaptation lasted for five seasons. Set in Pittsburgh, this series painted a portrait of gay culture that still lacks in some of today’s shows. It was one of the first to represent gay characters as fully three-dimensional, especially when it came to dating and relationships. You’ll recognize the familiar faces of Gale Harold (The Secret Circle, Desperate Housewives), Sharon Gless (Burn Notice, The Gifted), and notice guest stars Chris Potter (Heartland), Stephen Amell (Arrow), Cyndi Lauper, and more. While the series is a little dated and isn’t representative of the leaps we've made as a culture since the '00s, it did a great job of creating a foundation to build upon and made room for other shows to continue showcasing realistic portrayals of this community.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
37.Reading Rainbow (1983–2015)
It would be wrong not to pass on the tradition of this beloved, LeVar Burton-helmed show to your littles. In it, Burton brings books to life and (rather discreetly) helps kids improve their reading comprehension skills in the process. Sure, you'll find plenty of content to keep young ones engaged, but a steady stream of celebrity guests (everyone from Patrick Stewart to Run D-M-C to Jeff Bridges), popular music of the time, and a swell of nostalgia will keep adults invested, too. Love for the show is still very much in the air — in 2014, Kickstarter history was made when a campaign to produce new Reading Rainbow interactive books and video field trips hit its initial goal of $1 million in just 24 hours. ($5.41 million had been pledged by its close.)
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
38.RuPaul's Drag Race (2009–)
If watching random quotables by Bianca Del Rio (Hurricane Bianca) on TikTok hasn’t been enough to get you to watch this series, then honey, I don’t know what will. We all love a good reality competition show, and this Emmy Award–winning series, hosted by the legendary and most notable drag queen, RuPaul, brings contestants from across the nation to compete for the title of America’s next drag superstar. Through glamorous challenges, their creativity and determination are tested and judged by a panel of respected members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
39.*September Mornings (2021–)
Cassandra is an independent Afro-Latina trans woman set on seeing her dreams realized. She’s working as a motorbike courier in downtown São Paulo and has finally landed her very own studio apartment, something she’s wanted for a long time. She has a boyfriend she adores, and has fulfilled her dream of performing songs by Vanusa, a Brazilian singer who was a huge hit in the '70s. Hopeful for what the future might bring, she receives a knock at the door to find an old friend, Leide, standing with 10-year-old boy Gersinho, Cassandra’s son. Brazilian soul singer Liniker makes her acting debut as Cassandra, who has to decide if she’s willing to risk losing everything she’s worked for to make room in her life for her son, or if her life will be even more fulfilled by embracing the idea of having a child. The series is stripped down, filmed with a gritty style of storytelling that places you not only inside of Cassandra’s story but also inside the culture of Brazil. The series delves into the experience of being a Black trans person as well as Cassandra’s struggle of reconciling who she is now with traditional norms of parenting. Cassandra just wants to feel free in who she is, and you’ll find yourself rooting for that freedom and her happiness, even if that means a sad ending for everyone else.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
40.Small Axe (2020)
If you were shocked to learn how the royals treated Meghan Markle, then you'd probably benefit from a deep dive into Britain's racist history — and this anthology series is a great place to start. Academy Award-winning director Steve McQueen paints a brutal, necessary portrait of discrimination in London toward West Indian communities. The series title is a bold declaration derived from the African proverb, “If you are the big tree, we are the small axe.” McQueen, who is both Grenadian and Trinidadian, crafted stories rich with Afro Caribbean culture. The episodes don’t necessarily connect in story, but you'll find thematic through-lines that trace police brutality, code-switching, and anti-Blackness. With powerful performances from Black Panther’s Leticia Wright and Star Wars’ John Boyega, by its end you'll have no problem seeing why it won the Golden Globe for best miniseries.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
41.Solos (2021–)
From first-time director David Weil, Solos is an aptly named anthology series showcasing solo performances from some of your favorite actors. It's anchored in themes central to what it means to be human, including the strange, beautiful, heartbreaking, and hilarious moments we experience. Each episode dips into time travel, artificial intelligence bots, illegal memory transplants, sketchy smart homes, and more. And, not to brag, but the series includes performances by Morgan Freeman, Anne Hathaway, Helen Mirren, Constance Wu, Uzo Aduba (Orange Is the New Black, Mrs. America), Dan Stevens (Downton Abby), Nicole Beharie (Sleepy Hollow, Miss Juneteenth), and your new fav, Anthony Mackie (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier). I mean, need I say more? Okay, I will. Viewers who loved both the original Twilight Zone and Jordan Peele's revival Twilight Zone will definitely enjoy this series.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
42.Suits (2011–19)
College dropout Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) dazzles his way through an interview to become an associate for a high-powered New York City attorney in this guilty-pleasure USA network series. Will his sponge-like memory and natural brilliance be enough to carry him through the big leagues? Only time will tell! The series features a supporting performance from Meghan Markle — a marquee name that has no doubt contributed to its success as one of cable’s highest-rated programs — playing Mike’s fiancée and co-worker, Rachel Zane. After a seven-year run on the series, Markle left the show to become a full-time royal which changed the dynamic but gave room for new characters to be brought in.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
43.Teen Wolf (2011–17)
In this supernatural teen drama, Tyler Posey (Jane the Virgin, Smallville) stars as Scott McCall, a high school student that gets bit by a creature while searching the woods for a dead body with his best friend Stiles (Dylan O’Brien). Later, Scott turns into a werewolf and has to get a crash course in the supernatural including how to control his animalistic anger around his high school crush, Allison. Now a werewolf, Scott is sucked into drama within a world he just recently became a part of. Unsure of who to trust, Scott has to trust his instincts and his best friend Stiles, to figure out what’s going on in Beacon Hills and how he fits into it. Teen Wolf is MTV’s longest-running scripted show — longer than Daria, even. The series wrapped in its sixth season around the same time as The Vampire Diaries, which left a nice space for CW’s Legacies to make a home amongst teen supernatural dramas. But, Posey remains hopeful that they’ll be able to revive the series one day.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
44.Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (2018–)
One of Amazon’s most watched original series stars actor John Krasinski (The Office) as Jack Ryan, a former marine turned CIA analyst. Thinking he’s there to work a desk, Ryan uncovers a series of suspicious transactions that catapult him into a dangerous assignment that takes him from behind the desk and into the field. Although Krasinksi is not the first to portray Tom Clancy’s hero, this adaptation for television still feels fresh. There is no lack of action or special effects in this big-budget series. With Season 3 set to release this year, this one should be at the top of your watchlist.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
45.Transparent (2014–19)
Despite the name of this series, the only thing that’s transparent about the Pfefferman family is that they are dysfunctional. After father Morton Pfefferman, played by Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development), announces to his family that he identifies as a woman and is now Maura Pfefferman, things begin to unravel as the secrets in everyone's life slowly start to be revealed. As Maura finds freedom in her fully realized identity, the rest of the family is forced to examine their own lives to discover what it is they truly want. The show was created by Jill Soloway, who is the child of a trans parent and served as inspiration for the story. Hailed as one of the first series to put Amazon’s original programming on the map, this Emmy Award–winning series touches on family dynamics and gender and sexual fluidity through an ensemble cast including Tony and Emmy Award–winner Judith Light (The Politician), Amy Landecker (Your Honor), Jay Duplass (Search Party), Gaby Hoffmann (Girls), Alexandra Billings (The Conners), Kathryn Hahn (WandaVision), Melora Hardin (The Bold Type), and more.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
46.The Underground Railroad (2021–)
Academy Award–winning director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk) adapts Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel of the same name for this limited series, which chronicles Cora Randall, a runaway slave, and her journey for freedom in the antebellum South. In it, the underground railroad is reimagined into a literal locomotive that runs underground, stopping at different stations to transport Black slaves to freedom. The series incorporates fantasy, which helps alleviate the trauma of some of the harsher scenes and gives the viewer time to recuperate before continuing through the story. The first episode is a difficult one to digest, especially for Black viewers, filled with similar themes one would expect to see in stories of slavery — a whipping, a slave being burned alive. However, Jenkins deviates from the trauma porn norm of bloody torment to also portray Black resilience, Black love, and Black joy. Being mindful of everyone's mental health on set, Jenkins brought on a team of therapists to help the actors depicting this trauma. Jenkins' directing style is quiet and restrained, giving room for viewers to watch the story unfold. The series also touches on other real-life horrors Black people experienced beyond slavery, including sterilization, medical experimentation, and the Oregon exclusionary act. The Underground Railroad is not meant to be binged in a day and wiped away when the next hot prestige series hit streaming. With that in mind, I suggest you really take in each episode — the sounds, the vivid colors, the sweeping landscapes — before continuing to follow Cora’s journey to freedom.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
47.Undone (2019–)
Kate Purdy and Raphael Bob-Waksberg's (Bojack Horseman) deeply human genre-bending animated series is easily one of Amazon’s most underrated shows of all time. At its center is Alma, a woman who walks through life with a cloud of existential malaise. It isn't until she gets in a car accident, that she's able to see the world clearly. Maybe a little too clearly, even: Visions of her dead father begin to follow her everywhere until she discovers that her consciousness can actually time travel. What’s particularly unique about this series is the use of rotoscope animation which draws over live-action footage, frame by frame, giving it a more realistic image (think: Richard Linklater's A Scanner Darkly). The actors were shot in a black box studio, then computer animators created sketches of the set in which the actors would move through. Afterwards, artists created actual oil paintings to use as the scene backgrounds, some of which were chopped with 3-D animation. The result? A trippy, yet beautiful image that blurs dreamscape with reality.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
48.Upload (2020–)
This dystopian sci-fi comedy from creator Greg Daniels (The Office, Parks and Recreation) is set in the year 2033 where we have hologram cell phones, 3-D food printers, and automated grocery stores. Nathan Brown (Robbie Amell) is an app developer who ends up in the hospital after a self-driving car accident. Forced to make a quick decision, he agrees to have himself uploaded to his girlfriend’s luxurious virtual afterlife, Lakeview. Which is kind of awkward because they aren’t exactly on the level to be spending eternity together. Once uploaded, his customer service “Angel” Nora Anthony (Andy Allo) helps him navigate the digital afterlife. Eventually, they become friends as they work together to sift through a few inconsistencies with his death. The best way to approach this show, it has been suggested, is to expect Black Mirror with some humorous flourishes, rather than another knee-slapping Greg Daniels project.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
49.Victoria (2016–)
If you like The Crown then you’ll be equally fond of this British historical costume drama. Both tell the story of young heroines navigating the spaces of their royale while soaring above their peers' expectations (and getting saddled with the responsibility of managing their husbands' bruised egos in the process). In Victoria, the titular character — credited with maintaining England's longest-reigning monarch — is played by Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) and follows her ascension to British throne and her courtship and marriage to Prince Albert (Tom Hughes). Sticklers will find comfort in the fact that biographer A.N. Wilson served as a historical adviser on the series, lending to the factually sound — albeit dramatically embellished — rendering of real-life events.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
50.Wayne (2019–)
This hidden gem from creator Shawn Simmons and Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, centers around Wayne, a 16-year-old on a mission to get back the ‘79 Trans-Am that was stolen from his dad before he died. Wayne isn’t afraid to take a punch, and often does while he’s trying to right the wrongs he finds in life. Along with his new friend Del, he embarks on a violent and hilarious journey that’s a real pleasure to watch unfold. Some will say that the show follows a similar formula as Freaks and Geeks while others will find it belongs more in the spiritual universe of Deadly Class, The Boys, and Teenage Bounty Hunters.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
51.The Wilds (2020–)
What dramatic thriller do you get when you throw Euphoria and Lost in a blender? The Wilds! Here's the gist: Eight troubled teenage girls are flying private to Kona, Hawaii, to take part in an empowerment retreat called Dawn of Eve when their plane crashes and leaves them stranded on a deserted island. The girls have to rely on each other for survival and through this process, character backstories begin to reveal themselves to viewers through flashbacks. Just about every episode ends with a plot twist that'll keep you glued til the end. Could it be that these girls may not have wound up on this island by accident? The cast includes Oscar-nominated actor Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under, Brothers and Sisters), rising talents Sophia Taylor Ali (Truth or Dare, Grey’s Anatomy) and Reign Edwards (Snowfall, MacGyver), and breakout performances by newcomers like Sarah Pidgeon. This series is Amazon’s first YA series and has already been renewed for a Season 2.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
52.Workaholics (2011–17)
Workaholics is the perfect show for anyone who has ever wondered what it would be like to work with their childhood best friends. This single-camera comedy stars Adam Devine (Pitch Perfect, Isn’t It Romantic, Modern Family), Blake Anderson (Game Over, Man!), and Anders Holm (The Mindy Project). The trio show us how to live our best lives as professional telemarketers who have slacker days and even lazier nights. Still holding on to the party life of their college years, these three college graduates take us through the journey of the transition from relaxed college student with no real-world responsibilities to adulthood where they are expected to wear ties, act professionally, and answer to upper management. Workaholics is the perfect show for anyone in need of escape from stiff shoes, straight-edge coworkers, and "adulting" in general. Although the series is over, there’s a Workaholics movie coming soon to Paramount+, which makes this the perfect time to jump in.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
53.Your Honor (2020–21)
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? In this crime thriller, Bryan Cranston is Michael Desiato, one of New Orleans' most prominent judges. When his son commits a hit and run, accidentally murdering the son of crime lord Jimmy Baxter, he goes to extraordinary lengths to ensure that the truth of his son’s crime never comes out. Michael was known as being a good man and a fair judge, always going out of his way to get to the truth to better serve the people of his community. Over the course of the season, we see his standards quickly start to disintegrate as the need to protect his son creates a never-ending domino effect of events. The story makes it difficult to choose a side. Yes, it’s about a father protecting his son, but it’s also about a father grieving the loss of his son, and stirring up conversations surrounding truth, justice, and revenge. It’s unclear if the series will be renewed for Season 2, but in the meantime, find out why this Golden Globe–nominated show has fans crossing their fingers for more episodes.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
*Denotes title that has been newly added to Amazon Prime Video for August
Sign up for Amazon Prime for $12.99/month or try out a 30-day trial for free.
