While Netflix is churning out numerous series faster than any one person could possibly watch, some of the best shows are found on Amazon Prime Video. However, the complex menus of the service can make it challenging to discover the right series. We’re here to help with our favorite Amazon series, all included with your Prime subscription. For more viewing options, check out WIRED’s guide to the best movies on Amazon Prime, HBO Max, and Netflix.
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The Mighty Nein
Two decades later, the world of The Legend of Vox Machina expands with this new animated epic from beloved creators Critical Role. A new group of unlikely adventurers—washed-up wizard Caleb Widogast (Liam O’Brien), alcoholic goblin rogue Nott the Brave (Sam Riegel), detective monk Beauregard Lionett (Manisha Ray), tarot-reading blood hunter Mollymauk Tealeaf (Taliesin Jaffe), half-orc sailor Fjord Stone (Travis Willingham), and wacky cleric Jester Lavorre (Laura Bailey)—becomes the world’s last hope as a potent item threatens to alter reality. Darker and more mature than its predecessor, The Mighty Nein features lengthy 45-minute episodes that delve into the politics of its fantasy realm and the backstories of its characters, all wrapped in stunning animation. New episodes drop weekly, making it a series worth savoring.
Bat-Fam
Batman: a grim night-time defender fighting a one-man war on crime. Also Batman: a caring dad who keeps adopting strays. This contrast has captured the hearts of comic book fans for decades, and now it’s branching out into Bat-Fam. Following after the holiday film Merry Little Batman, Bruce Wayne (voiced by Luke Wilson) starts mentoring his son Damien (Yonas Kibreab) as “Little Batman” while also taking in adoptive daughter Claire—once the supervillain Volcana, now a 12-year-old. With loyal butler Alfred, his niece Alicia, the meddling ghost of Damien’s grandfather Ra’s al Ghul, and former scientist Man-Bat all around, Wayne Manor is getting crowded! This animated comedy is charming, funny, and heartfelt—a brighter take on the Dark Knight’s universe.
The Girlfriend
When working-class Cherry Laine (Olivia Cooke) meets wealthy Danny Sanderson (Laurie Davidson), sparks ignite—until she meets his mother, Laura (Robin Wright). Overbearing and controlling, Laura will stop at nothing to protect her son from anyone she suspects could be a threat. Or perhaps … Laura is just a loving mother trying to shield him from a con artist. This psychological thriller, based on Michelle Frances’s novel, will keep you guessing about whom to trust and is amplified by the electric chemistry between Wright and Cooke as they each try to charm, outwit, or destroy the other. The Girlfriend explores themes of class, power, and control across six episodes of brilliant tension.
Butterfly
Years back, David Jung (Daniel Dae Kim) and Juno Lund (Piper Perabo) launched Caddis, a private intelligence organization shaping global security from behind the scenes. Then, Lund pulled the rug out from under Jung and took his daughter Rebecca (Reina Hardesty) along, raising her to be an unyielding assassin. After a hit on a Russian ambassador in Seoul, David and Rebecca reunite, running for their lives across South Korea, unsure if they can even trust each other, while Caddis pursues them. Butterfly blends explosive action with family drama, flipping the concept of “bring-your-kid-to-work day” on its head.
Ballard
A spinoff from Bosch, one of Prime’s biggest hits, Ballard continues the legacy of crime author Michael Connelly, featuring detective Renée Ballard (Maggie Q, Designated Survivor) leading a new cold-case unit. Lacking a budget and official backing, Ballard quickly assembles a team of volunteers, including her retired partner Thomas Laffont (John Carroll Lynch) and frustrated former cop Zamira Parker (Courtney Taylor). As they dive into forgotten cases, they uncover secrets that powerful individuals want to keep buried. With a mix of episodic crime-solving and overarching mysteries, Ballard thrives as both a cozy procedural and an engaging long-form drama, featuring an outstanding cast, including Titus Welliver reprising his role as Harry Bosch.
The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy
If you haven’t had your fill of medical dramas after about 300 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy, then let The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy provide the antidote you need. This show puts a sci-fi twist on the hospital procedural genre, following alien doctors Dr. Sleech (Stephanie Hsu) and Dr. Klak (Keke Palmer) as they tackle the weirdest ailments across the universe—from an anxiety-eating brain worm to a shape-shifting STI—while navigating their own complicated relationships. Created by writer Cirocco Dunlap of Russian Doll fame—with a voice performance from Natasha Lyonne as the occasionally invisible Nurse Tup—this dry adult animated comedy is sure to tickle your funny bone.
Overcompensating
Benny is so deep in the closet, he’s discovered Narnia. Instead of using his freshman year of college to find himself, he’s doubling down on maintaining a façade of heterosexuality by immersing himself in a party-heavy campus life. This choice leads to severe but hilarious consequences for Benny and his new best friend Carmen (Wally Beram). Co-created by comedian Benito Skinner, who also stars as Benny, Overcompensating is a raw and hilarious college comedy that acutely depicts the balancing act of self-discovery and cringe-worthy moments.
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX
Prime Video doesn’t pick up as much anime compared to rival Netflix, but when it does, it’s often a major title. Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (pronounced “gee-kwux”) goes back to the roots of the iconic mecha franchise, posing a key question: What if the “space Nazis” of Zeon won a pivotal war? No worries if beam sabers and core fighters are foreign to you—this alternate reality follows new character Amate Yuzuriha, a high school student caught in escalating military tensions after an experimental Gundam crash-lands in her space colony. GQuuuuuuX represents a peak in the Gundam series, enhanced by the dynamic animation style from Evangelion studio Khara. Beyond its striking visuals, it offers emotional depth, using a sci-fi lens to illustrate hope and resilience amid darkness. New episodes air on Tuesdays.
Reacher
Amazon has a knack for action thrillers centered around military tough guys named “Jack R.” First came Jack Ryan, who also appears here. Now, we have Reacher, the gripping adaptation of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels in its third season. Alan Ritchson (Titan, Fast X) stars as the imposing Reacher, a former military policeman drifting from town to town in search of a quiet life but always getting pulled into conflict. The first season saw him wrongly accused of murder, while the second season introduced a vast conspiracy. The latest installment—based on the seventh novel, Persuader—faces Reacher against an even stronger foe: Paulie, a towering hulk (played by 7′2″ Olivier Richters). While Reacher is undercover for the DEA tracking down an old enemy, the show confidently embraces its pulpy roots, featuring top-tier fight choreography and surprisingly sharp dialogue that elevate it beyond expectations.
Invincible
Mark Grayson inherits his impressive powers from his father, Omni-Man—only to discover that his dad isn’t the symbol of virtue he thought, but the harbinger of an alien invasion. The newly released third season of Invincible finds Mark not just grappling with his father’s legacy, as he guides his younger brother to wield his own emerging abilities responsibly, but also navigating a maze of murky politics that pushes him toward darker, tougher choices to protect Earth. This exceptional animated adaptation of the acclaimed Image comic by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley offers a mature perspective on superheroes, allowing its characters to evolve in ways rarely seen in the Marvel and DC realms.
The Man in the High Castle
This adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s novel paints a world where the Nazis triumphed in World War II. One of Amazon’s first original series, it showcases stunning world-building—an alternate 1960s America that feels eerily plausible. However, be warned: Some viewers might find its modern-day parallels unsettling.
The Rig
Returning for its second season, this sci-fi thriller finds the surviving crew of the isolated North Sea oil rig Kinloch Bravo forcibly relocated to the even more isolated The Stac in the Arctic. While they scramble for answers and a path home, loyalties are tested as the sinister Pictor corporation aims to unearth something ancient and powerful from the ocean’s depths. Though The Rig isn’t particularly subtle with its eco-centric metaphors (one character outright states, “If you keep punching holes in the Earth, eventually the Earth’s going to punch back”), it is expertly filmed, utilizing its claustrophobic settings and the terrifying underwater pressures to great effect. The series casts a stellar crew of veterans, including Iain Glen and Rochenda Sandall, along with the always-welcome Alice Krige in season 2—making it much more than just a guilty pleasure.
Cross
Aldis Hodge steps into the role of Washington, DC homicide detective Alex Cross in Prime’s new series based on James Patterson’s long-running crime novels. However, unlike the streamer’s other crime series like Bosch and Reacher, Cross does not directly adapt any of Patterson’s works—a potentially risky move that pays off, allowing this eight-episode season to explore an unpredictable journey as Cross confronts a twisted murderer who’s basing his kills on infamous serial killers. Already renewed for a second season, Cross is a strong addition to Prime’s crime lineup.
The Legend of Vox Machina
Boisterous, bloody, and absolutely not for kids, The Legend of Vox Machina follows a motley crew of mercenaries, from gunslingers to druids to the obligatory raucous bard, who rise to the unexpected challenge of becoming heroes for the realm of Exandria. The third season continues their epic fight against the formidable Chroma Conclave, a terrifying alliance of dragons. The series adapts the popular Critical Role—live-streamed Dungeons & Dungeons sessions with some of the industry’s top voice actors—delivering exquisitely crafted animation and a fresh take on classic RPG elements. It’s a unique adult animated series that celebrates and pokes fun at its D&D roots.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Delving deep into J.R.R. Tolkien’s vast history of Middle-earth, The Rings of Power is set long before the events of the core books and films, chronicling the major happenings of the Second Age. While the first season was a slow burn focused on the era’s political tensions, the second season picks up significantly in pacing. With Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) aiming to thwart Dark Lord Sauron (Charlie Vickers) and the much-anticipated introduction of fan-favorite character Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear), this season feels richer and deeper. Plus, the extraordinarily high budget is evident in every scene, from serene moments in lush shires to epic battles between armies of Orcs and Elves. For high fantasy spectacle, few shows can compete with this one.
Batman: Caped Crusader
As the first new solo Batman animated series in ten years, Caped Crusader brings back the nostalgia of Batman: The Animated Series from the ‘90s, with showrunner Bruce Timm returning to the legendary hero and Hamish Linklater voicing Bruce Wayne/Batman—a heartfelt tribute to the late Kevin Conroy. Unlike the revival of ‘90s shows like X-Men ’97, this series offers a fresh perspective on Batman’s vast rogues’ gallery and allies, featuring distinctive new takes on characters like Penguin and Harley Quinn. With a heavy 1930s art style reminiscent of Batman’s early comic roots, this series balances nostalgia with innovation, providing a fantastic return to the Dark Knight’s gritty pulp noir beginnings.
The Boys
Superheroes are meant to embody hope and optimism—but in The Boys, adapted from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s darkly satirical comic, they instead reflect humanity’s darkest traits—greed, power, and corporate manipulation. Enter Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) and his team, The Boys, as they take down “Supes” who’ve crossed the line, often in brutally violent ways. In the newly released fourth season, however, the team faces discord, fractured by Butcher’s lies just as the world needs them most. With arch-manipulator Victoria Neuman (Claudia Doumit) nearing the Oval Office and psychotic Homelander (Antony Starr) scheming for a superhuman uprising, The Boys is possibly Amazon’s goriest series and a timely critique of power’s abuses wrapped in superhero aesthetics.
Fallout
Perhaps the end of the world is the secret ingredient for a successful video game adaptation. Following the success of The Last of Us, Fallout delivers a captivating take on Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic RPG series. Unlike HBO’s dark, beautiful rendition, Fallout channels the tone of the games, blending cracked Americana, dark humor, sharp social satire, and a dash of camp. What sets this adaptation apart is its avoidance of directly adapting any single Fallout game. Instead, it focuses on a trio of characters—naive Lucy (Ella Purnell) from a subterranean vault, driven Maximus (Aaron Moten) in search of old-world technology, and Ghoul (Walton Goggins), a centuries-old bounty hunter turned near-immortal zombie—revealing the twisted realities of this nuclear wasteland.
Three-Body
Not to be confused with Netflix’s lineup, Prime Video offers its own adaptation of Cixin Liu’s The Three-Body Problem. Released for Chinese audiences in 2023, this version faithfully adapts Liu’s award-winning novel depicting humanity’s first encounter with an unfathomable alien species and the consequences of their looming arrival on Earth. As the story weaves between timelines, a galactic enigma unravels following detective Shi Qiang (Hewei Yu) and nanotechnology expert Wang Miao (Luyi Zhang), as they investigate a wave of scientist suicides connected by the ominous phrase “Physics doesn’t exist.” Though Three-Body approaches some subjects—particularly anything linked to China’s Cultural Revolution—with more delicacy than Netflix’s attempt, its 30-episode run offers ample time to explore Liu’s rich themes and character arcs. The pacing may take some adjustment for viewers used to Western TV, and it’s subtitled-only, but this C-drama is out of this world.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
You’re likely familiar with the premise—a married couple leads double lives as undercover agents, merging their personal and professional worlds. However, the 2024 adaptation of Mr. and Mrs. Smith dives deeper into the concept. Co-created by Donald Glover, who also stars, the show explores the identities and backstories of “John” and “Jane” Smith, examining their motivations for their dangerous careers and the evolving dynamic of their feelings for one another. Expect plenty of Mission: Impossible-style action, but it’s the dynamic chemistry between the leads that will have you wondering, “Brangelina who?”
Jack Ryan
There are many screen adaptations of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan novels, but John Krasinski’s portrayal as the CIA analyst turned field agent it gets more room to breathe than previous iterations. This acclaimed political thriller tracks Ryan’s journey from analyst to operative across four expertly crafted seasons. The final season caps off his career with the ultimate challenge: investigating the convergence of a drug cartel and a terrorist organization creating an unstoppable force, all while considering the CIA’s potential involvement in a political assassination in Nigeria. While it has faced its share of controversies—season two drew fire from the Venezuelan government for allegedly suggesting a U.S. invasion—its sharp writing, impressive performances, and cinematic action make for compelling viewing.
I’m a Virgo
This surreal comedy from Boots Riley (known for Sorry to Bother You) tells the story of Cootie (Jharrel Jerome), a regular 19-year-old who just happens to be 13 feet tall. Raised in secrecy by Aunt Lafrancine (Carmen Ejogo) and Uncle Martisse (Mike Epps), Cootie is thrust into the spotlight when his extraordinary existence is discovered. As he experiences friendships and the outside world for the first time, he must face everything from romance to society’s reactions to a giant Black man wandering Oakland. Oh, and Cootie’s idol, The Hero, is a real-life superhero with a villainous streak that rivals some of the worst characters in The Boys. It’s a surreal ride—don’t forget to catch the behind-the-scenes episodes in Prime Video’s “Explore” tab for insights from Riley.
The Underground Railroad
Based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, this limited series by director Barry Jenkins closely follows the premise of the book. It reimagines the Underground Railroad—not just as a network of smugglers helping escaped slaves but as an actual subway system complete with trains and secretive station agents.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
What’s a New York woman to do when she discovers her husband is cheating on her with his dim-witted secretary? According to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the answer lies in donning a nightgown, hitting a dive bar for some standup, and getting arrested for flashing the crowd. Set in the 1950s, this fast-talking fashionista keeps her new comedic life hidden from her family and ex while battling sexism, tough crowds, and fierce competition. Rachel Brosnahan stars as Midge Maisel in this charming nod to Joan Rivers’ journey. With four seasons and numerous awards, it’s hailed as one of Amazon’s sharpest comedies.
