After sifting through hundreds of shows on Amazon Prime Video, we’ve chosen the best ones available for streaming, from the classics to new originals.
While Amazon Prime Video is a fantastic source for movies and TV shows of all kinds, from originals to library titles, one thing that can be frustrating is that sometimes, certain shows require a separate subscription to a service like Showtime or Cinemax in order to watch beyond the first episode. To help you both find what you want to watch next and avoid that headache, we have curated a list of the best shows you can watch on Amazon Prime with just a base subscription. In some cases, you might only be able to watch the first season, which might be just what you need to whet your appetite. But in many cases, you can watch multiple — or all — seasons of popular shows like Dexter, Monk, and, of course, originals like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Mozart in the Jungle. Looking for your next binge obsession? Scroll through this list and you’re bound to find something worth watching that wasn’t on your radar or that you now have the time to invest in. Looking for something else? We’ve also rounded up the best shows on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime, and the best movies on Disney+. One of Amazon’s first original series was created by Roman Coppola, Jason Schwartzman, and Alex Timbers and stars Gael García Bernal, Malcolm McDowell, and Bernadette Peters as luminaries in the modern classical music scene. Not a bad get for the platform’s first show. Bernal stars as Rodrigo, the brash new conductor of the New York Symphony Orchestra, whose style clashes with the more straight-laced symphony benefactors behind the scenes. However, his talent is undeniable, and as he strikes up a friendship with an up-and-coming oboist (Lola Kirke), it becomes clear that the two of them can bring out the best in each other. Created by: N/A Cast: Gael García Bernal, Lola Kirke, Malcolm McDowell, Bernadette Peters Number of seasons: 4 An eight-time Emmy Award winner, Monk casts Tony Shalhoub as private detective Adrian Monk, who assists the homicide department of the San Francisco Police Department with various cases. His powerful deductive skills are matched only by his myriad phobias, which — along with his obsessive-compulsive disorder — complicate his work with police investigators. The series concluded its eight-season run in 2009 with a finale that wrapped up one of the show’s longest-running mysteries. Created by: David Hoberman Cast: Tony Shalhoub, Traylor Howard, Ted Levine Number of seasons: 8 Watch on Amazon Prime Amazon has its own answer to the growing interest in period dramas. This PBS series is set in 1961 London and focuses on a team of doctors and nurses working in a busy hospital’s gynecology ward. At the time, abortions were illegal and birth control pills were hard to come by. Doctor Otto Powell (Jack Davenport), however, believes in his female patients’ right to choose when it comes to their bodies. So, he performs illegal abortions in a secret practice, with the help of some of his staff. With salacious soap opera-like drama in the characters’ personal lives, the series delves into pre-sexual revolution Britain and the secrets and intense ambition, not to mention the signature fashion, that fueled that era. Created by: Paul Unwin, Peter Grimsdale Cast: Jack Davenport, Catherine Steadman, Zoe Boyle, Shaun Dingwall, Oliver Chris, Joanna Page, Natasha Little Number of seasons: 1 For years, the trio of Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond drove cool cars and clowned around with each other on the BBC’s Top Gear. Despite their departure from that series, however, the good times keep rolling on The Grand Tour, which reunites the three snarky hosts for a show that is very similar in format to Top Gear. Episodes often feature studio segments and test drives on the show’s test track, the “Eboladrome.” As with Top Gear, the best episodes are the ones where the hosts venture to foreign lands, testing unique vehicles on unfamiliar terrain. For car enthusiasts or Top Gear fans not satisfied by that show’s new hosts, The Grand Tour is a welcome return to form. Created by: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May, Andy Wilman Cast: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May Number of seasons: 4 Check out the first three of the current five seasons of this riveting Showtime drama that follows Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis), a ruthless hedge fund manager in New York who continues to grow his wealthy portfolio, and increase the power that comes with it. He doesn’t accomplish this on the up-and-up, though, and his sometimes illegal dealings have caught the attention of prosecutor Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti), who is intent on taking Axelrod down. With a mix of fiction and storylines that mirror financial crimes that occurred in real life, the series has been lauded for its fresh narrative each season and new character introductions that represent a who’s who of the A-list Hollywood scene. Created by: Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Andrew Ross Sorkin Cast: Paul Giamatti, Damian Lewis, Maggie Siff, Malin Akerman, Toby Leonard Moore, David Costabile, Condola Rashad Number of seasons: 5 Taking Jeff Lindsay’s dark and disturbing series of novels and turning them into a compelling crime drama mystery series, Dexter is easily one of the best shows to ever grace the small screen. The sub-par ending aside (redemption may come with the limited series revival), the story of a vigilante serial killer who learns to follow his father’s “code” and harness his dark urges to only kill criminals who “deserve it” will quickly get you addicted to its unique premise. Viewers find themselves puzzlingly rooting for and sympathizing with the title character, even though he’s, well, a cold-blooded killer. Dexter struggles to appear “normal” despite just going through the motions of life, mimicking the behavior of others. His day job helps him accomplish his after-hours pleasures with ease: He’s a skilled blood-spatter analyst for the local police, using his access to research victims before the kills. It’s a deliciously devilish series that’ll have you anxious for the upcoming revival. Created by: James Manos Jr. (based on Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay) Cast: Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Erik King, Lauren Velez, David Zayas, James Remar, C.S. Lee, Desmond Harrington Number of seasons: 8 If you want to watch a star being born, stop what you’re doing and immerse yourself in Rachel Brosnahan’s work as Miriam “Midge” Maisel on the 1950s-set comedy The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Midge is a housewife who pursues a career in stand-up comedy after her husband, Joe Maisel (Michael Zegen), unexpectedly leaves her. After a drunken, impromptu, and mile-a-minute stand-up set that ends with Midge being arrested, hard-nosed venue employee Susie Myerson (Alex Borstein) takes Midge under her wing in hopes of molding a diamond in the rough. The show has won numerous awards and is on track for a fourth season. Created by: Amy Sherman-Palladino Cast: Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Michael Zegen Number of seasons: 3 Watch on Amazon Prime Imagine a future in which humans have colonized every part of the solar system. The Expanse turns that hypothetical future into a powerhouse sci-fi drama. The series is set 200 years from now, and centers on a conspiracy that threatens to wipe out the human race. Don’t let the CGI effects and space setting fool you, The Expanse is a riveting drama that tackles the nuances of human conflict in a way that rivals shows like Game of Thrones and Westworld. Here’s a list of the best sci-fi movies on Amazon if you’re looking for more like this. Created by: N/A Cast: Thomas Jane, Steven Strait, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Cas Anvar, Dominique Tipper Number of seasons: 4 Watch on Amazon Prime Set in the English countryside shortly after the turn of the 20th century, Downton Abbey follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their hierarchy of servants. A fascinating look at the English aristocracy at the dawn of the modern age, Downton Abbey deftly balances historical drama with the steamy character-driven conflicts that exist within the family and the staff. Created by: Julian Fellows Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter Number of seasons: 6 Watch on Amazon Prime As information technology creeps into every aspect of life, one can’t help but look at the people controlling that technology (corporations, government agencies) with a wary eye. The modern world, at times, seems like the prelude to a cyberpunk dystopia, at least the way Mr. Robot portrays it. The show follows Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), a paranoid security engineer who, in addition to his day job working for a massive corporation, engages in acts of vigilante hacking. When Elliot is courted by a mysterious activist-hacker known as “Mr. Robot,” he has a chance to use his skills for more than acts of petty justice. Mr. Robot has a grand plan to topple society, and Alderson could play a key role. Mr. Robot is a cyber-thriller with a keen grasp of the technology it represents, but don’t mistake technical accuracy for realism — the show dives headfirst down a rabbit hole of paranoia and espionage, with a plot that constantly challenges the viewer’s perceptions. Created by: Sam Esmail Cast: Rami Malek, Christian Slater, Carly Chaikin Number of seasons: 4 Watch on Amazon Prime “Ha-ave you met Ted?” Told from the perspective of Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) talking to his teenage kids in the year 2030, the premise of this sitcom is the story of how Ted met their mother. But like any long-winded dad regaling stories of his past, before Ted can recall how he met the love of his life, he waxes nostalgic about all of the women he dated first. Naturally, going into detail about being a single man in his late ’20s and early ’30s in New York means delving into everything else in his life at that time, including his career and, most importantly, his close-knit group of friends. The sitcom is Friends for a new generation, and the ensemble cast is made for comedy gold. While there are nine seasons and a total of 208 episodes to get through, it’s worth the investment of time, not only for the big reveal (who’s mom?) but mostly so you can finally be in on the joke when friends and family quote the endless one-liners and references from the show. Created by: Carter Bays, Craig Thomas Cast: Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigan Number of seasons: 9 The horror anthology that is Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story, though novel, continues to surpass expectations with every passing season. Each essentially functions as a self-contained miniseries, focusing on a repertory cast of characters and a storyline that features its own beginning, middle, and end. Each season — whether it revolves around a coven of witches, an insane asylum, or a haunted house in the middle of Los Angeles — features lavish set pieces and campy aesthetics, both of which add to sterling performances from the likes of Lady Gaga and the award-winning Jessica Lange. Many of the seasons even take a jab at current social issues, and they often leave a weird and wonderful impression. Well, that, and an awful taste in your mouth. Created by: Ryan Murphy Cast: Sarah Paulson, Jennifer Lange, Kathy Bates, Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott, Evan Peters Number of seasons: 9 Watch on Amazon Prime In 2033, people who are near death can be “uploaded” into virtual reality afterlives of their choosing. These VR afterlives are run by six tech firms, setting up a new kind of corporate competition over human death. When Los Angeles party boy Nathan’s (Robbie Amell) self-driving car crashes, his girlfriend uploads him into the luxurious Lakeview digital afterlife. There, he meets Nora, a customer service representative for Lakeview, who onboards Nathan to his version of heaven. The series follows their friendship as Nathan grows accustomed to life away from his loved ones while Nora balances her connection with the virtual Nathan with her real-life financial and personal struggles. Created by: Greg Daniels Cast: Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Chris Williams Number of seasons: 1 Watch on Amazon Prime This addictive series captures the trials and tribulations of being a teenage girl, combining them with the trauma of being stranded on a deserted island following a supposed plane crash. The Lost meets angsty teen drama examines each young girl, all from very different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, and the hardships they face back home that have shaped their reactions and actions on the island. But to survive the elements means banding together, despite their differences, to make it out alive, even though they all dread what the real world has waiting for them if they do eventually get back home. Viewers are let in on the juicy twist early: The girls didn’t end up on the island by accident. It’s a thrilling series that has quickly become one of the best Amazon originals. Created by: Sarah Streicher Cast: Rachel Griffiths, Sophia Taylor Ali, Shannon Berry, Sarah Pidgeon, Erana James, Jenna Clause, David Sullivan, Troy Winbush, Helena Howard, Reign Edwards, Mia Healey Number of seasons: 1 What ripple effects do extramarital affairs have? This intriguing drama explores the answer to that question with a star-studded cast that includes Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, Maura Tierney, and Joshua Jackson. In a unique format, every episode is divided in two, with each half being told from the perspective of one party involved in the infidelity. Naturally, memory bias comes into play as events are recalled far differently by one person than they are by the other. Airing on Showtime for five seasons, the first season, which is now available for streaming, focuses on the perspectives of husband and father Noah (West) and Alison (Wilson), a married waitress with whom he begins a torrid affair. Viewers get to see things from each person’s lens, with subsequent seasons focusing on other characters and how they view the situation. Created by: Sarah Treem, Hagai Levi Cast: Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, Maura Tierney, Joshua Jackson, Julia Goldani Telles, Jake Siciliano, and others Number of seasons: 5 One of many incarnations of these popular animated cartoon characters, this one brings the cat-and-mouse duo back together for more antics as Tom the cat relentlessly chases Jerry to devour him for dinner while Jerry continues to set clever traps to stop him. Of course, deep down, they’re actually friends and Tom would never think of eating Jerry. Check out season one from the two-season run, which includes a total of 13 short episodes. Those who grew up with the originals will revel in the nostalgia and the simplicity from a time when cartoons required nothing more than silly props and engaging sound effects to make kids laugh. This British anthology film series by Steve McQueen ( 12 Years a Slave) has garnered almost universal praise, with the first episode called Mangrove lauded for its strong performances and fierce convictions.
