Although Amazon Prime Video trails only Netflix in subscriber count, it’s still somehow not as prevalent in the cultural conversation as competitors like Netflix, Max, and Hulu. Part of that has to do with Prime Video’s comparatively lackluster library of original content.
However, Prime Video has made a conscious investment in improving its original TV and movie offerings to keep pace with its competitors. In recent years, not only has Amazon made more shows, but the quality has generally improved, too. It’s been nearly a decade since the premiere of its Emmy-winning debut show, Transparent, and Amazon has packed Prime Video with original shows. We keep track of all the releases worth your time in this roundup. These are the best Amazon Prime original series right now.
We’ve also rounded up the best Netflix original series and the best Hulu original series if Prime Video doesn’t have the originals you’re looking for.
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Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secretstv-14 2023
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Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets (2023)
Quickly reaching No. 1 on Amazon Prime Video after its release, Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets pulls back the veil on the long-running reality series 19 Kids & Counting. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar led the seemingly perfect American life, raising up 19 well-behaved, well-adjusted, devout children in a household that seemingly ran like the Von Trapps’. In recent years, however, the family has been embroiled in scandal as eldest brother, Josh Duggar, has been accused of molesting his younger sisters and more recently was convicted on child pornography charges.
Shiny Happy People goes beyond the Duggar family to dig into the beliefs and conspiratorial theocratical aims of the fundamentalist Christian organization behind them: The Institute in Basic Life Principles.
Citadel (2023)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017)
Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (2018)
Tom Clancy’s fan-favorite hero, Jack Ryan, has the distinction of being played on the big screen by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, and Chris Pine. However, it was John Krasinski’s take on the character that made Amazon’s Jack Ryan such a compelling show. Think of it as Jack Ryan Begins. This series follows Jack early in his career when he was simply an analyst for the CIA. Regardless, Jack’s ability to make connections and follow the money convinced the CIA to put him into the field long before he was truly ready for it.
Regardless of his lack of field experience, Jack grew into the role and personally took down a terrorist plot. Unfortunately, Jack’s personal life has suffered along the way. Thankfully, the series never disappoints when it comes to thrilling action scenes. Amazon has confirmed that a third season is on the way, which means Jack Ryan will be back in the near future.
Daisy Jones & the Six (2023)
A fictionalized tell-all about a rock band that abruptly called it quits, Daisy Jones & The Six is a creative examination of the real music and culture of the 1970s. In 1977, Daisy Jones & The Six — led by Daisy Jones (Riley Keough) and Billy Dunne (Sam Claflin) — had risen from obscurity to fame. They seemed poised for superstardom.
And then, after a sold-out show at Chicago’s Soldier Field, they disbanded. The limited series picks up decades later as the band members recount the true story of why it all fell apart.
The Power (2023)
The Consultant (2023)
The Peripheral (2022)
The lines of real life and virtual reality blend together in this adaptation of William Gibson’s sci-fi novel The Peripheral. Flynne Fisher (Chloë Grace Moretz) leads a dull life in a small Appalachian town. Her one escape is her side hustle, playing advanced VR games for others.
Her skills earn her notoriety and soon, a company sends her a new video game system to test. But the strange system transports her to an incredibly lifelike, futuristic London that seems to tap into all of her dreams of finding a purpose, romance, and fame. But it also carries very real danger.
The Devil's Hour (2022)
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022)
A League of Their Own (2022)
The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022)
The Kids in the Hall (2022)
Night Sky (2022)
The Boys (2019)
Outer Range (2022)
The Wilds (2020)
Undone (2019)
The Outlaws (2021)
Upload (2020)
As We See It (2022)
Hanna (2019)
The Wheel of Time (2021)
Goliath (2016)
The Pursuit of Love (2021)
The Expanse (2015)
The Underground Railroad (2021)
Bosch (2015)
Them (2021)
Invincible (2021)
Small Axe (2020)
Flack (2019)
Tell Me Your Secrets (2021)
Tales from the Loop (2020)
Truth Seekers (2020)
Fleabag (2016)
Good Omens (2019)
The Grand Tour (2016)
Homecoming (2018)
The Man in the High Castle (2015)
Mozart in the Jungle (2014)
Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams (2017)
Red Oaks (2014)
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