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The best shows on Amazon Prime right now (August 2023)

Amazon Prime Video has a wide selection of shows from which to choose, with new shows being added all the time. Some of Amazon Prime Video’s original series have become very popular, too, like The Boys, Jack Ryan, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the latter two of which wrapped up their runs this year.

Looking for something new to watch on Amazon Prime Video? We have you covered with the best shows on Amazon Prime right now. Lots of these are Amazon Originals, but there are others that you can watch with just a base Amazon Prime subscription. With new shows coming to Amazon all the time, this list is continuously updated, so keep checking back for more ideas.

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 Video, and the best movies on Disney+.

Recently added to Amazon Prime

Good Omens (2019)

Good Omens
66%
8.1/10
tv-ma
2 Seasons
Genre
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Comedy, Drama
Stars
Michael Sheen, David Tennant, Sam Taylor Buck
Created by
Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett
Watch on Amazon

Based on the Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman novel of the same name, Good Omens sees the main characters, a demon named Crowley (David Tennant) and an angel named Aziraphale (Michael Sheen), trying to prevent Armageddon. The show follows various Christian themes as angels and the devil fight for control of humanity and the future.

Initially developed only as a limited series, the star-studded cast (along with a voice cast that includes Frances McDormand, Brian Cox, and Benedict Cumberbatch) and compelling story have seen it extended beyond that.

The Boys Presents: Diabolical (2022)

The Boys Presents: Diabolical
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure
Stars
Grey Griffin, Ben Schwartz, Antony Starr, Chris Diamantopoulos, Awkwafina
Watch on Amazon
If you love The Boys, you can satiate your desire for more of the egotistical, shallow, super-powered, Vought-owned Supes while waiting for a new season with this animated anthology spinoff series, which focuses on “unseen stories within The Boys universe.” With names like Awkwafina, Ilana Glazer, Seth Rogen, Andy Samberg, and Aisha Tyler attached to the show, there’s plenty of hilarity, gore, emotion, and shocking moments in the not-safe-for-kids series. Eric Kripke, executive producer and showrunner of The Boys, serves as executive producer of this spinoff alongside Rogen and Evan Goldberg. All of the shows are based on the Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson DC Comics comic book of the same name.
The Boys Presents: Diabolical - Trailer | Prime Video

The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022)

The Summer I Turned Pretty
tv-14
2 Seasons
Genre
Drama
Stars
Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno
Created by
Gabrielle G. Stanton, Jenny Han
Watch on Amazon

Giving off total To All The Boys and Never Have I Ever vibes, The Summer I Turned Pretty is a similar coming-of-age story about a 16-year-old young woman named Isabel who visit Cousins Beach with her family every summer. But she has a feeling that this summer will be different, and she’s right when a love triangle ensues between the brothers of her mom’s childhood best friend, with whom they vacation. It’s about love, heartbreak, and a young woman coming into her own during one pivotal summer that will change everything.

Based on the book of the same name by popular YA novelist Jenny Han, the show, which returned for a second season, generated plenty of buzz before it even debuted.

The Horror of Dolores Roach (2023)

The Horror of Dolores Roach
1 Season
Genre
Drama, Comedy
Stars
Justina Machado, Alejandro Hernandez, Kita Updike
Created by
Aaron Mark
Watch on Amazon

Take a story based on a hit podcast and chances are, you’ll have a winning TV series. The Horror of Dolores Roach, which is based on the Spotify podcast of the same name, fits the bill. Described as a contemporary Sweeney Todd-inspired urban legend, it combines elements of love, betrayal, weed, and even cannibalism. One Day At a Time’s Justina Machado stars as the title character, who returns to her now gentrified New York City hometown after spending 16 years in prison. But when her survival is threatened, the woman known as “Magic Hands” must do what she needs to do in order to make it through.

The Horror of Dolores Roach is a dark, horrifying tale that combines both scary moments with humor. Keep an eye out for other recognizable faces like Alejandro Hernandez (New Amsterdam) as Roach’s old friend Luis, and guest stars like comedian Marc Maron and musician Cyndi Lauper.

Jack Ryan (2018)

Jack Ryan
64%
8.1/10
tv-ma
4 Seasons
Genre
Action, Drama, Thriller
Stars
John Krasinski, Abbie Cornish, Wendell Pierce
Watch on Amazon
Tom Clancy’s “Ryanverse” franchise makes the leap from film to TV with the spy thriller Jack Ryan that premiered in 2018 and casts John Krasinski as the titular CIA analyst who finds himself investigating one far-reaching international threat after another. Lost co-creator Carlton Cuse serves as co-creator and executive producer on the Amazon Original series, along with Krasinski and Michael Bay (among others). The show has been praised for its captivating action sequences and likable cast members. The show ends with its fourth and final season that sees Ryan as Acting Deputy Director of the CIA, back on his home turf to fight corruption, terrorism, and a drug cartel.

I'm a Virgo (2023)

I'm a Virgo
tv-14
1 Season
Genre
Comedy, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Jharrel Jerome, Brett Gray, Kara Young
Created by
Tze Chun, Boots Riley
Watch on Amazon

American film director, producer, screenwriter, rapper, and communist activist Raymond “Boots” Riley (Sorry to Bother You) is behind this absurdist comedy about a 19-year-old Black man who stands 13 feet tall. Cootie is played by Jharrel Jerome (Moonlight, When They See Us), who actually stands about 5 feet, 8 inches The illusion of height is achieved through the use of old-school camera tricks (think Will Ferrell in Elf), not CGI.

I’m a Virgo follows Cootie as he comes out of hiding for the first time to join a society he knows nothing about, with the support of a new group of welcoming teenage friends. Meanwhile, there’s a vigilante superhero trying to make the city right by using brute force against minor criminals, and Cootie has attracted his attention. I’m a Virgo is worth a watch even just to see how they pull off the special effects without any use of CGI. But it’s also a unique coming-of-age story like no other that will have you laughing the whole way through.

The Grand Tour (2016)

The Grand Tour
8.7/10
tv-14
5 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, Talk-Show
Stars
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May
Watch on Amazon
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. This includes The Grand Tour: Eurocrash, where they take a 1,400-mile journey across Central Europe in a Japanese Al Capone gangster car. For car enthusiasts or Top Gear fans not satisfied by that show’s new hosts, The Grand Tour is a welcome return to form.

Deadloch (2023)

Deadloch
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Comedy, Crime
Stars
Kate Box, Madeleine Sami, Nina Oyama
Created by
Kate McCartney, Kate McLennan
Watch on Amazon

The town is called Deadloch in Tasmania, and the situation is that of the murder of a local man. Two detectives join forces to investigate, and they couldn’t be more different from one another. Dulcie (Kate Box) is the senior officer in town who had sworn off detective work due to mental health reasons until being drawn back into this case. She is joined for the investigation by Eddie (Madeleine Sami), who contradicts everything Dulcie has done up to the point, instantly setting up tension between the two.

Deadloch was created by the Australian comedy duo known as “the Kates,” Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan, who gained fame from their comedic cooking show The Katering Show. This series manages to combine both darkness and humor, and it’s a regular, entertaining whodunit for fans of the genre.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017)

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
80%
8.7/10
tv-ma
5 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Stars
Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Michael Zegen
Created by
Amy Sherman-Palladino
Watch on Amazon

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 well-deserved awards, solidifying its place among the best period comedy-dramas you can watch right now.

The Devil's Hour (2022)

The Devil's Hour
70%
7.8/10
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Drama, Mystery
Stars
Jessica Raine, Peter Capaldi
Created by
Tom Moran
Watch on Amazon

Nothing good ever happens at 3 a.m. If you have ever heard this saying, you know that the time between 3 and 4 a.m. is known as the “Devil’s Hour,” and this is precisely when Lucy (Jessica Raine of Call the Midwife) keeps waking up, night after night, following the same recurring nightmare. The event, in fact, has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. It doesn’t help that Lucy’s eight-year-old son appears to be lacking emotion and is socially withdrawn.

When Lucy becomes tied to a string of murders in town, she begins to question her own sanity and why so much darkness surrounds her. The British psychological thriller The Devil’s Hour also stars Doctor Who’s Peter Capaldi as a reclusive, murderous nomad, and Nikesh Patel (Starstruck) as a detective named Ravi who is investigating the killings. This show is dark, ominous, and totally creepy.

The Devil's Hour - Official Trailer | Prime Video

Freaks and Geeks (1999)

Freaks and Geeks
tv-14
1 Season
Genre
Drama, Comedy
Stars
John Francis Daley, Linda Cardellini, James Franco
Created by
Paul Feig
Watch on Amazon

Cancelled way too soon, it’s unbelievable to think back and realize that Freaks and Geeks only lasted a single season. But all 18 episodes are now available to stream. The Judd Apatow-produced teen comedy-drama stars a who’s who of the young comedy landscape who were, back then, relatively unknown actors. This includes Linda Cardellini, James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel. Designed to depict the monotony of teenage life, the ‘80s-set series, which originally aired from 1999-2000, follows Lindsay (Cardellini) and her brother Sam (John Francis Daley) who each have their own unique cliques in school: Lindsay’s are known as the “freaks” and Sam’s are the “geeks.”

Having developed a cult following long after its cancellation, Freaks and Geeks has been named by sources like Time, Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide, and Rolling Stone magazine as one of the best TV shows of all time, despite its short run.

Jury Duty (2023)

Jury Duty
1 Season
Genre
Comedy
Stars
Ronald Gladden, James Marsden, Alan Barinholtz
Created by
Gene Stupnitsky, Lee Eisenberg
Watch on Amazon

A sleeper hit for Amazon one of 2023’s best comedies, Jury Duty is available through the streaming service’s Freevee channel, an ad-supported video-on-demand (VOD) option formerly known as IMDb TV. It’s worth sitting through the short ads, however, to enjoy the unique docu-comedy about those who end up called in for the most dreaded task: jury duty. But there’s a twist: the case isn’t actually real, and all but one person knows it.

Ronald Gladden stars as himself, a juror who happens to be the only one who doesn’t realize the trial is not actually real. James Marsden also stars as a parody of himself, an alternate juror, while the other jurors are up-and-coming actors with backgrounds in improv. Hailing from the producers of The Office, Jury Duty is not your typical workplace comedy. It’s a fun, semi-improvised series that critics have been mixed on, but fans seem to truly enjoy, giving it an almost perfect score on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.

Dead Ringers (2023)

Dead Ringers
1 Season
Genre
Drama, Mystery
Stars
Rachel Weisz, Emily Meade, Jennean Farmer
Created by
Alice Birch
Watch on Amazon

Rachel Weisz takes on a dual role in this gender-reversed interpretation of the 1988 David Cronenberg psychological thriller of the same name. Playing the roles initially portrayed by Jeremy Irons, she’s a set of codependent twins named Elliot and Beverly who both work as gynecologists. They’re also unafraid to bend the rules in the name of delivering proper women’s health care.

The show is reportedly not for the faint of heart, with graphic depictions of childbirth and various medical procedures. But Dead Ringers combines hearty laughs with plenty of foul language, drugs, and debauchery. Elliot and Beverly are very different from one another, but both have the same goal: change the system, at any cost, in a way they think it should be done.

Billions (2016)

Billions
72%
8.4/10
tv-ma
6 Seasons
Genre
Drama
Stars
Paul Giamatti, Damian Lewis, Maggie Siff, Malin Akerman, Toby Leonard Moore, David Costabile, Condola Rashad
Created by
Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Andrew Ross Sorkin
Watch on Amazon

Check out the first four of the current six 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 real-life financial crimes, 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.

Billions (2016) | Official Trailer | Paul Giamatti & Damian Lewis SHOWTIME Series

The Power (2023)

The Power
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Toni Collette, Halle Bush, Ria Zmitrowicz
Created by
Naomi Alderman
Watch on Amazon

Based on the Naomi Alderman novel of the same name, this British sci-fi drama takes place in a future world where teenage girls develop a strange power: they can electrocute others using nothing but their fingertips and sheer will. The mysterious power arrives without warning and becomes hereditary and unremovable. These young women feel the thrill of having a deadly power that can fend off attackers and effectively get them whatever they want. But when they discover that they can awaken the same power in older women, the world and its power dynamics change dramatically.

This raises the stakes considerably in The Power, which examines a matriarchal society and how tremendous power might corrupt, liberate, and change the course of the world. The Power stars Toni Collette, Auli’i Cravalho, and John Leguizamo. Ted Lasso’s Toheeb Jimoh also appears as Tunde, an aspiring journalist who becomes fascinated with covering the story.

Flack (2019)

Flack
58%
7.2/10
tv-14
2 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Stars
Anna Paquin, Sophie Okonedo, Genevieve Angelson, Lydia Wilson, Rebecca Benson, Arinze Kene
Created by
Oliver Lansley
Watch on Amazon

In her first big television role since True Blood, Anna Paquin trades vampire blood for high heels as Robyn, a public relations executive from America navigating the industry in Britain. Despite her best efforts, however, her high-profile and high-maintenance clients keep getting themselves into ridiculous messes, leaving her (alongside her sassy colleagues) to pick up the pieces.

Ironically, while Robyn always knows just what to do to get her clients out of tough situations, her sharp wit translates to self-sabotage when it comes to her own personal life.

FLACK S1 | Official Trailer

Class of '07 (2023)

Class of '07
7.5/10
1 Season
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Stars
Emily Browning, Caitlin Stasey, Megan Smart
Created by
Kacie Anning
Watch on Amazon

It’s like a more light-hearted version of Yellowjackets meets The Afterparty. When a group of women who attended an all-girls high school a decade prior come together again for a 10-year reunion, they wind up stuck at the school literally, and figuratively stuck in the past. A tidal wave hits causing the apocalypse, and the ladies must band together at the top of an island peak where their high school campus is located to try and survive.

The women, now grown, however, can’t help but revert to their adolescent selves. This forces them to deal with unresolved high school drama. A fun comedy, Class of ’07 will have you reliving your high school days and the friendships you made in an unbelievably absurd way.

Swarm (2023)

Swarm
66%
7.3/10
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Stars
Dominique Fishback
Created by
Donald Glover, Janine Nabers
Watch on Amazon

Donald Glover is behind this horror thriller about a young woman named Dre (Dominique Fishback), who is obsessed with a pop star (that bears an eerie resemblance in look and style to Beyoncé). Dre isn’t just a member of The Swarm, the name coined for the pop star’s followers (once again, similar to Beyoncé’s “BeyHive” group of die-hard fans), she takes her obsession to dark and troubling levels.

Swarm also stars Chloe Bailey (Grown-ish), Damson Idris (Snowfall), Paris Jackson (American Horror Stories), pop singer Billie Eilish, and Rory Culkin (Under the Banner of Heaven). Interestingly, Swarm also counts Malia Obama, daughter of President Barack Obama, among its writers.

A Very English Scandal (2018)

A Very English Scandal
84%
7.7/10
tv-14
1 Season
Genre
Drama
Stars
Hugh Grant, Ben Whishaw, Alex Jennings
Created by
Russell T Davies, John Preston
Watch on Amazon

Hugh Grant stars in this three-part British comedy-drama that dramatizes the story of the political scandal that led to the end of Jeremy Thorpe’s career as leader of the Liberal Party and Member of Parliament for North Devon in the late 1970s.

The story, based on the book of the same name by John Preston, focuses on both the scandal, as well as Thorpe’s life and events dating back more than 15 years prior. Having received glowing reviews when the series first premiered back in 2018, it was even named one of The Guardian‘s 100 best TV shows of the 21st century.

A Very English Scandal: EXCLUSIVE TRAILER (UK) | Hugh Grant | Ben Whishaw - BBC

Daisy Jones & the Six (2023)

Daisy Jones & the Six
1 Season
Genre
Drama
Stars
Riley Keough, Camila Morrone, Sam Claflin
Created by
Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber
Watch on Amazon

While Daisy Jones & The Six is a fictional band created by author Taylor Jenkins Reid for her novel of the same name, the story is loosely inspired by Reid’s own experiences growing up watching the band Fleetwood Mac. The 10-episode miniseries is presented like a documentary, providing background interviews with the band members. Set in the ‘70s, the look and feel is that of the wild, hippie-centric world of music during that pivotal decade.

Follow Daisy Jones & The Six and their rise from unknown rock band to one of the biggest bands in the world, along with their subsequent downfall when the members shockingly decide to split at the height of their success. The series, which stars Riley Keough and Sam Claflin and hails from Reeese Witherspoon’s production company Hello Sunshine, shares parallels with many other popular rock bands of the ‘70s, ‘80s, and beyond that music lovers will enjoy dissecting.

The Terminal List (2022)

The Terminal List
40%
8.2/10
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Action & Adventure, Drama
Stars
Chris Pratt, Taylor Kitsch, Constance Wu
Created by
David DiGilio
Watch on Amazon

Based on the Jack Carr novel of the same name, The Terminal List stars Chris Pratt as Reece, a military man who is ambushed while his platoon is on a mission. Following his return home and his struggles with severe PTSD from these events, Reece begins to question what he remembers and what his role might have been in what happened. Through his investigation, Reece realizes that there might be more at play. And there are people working against him, which puts both himself and his family in danger.

The action thriller also stars Taylor Kitsch, Constance Wu, Riley Keough, and Patrick Schwarzenegger. While it was met with mixed reviews, The Terminal List has been renewed for a second season.

The Terminal List - Official Trailer | Prime Video

Invincible (2021)

Invincible
8.7/10
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Action, Adventure
Stars
Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh, J.K. Simmons
Created by
Robert Kirkman (screenplay), Ryan Ottley, Cory Walker
Watch on Amazon
With a star-studded cast and Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead universe, behind it, it’s no surprise that this new Amazon original series is already receiving rave reviews. While it’s an animated superhero series, Invincible isn’t a show to watch with the kids. As per Kirkman’s signature style, there’s a lot of violence and gore. At the heart of the story is Mark Grayson (voiced by The Walking Dead‘s Steven Yeun), the teenage son of the world’s most powerful superhero, Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons). Once Mark turns 18, he begins to develop his own superhero skills and must balance becoming Invincible with being a typical teenage boy, as well as learning the truth about his dad. Keep an ear out for the members of the Guardians of the Globe superhero team, loosely based on the Justice League, all of whom are voiced by Walking Dead cast members, past and present. Also lending their local talents to the series are A-listers like Zachary Quinto, Gillian Jacobs, Walton Goggins, Seth Rogen, Mark Hamill, Mahershala Ali, and Zazie Beetz.
Invincible – Official Trailer | Prime Video

The Legend of Vox Machina (2022)

The Legend of Vox Machina
81%
8.4/10
tv-ma
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Ashley Johnson, Laura Bailey, Marisha Ray
Created by
Matthew Mercer
Watch on Amazon
Fans of the game Dungeons & Dragons will love The Legend of Vox Machina, which is based on the D&D web series Critical Role. The adult animated fantasy series, which was initially funded by a Kickstarter campaign, is set in the fictional world of Exandria, on the continent of Tal-Dorei. The team known as Vox Machina set out for their first “grown up” mission to avenge the murder of several town rulers, including their own offspring, by an evil lord and lady. Adapting many other classic story arcs, The Legend of Vox Machina was renewed for a third season ahead of its second season release.

The Peripheral (2022)

The Peripheral
57%
8.4/10
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama
Stars
Chloë Grace Moretz, Gary Carr, Jack Reynor
Created by
Scott B. Smith
Watch on Amazon
Set in the future in the year 2032, Flynne (Chloe Grace Moretz) and her brother, Burton (Jack Reynor), earn extra money to support their dying mother by playing simulation games, both sharing the same on-screen avatar. But when Burton gets the opportunity to test a new Sim, the highly skilled Flynne takes over, playing as him. But what turns out to be a supposed break-in simulation turns out to be all too real and the discoveries paint a harrowing picture of the future of her family. The thrilling sci-fi series The Peripheral, an Amazon Original, is based on the novel of the same name by William Gibson.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022)

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
tv-14
1 Season
Genre
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Drama
Stars
Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Morfydd Clark
Created by
John D. Payne, Patrick McKay
Watch on Amazon
J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is one of the biggest fantasy franchises around that was turned into a movie franchise, and this new TV series brings back the story of Middle-earth and the characters that have become part of pop culture history. While only some of the original characters will appear in younger form, the show is set thousands of years prior to the events in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The time is the Second Age, when the Rings of Power were forged, the Dark Lord Sauron was rising to power and villainy, before the kingdom of Numenor had fallen. With a five-season order commitment worth $1 billion, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is officially the most expensive TV series ever made. And we’ll soon learn if it was worth that investment.

Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls (2022)

Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls
4.9/10
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Reality
Stars
Lizzo, Jayla Sullivan, Isabel Jones, Sydney Bell
Watch on Amazon
Lizzo has always been a proponent of promoting self-love and body positivity, and the singer puts this focus on full display in an unscripted reality show that sees her search for new dancers to join her next tour. It’s important that each dancer is confident, sensual, and talented. And, all of the candidates are plus-sized. Lizzo puts them through a series of competitions to see how they perform on stage, along with grueling rehearsals to test how well they can pick up routines. The show has garnered plenty of buzz for its positive message and strong entertainment value, particularly for fans of Lizzo’s music and everything for which she stands.

Mr. Robot (2015)

Mr. Robot
80%
8.5/10
tv-ma
4 Seasons
Genre
Crime, Drama, Thriller
Stars
Rami Malek, Christian Slater, Carly Chaikin
Created by
Sam Esmail
Watch on Amazon
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 in 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.

Comrade Detective (2017)

Comrade Detective
67%
7.3/10
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Action, Comedy, Crime
Stars
Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jenny Slate
Created by
Brian Gatewood, Alessandro Tanaka
Watch on Amazon
In the 1980s, with the Cold War getting warmer, American pop culture produced a bounty of movies expressing the anxieties and patriotism of the era: Films like Red Dawn, or 1985’s lesser-known Invasion U.S.A. (starring Chuck Norris). Comrade Detective lifts the aesthetics of ’80s action cinema and filters them through a (sardonic) communist lens, following a pair of Romanian detectives investigating a plot by Western imperialists to subvert the communist order. The show — which is framed as an actual show from Romania, dubbed over in English with voices from actors like Channing Tatum and Joseph-Gordon Levitt — begins with detective Gregor Anghel (a hard-nosed cop who plays by his own rules but gets results) and his partner busting drug dealers, only for a sniper to shoot Anghel’s partner. Out for vengeance, Anghel and his new partner, Iosif Baciu, hunt the killer but stumble on a conspiracy of international proportions. Comrade Detective is a strange show even by the inventive standards of modern television, a parody wrapped in a layer of faux-authenticity, but its odd charms are worth watching.

Downton Abbey (2010)

Downton Abbey
80%
8.7/10
tv-pg
6 Seasons
Genre
Drama, Romance
Stars
Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter
Created by
Julian Fellowes
Watch on Amazon
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.

American Horror Story (2011)

American Horror Story
65%
8.0/10
tv-ma
9 Seasons
Genre
Drama, Horror, Thriller
Stars
Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott, Evan Peters
Created by
Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk
Watch on Amazon
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, which add to sterling performances from the likes of Lady Gaga and Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning Jessica Lange. Many of the seasons even take jabs at current social issues, and they often leave a weird and wonderful impression. Well, that, and an awful taste in your mouth.

Bosch

Bosch
73%
8.4/10
tv-ma
7 Seasons
Genre
Crime, Drama
Stars
Titus Welliver, Annie Wersching, Amy Price-Francis
Created by
Eric Ellis Overmyer (developed for television by)
Watch on Amazon
Titus Welliver plays Los Angeles homicide detective Harry Bosch in this Amazon Studios original series based on Michael Connelly’s series of novels. The first season of the critically acclaimed series has Bosch standing trial for the killing of a serial murder suspect while simultaneously confronting his past when a cold case involving a missing boy suddenly heats up again. After six well-received seasons, Bosch was renewed for a seventh and final season in February 2020.

The Kids in the Hall (2022)

The Kids in the Hall
82%
8.5/10
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Comedy
Stars
Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, Scott Thompson
Created by
Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, Scott Thompson
Watch on Amazon
From 1989 to 1995, legendary Canadian sketch comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall delighted fans with their hilarious show that starred mainly the five members playing every character. Now, almost 30 years after the show originally ended, the five performers, Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson, have reunited for a limited eight-episode revival that will see many of the Kids‘ best characters once again resurrected, including Gavin, Kathie and Cathy, Head Crusher, and McCulloch’s psychotic squash player, The Eradicator. In addition to the new season, you can also stream the first five original seasons as well. Dubbed a continuation of the original show, The Kids in the Hall is the first Amazon Original series to hail from Canada.

Upload (2020)

Upload
67%
8.0/10
tv-ma
2 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Stars
Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Zainab Johnson
Created by
Greg Daniels
Watch on Amazon
In 2033, people who are near death can be “uploaded” into virtual reality afterlives of their choosing; but it will cost their families a pretty penny. 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. But when Nathan, a talented coder who was on to something big before he died, discovers his death might not have been an accident after all, he must try to unravel what really happened. It all comes down to the economic disparity that continues to exist in death just as strongly as it does in real life.

The Outlaws (2021)

The Outlaws
75%
7.7/10
tv-ma
2 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, Crime, Drama
Stars
Christopher Walken, Stephen Merchant, Darren Boyd
Created by
Stephen Merchant, Elgin James
Watch on Amazon
Co-created by and starring Stephen Merchant, The Outlaws centers around seven very different, quarreling strangers fulfilling their community service time who find themselves embroiled in scandal when they come across a bag full of money. While it initially seems like they struck gold during otherwise unfortunate circumstances, it turns out the owners of the bag aren’t exactly kind — there are dangerous individuals who are out for blood and want their money back. With a strong supporting cast that also includes Christopher Walken, the BBC crime thriller comedy has been praised by critics for the portrayal of its “merry band of miscreants,” making it, if nothing else, a fun and entertaining watch.

Mozart in the Jungle (2014)

Mozart in the Jungle
76%
8.1/10
tv-ma
4 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Music
Stars
Gael García Bernal, Lola Kirke, Malcolm McDowell, Bernadette Peters
Created by
Alex Timbers, Roman Coppola, Jason Schwartzman
Watch on Amazon
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.

Fleabag (2916)

Fleabag
92%
8.7/10
tv-ma
2 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Stars
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Ben Aldridge, Sian Clifford
Created by
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Watch on Amazon
At times introspective and moody, at others absurd and raunchy, Fleabag defies easy categorization. In its funnier moments — such as the intro, which is an elegant, extended soliloquy ending in a sudden smack of a sex joke — it is one of the sharpest comedies around (season 2 won the 2019 Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series), but underneath it, all runs a current of sadness. The show follows a lady known only as “Fleabag” (Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who took home Emmys herself for acting and writing), a neurotic woman juggling a failing business and disastrous personal life. The term fleabag immediately conjures images of filth, and the protagonist’s problems run deeper than her name. Selfish, wanton, and a compulsive liar, she fits in with the various antiheroes that have become popular on television. Uniquely, Fleabag does not keep its damaged lead at a distance; she frequently speaks directly to the viewer in frantic monologues, offering insight into her unquiet mind.

Outer Range (2022)

Outer Range
60%
7.2/10
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Western, Mystery
Stars
Josh Brolin, Tom Pelphrey, Tamara Podemski
Created by
Brian Watkins
Watch on Amazon
Outer Range stars Josh Brolin as a rancher in Wyoming who undercovers supernatural mysteries while investigating the outskirts of his land. Described to sound like Yellowstone meets Stranger Things, the mystery thriller is sure to excite fans of either (or both) shows as well as those who grew up watching Brolin on screen (Remember The Goonies?), or just came to know him as Thanos from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films. With Brolin serving as an executive producer alongside a team that also includes Brad Pitt, fans can expect plenty of drama, intrigue, and chatter around this original show.

The Expanse (2015)

The Expanse
72%
8.5/10
tv-14
6 Seasons
Genre
Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Stars
Thomas Jane, Steven Strait, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Cas Anvar, Dominique Tipper
Created by
Daniel Abraham, Mark Fergus, Ty Franck
Watch on Amazon
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. The sixth and final season completes the story. Here’s a list of the best sci-fi movies on Amazon if you’re looking for more like this.

The Wheel of Time (2021)

The Wheel of Time
61%
9.4/10
tv-14
1 Season
Genre
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama, Action & Adventure
Stars
Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Josha Stradowski
Created by
Rafe Judkins
Watch on Amazon
Moiraine, the member of a magical, all-female organization known as the Aes Sedai, takes five young people from their small village to embark on a dangerous adventure. She believes that one of them could be a powerful child who, as the reincarnation of the Dragon, was given powers of prophecies that could save the world (or destroy it). Filled with the stunning visuals and high action one would expect from a show in the epic fantasy genre, the show, based on the Robert Jordan novel series of the same name, was renewed for a second season in advance of the release of the first.

The Man in the High Castle (2105)

The Man in the High Castle
73%
8.0/10
tv-ma
4 Seasons
Genre
Drama, Sci-fi, Thriller
Stars
Alex Davalos, Luke Kleintank, Geoffery Blake, Rupert Evans, Luke Kleintank
Created by
Frank Spotnitz
Watch on Amazon
World War II seems to be the most common source for the “What if?” scenario in fiction. The Man in the High Castle, based on Philip K. Dick’s novel of the same name, starts with the premise that not only did the Axis powers win the war, but they also occupied the United States afterward, with Imperial Japan governing the West Coast and the Nazis controlling the territory east of the Rockies. The show follows a few different characters living in different regions as they try to endure the occupation and simultaneously investigate a mysterious film reel that depicts an alternate universe where the Allies actually won the war. Dick was a true visionary author, and The Man in the High Castle captures the otherworldly, authoritarian nature of the world he imagined. Rich with intrigue and superb direction, The Man in the High Castle is an exciting thriller. The series wrapped up its impressive run with November 2019’s season 4.

The Boys (2019)

The Boys
49%
8.7/10
tv-ma
3 Seasons
Genre
Action, Crime, Drama
Stars
Jack Quaid, Elisabeth Shue, Jessie T. Usher, Karl Urban, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty
Created by
Eric Kripke
Watch on Amazon
Of all the superhero TV shows and movies out there, none of them are quite like The Boys. It’s a dark, depraved deconstruction of super-powered heroes and villains. Based on Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s comic book series of the same name, The Boys follows a group of vigilantes who take it upon themselves to police the super-powered heroes who abuse their abilities and take advantage of the trust the public has placed in them. As grim and shockingly violent as it is clever, the series is set in a world in which superpowers, corporate greed, and media consolidation have bled together to create a particularly frightening form of corruption. The audience sees it all through the eyes of Hughie, an average guy whose chance encounter with a superhero changes his life forever.

Reacher (2022)

Reacher
68%
8.5/10
1 Season
Genre
Action & Adventure, Mystery
Stars
Alan Ritchson, Malcolm Goodwin, Willa Fitzgerald
Created by
Nick Santora
Watch on Amazon
The character first popularized on screen by Tom Cruise in the movies is now available on the small screen in this Amazon original. Except this time, Alan Ritchson (Smallville) plays Jack Reacher, the former United States Army major who has moved on to travel the U.S., looking for whatever odd jobs he can find to take down bad guys. Based on the Lee Child book series, and like the first movie, season 1 of Reacher will focus on the storyline in the debut novel Killing Floor. After being arrested for a murder he did not commit, Jack finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy. With danger at every turn, it’s a thrilling ride all the way through.
Movie images and data from:
Christine Persaud
Christine is a professional editor and writer with 18 years of experience in trade and consumer journalism. While she started…
The best shows on Netflix in August 2023
Two young men staring lovingly at one another looking at a pamphlet abbot Paris in a scene from Heartstopper.

It's always a good sign when Netflix decides to start the month on a strong note. That means romance fans can spend the first weekend of August watching the new season of Heartstopper, while legal eagles can check out the intrigue on The Lincoln Lawyer as the second part of season 2 makes its premiere. And if you need more action, you could always revisit the new episodes of The Witcher that dropped last week.

Netflix seems to pride itself on always having something new to watch. And the selection is almost always impressive. It does become challenging to keep up with the latest additions. But that's why we're here with our weekly update of the best shows on Netflix.

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The 50 best movies on Netflix right now (August 2023)
Jackie Chan and John Cena in Hidden Strike.

Love is in the air at Netflix. Well, love and high explosives. After all, Netflix does have to cater to many different viewers to maintain its status as the top streaming service. So for the first weekend of August, that's why the top two selections are an action film, Hidden Strike, and a romantic comedy called Happiness for Beginners. And that's just the beginning of what Netflix has to offer.

Take a moment to consider how lucky we are that there's still something new to watch on Netflix every week. It may not always be that way if the writers and actors strikes keep going for months without end. For now, we're here to help you plan your next movie night. That's why we've updated our list of the best movies on Netflix right now.

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The best free movies on YouTube right now (August 2023)
Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games.

Streaming services aren't nearly as budget-friendly as they used to be, but there is a hidden internet secret for those who seek free movies. YouTube isn't just for short-form content; it has an extensive collection of ad-supported free movies and TV shows available to all users.
Frankly, it's not a great collection. There are some gems, though, and the library is frequently updated. As such, we keep tabs on it every month to surface the best options available to you each month. These are the best free movies on YouTube right now.
Looking for more stuff you can watch for free? Check out our guides to the best free shows on YouTube and the best sites for watching free movies online.

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