There can be only one that tops our ranking of the best shows on Amazon Prime and now that it's concluded, we can safely say it's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2. There's plenty more amazing series to stream on the platform, though, and with so much choice, it can be hard to identify those right up your alley.
In our list below, you'll find superhero-centric outings like The Boys and Invincible, action-packed titles such as Reacher and Jack Ryan, existential sci-fis The Peripheral and Tales from the Loop, and fantasy faves like Good Omens.
Whatever you're in the mood for, it's likely here in our ranking of the 30 best series on Prime Video. So if you're suffering from the effects of too much choice and are stuck on what to watch next, you'll find dozens of answers waiting for you here.
For more, check out the best movies on Prime Video and the best shows on Netflix.
30. The Peripheral
The Peripheral is just one of the 2022 series that's made it onto our top 30 ranking. The sci-fi thriller came from the minds of Westworld creators Christopher Nolan and Lisa Joy. Based on the 2014 novel of the same name by William Gibson, it centers on Flynne Fisher (played by Chloë Grace Moretz) who finds a connection to an alternate reality. However, what initially seems like an exciting new adventure also contains a dark secret about her own future. Critics called it "propulsive, imaginative, and visually dazzling".
29. American Gods
Based on Neil Gaiman’s phenomenally successful book of the same title, American Gods is incredibly unique. The series tells the tale of fading old gods as they are replaced by new gods with specialities familiar to us 21st-century pilgrims. There are the God of technology and media; ones who have risen from our devotion to the world-wide-web and unprecedented connectivity.
Yet, the old gods aren’t leaving quietly. And when they're played by the likes of Ian McShane, who has the gravitas needed for such a role, then you can expect fireworks every episode.
28. Truth Seekers
Get your night vision goggles at the ready – Simon Pegg and Nick Frost join forces once again for the supernatural comedy series Truth Seekers. The eight-episode series follows a team of part-time paranormal investigators as they travel across the UK in search of evidence of the supernatural. However, it's all fun and games with their homemade gadgets and comedic hijinks until they begin to uncover a conspiracy that could bring about Armageddon for the entire human race. Yikes.
27. Jack Ryan
John Krasinski plays the latest version of Jack Ryan, portraying the CIA Officer with enough grit that it will make you completely forget that Krasinski was, in fact, once Jim from The Office. Season 1 was a huge hit, while the second brought Wendell Pierce (The Wire), Noomi Rapace (Prometheus) and Michael Kelly (House of Cards) on board. This is a globe-trotting action adventure that's well worth a watch.
26. Tales from the Loop
A local town of people in Ohio live above "The Loop", a machine built to unlock and explore the mysteries of the universe. The Loop makes the impossible possible, and each episode looks at the life of one of those it affects.
Inspired by the famed paintings of Simon Stalenhag, this sci-fi anthology explores the lives of those who live above The Loop in compelling and thoughtful ways. Stalehnhag has built a cult following due to his depictions of imaginative alternate realities, and this unconventional narrative pairs beautifully with his work. The stories are interconnected and the cast – including Rebecca Hall, Jonathan Pryce, and Paul Schneider – are great.
25. The Wheel of Time
The Wheel of Time is based on a series of books and stars Rosamund Pike as a member of a powerful organization of women who can use magic. She takes a group of five young people on a journey around the world, believing one of them might be the prophesied reincarnation of the Dragon. The fourth episode is where things really pick up, and it's well worth diving into.
24. The Wilds
A series that revolves around a group of people who crash land on an island and something mysterious is afoot. No, we're not talking about Lost, but The Wilds, which – while the premise may be familiar – goes down a different road. A group of teenage girls are en route to Hawaii for a women in power retreat, when their plane crashes and they are stuck on a mysterious island. Little do they know, that this is all part of a grander plan.
However, unlike Lost, which kept secrets back from viewers, The Wilds gives more answers, and we're more interested in how they survive being left alone. This is a YA series to devour.
23. Dead Ringers
Rachel Weisz stars in this contemporary reimagining of David Cronenberg's psychological thriller Dead Ringers. She plays dual roles in the series as twin gynecologists, Beverly and Elliott (roles played by Jeremy Irons in the original 1988 movie) – two identical women who share everything, including a desire to challenge the antiquated practices in women's healthcare, even if that involves pushing the boundaries of medical ethics. The limited series' supporting cast includes Jennifer Ehle, Hacks' Poppy Liu, and Severance's Michael Chernus.
22. The Tick
Before The Boys, there was another superhero on Amazon. We are, of course, talking about The Tick, an invulnerable hero who fights crime and has a nervous, befuddled side-kick. When the villain The Terror returns, the pair must work together to save the city's citizens. With its tongue-in-cheek humour and meta-superhero antics, this one's a joy to watch from start to finish – and a huge shame Amazon didn't continue the adventure past season 2.
21. The Kids in the Hall
Billed as the first Canadian Amazon Original series, the sixth season of The Kids in the Hall – the comedy troupe consisting of Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson – might just be their best one yet.
The new season brings back beloved original characters like The Eradicator, McKinney's Head Crusher, Thompson's iconic Buddy Cole, office pals Cathy and Kathy, Foley's bald and mustached AT & Love Boss, and even good ol' Paul Bellini (clad only in his signature towel); introduces new characters like SuperDrunk, McCulloch's masked hero who gets his powers from booze; and stays true to their off-kilter, sometimes outright unsettling style of comedy.
20. Vikings
A rough 'n' tumble period piece that's not a million miles away from Game of Thrones, Vikings serves up a similar amount of blood-drenched violence, but none of the rampant nookie. Travis Fimmel leads the series as noted Norse figure Ragnar Lothbrok, a lowly farmer who becomes a respected warrior. That's after years of sailing the seas of Europe, of course, along with his wives and chums, in search of vulnerable countries to ransack.
The story itself is terrific, and along with its glorious production design, you’ll be drawn in and unable to stop yourself from one more episode. It's less concerned with the intricate political ties of the aforementioned HBO series, yet does err heavily on the side of fantasy. These are not the vikings you've read about at school; these are far more devious.
19. The Expanse
Prime Video’s sci-fi hit The Expanse has long been compared to Star Trek and Babylon 5, but really it deserves to stand alone. Running over six epic seasons, it follows the exploits of the crew of the Rocinante as they navigate political tensions in a future Solar System that has been colonized by humanity. The first season picks up amid the tension between Earth, Mars and the Belt, as the crew unwittingly find themselves in the center of a conspiracy that threatens the fragile established peace. If you’re looking for your next sci-fi hit, this one's for you.
18. Sneaky Pete
After his release from prison Marius (Giovanni Ribisi) decides to get creative with his new-found freedom. Instead of picking up where he left off, which is at the mercy of gangster Vince (Bryan Cranston) for the $100,000 he owes, Marius opts to take over the life of his cellmate Pete who remains behind bars. Pete’s estranged family welcome “Pete” back into the fold as if nothing’s happened, and Marius starts to discover that his new clan might be a source of further strife.
Its well-written scripts and fantastic performances are what have turned Sneaky Pete into one of those sneaky shows that wheedles its way into your mind and refuses to let go until you’ve watched just one more episode. This is top-notch viewing that’s a relentlessly bingeable mix of crime, comedy and drama.
17. The Man in the High Castle
Imagining what the world might be like had the allied forces lost the second world war is terrifying. It’s an idea so frightful that sci-fi mastermind Philip K. Dick scratched out his 1962 novel based on that concept, from which this Amazon Original series takes its inspiration. The world no longer looks the same. Under Nazi rule the sprawling North American continent has been divided into three territories, and it's inside those borders that this gripping story of a small Resistance group unravels.
As an alternate history, not necessarily a distorted reality, the show is gripping. It makes for such compulsive viewing because it bears so many recognisable emblems from the real world. As well as a few choice slips into genre territory...
16. Good Omens
Michael Sheen and David Tennant play an antagonistic angel and a devilish demon who were present at the beginning of the Universe. However, despite their obvious differences – and opposing bosses – the two strike up a lasting friendship, and, when the time comes, to team up to prevent Armageddon. Neil Gaiman’s worked on this adaption of his own 1990 book written with Terry Pratchett.
This BBC and Amazon co-production is a whimsical world full of that dry British wit that you’ve come to love from the two leads. The impressive cast is filled out also by Jon Hamm, Nick Offerman, Jack Whitehall and other familiar faces (including some delightful cameos from some huge A-listers). The series is overflowing with irreverent humour and fascinating mythology, making Good Omens' the perfect escape.
15. I'm a Virgo
I'm a Virgo is another surreal comedy from Sorry to Bother You director Boots Riley. The coming-of-age story follows Cootie (Moonlight's Jharrel Jerome), a 19-year-old living in Oakland, California, who also happens to be 13-feet tall. Raised behind closed doors by his aunt and uncle (Carmen Ejogo and Mike Epps), he suddenly finds himself flung into the outside world when he's accidentally discovered by a group of teenage activists. The show features a host of A-list guest stars, including Elijah Wood, Juliette Lewis, and Danny Glover.
14. Reacher
Alan Ritchson plays Jack Reacher in this new crime thriller series, a retired military police officer who's arrested for a murder he didn't commit and finds himself in the midst of a conspiracy involving corrupt cops and scheming politicians. Based on Lee Child's books, this season is based on Killing Floor, the first novel in the Jack Reacher series – Tom Cruise previously played the character in movie adaptations of other books.
13. Undone
Undone hails from Bojack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg, but citing that series in comparison does a disservice to the originality of this genre-mashing comedy-drama. The story follows 28-year old Alma (Rosa Salazar) who can’t find her place in the world. Drifting along, feeling disconnected from the world as her younger sister is on the cusp of marriage, she finds herself thrown into an unexpected predicament following a car crash: she can jump through time. Her new gift allows her to commune with her deceased father, who requires her help in unraveling a mystery.
Undone is unlike anything else on television right now. Lifting themes from Lynch such as trauma, identity, and loss, and spinning them into a more coherent tale, the show also boasts ambitious animation work called rotoscoping. This technique involves artists and animators “drawing over” live-action footage. Not only does it lend Undone a dreamy visual, but it also meshes the story with the style as Alma’s dips into different realities are beautifully rendered. Plus, season 2 is streaming now.
12. A League of Their Own
An adaptation of the 1992 movie of the same name, A League of Their Own keeps the '40s setting and focus on the formation of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League of the original film, but features a brand new cast of characters. While her husband is away at war, housewife Carson (Abbi Jacobson) leaves her small town to pursue her dream of playing professional baseball. This takes her to Chicago, where she meets Max (Chanté Adams), Greta (D'Arcy Carden), and the rest of her soon-to-be teammates.
11. The Legend of Vox Machina
Don't let the fact The Legend of Vox Machina is based on Dungeons and Dragons put you off – Amazon Prime Video's adult animated series is one of the best shows on the streaming service. The show adapts part of the web series Critical Role and tells the story of the Vox Machina team as that battle through the continent of Tal'Dorei.
10. Utopia
In another timeline, Channel 4 would still be producing episodes of their acclaimed sci-fi series Utopia. However, we unfortunately do not live in that world. Luckily, the US remake looks set to be just as brilliant.
Gillian Flynn, the author of Sharp Objects and Gone Girl, has resuscitated the series for Amazon, and has done so with Sasha Lane, The Office's Rainn Wilson, and John Cusack. The series centres on a group of comic fans who meet online and bond over their obsession of a seemingly fictional comic called Utopia. However, things certainly are not what they seem...
9. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino hits another home run with a show that’s, on the surface, cut from an entirely different cloth. The late '50s are a tough time for women everywhere, including those like Miriam “Midge” Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan) on the Upper West Side, who remains under the thumb of her husband. A devoted wife who supports her husband’s desire to be a stand-up comic, it’s soon revealed that Midge herself has quite a gift for the gag on-stage. The show won five Emmys and two Golden Globes in its first year, with Brosnahan snagging the same Globe the following year.
There is so much to love about Maisel. If you’re a fan of rich storytelling that’s not gloomy and doesn’t involve murder (c’mon, a LOT of prestige television is pretty downbeat) then you’ll get a kick out of this. Brosnahan is one of the best actors working today, bringing heart, warmth, humour and a fire in her belly to the role of Midge. The best scenes are the after-hours debriefs with her friend/manager Susie, played by Family Guy’s Alex Borstein. But make no mistake: this isn’t a fluffy series. It’s an R-rated show, with swears and nudity.
8. The Underground Railroad
Barry Jenkins’ limited series on Amazon, The Underground Railroad, won rave reviews across the board for its powerful storytelling. The series sees Thuso Mbedu’s Cora Randall attempt to escape slavery by riding on the eponymous underground railroad – however, in this alternative timeline, the railroad is not simply a connection of safe houses and hidden routes, but a physical railroad with trains and conductors. With an excellent ensemble cast and beautiful cinematography, The Underground Railroad tells a powerful, painful story that’s best watched over multiple evenings rather than all in one sitting.
7. Gen V
The Boys goes back to school with new spin-off Gen V, set in the Vought-run Godolkin University. Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair), a troubled young Supe and freshman with the ability to physically manipulate blood, finds herself flung in with a group of popular and high-achieving upperclassmen – to unimaginable consequences. One wild night out opens the door to a dark conspiracy that threatens to upend everything Marie and co. know about the world of Supes. Season 2 is definitely on the way, too, so there's lots more to come.
6. Mr and Mrs Smith
Who’d have thought that rebooting a classic Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie caper would result in one of the best dramas of 2024? Well, Donald Glover (here as co-creator and star) and Maya Erskine did just that as the leads of Prime Video’s hilarious and riveting adaption of the spy movie. Co-created with Francesca Sloane, the perfectly pitched eight-part drama follows them as two spies undercover as a married couple. Charting the ups and downs of thrilling missions and their burgeoning relationship, it’s got emotional depth as well as being really entertaining.
5. Fleabag
A BBC original that's thankfully made its way onto Amazon Prime, Fleabag is the best show around that you’re not watching – yet. Phoebe Waller-Bridge pillaged her own one-woman theatre show to create the TV series, expanding the production into a small-screen format that luckily never shakes its theatrical origins (there’s a lot of brilliant fourth-wall-breaking). The story revolves around the experiences of Fleabag, a woman living life on her own terms in London. Despite possessing a savage wit, her day to day isn’t quite the barrel of laughs you’d expect, which makes this a bittersweet watch from the get-go as Fleabag deals with the heart slam of grief.
On the surface, it might sound like any other comedy series - but it’s in a world of its own. Dabbling with most modern-day topics through Waller-Bridge’s immensely likeable persona, there are laughs to be had in every moment, bringing a wholly new style of black comedy to television.
4. Fallout
It’s a tricky task to adapt one of the best game franchises of all time, but Prime Video’s Fallout TV show is a pretty great example of how to do it well. The new series, helmed by Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy's Kilter Films and Bethesda Game Studios, tells an original story set in the world of the games. Picking up with three leads, Walton Goggins’ cowboy-like Ghoul, Ella Purnell’s wide-eyed vault dweller Lucy, and Aaron Moten’s Brotherhood of Steel squire Maximus, we follow them on an adventure across the Wasteland. It’s very violent, very funny, and very entertaining – what more could you want?
3. Invincible
Invincible is a superhero comedy based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, who co-created The Walking Dead comic. The adult animated series follows Mark Grayson (voiced by Steven Yeun), the son of the most powerful superhero on Earth, Omni-Man, AKA Nolan Grayson (J.K. Simmons). After Mark's 17th birthday, he starts to develop his own powers – but his father is there to help him learn how to handle them. The ensemble voice cast also includes Sandra Oh, Mark Hamill, and Seth Rogen. Don't be fooled by the animated Saturday morning cartoon style – this is anything but family friendly, and there are more than a handful of twists in the first few episodes alone. A must-watch for fans of The Boys.
2. The Boys
In a world where superheroes are ubiquitous, it takes a lot to stand out. So, thank goodness for The Boys, a brutally funny adaptation of Garth Ennis' bloody (and bloody brilliant) comic book series. From the opening episode's lightning-quick setup of a corporation filled with corrupt Supes, to the finale's topsy-turvy cliffhanger, nothing Marvel or DC has cooked up on television has had us gripped the way The Boys' cacophony of blood, chaos, and c-bombs does.
The hero of the story is Hughie, a normal man whose partner is brutally murdered by a corporate Supe. Billy Butcher, who's also had his own run-in with the superpowered, has a vendetta, and he teams up (well, forces a team-up) with the reluctant Hughie. A few more other non-Supes join in the fun and form The Boys. It all gets even messier from there on...
Already binged four seasons? Here's what you need to know about The Boys season 5.
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power paves the way for Frodo and Sam's journey in the Third Age, with the series starring a pre-Peter Jackson trilogy version of Galadriel, who, after the death of her brother, becomes the next sibling to don a suit of armor and take on the impending evil (namely Sauron and his army) that threatens to destroy life as they know it. Get ready to meet a whole load of new faces as we submerge ourselves back into the epic tales of Middle-earth.
The second season literally just wrapped up and with Sauron unmasked and doing his nefarious bidding as Annatar, you can bet the Second Age is full of even darker fantasy fare.
