Amazon Prime Video is the second-best perk that comes with a Prime subscription (aside from free two-day shipping, of course), and its library only continues to grow. While Prime Video is often overshadowed by the likes of Netflix and Max, it has surprising range, whether you’re looking for a lighthearted comedy, psychological thriller, or a thrilling animated series.
With that out of the way, here’s our list of the best shows released on Amazon Prime Video this year.
If you’re looking for a fresh take on the superhero genre, you’ll want to check out Invincible. The animated series first debuted in 2021, but its second season just came out this year — and it doesn’t disappoint. Invincible follows 17-year-old Mark Grayson (voiced by Steven Yeun) as he navigates the complexity of teenage life, all while developing his own powers and dealing with his dad, who just so happens to be the most powerful superhero in the world.
Gen V is yet another great superhero series on Amazon Prime Video. It’s a spinoff of The Boys, which means it’s just as raunchy — and violent — as its sibling show. The story follows Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair), a superhero with the ability to manipulate blood, who hopes to leave her tragic past behind after enrolling in the prestigious Godolkin University. Instead, she finds herself involved with a mystery the institution had been hoping to keep under wraps.
I’m a Virgo is an eccentric tale that follows Cootie (Jharrel Jerome), a 13-foot-tall teenager who’s been sheltered by his aunt and uncle for most of his life due to his size. But when he finally gets to experience the real world, he experiences the challenges Black people face in America, only on an even bigger scale. Directed by Boots Riley, I’m a Virgo artfully weaves complex topics like race with more fantastical subject matter.
Clips from Jury Duty duty have been making the rounds on TikTok, and for good reason. Jury Duty is as a hilarious documentary-style reality TV series that puts one unassuming man, Ronald Gladden, on the jury of a fake court case. The rest of the jury is fake, too, featuring actors and comedians like James Marsden who engage in all sorts of wild antics to get a reaction out of Ronald. Jury Duty is available on Amazon’s free, ad-supported streaming service Freevee, which you can access through Prime Video.
Class of ‘07 is a lighthearted comedy with a pretty interesting premise. The Australian series starts with our main character, Zoe (Emily Browning), coming across the 10-year reunion of her all-girls high school. However, the event quickly delves into chaos — but not for the reasons you might think. A catastrophic tidal wave hits the celebration, forcing the former classmates to bury their pasts and work together to survive the disaster.
Swarm is a psychological thriller following one fan who takes obsession to another level. Andrea “Dre” Greene (Dominique Fishback) idolizes fictional pop star Ni’Jah, who has obvious parallels to Beyoncé, but this obsession drives Dre to delusion and, eventually, violence. While the seven-episode series may fall short in some aspects, it still has plenty of captivating moments that make it worth watching.
Season 2 of Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens caters to the fans. It stars David Tennant as the demon Crowley and Michael Sheen as the angel Aziraphale, an unlikely pair who have become great friends while learning to coexist on Earth. This season, Crowley and Aziraphale’s relationship only continues to blossom as they deal with an entirely new conflict concerning the Archangel Gabriel.
Daisy Jones & The Six takes place in Los Angeles during the 1970s, following a fictional band’s path to success in a documentary-style format. The show, which is based on the book of the same name, is worth watching for the old-school vibes alone. But the engaging storyline, coupled with the original music, really make this series stand out.
The Marvelous Miss Maisel
If you haven’t caught up with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel yet, now’s the best time. Amazon Prime Video just released the fifth and final season this year, which means you can binge-watch the show in its entirety without having to worry about waiting around for new episodes. Rachel Brosnahan stars as the titular Miriam Maisel, who decides to step away from her life as a housewife to pursue a career in stand-up comedy in a ‘50s-era New York City.
The Power shows what happens when teenage girls suddenly gain the ability to shoot electricity out of their fingertips. As girls around the world realize they’ve developed the power, it drastically changes their lives, as well as the lives of those who must now bend to their wills. The series also has a pretty recognizable cast, featuring Toni Collette, John Leguizamo, and Ted Lasso star Toheeb Jimoh.
Leave a Reply