Ready for your next binge-worthy obsession? Dive into Prime Video’s treasure trove of captivating originals and fresh hits-from epic fantasies like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power to gripping thrillers like The Better Sister and laugh-out-loud comedies like Overcompensating. Whether you crave heart-pounding drama, sharp social commentary, or wild adventures, Prime has something to keep every viewer hooked this season.
We’re here to round up some of the best TV shows available to watch on Prime Video and Freevee, Prime’s Video free-with-ads streaming service previously known as IMDb TV. There’s a lot to choose from: Prime Video has moving shows from fantastic filmmakers, like Barry Jenkins, and classic episodic TV that changed how the medium operated forever. We’ll update this list regularly to bring you new recommendations as they come, but for now, here’s our list of the best television to watch on Prime Video and Freevee.
For more great TV, check out our lists of the best shows of 2022 and 2023, which include many selections on Prime and Freevee. Our latest update adds Gen V as our editor’s pick.
Editor’s pick: Gen V
Editor’s pick: Gen V
Set in the wild and subversive world of The Boys, Gen V is a must-watch Prime Video original that takes superhero storytelling to a new level. The series follows a group of young supes at Godolkin University as they navigate not only their extraordinary powers but also the dark secrets and ethical dilemmas lurking beneath the surface. Praised for its sharp writing and fearless exploration of power, trauma, and rebellion, Gen V’s first season earned a stellar 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. With season two premiering September 17, 2025, and promising even higher stakes as a mysterious new dean shakes up campus and a secret program threatens to change everything, now is the perfect time to catch up on this action-packed, provocative spin-off.
As a lapsed fan of The Boys, I wasn’t exactly waiting intently to watch the young adult spin-off when it premiered back in September. After watching the first episode, I was hooked in a way the main series never quite managed. Gen V is less a “superhero” show as it is a college mystery drama that happens to have superheroes in it, one that focuses less on the machinations of megacorp Vought International and more on what it would mean to be superpowered young adult living in a world analogous to our own, one where brand endorsements and social media fame are entangled with superhuman abilities.
Jaz Sinclair (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) is excellent as Marie Moreau, the series’ protagonist who possesses the power to manipulate her own blood into a deadly weapon, who also doubles as the audience surrogate introducing viewers to this previously little-seen corner of The Boys universe. Chance Perdomo, too, delivers a great performance as the magnetically empowered Andre Anderson, along with London Thor and Derek Luh in their joint portrayal of the gender-shifting Jordan Li.
Gen V still has the same crass over-the-top humor of the original series, with giant penises and gory puppet massacres, but the main storyline is so down-to-Earth and character-driven it seldom comes across as excessive. Trust me: Even if you’re not a fan of The Boys, you should give Gen V a shot. And who knows, by the time you finish the first season, it might even convince you to give the main series another chance. -Toussaint Egan
The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad is a powerful historical drama miniseries on Amazon Prime Video, directed by Barry Jenkins and based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The series reimagines the 19th-century Underground Railroad as an actual subterranean train system that helps enslaved African Americans escape from the brutal realities of slavery in the South to freedom in the North. It follows the harrowing journey of Cora, a young enslaved woman, and Caesar as they flee a Georgia plantation and face relentless pursuit by a determined slave catcher. Praised for its blend of brutal realism and hopeful fantasy, the show offers a deeply emotional and visually stunning exploration of slavery and the quest for liberation.
If you’re looking for a modern masterpiece that features heart-rending performances, stunning lighting, a transcendent orchestral score, and a deeply rewarding story, The Underground Railroad should be the first show you watch on Prime Video.
Barry Jenkins’ miniseries adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is a perilous journey into the dark heart of America’s original sin, a stirring drama of the generational burden of regret, and a cathartic fable that strikes unsparingly at the inhumanity of slavery and the euphoria of freedom. The series follows Cora (Thuso Mbedu), an enslaved woman from Georgia abandoned by her mother, who agrees to flee with a fellow slave, Caesar (Aaron Pierre), through a subterranean train network designed to shepherd runaways to freedom.
Over the course of 10 episodes, the barbarism of chattel slavery assumes a multitude of forms, from the eugenic horrors of a South Carolina town to a North Carolina cult that murders any Black person, slave or not, on sight. Beautiful, harrowing, and unquestionably profound, The Underground Railroad is an accomplished feat of storytelling and a true cinematic event through and through. -TE
Invincible
Invincible is a gripping Amazon Prime original series based on the popular Image Comics superhero of the same name. It follows Mark Grayson, a teenager who inherits superpowers from his father, the most powerful superhero on Earth. The show combines intense action with deep emotional storytelling, exploring themes of family, responsibility, and identity as Mark navigates his new abilities and the challenges of being a young hero. Invincible stands out for its mature tone, complex characters, and stunning animation, making it a must-watch for superhero fans on Prime Video.
Nothing ever quite prepares you for the end of Invincible’s first episode.
The animated adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s adult superhero comic is as gore-tastic as it is compelling. It’s a riff on a coming-of-age origin story that follows Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun), the son of the world’s most powerful hero, who is forced to grapple with the consequences of his double life as the masked superpowered crime fighter Invincible, all while a terrible secret that threatens to rock his sense of identity and morality rises to the surface.
With impressive animation, a suspenseful plot that takes its time before delivering a devastating emotional uppercut, and a cast bursting at the seams with standout performances from the likes of Yeun (The Walking Dead) and J.K. Simmons (Whiplash), the first season of Invincible is simply a fantastic time. And with the second season just around the corner and an excellent special that just aired, there’s no better time to catch up. -TE
Ziwe
Ziwe is a riotously funny variety series hosted by writer, comedian, and internet sensation Ziwe. Known for her sharp wit and fearless approach, Ziwe blends musical numbers, celebrity interviews, and sketches to create a no-holds-barred show that tackles America’s discomfort with race, politics, and cultural issues. The result is a refreshingly bold and entertaining watch that both challenges and delights viewers, making it a standout pick for anyone seeking comedy with a provocative edge on Prime Video.
Ziwe Fumudoh gets people to embarrass themselves.
Starting with her 2017 YouTube show Baited with Ziwe, the comedian established a rep for asking (usually white) guests incredibly direct questions about race. The show then blew up in popularity when Fumudoh moved it to Instagram Live in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and secured a number of celebrity guests that seemed unusually willing to show their ass in response to Fumudoh’s questions.
Ziwe is the culmination of Fumudoh’s work in the arena of American racial ignorance, a gonzo variety show centered around celebrity interviews and rounded out with skits and outrageous set design. A cringe comedy masterpiece, gone too soon but not before it made its point. –Joshua Rivera
The Expanse
The Expanse is a gripping science fiction thriller set two hundred years in the future, where humanity has colonized the solar system and political tensions run high between Earth, Mars, and the asteroid belt. The story begins with the disappearance of a young woman, which brings together a hardened detective and a rogue ship’s captain in a race across space to uncover a vast conspiracy that threatens all life in the system. Praised for its meticulous storytelling, rich world-building, and complex characters, The Expanse blends real science with thrilling adventure and deep social themes like racism and classism. Originally aired on Syfy and later revived by Amazon Prime, it is regarded as one of the best sci-fi shows, offering a perfect balance of action, intelligence, and emotional depth.
An incredibly satisfying adaptation of James S.A. Corey’s massive sci-fi book series, The Expanse is the best hard sci-fi show in recent memory.
A grounded and lavish vision of a future where humans have begun to spread throughout the solar system, The Expanse kicks off with a murder mystery and soon swells to become a sweeping interstellar epic with plenty on its mind. An outer space playground for character actors like Jared Harris and David Strathairn, The Expanse never sacrificed its characters for lore, as class struggles and economic inequality fueled its spacefaring conflicts. –JR
Catastrophe
Catastrophe is a sharp and witty British comedy series starring and written by Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan. It follows an American ad executive and a London schoolteacher whose one-week fling leads to an unexpected pregnancy, forcing them to navigate the complexities of love, culture clashes, and parenthood. Praised for its realistic dialogue, dark humor, and authentic portrayal of relationships, the show blends heartfelt moments with biting comedy, making it one of the decade’s best sitcoms. With four seasons available on Prime Video, Catastrophe offers a refreshing and relatable look at modern love and family life.
It’s better if I don’t hedge things: I love Catastrophe. It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.
Caustically hilarious and emotionally raw, the Channel 4 import stars comedians Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan as middle-aged strangers who, after a fling results in a pregnancy, decide to get hitched and see if they can make it work. It doesn’t really, but maybe it’s not supposed to. Catastrophe is about love as a terribly unique mess, and how the decision to be with someone is less the fulfillment of some idyllic fantasy and more a commitment to creating your own bespoke disaster with someone else, tempestuous and fragile, an awe-inspiring miracle every moment it persists. –JR
Mr. Robot
Mr. Robot is a gripping techno-thriller series that follows Elliot, a brilliant but unstable cybersecurity engineer and vigilante hacker, who becomes embroiled in a high-stakes battle against a corrupt corporation known as E Corp. Recruited by the enigmatic anarchist “Mr. Robot,” Elliot joins the hacktivist group fsociety to dismantle the corporate system and erase consumer debt, navigating complex personal and political conflicts along the way. The show is acclaimed for its intense narrative, deep character exploration, and sharp social commentary, blending suspense, psychological drama, and dark humor. Praised for its originality and cinematic style, Mr. Robot offers a compelling, slow-burning journey that challenges viewers with its intricate plot and emotional depth, earning a reputation as a modern classic in the genre.
Perhaps the best and most misunderstood drama of the last decade, Mr. Robot garnered a lot of attention for its pulpy psychological thrills and uniquely paranoid visual style. After a satisfying first-season twist upended its initial story about anarchist hackers, Mr. Robot became a far stranger, more ambitious show.
Almost entirely told from the perspective of protagonist Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), Mr. Robot is one of television’s best uses of an unreliable narrator and one of the sharpest pop cultural responses to the social and cultural upheaval of the late 2010s, a story about broken people who couldn’t fix themselves but could maybe break an inequitable world, in the hopes that others might be able to build something better. –JR
Fleabag
Fleabag is a sharp and darkly comedic British series created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, centered on a dry-witted woman navigating life and love in London while grappling with grief and personal tragedy. Running a struggling guinea pig-themed café, Fleabag uses humor and candid confessionals to mask her emotional pain and complicated relationships, especially following the death of her best friend. The show blends uproarious comedy with poignant drama, revealing the protagonist’s vulnerability beneath her brash exterior, making it a unique and compelling watch on Prime.
I know what you’re thinking: Isn’t this the show everyone is always going on about? Didn’t this show win like five Emmys? [Ed. note: It was four, but the picture of Phoebe Waller-Bridge smoking with one is worth at least one more trophy.] Of course it’s one of the best shows on Prime Video.
But that’s the thing – sorry to the other blurbs here, but yeah. Fleabag is just simply one of the best shows on Prime, not because it’s an undersung gem but because Fleabag is that bitch. Following a witty but messy young woman (Waller-Bridge) as she tries to get by, Fleabag’s two seasons pack a mighty emotional punch. That they manage to do that in two British seasons (i.e., six episodes each) is a marvel. But both of Fleabag’s seasons are ambitious in their own right, each incredible and thorny and tangled and wise.
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A show this potent could just feel impressive and weighty. But Fleabag manages to muster a dry wit and a hopeful heart almost every step of the way. It’s an inspiration in that way for our own bleak moments, whether they’re darkened by grief or heartache – a reminder that beneath all that tenderness, there’s something worth excavating. It’s a good deed in a weary world. –Zosha Millman
The X-Files
The X-Files is a groundbreaking sci-fi drama that follows FBI agents Mulder and Scully as they investigate mysterious cases known as the “X-Files,” blending paranormal phenomena with government conspiracies. The series, praised for its suspenseful storytelling and the compelling dynamic between the believer Mulder and skeptic Scully, originally aired in 1994 and has since become a cultural icon with over 200 episodes, two feature films, and revival seasons. Available for streaming on Hulu, it remains a must-watch for fans of science fiction and suspense.
The one, the only, the blueprint. Watching The X-Files feels like a rite of passage, no matter which watch you’re on. You can be dipping in for the first time or watching it for the 100th, and there’s still something hidden inside its mysteries to unravel. The way it elegantly balanced monsters of the week with overarching, constantly building mythos set the template for what TV was capable of. Watching through, you can see how it’s the basis for so many shows to come – obvious heirs like Fringe, Supernatural, or Lost, but also Gravity Falls, and Breaking Bad. The X-Files is a fun and important icon for a reason.
But just as vitally: It’s important and fun. X-Files was so influential not just because it was ambitious but because its structure allowed it to be deft and fluid, putting agents Scully and Mulder (Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny) in new situations that make for great little sci-fi and horror stories. You might not like all of them, but, hey, there’s always the next one – plus, X-Files’ hit rate is as legendary as some of the monsters featured in its 218 episodes. All that gets anchored by Anderson and Duchovny, the eager believer and the curious skeptic. It’s a formula so simple and so potent it’d redefine TV for decades to come. But at the end of the day, the best trick it pulls is that all that falls to the background – just tell me what that smoking guy’s deal is. –ZM
The Good Wife
A standout legal drama, The Good Wife follows Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies), a woman forced to rebuild her life and career after her husband, a disgraced politician, is jailed following a public sex and corruption scandal. The show excels with its complex characters, especially Alicia, who is nuanced, resilient, and constantly evolving as she navigates the high-stakes world of Chicago law and politics. With intelligent storytelling that tackles contemporary legal and ethical dilemmas-ranging from technology and intellectual property to political intrigue-The Good Wife delivers fast-paced, thought-provoking drama over seven robust seasons, making it one of the most ambitious and rewarding series available on Prime.
You think you know The Good Wife, but you don’t. That’s part of the whole thing about the titular good wife, Alicia Florrick (played with emotive steeliness by Julianna Margulies), whose husband very publicly cheated on her with sex workers. Since he’s the state’s attorney, her case becomes a high-profile one, with the image of her standing by his side during his resignation (and pre-jail) press conference chasing her through her reignited professional career as a lawyer. As she climbs the ladder at an elite Chicago law firm, she’s constantly wrestling with her image as “St. Alicia,” her husband’s political career, the case of the week, and a love triangle for the ages.
Airing during the beginning of “peak TV” and the streaming era and a rapidly changing online culture, it’s a show that straddles a helluva lot of change. And like its titular wife, The Good Wife evolved with the times. Those changes don’t always come easily, but The Good Wife consistently manages to be a more fascinating and dimensional show than a mere CBS drama. Though it never lost its legal procedural roots, the show would morph and adapt and indulge new impulses, no matter how dramatic, zany, or wild they may be. In a time where the TV world was shifting out from under it, co-creators Michelle King and Robert King simply let The Good Wife roll. And in the process, they created one of the most bingeable procedurals out there. –ZM
Columbo
Few detective shows are as iconic as Columbo, the long-running crime drama starring Peter Falk as the unassuming but brilliant Lieutenant Columbo of the LAPD. Each episode flips the traditional whodunit on its head, revealing the murderer from the start and letting viewers watch Columbo’s methodical, often deceptively bumbling investigation unravel the culprit’s carefully laid plans. With his trademark rumpled raincoat, ever-present cigar, and the famous “just one more thing” catchphrase, Columbo’s relentless pursuit of the truth makes for endlessly satisfying television. The show’s clever writing, character-driven mysteries, and Falk’s unforgettable performance have cemented Columbo as a timeless classic that remains just as compelling today as when it first aired.
If I ever need a pick-me-up, there’s always Columbo.
The structure, groundbreaking at the time, is consistent: first the murder, then the attempted cover-up, in great detail. It’s not until usually about 30 minutes in that Columbo himself shows up, weaponizing his endless curiosity and intelligence to gently annoy the killer into a confession. And it all sings because of star Peter Falk, one of the great actors of his time, who so perfectly inhabited the character that it’s nearly impossible to separate the two.
A direct predecessor of fellow “howcatchems” like Poker Face, the first seven seasons are streaming on Prime, but that’s all you need.
Oh, one more thing. If you’re going to watch just one episode (because they’re all stand-alone), my favorite is “Étude in Black.” It’s the first episode of the second season, and stars Falk’s longtime friend and collaborator, John Cassavetes, as a murderous conductor. But you really can’t go wrong: The pilot episode is directed by a very young Steven Spielberg, and guest stars over the years included Johnny Cash, Vincent Price, Janet Leigh, William Shatner, and many (many!) more. –Pete Volk
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Last Airbender is an acclaimed animated series that follows twelve-year-old Aang, the last surviving Airbender and the Avatar, who must master all four elements-air, water, earth, and fire-to restore balance to a world ravaged by the Fire Nation’s war. After being frozen in an iceberg for a century, Aang is discovered by siblings Katara and Sokka from the Southern Water Tribe. Together, they embark on a journey to defeat the Fire Nation’s tyranny, facing numerous challenges and complex characters along the way. The series is praised for its deep storytelling, rich character development, stunning animation, and thoughtful exploration of themes like responsibility, identity, and peace.
Everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.
Nickelodeon’s breakthrough hit is nearly 20 years old, and it spawned a still-breathing franchise, with new entries in both live action and animation on their way. But nothing yet has reached the highs of the original, which has stood the test of time thanks to its rich characters, fantastic sense of scale, dynamic animation, and compelling story.
Technically a vast fantasy story about destiny, chosen ones, and global conflict, The Last Airbender is more closely a story of a young person who has been given a burden of responsibility more than any one person can handle. Along with his friends, the Avatar Aang seeks to find his place in a chaotic world and heal what he can before it’s too late.
If you’ve never seen The Last Airbender, it really is that good. If you have, there’s nothing wrong with a rewatch – especially with the new show and movie on their way. –PV
Patriot
“Patriot” is a darkly comic espionage thriller that stands out for its offbeat blend of dry humor, melancholy, and suspense. The series follows intelligence officer John Tavner, whose latest assignment-to prevent Iran from going nuclear-requires him to forgo all safety nets and assume a perilous non-official cover as a mid-level employee at a Milwaukee industrial piping firm. As John juggles his covert mission with a mounting series of personal and professional mishaps, “Patriot” delivers a unique mix of quirky characters, deadpan wit, and unexpected plot twists, making it a hidden gem for those seeking something refreshingly different in the spy genre.
John is a spy. But what John really wants to be is a folk singer. And he can’t stop giving away state secrets in his songs.
That’s the premise for the singular Patriot, a hilarious, heartfelt, and deeply quirky spy show that isn’t like other spy shows. Michael Dorman (For All Mankind) is fantastic as John, bringing a deep sensitivity and a whole lot of confusion to the role as someone who’d rather be living a much simpler life than meddling in foreign elections. The show comes from Steven Conrad (Perpetual Grace Ltd.) and has a fantastic supporting cast including Kurtwood Smith (RoboCop), Michael Chernus (Severance), and Terry O’Quinn (Lost). Oh, and the songs are great, too. –PV
Leverage
Leverage is a slick, fast-paced crime drama that follows a crew of skilled con artists, hackers, and thieves who use their talents to right corporate and governmental wrongs. Each episode delivers inventive heists and clever twists as the team targets corrupt elites, blending action, humor, and a strong sense of justice. With its charismatic ensemble cast and satisfying episodic structure, Leverage stands out as a binge-worthy pick for anyone who loves smart, stylish capers and underdog heroes taking on the powerful.
Like Columbo, Leverage is also fun episodic television with a habit of skewering the rich and powerful. But its protagonists operate on the other side of the law.
A former insurance investigator (Timothy Hutton) gathers a group of grifters, criminals, and other skilled professionals to make a very unconventional sort of heist team. This team isn’t primarily interested in enriching themselves; instead, they find people being exploited by powerful people and entities, and help provide them with some leverage to balance the scales – usually through some sort of heist.
Which Prime shows blend fantasy, comedy, and action best
The best Prime shows that blend fantasy, comedy, and action effectively include:
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“The Boys”: A modern classic on Prime that mixes action and dark comedy within a twisted superhero fantasy world, focusing on morally corrupt heroes and a team of antiheroes fighting them.
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“Peacemaker”: A spin-off from The Suicide Squad, this series combines action and comedy with fantasy elements as the immature antihero confronts various threats, delivering ironic humor alongside violent action.
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“Over the Garden Wall”: Although an animated miniseries, it masterfully weaves fantasy, quirky comedy, and adventure in a mysterious forest setting, with plenty of whimsical and humorous moments.
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“Pushing Daisies”: A charming fantasy comedy with procedural elements, featuring a piemaker who can bring the dead back to life, blending magical fantasy with witty dialogue and comedic banter.
While What We Do in the Shadows is a notable fantasy-comedy series, it streams on Hulu rather than Prime. For Prime specifically, The Boys and Peacemaker stand out as top choices for fans seeking a strong blend of fantasy, comedy, and action.
Does “The Wheel of Time” on Prime blend fantasy, comedy, and action well
Amazon Prime’s “The Wheel of Time” is primarily an epic fantasy series that emphasizes a sprawling, serious narrative with complex world-building and intense action sequences. However, it does not blend comedy effectively into its mix. Reviews describe the show as emotionally distant, heavy on exposition, and serious in tone, lacking the humor or lightness that would balance its fantasy and action elements. While it delivers some impressive combat scenes and magical effects, the series is often seen as ponderous and slow-paced, focusing more on drama and fantasy lore than on comedic relief or a lighter tone. Therefore, “The Wheel of Time” does not blend fantasy, comedy, and action well, leaning strongly towards a serious fantasy epic with action but minimal comedy.
