Whereas streaming services like Apple TV have earned praiseworthy reputations as the home of modern prestige TV, Prime Video’s sadly canceled shows are what most prospective viewers remember. Nevertheless, the platform has many must-watch titles that deserve more recognition. From Prime Video’s perfect weekend binges to long-running hits that are worth the investment, there are countless hidden gems to rediscover.
Reacher
A Former Military Police Officer Is Wrongfully Accused Of Murder
Without question, Reacher is one of Prime Video’s biggest shows to date. The action drama follows former military police officer Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson) as he travels the country solving crimes and investigating vast conspiracies ranging from corrupt cops to illegal weapons smuggling. Over the course of the series, he goes from a disgruntled murder suspect to a fearless detective.
There are currently three seasons of Reacher, and critics widely agree that each has been better than the last. Furthermore, Reacher season 4 has already been confirmed, meaning Prime Video’s best crime drama is also its most reliable— and with endless inspiration in Lee Child’s Jack Reacher book series, there’s no telling when the well will run dry.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
A 1950s Homemaker Finds Her True Calling As A Stand-Up Comic
Period pieces are often hit or miss, but The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was a bona fide bullseye. The comedy followed Miriam “Midge” Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan), a prototypical 1950s housewife whose life is thrown into disarray after her husband, Joel Maisel (Michael Zegen), leaves to chase his pipe dream of becoming a comedian.
In a hilarious twist of fate, Midge drunkenly ends up performing an act of her own at the iconic Gaslight Cafe, enthralling the audience with her natural talent. For five incredible seasons, Midge attempts to navigate her growing fame with her complicated personal life. Undoubtedly, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is Prime Video’s best comedy, and its legacy will be long-lasting.
Invincible
The Son Of A Legendary Superhero Discovers His Own Budding Powers
Based on Robert Kirkman’s comic series of the same name, Invincible follows Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun), a teen who begins exhibiting superpowers that he inherited from his father, Nolan Grayson aka Omni-Man (J. K. Simmons). As Mark follows in his family’s footsteps as the titular hero, however, he finds that protecting the city comes with its own challenges.
Everything from Mark learning how to be a true superhero to confronting his complicated relationship with his father is a slow-burn journey that perfectly juxtaposes the crime-fighting action sequences. Invincible season 4 was by far the best showing yet, and season 5 has already been renewed, proving the superhero series still has a bright future ahead of it.
Overcompensating
An Intimate Exploration Of Identity On A College Campus
The transition to college is tough for anyone, but it proves especially challenging for Benny Scanlon (Benito Skinner), a closeted former jock who finds himself compelled to maintain his facade as a straight man. When a one-night stand goes horribly wrong, Benny finds an unexpected confidant in Carmen Neil (Wally Baram), another freshman who’s struggling to navigate the collegiate waters.
The hilarious cast of Overcompensating is full of fresh faces and established stars alike, striking the balance between refreshing new talent and tried-and-true comedic prowess. Over time, however, the heartfelt narrative becomes just as important as the humor. Undoubtedly, Overcompensating‘s sophomore season will only further hone its laugh-out-loud formula.
The Man in the High Castle
A Rich Alternate History With Stunning Sci-Fi Elements
There’s no way around it: The Man in the High Castle doesn’t get enough credit. The sci-fi historical dystopia was groundbreaking when it first premiered in 2015, and it remains one of Prime Video’s most impressive undertakings to date. Despite its overwhelming positive critical response, however, most subscribers have sadly never heard of the series, let alone seen it.
The drama takes place in an alternate universe where the Axis powers prevailed in World War II, exploring the potential consequences of the loss, including Japan and Germany staking claim over the United States and colonizing different regions. With powerful performances, visually-stunning cinematography, and truly imaginative writing, The Man in the High Castle is some of Prime Video’s best work.
Carnival Row
Humans And Mythical Creatures Struggle To Maintain Diplomacy
Before fantasy had become one of the most ubiquitous genres in film, television, and literature, Prime Video took a bold swing in 2019 with Carnival Row. The neo-noir steampunk drama sets up a vivid world where humans and magical creatures live together, but decidedly not in peace.
Carnival Row was adapted from Travis Beacham’s spec script called A Killing on Carnival Row.
The mythical creatures in Carnival Row are seen as inferior to humans, leading to widespread subjugation of faeries like Vignette Stonemoss (Cara Delevingne). Nevertheless, fae citizens rebel against their systemic oppression, even while humans— or, at least, human-passing creatures like Rycroft “Philo” Philostrate (Orlando Bloom)— continue to purposely see the worst in magic.
Gen V
Hopeful Heroes Must Decide Between Morality And Making It Big
There are many superhero shows that focus on the genesis of metahumans and burgeoning powers, but Gen V takes a far more interesting approach by exploring the role of “supes” in a universally-accepted establishment. As the students of the Godolkin University School of Crimefighting learn, however, power comes with a price.
While Gen V is a stellar spinoff, it succeeds as a standalone title thanks to its nuanced world-building and instantly-engaging action. Yet, what makes the series so compelling is its moral ramifications: superpowers don’t automatically make a superhero, and the strongest people can easily be turned into the deadliest weapons.
Good Omens
An Angel And A Demon Must Band Together To Prevent The Apocalypse
When it comes to dichotomies, there’s nothing as classic as an angel versus a demon. In Good Omens, however, Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and Crowley (David Tennant) have been unlikely allies since the Garden of Eden. For millennia, they grow to love the human world— and, in turn, each other— which makes news of the impending apocalypse all the more devastating.
Thus, a divine creature and a monster from Hell join forces to save all mankind in Prime Video’s best fantasy series. The second season only added depth and palpable longing to Crowley and Aziraphale’s forbidden love story, while the upcoming feature-length series finale will surely be an event to remember.
Daisy Jones & the Six
A Retrospective Look At A Beloved Band That Burned Too Bright And Too Fast
Many turn to Netflix for their miniseries fixings, but Prime Video created a cult classic in a mere 10 episodes. Based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel of the same name, Daisy Jones & the Six follows the rise, fall, and retrospective musings of the eponymous band that briefly enjoyed infamy in the 1970s.
|
Daisy Jones & the Six Band Members |
|
|---|---|
|
Character |
Role In The Band |
|
Daisy Jones |
Singer/Songwriter |
|
Billy Dunne |
Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist |
|
Graham Dunne |
Guitarist |
|
Karen Sirko |
Keyboardist |
|
Warren Rojas |
Drummer |
|
Eddie Roundtree |
Bassist |
|
Camila Alvarez |
Photographer |
Countless fans rallied for another season of Daisy Jones & the Six, but the limited series was lightning in a bottle. The passionate duet between Daisy Jones (Riley Keough) and Billy Dunne (Sam Claflin) is nothing short of electric, but their moment was fleeting, as it was always meant to be.
The Boys
One Of The Most Critically Acclaimed Political Satires Of The Century
Gen V is a fantastic superhero drama, but there’s no out-doing the blueprint. When The Boys premiered in 2019, it was abundantly clear that we were watching something monumental. Aside from having the best opening sequence in superhero history, The Boys offered a delightfully corrupt spin on a beloved genre.
The Boys isn’t simply a reflection of the modern political landscape; it’s a response to it. Admittedly, its gratuitous gore and brutal fight scenes are not for the faint of heart, but The Boys is an instant classic that has permanently reshaped the mold for superhero stories. Consequently, Prime Video’s magnum opus satire only has itself to one-up.