Prime Video's Top 10 Comedy TV Shows

The past decade has demonstrated that Prime Video is a major force in the comedy TV landscape. Comedy is, in many ways, subjective. What makes one person laugh might not make another even crack a smile. The Amazon streamer understands this, as its library is filled with different types of comedy TV shows, ranging from dark satires to absurd humor.

In today’s streaming wars, it’s a remarkable feat to produce a comedy show that not only stands out but is good enough to remain firmly etched in audiences' minds. Prime Video has learned to embrace variety in its comedy shows and isn’t afraid of taking risks that break the usual storytelling formula.

Red Oaks

2014-2017, 3 Seasons

With a fantastic supporting performance from legendary comedian Richard Kind, Red Oaks is a coming-of-age comedy set in the ‘80s. The series centers on David (Craig Roberts), a college student who takes a job at a New Jersey country club in the summer of 1985. Among Prime Video’s comedies, Red Oaks is probably the one that is most slept on.

The show is as much a comedy as it is a coming-of-age story. It doesn’t sacrifice either of its primary plotlines for cheap laughs, nor does it have an over-the-top premise. Instead, it plays to its biggest strengths, which are the understated humor, the culture of the ‘80s, and characters that feel real.

Overcompensating

2025-Present, 1 Season

Written and starring Benito Skinner, Overcompensating is one of the most honest comedies on Prime Video. The show chronicles the escapades of Benny’s (Skinner) freshman year at university as he learns to navigate his sexuality and life after high school. One of the reasons Overcompensating feels relatable is because it's based on Skinner’s own experiences.

The show wholeheartedly leans into its uncomfortable themes by portraying the lengths Benny goes to in order to fit in and be accepted by his peers. Where Overcompensating shines the most is when the show highlights its characters' bad decisions as a basis for humor, making it as relatable as it is hilarious.

The Lake

2022-2023, 2 Seasons

The Lake is a kind of series that has a lot more to give than one might think. When Justin (Jordan Gavaris) breaks up with his partner and moves to Canada to reconnect with his birth daughter, his life is upended. Instead of his new adventure being an easy way to spend the summer, he finds out that his step-dad bequeathed the cottage he plans to live in to his half-sister.

What results is two adults trying to one-up each other like teenagers, and it is from their battle for the inheritance that the show draws its humor. At times, The Lake feels like a sitcom, and that’s because of how it uses a mix of different comedy styles. It perfectly blends sarcasm and awkwardness with a hilarious dynamic between its characters.

My Lady Jane

2024, 1 Season

With its fantasy elements and sometimes utterly ridiculous storylines, My Lady Jane does not portray itself as a show that is based on a real-life historical figure — even though it actually is. The fantasy series reimagines Lady Jane Grey’s story as the nine-day queen, and though many stories have been told about Lady Jane Grey, none is as enchanting as this.

My Lady Jane embraces its wild premise and historical inaccuracy with a truly admirable eagerness. The series has quick and witty dialogue that shows the writing prowess of its creators. Most importantly, Emily Bader is incredible as Lady Jane. She’s funny and stubborn, but it's her reactions to the absurdity around her that make My Lady Jane hilarious.

Upload

2020-2025, 4 Seasons

Science fiction TV shows are usually serious and try to impart some meaningful message about the future of humanity. Upload does that, but it also infuses humor into its premise. The show is set in 2033, when humans have the ability to upload their consciousness into a virtual afterlife. A nuanced series, Upload is a delightful blend of comedy, romance, and sci-fi.

At its core, the Prime Video series is a satirical look at how even things like the afterlife can be made for profit. Upload is philosophical in many ways, but it doesn’t forget to be funny and uses situational humor and awkward interactions for laughs. With The Office’s creator, Greg Daniels, at its helm, it's no wonder that Upload is a masterpiece.

Jury Duty

2023-Present, 2 Seasons

In the comedy world, it's imperative to stay ahead of the curve by having a unique premise. Jury Duty, a hoax reality series, centers on Ronald Gladden, who is unaware that his summons to be a juror was fake, and everyone else participating in jury duty is an actor. What makes Jury Duty funny is that Gladden’s reaction to the ridiculous situation is authentic.

He has no idea that the whole thing is a joke, and so his responses to the situation are genuine. Although the actors in Jury Duty follow a script, there are several moments when they have to improvise to keep the narrative going. It is through these improv moments that make the show feel real and fresh as opposed to formulaic and boring.

The Boys

2019-2026, 5 Seasons

When The Boys was released, it ushered in a new era of how superheroes would be depicted on TV. The Prime Video original show isn’t a run-of-the-mill comedy, as its humor isn’t one that we’ve become accustomed to in the genre. Instead, it's dark and absurd with scenes that leave you wondering what you just watched.

The Boys hasn’t been shy about leaning into shock value, whether it's Homelander drinking breast milk or The Deep being forced to eat his octopus friend. But underneath all that is a sharp and witty series that uses satire to explore media manipulation and the imperfection of superheroes.

Although The Boys is a parody of humans with super abilities, it never feels like that’s all it is. The show has been able to stand on its own for all these years because it's incredibly self-aware. It never softens the blows, nor does it tone down its dark humor. The Boys' fifth and final season will premiere on April 8.

Transparent

2014-2019, 5 Seasons

Many comedy TV shows derive their humor from awkward situations, and very few do it as well as Transparent. The series centers around the Pfeffermans, a family who find out that their parent is a transwoman. Transparent absolutely thrives when it comes to its situational humor.

It ensures that it captures the messy dynamics of family drama and the funny moments that ensue because of it. The humor in the show is natural and clever, but it also remembers that it's dealing with the heavy topics of identity and complex relationships. Instead of becoming too serious, the show uses humor to navigate painful situations.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

2017-2023, 5 Seasons

Set in the ‘50s, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is a comedy series that's in a league of its own. Starring Superman’s Rachel Brosnahan, the show follows her character's journey from 1950s housewife to stand-up comedian. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s premise is part of its charm, but it's truly Brosnahan’s performance that elevates it from a comedy to a masterpiece.

Brosnahan is sharp, witty, and has perfect comedic timing. Her character’s ability to turn one of the most painful events of her life into comedy gold is beyond commendable. The reason The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel works so well is that it incorporates stand-up performances. The messes in Midge’s life are funny, but it's how she uses them for her comedy act that makes the segments powerful.

Fleabag

2016-2019, 2 Seasons

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival has been the place where comedy heavyweights like Rowan Atkinson, Stephen Fry, Miranda Hart, and Robin Williams got their start. So, it's fitting that Fleabag sets its premise around the famous festival. The Amazon series, which the company co-produced with BBC Three, is based on Phoebe Waller-Bridge's one-woman show, which she performed at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The critically acclaimed series is incredibly sad because of the emotional challenges the title character endures. However, its humor is on full display. Whether it's the sharp commentary that Fleabag provides as she breaks the fourth wall or the way she uses emotional honesty for jokes, this Prime Video original series is truly one of the platform's best.