Prime Video's Premier Picks: A Diverse Array of Shows

While Netflix may be churning out an overwhelming number of series, Amazon Prime Video is home to some of the finest shows that are well worth exploring. However, the service's complex menu structure can make the process of discovering the right series a challenging task. Fear not, as we are here to assist. Presented below are our top recommendations for Amazon series, all of which are included with your Prime subscription.

For additional viewing suggestions, refer to WIRED's guides on the best movies available on Amazon Prime, HBO Max, and Netflix.

1. Butterfly

Years ago, David Jung (Daniel Dae Kim) and Juno Lund (Piper Perabo) founded the private intelligence organization Caddis, exerting influence on global security from the shadows. Subsequently, Lund betrayed Jung, seizing control of the operation and abducting his daughter, Rebecca (Reina Hardesty), raising her to become a formidable assassin. After a hit on a Russian ambassador in Seoul, David and Rebecca find themselves on the run across South Korea. With trust in short supply and Caddis hot on their trail, they must navigate a perilous landscape. Butterfly combines high - octane action choreography with family drama, delving into themes of abandonment, offering an explosive take on the concept of "bring - your - kid - to - work day."

2. Ballard

A spin - off from Bosch, one of Prime's most successful shows, Ballard is another creation by crime author Michael Connelly. Detective Renée Ballard (Maggie Q, Designated Survivor) takes the lead of a newly formed cold - case unit. Faced with a lack of budget and official support, Ballard quickly assembles a team of volunteers, including her retired former partner Thomas Laffont (John Carroll Lynch) and disillusioned former cop Zamira Parker (Courtney Taylor). As they delve into long - forgotten cases, they uncover secrets that powerful individuals would rather keep buried. Ballard masterfully blends crime - of - the - week cases with season - long mysteries, making it both an engaging procedural and a captivating long - form drama. The exceptional cast, including Titus Welliver reprising his role as Harry Bosch from the Connellyverse, further enhances its appeal.

3. The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy

If the numerous seasons of Grey's Anatomy have failed to satiate your appetite for medical drama, then The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy might be the perfect prescription. This show puts a sci - fi spin on the hospital procedural genre, following alien medics Dr. Sleech (Stephanie Hsu) and Dr. Klak (Keke Palmer) as they contend with the most extraordinary diseases and injuries the universe has to offer, from anxiety - consuming brain worms to shape - shifting STIs. Amidst these medical challenges, they also navigate complex relationships and personal drama, much like in Grey's Anatomy. Created by Russian Doll writer Cirocco Dunlap, with Natasha Lyonne lending her voice as the occasionally invisible Nurse Tup, this dry - humored adult animated comedy is sure to cure what ails you.

4. Overcompensating

Benny is so deeply closeted that he might as well have discovered Narnia. Instead of using his freshman year of college as an opportunity for self - discovery, he maintains the facade of heterosexuality by immersing himself in a campus life filled with partying, drinking, and chasing girls. The consequences for Benny and his new best friend Carmen (Wally Beram) are both severe and hilarious. Created by comedian Benito Skinner, who also stars as Benny, Overcompensating is a raunchy and riotously funny college comedy that authentically depicts the fine line between self - exploration and cringe - worthy behavior.

5. Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX

Prime Video may not acquire as much anime as its rival Netflix, but when it does, it's often a significant addition. Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (pronounced “gee - kwux”) takes the iconic mecha franchise back to its roots, posing a thought - provoking question: What if the "space Nazis" of the Principality of Zeon, the bad guys, had won a crucial war? Even if you're unfamiliar with the difference between a beam saber and a core fighter, this alternate reality focuses on a new character, Amate Yuzuriha, a high - school student thrust into a world of escalating military tensions after an experimental Gundam crashes into her space colony. With Evangelion studio Khara bringing its dynamic animation style to the series, GQuuuuuuX not only boasts spectacular visuals but also delves into emotional depth, using a science - fiction lens to explore how hope can be found and freedom fought for, even in the darkest timelines. Weekly episodes are released on Tuesdays.

6. The Wheel of Time

The Wheel of Time has had a gradual build - up, but it has now blossomed into a spectacular fantasy series. The first season introduced magic weaver Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) and her quest to identify which of five unassuming young people is destined to either save or destroy the world. The second season raised the stakes, resurrecting ancient evils and scattering those who could stop them. The newly released third season pays off handsomely, opening with a fierce battle between female warriors, a rarity in the genre, while setting the stage for Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski) to embrace his dangerous destiny. Based on Robert Jordan’s expansive novel series, which makes Game of Thrones seem concise in comparison, this visually stunning series has firmly established itself as one of the best fantasy shows available.

7. Reacher

Amazon has a knack for crafting action thrillers centered around military - trained tough guys named "Jack R." First, there was Jack Ryan, who also features in this guide. Then came Reacher, a sharp adaptation of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels, now in its third season. Alan Ritchson (from Titans and Fast X) stars as the physically imposing Reacher, a former military policeman now wandering from town to town, seeking a quiet life but constantly drawn into conflict. Season one saw him wrongly accused of murder, while season two embroiled him in a vast conspiracy. The new third season, based on the seventh novel, Persuader, pits him against his most formidable threat yet: Paulie, a colossal mass of muscle played by 7′2″ Olivier Richters. With Reacher also working undercover for the DEA and hunting down an old enemy, the show, now in its third season, confidently capitalizes on its pulpy strengths, with top - notch fight choreography and surprisingly sharp dialogue enhancing its overall appeal.

8. Invincible

Mark Grayson inherited the incredible powers of his father, Omni - Man, only to discover that his father was not a paragon of justice but the vanguard of an alien invasion. In the newly released third season of Invincible, Mark not only struggles to escape his father's shadow but also guides his younger brother to use his emerging powers responsibly. Additionally, he is mired in a world of murky politics, forced to make darker and more difficult choices to safeguard Earth. A brilliantly animated adaptation of the hit Image comic book by writer Robert Kirkman and artists Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley, Invincible offers a more mature take on superheroes, allowing its characters to grow in ways that Marvel and DC characters rarely do.

9. The Man in the High Castle

This adaptation of sci - fi master Philip K. Dick’s novel, which depicts a world where the Nazis won the Second World War, was one of Amazon’s early forays into original content. The world - building is impressively executed, making a divided, alternate - reality 1960s America seem disturbingly plausible. However, viewers should be aware that some may find the present - day resonances a bit too close for comfort.

10. The Rig

Returning for its second season, the sci - fi thriller The Rig finds the surviving crew of the isolated North Sea oil rig Kinloch Bravo forcibly relocated to The Stac, an even more remote Arctic facility. While most crew members are desperate for answers and a way home, their loyalties are tested as the sinister Pictor corporation attempts to use them to unearth something ancient and powerful from the sea floor. Although The Rig is not subtle in its ecological metaphors (one character explicitly states, “If you keep punching holes in the Earth, eventually the Earth’s going to punch back”), it is expertly shot, leveraging both the claustrophobic settings and the terrifying expanse and underwater pressures of the ocean. With a cast of Game of Thrones and Line of Duty veterans, including Iain Glen and Rochenda Sandall, and the addition of the always - watchable Alice Krige in season 2, The Rig is far more than a guilty pleasure.

11. Cross

Aldis Hodge steps into the role of Washington, DC homicide detective Alex Cross in Prime's new series, based on James Patterson's long - running crime novel series. Unlike the streamer's other thrillers, Bosch and Reacher, Cross does not directly adapt any of Patterson's books. This risky approach pays off, allowing the eight - episode first season to chart an unpredictable course as Cross faces off against a deranged murderer who models each kill after another serial killer. Already renewed for a second season, Cross is a valuable addition to Prime's crime drama roster.

12. Citadel: Diana

In 2023, Amazon aimed to make a splash with its $300 million spy thriller Citadel, achieving only partial success. The action series, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra, was entertaining enough to feature on Prime Video’s most - watched lists but did not set the world ablaze. However, it did establish a sprawling shared universe, with rival organizations Citadel and Manticore engaged in a global cold war, setting the stage for international spin - offs. Citadel: Diana is the first of these, an Italian - set installment focusing on Diana (Matilda De Angelis), a woman seeking revenge after her parents' murder and drawn into the spy - fi underworld with violent consequences. Gorgeous location shoots, bone - crunching fight choreography, and a more focused narrative help Diana improve upon its parent series.

13. The Legend of Vox Machina

Raunchy, gory, and definitely not for children, The Legend of Vox Machina follows the eponymous adventurers' guild, consisting of gunslingers, druids, and a lusty bard. The guild evolves from a motley crew of often - drunk mercenaries into unlikely heroes in the realm of Exandria. The newly arrived third season continues their battle against the Chroma Conclave, a terrifyingly powerful group of dragons, leading them on a detour to Hell itself. Adapting the popular Critical Role, the livestreamed Dungeons & Dragons sessions featuring some of the biggest voice actors in animation and gaming, this exquisitely animated fantasy takes unexpected turns, keeping things fresh for both new and returning viewers. A love letter to D&D that isn't afraid to poke fun at the classic RPG, it is one of the most original adult animated shows on Prime.

14. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Drawing on J. R. R. Tolkien’s extensive history of Middle - earth, The Rings of Power is set millennia before the events of the core books (or films, which significantly influence its visual language). It details the major events of Tolkien’s Second Age. While the first season had a slow start, focusing on the era's fractious politics, the second season ramps up the pace considerably. From Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) trying to prevent the rise of Dark Lord Sauron (Charlie Vickers) to the long - awaited introduction of fan - favorite character Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear), the new season feels richer and deeper. It remains a visual spectacle, with its high budget evident in every frame, from the serene moments in the lush shires to the epic battles between armies of Orcs and Elves. For high - fantasy grandeur, few shows can rival it on streaming platforms currently.

15. Batman: Caped Crusader

The first new solo Batman animated series in a decade, Batman: Caped Crusader harkens back to Batman: The Animated Series from the 1990s. Showrunner Bruce Timm returns to the Dark Knight, and Hamish Linklater voices Bruce Wayne/Batman, paying homage to the late, great Kevin Conroy. Unlike the rival ‘90s revival X - Men ’97, this is not a continuation but a wholly new take, allowing for fresh interpretations of the iconic hero’s rogues' gallery and allies. Look out for drastically different portrayals of the Penguin and Harley Quinn in particular. Leaning heavily into a 1930s aesthetic that evokes Batman’s earliest comic - book origins, it manages to be both nostalgic and thought - provoking, taking DC's original urban vigilante back to his gritty pulp - noir roots.

16. The Boys

Superheroes are typically symbols of hope and optimism, representing the best of humanity in exaggerated form. However, in The Boys, adapted from the darkly satirical comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, they are a reflection of humanity's worst traits: greed, unrestrained power, and manipulation by corporate interests, with a gullible public none the wiser. Enter Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) and his associates, The Boys, who gleefully take down "Supes" who have crossed the line, often in extremely violent ways. Unfortunately, the newly released fourth season finds the team in disarray, torn apart by Butcher’s lies, at a time when the world needs them most. Arch - manipulator Victoria Neuman (Claudia Doumit) is close to the Oval Office, and the sadistic, psychotic Homelander (Antony Starr) is planning a superhuman uprising. Perhaps Amazon’s goriest show, The Boys serves as a relevant examination of power abuses, all wrapped in a superhero - themed package.

17. Fallout

Perhaps the end - of - the - world scenario is the key to creating a great video - game adaptation. With The Last of Us and now this spectacular interpretation of Bethesda's post - apocalyptic RPG series, we are experiencing an unexpected golden age for such adaptations. Unlike HBO's bleak yet beautiful world, Fallout taps into the source material to create an apocalypse with a distinct feel, filled with warped Americana, black comedy, sharp social satire, and a touch of camp. Its greatest strength lies in its non - direct adaptation of any one core Fallout game. Instead, it perfectly captures their tone and atmosphere, focusing on a core trio: naive Lucy (Ella Purnell), born and raised in a subterranean vault; driven Maximus (Aaron Moten), a recruit in an army seeking old - world technology; and the Ghoul (Walton Goggins), a centuries - old bounty hunter mutated into a near - immortal zombie after the nuclear bombs fell. This showcases just how delightfully twisted this nuclear wasteland truly is.

18. Three - Body

This is Prime Video's own distinct adaptation of Cixin Liu's The Three - Body Problem, originally released for Chinese audiences in 2023. It faithfully adapts Liu's award - winning novel about humanity's first contact with an almost incomprehensible alien species and the profound impact of their impending arrival on Earth. The story unfolds across different time periods as nanotech specialist Wang Miao (Luyi Zhang) is called in by detective Shi Qiang (Hewei Yu) to investigate a global spate of suicides among scientists, with the ominous phrase "Physics doesn't exist" as the only connection. Although Three - Body is somewhat softer than Netflix's 3 Body Problem in dealing with certain aspects of the story, especially those related to China's Cultural Revolution, its 30 - episode run allows for more in - depth exploration of Liu's complex themes and extensive character roster. The pacing may take some getting used to for viewers accustomed to Western TV, and it is subtitled only, but this Chinese drama is truly out of this world.

19. Mr. and Mrs. Smith

The concept of a married couple operating as undercover agents, blurring the lines between their personal and professional lives, is likely familiar. However, the 2024 Mr. and Mrs. Smith series, unlike the 2005 Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie movie, delves much deeper into the concept. Donald Glover (co - creator of this reboot) and Maya Erskine offer more developed portrayals of the mysterious "John" and "Jane" Smith over the course of the eight - episode series. They explore their true identities, the reasons for their dangerous careers, and whether their growing feelings for each other are part of their roles. Of course, it is backed by plenty of Mission: Impossible - style action, but it is the sparkling chemistry between the leads that will make you forget about "Brangelina."

20. Gen V

A spin - off from Amazon's hit The Boys, Gen V follows the next generation of "supes" as they train their abilities at the Godolkin University School of Crimefighting. In line with its twisted parent show, this educational institution is more like The Hunger Games with superpowers than Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, as students compete for glory and a chance to join the premier super - team, The Seven. Lead Jaz Sinclair (from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) impresses as freshman Marie Moreau, a haemokinetic with high ambitions who uncovers dark secrets at the college, challenging her entire worldview. Factor in the poor life choices typical of college students, some extremely creative (and often disgusting) superpowers, and The Boys' trademark ultra - violence, and it's clear that the kids of Gen V are far from alright.

21. Jack Ryan

There have been numerous screen adaptations of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan books, but John Krasinski's portrayal of the CIA desk jockey turned field agent offers more room for development than its predecessors. This prestige political thriller follows Ryan's rise from analyst to operative and beyond over four well - crafted seasons. The final season presents Ryan with his greatest challenge yet: investigating the convergence of a drug cartel and a terrorist organization set to create an unstoppable criminal enterprise, all while dealing with the CIA's possible involvement in a political assassination in Nigeria. While the show