Over the past decade, streaming services have crept into our lives, slowly replacing traditional cable or satellite TV, and even video store rentals. In most homes, the appeal is being able to access multiple episodes at one time without the hassle of commercials or having to wait a week for new content. One of the most popular streaming services is Amazon Prime. Not only do you get free next-day delivery with Amazon Prime, but you also gain access to some great content that is lacking on other streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.
From films to TV, there’s a massive library of media to choose from, featuring everything from award-winning shows that have been off-air for years like Bates Motel to some exclusive Amazon Prime Originals like the new epic series The Wheel of Time. With so much to choose from, here are the best series on Amazon Prime to watch right now.
8 Reacher (2022-Present)
Reacher is a Prime Original series that follows the story of Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson), a retired Military Police Officer who is arrested for a murder he did not commit. Based on the Jack Reacher book series by Lee Child, Reacher was released on February 4, 2022, and was renewed for a second season on February 7th. While Reacher only has one season so far, based on Child’s New York Times best-selling novel Killing Floor, it has received a great deal of praise, especially compared to the 2012 film Jack Reacher starring Tom Cruise. Critics have high hopes for the potential of Reacher to more accurately tell the story of Jack Reacher, doing justice to Child’s beloved character. Reacher is available to stream now.
7 Scrubs (2001-2010)
A comedy revolving around a group of med students, new to Sacred Heart Hospital, who are instructed by J.D. (Zach Braff), Turk (Donald Faison), Kelso (Ken Jenkins), and Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley), Scrubs ran from 2001 to 2010 and received two Emmys and three nominations at the Golden Globes. This long-running comedy-drama series has been considered a staple in TV medical series history, winning a Humanitas Prize for rewarding human dignity, meaning, and freedom. The show also won a Peabody Award. Scrubs’ first eight seasons were highly acclaimed, but the ninth season was not well-received with many criticizing the new cast. While Scrubs is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime, you’ll notice a few episodes missing due to the presence of blackface in the episodes.
6 Community (2009-2015)
Created by the co-creator of Rick and Morty, Dan Harmon is also the creator of the comedic gem Community. Airing from 2009 to 2015, Community tells the story of a class of students at a Colorado community college. The show features an ensemble cast, including Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, and more. Community is critically acclaimed and beloved by audiences for its meta-humor and the pop-culture references often made. Thanks to Harmon’s creative eye, Community was nominated for 60 awards and received 11, including one Emmy during its six-year run-time. Community is available to stream now on Amazon Prime.
5 Harlem (2021-Present)
Four friends in their 30s, Camille (Meagan Good), Tye (Jerrie Johnson), Quinn (Grace Byers), and Angie (Shoniqua Shandai) navigate their relationships and careers in Harlem. Harlem is an Amazon Prime Original series produced by Tracy Oliver, who had a creative hand in hits like Barbershop: The Next Cut and Girls Trip. After its first season, Harlem was met with praise for its performances from the cast including Meagan Good, Grace Byers, and even a small appearance from Whoopi Goldberg. Despite only having ten episodes, Harlem received a nomination for a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding New TV Series. While Harlem hasn’t officially been renewed for a second season, Oliver has said that they are working on scripts for a potential season two release. The first season of Harlem is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
4 The Wheel of Time (2021-Present)
Based on the novel series of the same name by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, The Wheel of Time is an Amazon Prime Original series that tells the story of Moiraine, a member of a magical organization that takes five young people on a journey, believing one of them to be the reincarnation of a dragon. Featuring an outstanding performance from Rosamund Pike, The Wheel of Time has been praised for the organized storytelling and accurate visual recreation of the first book in the 14-entry series. The series premiered in November 2021 and was immediately renewed for a second season as of May 2021. The Wheel of Time is now currently streaming, so catch up before season two drops.
3 The Bernie Mac Show (2001-2006)
The Bernie Mac Show follows the life of comedian Bernie Mac and his wife Wanda, who take in his sister’s children, Vanessa, Jordan, and Bryana while their mother is away at rehab. Totaling five seasons, The Bernie Mac Show ran from 2001 to 2006 and received a great deal of praise, earning it a Peabody Award and giving Mac the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for four consecutive years. The Bernie Mac Show also became known for featuring a number of celebrities playing themselves on the show, including Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Chris Rock, and Carl Reiner. All five seasons are now streaming on Amazon Prime.
2 House (2004-2012)
House follows Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie), who tackles health mysteries at Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. As an infectious disease specialist, House acts as a medical Sherlock Holmes with the help of his team, who act as a buffer between him and the world as he struggles to function due to his anti-social tendencies and secret addiction. House can be classified as a medical drama, but it also is known for its dark comedy, often coming from House himself. The show ran from 2004 to 2012 and received a number of accolades, including five Emmy Awards, two Golden Globes, nine People’s Choice Awards, and a Peabody Award. You can enjoy all eight seasons, now streaming on Prime.
1 Dexter (2006-2013)
Dexter follows forensics splatter expert Dexter (Michael C. Hall) who solves murder cases by day and commits them by night, but only murders those he feels are deserving of it, justifying his actions as righteous. Dexter manages to hide his serial killer behavior from his police officer sister and his co-workers, but the one person who does know, helps him to hone his skills. Dexter ran from 2006 to 2013 and the first season was loosely based on the Jeff Lindsay's novel, Darkly Dreaming Dexter. Dexter won a total of 35 awards, including four Emmys, two Golden Globes, and a Peabody Award. In 2020, it was revealed that Dexter would return for a 10-episode limited series titled Dexter: New Blood. There has also been some speculation that Dexter: New Blood will receive a second season, but as of right now, it’s mere speculation. All eight seasons of Dexter can be streamed on Amazon Prime, as well as the first episode of Dexter: New Blood.