Skip to main content

The best drama series on Amazon Prime Video right now

A subscription to Amazon Prime offers a lot of perks, including access to some amazing shows you can stream via Amazon Prime Video. That collection features a wide variety of excellent series spanning many genres, with critically praised drama projects well-represented among them. The Prime Video library is always changing too, with new shows coming to Amazon all the time. From original shows you won’t find anywhere else to compelling programs that earned acclaim elsewhere, here are the best drama series on Amazon Prime Video.

If you’ve already burned through the Amazon Prime Video catalog and need more ideas, we’ve also put together a list of the best original series on Amazon Prime Video.

Recently added to Amazon Prime Video

Hunters (2020) new

Hunters
tv-ma 2 Seasons
Genre Crime, Drama
Cast Logan Lerman, Al Pacino, Jerrika Hinton
Created by David Weil
Al Pacino leads the ensemble cast of this alternate-history series about a group of Nazi hunters based in New York City during the late-1970s. When they discover a vast conspiracy to resurrect the Reich in the U.S., they’re swept up in a terrifying, deadly hunt that puts them in the crosshairs of secret Nazi agents and U.S. government officials alike.

The Expanse (2015)

The Expanse
72 %
8.5/10
tv-14 6 Seasons
Genre Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast Steven Strait, Dominique Tipper, Wes Chatham
Created by Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby
Amazon Prime Video saved The Expanse from premature cancellation by SYFY, and consequently, the best sci-fi series of this generation has had the chance to finish its story. In the far future, four shipmates, James Holden (Steven Strait), Naomi Nagata (Dominique Tipper), Alex Kamal (Cas Anvar), and Amos Burton (Wes Chatham), find themselves thrust into events of intergalactic importance when they uncover a conspiracy that may redefine humanity’s place in the universe. Meanwhile, Detective Joe Miller (Thomas Jane) embarks on a search for a missing woman that will lead to proof of alien life.

The Devil's Hour (2022) new

The Devil's Hour
70 %
7.8/10
tv-ma 1 Season
Genre Mystery
Cast Jessica Raine, Peter Capaldi, Nikesh Patel
Created by Tom Moran
Have you ever heard that nothing good can happen during the Devil’s Hour? Rest assured, it’s not talking about The Devil’s Hour, a riveting miniseries that reunites former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat with a former Doctor, Peter Capaldi. The titular hour refers to the sixty minutes between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., and it’s proving to be a difficult time for Lucy Chambers (Jessica Raine). Every night, at exactly 3:33 a.m., Lucy is awakened by terrifying visions that haunt her daily life. Lucy needs answers, and that leads her to Gideon Shepherd (Capaldi), a murderous criminal who may be more than what he seems.

The Peripheral (2022) new

The Peripheral
57 %
8.4/10
tv-ma 1 Season
Genre Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama
Cast Chloë Grace Moretz, Gary Carr, Jack Reynor
Created by Scott B. Smith
Amazon Prime Video recruited Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy to adapt William Gibson’s The Peripheral, and it’s one of the streaming service’s biggest swings in the sci-fi realm. In the near future, Flynne Fisher (Chloë Grace Moretz) is a young woman whose genius has no outlet beyond her video games. Flynne lives with her family, but they have no hope of escaping poverty. At least not until Flynne’s gaming skills give her the opportunity to become part of something much bigger than a game. It’s an experience that is not only real, but it will also threaten everything and everyone Flynne loves.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) new

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
71 %
6.9/10
tv-14 1 Season
Genre Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Drama
Cast Morfydd Clark, Robert Aramayo, Charlie Vickers
Created by John D. Payne, Patrick McKay

If you love fantasy, then you’ve very likely seen The Lord of the Rings movies. But only the true J.R.R. Tolkien enthusiasts are fully versed in the Second Age, which took place thousands of years before The Hobbit. Prime Video’s The Rings of Power condenses the Second Age’s complex plotlines as the Elven warrior Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) seeks to destroy Sauron’s evil before he can rise again.

Some of the highlights of this series are the relationships, including the friendship between the elf, Elrond (Robert Aramayo), and the dwarf prince, Durin IV (Owain Arthur). There’s even a forbidden romance between a human woman, Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi), and an elf, Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova). But much to their horror, Arondir and Bronwyn soon realize that evil has returned to claim their home as its own.

A Private Affair (2022) new

A Private Affair
6.6/10
1 Season
Genre Comedy, Mystery, Drama
Cast Aura Garrido, Jean Reno, Nerea Portela
Created by Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira, Teresa Fernández-Valdés
You won’t find many original Spanish period mysteries set in the 1940s, so A Private Affair is something special to savor. It’s also a very enjoyable mixture of drama and comedy. Aura Garrido stars as Marina Quiroga, a rich young woman who has the misfortune of witnessing a murder. But rather than hiding away from the horror that she saw, Marina is inspired to become a detective herself, much to the chagrin of her brother, Arturo (Pablo Molinero), the local police commissioner. Against the wishes of Arturo, Marina convinces her butler, Hector (Jean Reno), to accompany her as she attempts to solve the crime.

Reacher (2022) new

Reacher
68 %
8.1/10
tv-ma 1 Season
Genre Action & Adventure, Mystery, Crime, Drama
Cast Alan Ritchson, Malcolm Goodwin, Willa Fitzgerald
Created by Nick Santora
Amazon has taken a couple of bites at the American one-man army story, falling somewhat flat with Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. With Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, however, the studio gets it right. Alan Ritchson plays the title character, a retired Military Police Officer who is arrested for murder the second he arrives in the small town of Margrave, Georgia. Now, Jack must fight to clear his name while the same police who arrested him continue to lean on him for help.

Goliath (2016)

Goliath
65 %
8.2/10
tv-ma 4 Seasons
Genre Crime, Drama
Cast Billy Bob Thornton, Nina Arianda, Tania Raymonde
Created by David E. Kelley, Jonathan Shapiro
Billy Bob Thornton stars as washed up, drunk, former power lawyer Billy McBride in this crime drama. Reluctantly, Billy agrees to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the biggest client of the enormous law firm he helped to create, only to soon find the suit is so much bigger than he thought. As Billy and his ragtag team begin to unravel a vast criminal conspiracy, they feel the full weight of taking on a corporate Goliath.

As We See It (2022)

As We See It
82 %
8.2/10
tv-ma 1 Season
Genre Comedy
Cast Rick Glassman, Sue Ann Pien, Albert Rutecki
Created by Jason Katims
Three roommates on the autism spectrum navigate their early 20s in this unique original dramedy. Jack, Violet, and Harrison may struggle to fit into modern society, but that’s not going to stop them from trying. And with the help of their families, aides, and occasionally one another, they set off on their particularly challenging journeys into adulthood and independence.

Hanna (2019)

Hanna
62 %
7.6/10
tv-ma 3 Seasons
Genre Action & Adventure, Drama
Cast Esme Creed-Miles, Mireille Enos, Dermot Mulroney
Created by David Farr
Based on Joe Wright’s 2011 film about a young girl raised to be an assassin, this series adaptation slightly rewrites and expands the story. Hanna (Esme Creed-Miles) was raised in the forest, on the run from a relentless, off-the-book CIA agent for as long as she can remember. As Hanna runs for her life and slowly begins to reintegrate into society, the series combines coming-of-age drama with edge-of-your-seat action.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017)

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
78 %
8.7/10
tv-ma 4 Seasons
Genre Comedy, Drama
Cast Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Michael Zegen
Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino
It’s a testament to the skill behind The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel that the series works equally well as a drama and a comedy. Rachel Brosnahan stars as Miriam “Midge” Maisel, a housewife in the late ‘50s whose husband, Joel (Michael Zegen), abandons her and their children. In response, Midge strikes out on a daring career as a standup comedian, with Susie Myerson (Alex Borstein) as her manager. However, Midge makes an enemy out of Sophie Lennon (Jane Lynch), a rival comedian who becomes eager to crush her competition.

Billions (2016)

Billions
72 %
8.4/10
tv-ma 6 Seasons
Genre Drama
Cast Paul Giamatti, Maggie Siff, David Costabile
Created by Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Andrew Ross Sorkin
Billions is currently one of Showtime’s signature dramas, but Amazon Prime subscribers can watch the series through season 3. Paul Giamatti stars as Charles “Chuck” Rhoades, Jr., a U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York who is obsessed with bringing down Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis), a wealthy hedge fund manager whose activities tend to be illegal. Further complicating their rivalry is Wendy Rhoades (Maggie Siff), Chuck’s wife and a longtime employee of Bobby’s Axe Capital. Wendy also feels a great deal of loyalty to Bobby, which puts additional strain on her marriage to Chuck. This high-stakes cat-and-mouse game is still unfolding, and there are no winners yet.

The Wheel of Time (2021)

The Wheel of Time
55 %
7.3/10
tv-ma 1 Season
Genre Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama
Cast Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Zoe Robins
Created by Rafe Judkins
Amazon Prime Video is placing a big bet on fantasy, and it starts here with an adaption of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time. In a world where only women can safely use magic, Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike) embarks on a quest to find the Dragon Reborn, an individual who may be humanity’s only hope against the Dark One. Moiraine has narrowed the candidates down to five: Nynaeve al’Meara (Zoë Robins), Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski), Egwene al’Vere (Madeleine Madden), Perrin Aybara (Marcus Rutherford), and Mat Cauthon (Barney Harris). All five have power and potential, but one of them has already been lost to darkness.

A Very English Scandal (2018)

A Very English Scandal
84 %
7.7/10
tv-14 1 Season
Genre Drama
Cast Hugh Grant, Ben Whishaw, Alex Jennings
Created by Russell T Davies, John Preston
A Very English Scandal is based on the true story of Jeremy Thorpe (Hugh Grant), a member of the British Parliament who is desperate to hide his secret affair with Norman Josiffe (Ben Whishaw). At this point in time, homosexuality was still largely a taboo subject in British society, and Jeremy was willing to do anything to keep Norman silent, even if it meant ordering his execution. Unfortunately for Jeremy, not only did the attempt on Norman’s life fail, it led to the exposure of all of his dirty laundry. That leads to a sensational trial that was anything but predictable.

The Pursuit of Love (2021)

The Pursuit of Love
76 %
6.7/10
1 Season
Genre Drama
Cast Lily James, Emily Beecham, Andrew Scott
Created by Emily Mortimer
Emily Mortimer’s adaptation of The Pursuit of Love offers a modern perspective to Nancy Mitford’s classic novel. Mortimer even has a small role in the show as “The Bolter,” the mother of Fanny Logan (Emily Beecham), a young woman who was raised alongside her cousin, Linda Radlett (Lily James), in the early 20th century. Fanny and Linda become as close as sisters in the shadow of World War II. Both women also find love with the men in their lives, to varying degrees of success. But it’s the relationship between the two women that fuels this story.

The Man in the High Castle (2015)

The Man in the High Castle
73 %
8/10
tv-ma 4 Seasons
Genre Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama
Cast Alexa Davalos, Joel de la Fuente, Jason O'Mara
Created by Frank Spotnitz
Philip K. Dick’s alternate history novel The Man in the High Castle was one of Amazon Prime Video’s most ambitious series. In this darkly imagined world, the Axis powers won World War II, and the United States was divided between Japan and Germany. In the ‘60s, Juliana Crain (Alexa Davalos) lives in occupied San Francisco when she first encounters the films of The Man in the High Castle. Somehow, these movies feature images from worlds where America won the war and is free. This inspires Juliana to rebel against both the Japanese and the German regimes, and her actions move others to fight back as well. However, the survival of this world is already at stake as Germany and Japan slowly lurch toward war with each other.

Suits (2011)

Suits
65 %
8.4/10
tv-14 9 Seasons
Genre Drama
Cast Gabriel Macht, Sarah Rafferty, Amanda Schull
Created by Aaron Korsh
There aren’t many shows that can boast a future member of the British royal family. And Meghan Markle is quite good as Rachel Zane in this series. Regardless, the focus of Suits is on Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) and his unlikely boss, Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht). Mike only interviewed to become a law associate for Harvey’s firm in order to avoid being arrested. And yet, his knowledge of the law was so impressive that Harvey hired him on the spot despite Mike’s lack of formal legal education. While keeping Mike’s secret, Harvey utilizes his new employee’s unique skills to win difficult cases with style.

The Widow (2019)

The Widow
6.9/10
tv-ma 1 Season
Genre Drama, Action & Adventure
Cast Kate Beckinsale, Matthew Le Nevez, Alex Kingston
Created by Jack Williams, Harry Williams
In The Widow, Kate Beckinsale plays Georgia Wells, a woman who lost her husband, Will (Matthew Le Nevez), to a plane crash in Africa. Or so she thought. Three years later, Georgia catches a glimpse of Will during a TV news report from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Georgia quickly becomes determined to discover why Will faked his death, so she travels to the Congo to find the answers. Beckinsale’s Underworld action chops come in handy on his show, as Georgia fights for survival in Africa. And she’s not going to like what she finds when the truth about Will comes out.

Modern Love (2019)

Modern Love
7.9/10
tv-ma 2 Seasons
Genre Comedy
Created by John Carney
Modern Love has previously been nominated in the Emmy Awards’ comedy categories, but it also works equally well as a drama. This anthology series has gathered a very impressive lineup of stars for one-off episodes, including Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, Andrew Scott, Andy Garcia, Cristin Milioti, Olivia Cooke, and more. Each episode tells a story that relates to love in some way, even if it’s not romantic. Platonic relationships are given their due, as are family and other entanglements. There are even episodes of self-reflection that allow the lead characters to make peace with their romantic past. And because the stories are so short, fans can quickly go from one tale to the next.

Animal Kingdom (2016)

Animal Kingdom
65 %
8.2/10
tv-ma 6 Seasons
Genre Crime, Drama
Cast Finn Cole, Ellen Barkin, Shawn Hatosy
Created by Jonathan Lisco
Animal Kingdom is a breakout original series for TNT, but the first four seasons are currently on Prime Video as well. Finn Cole stars in the series as Joshua “J” Cody, a teenager who is brought into the fold of his criminal family. J’s grandmother, Janine “Smurf” Cody (Ellen Barkin), is the matriarch of the family, and few dare to cross her. J’s father, Barry “Baz” Blackwell (Scott Speedman), is also Smurf’s adopted son, alongside her biological children Andrew “Pope” Cody (Shawn Hatosy), Craig (Ben Robson), and Deran (Jake Weary). There’s definitely some sibling rivalry, but the family’s enemies come from within and without. It’s a jungle out there, and only the fittest will survive.

Vikings (2013)

Vikings
74 %
8.5/10
tv-ma 6 Seasons
Genre Action & Adventure, Drama
Cast Alex Høgh Andersen, Jordan Patrick Smith, Marco Ilsø
Created by Michael Hirst
History’s Vikings is not entirely accurate with history as we understand it. But it was a hit that found an audience both on History and on Prime Video. The show is loosely inspired by the legend of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), a ninth-century Viking chieftain. Ragnar’s rise to power is explored in the early seasons before the focus shifts to his children and descendants who continued to carry on the family tradition. Living as a Viking is hard and not everyone is cut out for it. But this is where legends are born, and Valhalla is always calling.

Panic (2021)

Panic
6.5/10
tv-14 1 Season
Genre Action & Adventure, Drama, Crime
Cast Olivia Scott Welch, Mike Faist, Jessica Sula
Created by Lauren Oliver
Life in Carp, Texas isn’t exactly ideal, but would anyone die to escape being stuck in this small town? In Panic, the answer is yes. When her plans to leave are derailed by the theft of her college money, Heather Nill (Olivia Welch) joins Panic out of desperation. It’s an annual competition among the high school graduates for a chance to get a large cash prize that would let them reinvent themselves in a new place. But when the reward is great, so is the risk. Heather and her fellow competitors are risking their lives for a chance, and it’s not going to work out for everyone.

The Underground Railroad (2021)

The Underground Railroad
92 %
7.3/10
tv-ma 1 Season
Genre Drama
Cast Thuso Mbedu, Chase W. Dillon, Joel Edgerton
Created by Barry Jenkins
The Underground Railroad takes more than a few liberties with the actual history of slavery in America. For example, the titular railroad is literally an underground railroad built to smuggle slaves out of the south years before the Civil War. But it’s still a very compelling story about Cora Randall (Thuso Mbedu) and her journey to freedom. After Cora and Caesar Garner (Aaron Pierre) flee from their owner, they are relentlessly pursued by a slave catcher, Arnold Ridgeway (Joel Edgerton). Along the way, Cora meets new friends and allies. But far too often, Cora winds up in more danger when she comes face to face with the dark side of America.

DOM (2021)

DOM
7.1/10
tv-ma 1 Season
Genre Crime, Drama
Cast Gabriel Leone, Flávio Tolezani, Filipe Bragança
Amazon Prime Video has expanded its international reach with the Brazilian drama DOM. This is a father-son story set against the drug trade in Rio de Janeiro. The father, Victor Dantas (Flavio Tolezani), is a cop who has fearlessly fought to bring down the dealers and cartels. However, his son, Pedro (Gabriel Leone), is an addict and a thief who is estranged from Victor. Regardless, Victor doesn’t give up on trying to save his son from himself. Through flashbacks, we see Victor as a younger man whose actions impact the present. And in the modern-day setting, Pedro’s choices threaten his father’s efforts to bring his prey to justice.

Poldark (2015)

Poldark
72 %
8.3/10
tv-14 5 Seasons
Genre Drama
Cast Aidan Turner, Eleanor Tomlinson, Heida Reed
Created by Debbie Horsfield, Winston Graham
Amazon Prime Video doesn’t have a lot of historical romance dramas, but the British series Poldark fills that void nicely. The series stars Aidan Turner as Captain Ross Vennor Poldark, a British soldier who fought in the American Revolutionary War. After returning home to Cornwall in 1783, Ross discovers that his family life is in turmoil. His former lover, Elizabeth Chynoweth (Heida Reed), is now engaged to Ross’ cousin, Francis Poldark (Kyle Soller). And the Poldark family’s finances have taken a severe downward turn in his absence. But as Ross begins to rebuild, he finds new love with Demelza Carne (Eleanor Tomlinson) despite their different social backgrounds.

ZeroZeroZero (2020)

ZeroZeroZero
75 %
8.2/10
tv-ma 1 Season
Genre Crime, Drama
Cast Andrea Riseborough, Dane DeHaan, Giuseppe De Domenico
Created by Stefano Sollima, Mauricio Katz, Leonardo Fasoli
ZeroZeroZero is an Italian crime drama with a masterfully complex story that takes place in three countries. In Italy, Don Damiano “Minu” La Pian (Adriano Chiaramida) tries to revive the fortunes of his crime family with a massive shipment of cocaine. Don Minu’s grandson, Stefano La Piana (Giuseppe De Domenico), sabotages the deal, which causes problems in America as smuggling brokers Emma (Andrea Riseborough) and Chris Lynwood (Dane DeHaan) face severe consequences for the delay. And in Mexico, the Lynwood family’s interests with the narcos Jacinto Leyra (Flavio Medina) and Enrique Leyra (Víctor Huggo Martin) take a deadly turn in the ongoing battle with Mexican special forces.

Tell Me Your Secrets (2021)

Tell Me Your Secrets
55 %
7.4/10
tv-ma 1 Season
Genre Drama, Crime
Cast Lily Rabe, Hamish Linklater, Amy Brenneman
Created by Harriet Warner
Tell Me Your Secrets runs through three interconnected stories about Emma Hall (Lily Rabe), Mary Barlow (Amy Brenneman), and John Tyler (Hamish Linklater). Years ago, Emma was the girlfriend of serial killer Xavier Samuel (Kit Parker), the man who murdered Mary’s daughter, Theresa Barlow (Stella Baker). However, Mary is convinced that Theresa is still alive. So she hires John to find Emma and get her some answers. But despite the passage of years, Emma’s life is endangered by another killer waiting in the wings. This is a tale of potential redemption, and not everyone is as innocent as they initially appear to be.

The Wilds (2020)

The Wilds
76 %
7.4/10
tv-14 2 Seasons
Genre Mystery, Drama
Cast Sophia Ali, Shannon Berry, Jenna Clause
Created by Sarah Streicher
There are definitely some shades of Lost in The Wilds since it involves a group stranded on a seemingly deserted island interspersed with flashbacks and flash-forwards. But in this case, we know that there’s something off from the start. Gretchen Klein (Rachel Griffiths) invited Fatin Jadmani (Sophia Ali) and eight other teenage girls to attend her Dawn of Eve retreat. However, that was just a ruse to engineer a plane crash and allow Gretchen the opportunity to perform a sociology experiment by secretly observing the survivors through hidden cameras on the island. Naturally, there’s some friction between the girls. Yet their problems are far bigger than they imagine.

Them (2021)

Them
57 %
7.3/10
tv-ma 1 Season
Genre Drama, Mystery
Cast Deborah Ayorinde, Ashley Thomas, Alison Pill
Created by Little Marvin
It would not be inaccurate to say that Them is a spiritual descendant of American Horror Story, since both shows embrace a seasonal anthology format. But Them dives deeper into real-world horror in addition to its otherworldly thrills. Season 1 takes place in 1953, as Henry (Ashley Thomas) and Livia “Lucky” Emory (Deborah Ayorinde) move their family from North Carolina to Los Angeles in a bid to escape the racism of their former home. But the city of angels has plenty of racism bubbling just beneath the surface, and the Emory family has to deal with dark threats beyond the scope of their understanding as well as the malevolent actions of their own neighbors.

The Vineyard (2021)

The Vineyard
7.1/10
tv-ma 1 Season
Genre Drama
Cast Leonor Watling, Rafael Novoa, Emilio Gutiérrez Caba
Created by Susana López Rubio
The Vineyard is another recent addition to Amazon Prime Video that brings an international flavor to its epic tale of romance and tragedy in the 19th century. The story of Mauro Larrea (Rafael Novoa) and Soledad Montalvo (Leonor Watling) keeps them apart for most of the first season as they struggle to face challenges that threaten to destroy them and their families. But when Mauro and Soledad finally come face to face in Mexico, they find that they desperately need each other. And perhaps something greater can grow from their mutual attraction as well.

The Night Manager (2016)

The Night Manager
82 %
8.1/10
tv-ma 1 Season
Genre Drama, Mystery, Crime
Cast Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, Olivia Colman
Created by David Farr
The Night Manager has a cast that would be the envy of any movie or TV show, with Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie in the leading roles alongside Olivia Colman, Tom Hollander, and Elizabeth Debicki. In this adaptation of John le Carré’s classic novel, Hiddletson plays Jonathan Pine, a former British soldier turned night manager for a luxury hotel. After Jonathan becomes too close to one of his guests, British intelligence officer Angela Burr (Olivia Colman) uses that as leverage to convince him to help her take down an international arms dealer named Richard Roper (Laurie). But the deeper Jonathan goes into Richard’s world, the harder it becomes to pull himself out.

Good Girls Revolt (2015)

Good Girls Revolt
65 %
8.1/10
tv-ma 1 Season
Genre Drama
Cast Genevieve Angelson, Anna Camp, Hunter Parrish
Created by Dana Calvo
Good Girls Revolt was one of the earliest original dramas on Amazon, and it probably should have had a much longer run than just a single season. Regardless, this is a compelling period drama that takes place in 1969. Patricia “Patti” Robinson (Genevieve Angelson), Jane Hollander (Anna Camp), and Cindy Reston (Erin Darke) are overworked and underpaid researchers at News of the Week. Slowly, all three women realize that their male counterparts are getting all of the credit and far bigger paychecks. As they come together to challenge the status quo at work, they also become more assertive in their personal lives.

Bosch (2015)

Bosch
73 %
8.5/10
tv-ma 7 Seasons
Genre Mystery, Drama, Crime
Cast Titus Welliver, Jamie Hector, Amy Aquino
Created by Eric Overmyer
Police procedurals are pretty common on network TV, but less so on streaming services. Regardless, Amazon’s Bosch is among the best in the genre, and it is also a largely faithful adaptation of Michael Connelly’s novels. Titus Welliver stars as the title character, Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch. Harry is a homicide detective for the LAPD who has a knack for finding himself in trouble and in the middle of major cases. In addition to navigating his dangerous job, Harry also tries to maintain his bond with his daughter, Madeline “Maddie” Bosch (Madison Lintz). It’s never an easy road, but Bosch is a cut above other police dramas.

Downton Abbey (2010)

Downton Abbey
80 %
8.7/10
tv-14 6 Seasons
Genre Drama
Created by Julian Fellowes
Streaming services tend to mine British TV shows to round out their programming, and Amazon picked a winner with Downton Abbey. This period drama was an international sensation for six seasons. It takes place in the early 20th century, as Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) and his wife, Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), face the very real prospect that their ancestral home, Downton Abbey, may not be inherited by their daughters despite their plans. Additionally, the series fleshes out the lives of the Crawley family’s servants and support staff, many of whom have romances, personality clashes, and even betrayals in the name of advancing their lot in life. There’s always intrigue in Downton Abbey, whether from above or below.

Homecoming (2018)

Homecoming
75 %
7.4/10
tv-ma 2 Seasons
Genre Drama
Cast Stephan James, Janelle Monáe, Chris Cooper
Created by Micah Bloomberg, Sam Esmail, Eli Horowitz
Amazon recruited Julia Roberts to headline its original thriller, Homecoming, and it’s one of the most compelling shows on Prime. In season 1, Roberts plays Heidi Bergman, a social worker for the Homecoming Transitional Support Center. In the past, Heidi’s job was to help U.S. war veterans readjust to civilian life. A few years later, Heidi is working as a waitress with few memories about her time at Homecoming. But when Heidi eventually goes looking for answers about her missing past, she won’t like what she finds. Season 2 picks up with a new story, as Janelle Monáe’s Jacqueline Calico also finds herself bereft of her memories and her identity.

House (2004)

House
75 %
8.7/10
tv-14 8 Seasons
Genre Drama, Comedy, Mystery
Created by David Shore
House really turned medical procedure dramas on their ear, thanks to a dynamite performance by Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House. The good doctor is uncommonly talented when it comes to diagnosing patients, but less so when it comes to bedside manners. Additionally, Dr. House is less than shy about telling his patients what he really thinks of them. But at the end of the day, House and his team — Dr. Robert Chase (Jesse Spencer), Dr. Allison Cameron (Jennifer Morrison), and Dr. Eric Foreman (Omar Epps) — will do anything and everything they can to save lives.

Mr. Robot (2015)

Mr. Robot
4 Seasons
Genre Crime, Drama
Created by Sam Esmail
Hackers have become fairly commonplace in fiction, but Mr. Robot is one of the few dramas that has actually made it compelling in and of itself. Rami Malek stars as Elliot Alderson, a gifted hacker turned cybersecurity engineer for Allsafe. Elliot also deals with crippling depression and mental illness. The titular Mr. Robot (Christian Slater) introduces a new level of chaos to Elliot’s life when he recruits him for a mission to destroy all records of debt within the files of Allsafe’s biggest client. No matter which path Elliot chooses, he will have to compromise himself.

Small Axe (2020)

Small Axe
7.8/10
tv-ma 1 Season
Genre Drama
Created by Steve McQueen
Small Axe is the junction where television and film intersect. Writer and director Steve McQueen created Small Axe as an anthology series that explores the lives of London’s West Indian immigrants from the ‘60s to the ‘80s. Each episode stands alone as a full-length film, with a fantastic lineup of performers that includes Letitia Wright, John Boyega, Malachi Kirby, Shaun Parkes, Rochenda Sandall, Alex Jennings, and Jack Lowden.

Editors' Recommendations

Movie images and data from:
Blair Marnell
Blair Marnell has been an entertainment journalist for over 15 years. His bylines have appeared in Wizard Magazine, Geek…
7 great free sci-fi movies you should stream right now
Amy Adams in Arrival.

Streaming prices continue to increase, but luckily for viewers, there's a growing number of free streaming services out there. From Amazon Freevee to Tubi, Pluto TV, and even no-cost options on Peacock, there's tons of free content to be enjoyed. In recent years, the free content has also gotten a lot better now that major companies are investing in free streaming services.

This is especially great news for sci-fi fans since lots of fantastic new and classic sci-fi films have made their way to these free streamers. Whether you want a big box office hit, an award-winning indie film, or a legendary cult classic, you can find them for free. Here are seven of the best sci-fi movies you can stream right now without paying a dime.
The Thing (1982)

Read more
The best kids movies on Netflix right now
A monster looks scared in Hotel Transylvania.

Spring is here, but it's still a little brisk in much of the country, meaning you may have to lean on the best kids' movies on Netflix right now a little longer. Fortunately, Netflix has a massive collection of kid-friendly movies, from beloved classics to fun originals, and even some original choose-your-own-adventure stories you won't find anywhere else.

Making sure your kids are watching something age-appropriate is crucial, but you don't want to spend all day scrolling to find something. So, we've done the heavy lifting. This list is updated every month with the best kids' movies on Netflix. This month, a funny-spooky franchise hits the platform and a racing snail zips onto the list.

Read more
The 50 best movies on Netflix right now (April 2024)
Nina Dobrev and Aaron Eckhart in The Bricklayer.

Sometimes, the most popular movies on Netflix are not the best movies on the streamer. Case in point: M. Night Shyamalan's Glass is currently at No. 3, and that film somehow pulled off the unique feat of retroactively making Shyamalan's previous movies in his superhero franchise, Unbreakable and Split, a lot less fun.

That's why we're specifically putting the spotlight on a terrific movie, Amadeus, as it celebrates its 40th anniversary this year by streaming on Netflix. We're also featuring The Bricklayer, an action thriller that will probably be on top of Netflix's movie charts by the end of the weekend. This film barely registered at the box office, but that's never stopped the Netflix effect before.

Read more