Amazon Prime Video’s collection is so large, it can be daunting, which is why we’ve highlighted some recommendations ranging from witty comedies to action-packed superhero dramas to British period pieces.
Wheel of Time
While Rings of Power got a lot of oxygen, we can’t overlook Amazon’s other (and arguably better) fantasy adaptation. The Wheel of Time focuses on the all-female organization of the Aes Sedai, and its member Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) who is trying to find our salvation (or stop the end of our world). Arriving in a small town called Two Rivers, Moiraine is looking for a being known as the Dragon Reborn. Absolutely beautiful and epic, The Wheel of Time is one of the best shows on Prime Video with good reason.
Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
This is going to be a divisive pick. Based on everyone we’ve talked to The Rings of Power is something of a Rorschach test. Die-hard Tolkienists who know their Silmarillion (which Amazon didn’t buy rights to) from their main-trilogy will spot a handful of annoying differences from the books and plot-holes. But those who liked the films (even just the original trilogy) may go into The Rings of Power — which is a prequel of sorts — and love its epic look. The first season of The Rings of Power is in the books, so all eyes go to Rings of Power season 2.
Three Pines
Hulu isn’t the only streamer getting raves for its novel adaptations. Louise Penny’s mystery novels are now, thanks to Prime Video, on your TV. And just like how Netflix has Benoit Blanc with Glass Onion, Prime members get to meet Inspector Armand Gamache (Alfred Molina). Here, Molina’s winning audiences over with a humane gentleness and his observational humor. And since Three Pines takes place in a town inspired by Penny’s hometown in Quebec, audiences get a little travelogue-like treat as they get to learn about all things French Canadian.
The Boys
The “superheroes are problematic” genre has really exploded in recent years, though The Boys may be the most cynical of them all. It may also be the goriest — so many exploding heads this season! Season 2 picks up where the story left off, after the titular vigilante group discovered that superheroes are made, not born. The Seven and their corporate overlords, Vought International, want to keep that a secret and will stop at nothing to prevent the Boys from revealing it. After an epic season 3 we can’t wait for The Boys season 4 — here’s everything we know about it.
Utopia
Art imitates life, and in the case of Utopia, that imitation is eerily prescient. The show, from writer/executive producer Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl), is based on the 2013 British original. Part dark comedy, part conspiracy theory thriller, Utopia follows a group of comic book fans who uncover an upcoming graphic novel that predicts virus pandemics. When the fans get their hands on it, they’re hunted by shadowy figures tied to the government and health companies. The cast includes Rainn Wilson, John Cusack and Sasha Lane, and the show might just be the perfect pandemic viewing.
Paper Girls
The only Halloween hangovers kids should have involve sugar overload. But in 1988, paper girls Erin, KJ, Mac and Tiffany (who is seen above) became time travelers the morning after they were trick-or-treating. Jumped into the future, with grown-up versions of themselves, the quartet has to deal with the emotional issues involved with learning who you’ll become and the fact that there’s a group of time travelers who are hunting them down. Built around a strong ensemble of child actors, Paper Girls felt like Prime Video’s answer to Stranger Things.
Billions
The world of big finance might not seem the most obvious candidate for a riveting drama in the vein of The Sopranos and Mad Men, but Billions is good enough to stand in that kind of company. Much of that is down to the superb cast, with Damian Lewis outstanding as the filthy-rich and entirely unscrupulous hedge-fund boss Bobby Axelrod, and Paul Giamatti equally brilliant as the supposedly principled but actually just as terrible U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades. But really the star of the show is Maggie Siff as Wendy Rhoades, the woman they both depend heavily upon. Of course a cast is only as good as the script it’s working with, and Billions shines here too, taking a dizzyingly complex subject and somehow making it a thrilling viewing experience.
The Office (U.K.)
Before Michael Scott, there was David Brent; before Jim and Pam there were Tim and Dawn, and before Dwight came Gareth — because no, the U.S. version of The Office was not the first. The debate over which is best will likely rage for years to come, but really there’s no need for a winner; they’re both superb, but in very different ways. The U.K. original is a lot, lot darker, for starters — sure, Ricky Gervais’ David is just as terrible a boss as Steve Carell’s Michael, but he has few of the redeeming qualities that make the man behind Scott’s Tots an ultimately likeable character. It’s far ruder, too, and definitely not one to watch with younger kids. Plus, it’s a lot shorter — there are just 12 main episodes plus a couple of specials, so there’s not much room for character development outside of the key personnel. All that said, it is every bit as funny as the U.S. remake, and hugely influential too.
