The 20 best original series on Amazon Prime Video

Arguably the most popular series on Prime Video, The Boys is a darkly twisted comedy that takes the superhero genre and turns it on its head. The show is set in a world where superheroes are as popular as celebrities and worshipped like gods. However, many heroes abuse their powers and have dark secrets. A group of vigilantes, known as The Boys, try to take them down. Foul-mouthed, outrageously violent, and sexually explicit, this is not your typical superhero fare. 

Based on the much-loved video game franchise of the same name, Fallout is a rare video game adaptation done right. The series is set in a futuristic and post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, where citizens live underground to protect themselves from radiation, mutants, and criminals. Ella Purnell stars as hero Lucy, while Walton Goggins plays a Ghoul named Cooper Howard. The series perfectly captures the spirit and feel of the game while also feeling fresh and original.

Based on the bestselling novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Daisy Jones & The Six is the ultimate love letter to the music and culture of the ‘70s. It follows the rise and fall of the titular fictional rock band, who, decades later, are telling their story. At the center of it is the romance between Daisy Jones, played by Riley Keough, and Billy Dune, played by Sam Claflin. Fans of the period and rock will absolutely love the music, costumes, and production design that brings this series to life. 

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is a highly acclaimed period piece and comedy about the world of showbiz in the 1950s. Set in Manhattan, the series follows Miriam ‘Midge’ Maisel, a young mother with two children. After her husband leaves her, she discovers that she has a talent for standup comedy. She rises in the ranks of this male-dominated profession and reinvents her life. Rachel Brosnahan is indeed marvelous in the leading role, which she scored an Emmy and two Golden Globes for.

Based on the novels by Lee Child (also adapted into a film starring Tom Cruise), Jack Reacher is one of the best action shows streaming on Prime Video. Alan Ritchson plays Reacher, a retired Military Police Officer arrested for a crime he did not commit. He finds himself in a world of conspiracy and solves crimes while serving his flavor of justice. Ritchson is perfectly cast as the titular vigilante, and the show brings an abundance of fast-paced action.

Invincible is another Prime Video series that takes an unconventional look at the world of superheroes. Mark Grayson is a regular 17-year-old, but his father is the superhero Omni-Man. As Mark starts to develop his own powers, he realizes that his father’s legacy is more complicated than he thought. Featuring striking animation and well-written characters, this adult-targeted series is a must-watch for both lovers and haters of the superhero genre. 

Based on the Harry Bosch novels, Bosch was one of Prime Video’s first original series. This mystery drama follows L.A.P.D. homicide detective Harry Bosch as he solves a number of cases. Although he likes to do things his own way and doesn’t always follow the rules, he still manages to catch the perpetrator. The series was a huge hit and is still popular today, which is also thanks to its sequel series, Bosch: Legacy, which will air its final season in 2025.

Based on the book series by Robert Jordan, The Wheel of Time is an epic fantasy adventure starring Rosamund Pike. She plays Moiraine, a woman who crosses paths with five young men and women. She takes them on a sprawling journey, believing one of them could be a reincarnation of the Dragon, a prophesied powerful individual who will either save or destroy the world. With its high-fantasy concept, it makes for an exciting ride full of adventure and danger.

J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth is one of the most iconic fictional worlds in all of film and literature, thanks to both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. While Peter Jackson adapted both, Prime Video reimagines Middle-earth in a new light in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Set thousands of years before the events of either of those stories, the series follows multiple characters, including elves Galadriel and Elrond, who also appear in LOTR and The Hobbit.

Created by Bryan Cranston, Sneaky Pete is a crime dramedy starring Giovanni Ribisi. It follows Marius, a con man on the run from a dangerous gangster he once robbed. To protect his safety, he assumes the identity of his prison cellmate, Pete. This puts him in even more danger as he reunites with Pete’s estranged family, who really believe that he is their long-lost relative. The conflict easily intrigues viewers as Marius tries to keep up his facade and new double life. 

Based on the book series by Tom Clancy, Jack Ryan is another one of Prime Video’s must-watch action shows. The character of Jack Ryan has been played by multiple actors in films, including Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, and Chris Pine. Here, he is played by John Krasinski. Ryan is a CIA analyst who is pulled from the safety of his desk job into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse across Europe and the Middle East. The show ran for four seasons.

Based on the novel of the same name, Good Omens is a fantastical comedy starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant. They play Aziraphale, an angel, and Crowley, a demon, who must team up to stop the Antichrist from coming. They’re both quite fond of life on Earth, and they’d hate to see it destroyed thanks to Armageddon. Sheen and Tennant have ripping chemistry, and the show also features humorous appearances from Jon Hamm as the angel Gabriel and Frances McDormand as God.

Billy Bob Thornton stars in Goliath , a compelling legal drama. Thornton plays Billy McBride, a disgraced lawyer turned ambulance chaser. He agrees to take on a wrongful death lawsuit in hope of getting revenge on the firm that kicked him out. It’s a must-watch for fans of courtroom dramas and great writing, with Thornton confidently carrying the series. A number of other big names also feature, including J.K. Simmons, William Hurt, Maria Bello, Mark Duplass, and Bruce Dern. 

Modern Love is a rom-com anthology series exploring love and romance in different forms. Each episode focuses on a contained love story and particular characters without any connection to the other episodes. The stories are all inspired by a real-life personal essay from the New York Times column titled "Modern Love." Many big names pop up throughout the series, including Anne Hathaway, Dev Patel, Tina Fey, Kit Harington, Minnie Driver, and more.

Deadloch is an Australian crime series that mixes black comedy and mystery to create hilarious results. Set in the town of Deadloch in Tasmania, the story follows two detectives and a junior constable who are sent there to investigate the death of a local man. The show’s quirky humor and characters make this a super fun watch, and it’s great to see an ensemble of diverse female characters at the front and center. Season two is currently shooting in Queensland and will arrive soon.

The sci-fi comedy series Upload explores a timely concept in the wake of technology and how it shapes our future. Set in the year 2033, people have the ability to upload themselves to a virtual world after they die. When Nathan unexpectedly dies, he chooses to live in the virtual world of Lakeside. There, he questions the circumstances of his own death. Upload is an example of a unique concept executed effectively, with social commentary around mortality and technology. 

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie became one of Hollywood’s most iconic couples in the film Mr. & Mrs. Smith, which received a television remake starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine. However, the story slightly differs. In this version, the titular couple are two strangers who are paired up as spies and must live undercover as a married couple. Glover also created the series, and the tone and style are very reminiscent of his other acclaimed projects, such as Atlanta. 

The Legend of Vox Machina is an adult animated fantasy series and is based on a campaign from a Dungeons & Dragons web show. It follows Vox Machina, a band of unlikely heroes who find themselves on a quest to save their realm from dark forces. A Kickstarter campaign funded the first season until the show became one of Amazon’s most acclaimed series. It has been highly praised for its animation, emotional storytelling, and meaningful LGBTQ+ representation. 

The Man in the High Castle is a dystopian sci-fi series that is loosely based on Philip K. Dick’s novel of the same name. It presents an alternate future where World War II turned out differently and resulted in America being dominated by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. When a woman finds a mysterious film, it may be the key to toppling the regimes. The show's complex plot and intricate writing make it impressively original and deeply thought-provoking.

From Moonlight director Barry Jenkins, The Underground Railroad is a historical miniseries based on the novel by Colson Whitehead. It follows a young woman named Cora who escapes a plantation in Georgia. Afterward, she boards a subterranean train in order to avoid being caught. In the series, The Underground Railroad is depicted as a train. In reality, it was actually a network of secret routes and safe houses to help enslaved African-Americans.