Amazon Prime Video has graced Australians with its killer line-up of movies and TV shows since 2016. Sadly, with bigger and more established players like Netflix and Stan nabbing some famous names, poor Amazon Prime Video was traditionally left off the monthly subscription list. Well, no longer. Jeff Bezos and his team of content curators have upped their game, dropping a series of great additions to its portfolio, not to mention some cold hard cash. The streaming service is now home to the most expensive series ever produced, and that’s not all. Some of the best series currently out there are Amazon Prime shows, so save yourself the digging, we’ve done it for you. Here’s our list of the best shows on Amazon Prime Video.
Best Amazon Prime Video TV Shows
We get it – there are a lot of Amazon Prime Video TV shows to choose from. As with any streaming platform, there are plenty of kick-ass shows to be found, buried in some not-so-kick-ass TV shows. So, we’ve narrowed it down to the best of the best across a range of different categories, from the best new series to the best dramas, comedies, thrillers and more.
- Best New Amazon Prime Series: Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
- Best for Drama: The Wheel of Time
- Best for Action & Sci-Fi: The Boys
- Best for Comedy: The Grand Tour
- Best for Thriller & Horror: Nine Perfect Strangers
How We Choose This List of What to Watch on Amazon Prime Video Australia
Think of us like IMDB/Rotten Tomato/data crunching ninjas who’ve scoured the internet to find the best shows on Amazon Prime. We’ve read reviews from critics and fans alike to get a real gauge of what’s worthy of your time – no snooze-fest TV shows here! And, with this list of the best Amazon Prime TV shows having roughly an IMDB score of 7 or higher– ya know it’s good stuff.
Best Amazon Prime Shows
When it comes to unearthing the top shows to put on your radar, it really comes down to what you’re in the mood for. Some of us prefer a light-hearted romp across the country with Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond in The Grand Tour, while others will be looking to deep dive into the darkened world of The Boys. The important thing is to put yourself first and think about what you really want to watch. Below, we’ve split the best series on Amazon Prime Video into categories, working across new releases, action, comedy, drama and thrillers. Whatever you’re into, Amazon has you covered.
New Amazon Prime TV
Looking at the last few months on Amazon Prime Video, the streaming service has dished up some great new series to sink your teeth into, but one super-sized addition reigns supreme. Here are the best new series on Amazon Prime Video Australia.
1. Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Release year: 2022
Director: J.A. Bayona
Stars: Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Charlie Vickers
IMDB rating: 6.9
Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power exploded in popularity across the globe, becoming Amazon Prime’s top-watched show this year. Covering a span of Middle-earth’s history in the Second Age, before The Lord of the Rings books but also in continuity with the books and The Hobbit film trilogies, LOTR fans and even people impartial to LOTR are loving The Rings of Power. A political fantasy drama, the series references plenty of original LOTR content like the forging of the Great Rings, the Downfall of Númenor, the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, and more. You don’t have to have watched LOTR to enjoy this series, but it definitely helps if you have.
Set thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the show follows a bunch of different characters including Galadriel – previously portrayed by Cate Blanchett, who is here replaced by Morfydd Clark – as they “confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth,” according to the show’s synopsis. Best of all, the elves and warriors are returning for season two, albeit in a very different setting.
The first season was entirely filmed in New Zealand over a lengthy period of 18 months during the pandemic. However, with restrictions lifted and the UK posing a relatively cost-effective filming premise, the production is packing up and moving, although that’s not the sole reason. According to reports, Amazon is endeavouring to create a “multi-show hub” in London where future shows will be produced too.
2. The Outlaws
Release year: 2021
Director: Stephen Merchant
Stars: Rhianne Barreto, Darren Boyd, Gamba Cole
IMDB rating: 7.7
If you love a misfits storyline you’ll definitely enjoy watching The Outlaws. The story, set in Bristol, follows a group of misfits who are forced together to complete a Community Payback sentence. The plot thickens when the group discover a bag full of cash, which becomes the reason behind a string of attacks, threats and plenty of mishaps. This show is funny, emotional and thrilling all rolled into one. Couple with an easy-to-follow yet very funny storyline, this show truly is one for the whole house to enjoy.
If you are a fan of Ricky Gervais collaborator Stephen Merchant, The Outlaws is a big winner. After premiering BBC One on October 25, it has become the BBC’s biggest comedy launch this year, with over 11 million streams on BBC iPlayer so far. Season two has already been greenlit, with Merchant, Rhianne Barreto, Gamba Cole, Darren Boyd, Clare Perkins, Eleanor Tomlinson, Jessica Gunning and Charles Babalola returning.
3. A League of Their Own
Release year: 2022
Director: Jamie Babbit
Stars: Abbi Jacobson, Chanté Adams, D’Arcy Carden
IMDB rating: 7.4
An adaption of the 1992 film of the same name, A League of Their Own is an American period sports drama/comedy about the formation of a WWII-era women’s professional baseball team. Set in 1943, the series follows Carson Shaw (Abbi Jacobson) who leaves her small-town life while her husband is away at war to pursue her dreams of playing professional baseball. A warm-hearted dramedy based on a series of true events, you don’t have to like baseball shows to enjoy this Amazon Prime TV series.
Amazon Prime TV Shows – Drama
Where the good stuff lies, Amazon Prime Video’s drama category is one of the best in the platform’s arsenal. From the brooding fantasy instalment The Wheel of Time to the tense and terrifying moments captured in Yellowstone prequel 1883, the streaming platform is eager to dish out some serious thrills and spills. Here are the best drama series on Amazon Prime Australia.
4. The Wheel of Time
Release year: 2021
Director: Uta Briesewitz
Stars: Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Madeleine Madden
IMDB rating: 7.1
Based on a series of fantasy novels by author Robert Jordan, The Wheel of Time TV series draws on elements of European and Asian mythology and the cyclical nature of time. In the world of The Wheel of Time, “the dark one” seeks to control Earth and the only one who can stop him is the “dragon reborn”. The Wheel of Time certainly takes the audience straight into the story, weaving through many different perspectives which can get tricky to follow at times. However, if you love high fantasy stories, you’ll definitely enjoy this show.
5. 1883
Release year: 2021
Director: Taylor Sheridan
Stars: Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill
IMDB rating: 8.8
Fan of Yellowstone? 1883 needs to be put on your watch list because it’s the prequel to the wildly popular modern-day western. Part of the Yellowstone universe, 1883 follows the Dutton family in 1883, as they embark on a journey west through the Great Plains toward the last bastion of untamed America. At the heart of this show is a distinct retelling of Western expansion, along with the classic chasing of the American Dream.
Taking place long before John Dutton Jr. ever stepped foot on Wyoming ranch, 1883 is a “stark retelling of Western expansion, and an intense study of one family fleeing poverty to seek a better future in America’s promised land: Montana.” These series comes from Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, who recently penned a five-year deal with ViacomCBS and MTV Entertainment Group, with the USS$150 million+ arrangement will push Sheridan towards the top of television’s highest-paid showrunners.
“Taylor Sheridan is a visionary creative whose work has reinvented genres and amassed fan bases around the globe,” Chris McCarthy, president of MTV Entertainment said at the time. “We couldn’t be more excited to build upon our partnership with him, expand the Yellowstone universe and showcase Taylor’s boundless talent across all of our brands and platforms.”
6. Luxe Listings
Release year: 2021
Director: Brad Gustafson
Stars: D’Leanne Lewis, Simon Cohen, Gavin Rubinstein
IMDB rating: 6.1
A real estate lifestyle reality show, Luxe Listings has taken Australia by storm, and not just because it’s based in Sydney. With eccentric, larger-than-life characters, Luxe Listings is a gold mine of comedy and drama, with the six-part series follows real estate agents D’Leanne Lewis, Gavin Rubenstein and buyer’s agent Simon Cohen as they hustle and broker their way to success in the pricey Sydney property market.
Best Action & Sci-Fi Shows on Amazon Prime Video
If you’re looking to transport yourself to another dimension, or perhaps just to another century, only the best sci-fi on Amazon Prime Video will do. An often overlooked genre, sci-fi series have emerged as a major drawcard for the platform over the past few years, led by big-budget superhero hits like The Boys and some tense and confusing additions like Josh Brolin’s Outer Range. Here are the best sci-fi series on Amazon Prime Video Australia.
7. The Boys
Release year: 2019
Director: Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen
Stars: Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr
IMDB rating: 8.7
Set in a universe where everyday people with superpowers are seen as heroes by the public, but really owned by a powerful corporation trying to monetize superheroes, The Boys is entertaining, thrilling, humorous and heartfelt all in one. Based on the comic book of the same name, the series focuses on the titular Boys – vigilantes trying to keep the corrupted heroes under control, and the Seven, Vought International’s league of superheroes. Plenty of action, drama and of course a love story thrown in too, The Boys will keep you on your toes with plenty of twists, turns and the occasional graphic and definitely NSFW scene.
The good news is The Boys is soon returning for season four and bringing a whole host of new characters to the fold. In October, streaming service Amazon Prime Video dropped a first look at Firecracker and Sister Sage, the latest anti-heroes set to arrive for The Boys season four. Since it debuted in 2016, the show, which is based on Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s bestselling comic book series, has proven to be one of Amazon Prime Video’s most successful series. Following a group of ordinary humans, otherwise known as The Boys, as they attempt to expose the evil doings of the mega-corporation Vought International, the series tackles the superhero genre in a completely new way. From the outset fans loved the concept, however, the show’s ability to blur the lines between reality and fantasy has seen it attract a massive global audience.
8. Upload
Release year: 2020
Director: Greg Daniels
Stars: Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Allegra Edwards
IMDB rating: 7.9
Upload is set in the not-too-distant future of 2023 where humans can upload themselves into a virtual afterlife. The series follows computer programmer Nathan Brown who mysteriously dies prematurely and is uploaded into the expensive Lakeview afterlife yet still finds himself under the thumb of his possessive (and very much alive) girlfriend. Nathan quickly bonds with his living customer service rep Nora, who soon starts to piece together the puzzle of Nathan’s death, and comes to believe he was murdered.
9. Outer Range
Release year: 2022
Director: Jennifer Getzinger
Stars: Josh Brolin, Imogen Poots, Lili Taylor
IMDB rating: 7.1
Outer Range is complex, thrilling and downright unbelievable at times. It follows the story of the Abbott family, religious ranchers from Wyoming, who discovers a peculiar hole on their property. Both a suspenseful crime thriller and loosely fantasy-based, Outer Range is certainly a unique show with plenty of characters, subplots and a pretty complex narrative. Once you get into it, however, there’s no doubt you’ll be hooked.
“An untimely death in the community sets off a chain of tension-filled events, and seemingly small-town, soil-bound troubles come to a head with the arrival of a mysterious black void in the Abbotts’ west pasture,” the official synopsis reads. “Wild revelations unfold as Royal fights to protect his family; through his eyes, we begin to see how time contains secrets held in the past and unsettling mysteries foreshadowed.”
10. Reacher
Release year: 2022
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Stars: Alan Ritchson, Malcolm Goodwin, Willa Fitzgerald
IMDB rating: 8.1
Reacher is a highly-rated Amazon Prime TV show based on the first book of the Jack Reacher series “Killing Floor”. The series follows a veteran military police investigator who has re-entered life as a civilian. A true drifter with no phone and just the bare essentials, Reacher finds himself in a small town in Georgia where the community is dealing with its first homicide in two decades. A prime suspect of the murder, Reacher must work to prove his innocence.
Comedy on Amazon Prime Video Australia
Want to work out your funny bone? Turns out Amazon Prime Video has got something for that, with the streaming service adept at dishing out laughs by the bucketload. The platform has managed to nab some famous faces for a few originals, including Hot Fuzz and Sean of the Dead favourites Nick Frost and Simon Pegg in Truth Seekers, along with Phoebe Waller-Bridge in her runaway hit Fleabag. Here are the best Amazon Prime comedy series.
11. Fleabag
Release year: 2016
Director: Harry Bradbeer
Stars: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sian Clifford, Olivia Colman
IMDB rating: 8.7
One of the best Amazon Prime TV series, Fleabag was created by the extremely talented Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who stars in the show and is based on her 2013 one-woman show of the same name. The series follows a dry-witted, no-filter woman known only as Fleabag as she traverses life and love in London. Funny, heartfelt and comedy genius, Fleabag is a must-watch.
12. The Grand Tour
Release year: 2016
Director: Phil Churchward
Stars: Jeremy Clarkson, James May, Richard Hammond
IMDB rating: 8.7
The boys are back! When Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May departed the BBC series Top Gear, the legendary trio moved to Amazon Prime for this exclusive The Grand Tour series. Following a fairly similar format to Top Gear, The Grand Tour includes car challenges and races, studio segments and plenty of great car content. Basically, if you loved Top Gear, this show will be right up your alley.
13. Truth Seekers
Release year: 2020
Director: Jim Field Smith
Stars: Nick Frost, Malcolm McDowell, Samson Kayo
IMDB rating: 7.0
Only running for one season, Truth Seekers is certainly still worth the watch. A British supernatural comedy horror series, the storyline follows a group of paranormal investigators who set out to film ghost sightings. However, as their supernatural experiences become more frequent, they uncover a conspiracy that could bring about Armageddon and take down the entire human race. With eight episodes all hovering around 30 minutes, you could bash this show out at night.
Best Thriller & Horror Series on Amazon Prime
Spooky, cooky and altogether uncomfortable, Amazon Prime Video’s foray into the thriller and horror genres has been masterful. Where other streaming services have gone for a quantity-over-quality approach, Bezos and the gang have taken a much more refined stance. The titles are few and far between, but with the likes of >Nicole Kidman leading the charge, you can’t really go wrong. here are the best Amazon Prime Video thrillers and horror shows.
14. Nine Perfect Strangers
Release year: 2021
Director: Jonathan Levine
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, Michael Shannon
IMDB rating: 7/10
Filmed in the beautiful Byron Bay region of NSW (but set in North America), Nine Perfect Strangers is based on a Liane Moriarty novel of the same name and follows a group of people attending an unusual wellness retreat to heal their traumas. However, not everything is as it seems as the group learns their treatment plan involves some experimental drugs, and this seemingly idyllic haven turns into a nightmare. Starring Melissa McCarthy and Aussies Nicole Kidman and Asher Keddie, Nine Perfect Strangers will have you on the edge of your seat.
15. The Terminal List
Release year: 2022
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Stars: Chris Pratt, Constance Wu, Taylor Kitsch
IMDB rating: 8/10
Starring Chris Pratt and Constance Wu, The Terminal list is peak thriller genre viewing. Based on Jack Carr’s 2018 novel of the same name, the show centres on Lieutenant Commander James Reece and the aftermath of his platoon of Navy SEALs being ambushed while on a covert mission and him being the sole survivor. As he seeks to uncover what went wrong, he finds evidence to suggest there are dark forces working against him endangering not only his life but the life of his loved ones too.
Key Things to Consider for Amazon Prime TV Series
- How Amazon Prime Video Rankings Work – Amazon Prime Video rankings are actually based on ratings by customers who have rented or purchased a movie/show on Amazon. You have to be logged in to your account, have to watch the rented/bought movie via your account, and then you’re able to leave a review/rate the show or movie. At least you know ratings/reviews are from people who’ve actually watched the show or movie!
- Budgets – Amazon Prime TV has huge budgets (being part of an American multinational technology company has its perks). The SVOD service spent roughly $US465 million just to make The Rings of Power. With big budgets come big blockbusters – and while big money poured into a TV series doesn’t automatically make it a good series, it can definitely help spruce up the entertainment factor/visual effects and so on.
- Exclusives – While one of Amazon Prime TV’s biggest competitors Netflix might have the largest market share, Amazon Prime Video has the largest streamable library out of all the other services. Amazon Prime TV offers plenty of exclusive series that can only be viewed on its platform, like The Grand Tour, for example. And with a free 30-day trial, if there’s a series you particularly want to watch, it’s definitely worth giving Prime Video a go.
- Cost of Amazon Prime Video – Amazon Prime TV in Australia is only $6.99 per month, which is about half of its competitors. There is only one subscription type for Prime Video (similar to the Disney+ subscription model). You can also choose a year subscription, for $59 paid upfront.
- Free Trial – Amazon offers a free 30-day trial when you first sign up, and you can easily cancel before the 30 days are up to avoid having to pay for the next month.
Alternatives to Best Amazon Prime Shows
Don’t have an Amazon Prime TV account and not looking to get one anytime soon? No worries! Why not have a browse of some of the best movies and shows on Netflix?
- What’s New on Netflix This Month
- Best Movies on Netflix Australia
- Best Sci-Fi Movies on Netflix
- Best Australian Shows on Netflix
General FAQs
Amazon announced in September 2022 that The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power saw over 25 million viewers across the world tune in on the first day, setting a new record for Prime Video.
Amazon Prime TV in Australia is only $6.99 per month, which is about half of its competitors. Unlike Stan and Netflix, you don’t have to choose your subscription type because there is only one subscription for Prime Video (similar to the Disney+ subscription model). You can also choose a year subscription, (like Disney+) for $59 paid upfront. It also includes a handy 30-day free trial so you can get a taste of its content offering before committing.