We can all use a good laugh right about now and the best stand-up comedy specials on Netflix definitely abide. Over the past few years, the ubiquitous streaming service has dropped serious cash in its pursuit of…well…literally everyone. We have no idea as to whether or not there’s been a return on investment and nor do we care. What we do know is that most of today’s best stand-up comedians are on Netflix and it’s not even close. Turn on one of the following comedy specials to forget about the world or at the very least have a laugh at its expense.
Table of contents
- 1. Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones
- 2. Bill Burr: Paper Tiger
- 3. Tom Segura: Disgraceful
- 4. Neal Brennan: 3 Mics
- 5. Iliza Schlesinger: Elder Millennial
- 6. Jim Gaffigan: Mr. Universe
- 7. Jim Jefferies: Bare
- 8. Mo Amer: The Vagabond
- 9. Jerry Seinfeld: Jerry Before Seinfeld
- 10. Sarah Silverman: A Speck of Dust
- 11. Chris Rock: Tamborine
- 12. Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife
- 13. John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City
- 14. Ari Shaffir: Double Negative
- 15. Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America
- 16. Tony Hinchcliffe: One Shot
- 17. Tig Notaro: Happy to be Here
- 18. Anthony Jeselnik: Fire in the Maternity Ward
- 19. Joe Rogan: Strange Times
- 20. Hannibal Buress: Comedy Camisado
- BONUS: Best Stand-up Comedy Series on Netflix
- General FAQ
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1. Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones
Leave it to the modern era’s best stand-up comedian to deliver the best Netflix comedy special in recent memory. Putting political correctness in his crosshairs, Chappelle leaves no target behind.
Release Date: 26 August 2019
Director: Stan Lathan
Runtime: 65 min
2. Bill Burr: Paper Tiger
Like Chappelle, comedy legend Bill Burr offers a delicious takedown of PC culture, amongst other things. He doesn’t push boundaries as much as he does obliterate them, but with logic and candor on his side.
Release Date: 10 September 2019
Director: Mike Binder
Runtime: 67 min
3. Tom Segura: Disgraceful
The title pretty much says it all but Segura manages to inject plenty of charm and grace into his disgraceful routine. His crude antics make for comedy gold.
Release Date: 12 January 2018
Director: Jay Karas
Runtime: 71 min
4. Neal Brennan: 3 Mics
Taking his dexterity to a literal place, Brennan switches between three different microphones and three different modes of comedy. As viewers soon discover, the former “Dave Chappelle Show” writer is a veritable stand-up talent in his own right. Speaking of dexterity, he helmed this special himself.
Release Date: 17 January 2017
Director: Neal Brennan
Runtime: 65 min
5. Iliza Schlesinger: Elder Millennial
As the self-appointed spokeswoman for millennials, Schlesinger grapples with modern life in candid and clever fashion. The results are equal parts revealing and hilarious, making this one of the best Netflix comedy specials.
Release Date: 24 July 2018
Director: Steve Paley
Runtime: 72 min
6. Jim Gaffigan: Mr. Universe
Family man Jim Gaffigan keeps it relatively clean and that’s exactly where he finds his edge. If you’re looking for some of the best comedy on Netflix, start here and keep streaming through the rest of his available specials.
Release Date: 11 April 2012
Director: Jay Karas
Runtime: 78 min
7. Jim Jefferies: Bare
Australia’s own Jim Jefferies does our nation proud in this unsparing act, which features his now-famous gun control routine. Prepare to laugh and think at the very same time.
Release Date: 29 August 2014
Director: Shannon Hartman
Runtime: 77 min
8. Mo Amer: The Vagabond
One of the lesser-known comedy specials on Netflix is also one of the best. Amer’s Arab-American status gives him plenty to work with and boy does he work it.
Release Date: 8 October 2018
Director: Stan Lathan
Runtime: 56 min
9. Jerry Seinfeld: Jerry Before Seinfeld
Seinfeld leaves the outsized venues behind for an intimate special at New York’s The Comic Strip, where his career first took off. Interspersing signature jokes with never-before-seen materials and footage, the icon brings his past to life. It might not be what you expect, but it’s some of the best comedy on Netflix nevertheless.
Release Date: 19 September 2017
Director: Michael Bonfiglio
Runtime: 62 min
10. Sarah Silverman: A Speck of Dust
Beyond Sarah Silverman’s coy smile and even-tempered persona is a bottomless well of downright disgusting humour. And that’s exactly what makes her comedy work.
Release Date: 30 May 2017
Director: Liam Lynch
Runtime: 71 min
11. Chris Rock: Tamborine
What Eddie Murphy was to 1980s stand-up, Rock was to the 1990s. While he doesn’t necessarily recapture those glory days in this recent effort, it still makes for a solid approximation. As one might expect, he tackles cultural trends and personal ones alike with explicit candor and laser-sharp precision.
Release Date: 14 February 2018
Director: Bo Burnham
Runtime: 64 min
12. Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife
Wong’s second child is almost ready to pop out by the time she hits the stage for this Netflix comedy special, which explores maternity through a modern lens. It’s a hard knock life for the hard knock wife and she’s not afraid to share it.
Release Date: 14 February 2018
Director: Jay Karas
Runtime: 64 min
13. John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City
Culling from a host of personal stories, Mulaney dispenses with his signature brand of classic comedy. A born natural, he strikes the perfect balance between suaveness and smugness.
Release Date: 1 May 2018
Director: Alex Timbers
Runtime: 65 min
14. Ari Shaffir: Double Negative
This Netflix comedy special features two separate Ari Shaffir routines from the same night. Expect double the offensiveness and double the fun.
Release Date: 18 July 2017
Director: Eric Abrams
Runtime: 91 min
15. Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America
Asian comedian Ronny Chieng destroys America with laughter in one of the best comedy specials on Netflix. We think you can guess the subject matter.
Release Date: 17 December 2019
Director: Sebastian DiNatale
Runtime: 63 min
16. Tony Hinchcliffe: One Shot
This hilarious stand-up special is presented in one continuous shot, creating unique intimacy and palpable energy. Like the man himself, Hinchcliffe’s brand of comedy is effortlessly approachable.
Release Date: 15 January 2016
Director: Ben Wolfinsohn
Runtime: 57 min
17. Tig Notaro: Happy to be Here
Watching stand-up comedian Tig Notaro is like getting together with an old, supremely witty friend. She’s happy to be here and so is the audience. Pulling double-duty, she also directed.
Release Date: 22 May 2018
Director: Tig Notaro
Runtime: 58 min
18. Anthony Jeselnik: Fire in the Maternity Ward
Between his deadpan delivery, shocking apathy, and clever unpredictability, Anthony Jeselnik has established a truly singular style. This is one of the best Netflix stand-up comedy specials not just because it’s hilarious, but also because there’s nothing else quite like it.
Release Date: 30 April 2019
Director: Marcus Raboy
Runtime: 64 min
19. Joe Rogan: Strange Times
It’s no secret that Joe Rogan works tirelessly on his craft and with this stellar Netflix special, all that effort pays off in spades. Two words: vegan cat.
Release Date: 2 October 2018
Director: Anthony Giordano
Runtime: 63 min
20. Hannibal Buress: Comedy Camisado
Nothing says “new guard” like the man who brought down Bill Cosby once and for all. As it turns out, Hannibal Buress is also one of the best stand-up comedians working today. While this Netflix special isn’t necessarily his finest hour, it still makes for a solid entry point into his signature repertoire.
Release Date: 5 February 2018
Director: Jay Karas
Runtime: 71 min
BONUS: Best Stand-up Comedy Series on Netflix
After watching the best stand-up comedians, you might find yourself in a groove of sorts. Keep the laughter going by checking out these top Netflix stand-up comedy shows.
1. The Degenerates
Rising comics and seasoned ones alike deliver no compromises in their blistering routines.
2. The Standups
Fresh comedic talents reflect upon their respective journeys while peppering in plenty of contemporary humour.
3. The Comedy Lineup
Meet a diverse group of upcoming comedy stars, who deliver 15-minute routines.
4. Comedians of the World
This series scours the planet to find great comedy in unexpected places.
General FAQ
Netflix has more stand-up comedy than virtually any other streaming service. Some of the best specials come from living legends like Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, John Mulaney, Ali Wong, Bill Burr, Sarah Silverman, Tom Segura, Jim Gaffigan, Jim Jeffries, and Joe Rogan.
Netflix has doled out as much as $20 million for big-name comedians like Dave Chappelle. On the flip side of that coin, lesser-known talents are paid around $50,000. On average, Netflix pays comedians around $500,000 per special.
Netflix has a full swath of stand-up comedy specials and series from which to choose. If you're not easily offended, start with Dave Chappelle's latest special, Sticks & Stones.
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