There's a pretty good chance you've been relying on Amazon purchases while you've been stuck at home amid the coronavirus pandemic, but have you been using this time to explore Amazon's original programming? While there are plenty of classic TV shows and movies available on the service, there are also a number of original series that are absolutely worth your time. So when you head over to Amazon to restock some essentials, consider giving these series a shot. Here are the Amazon Prime shows you should stream in quarantine. And for more interesting series to watch now, These Are the Best Hulu Shows to Stream While in Quarantine.
1 | Bosch
Amazon Prime VideoWith the sixth season premiering in April 2020, and the seventh season already confirmed, Bosch might just be one of the most popular police procedural dramas you're not watching. Titus Welliver stars as Los Angeles detective Harry Bosch, the literary creation of crime fiction writer Michael Connelly. Welliver does an exceptional job of translating the character from the page to the screen, but Bosch's tight plotting and memorable depiction of L.A. make it a show you don't want to miss. Get started now: You have a lot of episodes ahead of you.
2 | Hunters
Amazon Prime VideoWith Al Pacino in a starring role, a TV series is bound to get a lot of attention—and Hunters did seem to inspire its fair share of conversation, even if reviews were somewhat mixed. Of course, this show was always destined to be contentious: It's a violent, occasionally shocking series about a group of Nazi hunters in 1977 New York. While Hunters' brutality and subject matter may make it a tough watch for some viewers, its sense of righteous justice and top-notch cast make the whole thing worthwhile.
3 | Transparent
Amazon Prime VideoArguably Amazon Prime's most successful and acclaimed series, Transparent ran for four full seasons and wrapped things up with a feature-length musical series finale in Sept. 2019. The show represented a major step forward for trans representation on television, eventually correcting for some of its early missteps by casting more trans actors, and helping expand hearts and minds. Jill Soloway's series is rich, funny, moving, and yes, sometimes messy, but the same could be said about the Pfefferman family at its center. And for more addictive series you shouldn't miss, These Are the Best Netflix Shows to Watch in Quarantine.
4 | The Man in the High Castle
Amazon Prime VideoWhat would have happened if the Axis powers won World War II? That's not something we like to think about often—and with good reason—but it's a fascinating jumping-off point for a TV series. Based on the Philip K. Dick novel, The Man in the High Castle imagines a terrifying alternate reality where history didn't turn out the way it was supposed to. As far as escapist entertainment goes, you could probably find lighter fare, but all four seasons of the series are currently streaming and will certainly keep you hooked.
5 | One Mississippi
Amazon Prime VideoComedian Tig Notaro joined forces with Diablo Cody for this series inspired by Notaro's life, previously recounted in her often gut-wrenching memoir, I'm Just a Person. The show never quite caught on with audiences—Amazon acknowledged as much when they canceled it in 2018—and that's not all that surprising. Despite being helmed by a comedian, it deals with Notaro's harrowing life experiences, including her mother's death and her own dire health problems. But it's also smart, funnier than you'd think, and easy enough to watch in one six-hour sitting.
6 | Lore
Amazon Prime VideoIt seems that every streaming platform needs its own horror anthology series, and Amazon Prime was savvy enough to base theirs on the popular podcast Lore. Like the podcast, the show tells a different story in every episode, blending history and folklore with some seriously spooky results. While Lorehad some detractors over the course of its two seasons, genre fans seemed to appreciate what it was doing. As long as you don't mind being creeped out, maybe you will, too. And if you're looking for more scary streaming options, these are The 18 Best Horror Movies on Netflix.
7 | The Tick
Amazon Prime VideoWhether you know the Tick from the original comic books, the '90s animated series, or the very short-lived live-action iteration—or if you're new to the big blue guy entirely—you'll have a hard time not falling for the most recent take on the nigh invulnerable superhero. With Tick creator Ben Edlund helming the series, the show captured the quirky humor of the comics. Not to mention the fact that Peter Serafinowicz and Griffin Newman turned out to be the best versions of the Tick and Arthur imaginable.
8 | Modern Love
Amazon Prime VideoThe New York Times' "Modern Love" column is one of the paper's most addictive features, offering a glimpse into the romantic foibles (and successes!) of a wide array of people. This adaptation, created by John Carney, smartly follows suit, with each episode telling a different story. These tales are mostly romantic comedies, but because the show comes from the man who gave us Once, you're also liable to sometimes swoon and cry. Whether you're social distancing solo or with a romantic partner, give yourself over to Modern Love. And if you can't get enough rom-com content, try streaming The 18 Best Romantic Comedies on Netflix.
9 | Sneaky Pete
Amazon Prime VideoIf you're a fan of Breaking Bad—and really, who isn't—it should pique your interest that this crime drama was co-created by Walter White himself, Bryan Cranston. The other creator, David Shore, is responsible for hits like House and The Good Doctor, which maybe set too high a bar for Sneaky Pete. Nevertheless, this show is a blast to watch, and if you haven't seen any of the three seasons streaming on Amazon Prime, you're missing out on a suspenseful and delightfully twisted series, with a killer performance from star Giovanni Ribisi.
10 | Jack Ryan
Amazon Prime VideoBe honest—when you were watching The Office, did you ever imagine that Jim would become an action star? And yet, that's what has happened to John Krasinski, the fifth actor to play the title character created by Tom Clancy. Whether you think he's as iconic in the role as the previous portrayers, including Harrison Ford and Alec Baldwin, is up for you to decide, but this action-packed political thriller is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat regardless. Catch up on the first two seasons, then join us in waiting eagerly for the third to arrive.
11 | Red Oaks
Amazon Prime VideoIf you're nostalgic for the '80s, you'll probably appreciate Red Oaks, an under-the-radar comedy about a college student (Craig Roberts) working at a Jewish country club in New Jersey. If the specifics sound a little too niche for you, that's OK. You'll find that whether or not you had a similar experience, the coming-of-age story and the timeless themes will resonate. And the cast is a treat, with a special shoutout to Dirty Dancing's Baby herself, Jennifer Grey.
12 | Homecoming
Amazon Prime VideoAnother series based on a podcast, Homecoming probably works best if you haven't listened to the podcast, if only because the show's twisty-turny plot will keep you guessing. The less you know, the better. It's hard to imagine improving on the phenomenal cast of the show's first season—Julia Roberts, Stephan James, and Sissy Spacek, among others—but the second season, due in May, will star Janelle Monáe and Chris Cooper. Why don't you go ahead and get hooked now? You can thank us later.
13 | The Boys
Amazon Prime VideoAnother superhero series based on comics? Maybe, but The Boys isn't like anything else you've seen before. This darkly funny, gleefully savage show is about a group of vigilantes trying to keep other super-powered folks in check. The buzz for The Boys was big enough that the series was renewed for a second season before the first even premiered, and the largely positive reviews suggest that was a smart move. Even if you feel like you've had your share of superheroes—not to mention antiheroes—you should still give The Boys a shot. Those eight episodes will whiz by faster than A-Train. (You'll get the reference after you watch.) And for more binge-worthy series, check out these 15 Classic TV Shows You Didn't Know You Could Stream Right Now.
