He started as a square-jawed, straight leading man and morphed into the unparalleled lord of deadpan comedy, demonstrating that you could be funny simply by not cracking a smile. His body of work is one of the oddest and most charming career reversals in movie history—to go from noble space captains to the most lovably misguided sorts conceivable. If you ever wondered how he managed to do what he did, the following is a countdown of ten performances that illustrate Nielsen at his best.

10. Viva Knievel! (1977)

Before the trademark silver mane and comedy stardom, Nielsen showed up in his fair share of bad-guy roles. Here, in this raunchy Evel Knievel stunt film, he’s a dope-dealing heavy who gets up to his brand of high-octane shenanigans against the daredevil himself. The film is straight-up ’70s spectacle—bombastic, splashy, and a little bit absurd—with Nielsen scenery-chewing the thing to Gene Kelly.

9. The Reluctant Astronaut (1967)

Here in this Don Knotts sitcom, Nielsen is the straight man opposite Knotts’s bumbling wannabe astronaut. It’s a gentle, silly romp and an early glimpse of Nielsen’s comedic tastes before he became a full-fledged genre hound. He doesn’t deliver punchlines—he lays them up perfectly.

8. Prom Night (1980)

Yes, before Airplane! Getting his life back on track, Nielsen was still acting serious roles—like the strict high school principal in this horror classic. The movie itself is a cult classic and not necessarily a straight-up classic, but it is intriguing to see him in completely drama mode just before he started doing comedy.

7. Repossessed (1990)

A no-holds-barred spoof of The Exorcist, this includes Nielsen as Father Mayii—an unwilling demon-slayer forced into battle with Linda Blair’s devil-possessed housewife. The jokes are wild, irreverent, and not quite subtle, but Nielsen is fully committed to the goofiness in his fashion.

6. Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)

Teaming up with Mel Brooks, Nielsen enters the cape of Dracula with a wink and a flourish. He crosses over classic vampire threat with slapstick, making the Count a masterclass of campy humor. It’s silly, yes—but that’s the point.

5. Wrongfully Accused (1998)

As concert violinist-turned-fugitive Ryan Harrison, Nielsen spoofs The Fugitive and practically every ’90s thriller in one go. Packed with rapid-fire gags, blink-and-you-miss-it sight jokes, and movie references, it’s a love letter to the parody genre he helped define.

4. Creepshow (1982)

Surprise—Nielsen could be menacing as easily as he could be comedic. In the “Something to Tide You Over” segment, he is a ruthless husband with icy deliberation. No pratfalls, no goofy faces—just a cold-blooded bad guy who shows Nielsen’s range was more than we recall.

3. Forbidden Planet (1956)

Here’s Nielsen as Hollywood initially cast him: the straight-laced sci-fi hero. Commander Adams commands one of the most groundbreaking science fiction films ever made. With its groundbreaking special effects and ominous electronic soundtrack, it’s a vintage movie hit—and Nielsen plays it straight.

2. Airplane! (1980)

One film. One role. Career reinvention. As Dr. Rumack, Nielsen forgoes corny one-liners straight-faced, rendering silliness into laugh gold. It’s the performance that made him a legend and provided the benchmark for all parody characters that subsequently came his way.

1. The Naked Gun Series (1988–1994)

Frank Drebin is not an actor—a cultural reference point. Throughout three movies (and the ill-fated Police Squad! TV series), Nielsen honed the formula for the clueless-but-totally-confident hero. The gags never cease, the parodies cut to the quick, and his unapologetic deadpan is the secret ingredient that makes them classic.

From space travelers to slapstick comedic detectives, Leslie Nielsen transformed himself in ways that few other actors ever have. Whether he was delivering a creepy menace or a perfectly timed one-liner, he played it deadpan—and for some reason, that made him one of the greatest comedic men to ever appear on screen.

When a director finds their ideal on-screen match, sparks don’t fly—smeared and destroyed by the passage of time. Some marriages are so blissfully in tune, it’s difficult to imagine one without the other. They define genres, make cultural icons, and leave viewers in awe of what sorcery occurs off-screen. Here’s a countdown of ten iconic director–actor collaborations that demonstrate lightning does strike twice. Or ten times.

10. Sofia Coppola & Kirsten Dunst

It all began when Coppola hired teen Kirsten Dunst to star in The Virgin Suicides. Since then, they’ve formed a low-key but influential collaboration, getting together again for Marie Antoinette and The Beguiled. They’ve created dreamlike, ethereal narratives together that speak particularly to young women—and received a lot of critics’ affection in the process.

9. Tim Burton & Johnny Depp

Wild wigs, wan makeup, and a sprinkle of gothic fantasy—if Depp’s sporting it, Burton likely imagined it. Across eight movies, from Edward Scissorhands to Ed Wood to Sweeney Todd, Depp has become one of Burton’s most out-there inventions. Their offbeat visions complement each other so seamlessly that it’s difficult to distinguish where Burton leaves off and Depp takes over.

8. Wes Anderson & Bill Murray

At this juncture, it’s essentially a rule: no Wes Anderson film is ever whole without Bill Murray appearing somewhere in the shot. Occasionally, he’s the star (Rushmore), occasionally he merely appears in a few lines (The Grand Budapest Hotel), but his deadpan humor and Anderson’s fastidious approach are a match made in heaven. It’s indie cinema comfort food.

7. Paul Thomas Anderson & Philip Seymour Hoffman

Five movies collectively, and not an unsteady link in the bunch. Hoffman was able to command a scene with one look—whether he played the sleazy audio guy in Boogie Nights, the cult leader in The Master, or somewhere in between. PTA knew just how to work his talent, which made their collaborations a highlight reel of contemporary acting.

6. Frances McDormand & The Coen Brothers

Nine movies, three Academy Awards (including Fargo), and a mutual sense of humor that ranges from deadpan to goofy. Marrying Joel Coen couldn’t have hurt, but McDormand’s position in the Coens’ film world extends far beyond matrimony. She is as integral to their style as their signature dialogue and quirky storylines. 

5. Steven Spielberg & Tom Hanks

One’s the greatest storyteller, the other’s the greatest everyman. Their first film, Saving Private Ryan, remade the war film. They’ve since bounced between genres—spy thrillers (Bridge of Spies), lighthearted capers (Catch Me If You Can)—and even directed milestone TV miniseries like Band of Brothers. Whenever these two collaborate, it’s a masterclass in simple yet heartwarming filmmaking.

4. Alfred Hitchcock & James Stewart

Hitchcock had a cast of leading men, but James Stewart was his everyman with a dark underbelly. Over Rope, Rear Window, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and Vertigo are teshaped suspense films. Stewart’s warmth made the public empathize; Hitchcock’s economy kept them on the edge of their seats. The outcome? Four thrillers that continue to inspire filmmakers today.

3. Akira Kurosawa & Toshiro Mifune

Sixteen movies—sixteen. Kurosawa and Mifune did not merely direct samurai classics such as Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, and Throne of Blood; they revolutionized the genre. Mifune’s physique and ferocity put flesh on Kurosawa’s grand narratives, be they feudal Japan or contemporary Tokyo. Their legacy runs from Sergio Leone to Star Wars.

2. Quentin Tarantino & Samuel L. Jackson

Nobody says Tarantino’s knife-sharp dialogue like Jackson. From Pulp Fiction to Jackie Brown, Django Unchained to The Hateful Eight, Jackson makes every monologue shine. Whether he’s a hitman, a bounty hunter, or simply narrating, his zip and Tarantino’s words are nothing short of movie magic.

1. Martin Scorsese & Robert De Niro

The gold standard. Ten movies over five decades, beginning with Mean Streets and rolling through Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Casino, The Irishman, and now Killers of the Flower Moon. Along the way, they’ve created some of movie history’s most indelible characters and narratives, racking up more than 30 Oscar nominations in the process. This is what trust-fueled creativity looks like.

These aren’t merely collaborations—these are legacies. The next time you see these names combined on a poster, don’t merely purchase a ticket. Anticipate greatness.

Sword and sorcery movies are fantasy’s rowdy, leather-strapped cousins—less “save the world from eternal destruction,” more “fight that wizard because he gave me the stink-eye.” These films live and die on grit, magic, and heroes who parry obstacles with a swing of the sword before a strategy session. They’re swashbuckling, unashamedly odd, and frequently just sufficiently campy to be endearing. So grab your chainmail, tap into your inner barbarian, and let’s march through ten sword-and-sorcery classics that never fail.

10. Dragonslayer (1981)

If you prefer your fantasy dark, moody, and with a frightening dragon, Dragonslayer is a requirement. The highlight here is Vermithrax Pejorative—so realistic and threatening that even Guillermo del Toro praises it. With his master deceased, a young apprentice (a pre–Ally McBeal Peter MacNicol) takes his place to contend with this fire-breathing terror. The movie coordinates waning magic, conflicting religion, and jaw-dropping practical effects that have stood the test of time better than most contemporary CGI.

9. Clash of the Titans (1981)

Ray Harryhausen’s last effects showcase transforms Greek legend into a stop-motion spectacle. Perseus (Harry Hamlin) battles gods, gorgons, and the Kraken in a narrative that’s pure mythic adventure. The Medusa sequence is a tense, unforgettably wrenching set piece, and the entire movie is essentially a love letter to old-fashioned cinematic wonder.

8. Krull (1983)

Fantasy? Sci-fi? A fever dream? Krull is all of the above. You have alien invaders, a magic throwing blade, fire horses, and a young Liam Neeson to throw into the mix. The plot stumbles along, but that’s part of its crazy charm—you never know what wild twist is going to show up next. It’s messy, imaginative, and impossible not to respect for sheer audacity.

7. The Beastmaster (1982)

Cable television during the ’80s and ’90s essentially operated on the model of The Beastmaster. Marc Singer plays Dar, an animal-talking hero with ferret friends, a tiger sidekick, and a bad sorcerer to vanquish. Rip Torn hysterically over-the-top portrays the villain Maax. It’s camp, it’s sincere, and it’s the reason why folks still sort of joke that TBS originally stood for “The Beastmaster Station.”

6. Excalibur (1981)

John Boorman’s interpretation of Arthurian legend is a radiant, dreamlike epic in which everything, from armor to rivers, appears to glow. Spanning the rise and fall of Camelot, it boasts Helen Mirren’s wickedly cunning Morgana and Nicol Williamson’s quirky, scene-stealing Merlin. It’s peculiar, lovely, and entirely unlike any other King Arthur film.

5. Legend (1985)

Half fable, half gothic fantasy, Ridley Scott’s Legend features Tom Cruise as the hero, Mia Sara as the princess, and Tim Curry as Darkness—a so well-developed villain that he essentially steals the movie. Lush visual texture, atmospheric richness, and a heightened sense of wonder give it the feel of a storybook come to life (with nightmares included). 

4. Willow (1988)

Warwick Davis’s would-be wizard and Val Kilmer’s roguish thief unite to safeguard a baby who will kill an evil queen. Along the way, there are sword battles, brownies, and plenty of heart. Charming and adventurous to an equal degree, Willow continues to be a fantasy fan favorite underdog story.

3. The Green Knight (2021)

Evidence that sword and sorcery is capable of being artful and unsettling, The Green Knight takes Dev Patel’s Sir Gawain on a dreamlike quest that’s part morality story, part quest, and part dream logic. Atmosphere permeates every frame, and its slow-burning storytelling lingers long after the credits start rolling.

2. Red Sonja (1985)

Yes, it’s campy. Yes, it’s imperfect. And yes, it’s a hoot. Brigitte Nielsen uses the sword as the tough warrior woman, with Arnold Schwarzenegger riding shotgun (not as Cona —rights complications, long story). Sandahl Bergman’s wickedly wonderful queen almost steals the picture. It’s cheesily good fun if you take it for what it is.

1. Conan the Barbarian (1982)

The genre’s unarguable monarch. Schwarzenegger’s Conan is an unstoppable force, avenging himself in a steel-age world of sorcery and bizarre cults ruled by the entrancing James Earl Jones’ Thulsa Doom. Gritty combat, immortal score, and a blend of rawness and magnificence stand as the ultimate sword-and-sorcery standard.

From sincere epics to unabashed camp, these films demonstrate that sword and sorcery lives on spectacle, weirdness, and heroes of exaggerated proportions. Whether they are high art or fantastically cheesy, they all bat at the fences—and frequently, at a wizard’s head.

If Stranger Things has a superpower beyond creepy lighting and turning 80s songs into chart-toppers, it’s ripping our hearts out. Over four seasons, we’ve watched beloved characters (and a few unexpected ones) meet their end in ways that stick with us long after the credits roll. From blink-and-you-miss-it casualties to gut-punch goodbyes, here’s a ranking of the most tear-inducing deaths in Hawkins history.

10. The Nameless Many

Before we discuss the A-listers, a shout-out to background heroes—and victims. Hawkins Lab workers, Russian scientists, miscellaneous neighbors… the Upside Down doesn’t discriminate. Whether it’s the Demogorgon ripping through lab technicians, the Mind Flayer taking whole rooms of souls, or Vecna’s body count at the NINA project, these anonymous tragedies establish the tone: in Hawkins, no one is safe.

9. Chrissy Cunningham

Chrissy’s season 4 demise was a tonal hammer. She was a cliché mean girl at first, but some quiet moments revealed that she was troubled—and then Vecna happened. Her bloody death in Eddie’s trailer shocked us, but it also served to announce that this season would be darker than ever before.

8. Mews the Cat

Laugh all you want, but Dustin losing his family cat was ruthless. Poor Mews was lunch for Dart the Demodog in season 2, and Dustin’s embarrassing fib to his mom only added insult to injury. Little moment? Sure, emotionally traumatizing for pet owners around the world? For sure.

7. Dr. Martin Brenner (“Papa”)

The guy who experimented on Eleven isn’t a sympathetic candidate, but his season 4 departure was complicated. Brenner’s final moments made Eleven—and us—struggle with all those years of manipulation, abuse, and warped affection. It’s not an easy “good riddance,” which makes it more impactful.

6. Billy Hargrove

Billy began as the resident bad boy bully on the show, but by season 3’s conclusion, he’d earned some redemption. Possessed by the Mind Flayer, he eventually gave his life protecting Eleven and the others. Seeing Max lose it over his death was as painful as his last act of heroism.

5. Barb Holland

Barb’s death may not have been the most sensational, but it’s quite possibly one of the most discussed. She was merely in the wrong place at the wrong moment, consumed by the Demogorgon as Nancy danced the night away upstairs. The absence of in-show justice only added to the fan outrage—Justice for Barb was a cause for a reason.

4. Alexei

We didn’t expect to love a Slurpee-obsessed Russian scientist, but Alexei won us over in record time. He brought humor and heart to season 3, which made his sudden death during the fair all the more gutting. He deserved to enjoy that freedom a little longer.

3. Bob Newby

Bob Newby, superhero—and cinnamon roll through and through. Sean Astin made Bob so likable and sincere that we should have guessed he was a goner. And yet, seeing him almost make it to safety before the Demodogs brought him down was a moment that no Stranger Things fan will ever forget.

2. Eddie Munson

Season 4’s breakout legend departed like a rock god. Eddie’s guitar-shredding diversion in the Upside Down was epic and heartbreaking, topped off by his emotional farewell with Dustin. A genuine hero who at last demonstrated that he wasn’t the coward others perceived him to be—just to shatter all our hearts.

1. The Hawkins Lab Children

The season 4 flashback massacre is possibly the darkest moment of the show. Seeing Henry Creel (a.k.a. One/Vecna) kill every other child at the lab was shocking not because of the killing itself, but because these were children who—imperfections and all—never deserved their death. This act defined Eleven’s life and cast a long shadow on everything else that came thereafter, and that made it the most haunting loss of the series.

Whether you’re still replaying “Master of Puppets” for Eddie or quietly grieving Barb, Stranger Things has taught us something: no character is too beloved to be spared. And with season 5 on the horizon, we may need to begin preparing ourselves all over again.

Let’s be honest—there’s nothing more infuriating than hanging in with a show for years, only to have the final episode come off like a slap in the face. Whether it’s a confounding creative decision, a rushed mess to the end, or a twist that negates everything that has previously happened, some shows have ended up in the books for all the wrong reasons. Here are ten that continue to ignite controversy, memes, and “what were they thinking?” debates—listed in reverse order for maximum flair.

10. Empire

At its best, Empire was appointment TV, with Taraji P. Henson’s Cookie Lyon owning every frame. But when the pandemic shut down production on the last season, rather than waiting for a proper finale, Fox pieced together a “finale” out of half-finished episodes. The result was jarring, muddled, and left huge loose ends—including those creepy flashforwards foreshadowing Lucious and Cookie’s demise, which never amounted to anything. Fans (and Cookie herself) deserved better.

9. Yellowstone

For a program constructed around epic Western drama, Yellowstone’s finale was oddly vacant. The Duttons returned their ranch to the Broken Rock Tribe in what the narrative presented as a noble gesture—but it felt undeserved and consequence-free. Rather than working with the Dutton family grappling with the uglier elements of their legacy, the finale gave them neat resolutions. Meanwhile, actual Montana was still contending with the tourism boom the show helped create.

8. Scrubs

Scrubs accomplished the unusual task of leaving on a perfect, bittersweet note with its Season 8 finale. The network attempted to continue the magic with a “med school” retooling that tasted of a completely different (and substantially weaker) show. Gone were most of the show’s original cast members, the new additions never gelled, and by the time it limped out of existence, audiences were regretting that Season 8 might have been the actual goodbye.

7. Dexter

Few finales are as notorious as Dexter’s original one. Years of vigilante justice in Miami come to an end with our beloved serial killer staging his death and. becoming a lumberjack. His sister Debra was brain-dead and left drowned in the ocean, and Dexter escaped any real comeuppance. The backlash was so intense that “going full Dexter” became code for messing up an ending. Even the revival that came later couldn’t eliminate the bitter taste.

6. The Walking Dead

After eleven seasons of surviving the apocalypse, The Walking Dead concluded—not with closure, but with trailers masquerading as plot. The finale took more time setting up spinoffs than bidding adieu to iconic characters. Rather than a resolution for Daryl, Maggie, and the gang, fans were offered corporate franchise-styling. The apocalypse was better.

5. Lost

Lost was a cultural event, riddled with conspiracy theories and fan lore. But when the truth was finally revealed during the last season—yes, sort of—many people were left baffled. The “flash-sideways” twist explained that the alternate timeline was an afterlife purgatory; some misread it as implying that the entire series existed in the afterlife. It didn’t, but the finale was muddled enough to make people debate years later.

4. Game of Thrones

The globe’s most-viewed program concluded in a rush of hasty plot threads. Daenerys’s sudden descent into tyranny, Bran’s sudden coronation, and inadequate ends for fan favorites made Game of Thrones Season 8 one of the most loathed final stretches in television history. HBO has been attempting to repair the brand by working on spinoffs, but “Who has a better story than Bran?” is still an internet joke.

3. How I Met Your Mother

After almost a decade of foreshadowing, viewers finally were introduced to “the mother”—only for her to perish off-screen so that Ted might marry Robin. The twist disrespected years of character development and had viewers raging over the bait-and-switch. What might have been a comfort-show staple is instead remembered as one of TV’s biggest gut punches.

2. The Sopranos

The cut to black that became infamous polarized audiences in an instant. Tony Soprano is having onion rings with his family one minute, and then—nothing. Was he murdered? Did life just continue? Creator David Chase has remained tight-lipped, but for many fans, the uncertainty was infuriating. For others, it was daring genius. Either way, it’s one of the hottest debated finales in television history.

1. Roseanne

In its initial run, Roseanne concluded with a shocking twist: the entire final season’s storyline was merely a narrative Roseanne had invented to deal with her husband Dan’s passing. The lottery jackpot, the shifts in the Conner household—it was all make-believe inside the make-believe. The twist was jarring against the show’s earthy, blue-collar roots, leaving some viewers more confused than ever. Even the revival couldn’t fully reverse the damage. These finales show that regardless of how great a show is, a bad finale can tarnish the entire ride. Occasionally, the true shock isn’t the twist—it’s the fact that the writers didn’t stick the landing.

Let’s face it—Disney and Pixar have been the animation crown jewels for years. But outside of the classic castles and mouse ears, there’s a whole other universe of animated stories waiting to be told. These movies show that amazing animation doesn’t require a chatty snowman or a princess lullaby to warm your heart. From independent treasures to stunning anime and spectacular stop-motion, here are ten absolute must-view animated films produced outside of the Disney/Pixar universe.

10. The Triplets of Belleville

Ever ask yourself what would happen if French surrealism, an affinity for jazz, and the Tour de France all got into a smashup together? That’s The Triplets of Belleville in brief. Nigh on entirely dialogue-free, it’s the bizarre and fanciful story of a resolute grandmother, her abduction-bound cycling grandson, and three oddball elderly sisters who were once music hall performers. With its quirky visuals and unforgettable score, it’s a testament to the fact that you don’t necessarily need words to tell an impactful story. 

9. Kubo and the Two Strings

Few stop-motion animations look as sweeping and enchanted as Kubo and the Two Strings. Set in mythical Japan, it’s about a young boy equipped with a shamisen (a sort of lute-like instrument) on an epic quest to vanquish the Moon King. The animation is stunning, the narrative profoundly moving, and the voice talent—Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Ralph Fiennes—brings the characters to life with breathtaking flair. It’s epic fantasy on a hand-built scale.

8. Millennium Actress

It’s from the genius mind of Satoshi Kon that Millennium Actress is born, a poignant tribute to cinema and love. As an aging actress recounts her life, her memories get intertwined with scenes of her movies, creating a reality vs. fiction confusion. The upshot is a poetic, visually beautiful ride that gets more delicious with each repeat viewing.

7. The Secret of Kells

Cartoon Saloon’s first feature is a visual feast. The Secret of Kells is about a young boy in a medieval monastery who becomes exposed to the magic of art and the secret Book of Kells. Its beautiful, handmade look is in the style of illuminated manuscripts, so there is an otherworldly beauty that seems ageless.

6. Coraline

Not everything animated is fuzzy and warm—Coraline shows that it can be spine-tingling, as well. This stop-motion remake of Neil Gaiman’s gothic fantasy is about a girl who finds herself in what appears to be the perfect alternate reality… until she sees the creepy truth lurking beneath. Both creepy and beguiling, it’s a contemporary classic for anyone who wants their fairy tales with a shiver.

5. Fantastic Mr. Fox

Wes Anderson’s trademarks blend beautifully with Roald Dahl’s cheeky fox. Each shot of this stop-motion escapade is carefully arranged—symmetry, color schemes, wry humor, the lot. Voiced by George Clooney, Meryl Streep, and Bill Murray, Fantastic Mr. Fox is cunning, fashionable, and completely enchanting.

4. Wolfwalkers

Another Cartoon Saloon treasure, Wolfwalkers, brings you to 17th-century Ireland, where a kid hunter bonds with a girl from a secret clan said to turn into wolves every evening. Its hand-drawn animation is so rich and multi-layered you’ll find yourself pausing just to absorb the texture. It’s a spellbinding mixture of folklore, friendship, and visual artistry.

3. How to Train Your Dragon

If you’re looking for a film that’s pure joy from start to finish, How to Train Your Dragon delivers. The bond between Hiccup and Toothless is one of the sweetest in modern animation, and the flying sequences—paired with John Powell’s soaring score—are nothing short of exhilarating. Dragons and Vikings have never been so lovable.

2. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

This is not another superhero film—it’s an animation revolution. Featuring its comic-book textures, vibrant colors, and breakneck pace, Into the Spider-Verse makes the Spider-Man legend feel fresh. It’s funny, it’s emotional, and it looks like nothing else, demonstrating that animation can be experimental in ways live-action cannot.

1. Ghost in the Shell

A staple of cyberpunk, Ghost in the Shell is a brainy combination of sci-fi action and metaphysical depth. In a future world where the distinction between human and machine dissolves, it poses enormous questions about consciousness and identity. Its impact can be seen in everything from The Matrix to Westworld, and its animation remains a visual wonder.

So the next time someone says that Disney and Pixar own the market on great animation, show them this list. There’s a huge, imaginative, and beautifully bizarre animated world out there—waiting for you to explore.

Let’s face it—browsing Amazon Prime Video can feel like getting lost in a digital jungle. One second you’re hunting for a new comedy, and the next you’re knee-deep in a post-apocalyptic thriller, somehow queuing up a docuseries about extreme dog grooming. It’s a wild place. But if you’re tired of scrolling and just want to hit “play” on something worth your time, you’re in luck. I’ve weeded out the noise (and snacked my way through some serious binges) to present you with 11 Amazon Prime Video original series must-watches.

From laugh-out-loud comedies to gritty dramas and all the rest, here’s the countdown—because let’s be real, saving the best for last always is more fun.

11. Harlem

Harlem is all about four women exploring love, work, and identity in one of NYC’s most legendary neighborhoods. Developed by Girls Trip writer Tracy Oliver, the series brings a sassy, unapologetic perspective to friendship and drive, with a cast that exudes chemistry. Meagan Good, Grace Byers, Shoniqua Shandai, and Jerrie Johnson deliver, with guest stars such as Whoopi Goldberg making things even hotter. A viewing essential with a real voice and plenty of humor.

10. Catastrophe

This British romantic comedy is not your typical sappy and sweet stuff. Catastrophe takes two strangers (Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney) through a surprise pregnancy following a tryst, and makes their one-night stand somehow real. It’s messy, raw, dirty, and surprisingly heartwarming. Bonus: The late, great Carrie Fisher steals every scene she appears in. It’s a refreshingly candid exploration of relationships, parenting, and the mess of adult life.

9. A League of Their Own

Yes, it’s a do-over—but this reboot of the original film takes the familiar tale and goes with it in bold, new ways. Co-created by Abbi Jacobson, A League of Their Own adds more depth to gender, race, yet retains the humor and heart of the original that made everyone love it so much. With great performances from D’Arcy Carden, Kate Berlant, and Jacobson herself, it’s a hilarious, emotional, and all-too-brief gem that needs so much more love.

8. One Mississippi

Tig Notaro’s deadpan genius is here, delivering this highly personal, semi-autobiographical series. One Mississippi combines grief, clumsiness, and dry wit as Tig comes back home from her mother’s passing. Developed with Diablo Cody, the show unobtrusively explores trauma, family life, and recovery in an instantly relatable, utterly intimate manner. It’s subtle, moving, and frequently hilariously surprising.

7. I’m a Virgo

If you’re craving something truly original, I’m a Virgo is your show. Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) created this surreal coming-of-age tale about a 13-foot-tall Black teen growing up in Oakland. Starring Jharrel Jerome, the series mixes absurdist humor, biting social commentary, and dazzling visuals in a way few shows even dare to try. It’s weird, smart, and totally unlike anything else on TV.

6. High School

Adapted from Tegan and Sara’s memoir, High School is an honest, moody, and beautifully shot look at growing up, coming out, and figuring things out. With real-life twins Railey and Seazynn Gilliland playing the lead roles, the show captures the messy beauty of adolescence with stunning authenticity. Throw in a ‘90s soundtrack and some killer grunge-era vibes, and you’ve got a coming-of-age story that hits all the right notes.

5. Dead Ringers

Rachel Weisz delivers not one, but two tour-de-force performances in this eerie reimagining of Cronenberg’s cult classic. As twin gynecologists, she navigates identity, control, and obsession in a world where science and horror converge. Dead Ringers is dark, chic, and incendiary—with plenty of body horror and social commentary. It’s creepy, sure—but also profoundly absorbing.

4. Undone

This rotoscope animation series is not only a visual feast—it’s also a time-traveling, trauma-tackling family adventure. From the creators of BoJack Horseman, Undone follows Rosa Salazar as a woman who begins to see visions of her dead father and discovers she has latent abilities after a car accident. It’s wonderfully strange, deeply emotional, and one of the most imaginative series Prime Video has ever produced.

3. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Steeped in the glamorous world of 1950s New York, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is a wisecracking, style-conscious extravaganza. Rachel Brosnahan shines as Midge, a suburban homemaker turned stand-up comedian seeking to penetrate a man’s universe with charm, humor, and unrelenting will. Written by Gilmore Girls architect Amy Sherman-Palladino, the show is a visual and verbal thrill ride that has won accolades—and rightfully so.

2. Reacher

Sometimes, you simply crave watching a rough-around-the-edges guy kick down bad guys, and Reacher delivers by the truckload. Alan Ritchson plays the legendary Jack Reacher with charm and sheer strength, coming to the screen with unexpected depth. The show remains true to the novels yet provides the action with a smooth, contemporary look. It’s pleasing, intelligent, and perpetually bingeable. And it broke streaming records for a reason.

1. Fallout

Fallout, Prime Video’s epic take on the cult video game franchise, delivers. It takes place in a dark, post-apocalyptic universe and follows Lucy (Ella Purnell), who braves her sheltered life underground to go in search of her father. What she finds is crazy, funny, terrifying, and completely binge-worthy. With killer acting (hi, Walton Goggins!) and pitch-perfect world-building, Fallout is not just a hit—everyone’s talking about it as a new science fiction classic.

So the next time you fire up Prime and feel intimidated, forgo the scroll. These 11 debut series are proof that Amazon’s not merely a destination for free shipping and reruns of vintage sitcoms. Enjoy watching—and may your queue forever be binge-worthy.