It’s cliche but true that laughter sometimes really is the best medicine. It makes you feel at ease in times of stress, helps you process complicated things, and just puts you in a better mood. We all need a good laugh. Luckily, the billion and one streaming services offer a plethora of great comedies to watch when we need a little bit of laughter in our lives. Amazon Prime Video’s great film collection offers an abundance of options for laughs.
Comedy is subjective, but I selected a variety of movies and TV shows that often make me laugh. Hopefully, they do the same for you.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017-2023)
In The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Midge Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan) is a 1950s housewife who discovers that she has a talent for stand-up comedy. She revamps her housewife life to start doing stand-up.
Why It's A Good Option For Laughs: Rachel Brosnahan gives a charming and amusing performance as Midge. She’s the type of quirky character that pulls you into her gravitational force. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel stand-up comedy scenes are fresh and bold (and the show isn’t afraid to take chances with scenes). Mrs. Maisel is a character who makes you laugh while also inspiring you with her bravery at a time not generous to women who didn’t fit the standard. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel also has a very strong supporting cast of funny people, including Tony Shalhoub and Alex Borstein.
Stream The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Prime Video.
Airplane! (1980)
Airplane! is a parody disaster movie. It follows the passengers and flight crew of a plane traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago. During the flight, the passengers and crew face many obstacles, like sickness and an emergency landing. The cast of Airplane! includes Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Why It’s A Good Option For Laughs: Airplane! is a very slapstick movie with great one-liners, running jokes, and a fun satirical tone. If you’re a fan of slapstick comedy and over-the-top characters, then Airplane! has the right amount of kick for your needs. I’m serious, and don’t call me Shirley.
Stream Airplane! on Prime Video.
Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
The 2023 Academy Award-winning Best Picture stars Michelle Yeoh as a woman dealing with IRS issues while also tackling complicated relationships with her daughter and husband. Her troubles manifest in parallel universes and various versions of herself.
Why It’s A Good Option For Laughs: Everything Everywhere All At Once is more dramedy than comedy, but the comedic moments are very sharp and fun. This is a film to watch if you need a good cry and a good laugh.
Stream Everything Everywhere All At Once on Prime Video.
Good Omens (2019-)
Good Omens is based on Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s book of the same name. It follows various people as the impending armageddon nears. Angel Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and demon Crowley (David Tennant) are at the heart of the action and they must figure out how to save the world before it’s too late.
Why It’s A Good Option For Laughs: Good Omens is a very funny novel and the show (at least in the first season) is fairly faithful to the source material. Just because the world is about to end, doesn’t mean you can’t laugh as it happens.
Stream Good Omens on Prime Video.
Upload (2020-)
Upload exists in a world where the rich can upload their consciousness into a digital afterlife. The first season follows Nathan (Robbie Amell), a computer engineer grad and computer programmer who dies unexpectedly and ends up at Lakeview, one of the premiere afterlife destinations.
Why It’s A Good Option For Laughs: Greg Daniels created Upload and he has a history of creating hilarious comedies, including King of the Hill, The Office (US), and Parks and Recreation. He does not disappoint with Upload. Nathan’s afterlife journey is heartfelt and hysterical. It also has an intoxicatingly sweet romance that works because of Robbie Amell and Andy Allo’s chemistry. Upload is an entertaining series that rom-coms fans and comedy fans can equally enjoy.
Fleabag (2016-2019)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge stars in and created Fleabag, a series about a woman trying to find herself through a series of hookups, a complicated family dynamic, and a very hot priest. The Fleabag cast includes Sian Clifford, Olivia Colman, and Andrew Scott.
Why It’s AGood Option For Laughs: Fleabag is a dramedy so it blends very serious moments with wit and earnestness. Phoebe Waller-Bridge completely embodies Fleabag, this complex antihero character who wears her scars on her sleeves. For every gut-punching moment, there is an equally side-splitting moment. Fleabag is a nice blend of joy and heartbreak.
Stream Fleabag on Prime Video.
The Bernie Mac Show (2001-2006)
The Bernie Mac Show is a sitcom that follows a comedian who must take care of his sister's three children while she’s in rehab. Bernie has no children of his own. Therefore, this is his first chance at fatherhood — which leads to some very funny situations. Comedian Bernie Mac based the concept on his standup comedy act.
Why It’s A Good Option For Laughs: Bernie Mac is one of the funniest comedians of all time, so you can count on him to give a hilarious performance. He manages to bring some of his signature comedic style to this family sitcom. Not only is Bernie hysterical but the children play into their roles well. The Bernie Mac Show is mostly family-friendly, while not losing its comedic edge. It proves a show can be mainly wholesome but still very funny.
Stream The Bernie Mac Show on Prime Video.
The Lost City (2022)
Sandra Bullock once again proves she’s the perfect actress to call if you need someone to deliver a hilarious performance in a romantic comedy. The Lost City follows a novelist kidnapped by an eccentric billionaire to help find a lost city described in her books. Her cover model attempts to save her from him. He just creates more chaos. Daniel Radcliffe plays the billionaire.
Why It’s A Good Option For Laughs: Sandra Bullock’s best films allow her to fully embrace her characters. She immerses herself in their trauma, struggles, and accomplishments. The Lost City is no different. Bullock really becomes Loretta, this novelist very annoyed with her cover model. This annoyance and Channing Tatum’s Alan’s desperation for approval make it a very entertaining comedy.
Stream The Lost City on Prime Video.
Jury Duty (2023-)
Jury Duty is a feel-good comedy that’s partly scripted and partly a reality TV show. It follows Ronald Gladden as he believes he’s being filmed for a documentary about jury duty. However, it’s actually a reality show and everyone else involved are actors. Everything is scripted but Ronald’s reactions to these situations and people.
Why It’s A Good Option For Laughs: James Marsden gives one of his best performances in Jury Duty. He’s a stereotypical, narcissistic Hollywood version of himself. Marsden shines in this series, but so does the whole cast. It once again confirms that mockumentary TV series are often the best shows because they are just so funny.
Stream Jury Duty on Prime Video.
The Carol Burnett Show (1967-1978)
Comedian Carol Burnett brings her cleverness to a variety sketch comedy show that featured sketches and performances by Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, and Lyle Waggoner alongside Burnett.
Why It’s A Good Option for Laughs: Carol Burnett is a comedy legend who put a lot of blood, sweat, and laughter into coming up with these sketches that kept people entertained and laughing all the way through. The Carol Burnett Show has become a beloved classic show because it’s refreshing and zany. It emphasizes Burnett’s outstanding comedy career.
Stream The Carol Burnett Show on Prime Video.
Pitch Perfect (2012)
Pitch Perfect brings the world of collegiate a cappella to the forefront. Anna Kendrick, Skylar Astin, Rebel Wilson, Adam DeVine, Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, and Ben Platt star in this comedy that combines singing, hilarious characters, and very entertaining situations.
Why It’s A Good Option For Laughs: Pitch Perfect had one of the funniest opening films to a franchise. In my opinion, the franchise kind of fell apart until Bumper in Berlin (Yes, I am still mad about its cancellation). But the first movie is hilarious enough to watch on its own, or if you dare, the other sequels as well. Pitch Perfect highlights the entertaining and ridiculous (but also charming) sides of acapella groups. Anna Kendrick also gives one of her most memorable performances in it. Additionally, it helped launch the careers of some of the most well-known actors and musicians.
Stream Pitch Perfect on Prime Video.
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)
Tucker & Dale vs Evil basically spoofs the hillbilly horror genre (examples in the genre include The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes). Dale (Tyler Labine) and Tucker (Alan Tudyk) are mistaken for killers by college students. This leads to some unfortunate deaths.
Why It’s A Good Option For Laughs: Tucker & Dale Vs Evil is a great horror comedy whose hilarious premise keeps you horrified and laughing the entire film. The writing sets things up in a clever tongue-in-cheek way that makes it a wild and hilarious ride, especially for Dale and Tucker.
Stream Tucker & Dale vs Evil on Prime Video.
These movies should keep you laughing all week, but if you need more laughs, Amazon Prime Video has a wide collection of licensed and original movies and TV shows to pick from. Therefore, I am confident you will find something to make you laugh.
