The best stand-up comedy on Netflix right now
Thanks to specials from Joe Rogan, Hannah Berner, and Chad Daniels, Netflix closed out the summer with some top-notch stand-up comedy. The jury is still out on how the fall will shape up. The good news is that Netflix lined up Adam Sandler for a live comedy special, his second for the streamer. That’s the kind of star power that Netflix thrives on. Matt Rife’s new special, Lucid, isn’t quite as entertaining as Sandler’s, but when pickings are slim, you have to take what you can get.
Thankfully, the rest of our picks for the best stand-up comedy on Netflix feature some of the biggest names in the industry alongside rising comedic stars. If you can’t find your laughing place among these gems, then maybe laughing isn’t your thing.
Looking for something else? We’ve also rounded up the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime, and the best movies on Disney+. For Netflix fans, check out the 10 most popular shows on Netflix right now.
Adam Sandler: Love You (2024) [New]
IMDb: 6.8/10
Duration: 74m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Adam Sandler, Dan Bulla, Rob Schneider
Directed by: Josh Safdie
Is Adam Sandler: Love You really a comeback when Sandler has been a constant presence on Netflix? This is his second stand-up special for the streamer, and Sandler went in a more intimate direction while revisiting his comedic roots. Not every joke lands like they used to, but it’s always fun to see Sandler riff on some hilarious songs and share the occasional insight. He’s a comedy legend, and he’s still willing to try new things onstage decades after his prime.
Matt Rife: Lucid - A Crowd Work Special (2024) [New]
IMDb: 6.4/10
Duration: 54m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Matt Rife
Directed by: Erik Griffin
Maybe Matt Rife should change his name to Matt Riff. Rife is a viral sensation thanks to his crowd work. The comedian’s latest special, Matt Rife: Lucid, is improv comedy without a net. Essentially, Rife plays off the responses and prompts from the audience, which leads to hilarious interactions within the crowd. This can be a very hit-and-miss approach, as it is here. But when Rife is able to find his groove, it makes the rest of it worthwhile.
Hannah Berner: We Ride at Dawn (2024)
IMDb: 6.0/10
Duration: 50m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Hannah Berner
Reality star Hannah Berner is going all-in on comedy in her first special, We Ride At Dawn. She goes on at length about why Beast from Beauty and the Beast is such a catch, amid jokes about marrying a much older man. Berner is also pretty fearless when it comes to talking about sex, including some very uncomfortable moments in bed.
The title of this special comes from Berner’s rant about why we’d all be safer if only women could legally have guns, and her punch line may back up her point.
Chad Daniels: Empty Nester (2024)
IMDb: 7.1/10
Duration: 61m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Chad Daniels
Chad Daniels isn’t the most famous comedian, but how many 49-year old comics get to boast about having two grown adult children. Chad Daniels: Empty Nester isn’t a misnomer, and he really is starting the second half of his life at a young age. Plus, Daniels has a girlfriend who is also a comedian, which leads to more fodder to use in his act.
Joe Rogan: Burn the Boats (2024)
Duration: 67m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan is, of course, one of the most famous comedians in the world. But we can’t predict what he’s going to say in Joe Rogan: Burn the Boat, because this is one of the rare live specials being streamed by Netflix. However, Rogan’s fans will most likely be happy to see him take the stage in Texas.
Keith Robinson: Different Strokes (2024)
IMDb: 6.7/10
Duration: 53m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Keith Robinson
Directed by: Marcus Russell Price
Keith Robinson has been a comedian for nearly four decades, and you can really tell by the way he commands the room in Keith Robinson: Different Strokes. The name of this special is not directly related to the ’80s sitcom with a similar name. Instead, it’s a reference to Robinson’s two debilitating strokes. Those strokes may have slowed him down physically, but mentally, Robinson’s comedy is just as sharp as ever.
Robinson mines his strokes and subsequent recovery struggles for laughs, and he also mentions that Chris Rock now calls him “Strokey Robinson.” Even now, far from his peak condition, Robinson remains a master storyteller on stage.
Jo Koy: Live from Brooklyn (2024)
Duration: 59m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Jo Koy
Directed by: Shannon Hartman
Jo Koy is getting older, and he’s not hiding it in his latest special, Jo Koy: Live from Brooklyn. And that’s something he laughs about a lot as he goes over some familiar material about his family, social media, flirting with emojis, and realizing that his taste in music is a little out of touch with that of younger people. You may also learn the definition of “zaddy,” and then immediately regret hearing the word spoken out loud.
The Roast of Tom Brady (2024)
IMDb: 7.4/10
Duration: 179m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Tom Brady, Kevin Hart, Jeff Ross
Directed by: Beth McCarthy-Miller
Tom Brady is one of the greatest football players of all time. But a comedian, he is not. The Roast of Tom Brady puts the former quarterback in the hot seat as a killer lineup of comedians, celebrities, and sports stars line up to take shots at him.
Not everybody brings their A-game, as Ben Affleck fans will discover. However, Nikki Glaser absolutely scorches Brady, fellow comedian Kevin Hart (Lift), and anyone in the vicinity of those two. Some of the other comedian guests include Tony Hinchcliffe, Sam Jay, Bert Kreischer, Jeff Ross, Tom Segura, and Andrew Schulz.
Kevin Hart: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2024)
IMDb: 6.7/10
Duration: 79m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Kevin Hart, Jerry Seinfeld, Tiffany Haddish
Directed by: Marcus Raboy
This special may be called Kevin Hart: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, but it’s actually a roast of Hart by some of the biggest names in comedy. As she did in Tom Brady’s special, Nikki Glaser is also a highlight here as she appears alongside Dave Chappelle, Tiffany Haddish, Jerry Seinfeld, Chelsea Handler, Jimmy Fallon, and more. As for Hart, his consolation is that he was able to accept the annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Jimmy Carr: Natural Born Killer (2024)
IMDb: 6.6/10
Duration: 60m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Jimmy Carr
Directed by: Jimmy Carr, Brian Klein
Has becoming a dad dulled Jimmy Carr’s edges as a comedian? That’s the central question of his latest special, Natural Born Killer. Carr still delights in being politically incorrect, but part of the punchline is that he keeps offering warnings about getting canceled only to deliver a payoff that is deliberately tame.
One thing that hasn’t changed is Carr’s ability to read and control a room, which comes in handy when he starts interacting with the audience during the strongest part of the special. In verbal jousts, Carr’s always the winner.
Fern Brady: Autistic Bikini Queen (2024)
IMDb: 6.4/10
Duration: 57m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Fern Brady
Directed by: Phoebe Bourke
Despite the image that may come to mind from the title of Autistic Bikini Queen, Fern Brady’s comedy special is not that kind of show — although she is very open about being autistic and a former stripper. In fact, one of her funniest jokes imagines the world’s greatest superhero using his autism as a power to defeat criminals.
Brady also amusingly tears down the rom-com views of London while grappling with the trials of aging, even though it’s difficult to think of her as old at only 36. For the most part, Brady is comfortable with herself. But that won’t stop her from telling a few jokes at her own expense.
Neal Brennan: Crazy Good (2024)
IMDb: 7.3/10
Duration: 53m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Neal Brennan
Directed by: Neal Brennan
Former Daily Show contributor Neal Brennan has complete control over his format in Crazy Good. This works to great effect when he reframes his jokes through the screen of a smartphone. He also comes up with religious attack ads in the style of every political attack ad that you’ll see between now and November.
Brennan also raises an interesting point about fans holding up comedians as moral paragons, only to be upset when their opinions aren’t politically correct. Comedians are almost always going to offend someone, but that doesn’t mean Brennan and other prominent comedians on Netflix are immune from self-inflicted wounds when saying something dumb.
Demetri Martin: Demetri Deconstructed (2024)
IMDb: 7.5/10
Duration: 51m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Demetri Martin, MK Paulsen, Ron Lynch
Directed by: Demetri Martin
It’s been over half a decade since Demetri Martin filmed a comedy special, and his newest one, Demetri Deconstructed, is certainly unique. It was shot mostly in black and white with the conceit that Martin is undergoing medical procedures that have placed him in a comedy simulation that lets him comment on his own routine before and after he delivers it.
The stark contrast of the colorless visuals does keep the focus locked on Martin, who also introduces some props and visual gags to keep things from getting stale. There’s even a hook for Martin’s next stand-up special, which will probably not take another five years to arrive.
Steve Trevi?o: Simple Man (2024)
IMDb: 6.3/10
Duration: 56m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Steve Trevino
According to Steve Trevino, he’s just a simple man who reports back on the funny things that his family is doing. Hence the name of his latest standup special, Steve Trevino: Simple Man. Trevino’s wife, Renae Trevino, directed the special, and a lot of the jokes are about her, but always in a loving way. The same goes for their kids, as Trevino offers up humorous episodes about their lives together. It’s about as heartwarming as a TV-MA comedy special can get.
Brian Simpson: Live from the Mothership (2024)
IMDb: 7.5/10
Duration: 70m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Brian Simpson
Directed by: Baron Vaughn
Brian Simpson sees the tropes of masculinity as a self-imposed prison for men, and he’s trying to break those rules in his first Netflix special. That’s what the vast majority of his jokes are about as Simpson speaks about the preconceived notions of what men can or can’t do in modern society without being labeled as being less manly than their fellow males. Simpson also touches upon his service in the Marines two decades ago, which led to some awkward situations.
Dave Attell: Hot Cross Buns (2024)
IMDb: 7.4/10
Duration: 40m
Genre: Comedy, Documentary
Stars: Dave Attell
Directed by: Scott Gawlik
Two decades ago, Dave Attell was hosting Insomniac on Comedy Central. Attell may not be experiencing as many all-nighters as he used to, but his quick wit remains in his first stand-up special in years: Dave Attell: Hot Cross Buns.
At only 40 minutes, Hot Cross Buns zips right along. One of the special’s best gags is that Attell claims that 40 minutes was what he was contracted to do for Netflix, and he gleefully plays out the final minutes of the special as the seconds count down to the end of his obligation.
Chappelle's Home Team - Donnell Rawlings: A New Day (2024)
IMDb: 5.8/10
Duration: 40m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Donnell Rawlings
Directed by: Stan Lathan
Dave Chappelle’s longtime collaborator, Donnell Rawlings, headlines the Chappelle’s Home Team special, Donnell Rawlings: A New Day. For this special, Rawlings opens up about dating women much younger than he is and pretending to be Idris Elba to pick up women while spending time in New Zealand. However, the most personal moments come when Rawlings talks about being a co-parent, where his words blur the line between confessional and comedy.
Mike Epps: Ready to Sell Out (2024)
IMDb: 5.5/10
Duration: 61m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Mike Epps
Directed by: Royale Watkins
It’s easy to forgive Mike Epps for his role in Madame Web, because it’s not a very big part and it’s not the kind of selling out that’s referenced in the title of his fourth Netflix special, Mike Epps: Ready To Sell Out. To explain the meaning of the title here would be stepping on one of Epps’ funnier moments in the special.
At times, it’s unclear how much of what Epps is saying about his drug habit is real and how much is exaggerated for comedic effect. Among other revelations, Epps contends that his addiction cost him all of the money that he’s earned from his movie career. A key part of this special is Epps talking about his therapy and exploring why he’s so paranoid about his romantic partners cheating on him, especially when he’s willing to admit that he’s done some cheating himself.
Taylor Tomlinson: Have It All (2024)
IMDb: 7.2/10
Duration: 66m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Taylor Tomlinson
Directed by: Kristian Mercado Figueroa
Since her last Netflix special, Taylor Tomlinson has gone on to host CBS’ After Midnight, and achieved even greater stardom. However, Taylor Tomlinson: Have It All is not a victory lap for the comedian. Instead, she openly wonders whether it’s truly possible to have it all and if people root against each other for achieving both personal and professional happiness.
Tomlinson’s comedy here veers between self-assurance and anxiety, especially in romantic relationships. Because as much as Tomlinson has now, she doesn’t feel like she has to have it all.
Jack Whitehall: Settle Down (2024)
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rated: R
Duration: 65m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Jack Whitehall
Directed by: Chris Howe
Jack Whitehall is back on Netflix with his special, Jack Whitehall: Settle Down, and it’s like he never left at all. Whitehall’s hair may be longer, and he may be more domesticated, but he’s still largely the same guy at heart. He’s also somewhat miffed that he’s not quite famous enough to be touted by his former school and yet somehow famous enough to be linked to someone truly heinous.
Much of the material focuses on Whitehall’s family life, including getting a dog, having a kid, and realizing that he can never watch a Leonardo DiCaprio film (like Killers of the Flower Moon) again.
Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer (2023)
IMDb: 7.0/10
Rated: R
Duration: 57m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Dave Chappelle
Directed by: Stan Lathan
Dave Chappelle is arguably the biggest stand up comedian in the world, and he can still pack in the huge crowds as he does for Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer. There are very long stretches of self-indulgent stories in this special that are punctuated with a truly hilarious encounter with Jim Carrey and Chappelle’s reaction to the Chris Rock and Will Smith Oscar slap controversy. But Chappelle always seems to go back to the well with trans jokes way too many times. Chappelle even says in the special that he loves punching down, and he’s not lying.
Ricky Gervais: Armageddon (2023)
IMDb: 7.0/10
Rated: R
Duration: 63m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Ricky Gervais
Directed by: John L. Spencer
As the former star of the original U.K. version of The Office and a stand up legend in his own right, Ricky Gervais’ comedy legacy is largely secure. But Ricky Gervais: Armageddon is far from the comedian’s best material. There’s so much grievance comedy, especially against LGBT people, that it seems like Gervais should go on the road with Dave Chappelle.
This special only really comes to life when Gervais actually addresses Armageddon and shares his belief about how the world will end. That’s the stuff worth watching the special for, and the rest is hit or miss as Gervais fails to realize that he’s a bigger snowflake than the people he’s ridiculing.
Trevor Noah: Where Was I (2023)
IMDb: 6.6/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 68m
Genre: Comedy, Documentary
Stars: Trevor Noah
Directed by: David Paul Meyer
As is wont, Trevor Noah takes a worldly view of the United States in his stand-up special that arrived towards the end of 2023. Noah is insightful as always, leaning on learnings from Europe to inform his takes, which are always nuanced and honest. There’s also a phenomenal payoff at the end of the special for patient fans of the South African comedian.
Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and the Pool (2023)
IMDb: 7.4/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 78m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Mike Birbiglia
Directed by: Seth Barrish
Mike Birbiglia’s one-man show adds to his vast Netflix library. This was one of the top sets of 2023, with Birbiglia delivering deep and profound messages in a style that can wring out the laughter from the most heavy subject matter. It’s a must stream.
Matt Rife: Natural Selection (2023)
IMDb: 5.0/10
Rated: R
Duration: 64m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Matt Rife
Directed by: Erik Griffin
Matt Rife is already a major comedian on Instagram and TikTok, but Natural Selection was a new avenue for him to gain notice. Some will take issue with the way he goes about that in this special, particularly a domestic violence joke that garnered criticism (and led Rife to double down). Rife is a hot commodity and a debate topic throughout the stand-up circuit and this special shows off his shtick, warts and all.
Nate Bargatze: The Greatest Average American (2021)
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 61m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Nate Bargatze
Directed by: Troy Miller
This was one of the first great pandemic stand-up specials, demonstrating how the genre would continue on, even when the world around it stopped. Bargatze is willing to lean into the madness, both in his jokes and in the way helicopters interrupted his set. Bargatze is a comic finding his stride in this performance.
Pete Holmes: I Am Not for Everyone (2023)
Duration: 65m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Pete Holmes
Directed by: Oren Brimer
Pete Holmes’ winding career takes him back to the stand-up stage in I Am Not for Everyone. He embraces that truism with plenty of crude, particularly in the category everyone knows too well: dad jokes. Holmes’ awkward inappropriateness really isn’t for everyone, but it could definitely be for you.
Beth Stelling: If You Didn't Want Me Then (2023)
IMDb: 6.3/10
Duration: 59m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Beth Stelling
Directed by: Mo Welch
Beth Stelling is a comedian on the rise. In If You Didn’t Want Me Then, Stelling returns to her hometown of Dayton to tell jokes that are both uproarious and personable, detailing her childhood and how it continues to impact her life today. Parts of the set are heavy, but it’s definitely worth the watch.
Michelle Wolf: It's Great to Be Here (2023)
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Michelle Wolf
Michelle Wolf peaked in notoriety when she took on the White House Correspondents’ Dinner during Donald Trump’s presidency. She’s back on the stand-up stage with It’s Great to Be Here, a comedy special that unfolds over three episodes and five segments at multiple locations. Despite being broken up, the series breaks down to a breezy 77 minutes as Wolf tackles significant topics, including white womanhood.
Shane Gillis: Beautiful Dogs (2023)
Duration: 52m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Shane Gillis
Directed by: John McKeever
Beautiful Dogs marks the Netflix stand-up debut of Shane Gillis, known for his presence on YouTube and a role in the Peacock comedy, Bupkis. Topics from Gillis’ big Netflix premiere include being bullied by an interesting character from across the Pacific Ocean, as well as the depths of despair that come from dating someone whose ex is a Navy SEAL.
Tom Segura: Sledgehammer (2023)
IMDb: 7.1/10
Rated: R
Duration: 61m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Tom Segura
Any celebration going forward could easily feature Tom Segura. His fifth special for Netflix, is Sledgehammer. Taped at a sold-out show in Phoenix, Segura says what everyone likely thinks about raising a couple of sons and talks a lot about one of Hollywood’s leading men, Brad Pitt (Bullet Train).
Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact (2023)
IMDb: 5.6/10
Duration: 51m
Genre: Comedy
Filmed at the Orpheum Theater, Emergency Contact is Schumer’s first stand-up special since prior to the pandemic, and third overall on Netflix. She’s dabbled in some other things, including her own Hulu series, Life and Beth, so it’s good to see the comedian return to her roots. Topics included postpartum sex and chewable Viagra; the title is almost certainly a reference to her partner, Chris Fischer.
Hannah Gadsby: Something Special (2023)
IMDb: 6.6/10
Duration: 74m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Hannah Gadsby
Directed by: Jenney Shamash
Hannah Gadsby graces the Netflix stand-up stage for the third time, this time coming from the famed Sydney Opera House in Australia. Gadsby’s first special became a phenomenon, while the second was strong as well. The third delivered more strong content while uplifting audiences. Topics included marriage proposals, wedding cakes, and bunnies.
Wanda Sykes: I’m An Entertainer (2023)
IMDb: 7.2/10
Duration: 60m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Wanda Sykes
Directed by: Linda Mendoza
The comedy legend returned with I’m An Entertainer, which premiered on the service in May 2023. The hour-long special, Sykes’ second on Netflix, saw her discuss co-parenting with her French wife and the tragedy that is the public bathroom.
John Mulaney: Baby J (2023)
IMDb: 7.5/10
Genre: Comedy
Stars: John Mulaney
Directed by: Alex Timbers
Netflix favorite John Mulaney returned to the stand-up stage after a hiatus, but his life is much different than the last time he graced the stand-up stage for the streamer. He is now the father to a child with actress Olivia Munn, likely the source of the special’s title, Baby J. Plus, he’s been in treatment for cocaine addiction.
Chris Rock: Selective Outrage (2023)
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rated: R
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Chris Rock
There’s not much to say about Selective Outrage after its premiere. Why? It was the Chris Rock experience at its purest. It was Netflix’s first global live-streaming event. Unsurprisingly, he tackled his feelings about Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith in his first major event since last year’s Oscars, when Smith infamously hit the comedian across the face on national television. The special, filmed in Baltimore, follows Rock’s previous popular Netflix special, Tamborine.
Chelsea Handler: Revolution (2022)
IMDb: 6.0/10
Duration: 77m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Chelsea Handler
Directed by: Jo Koy
After dropping Evolution on HBO in 2020, Chelsea Handler took things a step further with Revolution. Directed by comedian Jo Koy, Handler’s special dives into personal topics like dating during the pandemic and choosing not to bring a child into the world. She also hops on her soapbox regarding an important topic: why men shouldn’t wear flip-flops. Handler has a long history with Netflix, including a talk show for the streaming service.
Nick Kroll: Little Big Boy (2022)
IMDb: 6.7/10
Duration: 60m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Nick Kroll
Directed by: Bill Benz
Nick Kroll took just enough time off from making uproarious Big Mouth episodes to film a stand-up special for Netflix. In Little Big Boy — a title that also describes the essence of his animated show — Kroll touches on heartbreak, hypnosis, and getting his start in comedy. This is Kroll’s first special for Netflix and his first stand-up special in more than a decade.
Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special (2022)
IMDb: 7.5/10
Duration: 86m
Genre: Comedy, Documentary
Stars: Norm Macdonald, Adam Sandler, Conan O'Brien
Norm Macdonald tragically passed in September 2021, but he had one more gift for his fans. Nothing Special, released posthumously, shows the comic performing a set by himself in his living room during the height of the pandemic. Self-taped, the special hits on the same smart witticisms Macdonald became known for during his career. The special also includes a featurette of comedians paying tribute to Macdonald and his legacy. Participants include Adam Sandler, Conan O’Brien, and David Letterman.
Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh (2018)
IMDb: 7.5/10
Rated: R
Duration: 73m
Genre: Comedy, Music
Stars: Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, Dan Bulla
Directed by: Steven Brill
Adam Sandler is most known for his movie career, but he has tried dabbling in stand-up comedy as well. In his 2018 special 100% Fresh, Sandler reemerges from a stand-up hibernation with earnest and hilarious songs, connecting fairly easily to his audience. Sandler rocks out on the guitar but doesn’t take on the aura of an out-of-touch rockstar, instead showing a form of humility and honesty as he copes with getting older and coming to terms with the mortality of comedians. Some have declared the special one of Sandler’s, funniest and it’s hard to disagree.
Jim Gaffigan: Comedy Monster (2021)
IMDb: 6.9/10
Duration: 70m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Jim Gaffigan
Directed by: Jim Gaffigan
Jim Gaffigan’s trademark style is back on the stage in Comedy Monster. This was the comedian’s first stand-up special of 2021 and the ninth of his prolific career. His observational style is also unique in that he avoids cursing in most of his storytelling. This special covered the year that was, as well as the seemingly never-ending appetite for billionaires to launch themselves into space. Gaffigan has scored numerous Grammy nominations for his comedy albums en route to becoming one of the more popular comedians of his generation.
Seth Meyers: Lobby Baby (2019)
IMDb: 7.5/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Seth Meyers
The former Weekend Update host and late-night talking head emerges from behind his desk to tell stories about his life, such as the time his wife had a baby in a lobby (as everyone does at one point in life). Meyers is on his A-game when talking about current events and politics, the bread-and-butter of his television stints. But Lobby Baby demonstrates another side of the comedian, one that is flawed and human and family-oriented, things that are tougher to see in his day-to-day gigs. Obviously, there’s still plenty of talk about politics, and this came out in 2019 when Donald Trump was president, but there’s a pretty clever way to skip ahead if you’re not interested in that part of the special.
James Acaster: Repertoire (2018)
IMDb: 8.5/10
Rated: TV-14
Genre: Comedy
Cast: James Acaster
James Acaster’s four-part collection of stand-up routines was released to Netflix back in 2018. Since then, it has drawn comparisons with Bo Burnham’s nominal special, Inside. In Repertoire, the audience isn’t always in on the joke. Acaster seems to be speaking in traditional stand-up prose for the most part, but he is doing it in all sorts of unconventional ways, beginning the first show on his knees with no explanation for several minutes. His act can feel emotional at times and cerebral at others, simultaneously keeping audiences at a distance and inviting them deep into a psyche. Put simply, it’s a different type of stand-up, one that is becoming more mainstream.
Bo Burnham: Inside (2021)
Metacritic: 98%
IMDb: 8.7/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Bo Burnham
It’s tough to find anything to which you can compare Bo Burnham: Inside. Burnham recorded the special in his home during the COVID-19 pandemic — without a crew or an audience — over the course of a year. Along with hilarious sketches about things like reaction videos and video game streaming, Inside is filled with Burnham’s original songs. At first, songs of pure comedy like FaceTime with My Mom (Tonight) are interspersed with more biting satires like How the World Works, but as the year and special progress — and Burnham goes from slightly shaggy to full-on mountain-man — things get increasingly darker until the comedian will sing something like “it’ll be over soon,” and you’re not sure if he’s talking about the pandemic, the world, or both.
Pete Davidson: Alive from New York (2020)
Metacritic: 52%
IMDb: 6.1/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Pete Davidson
Pete Davidson has drawn more scrutiny and interest than most Saturday Night Live cast members. In Alive from New York, Davidson dishes on some of the hot gossip around his life, beginning the stand-up set by explaining his public feud with disgraced comedian Louis C.K. Part jokes, part real-life introspection, Davidson’s special doesn’t shy away from the controversies he’s been swept up in. The comedian stirs the pot around jokes he made on SNL about figures such as Congressman Dan Crenshaw and pop superstar Ariana Grande, with whom Davidson formerly shared a much-publicized relationship. It’s relatively brief at 49 minutes, suggesting Davidson is only scratching the surface as a comic.
John Mulaney: New in Town (2012)
IMDb: 8.3/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: John Mulaney
John Mulaney is now accepted as one of the greatest stand-up comics of a generation. Before then, however, he was just New in Town — well, not really. Mulaney’s first true stand-up special was filmed in 2012 when he was still perfecting his idiosyncratic style. This special doesn’t quite hit the same highs as future specials, but there are still jokes that hold up perfectly upon each rewatch, well after the special first aired. Two particular gems in this special involve Ice-T’s memorable turn on Law & Order: SVU as well as a pitch-perfect delivery about a homeless person Mulaney once ran into on the streets of New York City.
Kevin Hart: Zero F**ks Given (2020)
IMDb: 6.0/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart’s COVID-era special recorded in his own home with the comedian performing in his pajamas has a pretty misleading title. The title Zero F**ks Given braces you for an hour of no-holds-barred ranting, but that isn’t what you get. While Hart is no less free with obscenities than usual, Zero F**ks is an impressively funny and surprisingly introspective comedy special. Much of it revolves around Hart coming to terms not only with the pitfalls of fame but with how it’s changed him. He explores his own ups and downs as a celebrity with hilarious stories about being filmed in fast-food parking lots, his short and fruitless boxing career, and having pizza with Jerry Seinfeld.
Marc Maron: End Times Fun (2020)
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Marc Maron
Everybody’s favorite podcasting middle-aged cynic, Marc Maron, takes his trademark bleak attitude toward everything to Netflix in this suitably titled special. Maron discusses vitamin hustlers, evangelicals, grown male nerd children, and many more harbingers of the end times as he weaves his way toward a truly climactic secret apocalyptic fantasy.
Hannah Gadsby: Nanette (2018)
IMDb: 8.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Hannah Gadsby
Widely regarded as one of the most groundbreaking, unique, and powerful stand-up specials of a generation, Australian comic Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette deconstructs the very nature of stand-up comedy and the human experience. Originally planned as Gadsby’s final stand-up show (although the comedian ended up launching Douglas in 2019 after Nanette’s wild success), Nanette is as hysterically funny as it is emotionally raw. The special debuted on Netflix in June 2018 to critical acclaim and almost immediately inspired countless think pieces celebrating Gadsby’s surprisingly layered exploration of LGBTQ issues, gender, mental health, and even art history. The brilliance of Nanette is best understood when you go into it without knowing too much about how the special unfolds, so we’ll leave it at that and hope to see you on the other side.
Hannibal Buress: Comedy Camisado (2016)
IMDb: 6.6/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Hannibal Buress
Hannibal Buress was already relatively famous when the Bill Cosby scandal broke. When it came out that Buress had already called Cosby out for sweeping his sexual assault allegations under the rug in a previous comedy special, his popularity exploded. In Comedy Camisado, Buress addresses the fallout from his Cosby routine in his customarily sly, dry way. He also delves into zipper etiquette and the legacy of steroids — important topics for everyone to consider.
Eric Andre: Legalize Everything (2020)
IMDb: 6.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Eric André
Eric Andre is well-known for pushing the envelope in ways both provocative and inane. When he takes the stage in New Orleans in this comedy special, Andre brings his textbook energy and shamelessness to new heights. Tackling everything from flawed fast-food icons to the bizarre choice of the Cops theme song, Andre takes a more political note, striking at commercialism and a broken society in Legalize Everything.
Bill Burr: Paper Tiger (2019)
IMDb: 8.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Bill Burr
Bill Burr has never been called “subtle,” and it’s extremely clear why in this Netflix special filmed in front of a full house at the Royal Albert Hall in London. In this raucous, scathing special, Burr complains about Michelle Obama’s book tour, takes on male feminists, explores his hang-ups on taking baths, and explains why his personality may very well destroy his marriage.
Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis (2020)
IMDb: 7.4/10
Rated: TV-14
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Taylor Tomlinson
Taylor Tomlinson followed up her Netflix debut on The Comedy Lineup Part 1 with her first dedicated Netflix special just two years later. By this point of her career, Tomlinson had accomplished much more than many other comedians, and she learned many, many lessons in that quarter decade — most notably that the 20s are far from “the best years of your life” like everybody keeps telling her they are. Tomlinson talks about working on herself, realistic relationship goals, and all those other millennial buzz topics with a caustic wit that shows her to be one of the great voices of reason in comedy.
Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah (2019)
IMDb: 6.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Tiffany Haddish
Tiffany Haddish has become such a full-fledged movie star at this point that it’s easy to forget that she cut her teeth in stand-up for more than a decade before hitting the big time. In her first Netflix comedy special, which, again, is crazy considering how long she’s been doing this, she shows why her star took off so suddenly once she finally got the recognition she deserved. Exploring the eccentricities of being a Black Jewish woman and her uncomfortable relationship with fame, Haddish is delightful, relatable, and, of course, hilarious in this special.
Iliza Shlesinger: Elder Millennial (2018)
IMDb: 7.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Iliza Shlesinger
Iliza Shlesinger has long been a Netflix stand-up stalwart, with numerous specials (Freezing Hot, War Paint, Confirmed Kills, etc.) and a sketch show, but Elder Millennial is her masterpiece. Taking aim at her own generation as well as every other one, Elder Millennial feels strangely like listening to your grandmother on her annual Thanksgiving tirade. Yet Shlesinger is infinitely more charming than your grandmother — no offense. Nailing everything from dating, sex, and the double standards and hypocrisy that pervade our society’s every interaction and government’s operation, Shlesinger walks a tightrope of wisdom and purposeful naivete. She’s an elder millennial with much to learn but she also knows how to tell it how she sees it.
Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones (2019)
IMDb: 8.5/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Dave Chappelle
Dave Chappelle’s long-awaited return to stand-up specials did not disappoint in the slightest. With his characteristically caustic wit and self-referential humor, Chappelle struts into the special like Tom Cruise in Top Gun, an action hero who returned to glory after a self-imposed hiatus. The guy left on top, he’s returning on top. Of course, times have changed since the final episode of Chappelle’s Show aired in 2006, and Chappelle’s famous impressions of people of different races and unfiltered opinions on race relations in the U.S. (the Jussie Smollett incident, for one) haven’t aged well for all. That’s likely why critics widely panned the special. Audiences and die-hard Chappelle fans, however, loved it because Chappelle has refused to change with the times, even if that means living a few steps over the line. If you like Chappelle, you’ll love Sticks & Stones.
Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America! (2019)
IMDb: 7.4/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Ronny Chieng
Capitalizing on American hysteria over … well, everything, and Americans’ exceptionalist attitude toward … well, everything, Chieng has some good-natured fun with cultural differences between people. Chieng worked as a Daily Show correspondent who was born in Malaysia, was raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, and Singapore, and attended the University of Melbourne. He has been around, seen the world, and actively engaged with it, and it shows in his stand-up.
Whitney Cummings: Can I Touch It? (2019)
IMDb: 6.5/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Whitney Cummings
By her own admission, Whitney Cummings has evolved. “Generalizing about men and women paid for my house,” Cummings notes, referring to her sitcoms, 2 Broke Girls, which she produced, and her short-lived starring vehicle Whitney. That was the old Cummings. While Can I Touch It? tackles similar material, it does so with more nuance and self-reflection than Cummings’ past work. Not that the comedian has lost her ability to shock, of course. The part of Can I Touch It? that everyone will be talking about comes in its second half, when Cummings brings out a custom-built sex robot that looks exactly like her before launching into an extended bit about how man-on-robot relations might pave the way for the next feminist revolution. Is it uncomfortable? That depends on how you feel about sleeping with an automaton. Is it raunchy, funny, and weird? You bet.
John Leguizamo's Latin History for Morons (2018)
IMDb: 7.5/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: John Leguizamo, Rubén Blades, Oskar Eustis
John Leguizamo premiered his one-man stage show Latin History for Morons in 2017, and the performance went on to earn a Tony Award for its exploration of the influence and importance of Latin Americans throughout U.S. history. Netflix brought the show to subscribers in November 2018, offering a chance for everyone who couldn’t make it to Broadway (or afford tickets) to experience the fascinating, kinetic history lesson taught by Leguizamo across 90 minutes of energetic explanation — complete with chalkboard and assorted props. While it’s not traditional stand-up comedy, the show’s one-man format and nonstop humor make it stand out from the crowd as both educational and entertaining.
Jerry Seinfeld: Jerry Before Seinfeld (2017)
Metacritic: 74%
IMDb: 7.0/10
Rated: TV-14
Genre: Comedy, Documentary
Cast: Jerry Seinfeld, Johnny Carson, Mark Schiff
So, what is the deal with airplane food? Netflix threw a reported $100 million at Jerry Seinfeld for streaming rights to his Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee series and two stand-up specials, and the comedian’s first effort was a return to his comedy roots. Jerry Before Seinfeld explores the comedian’s early stand-up career before he became an icon with his titular sitcom in the 1990s. The special is part documentary, part stand-up, and all hilarious confirmation that Seinfeld’s brand of humor is timeless. If you’re a die-hard Seinfeld fan who can stand laughing for nearly an hour, Jerry Before Seinfeld needs to be in your queue.
Sarah Silverman: A Speck of Dust (2017)
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Sarah Silverman, Michael Sheen
While Sarah Silverman hasn’t completely abandoned the shock-value jokes that put her on the map — and let’s be real, she probably never will — A Speck of Dust sees the comedian slowing her roll a bit, mixing some charm and sincerity into the acid vat. Silverman’s offering touches on a litany of personal subjects, including the death of a beloved pet, and imbues some of her routines with a biting sense of self-awareness that effectively serves new material while deconstructing the old. If you’re here for the gross-out punchlines, they’re still around, but it no longer feels like the focus of her comedy, and we appreciate it.
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979)
IMDb: 8.1/10
Duration: 78m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Richard Pryor, Jennifer Lee Pryor
Directed by: Jeff Margolis
Pryor’s no-holds-barred, profanity-laced comedic style influenced an entire generation of actors and stand-up comedians, as did the legendary stand-up film Live in Concert. Pryor’s physical, high-energy brand of comedy brings his jokes to life, as the troubled comic all but jumps off the screen. Live in Concert plays far better on a screen than it does through a set of speakers, as Pryor’s hyper-dramatized facial expressions truly bring his jokes to life. His manic mimicry is at its best when he’s joking about his own life, from snorting cocaine in front of grandma to stepping in the ring with Muhammad Ali. Pryor’s classic set holds up decades later.
Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife (2018)
IMDb: 7.4/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Ali Wong
As you might have guessed by reading this far, women are depressingly underrepresented both in stand-up comedy as a whole and in Netflix’s library. Reprising her extremely-pregnant role from Baby Cobra, the 2016 Netflix special which shot her to stardom, Wong riffs on the difficulties of pregnancy and parenting with no regard for the stomachs of her audience. “Motherhood is a wack-ass job,” she tells us while primed to pump out kid No. 2 at any second. She’s similarly uninterested in riding the fence of political correctness, addressing questions of race and gender with brutal honesty befitting her high-octane style. Her comedy isn’t for everyone, but it’s undeniably powerful.
Patton Oswalt: Annihilation (2017)
IMDb: 7.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Patton Oswalt
Annihilation was Patton Oswalt’s first stand-up special after the unexpected death of his first wife — true-crime writer Michelle McNamara — in 2016. He talks about the aftermath, particularly being faced with the sudden reality of raising his daughter alone, with poise and humor. But while he may get you to tear up a time or two, the special is more than therapy. While a good chunk of the second half deals with his loss, there’s still plenty of tear-jerk-free humor covering robocalls, bad haunted houses, and the best street fight Patton Oswalt ever saw.
Demetri Martin: The Overthinker (2018)
IMDb: 7.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Demetri Martin
Demetri Martin brings his signature deadpan delivery to the stage in 2018’s The Overthinker. Martin seems a little looser than in earlier stand-ups, and unlike in his first Netflix special — 2016’s Live (At the Time) — his large white pad returns with his hilarious satirical cartoons, including his design for a p-shirt (as opposed to a t-shirt) and a graph tracking how well his jokes do. And as usual, we get about four minutes of guitar accompanying a stream of classic one-liners like “Nearly half of all Americans are torsos” and “Experts believe there’s about 25% more camouflage than we realize.”
