While the upcoming release of a new season of Jack Ryan brings another big hit to Prime Video, the streaming service also just dropped Riches, a great series that has flown under the radar. Along those same lines, Prime Video is home to major shows from the 2010s as well as some hidden gems.
The overlooked series are the ones that are either underrated by the masses or haven’t been seen by enough people. They deserve more appreciation and attention from anyone who subscribes to the service, while some are ideal to binge over the course of a week or so.
Forever (2018)
It’s hard for a show to get overlooked when it features talented lead actors like Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen, yet Forever is one of those series. The two stars also act as producers in this show about a predictable couple that finally shakes things up after over a decade.
The simple decision to embark on a skip trip changes everything for the pair and they aren’t ready for any of it. The show was a critical darling, earning a Writers Guild of America Awards nomination but it didn’t garner many viewers and was canceled after one season.
Tokyo Vampire Hotel (2017)
More and more international TV shows are becoming popular thanks to the likes of Dark, Squid Game, Alice in Borderland, and more. So, now is the perfect time to take a closer look at the Japanese horror miniseries Tokyo Vampire Hotel.
The story centers around Manami, who is targeted by two warring vampire factions as they are the child of a prophecy destined to help one clan overcome the other. Tokyo Vampire Hotel is filled with action and moves along at an intriguing pace, making for a perfect binge.
Counterpart (2017-2019)
There aren’t many actors more respected than veteran performer J.K. Simmons, especially since he earned an Academy Award win for Whiplash. A few years later, he nabbed the lead role on the Prime Video series Counterpart.
Simmons stars as Howard Silk, a lowly agent who discovers that the people he works for know of a parallel dimension and he eventually meets another version of himself. Both seasons hold outstanding ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, led by the efforts of Simmons.
The Last Tycoon (2017)
Another in a long line of Prime Video original shows that were ended after a single season, The Last Tycoon is loosely based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s final (unfinished) book of the same name. The cast immediately stands out with Matt Bomer, Lily Collins, and Kelsey Grammer leading the way.
The Last Tycoon tells the story of Irving Thalberg and his rise to prominence as a film producer in Hollywood during the 1930s. Although it didn’t get watched by a lot of viewers, the well-received show does hold a strong 7.6 rating with IMDb users.
Detroiters (2017-2018)
These days, you’ve likely seen Sam Richardson pop up in everything from Ted Lasso to The Afterparty to Hocus Pocus 2 to the Prime Video original film The Tomorrow War. However, one of the first places anyone saw him was Detroiters.
This comedic series was indeed filmed in Michigan and saw Richardson star alongside fellow homestate actor Tim Robinson. They play best friends who work in Detroit producing low-budget local TV commercials. With hilarious guests like Jason Sudeikis, Keegan-Michael Key, and even pro wrestler Kevin Nash, this is a blast.
Z: The Beginning Of Everything (2017)
Z: The Beginning of Everything was a Prime Video series that actually got renewed for a season 2 only for the company to pull that decision and end things after the initial set of episodes. Based on Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, the story presents a fictionalized take on the life of writer Zelda Fitzgerald.
That includes her marriage to F. Scott Fitzgerald before he became famous. Christina Ricci received critical acclaim for her performance as Zelda and reviews were strong though the lack of a consistent viewing audience is what held it back.
Now Apocalypse (2019)
Initially airing on Starz, Now Apocalypse was a well-received series that featured legendary filmmaker Steven Soderbergh as one of the producers. The title makes it feel like a disaster story at first glance but it’s actually a comedy.
The plot follows a group of friends growing into adulthood in Los Angeles as one of them, Ulysses (Avan Jogia) has dreams of a future that suggests the world is coming to an end. Gregg Araki’s work as writer and director was a highlight though some critics believed the show might’ve been too weird to catch on.
Fresh Meat (2011-2016)
Fresh Meat is a British series that lasted four seasons despite not having the largest audience. The show centered around six university students who live in a shared home on campus. That premise might seem basic but that’s why it worked so well.
From relationships with professors to throwing parties to competition among students and more, Fresh Meat kind of tackled it all. It’s a quick watch and worth it considering the show earned several notable accolades during its run, including Best New Comedy at the British Comedy Awards.
Sneaky Pete (2015-2019)
Most Prime Video subscribers have likely seen Sneaky Pete advertised on the streaming service as it was one of their more intriguing shows for a few years. The plot saw a recently released convict who adopts the identity of his cellmate to avoid the issues of his past life.
That even includes getting in close with his cellmate’s family, who don’t know he’s not their long-lost relative. Giovanni Ribisi does some of his best work of his as the lead character in this critically acclaimed show that ended after three seasons.
Humans (2015-2018)
The endlessly talented Gemma Chan has risen to prominence over the past few years thanks to starring roles in Crazy Rich Asians and Eternals. A great place to see her before those parts is Humans, where she portrays an anthropomorphic robot.
Based on a Swedish series titled Real Humans, the show is set in a world where families all desire to have a “snyth” in their homes. That set up themes of artificial intelligence, laws of robotics, and more. Though overlooked, the show boasts a great cast and some intriguing episodes.