In 2023, Amazon Prime Video has again proven itself to be one of the best streaming services, having produced a great selection of content for every audience. The streaming platform is known for high quality projects that resonate equally well with the critics and the viewers. 2023 was not an easy year for the film and television industry, but the Amazon streaming service still delivered some of its best series yet.
Amazon Prime Video’s original content is known for its diversity in genres, storytelling, and innovative ideas. Complex dramas, chilling thrillers, reality-bending comedies, satires, and even a new staple in the superhero genre, these series stand as the best Prime Video releases of 2023. All of them promise to deliver an exciting and entertaining watch.
Dead Ringers
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Dead Ringers |
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Creator |
Alice Birch |
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Based on |
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Cast |
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Genre |
Drama, Psychological thriller |
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Number of seasons |
1 |
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Number of episodes |
6 |
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Episode duration |
52–64 minutes |
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Release date |
April 21, 2023 |
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
85% |
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Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
64% |
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Metacritic Score |
79 |
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IMDB Score |
6.5/10 |
Based on the 1988 David Cronenberg film of the same title, Dead Ringers follows twins Elliot and Beverly Mantle (both played by Rachel Weisz), both brilliant and successful gynecologists, as they try to revolutionize childbirth, maternity, and women’s health care. The show is not for the faint of heart, as it contains graphic depictions of medical procedures and childbirth. However, those willing to give it a chance will be rewarded with a perverse and thrilling experience.
The series was developed by Alice Birch, best known for her work as a writer on shows like Succession and Normal People, and films like Lady Macbeth, which also stars Rachel Weisz. While the series is often compared to its film counterpart, it has been described as a great Cronenberg homage that stands out on its own. Rachel Weisz has received critical acclaim for her dual performance.
Swarm
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Swarm |
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Creators |
Donald Glover, Janine Nabers |
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Cast |
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Genres |
Horror, Dark comedy, Satire, Psychological thriller |
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Number of seasons |
1 |
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Number of episodes |
7 |
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Episode duration |
27–39 minutes |
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Release date |
March 17, 2023 |
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Rotten Tomatoe Critic Score |
87% |
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Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
73% |
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Metacritic Score |
66 |
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IMDB Score |
7.2/10 |
Inspired by real-life events, the 7-episode miniseries Swarm follows Dre (Dominique Fishback), a young woman who is obsessed with Ni’Jah (Nirine S. Brown), a world-famous pop star not-so-subtly based on Beyoncé. Following a series of traumatic events, Dre essentially becomes a serial killer, and embarks on a journey across the country to hurt anyone who speaks badly of her idol.
Dominique Fishback gives an incredible performance, earning an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series. Swarm is a meta-commentary about the dangers of celebrity worship and obsession. Every episode takes inspiration from real-life events and internet rumors, which makes the series and Fishback’s performance feel even more eerie and relatable. Its style, humor, and twists make it one of the most original and unique releases of the year, and a must-watch for fans of the genre or Donald Glover’s previous work. If anything, Swarm is meant to be experienced rather than explained.
Jury Duty
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Jury Duty |
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Creators |
Lee Eisenberg, Gene Stupnitsky |
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Cast |
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Genre |
Comedy, Mockumentary |
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Number of seasons |
1 |
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Number of episodes |
8 |
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Episode duration |
26–29 minutes |
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Release date |
April 7, 2023 |
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
81% |
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Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
96% |
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Metacritic Score |
51 |
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IMDB Score |
8.3/10 |
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Where to watch |
Amazon Freevee |
One of the most underrated and original comedies of 2023 is Jury Duty, a reality mockumentary about one of the most mundane experiences known to man. The series follows non-actor Ronald Gladden, who shows up to court to do his civic duty as a juror and believes he is participating in a documentary for public television. As the trial furthers, things start getting sillier and weirder. The twist: in a Truman Show-esque fashion, unbeknownst to him, the case isn’t actually real. Everything that happens is meticulously planned, and everyone around Ronald, including the fellow jurors, lawyers, judge, bailiff, and security guards, is a professional actor.
The humor in Jury Duty resembles that of The Office, focusing on Gladden’s genuine reactions to the awkward situations he encounters during the trial. While its reception from critics was positive but divided, it was a hit with the audience, and earned several Emmy nominations. The series is a clever experiment that blends different genres and styles, and allows the cast to constantly improvise, which makes it an incredibly fun watch.
NOTE: Jury Duty is an Amazon Freevee original, but anyone with a Prime Video subscription can access the Freevee catalog through the app.
I’m A Virgo
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I’m A Virgo |
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Creator |
Boots Riley |
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Cast |
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Genre |
Comedy-drama, Coming-of-age, Surrealism |
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Number of seasons |
1 |
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Number of episodes |
7 |
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Episode duration |
22–37 minutes |
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Release date |
June 23, 2023 |
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
96% |
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Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
82% |
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Metacritic Score |
85 |
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IMDB Score |
7.1/10 |
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Where to watch |
Amazon Prime Video |
Amongst the most unique series of 2023 is the absurdist coming-of-age comedy I’m A Virgo, created by Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You). Jharrel Jerome stars as Cootie, a 13 ft. tall young man who has been shielded from the outside world for his entire life. After meeting a group of welcoming young activists, he discovers and experiences the real world, friendships, relationships, and hardships for the first time. Throughout its 7-episode run, the series explores Cootie’s surreal journey as he tries to find his place in the world.
I’m A Virgo is packed with surrealist elements, and the narrative is presented in an imaginative, bizarre, heartfelt, and fresh way. To achieve the lead character’s 13 ft. height, the series uses old-school camera tricks instead of CGI. It was met with a largely positive reception, with a majority of viewers praising its originality, visual style, visual effects, its unique approach to tackling important topics, and Jerome’s performance. It is safe to say that I’m A Virgo is a one-of-a-kind series, and it is an absolute must-watch.
Gen V
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Gen V |
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Creators |
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Based on |
The Boys Volume 4: “We Gotta Go Now” by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson |
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Cast |
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Genre |
Drama, Dark Comedy, Superhero |
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Number of seasons |
1 |
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Number of episodes |
8 |
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Episode duration |
39–59 minutes |
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Release date |
September 29, 2023 |
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
97% |
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Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
76% |
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Metacritic Score |
73 |
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IMDB Score |
7.9/10 |
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Where to watch |
Amazon Prime Video |
After the success of The Boys, it was a given the series’ universe would expand. Gen V was one of, if not the most anticipated Prime Video release of the year. The spin-off, which is set between The Boys’ third and fourth seasons, takes place at Godolkin University, a prestigious superhero school hiding a dark secret. It follows a group of students training to become the next generation of superheroes, while facing the traditional challenges of campus life. They compete and put their powers to the test as they take on the challenges of the school’s curriculum, with the goal of becoming the top student and getting a chance to join The Seven.
Gen V shows a new side of the universe of The Boys, focusing on teenagers rather than adults. Godolkin University serves as the perfect battlefield to witness these young supes explore their powers, discover themselves, and fight for the popularity and attention they crave. While it didn’t get the same universal acclaim as The Boys, it received mostly positive reviews and became one of the most talked-about shows of the year on social media.
As a great spin-off should, Gen V manages to stand on its own as a story worth watching while also maintaining the violence, gore, humor, and overall feel of its source material. It’s the best Prime Video release of 2023, and an absolute must-watch for fans of The Boys, and the superhero genre.
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