The 26 greatest comedy specials on Netflix

The world might use fun, and over the past decade, Netflix has branded itself as the vacation spot for stand-up comedy. With new specials debuting each month and an output that surpasses that of HBO and Comedy Central (not at all times in high quality, however actually in amount), Netflix continues to empower new voices and propel the comedy style ahead. (See: Reveals like Hannah Gadsby’s Nannette and Natalie Palimedes' Nate.)

Listed here are the 26 greatest comedy specials on Netflix that showcase the streamer's comedic ambition.

01 of 26

Ali Wong, Single Girl (2024)

Ali Wong is again, however life for her seems to be a bit completely different than it did in Child Cobra (2016). Single Girl — the latest of Wong’s 4 Netflix specials — offers the comedian an opportunity to ruminate on the delights of divorce, courting as a mother, and intercourse with males of various ages. Wong is beloved for her tightly-written jokes and her singular supply fashion, and on this particular, she continues to mine the matters of ageing, parenting, and relationships, however from a special angle and with a refreshing burst of Ali Wong power. —Ilana Gordon

The place to look at Single Girl: Netflix

Director: Ali Wong

Forged: Ali Wong

02 of 26

Anthony Jesselnik, Bones and All (2024)

The third of Anthony Jeselnik’s Netflix specials, Bones and All proves the comedian hasn’t misplaced his aptitude or the boundary-pushing fashion that distinguished him as a late-night author, roast performer, and comedy host. Identified all through the comedy scene as a subversive performer whose matters usually skew darkish, Jeselnik’s most up-to-date providing isn’t as unpredictable and constant as Fireplace within the Maternity Ward (2019), and among the new materials doesn’t hit as onerous as it’d in his reside exhibits. However lulls apart, followers will discover loads of moments of traditional Jeselnik joke-writing to enjoy. —I.G.

The place to look at Bones and All: Netflix

Director: Invoice Benz

Forged: Anthony Jeselnik

03 of 26

Chris Rock, Selective Outrage (2023)

You’d be hard-pressed to discover a authentic record of stand-up legends that doesn’t embody Chris Rock’s identify on it, and for good motive. The comedian launched his first reside album, Born Suspect, in 1991, and produced one other 10 stand-up specials and albums within the 30-plus years since.

A former forged member of each Saturday Evening Dwell and In Residing Colour, Rock demonstrates a singular method to writing about race, politics, tradition, and movie star, and his years working in numerous sides of reside and recorded comedy got here to a head in 2023 when he carried out his present, Selective Outrage, in actual time as a part of Netflix’s first world reside streaming occasion. The particular isn’t Rock’s strongest when it comes to materials, nevertheless it’s a historic achievement, and a reminder that even below probably the most unconventional circumstances, no person does it fairly like him. —I.G.

The place to look at Selective Outrage: Netflix

Director: Joel Gallen

Forged: Chris Rock

04 of 26

Hannah Gadsby, Nanette (2017)

Bored with the methods comedy has failed them, Hannah Gadsby delivers a set that recontextualizes their relationship with the artwork kind whereas additionally redefining what stand-up could be. The present is humorous even when selecting aside misogyny and the numerous methods our tradition frowns upon queer love. But, it’s these matters, woven with self-deprecating humor and artwork historical past commentary, that make the particular sing. —Eric Farwell

The place to look at Nanette: Netflix

Administrators: Madeleine Parry, Jon Olb

Forged: Hannah Gadsby

05 of 26

Hannibal Buress, Comedy Camisado (2016)

Hannibal Buress was not an apparent future star when he began his profession, however he however steadily constructed his act by way of odd rhythms and phrasing. By the point he taped this particular, he’d established himself as a bizarre and vibrant voice, serving to his class of other comedians develop into mainstream acts whereas standing out as a wilder comedy persona, from being compatriots with Eric Andre to joking about kicking pigeons. This particular is a beautiful distillation of Buress’ sharp craft and distinctive observational perspective. —E.F.

The place to look at Comedy Camisado: Netflix

Director: Lance Bangs

Forged: Hannibal Buress

06 of 26

Jacqueline Novak, Get On Your Knees (2024)

Following her profitable off-Broadway one-woman present — which garnered her a 2020 Drama Desk Award nomination — comic and cohost of the Poog podcast brings her acclaimed manufacturing to Netflix. Directed by Russian Doll's Natasha Lyonne, Get on Your Knees showcases Novak's ideas on matters starting from adolescence to sexual energy dynamics and the artwork of giving blowjobs. —James Mercadante

The place to look at Get on Your Knees: Netflix

Director: Natasha Lyonne

Forged: Jacqueline Novak

07 of 26

Joe Mande, Joe Mande’s Award Successful Comedy Particular (2017)

A attainable inheritor obvious to David Cross, Joe Mande’s gradual supply, love of embarrassing tales, and righteous trolling of villains have made him an acerbic expertise in comedy golf equipment and writers' rooms alike. Right here, he shares what could also be the most effective diarrhea bit in stand-up historical past, an anecdote about Hanukkah, and his love of ISIS movies for comedic functions. In every joke, Mande maximizes the stress and humor in tandem, creating electrical energy within the room you could really feel by way of the display screen. —E.F.

The place to look at Joe Mande’s Award Successful Comedy Particular: Netflix

Director: Daniel Grey Longino

Forged: Joe Mande

08 of 26

Joel Kim Booster, Psychosexual (2022)

Queer comics have usually been relegated to the sidelines in comedy, however right here, along with his debut particular, Joel Kim Booster vivaciously celebrates his identification, joking about intercourse, poppers, and threesomes whereas participating in crowd work that dares the viewers to be uncomfortable. The result’s a whirling storm of comedic brilliance from an plain expertise who’s simply getting began, even when it’s been a very long time coming. —E.F.

The place to look at Psychosexual: Netflix

Director: Doron Max Hagay

Forged: Joel Kim Booster

09 of 26

John Mulaney, Child J (2023)

It's protected to say 2020 was tough for everyone, however John Mulaney ended that yr by checking into rehab for a substance abuse drawback. Within the years since, he bought divorced, discovered a brand new relationship, and fathered a baby with Olivia Munn — all whereas making an attempt to remain clear.

Child J, Mulaney’s fifth comedy particular (this one filmed at Boston Symphony Corridor), got here out in 2023 and appears again at his intervention, rehab keep, and different assorted moments all through the course of his journey to sobriety. The content material is way completely different than his earlier 4 specials, however Mulaney’s pure charisma and expertise are as sturdy as ever, and the result’s worthy of the Emmy award he gained for Excellent Writing for a Selection Particular. —I.G.

The place to look at Child J: Netflix

Director: Alex Timbers

Forged: John Mulaney

10 of 26

Katt Williams, World Warfare III (2022)

For this Netflix particular, Katt Williams has ideas on a 3rd world struggle and what either side will appear to be. On this hour-long present filmed in Las Vegas, Williams goes deep on reality, lies, the struggle on medication, rooster wing shortages, and rather more. Williams wrote and shot 13 specials between 2006 and 2024 — together with Woke Folks (2024), which was Netflix’s second livestreamed comedy occasion — and whereas many would argue that World Warfare III doesn’t crack the highest three, it’s an excellent illustration of the place the comedian is at as of late. —I.G.

The place to look at World Warfare III: Netflix

Director: Katt Williams

Forged: Katt Williams

11 of 26

Leanne Morgan, I'm Each Lady (2023)

Clear comedy doesn’t must erase the grit of actual life, and Leanne Morgan’s particular doesn’t. In I’m Each Lady, the 2023 particular that introduced Morgan into mainstream cultural dialog, she waxes comedic about rising up in small-town Tennessee, her 20-year marriage, being a mother to 3 youngsters, and adjusting to life as a grandmother. I’m Each Lady was so well-received, it impressed a brand new sitcom, Leanne, primarily based on Morgan’s stand-up. Season 1 is offered to stream on Netflix, however we advocate watching the particular first. —I.G.

The place to look at I'm Each Lady: Netflix

Director: Manny Rodriguez

Forged: Leanne Morgan

12 of 26

Marc Maron, Finish Occasions Enjoyable (2020)

Marc Maron is in high-quality kind whereas unpacking life within the Nineteen Nineties, the Christian proper, and superhero movies. The comedian is exceptionally animated and jovial right here, partially as a result of the fabric is stable, nevertheless it additionally might need one thing to do along with his director, Lynn Shelton, who was additionally his romantic associate till her sudden demise shortly after this program debuted. Not like Maron’s 2023 particular, From Bleak to Darkish, which captures his grief, it is a snapshot of the enjoyment the 2 shared as collaborators in additional methods than one. —E.F.

The place to look at Finish Occasions Enjoyable: Netflix

Director: Lynn Shelton

Forged: Marc Maron

Marc Maron says he couldn't afford a full Taylor Swift song for his stand-up special Patton Oswalt on predicting 'Star Wars' and Marvel filibuster storyline in 'Parks and Rec' episode 13 of 26

Marcello Hernández, Marcello Hernández: American Boy (2026)

Marcello Hernández made historical past when he was employed as Saturday Evening Dwell’s first Gen Z forged member, however the sketch performer lower his tooth with stand-up. Marcello Hernández: American Boy is the comedian’s first particular, and Hernández makes use of the hour to introduce himself extra intimately, packing in jokes about his Latino roots, his ADD analysis, and his relationship along with his mom (a Cuban immigrant and survivor of the Castro regime). The particular isn’t deliberately political, however the jokes hit particularly onerous within the present state of the world. Humanizing and hilarious, Hernández facilities and skewers his upbringing, delivering an brisk and bodily efficiency. —I.G.

The place to look at Marcello Hernández: American Boy: Netflix

Director: Nicholaus Goossen

Forged: Marcello Hernández

14 of 26

Maria Bamford, Previous Child (2017)

It’s onerous to explain a Maria Bamford act, however it’s simple to reward it. Right here, Bamford does what she does greatest, establishing a premise earlier than digging into it with voices, impressions, act-outs, tags, and infinite humorous concepts. There may be darkness, nevertheless it's nothing she will’t milk for humor, turning cute and bleak observations into snigger mills. Bamford is a one-of-a-kind expertise, and he or she could be among the finest comics on the scene right now. —E.F.

The place to look at Previous Child: Netflix

Director: Jessica Yu

Forged: Maria Bamford

15 of 26

Michael Che, Disgrace the Satan (2021)

Michael Che’s second Netflix particular arrived 5 years after his first, Michael Che Issues (2016). Filmed in Oakland, Calif., Disgrace the Satan takes a considerate and subversive have a look at psychological well being, relationships, Black management, and what it means to be an American. Che’s 2016 particular was higher acquired by critics and followers, however Disgrace the Satan is a good place to go to get your repair of Che’s jokes and insights. —I.G.

The place to look at Disgrace the Satan: Netflix

Director: Kristian Mercado

Forged: Michael Che

16 of 26

Mike Birbiglia, The Previous Man and the Pool (2023)

Mike Birbiglia is an distinctive storyteller, and in his third Netflix particular, he focuses his comedic lens on the thought of mortality. Birbiglia’s father and grandfather each skilled coronary heart assaults on the age of 56, and in The Previous Man and the Pool, Birbiglia considers what it means to age whenever you’re a guardian, and the way his physician’s suggestion that he incorporate swimming into his train routine affected his life.

The particular is carried out on a set made to appear to be a YMCA pool, and Birbiglia makes use of the stage to nice impact, throwing his physique round like he’s really underwater. EW’s reviewer writes, “You by no means really feel like he's performing a bit, however reasonably such as you're throwing again a beer together with your funniest pal, a man you're assembly up with once more for the primary time in years.” —I.G.

The place to look at The Previous Man and the Pool: Netflix

EW grade: A

Director: Seth Barrish

Forged: Mike Birbiglia

17 of 26

Mo Amer, Mohammed in Texas (2021)

Getting the main points proper, particularly when representing your tradition and residential state, is necessary. That is, above all, the seemingly most necessary factor to Mo Amer, who actually considers what he’s saying on this hour about rising up as a Muslim in Texas. The kindness and camaraderie he’s discovered are difficult by Southern pondering at occasions, however right here, Amer items his viewers with one thing delicate and delightful. —E.F.

The place to look at Mohammed in Texas: Netflix

Director: Jay Chapman

Forged: Mo Amer

18 of 26

Natalie Palimedes, Nate — A One Man Present (2020)

Pushing in opposition to the traditional thought of a comedy hour, Nate sees Natalie Palimedes discover masculinity by dressing the half, difficult males to wrestle on stage, and performing an act that mixes conventional clowning and character-based stand-up. The present is bonkers, nevertheless it’s additionally a real celebration of distinctive parody. In an period of Andrew Santino and Joe Rogan, voices like Palimedes are important for reminding audiences that comedy doesn’t must “inform it like it’s” or be “simply sayin’” one thing all the time. —E.F.

The place to look at Nate — A One Man Present: Netflix

Director: Phil Burgers

Forged: Natalie Palimedes

19 of 26

Neal Brennan, 3 Mics (2017)

In a courageous and singular present, Neal Brennan makes use of three microphones to inform jokes, truths, and one-liners, giving viewers the enjoyment of laughing and eavesdropping on the similar time. Essentially the most spectacular feat is how he creates a fluid story between every mic, stunning the viewers and creating rigidity whereas additionally maintaining it participating as a substitute of overly difficult. —E.F.

The place to look at 3 Mics: Netflix

Director: Neal Brennan

Forged: Neal Brennan

20 of 26

Patton Oswalt, I Love All the pieces (2020)

Patton Oswalt is in his 50s and looking out again on his life with the identical wit and wordsmithing that made him one of the crucial beloved comics working right now. 4 years after the demise of his first spouse, true crime author Michelle McNamara, Oswalt launched his ninth particular, I Love All the pieces. A meditation on center age, the particular investigates Oswalt's ideas on parenting his younger daughter, shopping for and renovating a home along with his new spouse (actress Meredith Salenger), and his experiences consuming at Denny’s. Although not as laugh-out-loud humorous as a few of his earlier works, I Love All the pieces has its personal standout moments and is one other spectacular contribution to the Patton Oswalt comedy canon. —I.G.

The place to look at I Love All the pieces: Netflix

Director: Marcus Raboy

Forged: Patton Oswalt

21 of 26

Ronny Chieng, Like to Hate It (2024)

As a senior correspondent and one of many hosts of The Daily Show, Ronny Chieng is aware of the best way to report on the state of the world. In Like to Hate It, his third Netflix comedy particular, Chieng studies on the state of American tradition, bouncing between bits on the generational divide, politics, and the perils of being perceived as a person on the web. Like to Hate It isn’t as electrifying as Asian Comic Destroys America (2019), however a joke in regards to the humiliation ritual that’s collaborating within the IVF course of hits particularly onerous, and the particular showcases Chieng’s sharp wit, outsider perspective, and abilities as a gift, bodily performer. —I.G.

The place to look at Like to Hate It: Netflix

Director: Cameron Barnett

Forged: Ronny Chieng

22 of 26

Rosebud Baker, The Mom Lode (2025)

For Rosebud Baker’s The Mom Lode, the comedian filmed two exhibits one yr aside — one whereas she was eight months pregnant, one whereas going by way of postpartum. The 2 units had been edited collectively to create a complete have a look at being pregnant, the early phases of motherhood, and all the sentiments, hormones, and irrational ideas that accompany each. Baker, who additionally works as a author for Saturday Evening Dwell’s “Weekend Replace,” is a talented joke constructionist with a darkish humorousness and a eager eye for statement. —I.G.

The place to look at The Mom Lode: Netflix

Director: Rosebud Baker

Forged: Rosebud Baker

23 of 26

Sam Jay, 3 within the Morning (2020)

Sam Jay is among the voices of her era, one who can physique jokes and encourage reflection in a single swoop. Right here, she runs by way of courting, rising up, being afraid of aliens, and success, underpinning every dialogue with a vulnerability that expands the hour right into a dialog with the viewers, permitting their laughter and silence to reply her queries about life as she sees it. —E.F.

The place to look at 3 within the Morning: Netflix

Director: Kristian Mercado

Forged: Sam Jay

24 of 26

Taylor Tomlinson, Have It All (2024)

Taylor Tomlinson hasn’t been round so long as among the different names on this record, however she’s packed quite a bit into her quick profession. Since 2020, Tomlinson has launched three Netflix specials, every filled with jokes about rising up in a conservative Christian household, psychological well being, courting, and attempting to have all of it as a millennial dwelling in right now’s social media-obsessed world.

An elite joke author, Tomlinson began stand-up as a young person, lower her tooth on exhibits like Last Comic Standing, and has distinguished herself as one of the crucial constant and hardworking comics touring right now. The present she hosted, After Midnight, was cancelled after two seasons, however you’ll be able to catch Tomlinson’s comedy on Netflix at any time of day. —I.G.

The place to look at Have it All: Netflix

Director: Kristian Mercado

Forged: Taylor Tomlinson

25 of 26

Tig Notaro, Joyful To Be Right here (2018)

No comic delights in playing around as a lot as Tig Notaro, and this, mixed along with her deadpan supply and lengthy pauses, is what makes her such an plain expertise. Right here, post-cancer with an HBO particular below her belt, she celebrates being alive with bits about jokes she likes to do at events, changing into a guardian, and the small joys life has to supply after confronting your personal mortality. —E.F.

The place to look at Joyful To Be Right here: Netflix

Director: Tig Notaro

Forged: Tig Notaro

26 of 26

Vir Das, Touchdown (2022)

Vir Das made comedy historical past when he turned the primary Indian stand as much as obtain a Netflix particular (Overseas Understanding, 2017). In Touchdown, his fourth particular on the platform, he mentally returns to India to replicate on his childhood, his transfer to America, and the controversies which have adopted him all through his leisure profession. Touchdown gained Das an Worldwide Emmy for Greatest Comedy Collection, and the particular has been lauded as a chunk of artwork that finds energy in each punchlines and moments of cultural and private thoughtfulness. —I.G.

The place to look at Touchdown: Netflix

Director: Vir Das

Forged: Vir Das

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