Amazon Prime Video used to simply be a streaming service to watch various TV series and feature films that were out of the theaters. But, like Netflix and some of the other big-time players in streaming, Amazon began creating its own content in past years. Today, there are numerous series and feature-length films produced by Amazon that you can watch on the service.
Let’s look at some of the hottest shows on Amazon right now, as we head toward the end of 2021. If you aren’t already a subscriber to Amazon Prime, these are definitely some reasons to check out the service!
The Wheel of Time
This adaption of the series of 14 novels created by Robert Jordan (and completed by Brandon Sanderson) is one of the biggest selling epic fantasy series of all time. So, when Amazon brought it to the screen in 2021, it came with both expectations and trepidations from fans of the books. The series launched in November and season 1 will complete its 8th and final episode just before the end of the year.
This one has already received solid critical and audience reviews, along with being a very popular show for Amazon. Season 2 is already confirmed, so we’ll see the continuation of the story through at least one more season. But, if it remains popular, we could see many, many seasons following the story of the Dragon Reborn.
Hanna
Adapted from the feature film of the same name, season 3 of Hanna is now streaming on Amazon. The show follows the main character, a young girl (Hanna) who was created by a sinister organization to work as a biologically designed agent. In previous seasons, Hanna was raised by another agent, who had stolen her from the organization as a baby. Now a teenager, Hanna is discovered and hunted by the CIA, as she begins to uncover her true nature and turn against those that created her for their own purposes.
This mixture of action, spy-thriller, and coming-of-age story has already done very well on Amazone and has a loyal audience at this point.
The Voyeurs
The Voyeurs is a psychological thriller, telling the story of a young couple who begin spying on their neighbors across the street. Their initially somewhat innocent (hey they’re still watching their neighbors) becomes more of an obsession as they discover that one neighbor may be cheating on the other. This eventually leads to meetings in the real world. There is a mysterious death and many twists and turns that change the rules of just who was watching who.
Critical reviews have been mixed, but this remains a popular show on Amazon right now.
The Expanse
This sci-fi show is now on its 5th season on Amazon Prime. It is already renewed for a sixth and final season. The show was originally produced by Syfy, but Amazon purchased the rights after the first three seasons and has continued to the series through its eventual conclusion after season 6. Based on the novel series by James S. A. Corey, it has received widespread critical acclaim. The story is set in the far future, after humanity has colonized the solar system. The main characters are the crew of the spaceship Rocinante as they become enmeshed in political intrigue and alien fist-contact.
This one is a big hit with fans of hard science fiction and should deliver a lot of excitement ahead of its conclusion after season 6.
Harlem
This brand new series on Amazon is a comedy following a group of young women living in Harlem, NY. The group includes a rising star professor, a savvy tech entrepreneur, a no-filter singer, and a fashion designer. Each has struggles as they try to advance in their careers, while also balancing relationships in the Big Apple.
The show is receiving decent critical reviews and looks like it could be another hit for the Amazon production studio.
Shows to Keep an eye on in 2022
While these shows aren’t hot right now, new seasons are on the horizon, so keep an eye on popular Amazon shows like:
The Boys - Season 3 is on it’s way for this dark look at what a world with super powered humans might actually look like.
Invincible - Season 2 of the animated superhero story is on the way.
Reacher - Amazon will take a shot at making a series about the titular character from the bestselling novel series by Lee Child (pen name for author Jim Grant). Expect serious action in this one.
Lord of the Rings TV Series - Amazon is also creating a brand new story set in the world of The Lord of the Rings, scheduled for release in September, 2022.
