Some of the most fun that you can have at home is binge-watching an addictive TV show in just a handful of days. Some great shows are binge-worthy but have so many episodes that it can be a tall task to get through like Supernatural or Grey's Anatomy.
Thankfully, there are some fantastic shows worth checking out that are relatively easy to get through and don't threaten to consume all of your time. Amazon Prime has several available, with some being originals by the streaming service and others being from other networks but all can make for a fun weekend or week-long binge.
Hanna (2019-2021)
In 2011, the talented Saoirse Ronan delivered one of her typical great performances as the titular Hanna, a young girl trained by her father to be an assassin. Although the film wasn't a huge commercial hit, it did spawn a TV series based on it.
Amazon released Hanna in 2019, with Esmé Creed-Miles taking on the role of the protagonist. The show followed a similar premise but was given much more time to flesh out the story and characters. Still, at only 22 episodes across three seasons, you can finish this pretty quickly.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (2021)
Another show based on a film of the same name, I Know What You Did Last Summer worked as a modern take on the fun slasher movie. The Amazon original series is mostly aimed at teens and became quite popular among the LGBTQ+ community.
While the show has the familiar basic setup of a killer targeting a group of friends with a secret, there are plenty of twists on the original idea to keep it fresh. Reviews weren't strong but those who appreciate the movies will likely enjoy the series and it's an addictive mystery.
Undone (2019-Present)
Another Amazon original, Undone is one of the few short series to check out that is still currently airing. It's also an animated show with a sense of realism to it that feels perfect for its star, Rosa Salazar, who took on a similar role in Alita: Battle Angel.
It's actually a historic show because it is Amazon's first to use the rotoscoping animation technique. A car accident causes the protagonist to develop an unusual relationship with time, which helps her investigate her father's death. The visuals will grab you and the storytelling will keep you hooked.
Counterpart (2017-2019)
There's no doubt that one of the most impressive and accomplished actors of this generation is J.K. Simmons. While he's most known for films like Whiplash and Spider-Man: No Way Home, a lot of people aren't used to seeing him work on television.
For those who want a lot of Simmons, they can check out Counterpart. This Starz series centers on a UN employee who uncovers a secret portal to an alternate dimension at war with his own, where he meets a version of himself who is a top spy. Watching Simmons play two roles is captivating.
Goliath (2016-2021)
One of the first shows to be produced by Amazon Studios was Goliath, which boasts a strong cast led by Billy Bob Thornton. He portrays Billy McBride, a disgraced lawyer who desperately seeks redemption through finding true justice.
The likes of William Hurt, Tania Raymonde, Olivia Thirlby, Maria Bello, and many others join the series and provide quality performances. Although four seasons makes Goliath longer than most shows considered to be short, it only clocks in at 32 total episodes, so it's still an easy binge.
Humans (2015-2018)
A rising actor after roles in Crazy Rich Asians and Eternals, Gemma Chan first had a leading role in the British television series, Humans. It focuses on a world where the latest invention is anthropomorphic robots that can alter the way of life for most people. Everyone wanted one and that allowed the show to tackle important themes.
Chan is the protagonist, Anita/Mia, a synth who was sold as new but is actually a conscious one built for a specific purpose. There are three seasons to check out of this BAFTA-winning show.
Homecoming (2018-Present)
It was difficult to find an Amazon show that garnered more buzz in its early stages than Homecoming. That's what happens when your top cast member is Julia Roberts, one of the most iconic actors over the past few decades.
Based on a podcast of the same name, Homecoming is an anthology series that centers around a wellness company known as the Geist Group and their unorthodox program called the Homecoming Initiative. After Roberts shined in season 1, season 2 saw Janelle Monáe take over as the lead.
Fleabag (2016-2019)
Pulling off a one-woman show is tough enough on its own but it's even more difficult to then turn that into an actual TV series. Phoebe Waller-Bridge accomplished that feat with Fleabag, which she created, wrote, and starred in.
The plot centers around the titular Fleabag as she struggles to adapt to her new life in London after going through a tragedy. There are only a dozen episodes so you can quickly appreciate this show that won several Golden Globes and six Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy Series.
Invincible (2021-Present)
One of Amazon's most popular shows right now is The Boys, which is a violent, brash take on the superhero genre. They doubled down on that concept with Invincible, an animated superhero show that is also based on a comic and is likely even more brutal than The Boys.
Invincible follows Mark, a teenager who has superpowers and becomes a hero, only to learn that his father (a famous hero) is actually the biggest possible threat to the planet. The animation style is strong but it's the voice acting, plot twists, and action that will hook you over and over.
The Wilds (2020-Present)
The best shows to binge are the ones that keep you on your toes and never fully reveal what's going on. The Wilds is exactly that kind of series, focusing on a group of girls who get stranded on a deserted island. Unbeknownst to them, it's all part of a harrowing experiment.
Nearly every episode ends on a cliffhanger that will make you hit play on another episode almost immediately. The young cast is very impressive, the show has an already iconic LGBTQ+ romance, and season 2 has only raised the stakes.