Netflix

Best Stand-Up Comedy Specials on Netflix You Shouldn’t Miss!

Best Stand-Up Comedy Specials on Netflix: Netflix is a treasure trove of stand up comedy specials and can overwhelm even the most seasoned comedy fans. So, here is a list of the must-see comedy specials on Netflix.

Last Updated on January 04, 2023

Bill Burr: Paper Tiger (2019)

Run Time – 1 hr 7 mins
Director – Mike Binder

Best Stand-Up Comedy Specials on Netflix: Shot at the legendary Royal Albert Hall in London, Bill Burr’s 2019 comedy special – Paper Tiger is lack for a better word – a masterpiece. Right off the bat, Burr wastes no time and delves into a series of news topics which irritated him in the recent past including the triggered and sensitive American people, Me Too movement, etc.

Later in the special, he also talks about his short temper and his weekly arguments with his wife and the difficult parts of being a dad. The perfect runtime of sixty-seven minutes streams through pretty comfortably as the entire show didn’t feel flat or tedious to watch. One of the Best Stand-Up Comedy Specials on Netflix. – Surya Komal

Vir Das: Abroad Understanding (2017)

Run Time – 1 hr 5 mins
Director – Marcus Raboy

Vir Das’ 2017 comedy special – Abroad Understanding is a chucklesome blend between a handful of laugh-out-loud moments and significant social commentary about India. Shot in two locations – New Delhi and New York City, the entire special switches back and forth between the two locations comprising of diverse crowds. Vir, a well-known Bollywood actor explores different topics including religion, homophobia, different cultures and the dissimilarities between India and USA. Overall, Abroad Understanding is a delightful watch, especially for Indians as the entire show flows beautifully, and is worth your time. – Surya Komal

Aziz Ansari: Right Now (2019)

Run Time – 1 hr 5 mins
Rating – 4.5/5

Aziz Ansari is one of the best known Indian American actors and stand up comedian. He is famous for his roles in Master of None and Parks and Recreation. He is also acclaimed for his comedy specials – Buried Alive(2013) and Live at Madison Square Garden (2015). Unfortunately this maverick comedian found himself dealing with sexual misconduct allegations in 2018. This is his first comedy special since then. Fans of the comedian might be glad to know that he has not lost any of his form.

With Right Now, Aziz Ansari continues his traditional style of exposing cultural and generational differences with his humor. He also pokes fun at all the ‘woke’ people in the audience. In one of the most vulnerable moments of the show, he addresses what he went through in the days following the allegations. This is undoubtedly one of the best new Stand-up shows to air in 2019!

Katherine Ryan: Glitter Room (2019)

Run Time – 1 hr 5 mins
Rating – 3/5

The Irish-Canadian comedian, Katherine Ryan’s latest special just dropped on Netflix and it is a hoot and a half. Although, fair warning – if you are a guy, some of the jokes may trigger you. She talks about her life as a single mother and raising her British daughter form the core of a lot of her jokes. Ryan comments on everything from Dating to Politics to Hamilton(!). The show has some funny material but some slightly cringe-inducing material as well. The overall vibe of her show is clear within the first 10 minutes, it is not for everyone. For those that do watch to the end would find that her brand of humor is quite funny.

Adam DeVine: Best Time of Our Lives (2019)

Run Time – 58 mins
Rating – 3/5

You might recognize Adam DeVine from his roles in Workaholic and the Pitch Perfect movies. He is back with his new comedy special – The Best Time of Our Lives. In his new comedy special, he explains how the special got its name in a joke within the hour-long runtime (Warning – it is a little graphic). Adam has a lot of energy on stage and he infuses all his jokes with the same. Most of his jokes are inappropriate for a younger audience. If you are old enough to enjoy them, you just might have the Best Time of Your Life!

Bill Burr: You People Are All the Same (2012)

Run Time – 1 hr 8 mins
Rating – 4/5

Bill Burr is a very polarising comedian and people either love his specials or hate them. You people are all the same features Burr’s rants about everything from plastic surgery and reality TV to the Zombie apocalypse. His style of alienating himself from the audience creates a shocking effect that is extremely effective as a style of delivery. Combined with his fearless attitude as he plays the devil’s advocate to persuade the audience to better understand his point of view, it is the perfect cocktail of comedy and reality.

Ellen Degeneres: Relatable (2018)

Run Time – 1 hr 8 mins
Rating – 3/5

Best Stand-Up Comedy Specials on Netflix: As the first comedy special in 15 years from the queen of daytime television and one of the funniest comedians of all times, my expectations were very high for Relatable. It is not that relatable is not that this special is not funny (it is) but it seems to lack something. Despite that, Ellen Degeneres is successful at delivering a very funny hour of comedy within the constraints of her brand of comedy.

Iliza Shlesinger: Elder Millennial (2018)

Run Time – 1 hr 12 mins
Rating – 3/5

As the only woman to have won the reality competition Last Comic Standing and with three other Netflix specials under her belt, Iliza Shlesinger certainly has an impressive resume of comedy and she brings her exuberant style of comedy to the fore once again for Elder Millennial. Her jokes reinforce certain stereotypes about women which may offend some sensibilities but deliver the results.

Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979)

Run Time – 1 hr 18 mins
Rating – 5/5

Richard Pryor had the reputation as one of the most influential comedians of all times and one only needs to watch a few minutes of his special to understand why he is held in such high regard even now almost 15 years after his death. Recorded at the peak of Pryor’s career, Live in Concert is comedy gold.

Although, the world has become much more politically correct in the forty years since this show was recorded and some of the jokes must be taken in with a grain of salt and a little bit of understanding of the world of the era. The sheer joy in this performance is the display by a master of the craft at the top of his game. A must watch and most probably the Best Stand-Up Comedy Specials on Netflix.

Dave Chappelle: The Age of Spin/Deep in the Heart of Texas (2017)

Run Time – 1 hr 7 mins
Rating – 3/5

Best Stand-Up Comedy Specials on Netflix: Dave Chappelle is perhaps one of the best-known names in the world of Stand-up comedy today but as someone who has not released a special in nearly a decade, Chappelle’s return to form is humorous if somewhat uneven. Netflix acquired the exclusive rights to Deep in the Heart of Texas and The Age of Spin because Chappelle is an extraordinary comedian who mines his fame and his race for jokes with success.

Jim Jefferies: Freedumb (2016)

Run Time – 1 hr 26 mins
Rating – 3.5/5

Freedumb is Australian Stand-up comedian Jim Jefferies’ second Netflix comedy special (after the critically acclaimed BARE) and he ups the ante on his unique style of comedy. While BARE was more political in nature, Freedumb has more personal stories but his offensive comedy goes up a few notches. Do not see this special if you are easily offended but otherwise enjoy watching Jefferies’ crude, vulgar and offensive comedy because it is gut busting-ly hilarious.

Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King (2017)

Run Time – 1 hr 13 mins
Rating – 4/5

Speaking of Best Stand-Up Comedy Specials on Netflix, talking about unique voices in comedy, Minhaj’s name must definitely be mentioned and Homecoming King is a sublime example of that. Unlike many other comedians, Hasan Minhaj does not tell disjointed jokes. Instead, he narrates the story of his experience as the son of immigrants, growing up in America, which is equal parts funny and touching. He has the ability to create impactful moments and he does a great job of doing that here and in turn, creates a show that is remarkable.

John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid (2015)

Run Time – 1 hr 1 min
Rating – 4/5

Perhaps one of the funniest comedians of his generation, John Mulaney has a fantastic delivery. As a former writer and performer on Saturday Night Live, Mulaney is no stranger to the camera and boy does he deliver here! From his showmanship to his physicality, The Comeback Kid has all the ingredients that make Mulaney so funny that even a comedy expert like Lorne Michaels (creator of SNL) thought he should be a TV star. Stand up is a medium that suits Mulaney’s talents and The Comeback Kid is delightfully funny. Watch it here.

Trevor Noah: Afraid of the Dark (2017)

Run Time – 1 hr 7 mins
Rating – 3.5/5

Best Stand-Up Comedy Specials on Netflix: Trevor Noah is not an unknown name ever since he replaced Jon Stewart as the host of The Daily Show, but, he brings a different energy to the Stand-up special combined with his global perspective. Afraid of the Dark is a hilarious take on eccentricities of people and cultures around the world. It is refreshing in its comedy and encourages viewers to step outside their comfort zones.

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