Movies

The 25 Best Stand-Up Specials on Netflix

BBG News

Netflix has been consistently creating and broadcasting their own stand-up comedy specials for more than ten years without any signs of letting up. Last year, they released over 40 original specials, six of which are on this list. As of February, it looks like Netflix is continuing at a similar pace in 2025, having already aired five new specials since the beginning of the year.

Instead of always focusing on the latest releases, a balanced comedy diet involves exploring comedic content from earlier times as well. This could mean discovering hidden gems that you’ve never seen before, or revisiting old classics to appreciate their lasting impact. Timeless humor remains relevant even today.

25 top-notch stand-up performances from comedy veterans such as Chris Rock, Ali Wong, and Adam Sandler, along with emerging talents like Nicole Byer, Dusty Slay, and Jacqueline Novak are currently available for streaming on Netflix. Enjoy these hilarious specials!

Sam Jay 3 in the Morning (2020)

Remarkable performances frequently conceal the skill and planning that goes into their construction. Some comedians are so skilled at making us feel like we’re having a casual, intimate chat with them, it’s easy to underestimate the meticulous structure of their material and the finesse with which it’s presented. This is exactly what Sam Jay does in 3 in the Morning. The overarching theme of the special revolves around her relationship with her girlfriend, from which she weaves jokes about encountering ex-lovers, squabbles during travel, and having no desire to have children. All of this is delivered as if it were a friend’s casual musings. However, Jay occasionally strays from the personal to express her opinions on various subjects: carrying her girlfriend’s bag? “I don’t have chivalry in me.” The #MeToo allegations against Aziz Ansari? “We need to teach girls to fight.” Greta Thunberg? “She can be a bit annoying.” Everything is open for discussion with Sam Jay. Watching this special gives you a glimpse of one of the best comedians working today.

Bill Burr Paper Tiger (2019)

In the stand-up comedy special “Paper Tiger,” Bill Burr discusses his marriage as “a constant journey of self-improvement.” However, this idea can also apply to Burr’s relationship with his comedy and us, his audience. Over time, Burr has shown himself to be one of the most introspective comics of his generation, addressing topics like race, gender, and the benefits they bring.

Initially in “Paper Tiger,” Burr seems to rant against political correctness, echoing the sentiments of many typical (but funnier) white male comedians. Yet, he soon switches gears, critically examining his own anger and emotional struggles. Despite this, he continues to be a man striving to understand life’s complexities. It is in this special that we truly witness the seeds of self-discovery taking root.

Adam Sandler Love You (2024)

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but marvel at how uniquely authentic Adam Sandler is. Unlike many comedians today, he has this uncanny ability to wear whatever he pleases, break into song whenever the mood strikes him, and perform wherever he wants – even in this special of his. But what truly sets him apart is his unwavering earnestness amidst a world that’s increasingly cynical.

With guitar in hand, Sandler serenades and engages in baby talk, just as his fans have come to anticipate from his work. However, this special offers something more profound: a glance into his own journey and aging process. He concludes the Love You with a heartfelt tribute to the rich legacy of comedy, acknowledging, quoting, and singing in appreciation for the numerous comics who have influenced him and us. And just like that, we’re all left feeling genuinely thankful, united in our admiration.

Hannibal Buress Comedy Camisado (2016)

In 2014, “Comedy Camisado” followed a comedic act that sparked worldwide attention. This was Hannibal Buress’s stand-up routine where he humorously discussed the sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby. In this special, he reflects on the unexpected fame and the aftermath of his joke about Cosby. As he quips, “Who would have thought that a casual joke about Cosby raping would lead to me having consensual relationships all over the country?” The audience cheered in approval. However, “Comedy Camisado” is not just about this one topic. Buress skillfully transitions from one diverse subject to another, including gambling, LASIK surgery, child actors, and even deviled actors. There seems to be no end to the humor he can extract from any situation.

Chris Rock Tamborine (2018)

In Chris Rock’s comedy special “Tamborine,” he expresses that he believes the American justice system should operate like Walmart, with the promise that if a lighter sentence is found, it will be matched. Throughout the special, Rock emphasizes fairness in various aspects, including the structural racism within the criminal justice system and the misguided efforts of parents to shield their children from life’s hardships: “We need bullies!”

Rock’s performance showcases his unique humor, as he compares George Bush to a Black revolutionary and manages to tie together seemingly unrelated ideas coherently. The special shines brightest when Rock delves into personal topics, such as his recent divorce, confessing to infidelity and discussing his anxious experiences in child court. It’s an emotional yet comedic performance from a stand-up comedy legend.

Hannah Gadsby Nanette (2017)

Hannah Gadsby’s special remains strikingly authentic, unfiltered, and contemporary. Acclaimed upon its debut, this special showcases Gadsby’s insights on art – both personal and encompassing the broader art world. In the special, Gadsby demonstrates a virtuoso performance in shifting tones, transitioning seamlessly from playful to profoundly sincere, while maintaining her audience’s rapt attention. One of the special’s most impactful segments involves Gadsby pondering the possibility of departing from comedy or, more accurately, concluding an era of comedy that emphasized self-deprecation over healing. Nanette arrived during the climax of the #MeToo movement and shortly after the first election of Donald Trump, yet its themes retain a universal significance that make the special just as crucial viewing now as it was eight years ago.

Trevor Noah Where Was I (2023)

After stepping down from hosting The Daily Show, Trevor Noah released “Where Was I”. In this special, he demonstrates why he was a respected figure on one of America’s most respected news programs, offering unique insights as both an insider and outsider on American life. He is a man who has been close enough to observe the country thoroughly, yet maintained enough distance to see what many overlook. His commentary touches on America’s disregard for its history, the nation’s preoccupation with bathrooms, and an even stronger focus on the national anthem. “Only in this country are you allowed to sing the anthem any way you want,” he notes, before launching into a lengthy discussion about live performances and extravagant versions of the anthem, including performing one himself. He questions, “Why are you trying to make the anthem sensual? What’s going on?

Lucas Brothers On Drugs (2017)

The twin brothers Keith and Kenny Lucas kick off their comedy special “On Drugs” by taking a stand against President Richard Nixon, who in 1971 declared the ‘War on Drugs.’ This policy led to the imprisonment of millions, disproportionately affecting Black Americans, including members of their own family. With Nixon’s cardboard cutouts depicting him bowling as backdrop, the brothers delve into topics beyond their aversion towards Nixon, such as abandoning law school, professional sports, and credit cards. Their dialogue, delivered in a humorous, deadpan manner, showcases their seamless teamwork, never skipping a beat. For instance, when they recount smoking marijuana at work and experiencing “twin discrimination,” one Lucas brother narrates, “One time our boss caught us, and he fired us. The strange thing is, he fired us simultaneously for the same exact reason.” The other Lucas brother responds, “You don’t want to get fired like that because not only are you getting fired, but it’s kind of like watching yourself get fired in 3D.

Ronny Chieng Love to Hate It (2024)

In his roles at The Daily Show, Ronny Chieng is typically seen sitting or standing still, but in “Love to Hate It”, he has an opportunity to display his physical comedy skills. For instance, he mimics Baby Boomers and narrates his experience of running back and forth to the hospital during the embryo freezing process. His energetic stage presence combines with his astute societal observations, which have made him a notable figure on the satirical news program. One of his most memorable skits is a critique of how internet algorithms can quickly manipulate men seeking advice, leading them from workout videos to storming the Capitol within seconds. He humorously remarks, “That’s why Mark Zuckerberg is trying to fight Elon Musk right now, even the good guys in this room are on a razor’s edge of becoming assholes.

Anthony Jeselnik Bones and All (2024)

Anthony Jeselnik, in this special, continues his unique style of comedy, known for its surprising sentimental moments amidst the shock and wit. Reminiscent of his 20-year career in stand-up, he shares memories of working with his admired figure, Norm MacDonald. Although this emotional side might initially clash with Jeselnik’s otherwise brutal act, it underscores the human element that is integral to all his work, even the darkest bits of his gallows humor. In the special, he voices his opposition to cancel culture, a stance that elicits applause. “That’s my impression of a poor comic trying to get on Rogan,” he jokes. Jeselnik, through this performance, showcases his exceptional mastery of comedy, reminding us that complaints about cancel culture are simply excuses for mediocre art. “Comedians should be unrivaled badasses,” he says, echoing his own reflection in the mirror.

Marc Maron End Times Fun (2020)

at least one person is making sense of it all.

Patton Oswalt Annihilation (2017)

In the final thirty minutes of Patton Oswalt’s special “Annihilation,” you’ll find some of the most heart-wrenching, humorous, and gut-wrenching moments. However, it’s not that the rest of the special is without merit – it starts with some witty jabs about Donald Trump’s first term that feel especially pertinent today. But it’s during this part of the special where Oswalt opens up about the sudden death of his first wife, crime writer Michelle McNamara, and the challenging process of grieving alongside their young daughter. “I’m just passing time,” he remarks after exchanging light-hearted banter with the audience. “The next part is tough for me to delve into.” Oswalt, a skilled storyteller, then dives in, discussing everything from his worst day, breaking the news to his daughter, to the superheroes who let him down during his grief. On the topic of Batman visiting the cemetery at night in comics, he quips, “Cemeteries close at 6:00. I know this. That’s nonsense. If they do that, it means they climbed over the fence like an ass.

Ali Wong Baby Cobra (2016)

In her stand-up career, Baby Cobra has found an ally in time. When she debuted, Ali Wong made history by becoming the first comedian to record a special while pregnant. As she put it during an interview, “Pregnancy turns you into a vampire; your senses are heightened and emotions intense.” This unique physicality and her candid commentary on subjects such as sex, relationships, race, and pregnancy have retained their relevance and sharpness for nearly a decade since. Since then, Wong has produced three more Netflix specials: Hard Knock Wife (2018), Don Wong (2022), and Single Lady (2024). Each is worth watching, but it’s her first performance that showcases Wong’s rise to stardom and solidifies its place among the top comedy specials of this century.

John Mulaney The Comeback Kid (2015)

In terms of storytelling, few match up to John Mulaney. Indeed, any of his specials are sure picks, but upon revisiting his debut, “The Comeback Kid,” it continues to stand out as a prime example of personal narrative. Mulaney’s performance is akin to a skilled surgeon dissecting his life experiences with comedic finesse, ensuring not a single word or pause feels misplaced. He effortlessly bounds across the stage, tackling various aspects of middle age, such as becoming a homeowner and embracing the term “my wife.” However, Mulaney truly shines when he delves into his past, discussing growing up Catholic, the evolution of children’s rights, and most memorably, the tale that concludes the special: meeting Bill Clinton at a fundraiser at age ten, and the longstanding grudge held by his father against the former president.

Maria Bamford Old Baby (2017)

In “Old Baby,” Maria Bamford explores the very essence of her stand-up special by initially performing in various settings such as her home, a restaurant, bowling alley, and theater stage, while maintaining her unique tone, stream of consciousness delivery style, and discussing relatable topics like unconditional love, marital sex, aging, and Hollywood rejection. Bamford emphasizes that the continuity of the special isn’t tied to location, audience, or editing, but rather the performance itself, which can transport us both literally and metaphorically into different realms, deepening our connection to her roots in the alternative comedy scene.

Tig Notaro Happy to Be Here (2018)

In a distinctive, dry wit fashion, Tig Notaro stands out as a distinct figure in stand-up comedy. One of her notable talents lies in her ability to engage the audience intimately with her personal tales, yet maintain control over our focus, all while offering insightful commentary on her performance itself. For instance, in her special Happy to Be Here, she frequently comments on upcoming or just-told jokes, such as when she says, “Go ahead and laugh if you want. I’m not trying to boast,” while discussing a temporary job she held. “Maybe that’s not the best thing to say in a special,” she adds, ” ‘Oh, yeah. Laugh all you want.'” Throughout the special, Notaro tackles various topics, from family and fame, to her own stardom. The show concludes with an impressive segment where she tests audience members’ recognition of her celebrity by hinting at a hidden musical guest waiting backstage and building a joke around their potential presence.

Nicole Byer BBW (Big Beautiful Weirdo) (2021)

In Nicole Byer’s amusing stand-up debut, she humorously tackles a variety of topics ranging from ordering a single bottle of ranch for delivery to personal experiences on the road and birthday woes. She jests, “A crying white woman with a birthday is like kryptonite to common sense,” adding, “I enjoyed watching Krista cry.” Byer’s special showcases her keen eye for contemporary society, never condescending or judging but instead joining us in the thick of it all. She shares personal anecdotes, enlivens them with side-splitting physical humor, and offers her unique perspective on understanding the world after 2020, addressing issues such as COVID, Black Lives Matter, online videos of “Karen Gone Wild,” and more. Byer humorously questions, “Is your kid sitting on the couch, scrolling through Instagram, saying ‘Mom?!’ And you come in wearing the same shirt and they’re like, ‘Did you come directly from the hate crime?’!

Hasan Minhaj Off With His Head (2024)

In a departure from his previous storytelling style, Hasan Minhaj’s special, which is not merely a title, delves into jokes about The New Yorker, following an article that fact-checked some of his earlier comedic work. This piece sparked controversy, with some criticizing the comic and others defending both him and the artistic process. However, the special transcends this debate as Minhaj swiftly moves on. He seems to subtly address his critics by adopting a new approach, showcasing his abilities as a political and cultural commentator, highlighting the absurdities of our current times, regardless of one’s political leanings. “Sometimes Biden fans get mad at me,” he quips, “but let me ask you this: Why are you a fan? Imagine walking through downtown San Jose and seeing someone wearing a T-shirt that says ‘Citibank!’ Then you see another guy, ‘No, fuck you, bro! Wells Fargo!’

Taylor Tomlinson Look at You (2022)

Taylor Tomlinson has been hosting the late-night comedy game show, “After Midnight,” on CBS for over a year now, following Stephen Colbert. This season, fans of the show will appreciate that Tomlinson’s monologue is one of its highlights, even though it’s usually brief. If you’re craving more of Tomlinson’s perspectives on contemporary life, you’re in luck! The comedian has released three stand-up specials on Netflix. In “Look at You,” Tomlinson discusses various topics such as her recent bipolar diagnosis, the expenses associated with therapy, and losing her mother at a young age. “She’s in heaven, I’m on Netflix, it all worked out,” Tomlinson says. “That is something I actually said in therapy, to which my therapist responded, ‘You should come in twice this week.’

Jacqueline Novak Get On Your Knees (2024)

In the comedy world, jokes about male genitalia are often seen as overused and clichéd. However, the stand-up special “Get On Your Knees” boldly confronts this stereotype, demonstrating that there’s still a lot to explore and say on the topic—far from exhausting all possibilities. Quoting this special is almost impossible to capture its brilliance. Novak’s command of the stage for over 90 minutes as she delves into oral sex, sharing personal stories, dissecting anatomy, and pondering philosophical thoughts, sets it apart. She says in her special, “To me, the blow job, it was just something I had conquered… It was an art form I had mastered in a basic way, I had a working definition of, and now I can think about how I might eventually wanna meaningfully subvert that art form.” This level of exploration and subversion is indeed achieved in this special.

Mike Birbiglia The Old Man and the Pool (2022)

Mike Birbiglia’s “The Old Man and the Pool” originally debuted on Broadway but adapts effortlessly into a stand-up special format. This fusion of genres subtly illustrates the challenge of bridging the gap caused by the camera, making it appear almost effortless. The core of Birbiglia’s performance is his raw humanity, as he delves into themes of aging, mortality, health, and learning to swim. He meticulously plants bits of intensely personal experiences throughout his act, allowing them to grow in significance before revisiting them. A significant portion of the special focuses on Birbiglia’s battle to breathe in various situations: during a doctor’s examination, when he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, and as he took his first swimming lessons in what he calls his “drowner’s body.” The special is about endurance, resilience, and perseverance. Birbiglia delivers this poignant message with a blend of earnestness and humor. He jokes, “If you haven’t seen a nutritionist, you’re not missing too much. They know the same stuff as us.” This is like imagining your most annoying friend, but they start charging you for their advice.

Dusty SlayWorkin Man (2024)

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but admire the captivating charm of Dusty Slay. His act is reminiscent of a bygone era, where a simple stool, a glass of water, and minimalist stage design are all that’s needed to enthrall an audience. He sways gently on stage, occasionally acknowledging the cheering crowd with a small wave.

One of the unique aspects of his performance is his catchphrase, “We’re having a good time,” which I find to be a beautiful sentiment and one of the most undervalued verbal traditions in comedy. Like many of the comics on this list, Slay is not just a storyteller, but a masterful one who can maintain audience engagement while injecting humor into his personal experiences and the act of storytelling itself.

He shares fondly about his love for dipping, “I love dipping,” he says. “I didn’t dip Skoal, I dipped Kodiak Wintergreen, but not everyone knows that name brand, so I like to say Skoal because it’s more recognizable.

Beth Stelling: If You Didn’t Want Me Then (2023)

It’s always enjoyable when a comedian returns home for inspiration, as Beth Stelling does in her stand-up special “If You Didn’t Want Me Then.” She reminisces about Dayton, Ohio, sharing stories of the Wright Brothers, field hockey, shared childhood with her father in Orlando, and sneaking into frat parties as a teenager. Regarding men’s skepticism, she quips, “I feel like the only time men believe women is when we’re lying about being 18.” She humorously describes fraternity members as confused, saying, “Check her ID? I’m like, Check… check her face. Is it underdeveloped and over-contoured? Does it look like she still believes in Santa?”

Stelling’s performance is a classic journey down memory lane, which later transitions into insights on her current life, delivered with a blend of biting wit and raw sincerity, ensuring each joke hits its mark. “I might still want kids,” she admits. “I just know I won’t have time to come home and let them out.

Catherine Cohen The Twist …? She’s Gorgeous (2022)

In her comedy special titled “The Twist …? She’s Gorgeous“, Catherine Cohen (or her character) expresses herself through laughter-inducing songs without warning. She revels in the audience’s attention and doesn’t shy away from expressing it. Every personal story she shares has a touch of self-praise. For instance, “My ex and I lived together for three years,” Cohen says. “And we continued living together for two months after our breakup.” This, of course, is a nod to the environmental benefits – a joke that’s hard to miss. “Oops, I just ran for office. Oops, I just won” is another example of her quick wit and humor. The transitions between stand-up and song in this special are smooth, each complementing the other and contributing to the overall narrative. Each part could potentially be a show on its own, but together they create an engaging, unique comedy special.

Natalie Palamides Nate – A One Man Show (2020)

In a unique display unlike any other on the list, Natalie Palamides’ performance takes an unconventional approach. Playing the character Nate in drag, she delves into the complexities of masculinity, involving the audience in thought-provoking discussions about topics such as consent and jealousy. The character Nate becomes embroiled in a physical altercation with an audience member when he spots him with his “ex-girlfriend.” He strips down to shower in front of the audience. He calls out for his best friend, and when an audience member responds, invites the “friend” on stage and asks to be spanked with a towel. Nate goes on a date with Miss Jackson, his art teacher (and a mannequin) during his own show, then engages in a drunken, sexual encounter with her overlooking Niagara Falls. This scene adds tension to the performance’s broader examination of consent as Nate queries the audience, “Did I do something wrong?” The special effectively conveys the excitement and discomfort that filled the room, although many can only imagine the electric atmosphere experienced by those who witnessed this extraordinary, one-of-a-kind performance live.

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2025-02-22 02:07

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