30 best stand-up specials on Netflix

Netflix has a wide variety of stand-up comedy specials to choose from, and there are even some comedy variety shows featuring multiple stand-ups performing shorter acts. From newer comedians getting their big break to seasoned veterans taking the stage once again, Netflix's best stand-up comedy shows a diverse configuration of comedians branching out to skewer a multitude of topics, and absolutely nothing is sacred. From the deadpan to the aggressive, Netflix has such a wide selection of stand-up specials that choosing what one would consider “the best” is a difficult choice.

Netflix has a large number of stand-up comedians, POC and LGBTQ+ stand-ups to represent all walks of life, and almost everyone can find a comedian who speaks from a point of view of relatability. The best stand-up comedians on Netflix have no off-limits topics and bring hilarity to even the most mundane and distressing situations. With a massive library suitable for satiating every mood, Netflix leads the pack in great stand-up specials and offers viewers shows from comedy giants and unsung gems in equal measure.

30

Nate Bargatze: Tennessee Kid (2019)

Nate Bargatze ruins his sixth sense

Nate Bargatze is quickly becoming one of the most popular comedians in the world, and his popularity only increases with his hilarious George Washington. SNL skits. While Netflix releases a new Bargatze stand-up special in December 2024, one of the comedian's best specials is available to watch and enjoy right now. Tennessee Boy marks Bargatze's first hour-long special and he certainly makes the most of the opportunity.

The special highlights Bargatze as a fun and charming storyteller, with his easy-going humor providing an easy-to-watch experience for audiences of all ages. He covers early childhood memories, lessons about marriage, and the shock of the end of The Sixth Sense. It helped establish Bargatze as one of the best newcomers in the stand-up world, who could get a lot of laughs with clean material, which became a rarity.

29

Adam Sandler: I Love You (2024)

Adam Sandler pays tribute

Adam Sandler's relationship with Netflix has produced some fun films, but it's also good to see that it's also given the comedian plenty of opportunities to return to the stage. Sandler's latest special, I love youIt's a more laid-back show than the big stadium tour seen in 100% Freshbut the intimate approach works as Sandler brings his penchant for dirty jokes, songs and sweetness.

The special is directed by Sandler's Rough gems collaborator Josh Safdie, bringing a sense of that film's intensity to the show, as there are running jokes about the small venue's technical problems. Sandler seems to be having a lot of fun switching between songs and making silly comments. However, the highlight of the show is the closing number in which Sandler pays heartfelt tribute to all the comedians and comedy films that inspired him.

28

Chris Rock: Selective Outrage (2023)

Chris Rock talks about the slap

It's safe to say that Chris Rock Selective outrage was one of the most anticipated stand-up specials of all time. The marked special the first time Rock has fully addressed the infamous Oscars moment when Will Smith slapped him on stage. Waiting a whole year to talk about the subject, the excitement at breaking the silence was great, as was the fact that this marked the first live stand-up special Netflix had ever performed.

It's clear that Rock didn't make much of the Will Smith incident, as he takes time to discuss topics like raising teenagers and getting older. The live aspect has an emotional quality, even showing Rock getting one of his jokes wrong. However, when he finally launched into the Will Smith material at the end of the show, there was a fiery response that proved the comedian knew how to fight back.

27

Jacqueline Novak: Get on your knees (2024)

Jacqueline Novak takes a closer look at a particular subject

Jacqueline Novak announced herself as one of the latest comedians to watch with her acclaimed and bold new special Get on your knees. Although most comedians use their specials to tell a wide variety of jokes that showcase their humorous views on a variety of topics, Novak decides to focus on one specific thing and that is the subject of women performing oral sex..

The amount of observations and feedback she gets from such a focused approach makes it one of 2024's most unexpected and brilliant specials.

While the setup may seem like a poor excuse to tell dirty jokes that get old over time, Novak makes it a hilarious, engaging and surprisingly insightful deconstruction of this single act it actually opens her up to talking about a lot of different things. The amount of observations and commentary she gets from such a focused approach makes it one of the most unexpected and brilliant specials of 2024. Novak was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special.

26

Norm MacDonald: Nothing Special (2021)

Norm MacDonald says goodbye

Despite what the title suggests, there are a number of pretty special things about Norm MacDonald's Nothing special. Firstly, it's a special done without an audience, as MacDonald simply filmed himself in his home performing his act during COVID when he couldn't get in front of a crowd. Secondly, it is the only Netflix special to have premiered posthumously.

MacDonald recorded the special to be released in the event of his death, when it was unclear whether he would be alive long enough to perform on stage again.. Sadly, MacDonald passed away in 2021 after his secret battle with cancer. However, despite the sad story behind the special, it is filled with the kind of witty, irreverent humor that helped make MacDonald the kind of comedian other comedians loved to watch.

25

Leslie Jones: Time Machine (2020)

Jones recalls the time she tried to seduce Prince

Leslie Jones, one of the best SNL cast members of the 2010s, recounts most of her unforgettable past experiences in the raw stand-up special and some of Netflix's best stand-up comedy. Among these memories is playing basketball professionally and trying to seduce Prince.

She only became famous at the age of 40, something she admits was a good thing as she would have been much wilder if fame came when she was mature.

Jones also thrives on honesty. In addition to making the audience laugh, Jones recognizes and appreciates the fact that she was a late bloomer. She only became famous at the age of 40, something she admits was a good thing as she would have been much wilder if fame came when she was mature.

24

Fred Armisen: Standup for Drummers (2018)

Armisen impersonates all US accents

Fred Armisen is known for his alternative comedy featured on the sketch show Portlandiabut its set in Stand-up for drummers is without a doubt one of the best stand-up comedies on Netflix. Armisen shows off his many talents by imitating how he surprisingly embodies every accent in the United States and has a drum kit with famous drummers of the time.

Using niche jokes that distort musical genres and drummer quirks, Stand-up for drummers will be more appreciated by musicians. However, Armisen's jokes still please the musically inept and his talent deserves to be recognized.

23

Pete Davidson: I Live From New York (2020)

Davidson details his relationship with Ariana Grande

Pete Davidson's first stand-up special ended up being one of the best stand-up comedies on Netflix. Davidson pokes fun at a wide variety of topics in I live in New Yorkincluding his own public persona and relationship with Ariana Grandeyour characters in SNL and his time working there, as well as what it was like growing up in Staten Island, New York and achieving fame in his 20s.

22

Aziz Ansari: live at Madison Square Garden (2015)

Ansari's special is full of theatricality

Aziz Ansari, known for playing one of the best Parks and recreation characters, has delved deeper into the stand-up arena and has some of the best stand-up comedy on Netflix. Ansari Addresses Bullying, Misogyny, and Internet Farmingand the special is critically acclaimed because of Ansari's theatrics.

Many comedians don't mind big entrances, but Ansari leaves an impression and demonstrates his talent for tying together disjointed topics. Interestingly, there are no audience ratings for her special, a development that may be linked to her sexual misconduct scandal, which is addressed in her subsequent 2019 Netflix special (through Vox).

21

Whitney Cummings: Can I touch on that? (2019)

2019 special features replica of Cummings' own sex doll

Whitney Cummings also delivers some of Netflix's best stand-up comedy, as the witty comedian addresses everything from modern femininity to sex dolls. In Can I touch it?Cummings shows off her penchant for crude yet somehow intelligent humor as she lovingly tackles relatable or contemporary topics like technology, relationships, and feminism. Of course, Cummings brings out her sex doll replica as a special guest, highlighting how her presence has really helped at home and in her relationship.

20

Tig Notaro: Happy to be here (2018)

Notaro's Quiet, Subtle Observations on Marriage and Family Life Are Hilarious

Alternative comedian Tig Notaro performs some of Netflix's best stand-up comedy at the historic Heights Theater in Houston, Texas. Notaro is a subtle and silent forcebringing playful observations while highlighting the more comical moments of marriage and family life.

Notaro's comedy is an understated watch and a unique brand in its own right, but its brilliance is hard to ignore.

It's not often that a comedian can mix deadpan and silliness, but Notaro achieves this by discussing his own public image and the public's assumptions about what comedy should and could be. Notaro's comedy is an understated watch and a unique brand in its own right, but its brilliance is hard to ignore.

19

Kevin Hart: Irresponsible (2019)

Hart tries to convince the public that being him is harder than people think

Kevin Hart tries to explain to his admirers and detractors that being him is harder than people think. At the time, Hart talks about Hollywood culture too, but it brings some of Netflix's best stand-up comedy in Irresponsible.

It's sometimes been implied that Kevin Hart's best films are much funnier than his stand-up specials – but that can't be said about 2019's. Watch Irresponsible. Hart tends to rely too much on making jokes about his personal life, but that's not a bad thing on this occasion, as Hart's anecdotes become funnier and funnier throughout the runtime.

18

Hannibal Buress: Shirted Comedy (2016)

Buress discusses the absurdities of fame

Buress is best known for his supporting roles in comedy films such as Spider-Man: Homecomingbut the way he analyzes topics like comedy legends and fame in Shirted Comedy proves he's among the best stand-up comedians on Netflix. Buress seems to understand that his strength is in storytelling, so he focuses more on that rather than analyzing situations like many comedians do.

This endears him to both fans and those tasked with reviewing the material. Of cops wanting autographs When Buress is not recognized elsewhere, the comedian demonstrates how strange life is for him.

17

Iliza Shlesinger: confirmed deaths (2016)

Shlesinger offers insightful and hilarious observations on 21st century femininity

No one tackles the weirdness and hilarity of 21st century womanhood like comedian Iliza Shlesinger, and her special Confirmed deaths offers some of the best stand-up comedy on Netflix. Utilizing a variety of voices, relatable situations, and fearless observation, Shlesinger points out the complexities of femininity while covering topics such as dating in the modern world and feminism. Bold and irreverent, Shlesinger's third special ushers in a new era for the comedian, who has since found fame on TV appearing on shows such as The fair gemstones and Spencer Confidential.

16

Chris Rock: Tamborim (2018)

Chris Rock Is Unapologetically Honest About Divorce

Best known for his HBO specials, Tambourine is Chris Rock's first Netflix project and contains some of Netflix's best stand-up comedy. Rock addresses his divorce and also various events in society, but the comedian's raw honesty is the special's biggest appeal.

The veteran comedian plays carefully — rather than offensively — on religion, making sure to point out a few things that confuse him about the deities.

Every now and then, he risks alienating the public by bragging about his success. Even so, Rock deals with serious matters with the professionalism that is required of him. The veteran comedian plays carefully — rather than offensively — on religion, making sure to point out a few things that confuse him about the deities.

15

Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh (2018)

Sandler returns to musical comedy

One of SNLMost successful alumni Adam Sandler poked fun at his adversarial relationship with critics in his special 100% Fresh – and managed to come out on top. 100% Fresh see Sandler at his best and using almost every talent he hasfrom the music to the fun characterizations.

Sandler brings stories from his own life and, in turn, gives credit where credit is due to those who have helped him along the way. The special also includes a moving tribute to the late, great Chris Farley. From Sandler's enormous work, 100% Fresh stands out.

14

Tiffany Haddish: She's ready! From the hood to Hollywood! (2017)

Haddish turns stories of hardship into anecdotes that divide sides

There's no doubt that Tiffany Haddish is one of the funniest comedians of this generation, and her special She's ready! From the hood to Hollywood! offers some of the best stand-up comedy on Netflix. Haddish doesn't hold back as she tells some truly hilarious and equally brave stories about her life and her rise to stardom.

The comedian knows how turn tales of hardship into disconcerting anecdotes as she talks about her early days in the foster care system to her meteoric rise. Taking the stage in her hometown of Los Angeles, Haddish didn't hold back.

13

Bert Kreischer: Razzle Dazzle (2023)

Kreischer takes a trip down memory lane, remembering his glory days

The inspiration behind the comedy franchise Van WilderBert Kreischer delivers some of the best stand-up comedy on Netflix and his latest special, Dazzleis no different. Bringing yet another shirtless performance to the stage, The strength of Bert's comedy lies in its over-the-top storytelling as he tells hilarious personal stories about being a husband and father now that his partying days are behind him.

12

Patton Oswalt: Annihilation (2017)

Oswalt deftly turns pain into comedy gold

Patton Oswalt is widely known for appearing on shows such as King of Queens and his extensive voice acting career, but he's been headlining comedy clubs since 1996 and brings some of Netflix's best stand-up comedy to Annihilation. Oswalt is an expert at changing tone, as he still manages to get laughs when discussing heavy subjects like the tragic untimely death of his wife Michelle McNamarathe Trump era and the general pain. Oswalt is an incredible storyteller who shows immense vulnerability while maintaining his trademark sharp humor in this raw special that will have audiences laughing and crying.

11

Michelle Wolf: The Joke Show (2019)

Wolf presents himself as a seasoned pro in his first special

The first The daily program corresponding Michelle Wolf addresses cancel culture, feminism, motherhoodand much more in his first stand-up special. The joke show is an apt title, as Wolf delivers one joke after another in the highly entertaining special. Despite being her first special, she doesn't show the usual signs of a newcomer: nervousness, pause or excessive emphasis.

The comedian simply gets to the heart of the material immediately and comes out on top.

By making her routine strictly joke-based, Wolf gives critics something specific to judge her on. There isn't even a special introduction. The comedian simply gets to the heart of the material immediately and comes out on top.