The 64 Best Netflix Stand-Up Comedy Specials

Last updated: June 7, 2021

Whether you’re in the mood to laugh, cry, or let your mind go entirely blank while you ignore the responsibilities of life and binge three seasons of a series in one weekend, Netflix has a show for that. In the past few years, the company has focused in particular on the “laugh” aspect, curating a massive collection of stand-up comedy specials from the world’s biggest comedians. Rotten Tomatoes has created our own list of the very best of those specials, coming from A-list superstars, lesser-known funny people, and many in between.

Some of the specials entered the mainstream consciousness, and four of them are even Certified Fresh at 100% on the Tomatometer (a fifth, Aziz Ansari’s latest stand-up special, Right Now, is also Certified Fresh). What you won’t find: Comedy specials that can actually be classified as variety specials, like the very funny Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life, or John Mulaney and Nick Kroll’s in-character Oh Hello On Broadway, or John Leguizamo’s Tony-nominated play Latin History for Morons.

To be considered for inclusion on the list, each special must have received at least five reviews to earn a Tomatometer score. As a result some recent specials from stars like Russell Brand, Kevin James, and Trevor Noah aren’t included, nor is Tiffany Haddish’s new series spotlighting lesser-known comedians, They Ready. Cristela Alonzo and Katherine Ryan also didn’t quite make the list. And due to their current Rotten scores, some specials from A-listers like Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson, Ricky Gervais, Ray Romano, and Amy Schumer aren’t on it either.

What is on the list: Bo Burnham’s critically acclaimed — we’re talking 100% Fresh on the Tomatometer — special Inside, which the comedian wrote, directed, and filmed from his home during 2020.

We’ll update this list as new titles launch on Netflix and get scores.

Recently Added: Bo Burnham’s Inside

#41

Dave Chappelle: Collection 1

92%

Critics Consensus: Chappelle is back and better than ever in the honest, provocative, and insightful Dave Chappelle: Collection 1 which offers moments for both laughter and contemplation.

Starring: Dave Chappelle