We all need a laugh sometimes, and when it comes tostand-up comedy, Netflix has amassed a spectacular library of specials for just about every sense of humor under the sun. We all know the streaming network has been busy buffing up itsmoviesandTV showsin recent years, but Netflix has also become a giant in the world of comedy specials, curating an impressive lineup from the biggest and best names in comedy right now and launching some unsung gems to stardom in the process. We’ve done a deep dive into the library to discover the most impressive, groundbreaking, and laugh-out-loud hilarious selections in the bunch. From the new names who are changing the game to established industry greats, check out our picks for the best stand-up comedy specials on Netflix below.
For more laugh-worthy recommendations, check out our list of the bestcomedy movies,comedy shows, andromantic comedieson Netflix, or browse our suggestions for the bestmoviesandshowson the platform.
‘Gabriel Iglesias: Legend of Fluffy’ (2025)
IMDb: 6.5/10
Gabriel Iglesias: Legend of Fluffy
One of 2018’s top 10 paid comedians in the world,Gabriel Iglesiasis no stranger to a Netflix special, with 2025’sLegend of Fluffyone of his best. Filmed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida,Legend of Fluffysees Iglesias discuss all things modern life, from dating to the hells of riding a plane. Unlike some of his other specials,Legend of Fluffysees Iglesias slow the speed of his jokes down, making for an easy watch that provides perfect, light-hearted entertainment. -Jake Hodges
Watch on Netflix
‘Hannah Berner: We Ride at Dawn’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 69% | IMDb: 6.1/10
Hannah Berner: We Ride at Dawn
Brooklyn nativeHannah Berneris a sure rising star in the world of stand-up comedy, withWe Ride at Dawnher first Netflix special. Debuting at number two on the streamer’s charts,We Ride at Dawnsees Berner discuss more risque material than some of her fans may be used to, with the ups, downs, and in-betweens of modern romance unpacked in devilish glory. A definite one-to-watch for anyone with an eye for the next big comedic talent,We Ride at Dawnshowcases just how far Berner has come in a short span of time, with it seeming like yesterday she first made her name on TikTok. -Jake Hodges
‘Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall’ (2024)
IMDb: 5.3/10
Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall
Producer, actress, host, and comedianMichelle Buteauis back on the comedy circuit withA Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall, her latest comedy special. From raising twins to getting high, Buteau uses her stage to offload about ever-relatable and always funny topics. Hilarious from start to finish, Buteau isn’t one to shy away from giving her opinion, withA Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hallanother example of why some may take umbrage with her work. Nevertheless, for fans of Buteau, this is her at her stand-up best. -Jake Hodges
‘Bo Burnham: Inside’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 8.6/10
Bo Burnham: Inside
A comedy special unlike anything that has come before it in how it challenges the form,Bo Burnham: Insidecontinues in the comedian’s long trajectory of making increasingly reflective work. Shot, written, and performed by the enigmaticBo Burnham,this is a special that digs deep into his own state of mind having been locked up in quarantine along with the rest of us. It proves that necessity can truly be the impetus for really creative work, as we see him work within the confines set out for him to remarkable effect. It features some of his best music and performances that hit a wide variety of comedic highs, shifting from being gloriously goofy to deeply reflective with ease. It benefits from repeat viewings, as every nuance and small detail makes it an event that is vast in its ambitions even as it is personal in its execution. It cements Burnham as a voice of a generation whose work just keeps getting better with every new special. -Chase Hutchinson
‘Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh’ (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.6/10
Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh
Saturday Night LivealumAdam Sandlercommands stages inAdam Sandler: 100% Fresh, traveling across the United States to perform stand-up, musical numbers, and just reminisce on his journey. Appearing in comedy clubs, concert halls, and even a subway station, Sandler delivers laughs to audiences who have been enjoying his humor for decades. Featuring appearances fromDan Bullaand Sandler’s constant sidekick,Rob Schneider,Adam Sandler: 100% Freshcelebrates the funnyman’s career in a very Sandler way. Directed bySteven Brilland with segments fromNicholaus Goossen, the special is a beautiful tribute to the comedian with the egg-shaped head.– Yael Tygiel
‘Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.4/10
Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis
Taylor Tomlinson’sQuarter-Life Crisisis raw, human, and above all else, fun. In the special, Tomlison shares her personal experience as a 25-year-old, an embarrassing age when we have to deal both with the pressure of being young and enjoying life, and the responsibility of turning into an adult. By stripping her soul on the stage, Tomlinson creates a deep connection with her audience because, let’s be honest, we are all human beings feeling awkward about ourselves and trying to adjust to social rules we don’t quite fully understand. Tomlinson is also not afraid to frame her life experience through a woman’s eyes, underlining the specific challenges she must overcome while landing joke after joke. Besides that, few stand-up comedians have crowd control so on point as Tomlinson, who’s always trying to interact with her public, like a friend telling life stories we can all laugh about. That kind of human connection is part of what makes Tomlinson stand (up) above other comedians, and Netflix’sQuarter-Life Crisisis the perfect example of how brilliant Tomlinson can be. —Marco Vito Oddo
‘Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America!’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 7.4/10
Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America
Mainstream audiences might recognizeRonny Chiengfrom his roles inShang-ChiandCrazy Rich Asians, but inRonnie Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America!Chieng shows off his comedic chops telling irreverent jokes about being Asian, racism, American consummerism and politics, and his own struggle to get to his wedding on time. For those who love Chieng as a correspondant onThe Daily Show, this is a perfect dose of comedic humor. Coming from a transnational background gives him a unique perspective on America, and as he gives you a little Asian history lesson, he will also talk about the magic of Japanese bidets. He’s not afraid to tell it like it is, openly shedding commentary on American politics and race relations, while also talking about how cutthroat New Yorkers can be when it comes to catching the subway. Chieng is sure to become a bigger star as time goes on, so if you’re looking for a dive into his stand-up, there’s no better place to start. —Therese Lacson
John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.8/10
John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City
John Mulaneyis one of the most popular performers in comedy at the moment, and no matter which of his standup specials you pick, you’ll immediately see why. Netflix is host to three of Mulaney’s specials, (as well asOh Hello on Broadway, the stage show he co-created with Nick Kroll,)New in Town,The Comeback Kid, andKid Gorgeous at RadioCity.Pick one, you can’t go wrong. Mulaney’s singular tempo and delivery will have you in stitches in minutes regardless, but if you’re looking for the most current bits and biggest sense of showmanship, get thee toKid Gorgeous, a hilarious, glittering set that plants Mulaney’s vaguely old-fashioned theatricality in the splendor of Radio City Music hall, where he plays to an enormous adoring crowd. “I love to play venues where, if the guy that built the venue could see me on the stage, he would be a little bit bummed about it," Mulaney says in the opening. His persona is refined to a tee, his timing and ad-libbing are impeccable as ever, but Mulaney’s great gift has always been his writing andKid Gorgeousis a phenomenal showcase for his one-of-a-kind talent for combining spectacular storytelling, description. and payoff with some of the downright weirdest and most absurd jokes on the scene.
‘Anthony Jeselnik: Thoughts and Prayers’ (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.7/10
Anthony Jeselnik: Thoughts And Prayers
Anthony Jeselnikis proof that you can joke about anything if you’re smart and talented enough – of course, it helps that being a bit of psychopath is part of his schtick. Jeselnik’s brand of comedy is built around being abrasive; he doles out hits and he gets plenty of blowback for his efforts, but he’s also a master at toeing the line. As he says in his 2015 Netflix specialThoughts and Prayers"What’s funny about Aurora? What’s funny about the Boston Marathon? What’s funny about your grandmother’s funeral? Nothing. Nothing is funny about those things, that’s where I come in." As much as he is a champion of wicked one-liners and bone dry delivery, he’s also an incredibly savvy joke writer – he doesn’t punch down. The reason he can get away with joking about anything is he never makes the victims or the disenfranchised the punchline. It’s one hell of a balancing act to watch and his gift for turning jokes in the most twisted direction shouldn’t be understated. His act is like a game of chicken – who’s going to back down first? Him or the audience? And it’s never him. Jeselnik’s humor is dark as it gets and all but guaranteed to get a wince or a gasp out of even the most anti-PC audience member, but it’s also master class in pushing boundaries without being tasteless and delivering scathing cultural commentary without just being an ass.
‘Hannah Gadsby: Nanette’ (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Hannah Gadsby: Nanette
Hannah Gadsbywas arguably the breakout comedy sensation of 2018 thanks to her groundbreaking specialNanette, a deeply personal meditation on art, abuse, and trauma that elegantly darts between punchlines and personal revelations with impeccable timing and emotional grace. Comedy specials have grown increasingly inventive over the years, especially as comedians started gearing their content toward a Netflix audience, but no other set on this list blurs the lines between Standup and performance art quite likeNanette. Gadsby is a gripping storyteller that lulls you into her gentle demeanor and easy humor before delivering heartbreaking asides that pull from her experience growing up a Lesbian in hyper-conservative Tasmania and ultimately lands on a resonant, paradigm-shifting perspective on genius and art, and the abuses we tolerate in the pursuit of false myths about tortured artists. Though it might not be the pick if you’re looking for an easy laugh,Nanetteis brilliant, essential standup that pushes the form in bold new directions.
