This weekend, I decided to embark on an international getaway with three shows on Amazon Prime Video, and you’re coming with me. We’re headed around the world with a witty comedy and a dark sci-fi mystery-thriller, then it’s game-on back in the States, psychologically speaking.
First, we’re going to Japan to solve a mystery based on a novel by one of the country’s most celebrated mystery writers; then, we’re going from London to Down Under to soak up some riotous royal laughs. After that, we’re coming home and settling in for an amusingly nasty psychological thriller featuring Robin Wright in a battle royale with a complete sociopath, and Princess Buttercup does not disappoint. Let’s get rolling.
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Human Specimens
Credit: Keeley Brooks/How-To Geek | Prime Video
A new Japanese sci-fi mystery series streaming exclusively on Prime Video, Human Specimens is adapted from the novel of the same name by Kanae Minato, one of Japan’s most celebrated mystery writers. The series explores the dark shadows of human obsession, and it’s a chilling tale from which you can’t turn away. Decider recently likened the show to Apple TV’s hit limited series Black Bird.
Acclaimed Japanese actor Nishijima Hidetoshi (Drive My Car) stars as Professor Shirô Sakaki, the country’s leading expert on butterflies and butterfly research, who confesses to turning six young boys—including his own son—into human specimens. This five-part story unfolds through multiple perspectives to reveal truthful layers to the professor’s disturbing actions. It also takes a long, hard look at complex family dynamics between father and son, as well as humanity’s obsession with preserving youth and beauty.
If you’re looking to be impressed upon, Human Specimens is the show for you. You’ll take a long, hard look at the place where love and madness intersect, at least as it’s expressed through butterflies and art. Kanae Minato is known for her sharp exploration and confrontation of the eternal questions we all have—what is the purpose of life, and what is the nature of love? Expect to go there.
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Queen of Oz
A riotously funny British-Australian sitcom about a hot-mess, booze-loving monarch who’s sent away to rule Australia as punishment for refusing to take accountability for her public trainwreck of a life? Yes, I’ll have that with a side dish of extra buttery popcorn, please.
In Queen of Oz, comedian Catherine Tate (Doctor Who) stars as Princess Georgiana, the hard-partying black sheep of the family, who’s also the backup to the throne of England. Her inappropriate shenanigans are like crack to the press, so when a mean hangover causes her to projectile-vomit all over a school monarchist during a visit, the tabloids go nuts. As a result, the king and queen decide they’ve had enough, vacate the throne of Australia, then banish Georgiana there to rule, hoping that having real responsibilities will bring her back to her senses.
You’ll find yourself giggling as “the pisspot princess” endures culture clashes in adjusting to life Down Under, and you’ll enjoy the character dynamics at play—especially the love-hate relationship with the queen. At just six episodes, the award-winning show makes for a quick, delightful binge you’ll be glad you started. If you enjoyed Veep, you’ll love Queen of Oz.
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The Girlfriend
What happens when a sociopathic gold-digger and a narcissistic mama bear tie into it? A battle royale—without the cheese—as we learn from the delicious new series The Girlfriend. Robin Wright stars in the amusingly nasty psychological thriller based on the novel by Michelle Francis.
Our story follows Laura (Wright), a wealthy, successful, tad narcissistic woman whose perfect life slowly unravels when her son Daniel (Laurie Davidson, of Mary & George) brings home his new girlfriend, a working-class girl named Cherry (Olivia Cooke). Suspecting Cherry is a social climber hiding dark secrets, Laura shifts into mama-bear mode and engages in a tense, perspective-shifting battle of wits with her over Daniel.
As one of 2025’s best new shows, The Girlfriend is so juicy, it’s worth losing sleep over, so don’t be surprised when you can’t turn it off. It features nuanced villains and riveting performances from Wright and Cooke, and the plot’s exploration of the fine line between manipulation and paranoia is downright obsessive. It offers just enough intrigue and ambiguity to keep you glued to your screen. And, in addition to starring, Wright also directed the first three episodes.
The Girlfriend is nominated for two 2026 Golden Globes—Best Television Limited Series and Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Limited Series for Robin Wright. It’s that good.
As we move through the New Year together, I’ll continue to scope out Prime Video’s most bingeable TV shows so that you don’t have to do much beyond get comfortable and enjoy the recommendations. With a slew of new and popular titles on the way, there’s never a shortage of content to watch, so if you find yourself looking for more than shows, be sure to check out the complete list of everything arriving on the platform throughout the month.
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