Sometimes, viewers want to delve into a brand new Amazon Prime series but never have enough time to dedicate to the multiple seasons that some have to offer. Luckily, certain shows pride themselves on being short but memorable experiences for viewers to either binge in a single night or watch over a week or so without feeling like there's any commitment. These shorter series are becoming increasingly popular and tend to tell some incredible tales.
Even though there's less time for character development or a gripping story, the creators of some of these shows rarely disappoint. They cram beautiful stories into such a small amount of time and often leave viewers begging for more. For anyone who's looking for a new series but doesn't have much time, these fantastic mini-series are all great options.
Updated on September 8, 2022, by Jason Van Duine: In the world of streaming, Amazon Prime still has loads of unique and original television content to offer subscribers. While there are certainly plenty of comedies and dramas for viewers to sink their teeth into, some audiences may not have the time for a full-blown series. Sometimes, a limited series is enough to do the trick. With story arcs that last only one season, these mini-series are able to explore the depths of their characters and worlds in ways that movies can't, while also providing a satisfying conclusion in a reasonable amount of time. With new content still being produced all the time, Amazon Prime is sure to have a limited series for everyone.
10 The Night Manager
The Night Manager is probably one of the more well-known mini-series on Amazon Prime. After all, it does star Oliva Coleman and Tom Hiddleston. Nevertheless, aside from the A-list actors, this show tells a gripping tale of an ex-soldier who tries to kill the man who murdered his lover.
It's a gritty action series filled with some great scenes, some wonderful acting, and a story that will keep most viewers wanting more. Due to this premise, The Night Manager won countless awards and many are still calling for a second season, although nothing has been commissioned yet. It's also only six episodes long.
9 The ABC Murders
Telling the classic tale of one of Agatha Christie's famous books, The ABC Murders is a great detective crime show that allows viewers to guess the killer as it goes on. It stars John Malkovich, Ruper Grint, Eamon Farren, and many more fantastic actors that many will recognize.
Ultimately, with only three episodes, this is a great crime show to binge-watch while trying to figure out who the author of the letters signed ABC really is. As it goes with most Poirot films, books, and shows, the killer ends up being the last person that most viewers will suspect.
8 Informer
Created and originally published by the BBC, this six-part mini-series is a gripping tale of a young man who is convinced to join a counter-terrorism informant program to save himself from criminal charges and his mother from being deported. As it often goes with crime shows like this, it's never as easy as hiding in the shadows and getting off without any trouble.
It's a great look into the lives of religion, terrorism, and the dark corners of London that many never get to see. This show is a thriller at heart and a crime show on the surface, but there's so much more lying inside a show like Informer.
7 A Long Strange Trip
The majority of popular mini-series on Amazon Prime come from the crime and thriller genres, though there are some great comedy series as well. It's very rare to see a successful documentary made into such a short-dive show. However, when it involves the Grateful Dead and a good bit of Rock and Roll, it's relatively easy to see why this show is so popular.
It's an exciting and often shocking dive into the Grateful Dead's popularity in America and tells the tale of how they managed to be as successful as they are. This show is perfect for any music fans, or fans of documentaries who want to learn a little bit more about how the music industry works and what the Grateful Dead did in order to succeed.
6 River
River is a great psychological crime drama that tells the tale of a detective who seems to be able to communicate with the ghosts of murder victims. It's the kind of tale where viewers get to watch a man slip in and out of the world of the living as he uses his unique skills to solve the murders.
However, in doing so, many bear witness to the protagonist struggling to unblur the line between sanity and madness, as these murders - together with the loss of his colleague - serve as an incredible weight on his soul. It's gripping the whole way through and brings something new to the mini-series genre.
5 Forever
Starring Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen, it's relatively clear that this show is going to be a fantastic comedy. These two seem to work so well together that anything they star in just works. This is the case for Forever, a rom-com about two people who are just trying to spice up their lives from the normality they find themselves trapped in.
It's a great exploration into the monotony of life and how many are fighting to get out of repeating the same cycle each day. All that with some great comedy thrown in and some rather unexpected turns makes this an easy but rewarding watch.
4 Anzac Girls
The main characters may look like they have it easy when compared to the characters in Anzac Girls. This period drama explores the stories of nurses and many other women who experienced the atrocities of World War Two and how they deal with such traumatic events.
It's a fantastic show about strong women and highlights the often unseen heroes of this terrible war. What makes it all the more interesting and engaging is the notion that each episode is based on a true story. It's a particularly emotional show and could be hard to watch for some, but this show is beautiful both inside and out.
3 Little Women
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This classic, timeless novel has seen many screen adaptations over the years, and it seems that no matter who helms or stars in the production, the result is nothing short of sweet and moving. This production, made by BBC television, aired in late 2017, splitting the novel into three parts. For anyone perhaps unfamiliar with the source material, Little Women follows four sisters as they grow up in the mid-1800s. Despite being overshadowed by Greta Gerwig's adaptation two years later, this retelling of Little Women still has the draw of the comforting story and recognizable stars.
Fans of Stranger Things will recognize Maya Hawke, who plays Robin in the Netflix series, as protagonist Jo March in her screen debut. Celebrated actress Emily Watson also stars in the series as Marmee March, the matriarch of the March family. Both of these actresses prove their acting prowess in their respective roles, giving depth and complexity to already well-written characters. Little Women isn't necessarily anything new, but it recaptures the delightful and poignant coming-of-age story that many have grown up with remarkably well.
2 The Underground Railroad
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From the director behind the Oscar-winning film Moonlight, this historical fiction drama takes its important subject matter in new and profound directions. The story follows two slaves in the 1800s who use the underground railroad to find freedom.
In real life, the "underground railroad" wasn't a literal railroad, but rather a series of routes and safe houses that would lead slaves to freedom. The series, however, turns it into a literal railroad. Instead of being a simple historical fiction series, The Underground Railroad uses magic realism and alternate history to a dramatic, gut-wrenching, and amazing effect.
1 Small Axe
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Each of the five parts of the Small Axe anthology is good on its own but they become transcendent when put together. Steve McQueen directs five different movies, all centering on the lives of West Indian immigrants living in London from the 60s through the 80s.
Some movies highlight unknown but fascinating true stories, while others center on the culture and social issues concerning racism and segregation. All five have similar tones but are also distinct in their own right. Together, the series becomes a unique eye-opening experience and possibly one of the most important mini-series in recent memory.