The amount of choice on Netflix is both a blessing and a curse - especially when it comes to the amount of Netflix comedy specials.
You can easily (and we all have) waste an hour or more staring at the screen trying to decide what to watch on Netflix, slowly running out of time in which to actually watch it.
But it doesn't have to be that way. Sometimes all it takes is one recommendation to get us on track and have us actually watching something other than the main menu. With that in mind, here are 13 of our favourite Netflix comedy specials at the moment.
Best Netflix Comedy Specials
John Mulaney - Kid Gorgeous (At Radio City)
There might not be a better comedian in the game right now than John Mulaney. The former Saturday Night Live writer has established himself as one of the funniest men in the world with his three world-class specials over the last few years.
Unfortunately, his 2012 special New In Town is no longer on Netflix but last year's Kid Gorgeous is a more than worthy substitute, as is his 2015 effort, The Comeback Kid.
Hannah Gadsby - Nanette
It is a little reductive to simply call Hannah Gadsby's Nanette a comedy special. It is so, so much more. Across the hour, Gadsby explains why she feels she must quit comedy and elevates Nanette to something so much more as she digs deep within herself to share some truly powerful moments.
Gadsby is an adept performer and uses all of her experience in this special to make you both laugh and cry. You'll definitely be thinking about this one for a long time after the credits roll.
Bo Burnham - Make Happy
If Nanette sounds interesting but feels a little heavy for you, why not check out Bo Burnham's Make Happy? It's a brilliantly-written, hilarious and unique take on the art of performing itself.
Burnham uses musical comedy to supplement his creative observations and shows experience beyond his years. If that still sounds a bit heavy, you can check out his 2013 special what. - which he has thankfully put up for free on YouTube.
James Acaster - Repertoire
Fans of Taskmaster will already know the genius of James Acaster. For everyone else, Repertoire is must-watch.
Acaster weaves a surreal and hilarious story over four instalments, each one connected to the one that came before it, where you'll never see the punchlines coming.
Ali Wong - Baby Cobra
We can guarantee you've never seen a special like this. Ali Wong takes the stage for Baby Cobra while seven months pregnant and doesn't let it slow her down one bit.
Naturally, Wong discusses the effects having a baby could have on her career while also diving into her sex life. Even when she drifts into the darker territory of her previous fertility struggles and miscarriage, Wong keeps the laughs coming.
Donald Glover - Weirdo
Before he made a name for himself as hip-hop star Childish Gambino, Donald Glover was a comedian. And a good one at that, writing for 30 Rock and starring on Community.
In his 2011 stand up special Weirdo, Glover talks about his childhood, romance and even making music.
Judah Friedlander - America Is The Greatest Country In The United States
Fellow 30 Rock writer - and cast member - Judah Friedlander's brilliantly-named special is one of the underrated gems of the Netlfix stand up scene.
For nearly an hour and a half, Friedlander riffs on whatever the audience asks him about, mocking every country possible along the way - including his own beloved USA.
Maria Bamford - The Special Special Special!
This suggestion is a bit more out there so if surrealism isn't your thing, you're probably best checking out something else on this list.
But if the idea of a 44-year-old woman performing an hour-long stand up special in her living room to an audience of her parents sounds like a good idea to you, then check out Maria Bamford's Special Special Special!
Hannibal Buress - Comedy Camisado
Hannibal Buress is finally starting to get some of the mainstream success his comedy deserves. No one can rival Buress for getting so riled up while seeming so laid back at the same time.
Unfortunately, Netflix doesn't have the superior Animal Furnace and the Netlfix-produced Hannibal Takes Edinburgh appears to have vanished entirely. But Comedy Camisado will still deliver in their absence.
Demetri Martin - Live (At The Time)
If you want something light and breezy, Demetri Martin is your man. He's more concerned with clever puns than political takedowns, which is exactly what you need sometimes.
Martin also has the more recent Overthinker on Netflix, but Live (At The Time) is a much stronger special.
Chelsea Peretti - One Of The Greats
If you watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine, you already know how funny Chelsea Peretti is and her stand up persona is eerily similar to that of Gina Linetti.
We'll let you decide whether or not One Of The Greats lives up to its title.
Simon Amstell - Numb
Not all of the best stand up specials on Netlfix were created specifically for the streaming service, with Simon Amstell's Numb originally airing on BBC Four.
The former Never Mind The Buzzcocks host shares stories of his life with the customary cheek and charm you'd expect from him.
Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle
If you've never heard of Stewart Lee before, then you're in for a treat. Lee is arguably the best comic in the UK right now, taking on the topics of the day with biting satire.
Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle is another offering originally made for the BBC, with each episode seeing Lee expand his thoughts on a specific topic.
Netflix currently hosts only the third season but be warned, his stuff can be a little dense for some viewers - with repetition a favourite of his tools.
