Maybe it’s a Sunday night, and you’re looking for something funny to watch. Maybe you just got dumped and are looking for a little comedic relief. Maybe you are a budding, up-and-coming comedian and want some much-needed inspiration. Whatever the reason, if you’ve got aMaxsubscription, there’s something for everyone in this list of the top stand-up comedy specials on the streamer. Stand-up comedy has created a lot of buzz in recent times, driving a massive audience to streaming services and letting them consume hour-long specials from some of the funniest people out there. Earlier, the art was limited to clubs, with comedians performing for a small crowd and thriving on the laughs they generated. But with the rise in streaming content and the need for relief through jokes in real life, there has been a surge of comedians being featured in a special.
From political statements to fantastical musings, these stand-up comedy specials are known for pushing past the boundaries of humor and forcing us to rack our brains and chill out. Entertainers like Tig Notaro and Daniel Sloss, who speak to millennials, as well as Chris Rock and Tracy Ullman, who already have a large fan base, are all a part of this list. So, without further ado, let’s get into some hilarious stand-up comedy specials available to stream on Max right now.
Updated on April 24th, 2025, by Soniya Hinduja:This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
Seth Meyers steps away from his late-night desk and into the spotlight with his first HBO stand-up special,Seth Meyers: Dead Man Walking. Filmed at the iconic Vic Theatre in Chicago, this hour-long set finds him talking about family life, marriage, and the chaos of raising three kids in New York City. He weaves together jokes about his children, their quirks, the generational differences, and the absurdities of modern parenting in his own style, making the subject personal and relatable.
Witty and Effortless Family Tales
As anSNLalum and beloved TV personality known for his sharp political commentary onLate Night with Seth Meyers, the Emmy-winning writer delivers intelligent humor and easily connects with the audience on a personal level. His jokes here are more about the everyday hilarity of family life, and even though they’remostly directed at parents, fans of the comedian find his easy-going conversational style fun to sit through.
39Ramy Youssef: More Feelings (2024)
A hilarious follow-up to his acclaimed special,Feelings,Ramy Youssef: More Feelingsbrings the comedian back to the stage. The Max special is directed by Christopher Storer, and it dives into how complex and divided the world is currently. Ramy also shares a childhood book report that shaped his life and talks about the pitfalls of charitable giving. With his humor and introspection, he delivers insights into topics ranging from the 2024 election to the importance of prayer.
Humor Through a Cultural Lens
Golden Globe-winning actor and comedian Ramy Youssef is best known for his groundbreaking, self-titled Hulu series, which addresses life’s contradictions through comments on faith and identity in the modern world.More Feelingsfeels like an extension of the same because of how thoughtful and provoking it is. The personal anecdotes add charm to it. Produced by A24, the special highlights Youssef’s signature knack for turning real-life experiences into something that connects us all.
38Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die (2024)
Nikki Glaser’sSomeday You’ll Dieis a bold and unfiltered exploration of life’s most uncomfortable truths in the most unapologetically witty manner. And that’s exactly what Glaser endorses. Filmed at the Moore Theater in Seattle, the special finds her talking about subjects like aging, not wanting to have kids, societal expectations of motherhood, and even her own mortality. Glaser dissects everything about the female experience with honesty.
Raw and Fearless
As one of the most sought-after comedic voices of her generation, Glaser has established a reputation for her straightforward approach to tackling taboo topics. In this stand-up special, she turns existential dread into a comedic masterpiece and authentically speaks her mind. Otherwise known for her work onNot Safe with Nikki Glaserand her previous HBO specialGood Clean Filth, and for recently hosting the 83rd Golden Globes, she puts the same fearless, self-deprecating humor on display with this one.
37Alex Edelman: Just for Us (2024)
A masterclass in storytelling,Alex Edelman: Just for Uscombines humor and social commentary in the best of ways. The special actually originated as a critically acclaimed Broadway special, and it centers around Edelman’s experience infiltrating a white nationalist meeting in Queens as a Jewish man. While recounting how bizarre the situation was, Edelman also infuses stories about his upbringing and modern-day prejudice into the mix.
Breath of Fresh Air in Stand-Up
Alex Edelman is a rising star in the comedy world, and while it’s hard to be immediately impressed by a new guy, Edelman makes it extremely easy for fans to keep chuckling along with the way he sets up his jokes and converses about anything and everything under the sun. Directed by Alex Timbers and produced by Mike Birbiglia, the special is both thought-provoking and wildly entertaining, and it showcases Edelman’s talent as a writer and performer.Just for Usalso earned him a Tony Award and an Emmy Award.
36Gary Gulman: Born on 3rd Base (2023)
WithBorn on 3rd Base, Gary Gulman reflects on the quirks of growing up in a working-class Jewish family. Filmed for Max, the hour-long stand-up special sees Gulma touching on topics like income inequality, privilege, childhood struggles, as well as the challenges of adulthood with his trademark humor. He critiques billionaire culture and even recalls his experiences with free school lunch programs in the sharpest and wittiest way.
Literate Humor and Social Commentary
As a veteran of the comedy scene, Gulman has become accustomed to tackling topics that are often polarizing, but he does so with a rare combination of humor and empathy, which makes everything light-hearted and funny. He takes a cerebral approach to comedy; for instance, his previous specials likeThe Great Depreshdove into mental health. This one had fans admiring his vulnerability and unique voice, and it holds a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
35Drew Michael: Drew Michael (2018)
A one-of-a-kind stand-up comedy special,Drew Michael: Drew Michaelis theSaturday Night Livewriter’s first one-hour-long HBO outing. In the special, he shares funny anecdotes from his childhood, dealing with parents, his own insecurities, and never knowing the rules about life. Michael holds nothing back and uses his sharp wit to navigate his fears inan unconventional setting.
An Experimental Comedy Special
Despite being known for having a cheerful and accessible style, Michael stuns everyone with his experimental style. He films the comedy special in a stark black room, speaks directly to the camera, and makes some genuinely piercing comments on themes of anxiety and inner demons. The dramatic shift in lighting adds effect to his punchlines and smaller moments of humor. As an overall debut, the special is quite tense and unsettling, but it succeeds through charm and impeccable timing.
34Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted (2015)
Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interruptedis her first memoir-style special. Having been around for so long, working as a radio talk show host first and tracing the waters of the music industry after, Tig reflects on her own journey with her signature style of deadpan humor. In the special, she discusses being diagnosed with breast cancer and coping with mastectomy surgery, as well as the great loss of losing her mother. Her cold remarks and candid storytelling surprise and heartens everyone.
A Raw Performance by Tig Notaro
Notaro’s raw performance in this comedy special is profoundly moving. And not just because somewhere in the middle of performing, she lets Boston see the scars on her body, but also for navigating pain in a way that forces laughter out of her audience. Her fearless sense of humor transforms trauma into something that encourages audiences to face together. The special also boastsa minimalist yet impactful tone; one that Tig became synonymous with going forward.
33Carlin at Carnegie (1983)
Filmed gloriously at Carnegie Hall, New York City in 1982,Carlin and Carnegieis the acclaimed comedian’s third special. At the peak of his popularity, George Carlin recorded his sold-out performance and his material covered the ordinary places in life people would rather not discuss. Rehashing some NSFW terminology while also making remarks on society’s absurdity and the American dream of happiness and homeownership, he flexes a brilliant command of language.
A Classic George Carlin Special
Carlin at Carnegieis a timeless piece of comedy history. It goes without saying thatCarlin’s comedy was ahead of its time. He continuously pushed social boundaries and brought to the stage a thoughtful satire. Distinctively, Carlin was a master at dissecting culture and examining everyday language on a microscopic level. His observations and witty rhythms captivated audiences and left them thoroughly entertained. For any fan of stand-up looking for a true comedic genius,Carlin at Carnegieis the perfect pick.
32Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles (2013)
After a brief stint as a writer andcast member onSaturday Night Liveduring the 1990s, Sarah Silverman reinvented herself for a personal television program.Sarah Silverman: We Are Miraclesis her first HBO solo special, where she ruminates on life and people with boundless energy and wit. Her sharp wit and shocking material touches on subjects of self-pleasure, the existence of God, and fueling one’s own guilt.
Silverman Pushes Boundaries
Silverman’s bold and unapologetic humor is a style that never fails to shock and delight. She is the kind of comedian you know what to expect from, and yet her devilishly funny jokes always manage to hit the right spot. Boundary-pushing takes on religion and politics are as intellectual as they are chucklesome, which is basically how Silverman transforms heavy concepts into lighthearted humor and finds meaning in everyday things. Through the art of stand-up, Silverman engages her audience in uncensored joy.
31Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel (2022)
His highly intimate and profound special was recorded at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City. InJerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel, the comedian reflects on his own family history and growing older with feelings of loneliness and anxiety. Opening with the line “I want to talk about secrets,” and also striking up a two-way conversation with the audience, Carmichael amuses them with his sincerity and unique blend of storytelling and emotion, ultimately disarming everyone.
A Conversation With Jerrod Carmichael
Throughout the years, Carmichael has evolved into a singular voice in comedy. Known for his ability tojuggle heavy subject matter, one that would make him vulnerable, and infusing it with trademark wit and wisdom, he extends the same nuance and viewpoint and leaves a lasting impression on his audience. The 57-minute special is directed by three-time Emmy-winning comic Bo Burnham, and it succeeds by feeling like a real-time conversation where the audience, too, finds meaning and connection, along with Carmichael.
