You know when you just need to laugh? I mean, really laugh, like your stomach hurts, you’re snorting, and you’re pretty sure you’ve lost all control of your face muscles? Yeah, that kind of laughter. Well, the best comedy specials you can watch right now are perfect for that. No more scrolling aimlessly through Netflix trying to pick something—you’ll know exactly where to start with these gems.

Fast forward past your third failed attempt to pick a comedy special (we’ve all been there), here’s a lineup that’ll definitely hit the mark.

1. Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones

Look, if you’ve never watched Dave Chappelle, do yourself a favor. Sticks & Stones is one of those specials you watch when you’re in the mood for humor that’s as sharp as a knife. Chappelle doesn’t just tell jokes—he gets into the gritty stuff. From cancel culture to the chaos of modern life, it’s like watching your uncle at Thanksgiving, except much funnier. Seriously. His delivery is so raw, you’ll wonder how someone can make controversial topics sound so hilarious.

• Why it’s great: Chappelle doesn’t play it safe—he tackles the hard stuff and still has you rolling.
• Memorable moments: That whole Michael Jackson bit? Iconic.
• Where to watch: Netflix, duh.

So, here’s the kicker: Chappelle’s got that rare blend of humor that’s dark but makes you think. Like when you realize you’ve been laughing about something you shouldn’t, and then, bam, the next punchline hits.

2. John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous

Okay, confession time: I could listen to John Mulaney talk about anything and still laugh. Seriously. Kid Gorgeous is packed with one-liners that are so witty, you’ll be repeating them for days. If you’re a fan of observational humor with zero awkward pauses, Mulaney’s got your back. One moment he’s cracking jokes about being a kid, and the next, he’s making fun of the bizarre realities of adulthood. Somehow, he makes it all sound hilarious, even when he’s talking about the most mundane things.

• Why it’s great: His comedic timing is so sharp, it’ll cut through your existential dread.
• Memorable moments: That bit about writing for SNL? Genius.
• Where to watch: Netflix (you know you’re gonna watch it there).

I’m not even kidding—watch Kid Gorgeous when you’re down. It’s like a hug, but with better punchlines.

3. Ali Wong: Baby Cobra

Remember the first time you saw someone break all the rules in comedy? Ali Wong’s Baby Cobra is like that moment—except it’s happening in your living room. She’s pregnant. She’s unapologetic. And she’s hilarious. Wong’s raw honesty about being a woman in a predominantly male comedy world is as refreshing as it is funny. This is the kind of comedy special that’ll make you laugh and squirm a little at the same time. I’m still thinking about the time she compared pregnancy to an extreme sport. Yep. That happened.

• Why it’s great: She’s funny, fierce, and way too real.
• Memorable moments: Her rant about marriage? Savage. In the best way.
• Where to watch: Netflix (because that’s where the comedy gold lives).

Side note: Watching this special gave me flashbacks to my failed attempt at being “superwoman” in my twenties—turns out, I’m just a regular woman who likes to sleep.

4. Hannah Gadsby: Nanette

Okay, so here’s where we start to get into uncharted territory. Nanette by Hannah Gadsby? It’s not your typical comedy special. It’s more like a powerful, life-changing experience disguised as stand-up. Gadsby completely shifts the narrative on what comedy can be. Instead of just making you laugh, she makes you think. And yeah, sometimes it gets heavy, but in the best way. By the time you’re done watching, you’ll probably need a moment to catch your breath—but you’ll be glad you took the ride.

• Why it’s great: It’s groundbreaking. Comedy with substance? Yes, please.
• Memorable moments: The “comedy is a lie” bit? That will hit you like a ton of bricks.
• Where to watch: Netflix (obviously, they’re the comedy hub right now).

Fun fact: Nanette shook up the comedy world so much that even my grandma’s best friend, Janet (who only watches Hallmark movies), was talking about it at dinner. It’s that good.

5. Kevin Hart: Irresponsible

Kevin Hart is an absolute force in comedy. In Irresponsible, Hart’s telling you all about his rise, his family, and his dad-like adventures. If you want comedy that’s funny but also relatable, Hart’s your guy. And let’s be real—his family stories? Hilarious. I still can’t stop thinking about that time he talked about his dad teaching him how to “do it right.” Classic.

• Why it’s great: He’s funny, honest, and has this way of making you feel like he’s one of your best friends.
• Memorable moments: The bit about his kids? I was crying. Tears.
• Where to watch: Netflix. Yeah, Netflix again.

And here’s a fun little tidbit: If you’ve ever tried to be the responsible parent (like me), you know that you’re basically winging it—and Hart calls that out in the most hilarious way. My first attempt at “parenting” ended when I fed my niece pizza for breakfast. She’s fine, I swear.

6. Bo Burnham: Inside

Bo Burnham’s Inside isn’t just a comedy special; it’s a full-on mental journey. It’s dark. It’s hilarious. And it’s weird—like, way weirder than you’d expect. Filmed during the pandemic, it’s a deep dive into isolation, self-reflection, and existential dread, all wrapped in musical numbers that will make you question the meaning of life. Sounds heavy, right? But somehow, it works.

• Why it’s great: It’s creative, it’s funny, and it makes you think about the world in a way you probably didn’t want to.
• Memorable moments: “Welcome to the Internet.” Enough said.
• Where to watch: Netflix. (Can we talk about how Netflix is dominating this list?)

Fun fact: I once spent an entire week watching weird YouTube rabbit holes—Inside made me feel like Bo had been watching me.

7. Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah

Tiffany Haddish is pure energy. In Black Mitzvah, she shares her journey with her usual charm—straight to the point and hilariously real. You’ll love her anecdotes about family, success, and life as an unapologetically funny woman. She’s the type of comedian who doesn’t shy away from being bold, and I admire that.

• Why it’s great: Haddish is electric on stage.
• Memorable moments: Her stories about her mom? Priceless.
• Where to watch: Netflix.

Pro tip: Haddish’s humor reminds me of hanging out with my cousin Jenny, who always has the wildest stories. She’s way more entertaining than my last date, that’s for sure.

8. Richard Pryor: Live in Concert

Now, if you want to talk about the legends of comedy, Richard Pryor’s Live in Concert has to be on the list. You have to watch this special. It’s not just funny—it’s foundational. Pryor set the stage for so many of today’s greats. His raw honesty about his life, struggles, and thoughts on race in America is legendary.

• Why it’s great: Pryor is the father of modern comedy. Period.
• Memorable moments: The entire set is iconic, but that bit about his childhood? It’ll stick with you.
• Where to watch: It’s available for rent on most platforms.

Honestly, I think I first saw this with my dad, who swore he saw Pryor live in the 70s. No one believed him, but we let him have that one.

9. Ricky Gervais: Humanity

Ricky Gervais—he’s as bold as they come. Humanity is full of that cynical, dark humor that’ll leave you laughing and cringing in equal measure. He’s not afraid to go after anything, and that’s what makes him so damn funny. If you’re looking for comedy that pushes boundaries, this is it.

• Why it’s great: It’s dark, but it’s still somehow hilarious.
• Memorable moments: Gervais takes jabs at everything, including himself.
• Where to watch: Netflix.

Seriously, if you’re in the mood for sarcasm that hits a little too close to home, this is your jam.

Anyway, y’all, these are some of the best comedy specials you can watch right now. Whether you’re in the mood for some deep, introspective laughs or just want to giggle at a story about someone’s embarrassing childhood—there’s a comedy special here for you. Trust me, these will keep you laughing way longer than you expected. And hey, if all else fails, there’s always reruns of The Office.