We all have those days when we get into our PJs with a glass of wine and a charcuterie board, looking to dive into bouts of laughter over an entertaining stand-up special. Watching female stand-up comedians exclaim about the horrors of a failed sexual escapade or getting into the nuances that are involved in pushing a human out of you is a cathartic experience. Netflix has changed the game of comedy, being home to an endless number of stand-up specials ranging from rookies to comedic legends to familiar faces from the big screen. We see women in comedy churning out giggles like butter on a dairy farm as viewers search for relatable jokes for some good old stress-busting.
Female Comedians are changing the narrative of the comedy scene as they possess the innate talent to talk about trivial issues like ridiculously high Sephora prices and sexual harassment, all encompassed in the same set. There are so many incredible female stand-up comedians out there; choosing the one that will bring out the hysterics in you can be tricky. Fret not, as we come to your rescue with this great mix of seasoned comedians and new kids on the block who are thriving on the Netflix comedy stage. So here’s a list of 8 female comedians whose Netflix specials you absolutely cannot miss!
1. Ali Wong
Starting strong, Netflix veteran Ali Wong’s Stand-Up specials are a rite of passage for comedy lovers. The critically acclaimed comedian did her first Netflix special, Baby Cobra (2016), while being heavily pregnant in her third trimester, almost using her bump as a prop to make the jokes land even harder. Wong was also pregnant during her second Netflix special, Hard Knock Wife (2018).
Funnily enough, being pregnant had become such an iconic part of her stand-up routine that seeing her sans bump during her third Netflix special, Don Wong (2022), almost felt weird! Her form-driven humor touches upon topics ranging from motherhood to encounters with micro penises. Not to forget bouts of feminist assault will leave you crying in laughter and begging for more.
Watch Ali Wong’s Specials on Netflix
2. Tiffany Haddish
The first black female stand-up comedian to host an episode of Saturday Night Live, Tiffany Haddish, is in a league of her own. Her 2019 Netflix special Black Mitzvah is so hilarious it’s like listening to your best friend rant about her bad decisions and loving every second of it. And clearly, this is the recipe for success as she became the second Black woman to win the Grammy for Best Comedy Album in 2021.
Haddish also has her 2017 special, Tiffany Haddish: She Ready! That one is also available to stream on Netflix. You can also catch Haddish on her Netflix comedy special, Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready, where she introduces one of her favorite stand-up comedians in each episode to help them gain mainstream exposure.
Watch Tiffany Haddish’s Specials on Netflix
3. Iliza Shlesinger
Iliza Shlesinger‘s comedy is so addictive it’s no wonder that she has six comedy specials on Netflix. Her first Netflix War Paint was released in 2013, and though it is no longer available on Netflix, it can be streamed on other platforms. She has five specials, Freezing Hot (2015), Confirmed Kills (2016), Unveiled (2019), Elder Millennial (2022), and Hot Forever (2022), currently streaming on Netflix that could be a great Saturday night entertainer-turned-weekend-binge — don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Netflix also has The Iliza Schlesinger Sketch Show, where she interprets pop culture and social issues through out-of-the-box characters and silly skits. She has also written and starred in the 2021 romantic comedy Good on Paper. The movie originates from a real-life incident involving Shlesinger that she had turned into a stand-up routine called “Lying Brian.”
Watch Iliza Shlesinger’s Specials on Netflix
4. Taylor Tomlinson
If you’re a woman struggling with mental health issues and the frustrating intricacies that are attached to dating men these days, Taylor Tomlinson is just the right gal for you! Her Netflix specials Quarter-Life Crisis (2020), Look At You (2022), and Have it All (2024) are the right antidotes to healing your wounds with her hilariously relatable comedy. Her wide-eyed exclamations and seldom self-deprecating humor are addictive, to say the least. Taylor Tomlinson also made it to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list back in December 2021 and even has a raging social media presence where you’ll find yourself watching the same reel on repeat because one time simply isn’t enough!
Watch Taylor Tomlinson’s Specials on Netflix
5. Whitney Cummings
The co-creator of Two Broke Girls, Whitney Cummings, is one of the most hilarious female comedians out there. She currently has two stand-up specials on Netflix, Can I Touch It? and Whitney Cummings Jokes. Both are highly entertaining watches as she engages in a cutthroat approach laced with sarcasm and wit, making the crowd go wild with laughter.
Her special Can I Touch It? also features a custom-made robot look-alike that she whipped out at the show’s end. She has an innate talent for taking the most regular topics and turning them into comedy gold. Cummings also starred in and produced her own sitcom, Whitney, portraying a semi-fictionalized version of herself.
Watch Whitney Cummings’ Specials on Netflix
6. Tig Notaro
Tig Notaro is a comedy legend who was already a notable name in the comedic community before Netflix signed her on for her special Happy To Be Here (2018). In terms of comedic styles, she considers herself a flexible comic and likes to adopt whatever it takes to maximize the laughs. Be it dark humor or observational comedy, if Tig Notaro is involved, you can rest assured it will leave you laughing out loud.
Notaro’s Netflix documentary Tig, which touches upon her cancer diagnosis and finding solace in being funny, is definitely a must-watch. She trades her distant comedic style to a more personal approach while openly talking about her illness on stage. It’s also probably one of those rare comedy specials that gets you fighting the will to cry and laugh at the same time.
Watch Tig Notaro’s Specials on Netflix
7. Katherine Ryan
If watching a single mom go ham on stage as she drags the double standards for being viewed as a damsel in distress while single fathers are considered eligible, then Katherine Ryan is just the right comedic blonde for you! She is a Canadian who found her comedic audience in the UK. Ryan currently has two specials streaming on Netflix: Glitter Room (2019) and In Trouble (2017).
Her comedic style involves sharing personal experiences about her hometown and her daughter. She has become wildly popular on Netflix in the past couple of years and even stars in her own original series, The Duchess. We love Katerine Ryan for the realness she brings to her specials, not to mention throwing shade at some of the “pick-me girls,” she grew up with.
Watch Katherine Ryan’s Specials on Netflix
8. Wanda Sykes
We chose to end the way we started — on a strong note — with comedic legend Wanda Sykes. She is by far one of the most notable women in comedy, and her Netflix specials Not Normal (2019) and I’m an Entertainer (2023) are acquired tastes that give you a flavor of her unique style. Sykes has almost two decades’ worth of standup specials under her belt, and if you enjoy her Netflix specials, be sure to follow them, too! She has also had a significant screen presence as a supporting character in many TV shows and movies — even dabbling in voice acting occasionally. We also relish the range she covers in her specials, from relationships to race and everything in between. Also check out these two major comedians feuding!
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