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Stand-up comedy has long been a boy's club, but thankfully, that's starting to change.
I'm not saying you still can't enjoy classics like Jerry Seinfeld, laugh at observational comedians such as John Mulaney, or even gawk at downright controversial comics (we're looking at you, Dave Chappelle).
Nonetheless, female comedians bring a whole new perspective to the entertainment genre that's refreshing, nuanced, and takes back control of conversations surrounding aging, sex, and relationships.
That's why we're thrilled that Netflix has a healthy collection of female stand-up comedy specials to choose from. Whether you want to chuckle on your own or get together with a group of girlfriends, here are the ones to watch ASAP.
Scroll to see all the best female stand-up comedy specials you can stream right now!
Netflix
Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis
Stream on Netflix
Released in 2020, Taylor Tomlinson gets real in this comedy special. Remember being in high school and thinking you'd "have it all figured out" by the time you were 25? Well, in Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis, she's actually 26 years old and still grappling over her life choices.
This is a perfect watch for twenty-somethings and older folks alike who want to laugh about the tough coming-of-age time period that seems to beat nearly everyone down.
Netflix
Wanda Sykes: Not Normal
Stream on Netflix
I first fell in love with Wanda Sykes when she played herself on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Wanda was real, uncensored, and never shied away from calling out Larry David for his outrageous behavior.
Then, in 2019, her one-hour comedy special Wanda Sykes: Not Normal was released, and she embodied that same no-nonsense attitude. Wanda critiques everything she deems "not normal" in the world, from political to cultural norms, and honestly, we're here for it.
Netflix
Hannah Berner: We Ride At Dawn
Stream on Netflix
The advent of social media has transformed the way comics rise to fame. Take Hannah Berner as a prime example: the TikToker and former Summer House star is now an applauded comedian who released her first stand-up special, Hannah Berner: We Ride At Dawn, in July 2024.
She tackles everything from her marrying a "zaddy" to how movies portray sex scenes so unrealistically. If you want a modern yet hilarious look at romance and dating, look no further.
Netflix
Chelsea Handler: The Feeling
Stream on Netflix
Now 50 years old, Chelsea Handler isn't new to the stand-up comedy scene. So in her latest special, Chelsea Handler: The Feeling, she dishes on some of the most hilarious moments of her childhood and young adulthood.
Her style of observational humor is reminiscent of John Mulaney. But she tackles some pretty shocking topics (including the time she actually met Bill Cosby) that'll keep you glued to your seat.
Netflix
Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife
Stream on Netflix
When Ali Wong filmed her very first Netflix special back in 2016, she was pregnant. Talk about a girl boss.
So, you can probably imagine fans' surprise when she returned with another 2018 special, Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife, and was actually pregnant again! While practically ready to pop, she delivers humorous reflections on her life that are heartwarming yet racy all at once.
Netflix
Nikki Glaser: Bangin'
Stream on Netflix
Similar to Chelsea Handler, Nikki Glaser is a veteran comedian who's performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Conan, and Last Comic Standing. It was 2019, however, when she released her Netflix special Nikki Glaser: Bangin', and she didn't hold back.
Nikki shares all her innermost thoughts and opinions as she discusses sex, sobriety, and navigating her own insecurities. Her honesty, mixed with raunchiness, is both compelling and hysterical.
Netflix
Michelle Wolf: Joke Show
Stream on Netflix
Michelle Wolf has an impressive resume, having worked as a writer for Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. Plus, you might've caught a glimpse of her comedic talents when she served as the featured performer during the 2018 White House Correspondents' Dinner.
So, if you want another dose of her, check out Michelle Wolf: Joke Show. This 2019 Netflix special is packed with, well, jokes that mock all sorts of issues and societal topics.
Netflix
Iliza Shlesinger: Elder Millennial
Stream on Netflix
Last but certainly not least is Iliza Shlesinger: Elder Millennial, which debuted in 2018. Iliza was 35 years old at the time and recently engaged, so she put a comedic twist on her life as a so-called "elder millennial" that's definitely relatable for current thirty-somethings.
And even though she had a ring on her finger, Iliza still shared advice for singles, including why women don't traditionally make the first move on men.
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