Top 3 Shows to Avoid on Amazon Prime (Before You Waste Your Time)

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Introduction: Why You Should Know Which Shows to Avoid on Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime Video has grown into one of the biggest streaming platforms globally. It offers thousands of web series and movies across genres, action, thriller, romance, and sci-fi. But not every show deserves your attention.

Some Prime Video series start strong with heavy marketing and celebrity casts but end up disappointing viewers with weak storytelling and confusing plots. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the top 3 shows to avoid on Amazon Prime, based on poor direction, dull writing, and wasted potential.

If you value your time and want to skip the letdowns, keep reading.

1. The Peripheral (2022)

Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
IMDb Rating: 7.6

At first glance, The Peripheral looked like a masterpiece in the making. With creators like Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy (from Westworld), it promised a gripping sci-fi world and complex storytelling. But after watching it, I realized it’s one of those shows to avoid on Amazon Prime if you hate confusing plots that lead nowhere.

The show tries too hard to be intellectual. The futuristic setting and virtual reality concept sound fascinating, but the story never feels emotionally connected. Every episode feels heavy, and the characters lack purpose.

Two people are visible in a dimly lit, apparently confined space, possibly a submarine like setting. A blonde woman wearing headphones and a tense expression on her face is in the right foreground. The man in the background is using a device, maybe a game boy. This might refer to shows to avoid on Amazon Prime.

Why It’s One of the Shows to Avoid on Amazon Prime:

Complicated narrative without satisfying payoffs
Emotionally flat characters
More confusion than creativity

Despite its impressive visuals, The Peripheral fails to make you care about what’s happening, a fatal flaw for any series.

2. Citadel (2023)

Genre: Spy Thriller, Action
IMDb Rating: 6.1

When Amazon announced Citadel, I expected a global spy thriller to rival Mission: Impossible. With a massive budget and stars like Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden, this should’ve been a hit. Unfortunately, it became one of the most disappointing shows to avoid on Amazon Prime.

The plot revolves around memory-erased spies trying to recover their past and stop global threats, but it’s nothing new. The storytelling is generic, and the chemistry between the leads feels forced. Most scenes look stylish but lack real intensity.

Scene from one of the shows to avoid on Amazon Prime, possibly a thriller, depicts a man aiming a shotgun, with a woman beside him who looks surprised and fearful. The expressions suggest an action scene in progress. Interior space appears to be a train or aircraft.

Why You Should Avoid It:

Predictable storyline and weak dialogues
Forced emotional moments
Overuse of flashbacks that ruin pacing

It’s a classic case of “all budget, no heart.” Citadel proves that even expensive productions can’t save a hollow script.

3. The Wheel of Time (2021)

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
IMDb Rating: 7.1

If you love epic fantasy shows like Game of Thrones or The Witcher, The Wheel of Time might initially catch your interest. But as I watched it, it quickly joined my list of shows to avoid on Amazon Prime due to its slow pacing and lack of emotional impact.

Adapted from Robert Jordan’s famous novels, this series had every reason to be incredible, but poor world-building and confusing direction made it fall flat. The pacing is uneven, characters often make irrational choices, and the visual effects fail to match the grandeur it aims for.

Why It’s One of the Shows to Avoid on Amazon Prime:

Weak CGI for such a large-scale fantasy
Uneven pacing that drags the plot
Underdeveloped characters
Disconnected storylines that confuse new viewers

Shows to avoid on Amazon Prime: a group of people stand among the rubble of a destroyed village at dusk. In the background, a partially destroyed stone building remains standing. The people appear concerned and are looking around at the destruction, presumably survivors of whatever disaster took place. Debris and remnants of destroyed homes are scattered throughout the scene; mountains are visible in the distance through a hazy fog. — A scene from The Wwheel of Time

Season 2 tries to fix some flaws, but the first season’s slow execution already turned off a large audience.

What These Shows Teach Us

These three shows to avoid on Amazon Prime, The Peripheral, Citadel, and The Wheel of Time, all share the same problem: they focus more on production value than storytelling.

A high budget, star-studded cast, and flashy visuals mean nothing if the script doesn’t connect emotionally. As someone who loves binge-worthy content, I believe these series are lessons on how not to build a show.

Better Alternatives You Should Watch Instead

If you’re skipping the above shows to avoid on Amazon Prime, here are some titles that actually deliver:

The Boys – Sharp, dark, and endlessly entertaining superhero satire.
Invincible – A brilliant animated superhero story with emotional depth.
Mirzapur – India’s crime-drama masterpiece with unforgettable characters.

These series focus on substance rather than style — exactly what makes them stand out on Prime Video.

Also Read: 13 Exciting New OTT Shows 2025 Streaming Now on Netflix, Prime Video & Disney+

Conclusion: Choose Wisely Before You Stream

While Amazon Prime Video offers plenty of fantastic content, not everything is worth your time. The Peripheral, Citadel, and The Wheel of Time may sound exciting but end up being the biggest shows to avoid on Amazon Prime if you care about meaningful storytelling.

The next time you’re planning a binge session, skip the hype and go for shows that actually leave a lasting impact. Because once you waste time on a bad show, you can’t stream those hours back.

FAQs about Shows to Avoid on Amazon Prime

1. Are these shows completely bad or just overrated?

They aren’t entirely bad, they’re just overhyped. Each show has some good moments, but the storytelling and execution make them unworthy of your watchlist.

**2. Is Citadel getting a second season?**

Yes, Amazon has confirmed Citadel Season 2, but due to negative feedback, expectations are low.

3. Why do some Prime shows fail despite high budgets?

Because money can buy visuals, not emotions. Weak scripts and inconsistent direction often ruin potential hits.

Also Read: Worst Netflix Movies: Top 5 You Should Never Watch in 2025

4. What are the best genres on Prime Video?

Amazon Prime shines in dark comedy, crime, and drama. Shows like The Boys, Mirzapur, and The Family Man are examples of great storytelling.

5. How to find good shows on Amazon Prime?

Always check IMDb ratings, viewer reviews, and critic opinions before starting a show. Avoid depending only on Prime’s “Top Picks,” which often promote new releases rather than quality.