Why Amazon became the perfect home of The Boys

The Boys quickly found a home at Amazon Prime Video. Eric Kripke shared at SDCC 2019 why it was Amazon and not Netflix, Hulu, or the other streamers.

How does a show find a home? More specifically, how does a show like The Boys find a home? It was clear this would need to be on a network or streamer that didn’t mind R-rated content, but how did it end up on Amazon Prime Video?

It turns out the process was simple. There was now pitching to Netflix, Hulu, and even the likes of AMC. According to Eric Kripke at San Diego Comic-Con 2019, it was Amazon who came to them with the pitch. They wanted it and they offered it. Netflix and the rest were never in the equation.

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Because it was Amazon with the pitch, that meant more creative freedom. Having creative freedom for a show like The Boys is important. After all, it’s clear from the second episode that this series is going to be nothing like the graphic novels. The characters are the same, some of the storylines are the same, but for the most part, it’s a different world and venture.

At the same time, getting into the world and delving into the characters is important. A show like The Boys wouldn’t work with a standard weekly release. Just the first three episodes have slowly introduced each member of the vigilante group. Could you imagine trying to sit through three weeks, wondering when each member would be introduced? At least with a streamer, it’s possible to binge.

"“[Amazon] was the perfect choice because they bought the pitch, so they’ve been amazing! They have an incredible amount of creative freedom. The streaming format really allows you to really open up the world and explore the characters, who get as outrageous as the show wants and needs them to be.”"

But then there’s the issue with budgets. For a show that involves superheroes, a big budget is necessary. For a show that involves superheroes doing some dastardly stuff, that big budget is essential. When it comes to streamers, there wasn’t going to be many with the budget necessary. Netflix could have, but would they have given it up?

With Amazon having the pitch, they knew exactly what was needed to transform this superhero series into something enjoyable and impressive. Of course they were going to offer the budget necessary.

"“They have the budget to do it right and have the quality of the superhero stuff that’s happening in the movies – like this world cannot feel like a parody; it has to feel like the real thing. Amazon has the resources to give us that and they’ve been creatively amazing. They’ve really given us the chance to make this strange, perverted show.”"

Naturally, we love that it was on Amazon. As a fan of all things Amazon Prime Video, we were always going to want to watch it here. Putting it as part of the Prime membership made it a no-brainer.

What do you think of The Boys? What would you like to see in the second season? Do you think it would have worked better elsewhere? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The Boys is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.