Looking for the best Hulu movies to stream? This guide is for you. We've picked the top films on the Hulu streaming service that are worth your time, from tense thrillers to laugh-out-loud comedies and mind-bending sci-fi to family fun.
Because Hulu is backed by Disney, and Universal’s parent company, Comcast, it can include cult classics, recent releases and a growing library of Hulu originals. Hulu also has a partnership with 20th Century Studios, allowing you to stream popular movies, like Garden State. If you only want fresh films, read our new Hulu movies guide. Otherwise, read on for our selection of the best Hulu movies.
The Big Lebowski
Age rating: R (US), 18 (UK)
Runtime: 117 minutes
Main cast: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi
RT (Rotten Tomatoes) score: 80%
Created and directed by the Coen brothers, Joel and Ethan Coen (Fargo, No Country For Old Men, True Grit), The Big Lebowski is a cult classic film that you could say defies genre, but it's best to think of it as a noir crime comedy.
The Big Lebowski is about Jeffrey 'The Dude' Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), a remarkably chill man whose life doesn't involve a care in the world. But his relaxed life gets flipped upside down when The Dude is tangled up in a kidnapping gone wrong. What ensues is a dark, hilarious and endlessly quotable story filled with endless twists and turns.
The Fifth Element
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12 (UK)
Runtime: 126 minutes
Main cast: Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Milla Jovovich, Ian Holm, Chris Tucker
RT score: 71%
Set in the 23rd century, The Fifth Element follows the story of Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), a taxi driver who becomes mixed up in a universe-spanning escapade when a mysterious young woman (Milla Jovovich) lands in his taxi. They embark on a mission to retrieve four ancient stones that will save the Earth from a malevolent extraterrestrial force.
The Fifth Element is a vivid and unforgettable journey from French filmmaker Luc Besson, known for Leon and Lucy, and is a must-watch for science-fiction aficionados. The story is a lot of fun, complemented by stellar performances from Willis and Jovovich, and breathtaking visual and costume designs by Jean-Paul Gaultier. Expect vivid colors, bold aesthetics, and wildly inventive action scenes.
Wonder Woman
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12 (UK)
Runtime: 141 minutes
Main cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis
RT score: 93%
Wonder Woman is a 2017 film based on the stories from DC Comics. Directed by Patty Jenkins, Wonder Woman is about Diana, Princess of the Amazons (Gal Gadot). It follows Diana's journey from the secret island of Themyscira to the battlegrounds of World War I, driven by her determination to stop the war and confront Ares, the god of war who she believes is behind the conflict.
Wonder Woman delivers a refreshing portrayal of the classic female superhero who is known for combining strength, compassion, and wisdom. Gadot's performance, supported by a strong cast, including Chris Pine and Robin Wright, and backed by stunning visuals and gripping action sequences, brings us a fun and modern superhero movie to give the MCU a run for its money. It's a must-watch for those who love superhero stories and action films, but would like to see more of a feminist take.
Hellboy
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12-A (UK)
Runtime: 122 minutes
Main cast: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Jeffrey Tambor, Karel Roden, Rupert Evans, John Hurt
RT score: 81%
There have been several adaptations of the Hellboy character that was originally created by Mike Mignola for Dark Horse Comics, but the 2004 Hellboy movie directed and written by Guillermo del Toro might be our favorite.
The story begins at the end of World War II when the Nazis are attempting to open a portal to another dimension and end up summoning a baby demon who is named Hellboy when he’s rescued by Allied forces. This version of Hellboy is the first film of the franchise and it stars Ron Perlman in the title role. The movie is set 60 years after Hellboy arrives and he’s now serving as an agent in the secretive Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense alongside Abe Sapien (Doug Jones), who is a merman with psychic powers, and Liz Sherman (Selma Blair), a woman with pyrokinesis.
Hellboy might be a movie based on a comic book, but it stands apart from typical comic book adaptations and superhero films. It feels a little slower, smarter, and more aesthetically interesting (thanks Del Toro).
Jumanji
Age rating: PG
Runtime: 104 minutes
Main cast: Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, David Alan Grier, Bonnie Hunt
RT score: 51%
Jumanji tells the story of a mysterious board game with supernatural powers that unleashes perils from the jungle out into the real world. The story centers on Alan Parrish (played by Robin Williams) who is trapped in the game as a youngster and emerges decades later, discovered by two unsuspecting kids. Their ensuing adventure is packed with excitement, adventure and laughter as they endeavor to complete the game and send all of the exotic threats back to where they belong.
Jumanji is a must-watch movie filled with exhilarating adventures, laugh-out-loud funny moments and plenty of magical charm, perfect for the whole family. Since it first debuted in 1995 it's remained a popular choice because you really can watch it again and again without getting bored.
Nomadland
Age rating: R (US), 12A (UK)
Runtime: 108 minutes
Main cast: Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Linda May, Swankie
RT score: 93%
The movie Nomadland, inspired by Jessica Bruder's non-fiction work Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century, follows the story of Fern (played by McDormand), a woman left jobless by the economic downturn of her hometown in Nevada.
She goes in search of something more but with limited options she decides to sell her possessions and embark on a cross-country drive, embracing the nomadic way of life. On her journey she meets a community of like-minded nomads, all set against the stunning landscape of the American West.
The story might seem simple, but there's a lot of depth and heart here. McDormand also delivers a captivating performance as Fern, showing us a character deeply affected by the harsh realities of life. Director Chloé Zhao does a fantastic job at telling Fern's story with a raw, documentary-like authenticity that's been praised for accurately capturing life on the margins of society.
The Abyss
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 140 minutes
Main cast: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn
RT score: 80%
The Abyss is a mesmerizing deep sea adventure that combines lots of thrilling suspense, a gripping story and visual effects that were groundbreaking at the time the movie first came out in the late 1980s.
Directed by James Cameron (The Terminator, Aliens, Titanic, Avatar), the story takes viewers to the edge of human exploration and beyond as it follows the story of a diving team recruited by the US Navy to assist in rescuing a sunken submarine, only to encounter an otherworldly undersea life form.
Some of the visual effects may look a little dated now, but when it was first released i 1989, The Abyss stood out for its pioneering use of CGI, which was used to create stunning underwater scenes that were revolutionary for their time. Its compelling storyline is brought to life by a talented cast, including Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Dr. Lindsey Brigman and Ed Harris as the foreman of the mission and Brigman's estranged husband.
The Creator
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12A (UK)
Runtime: 133 minutes
Main cast: John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, Sturgill Simpson, Allison Janney
RT rating: 67%
The Creator is directed by Gareth Edwards (Monsters, Godzilla, Rogue One) and it’s set in 2070 after a nuclear detonation in LA that led to a war between humans and AI. It follows the story of an ex-special forces agent, Sergeant Joshua Taylor (played by John David Washington), who must find and destroy the ‘Creator’, who has made a secret weapon that could put an end to the war.
Like similar movies that came before it – including The Terminator and The Matrix – The Creator explores the future of technological innovation, meaning it’s a must-watch for sci-fi lovers who like to imagine the messy ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Expect top performances from John David Washington (Tenet), Madeleine Yuna Voyles, Gemma Chan and Allison Janney, as well as a stunning visual aesthetic and high-paced special effects. Although it may give you a lot to think about, The Creator is a top choice for action lovers, too.
X-Men: First Class
Age rating: TV-14 (US), 12A (UK)
Runtime: 132 minutes
Main cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Rose Byrne, January Jones, Oliver Platt, Kevin Bacon
RT rating: 86%
You’re probably thinking, wow, another superhero film? But we like X-Men: First Class because it brings a fresh take to the story of the X-Men. That’s because it’s set back in the 1960s during the Cuban Missile Crisis when Charles Xavier (Professor X, played by James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsher (Magneto, played by Michael Fassbender) must join forces to prevent the end of the world.
It’s not a perfect film, nor is it the best X-Men movie, but it’s satisfying to see the origins of the iconic mutant team explored in such depth. Especially the complex early relationship between Charles and Eric, as well as how they came to meet the other mutants and what caused the group to split in two. If you’re not already a fan of the X-Men, this is a great way in. If you are, it’s a fun one to watch and better understand your favorite characters. If you're keen to watch the X-Men movies in order, look at our guide.
No One Will Save You
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 16 (UK)
Runtime: 93 minutes
Main cast: Kaitlyn Dever
RT rating: 82%
No One Will Save You is a sci-fi horror-thriller, starring Kaitlyn Dever as a woman called Brynn who has been outcast by her community – we can’t really get into why without wading into spoilers, so let’s leave it there. So far so not great for Brynn, but things get even more complicated when aliens invade her hometown, use their mind controlling abilities to indoctrinate the local population and force Brynn to fight for her survival.
No One Will Save You has had an incredibly positive reception since it arrived on the streaming service, making it one of the best Hulu movies you can watch right now. Although it goes without saying this is a movie that’ll only appeal to those with a soft spot for scary films. Well, unless you don’t mind watching the whole thing while holding a cushion in front of your face to avoid the jump scares.
The Alien Collection
Age rating: R (US), 18 (UK) - (Alien)
Runtime: 93 minutes - (Alien)
Main cast: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto - (Alien)
RT rating: 93% - (Alien)
The Alien collection of movies stands as a highly acclaimed sci-fi franchise more than 40 years after the release of the first film. At its core is the story of Ellen Ripley, brilliantly portrayed by Sigourney Weaver, a survivor who dares to face the horrifying alien creatures known as the Xenomorphs.
The first two films in the franchise are particularly noteworthy. First in line is Alien, which tells the tale of the Nostromo spaceship crew, whose encounter with an alien creature unleashes utter chaos and a lot of death. Building on this chilling foundation, the sequel Aliens reunites us with Ripley as she ventures back to the treacherous planet where the Xenomorph came from, accompanied by a team of marines, in a battle against the aliens. The later films aren't as good as the first two, but are still a fun watch and delve into various facets of the Xenomorph mythos. If you want to catch up on other films in the series, then read our guide to every Alien movie ranked from worst to best.
Prey
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 99 minutes
Main cast: Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Dane DiLiegro, Michelle Thrush, Stormee Kipp, Julian Black Antelope, Bennett Taylor
RT rating: 94%
The fifth instalment in the Predator franchise, Prey is a prequel set 300 years ago and sees the iconic villain hunting skilled Comcanche warrior Naru (Amber Midthunder). Trained as a healer, Naru is trying to prove herself as a warrior and finds ends up having to protect her people against a vicious humanoid alien, as well as French fur traders trying to catch and destroy the buffalo the tribe relies on for survival.
The film has been widely praised for its fresh take on the franchise format. In our Prey review we wrote that it could well be the best Predator film since the very first one.
Palm Springs
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 90 minutes
Main cast: Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti, J. K. Simmons
RT rating: 94%
Living the same day over and over in sunny Palm Springs can't be the worst way to spend eternity, right? Hulu original Palm Springs rips apart this seemingly-ideal time loop concept through the experiences of Nyles (Andy Samberg) and Sarah (Cristin Milioti), two strangers who meet at a wedding only to realise they're both trapped in an endless repeat of a terrible day.
It's no surprise Hulu paid big bucks (around $20 million) for the rights following its Sundance premiere. Much like the granddaddy of time loop movies, Groundhog Day, Palm Springs is loaded with poignant moments of reflection and black-as-night jokes.
Titane
Age rating: R (US), 18 (UK)
Runtime: 108 minutes
Main cast: Vincent Lindon, Agathe Rousselle, Garance Marillier, Laïs Salameh
RT rating: 90%
Raw director Julia Ducourneau's sophomore effort is a blistering, stomach-churning descent into body horror unlike anything else we've seen in recent years. The fact it won the Palme d'Or at Cannes is evidence of its raw, unfiltered power.
Agathe Rousselle, in her film debut, stars as Alexia, a young woman who has a metal plate fitted in her head following a car accident as a child. This foreign body stimulates a love for automobiles that makes Christine play like a Pixar movie. Alexia's flourishing desire sends her on a violent cross-country spree with twists and turns you won't see coming. This is an experience you won't forget.
Garden State
Age rating: TV-14 (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 102 minutes
Main cast: Zach Braff, Ian Holm, Method Man, Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard
RT rating: 86%
At the height of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope, we got Garden State, Zach Braff's semi-autobiographical ode to figuring out your life while falling in love with a kooky girl who helps you achieve your dreams. While the trope has thankfully been dismantled, Braff's debut remains a fun, moving film, about how we handle our youth on the cusp of leaving it behind.
Braff plays Andrew Largeman, a struggling LA actor who returns to New Jersey when his mother dies. Back home he reconnects with old friends, meets Sam (a superb Natalie Portman), and learns to reconcile his past.
Benedetta
Age rating: R (US), 18 (UK)
Runtime: 132 minutes
Main cast: Virginie Efira, Charlotte Rampling, Daphné Patakia, Lambert Wilson, Olivier Rabourdin, Louise Chevillotte, Hervé Pierre, Clotilde Courau
RT rating: 84%
Garnering a reputation as "the lesbian nun movie", Paul Verhoeven's Benedetta sensationalises a 17th-century Sapphic relationship, but it speaks more as an examination of faith.
Sister Benedetta (Virginie Efira) and Sister Bartolomea (Daphne Patakia) begin an affair behind closed doors while the former experiences vivid daydreams of Jesus and signs of stigmata. Its titillating set pieces involving an augmented Virgin Mary statue raised eyebrows yet its most shocking moments stem from steadfast belief, and how that can lift you up or destroy you.
Fresh
Age rating: R (US), 18 (UK)
Runtime: 114 minutes
Main cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sebastian Stan, Jonica T. Gibbs, Charlotte Le Bon
RT rating: 81%
Many romantic-comedies make light of the pitfalls of the dating scene, but Fresh takes it to task through black-as-night horror comedy, skewering the dire situation that is internet dating.
The movie opens as Noa (Normal People's Daisy Edgar-Jones) endures yet another evening of belittling, misogynist banter, leading her to give up on romantic prospects. That is until the perfect meet-cute in a grocery store where she encounters Steve (Sebastian Stan), a refreshingly normal guy. To say more would give away the film's best sting, an early twist which swiftly passes comment on the modern dating landscape with a savage sense of humor.
Spencer
Age rating: R (US), 12A (UK)
Runtime: 117 minutes
Main cast: Kristen Stewart, Timothy Spall, Jack Farthing, Sean Harris, Sally Hawkins
RT rating: 83%
In the years since The Twilight Saga, Kristen Stewart's worked to separate herself from Bella Swan, and she hammers the final nail in that coffin with Pablo Larrain's Spencer.
As Princess Diana, Stewart's own experiences with the paparazzi gift her an innate empathy for Diana, perhaps enabling her to channel the restraint of being in the spotlight. Her Academy Award-nominated performance is the highlight in a movie which shares more in common with The Shining than any other royal biopic, signalling the isolation and loneliness of the former Princess of Wales through a horror lens.
Run
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 89 minutes
Main cast: Sarah Paulson, Kiera Allen
RT rating: 89%
Director Aneesh Chaganty follows up his screen-set debut Searching with Run, a homebound thriller that broke Hulu records shortly after it dropped. And it's no surprise, given the caliber of talent.
Sarah Paulson stars in this Hulu original as a mother whose dedication to her wheelchair-bound daughter Chloe redefines the concept of helicopter parenting. Chaganty and co. were determined to find a disabled actor for the role of Chloe, finding newcomer Keira Allen, who gives Paulson a run for her money in this taut, action-packed film. Cribbing from iconic horror Misery, this is packed with twists you won't see coming.
Happiest Season
Age rating: PG-13 (US), 12 (UK)
Runtime: 102 minutes
Main cast: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Daniel Levy
RT rating: 82%
Taking your new partner home for the holidays can be anxiety-inducing, but when your parents don't know your partner is a woman and that you're actually queer? That ramps things up even more so.
Clea Duvall's Christmas comedy stars Mackenzie Davis as Harper, who has kept her relationship with Abby (Kristen Stewart) under wraps, leading to a slew of hiding hijinks once they arrive. Think The Family Stone with sharper wardrobe choices. Plus this warm-hearted comedy about celebrating love in all forms features Aubrey Plaza and Dan Levy on scene-stealing form as the duo's respective best pals.
No Exit
Age rating: R (US), 18 (UK)
Runtime: 95 minutes
Main cast: Havana Rose Liu, Danny Ramirez, David Rysdahl, Dale Dickey
RT rating: 62%
A solid one-location thriller, No Exit is based on the best-seller of the same name. Havana Rose Liu stars as Darby, a young woman we meet at a halfway house, who leaves in the middle of the night to get home to her dying mother. A blizzard forces her to hole up at a rest stop, where she encounters a bunch of strangers seeking solace from the storm.
But wait, there's more! She soon discovers a kidnapped girl in the back of a truck outside, turning her quiet evening into a mystery. With a strong supporting cast, including Dale Dickey and Dennis Haysbert, like the relentless snow, the twists fall thick and fast in this pacy thriller.
The United States vs. Billie Holiday
Age rating: TV-MA (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 130 minutes
Main cast: Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, Garrett Hedlund, Leslie Jordan, Miss Lawrence
RT rating: 55%
Lee Daniels followed up The Butler with The United States vs. Billie Holiday, a biopic on the life of the legendary jazz singer. Written by Suzan-Lori Parks and based on the book, Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, Hulu's Oscar-nominated take on Billie Holiday's life follows what happened following the release of 'Strange Fruit'.
Examining Holiday's struggles with addiction amid an investigation by the FBI, the movie juggles a slew of topics, bouncing from the late 1950s to the 1940s to paint a portrait of her life. Audra Day excels in the titular role, delivering a soul-shaking performance of Strange Fruit that's by far the standout moment.
Pig
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 92 minutes
Main cast: Nicolas Cage, Alex Wolff, Adam Arkin
RT rating: 97%
Following years of straight-to-video actioners, Nicolas Cage's recent offerings have shifted to the far corners of genre – cosmic horrors Mandy and Color Out of Space – before catapulting to this low-key, blurry-edged drama about a recluse chef.
Trailers for Pig played it like John Wick but with a porcine pal as the puppy yet Michael Sarnoski's debut deserves more than comparison, a tender tale of a man driven to a life in woods, where his days are spent ambling the forest with his best friend, a truffle pig. When she's stolen, Cage must reconnect with the outside world he left behind to retrieve her. It's a heart-breaking story of redemption in which Cage delivers a lifetime-best performance.
Plan B
Age rating: TV-MA (US)
Runtime: 107 minutes
Main cast: Kuhoo Verma, Victoria Moroles
RT rating: 96%
This Hulu original is one of the best teen movies of the last decade. A charming road trip flick, Plan B follows best friends Sunny (Kuhoo Verma), the studious rule follower, and Lupe (Victoria Moroles) the freebird. With Sunny's mom out of town, they throw a party in the hopes of luring Sunny's crush – Hunter (Michael Provost) – but things don't go to plan, forcing the girls to go on a road trip to get the morning-after pill.
Considering its topic, which could easily rile, this movie is packed with heart, wit, and care for its two leads, who shine under the direction of first-time filmmaker Natalie Morales. Genuinely funny, flipping the road trip tropes on their head, it's a great ride.
Little Miss Sunshine
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 102 minutes
Main cast: Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin, Alan Arkin
RT rating: 91%
Laugh, cry, repeat. That's the winning formula behind this feel-good road trip movie about a dysfunctional family on a cross-country journey. Cheerful Olive, a happy-go-lucky sort played perfectly by a young Abigail Breslin, applies to the Little Miss Sunshine pageant which takes place on the other side of the country. She scores a place, forcing the entire Hoover clan into a VW van for a slew of amusing antics ranging from hysterical to tear jerking.
The cast deliver their absolute best here, with Toni Collette and Greg Kinnear on form as Olive's parents, Steve Carell as Olive's depressed uncle, Paul Dano as her moody teen brother who refuses to talk and Alan Arkin as her sass-mouthed grandpa. Funny and moving, you'll be hard pressed not to cry when Olive's time in the spotlight finally arrives.
Censor
Age rating: TV-MA (US), 15 (UK)
Runtime: 84 minutes
Main cast: Niamh Algar, Nicholas Burns, Vincent Franklin, Sophia La Porta, Adrian Schiller, Michael Smiley
RT rating: 89%
Prano Bailey-Bond's directorial debut places an unexpected hero at its center, a shy, unassuming movie censor. That fact alone should alert you to the fact this isn't a by-the-numbers horror. Niamh Algar stars as Enid, the film ratings censor whose job watching and rating films at the height of the video nasties era sparks a long-ago trauma. Unable to shake the memory of her sister's untimely death, she spots what she thinks is her sibling in a movie and embarks on a journey to uncover the truth.
What unravels past the film's midpoint is wholly terrifying, a sign of Bailey-Bond's filmmaking chops, which will no doubt produce even more terrors in the future. Do not miss this.
For more Hulu coverage, read our guides on the best Hulu shows, best Hulu documentaries, and The Bear season 3.
