Streaming services have turned a new page, with many of them now releasing original shows, and Hulu is no different. Their original programming stands with the best of traditional television and movies, even netting the streaming service a few Emmys and a Critic’s Choice Award.
If you’re thinking about jumping on the Hulu bandwagon, now’s the perfect time. Hulu’s been hard at work, producing new original content exclusively for their platform, which is good news for subscribers.
Hulu was one of the first streaming platforms, so they have a head start on many of their competitors when it comes to original content. Now subscribers have access to countless hours of original shows and movies.
So if you’re looking for some new original content, the Hulu shows list is a good place to start. Let’s take a look at some of the best original movies and shows available right now.
How we rate Hulu’s best original movies and shows
Our first concern when picking Hulu’s best originals was to find movies and shows that are available on the platforms basic on-demand library. We did this to make sure everyone could tune in, regardless of the Hulu bundle or package you get.
After that, we turned to the good ol’ Tomatometer over at Rotten Tomatoes. We checked critics and audience scores, not only to make sure the content was worthy, but also to find out the overall bingeability to keep you watching for hours on end.
Finding something good to watch can be a struggle, so we take bingeability very seriously! We strived to find a list of the best of the best for your viewing pleasure. Alight, let’s see what originals Hulu has been cooking up.
Best Hulu original movies
Little Monsters (2019)
- Average Tomatometer: 80%
- Average Audience Score: 100%
- Notable cast members: Lupita Nyong’o, Josh Gad
Who doesn’t love a good zombie flick? This one has it’s fair share of gore, but it’s light-hearted and more of a comedy than a horror film. Lupita Nyong’o (of Us fame) stars as Miss Caroline, a kindergarten teacher who’s taking her class on a field trip to a farm. When zombies break out of a government testing facility, the field trip turns into a matter of survival, as Miss Caroline is forced to invent all kinds of tales to tell her young class so they aren’t scared of the zombies. With plenty of laughs and heart, Little Monsters is a fun distraction that will leave you smiling rather than terrified.
Big Time Adolescence (2020)
- Average Tomatometer: 85%
- Average Audience Score: 82%
- Notable cast members: Pete Davidson, Sydney Sweeney, Jon Cryer
SNL’s Pete Davidson stars as Zeke, a loveable slacker who takes a timid high-schooler under his wing in this coming-of-age dramedy. Zeke hasn’t done much with his life, spending most of his days getting drunk and high. Then Zeke starts hanging out with his ex-girlfriend’s little brother Mo, who idolized Zeke—at first. But Zeke gets the impressionable teen to sell drugs to other high-schoolers, and things quickly begin to spiral out of control. Mo even decides to get a tattoo at one point, which doesn’t go over well with his parents. Mo realizes that his idol, while funny and cool, might not be the best influence after all.
Palm Springs (2020)
- Average Tomatometer: 94%
- Average Audience Score: 88%
- Notable cast members: stars Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti, J. K. Simmons
Cristin Milioti stars as Sarah, who unwillingly goes to her sister’s wedding in Palm Springs, then spends an unexpected evening making out with another wedding guest, played by Andy Samberg. But when the two are suddenly interrupted and Sarah stumbles into a cave filled with strange lights, she wakes up the previous morning of the wedding once again. Sarah realizes she’s stuck in a time loop, similar to the one in Groundhog Day, and that she’s not the only one who must face her sister’s wedding day after day. This smart romantic comedy offers a light take on well-tread territory, and you’ll laugh every step of the way.
Best Hulu original series
PEN15 (2019-)
- Average Tomatometer: 96%
- Average Audience Score: 86%
- Notable cast members: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle
Anna Konkle and Maya Erskine, two actresses in their 30s, star as 13-year-old versions of themselves living through middle school in the year 2000. This hilariously cringy series follows the pair through their misadventures as social outcasts at school. One of the best parts of the show is all the other kids are played by real children, so watching the two adult leads get bullied by kids is even funnier. This series with a very unique premise is definitely worth your time. There’s one and a half seasons currently available on Hulu, with the rest of the second season hopefully coming soon.
Ramy (2019-)
- Average Tomatometer: 97%
- Average Audience Score: 89%
- Notable cast members: Ramy Youssef
This semi-autobiographical series follows the life of Ramy, a first-generation Egyptian-American who spends his days in typical millennial fashion—working at a startup and trying to get a date. The show comes to life as Ramy works to consolidate the morality of his faith with growing up in a generation that doesn’t seem to care about anything but having fun. The show side steps familiar tropes in favor of telling personal stories that ring true. This show is so good it landed a production deal for 29-year-old Ramy Youssef, who created and stars in the show based on his life. There’s two seasons available right now on Hulu, and the series has been renewed for a third one coming soon.
Difficult People (2015-2017)
- Average Tomatometer: 96%
- Average Audience Score: 86%
- Notable cast members: Julie Klausner, Billy Eichner
Billy Eichner and Julie Klausner co-star as Billy and Julie, a pair of misanthropic New Yorkers dealing with everyday life in the worst way possible. They hate everyone, but love each other. The two leads work at their unsatisfying jobs, date unsatisfying people, and try out plenty of hair-brained schemes, such as trying to sell water from the public library water fountain as bottled water in episode one. The show ran three seasons and ended in 2017, so you can binge watch the whole thing right now.
Harlots (2017-2019)
- Average Tomatometer: 97%
- Average Audience Score: 92%
- Notable cast members: Samantha Morton, Lesley Manville
Set in 1800s London, this period-piece series stars Samantha Morton as Margaret Wells, a deft madam who runs an up-and-coming bordello. The show follows Margaret as she fends for herself and the other ladies in her care. This series walks a tightrope that succeeds in keeping the characters from becoming overly sexualized or too tragic. Instead the show strives to provide a rounded and honest look into sex work during the 1800s, which makes for truely gripping television. The show ran three seasons, all available to stream on Hulu.
That’s a wrap for our list of the best Hulu originals! There’s a ton to watch, so the shows and movies we featured are just a taste of everything that’s available. If you’re looking for more, Devs and Catch-22 are both great limited series well worth your time.
*Current as of October 2020