Hulu's Diverse Array of Compelling Shows
Hulu's Trailblazing Legacy
While Netflix is often credited with leading the charge in streaming original programming, Hulu actually had a head start. In 2011, a year before Netflix's Lilyhammer and two years prior to House of Cards, Hulu premiered The Morning After, a pop - culture - focused news show that ran for 800 episodes over three years. Since then, Hulu has continued to make waves in TV history. In 2017, it became the first streamer to win an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series with The Handmaid's Tale. The streamer has maintained a high standard of quality entertainment with shows like The Bear and Shōgun, with Shōgun setting an Emmy record in 2024 by winning 18 awards in a single season. Despite increasing competition, Hulu stands out for its carefully curated original series and network partnerships, such as being the home of FX series. Here are some of the top shows available on Hulu currently.
Notable Hulu Shows
1. Only Murders in the Building
Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez form a charming trio of true - crime - obsessed podcast fans. In season 1 of this Hulu original, they team up to create their own podcast while solving the mysterious death of a neighbor in their Manhattan apartment building. From the start, secrets abound, and the show has attracted an impressive roster of guest stars, including Meryl Streep, Paul Rudd, and many others. Season 5, which pays homage to The Godfather, premiered on September 9 and features new guest stars like Bobby Cannavale and Renée Zellweger.
2. Tempest
This South Korean action - packed spy drama is a timely tale of high - level global corruption. Presidential candidate Jang Jun - ik (Park Hae - joon), with his dream of bringing peace, is assassinated in front of his wife, Seo Mun - ju (Jun Ji - hyun), a former ambassador. She vows to uncover the truth behind his murder, leading her to a chilling conspiracy that reaches the White House. Fortunately, she has mercenary Baek San - ho (Gang Dong - won) by her side.
3. The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox
In September 2007, Amanda Knox, an American college student studying abroad, was thrust into the international spotlight after her roommate Meredith Kercher was brutally murdered. Knox was eventually arrested. Nearly 20 years later, in this new Hulu series based on her memoir and executive - produced by Knox and Monica Lewinsky, she reclaims her narrative. Although the series has moments of campiness, Grace Van Patten's performance grounds the story.
4. Alien: Earth
Noah Hawley, known for adapting Fargo into a compelling TV series, has done it again with Alien: Earth. This prequel, set two years before Ridley Scott's original Alien movie, revolves around the Prodigy Corporation, which transfers the consciousness of terminally ill children into synthetic beings. Wendy (Sydney Chandler), one of these "hybrids," volunteers to investigate the crash of a Weyland - Yutani research spacecraft, filled with horrors and creatures.
5. King of the Hill
Fifteen years after its original run, Mike Judge and Greg Daniels' beloved animated series returns. Hank Hill (Judge), his wife Peggy (Kathy Najimy), and their son Bobby (Pamela Adlon) return to Arlen, Texas, after living in Saudi Arabia while Hank saved for retirement. Their homecoming is bittersweet as, while Arlen remains somewhat the same, the world around them has changed.
6. Dope Girls
Inspired by Marek Cohen's non - fiction book Dope Girls: The Birth of the British Drug Underground and real - life British history, Dope Girls follows Kate Galloway (Julianne Nicholson), a widow and mother in the wake of World War I. She builds a popular London underground nightclub and a drug empire.
7. Washington Black
Based on Esi Edugyan's 2018 best - selling historical fiction novel, the miniseries follows 11 - year - old George Washington "Wash" Black (Ernest Kingsley Jr.) as he flees slavery in Barbados for Nova Scotia. There, he meets Medwin Harris (Sterling K. Brown), who takes him under his wing, impressed by his intelligence and determination.
8. The Bear
Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), a fine - dining superstar, returns to Chicago to save his family's failing sandwich shop after his brother's suicide. Initially struggling to adapt to the back - to - basics kitchen style, he realizes he can transform both himself and the restaurant. The show effectively portrays the stress of a busy kitchen, and Carmy's past is slowly revealed throughout the series with top - tier guest stars. The fourth season answers questions about Carmy's partnership with Syd (Ayo Edebiri) and the restaurant's future.
9. Such Brave Girls
Created by and starring comedian/actress Kat Sadler, this darkly funny series follows a dysfunctional family - mom Deb (Louise Brealey) and daughters Josie (Sadler) and Billie (Lizzie Davidson, Sadler's real - life sister) - as they try to pick up the pieces after their husband/father leaves. It's a cringe - comedy that will appeal to fans of Fleabag, and its second season arrived in July.
10. Adults
Though sometimes compared to a Gen Z version of Friends, Adults is about a group of twentysomething friends in New York City. When Samir's (Malik Elassal) parents travel, he invites his friends Anton (Owen Thiele), Billie (Lucy Freyer), and Issa (Amita Rao) to stay at his childhood home in Queens. They see it as a chance to embrace adulthood but soon realize they're in over their heads with real - world responsibilities.
11. Welcome to Wrexham
In 2020, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney (now "Rob Mac") purchased Wrexham AFC, a struggling Welsh football club. This docuseries follows their journey to bring the club back to glory, similar to a real - life Ted Lasso. All four seasons are streaming, with a fifth in development.
12. The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel was adapted into a TV series that revolutionized original streaming content. Set in a dystopian future where the US is taken over by Gilead, women are stripped of rights, and fertile women are forced into sexual servitude as handmaids. Offred (Elisabeth Moss) tries to change the rules and reunite with her family. The sixth and final season is now fully available.
13. Dying for Sex
Michelle Williams plays Molly Kochan, a woman in a loveless marriage diagnosed with terminal stage IV breast cancer. Realizing she's never had an orgasm with another person, she decides to pursue sexual satisfaction with the help of her friend Nikki (Jenny Slate). Based on the real Molly Kochan, creator of the Dying for Sex podcast, this series was created by New Girl creator Liz Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock.
14. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
For 20 years, the gang from Paddy's Pub - Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Mac (Robert "Rob Mac" McElhenney), Charlie (Charlie Day), Sweet Dee (Kaitlin Olson), and Frank (Danny DeVito) - have engaged in self - centered schemes with no regard for civility. Following the "no hugging and no learning" rule, the show has become the longest - running live - action sitcom. Its 17th season wrapped in August, with more confirmed.
15. Big Boys
Jack Rooke won a BAFTA in 2024 for this semi - autobiographical dramedy. It follows closeted 19 - year - old Jack (Dylan Llewellyn) as he leaves home for university after a year of mourning his father. Paired with roommate Danny (Jon Pointing), Jack grapples with his sexuality and discovers the truth behind Danny's extroverted persona. It's a coming - of - age story that's both funny and poignant.
16. Deli Boys
Pakistani American brothers Mir (Asif Ali) and Raj (Saagar Shaikh) Dar inherit their father's convenience store chain, which turns out to be a front for a drug smuggling empire after his death. The series combines humor with a portrayal of the immigrant experience. Hulu confirmed a second season in late August, with Fred Armisen joining the cast.
17. A Thousand Blows
For fans of Stephen Graham's work, especially after Adolescence, Steven Knight's A Thousand Blows is a British historical drama. The story centers around an all - female crime syndicate, the Forty Elephants, led by Mary Carr (Erin Doherty). When they cross kingpin Sugar Goodson (Graham), Mary turns to two Jamaican immigrants, Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby) and Alec Munroe (Francis Lovehall), for help.
18. Paradise
Dan Fogelman, creator of This Is Us, teams up with Sterling K. Brown again in this political thriller. Brown plays a secret service agent protecting the president (James Marsden), who becomes a suspect in the president's death. The series features many twists, and a second season, with new cast members including Shailene Woodley, is in development for a 2026 premiere.
19. Scamanda
Based on the podcast of the same name, this true - crime docuseries on ABC News asks, "Why would somebody fake cancer?" It recounts the life and lies of Amanda C. Riley, a wife, mother, and blogger who claimed to be fighting Hodgkin's lymphoma.
20. Accused
Adapted by Howard Gordon from the British series of the same name, Accused follows the justice system from the perspective of the accused, similar to a reverse - engineered Law & Order. Each episode starts in the courtroom and uses flashbacks to show the events leading to the trial, with familiar faces in each episode.
21. Say Nothing
Based on Patrick Radden Keefe's novel, this historical drama combines fact and fiction, focusing on people growing up in Belfast during the Troubles and their dealings with the Provisional IRA. It centers on the Disappeared, including Jean McConville, and while it doesn't answer all questions, it provides fascinating context.
22. Interior Chinatown
Willis Wu (Jimmy O. Yang), a waiter, imagines himself as a background actor in a Law & Order - like show called Black & White. After witnessing a kidnapping, detective Lana Lee (Chloe Bennet) enlists his help to take down local gangs in Chinatown, where he discovers family secrets. Adapted from Charles Yu's novel, the meta comedy - crime series features Ronny Chieng and Taika Waititi, who directed the pilot.
23. What We Do in the Shadows
Based on the 2014 mockumentary by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, this 2019 series moves the vampire action to Staten Island. A group of vampires struggle to even get off the couch, let alone take over New York City as instructed. All six seasons, which ended in late 2024, are available for streaming.
24. La Máquina
Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna, friends since childhood, star in this Spanish - language boxing drama. Esteban (Bernal), an aging boxer, is persuaded by his manager Andy (Luna) to have one last fight before retirement. As the match approaches, the criminal side of the sport emerges, forcing Esteban to make sacrifices. With only six episodes, the series moves quickly.
25. How to Die Alone
Created by and starring Natasha Rothwell (known for The White Lotus), How to Die Alone follows Mel, an employee at JFK Airport. After a brush with death, she decides to take control of her life. Despite being canceled after one season, Rothwell is seeking a new network for a second season.
26. English Teacher
Falling into the niche of high - school - set comedies from the teacher's perspective, English Teacher was created by and stars Brian Jordan Alvarez. He plays an English teacher in Austin, Texas, trying to impact his students while sometimes relying on their wisdom. The second season's first three episodes will arrive on September 25.
27. Solar Opposites
This 2020 - premiered animated sci - fi comedy is about a family of aliens from Shlorp who crash - land on Earth. Rooted in the idea that humans are strange, the show maintains a positive outlook. Its sixth and final season will arrive on October 13.
28. Futurama
After a decade - long hiatus, Matt Groening and David X. Cohen's animated sci - fi comedy Futurama returned in 2023. The 13th season, with all 10 episodes released at once, arrived on September 15, and another season has been confirmed.
29. We Were the Lucky Ones
The Kurcs, a loving family in Radom, Poland, have their lives shattered by the Holocaust. As World War II begins, the family is separated, with members escaping to different parts of the world, some in hiding and some in concentration camps, all with the goal of surviving and reuniting.
30. Queenie
Queenie Jenkins (Dionne Brown), a Jamaican - British twentysomething, has her world upended after a breakup. She tries to piece her life back together, dealing with family issues and reconciling her dual cultures. Adapted from Candice Carty - Williams' novel, it's a poignant dramedy about trauma and healing.
31. Black Twitter: A People’s History
Based on WIRED senior writer Jason Parham's 2021 cover story, this three - part docuseries recounts the important moments and movements that solidified the Black Twitter community as a cultural force, from politics to other aspects of life.
32. Under the Bridge
Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone (nominated for an Emmy for this role) star as an author and a police officer, respectively, investigating the murder of a 14 - year - old girl in a Canadian town. Based on Rebecca Godfrey's book, the limited series is a haunting portrayal of human capabilities.
33. Shōgun
Game of Thrones fans have found a new binge - watch in Shōgun, which won a record 18 Emmys in 2024. Based on James Clavell's novel, the 10 - episode series is set in feudal Japan, where Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) is targeted by political rivals. He has Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), a loyal samurai and translator, by his side. FX and Hulu have confirmed two more seasons, with the next expected in 2027.
34. Abbott Elementary
Created by and starring Quinta Brunson, this series follows the daily lives of teachers at one of America's worst - funded public schools. Despite challenges, they are driven to exceed expectations and inspire their students.
35. Fargo
Noah Hawley's anthology series, unlike previous attempts to adapt the Coen brothers' movie, is a smart take on the material. Each season covers a different crime and time period, with nods to the Coens' filmography. The show has an impressive cast, and the fifth season, with Juno Temple, Jon Hamm, and others, continues the tradition of great acting.
36. A Murder at the End of the World
Darby Hart (Emma Corrin), a hacker and amateur detective, is invited to a billionaire's remote home. When a guest is murdered, she must solve the crime quickly. From the minds of Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, fans of true - crime twists will enjoy this limited series.
37. The Other Black Girl
Sinclair Daniel stars as Nella Rogers, the only Black employee at a publishing house. When Hazel - May McCall (Ashleigh Murray) is hired, strange events occur. As Nella uncovers the truth, she discovers disturbing secrets. Although a horror - comedy, only one season is available.
38. The Full Monty
Twenty - six years after the original British comedy, the characters from Sheffield are back. Many of the main cast from the 1997 movie reassembled for this follow - up, which deals with similar issues as the original, including stripping, breakups, and death.
39. The Office (UK)
Before the US version, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant created this workplace comedy. David Brent (Gervais) is the original boss from hell, and with only two seasons and a Christmas special, it's easy to binge.
40. Cheers
In the 1980s, Cheers was a staple on NBC Thursdays. The sitcom, set in a bar where everyone knows your name, follows a former Red Sox player and his employees and patrons. Despite some dated elements, it's one of the smartest sitcoms ever written.
41. Dopesick
Hulu explored the opioid crisis in the late '90s and early 2000s, similar to Netflix's Painkiller. Danny Strong created this series, with Michael Stuhlbarg as Richard Sackler and Michael Keaton winning an Emmy for his portrayal of a doctor who falls victim to the lies of Purdue Pharma.
42. Reservation Dogs
Taika Waititi and Sterlin Harjo cocreated this Peabody - winning series, the first mainstream TV show by an almost entirely Indigenous American team. It follows four teens on an Oklahoma reservation trying to escape to California through petty crimes. All three seasons are available.
43. The Great
Elle Fanning and Nicholas
