Hulu has produced some of the most memorable movies and shows of the past decade. The platform now boasts a vast catalog of projects, ranging from historical dramas and comedies to psychological thrillers.
Here are our picks for the 25 best Hulu original series. Happy binge-watching!
25. Letterkenny
‘Letterkenny‘ is a Canadian sitcom that first aired in 2016 and ran for 12 seasons. It follows the lives of residents in the fictional rural town of Letterkenny, Ontario. From farmers to hockey players, the episodes hilariously explore the quirks of small-town life.
Related: 25 Best Sitcoms Of All Time
24. Life & Beth
Created by Amy Schumer, ‘Life & Beth‘ is a comedy-drama inspired by her own life. The series follows Beth, a wine salesperson who begins questioning the life she has built. Through present-day moments and childhood flashbacks, the show explores how past trauma shapes adulthood.
23. Nine Perfect Strangers
Based on the novel by Liane Moriarty, ‘Nine Perfect Strangers‘ is a psychological thriller about nine strangers who gather at an exclusive wellness retreat. However, things take a dark turn when they discover they have been given psychoactive drugs, causing their hidden secrets and emotions to unravel.
22. Future Man
‘Future Man‘ is a science-fiction sitcom about an underachieving janitor, played by Josh Hutcherson, whose only real talent is playing video games. When he finally beats the game Biotic Wars, he is recruited by mysterious visitors from the future and must become a time traveler tasked with saving the world.
21. Castle Rock
‘Castle Rock’ is a psychological thriller set in Stephen King’s fictional town. The series brings together characters, locations, and stories from all of King’s works to build a thriller saga. The first season features an ensemble cast including André Holland, Melanie Lynskey, and Bill Skarsgård, while the second season introduces new faces like Lizzy Caplan, Paul Sparks, and more.
In case you missed it: 15 Spy Thriller Shows You’ll Want To Finish In One Sitting
20. We Were The Lucky Ones
This historical miniseries is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Georgia Hunter. The novel was inspired by her own family’s story of surviving World War II and the Holocaust. The drama follows the Polish Jewish Kurc family’s struggle to stay alive during the war. The series features Joey King and Logan Lerman in central roles.
19. Devs
‘Devs’ is a criminally underrated sci-fi thriller. The story follows software engineer Lily Chan as she investigates a secretive tech company whose experiments could change life as we know it. The series challenges the very idea of free will in a world ruled by data and algorithms, delivering a cerebral ride where science, philosophy, and morality collide.
18. Dying For Sex
‘Dying for Sex‘ is a comedy-drama miniseries loosely based on the real-life story of Molly Kochan, brilliantly played by Michelle Williams. We witness her devastating, and often hilarious, experience with terminal cancer. The series follows her decision to leave her 15-year marriage and explore her sexuality while confronting her diagnosis.
17. Paradise
This post-apocalyptic political thriller is set in a city-sized bunker in Colorado following a global catastrophe. Secret Service agent Xavier must uncover the truth behind the death of the President of the United States. The Emmy-winning series features strong performances from Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, James Marsden, and more.
Related: 25 Must-Watch Dystopian Movies
16. The Patient
‘The Patient‘ is a psychological thriller limited series about a therapist who is held captive by his own patient. Why? The troubled young man is a serial killer seeking unconventional therapy for his murderous urges. The series stars Steve Carell as Dr. Alan Strauss and Domhnall Gleeson as the criminal.
15. High Fidelity
This romantic comedy, based on Nick Hornby’s book and film adaptation, follows Robyn Brooks, played by Zoe Kravitz. Rob is a young record store owner who is obsessed with music, pop culture, and making top five lists. The series shows her self-reflection journey as she revisits past relationships.
14. Little Fires Everywhere
Based on the 2017 novel of the same name, ‘Little Fires Everywhere’ is the story of two mothers from very different social and economic backgrounds and their lives in the suburb of Cleveland. Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington take up these roles in this series filled with secrets, tension, and complications of motherly instincts.
13. 11.22.63
This is another thriller based on Stephen King’s work. The series follows Jake Epping, an English teacher who is given a chance to go back in time to stop the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Starring James Franco as Jake, the series follows his adventure of changing history without drawing suspicion.
Related: 10 Must-Watch Alternate History TV Shows That Rewrite the Past
12. Say Nothing
This historical drama is based on the book ‘Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland’ by Patrick Radden Keefe. The series follows the lives of people growing up in Northern Ireland during three decades of political unrest known as the Troubles. It also brilliantly blends in personal stories to capture the tension and fear of the time.
11. Under The Banner Of Heaven
‘Under the Banner of Heaven’ is a true-crime miniseries based on a non-fiction book by Jon Krakauer about the 1984 case of Ron and Dan Lafferty, who killed their sister-in-law and daughter. The series stars Andrew Garfield and Gil Birmingham as two detectives who investigate the murders connected to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
10. The Great
‘The Great’, also subtitled as ‘An Occasionally True Story’ and sometimes as ‘An Almost Entirely Untrue Story’, tells the story of Empress Catherine the Great and her rise to power. This historical fiction proudly calls itself “anti-historical” and relies on absurdist humor to create a sharp political satire.
In case you missed it: 10 Historical Films That Went to Insane Lengths for Total Accuracy
9. The Dropout
‘The Dropout’ is a biographical miniseries that follows the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the infamous biotech company Theranos. Amanda Seyfried brings the role of Holmes and her journey from an ambitious young student to her eventual conviction for fraud. It’s one of the best shows based on true events.
8. Mrs. America
‘Mrs. America’ is a political drama miniseries that tells the story of the movement for the Equal Rights Amendment and the opposition against it led by conservative activists. The story is told through the perspectives of women of that era and features a large ensemble cast including Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne, Uzo Aduba, Elizabeth Banks, and more.
7. Only Murders In The Building
‘Only Murders in the Building’ is a mystery comedy-drama that follows three strangers who share an obsession with true-crime podcasts. When a suspicious death occurs in their apartment building, the trio decides to investigate the case themselves and even start their own podcast about it. The series stars Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez as the unlikely trio.
6. Dopesick
Based on the nonfiction book ‘Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America,’ the series explores how the opioid epidemic began in the United States. It deftly examines the people and institutions affected by the crisis. The cast includes Michael Keaton, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg, and more.
5. Normal People
Based on the bestselling novel by Sally Rooney, ‘Normal People‘ is a romantic drama that follows Marianne Sheridan and Connell Waldron through their evolving relationship from school to university. The series stars Daisy Edgar-Jones as Marianne and Paul Mescal as Connell.
Related: Top 10 Underrated Romantic TV Shows
4. Reservation Dogs
This award-winning comedy-drama series is the first American series to feature all Indigenous writers and directors, along with almost entirely Indigenous cast and crew. The story follows a group of indigenous teenagers living in rural Oklahoma, navigating adolescent life while balancing their cultural heritage and the desire to escape the confines of the reservation.
3. The Bear
‘The Bear’ tells the story of Carmen Berzatto, played by Jeremy Allen White, a talented chef working at a Michelin-starred restaurant. But he has to leave it all behind to go back home to Chicago and run his late brother’s struggling Italian beef sandwich shop. All while also struggling with family trauma, debts, and a chaotic kitchen.
2. The Handmaid’s Tale
Based on Margaret Atwood’s acclaimed novel, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale‘ is set in the dystopian society of Gilead, where environmental disasters have caused a fertility crisis. The few remaining fertile women are forced to serve as “handmaids” for powerful commanders. The series features a standout performance by Elisabeth Moss as Offred.
1. Shogun
Shōgun is a bilingual, award-winning historical drama loosely inspired by the story of English navigator William Adams. It follows an English sailor who arrives in Japan after a shipwreck and becomes entangled in a dangerous political struggle among powerful warlords. The series features powerful performances from Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, and Tadanobu Asano.
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