Best Movies On Hulu To Watch Right Now

The Hulu streaming service is known largely for its wide selection of television programs, but it also boasts a healthy film library as well. The film selection is one of the best available on streaming, although Hulu only has about a third of the number of films that Netflix offers. What Hulu lacks in quantity, however, it makes up in quality. Hulu offers a strong selection of modern blockbusters and Oscar nominees, including several Best Picture winners.

Hulu is owned by Disney, so in addition to a wide selection of television programming from ABC and FX, they offer several film classics from the Fox library as well. Most of those films are hits from 1980 to the present and represent the best of the modern Fox era. Hulu has also scored streaming deals with both Warner Bros. and Universal, allowing some of their better films to stream on the service as well. We’ve collected a few of the best films that are currently available to stream on Hulu, ranked in no particular order.

Updated on March 31st, 2024 by Soniya Hinduja: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.

20 Poor Things (2023)

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Set in Victorian London, Poor Things centers around Bella Baxter, a young woman with the brain of a child living in the care of an eccentric surgeon named Godwin Baxter. Godwin found a pregnant Bella under a bridge and performed an unconventional brain transplant upon her. After Max McCandles becomes Godwin’s assistant, Bella and Max plan to get married. But before that, Bella runs off with a lawyer on an odyssey of self-discovery, where she discovers identity, prejudice, liberation, sadness, and equality.

A Bold and Subversive Comedy

Director Yorgos Lanthimos pairs lavish elements of a period drama with a fantastical sci-fi lens. An Oscar winning turn from Emma Stone as the complex, defiant, and charming Bella leads the entire narrative in bold and stunning directions. The supporting cast, which comprises Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, and Mark Ruffalo prove themselves vital to making the movie more astonishing. With visuals so grand and complex at the same time, costumes so gorgeous, and a conclusion so satisfying, the movie’s subtly unnerving and thought-provoking world unwinds itself at a genuinely remarkable pace.

19 Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

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A French legal drama from director Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall begins with an unassuming plot. Against the backdrop of an isolated mountain chalet near Grenoble, we witness an acclaimed novelist, Sandra Voyter, having to reschedule her interview with a university student after her husband, Samuel Maleski, starts playing loud music in the attic. Their visually impaired son, Daniel, who returns from a walk shortly after, discovers Samuel’s body fallen out from the attic window. With Sandra a suspect in mother, a long and excruciating trial begins.

A Deeply Unnerving Procedural Drama

Anatomy of a Fall is as much a courtroom drama as a measured psychological deconstruction of a marriage and a person’s subconscious. The film stars Sandra Hüller as the main character. Her calm, emotional, expressive, but calculated performance adds texture to the narrative. Equally brilliant stars like Swann Arlaud, Milo Machado-Graner, Antoine Reinartz, and Messi, who plays the dog Snoop, anchor the intimate setting and build the kind of tension that puts subtle cracks in every scene. Although delicate in execution, the movie has an impact that lingers so long that it has the audiences questioning their own perception of the truth.

18 Ghostbusters (1984)

In Ghostbusters, Peter Venkman, Raymond Stantz and Egon Spengler are three paranormal researchers who lose their respective university jobs in New York City and are forced to reorder their lives. Still devoted to parapsychology, they decide to start a ghost-catching business of their own and call themselves Ghostbusters. During one of their investigations, they stumble upon a gateway to another dimension and learn of an impending storm of supernatural activity that could potentially consume all of New York City.

An Iconic Comedy

Ghostbusters is a comedy classic that boasts a hilarious premise as well as moments of genuine paranormal chills. With a screenplay written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis and under the direction of Ivan Reitman, the movie fleshes out incredible monster designs, ahead-of-their-time gadgets, and a brilliant NYC setting that gives it endurance and high rewatch value. The vibrant performances from Bill Murray, Aykroyd, and Ramis are key to the movie’s humor and thrills. Overall, Ghostbusters is a perfect, quotable, and comedic comfort watch.

17 Dune (2021)

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Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel of the same name gets a two-part adaptation at the hands of Denis Villeneuve. The sci-fi epic is set in a distant future, where Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a destiny that’s far beyond his understanding, arrives on the most dangerous planet in the universe – Arrakis. However, war soon breaks out and his Duke Leto Atreides, falls. As more malevolent forces engage in conflict over the isolated planet’s exclusive and coveted supply of a resource, “spice,” only the fearless will survive.

Visually Stunning Sci-Fi Epic

Villeneuve, who is known for directing large-scale sci-fi masterpieces like Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, brings his trademark skill and paints vistas that are equal parts fascinating and terrifying. Dune has superb casting too. While Timothée Chalamet embodies Paul’s journey of becoming with ease, it is Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, and Zendaya who lend phenomenal support. While only part one, the movie established an epic scope and thrilled fans of intricate sci-fi world building. The spectacular entry was followed by a sequel, which is a must-watch as well.

16 Predator (1987)

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jesse Ventura, and the late, great Carl Weathers, Predator is an action classic loaded with literal heavy hitters. And, thankfully, the quote-laden script never lets them down. The narrative follows a squad of commandos as they enter the jungle of Central America in pursuit of a gun-running team. Too bad they’ll find someone else, too. Or, rather, he’ll find them.

A Top-Five Actioner

Even just standing on its own, John McTiernan’s sci-fi actioner is one of the best entries in either genre. But, the film’s expertly-crafted assembly is even more impressive when one considers that just one year prior the director was helming Die Hard. In other words, one individual was responsible for what could easily be called the two best action films of all time in just as many years.

15 Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019)

Featuring a star-studded cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood takes you to 1969, Los Angeles, where fading actor Rick Dalton and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth navigate an industry they hardly recognize anymore. While Booth struggles to find work, Dalton tries to remain relevant by befriending the spellbinding enigma that is his new neighbor – actress Sharon Tate.

Tarantino’s Love Letter to His Industry

The movie is writer-director Quentin Tarantino’s ninth feature, and its essence lies in bidding adieu to a bygone Hollywood golden era. The multi-layered storyline moves at an intoxicating pace, and we see glimpses of nostalgia and celebration of friendship through the eyes of DiCaprio and Pitt, who are pure excellence alongside Margot Robbie’s Tate. The film received massive praise for being deeply personal and thoroughly entertaining.

14 Self Reliance (2023)

A wildly impressive directorial debut for Jake Johnson, Self Reliance is a wonderfully entertaining and consistently thought-provoking work. It’s also impeccably cast, with Johnson ably supported by the likes of Mary Holland, Natalie Morales, Anna Kendrick, and a pair of bonkers cameos from Andy Samberg. The narrative follows a man who will receive a million dollars should he be able to avoid getting murdered by a group of hunters before the clock runs out.

A Great Calling Card for Johnson as a Director

The inventiveness of the plot is an asset all its own. But, it has a twist that allows the narrative to reach emotional poignancy. Johnson’s Tommy cannot be killed if he is within arm’s length of another individual. So, perhaps, fate will make it so that he not only cleans up financially but gets over his ex, as well.

13 Quiz Lady (2023)

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Written by Jen D’Angelo and produced by Will Ferrell, Quiz Lady is a light-hearted comedy that follows two sisters Anne and Jenny, who are stuck together, striving hard to pay off a debt of $80,000 that their mother owes to a loan shark. Meanwhile, using Anne’s wit and trivia knowledge and Jenny’s disastrous charm, they embark on a road trip to retrieve their kidnapped dog, Mr. Linguini.

Sandra Oh and Awkwafina’s Chemistry Is Wonderful

At its core, Quiz Lady is the story of two ordinary women and their extraordinary moment in the spotlight. Awkwafina and Sandra Oh are a hilarious duo who bring out the high tension and heart of Jessica Yu’s premise with their signature style. The rapport they share and the gags they deliver are a hit. That said, the movie feels fresh and timely, charming and resilient, endearing and funny.

12 Rye Lane (2023)

Directed by Raine Allen-Miller in her feature directorial debut, Rye Lane is a little London-set romantic comedy that proves that the genre still has a lot of stories to explore. When Yas finds Dom crying in the bathroom over his breakup with his long-term girlfriend, she accompanies him on the walk back home. The two immediately hit it off, sharing experiences and humor, with Yas opening up about her own failed relationship. From singing karaoke to breaking and entering, they do it all in one day of adventure.

Reviving the Rom-Com Genre

There are a lot of factors working in this beautiful rom-com. David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah are perfectly cast as two strangers who are as complicated as they are communicative. Set in the actual Rye Lane Market, the film pops in the frame with its vivid colors and wide-angle cinematography. The script, too, is incredibly funny and delightful, with the little anecdotes and connections to films in the genre feeling as refreshing and familiar as ever. Overall, this is a modern-day movie that’s here to stay.

11 No One Will Save You (2023)

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No One Will Save You features Kaitlyn Dever as Brynn Adams, a young girl who is incredibly talented but also an anxiety-ridden homebody. After experiencing several shocking instances in life, Brynn has finally found peace within the four walls of her home. But when Brynn begins hearing strange sounds at night, she realizes that her very haven is intruded by an alien and that she must fight it.

Experimental and Chilling

Shot incredibly well by writer-director Brian Duffield, the movie is the latest addition to Hulu’s wide library of science-fiction horror films. Dever is known to be stunning in every role she plays, and paired with the sparse script and fragmented editing, the movie is a riveting experience for fans of horror. With only a few words spoken in the entire runtime, this is a masterclass in the idea of show don’t tell.

10 Fresh (2022)

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Daisy Edgar-Jones plays Noa, a single young woman navigating her love life after accidentally bumping into a charming surgeon named Steve, played by Sebastian Stan, in a convenience store aisle. After a few weeks of dating and an out-of-town escape to his weird house, Noa realizes that Steve has an unusual appetite. He preys on women’s bodies and she might have become his next victim.

A Roller Coaster Ride of a Horror Movie

Extremely unpredictable in its premise but still wicked and fun, Fresh brings two actors we never imagined would look so gorgeous together and gives them a brilliant premise to work with. Fresh deconstructs modern dating culture through the lens of horror and humor, but what makes it so good is the clever writing. The movie hides a feminist allegory beneath all the gruesome visuals, and in the end, gives the female lead a huge win.

9 How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2023)

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How to Blow Up a Pipeline immediately introduces us to a bunch of environmental activists – or eco-warriors, as we’d like to call them – and their frustration at not being heard. As radical individuals, they hatch a plan to disrupt an oil pipeline and finally attract the attention of society and the authorities. After all, it is our right as civilians to protest and alter unjust systems and create awareness about the looming environmental crisis.

Taking on a Pressing Issue With Confidence

Directed by Daniel Goldhaber, How to Blow Up a Pipeline is a movie that boldly and quickly makes its case about steering ourselves away from a global climate collapse by taking small but necessary steps. It achieves just that by being so well-thought-out. Because the film chooses a universally resonant subject, its pacing and plotting have to be direct but breezy. Genuinely gripping, the movie sparks real discussions about where we must draw lines when it comes to our home.

8 Theater Camp (2023)

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The film follows an ensemble of eager and eccentric staff members of an upstate New York theater camp. Despite being underdogs, the entire team bands together to save their jobs and home after their founder, Joan, falls into a coma. They emerge through teamwork and the main characters, Amos and Rebecca-Diane, eventually ease the financial troubles through their efforts.

A Criminally Underrated Comedy

Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman truly created history with Theater Camp, which is the feature directorial debut of both of them. Filled with campy vibes, determined theatrical kids, and a cast made of incredible people like Molly Gordon, Ayo Edebiri, Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, Patti Harrison, and Jimmy Tatro, the movie features plenty of feel-good laughs and a cozy summer-like aesthetic that makes it a delightful watch.

7 Triangle of Sadness (2022)

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Ruben Östlund’s Palme d’Or winner Triangle of Sadness follows a couple – Carl is a model and Yaya is an influencer – who wins a chance to go on a luxury cruise with some of the most pretentious and weirdly arrogant upper-class people. Once there, things go awry because a storm hits them and a major part of the ship sinks. Some of the guests who survive are stranded on an island, and a woman from the ship’s cleaning crew takes charge because she’s the only one with some food supply and a skillset that will sustain them until help arrives.

Top Tier Performances

Piercing social commentary meets outrageous comedy as the hierarchy flips and the yacht-bound become desperate. Every scene-stealing scene that makes it to the big screen arrives with a jarring truth about the class divide wrapped inside it, which is fitting in today’s time when satire is the only way truth can be told and heard. Harris Dickinson and Dolly De Leon deliver career-defining performances and make the film a unique experience.

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The story follows a few ultra-wealthy gastronomes who arrive at Hawthorn, an exclusive culinary temple, to satisfy their extravagant palates by tasting the finest cuisine the head chef, Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes), has to offer. Despite the Chef’s efforts to prepare a lavish meal for the guests, it soon becomes apparent that the restaurant is not what it seems when they are met with shocking surprises.

The Menu is one of those unpredictable films carried by a fantastic ensemble, particularly Ralph Fiennes’ commanding presence on the screen, which adds a whole new level of dark tension. While it certainly offers twists and turns typical of a thriller, it is hauntingly brilliant in its satirical take on modern society and provides viewers with an adrenaline rush, making it a must-see film.

5 The Quiet Girl (2022)

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Occasionally, we come across a film that leaves us speechless, stunned, and most importantly, deeply moved. The Quiet Girl, an Irish film written and directed by Colm Bairead, is one such film that was among the 2023 Academy Award nominees for Best International Feature Film. With very minimal dialogue, sublime cinematography, and a top-notch performance from Catherine Clinch, The Quiet Girl offers a superlative experience that you don’t want to miss.

A Woefully Undersung Piece of Work

The story, set in 1981, follows Cait, a young girl struggling with her dysfunctional family, and her parents decide to send her to live in a foster home, which happens to be her aunt’s residence. Cait is unprepared, having no idea what kind of place it is and relations that she was never familiar with. However, while under the care of the new couple, she discovers new ways of life that are far better and more peaceful compared to her previous home, if you can call it that.

4 Day of the Dead (1985)

The third installment of George A. Romero’s iconic Living Dead trilogy, Day of the Dead, is one of the filmmaker’s many zombie classics. On the surface, it appears to be an ordinary zombie flick, but once you start watching it, you’ll notice that it’s claustrophobic and extremely gruesome, which was a signature element of 1980s horror. If you’re a fan of the zombie genre, it is almost impossible to miss any of Romero’s films, and in case you haven’t seen this one yet, you can watch it on Hulu.

Romero’s Zombie Pictures Are Undefeated

Zombies have taken over the world, and there is not much humans can do at this point. We follow a group of scientists and military personnel residing in an underground bunker who scavenge necessities by going on runs on a weekly or daily basis. While the armed soldiers are trying to keep the zombies from breaking in, scientists are experimenting on the undead to see if they can tame and turn them back into humans. But when zombies from above breach the bunker, the real apocalypse ensues.

3 Alien (1979)

After intercepting strange signals from a faraway planet, the crew of a spaceship decides to investigate the distress call. But when the same commercial towing spacecraft finds nothing but wreckage on a distant planet, it unknowingly takes on a stowaway that begins killing off the crew, one by one.

Sickening Scares in Space

Ridley Scott’s Alien is a masterpiece of horror, combining a gothic tone with sci-fi visuals for a film experience that hasn’t dulled in over 40 years. The film featured a fantastic performance by Sigourney Weaver in a breakthrough role, and Scott’s near-perfect direction had moviegoers jumping at every shadow in the summer of 1979. Using the “less is more” approach established by films like Jaws, the film’s Xenomorph (designed by artist H.R. Giger) remains one of the great film creature villains of all time.

2 Nomadland (2020)

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2021 Best Picture winner Nomadland is director Chloé Zhao’s beautiful but somber look at the culture of nomads who travel America’s roads in cars and RVs. They take odd jobs as they migrate back and forth across the country, with no true home roots.

A Well-Deserved Oscars Sweep

Frances McDormand won an Oscar for Best Actress playing Fern, a woman who took to the road after losing everything when the recession hit her small industrial town. Zhao became the first Asian woman to be nominated for Best Director, winning on her first try. She would go on to direct Marvel’s Eternals. Nomadland was praised for the light touch with which it depicts its events, avoiding cliches and the usual tropes applied to those living in or adjacent to poverty.

1 Prey (2022)

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This Hulu original film Prey shocked everyone when it turned out to be a surprisingly entertaining Predator prequel and a worthy companion to the Schwarzenegger classic, after several disappointing sequels and crossovers. Set in America’s Great Plains in the early 1700s, the film follows a young Comanche warrior (Amber Midthunder) as she encounters a Predator who is taking out the members of her hunting party.

A Rare Well-Made Prequel

Director Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane) crafts an effective survival thriller with an undercurrent of horror and a solid performance by Midthunder. Interestingly, Hulu offers the film in both English and the Comanche language. We highly recommend watching it in Comanche, as hearing the actors speak in modern-style English (and even using modern slang at points) can be offputting.