Because rights are unevenly distributed across streaming platforms, subscribers for services like Hulu can sometimes find themselves in luck and stream films and series that aren't accessible on more popular platforms like Netflix. For this purpose, and among all films available, we made this list of the best movies on Hulu. It goes across genres and sub genres, from the funny and goofy comedy Soul Kitchen to the crazy and creepy We Need to Talk About Kevin. Notable mention goes to Still Mine and The Great Beauty, both of which feature excellent acting in tales about growing old (in very different parts of the world). You can also visit our best-of lists for Amazon Prime and Netflix.
50 Very Best Movies on Hulu Right Now
Read also:
50.
Pleasantville (1998)
STREAMING ADVICE Read the full list of the 10 Cheapest Live TV Streaming Services for Cord-cutting
When David and his sister Jennifer fight over the TV remote, they are suddenly transported to David’s favorite sitcom, Pleasantville. They’re told by a spirit guide that their best bet at getting out is fitting in, but their modern sensibilities prove to be too much for the genteel ‘50s town. Soon, the residents learn about sex, art, criticism, and politics, and it’s up to the twins to control the ensuing mayhem and guide them to the right path.
In hindsight, Pleasantville seems ahead of its time, preceding Marvel’s WandaVision as the ultimate, deconstructed homage to 20th-century television. But unlike the series, Pleasantville dives deep into personal and social politics, all while maintaining an impressive balance of wisdom and humor. Equally notable is the film’s transformation from black and white to Technicolor, which, aside from being a symbolic and technical feat, is also a piece of pure, mesmerizing cinema.
Our staff rating: 7/10
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Actor: Andrea Baker, Danny Strong, Dawn Cody, Denise Dowse, Don Knotts, Giuseppe Andrews, J.T. Walsh, Jane Kaczmarek, Jason Behr, Jeff Daniels, Jenny Lewis, Joan Allen, John Ganun, Kai Lennox, Kevin Connors, Lela Ivey, Maggie Lawson, Marc Blucas, Marissa Ribisi, Marley Shelton, McNally Sagal, Natalie Ramsey, Paul Walker, Reese Witherspoon, Tobey Maguire, William H. Macy
Director: Gary Ross
Go to Hulu
49.
The Nightingale (2018)
From The Babadook director Jennifer Kent comes another horror, although this one is more about the horrors of humanity. Set in 1825 Tasmania, The Nightingale follows Irish settler Clare as she seeks bloody revenge on the monsters who wronged her and her family. She teams up with an Aboriginal guide named Billy to accomplish her goal.
Because of its often violent and disturbing tone (the film is rated R for its potentially triggering scenes), The Nightingale understandably polarized audiences upon its release. But it's also an excellent conversation piece, best watched with friends or anyone up for a discussion-filled movie night.
Our staff rating: 7.1/10
Genre: Adventure, Drama, History, Thriller
Actor: Aisling Franciosi, Anthony Phelan, Baykali Ganambarr, Charlie Jampijinpa Brown, Charlie Shotwell, Damon Herriman, Ewen Leslie, Harry Greenwood, Magnolia Maymuru, Matthew Sunderland, Michael Sheasby, Sam Claflin
Director: Jennifer Kent
Go to Hulu
48.
Take this Waltz (2012)
STREAMING ADVICE Read the full list of the 8 Best Live TV Services That Offer Free Trial
Take this Waltz is a movie that wants you to have a problem with it. It's about a woman (Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine) torn between her husband (played by Seth Rogan) and a new man who entered her life. It's an emotional and honest account as well as a mature slice-of-life film that you will appreciate either if you are familiar with a similar situation in real life, or if you give the film a chance, which I recommend you do.
Our staff rating: 7.2/10
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Actor: Aaron Abrams, Diane D'Aquila, Graham Abbey, Jennifer Podemski, Luke Kirby, Michelle Williams, Sarah Silverman, Seth Rogen, Vanessa Coelho
Director: Sarah Polley
Go to Hulu
47.
Zappa (2020)
Frank Zappa's creative scope could barely be defined - a mix of rock, composition, design, and in his early days even filmmaking. This documentary does its best to summarize the un-summarizable, starting with Zappa's last time playing guitar and going back to early details like an infatuation with explosives as a kid.
Zappa's overwhelmingly full life is focused on the documentary in the study of his incredible work ethic and unique creative philosophy. Far from the drugged hippie perception he was often met with, Zappa was hard-working, business-aware, and didn't take drugs.
The manifestations of his exceptional intellect and unique character are abundant in a film that will please his fans and send anyone new to him into a deep Wikipedia rabbit hole.
Our staff rating: 7.2/10
Genre: Documentary, Music
Actor: Frank Zappa, Gail Zappa, Ian Underwood, Pamela Des Barres, Steve Vai
Director: Alex Winter
Go to Hulu
46.
Thelma (2017)
STREAMING ADVICE Read the full list of the 50 Best Streaming Services With Free Trial
Much like the 1976 horror classic Carrie, Thelma centers on a young telekinetic woman whose religious upbringing and sexual repression give way to unpredictable moments of fury and rage. When she meets the cool, charismatic Anja, she falls in love immediately, but the wave of emotions that overwhelm her threaten to destabilize not just their budding romance, but other relationships and lives as well.
Thelma recalls Carrie in other ways too, most notably in the way it uses supernatural elements to allude to female fury and lust, but it also stands on its own as a singular piece of work; the mesmerizing transitions, the slow-burn pace, and the undercurrent of melancholia are all known trademarks of director Joachim Trier. This layering of old and new makes Thelma an intriguing watch, at once recognizable and wholly original.
Our staff rating: 7.2/10
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Actor: Anders Mossling, Camilla Belsvik, Eili Harboe, Ellen Dorrit Petersen, Grethe Eltervag, Henrik Rafaelsen, Ingrid Jørgensen Dragland, Ingrid Unnur Giæver, Irina Eidsvold Tøien, Isabel Christine Andreasen, Kaya Wilkins, Lars Berge, Marte Magnusdotter Solem, Sigve Bøe, Steinar Klouman Hallert, Tom Louis Lindstrøm, Vanessa Borgli
Director: Joachim Trier
Go to Hulu
45.
Hot Fuzz (2007)
One of the many good movies from director Edgar Wright - if you loved Shaun of the Dead, then this Buddy-Cop Homage will make you double over (and question humanity – or lack, thereof) just as much. Sandford is a small English village with the lowest crime and murder rates, so when overachieving police Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) gets sent there because he was so good he intimidated those around him, he just about loses it. From car-chasing, bone-thrilling, head-blowing action, he graduates to swan-calling, thrill-seeking, sleep-inducing madness. But all that’s about to change – for the worse? For the better? You decide. An obscenely funny flick that has an intriguing plot and an even greater set of characters, Hot Fuzz wasn’t named the best film of the Cornetto trilogy for nothing, clearly cementing Pegg and Nick Frost as the ultimate action duo of the genre.
Our staff rating: 7.3/10
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Actor: Adam Buxton, Alice Lowe, Anne Reid, Ben McKay, Bill Bailey, Bill Nighy, Billie Whitelaw, Cate Blanchett, Chris Waitt, Colin Michael Carmichael, David Bradley, David Threlfall, Edgar Wright, Edward Woodward, Eric Mason, Garth Jennings, Graham Low, Jim Broadbent, Joe Cornish, Julia Deakin, Karl Johnson, Kenneth Cranham, Kevin Eldon, Lorraine Hilton, Lucy Punch, Maria Charles, Martin Freeman, Nick Frost, Olivia Colman, Paddy Considine, Patricia Franklin, Paul Freeman, Peter Jackson, Peter Wight, Rafe Spall, Robert Popper, Ron Cook, Rory McCann, Simon Pegg, Stephen Merchant, Steve Coogan, Stuart Wilson, Tim Barlow, Timothy Dalton
Director: Edgar Wright
Go to Hulu
44.
Wild Rose (2019)
STREAMING ADVICE Read the full list of the 50 Best Streaming Services With Free Trial
A simple movie about a Scottish country singer with a dream to go to Nashville, U.S.A and reach stardom. It starts with her leaving prison to return to her mom's house, where her kid was being raised in her absence. Heavy stuff, but this girl is determined to let nothing get in the way of realizing her dreams. Will she make it? At what cost? Wild Rose answers those questions with a warm script that's designed to make you feel good without completely misleading you. Think of it as a more grounded A Star is Born.
Our staff rating: 7.3/10
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Actor: Aly Bain, Ashley Shelton, Atta Yaqub, Benny Young, Bob Harris, Craig Parkinson, Daisy Littlefield, James Harkness, Jamie Sives, Jane Patterson, Janey Godley, Jessie Buckley, Julie Walters, Kacey Musgraves, Martin Docherty, Matt Costello, Maureen Carr, Sophie Okonedo, Tracy Wiles
Director: Tom Harper
Go to Hulu
43.
Sideways (2004)
Best friends Miles and Jack are off to wine country to celebrate Jack's last week of freedom before he gets married. They drop white lies about themselves, with Miles pretending to be a successful writer and Jack not mentioning his impending wedding, and soon meet two beautiful women whom they spend the rest of their stay with. What sounds like a dreamy bachelor's celebration, however, soon unravels into a messy tangle of tall tales. Miles and Jack contemplate their situation in smart, sad, and silly turns, delivering excellent performances and an overall hard-hitting road movie.
Our staff rating: 7.3/10
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Actor: Alysia Reiner, Cesar Ramos, Jessica Hecht, Joe Marinelli, M.C. Gainey, Marylouise Burke, Missy Doty, Patrick Gallagher, Paul Giamatti, Peter Dennis, Phil Reeves, Robert Covarrubias, Sandra Oh, Shake Tukhmanyan, Stephanie Faracy, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen
Director: Alexander Payne
Go to Hulu
42.
Cloudburst (2011)
STREAMING ADVICE Read the full list of the 10 Cheapest Live TV Streaming Services for Cord-cutting
Cloudburst is the very funny and heartwarming story of two old ladies, Stella (played by Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis) and Dotty (played by another Academy Award winner, Brenda Fricker) who escape their nursing home and drive to Nova Scotia, Canada to get married. Along the way, they meet Prentice, a hitchhiker on his way home to Nova Scotia as well. Cloudburst is the story of their road trip. Dotty is lascivious and loving. Expect to be shocked by Stella's potty mouth. The whole film is a great love story about devotion, acceptance and living life to the fullest.
Our staff rating: 7.4/10
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Actor: Brenda Fricker, Jeremy Akerman, John Dunsworth, Juanita Peters, Kevin Kincaid, Kristin Booth, Mary-Colin Chisholm, Michael McPhee, Olympia Dukakis, Randy Boliver, Ryan Doucette, Trina Corkum
Director: Thom Fitzgerald
Go to Hulu
41.
Border (2018)
If you like: weird movies and / or Scandinavian mythology, this movie is for you. It's about unusual looking border agent with super-human abilities (such as smelling fear and shame) who meets someone like her for the first time There is a big revelation in Border that I can't share but while this movie was directed by an Iranian (Ali Abbasi), it's deeply rooted in Swedish folklore. Themes of identity, gender, and otherness intersect through a thrilling script and beautifully-shot nature scenes.
Our staff rating: 7.4/10
Genre: Crime, Drama, Fantasy
Actor: Andreas Kundler, Ann Petrén, Eero Milonoff, Eva Melander, Jörgen Thorsson, Kjell Wilhelmsen, Matti Boustedt, Rakel Wärmländer, Sten Ljunggren, Viktor Åkerblom-Nilsson
Director: Ali Abbasi
Go to Hulu
More lists
Lists on how to save money by cutting the cord.