There’s no denying that Hulu is one of the best streaming services around. Along with content offered in partnership with others like FX and Disney+, including the Emmy-winning series Shōgun, Hulu has its own growing slate of original shows. These range from dramas and docuseries to comedies and thrillers. Many of the streamer’s shows have earned accolades, including Emmys and Golden Globes.
Which shows should you watch? We have put together this list of the best Hulu original series right now. All of these shows are available to watch with a subscription, with or without commercials. You’ll find old favorites to watch when you’re waiting for new seasons of a show to come out, as well as new content that might fit your mood and taste.
You can also save with the Disney Bundle, which makes Hulu an even better deal by including Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ for just $15 a month.
Looking for more originals? Check out our lists of the best Amazon original series and the best Netflix original series, as well as the best shows on Hulu.
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Reasonable Doubt2022
Nine Perfect Strangers (2021)
If you’re loving Nicole Kidman’s shift to the small screen in series like Big Little Lies, Expats, and most recently The Perfect Couple, you’ll appreciate Nine Perfect Strangers, a gripping drama from David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies, The Practice). Based on the novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, who also wrote the novel Big Little Lies on which that show is based, the story begins when nine strangers gather for a health and wellness retreat. Unbeknownst to them, the program’s director Masha (Kidman) gives the patients a psychoactive drug upon arrival that will allow them to truly release all of their inhibitions.
The ensemble cast also includes Melissa McCarthy, Michael Shannon, Luke Evans, Samara Weaving, Manny Jacinto, Regina Hall, and Bobby Cannavale. Renewed for a second season, the new plot will include Murray Bartlett, Annie Murphy, and Christine Baranski. Nine Perfect Strangers received mixed reviews for its first season, but with the undoubtable chemistry among the cast, that alone makes it worth the watch for fans of the mystery genre. If you love shows like Big Little Lies and The White Lotus, Nine Perfect Strangers is a logical next watch.
Reasonable Doubt (2022)
One of those hidden gem legal dramas you might not have heard about, Reasonable Doubt centers around Jax Stewart (Emayatzy Corinealdi), a corporate defense lawyer working in an upscale firm in Los Angeles. Along with navigating a separation from her husband, Jax’s former client Damon Cooke (Michael Ealy), who was sent to prison, has now popped up in court as a public defender, complicating her work life, too.
Reasonable Doubt has an impressive 100% Rotten Tomatoes critics score for its first season (a respectable 76% from audiences). Entertainment Weekly’s Kristen Baldwin likens the series to others from producer and screenwriter Shonda Rhimes, calling it a “steamy, speed-plotted soap built around a morally ambiguous female power player…” Clint Worthington of RogerEbert.com says when the show “indulges in its seedier, soapier side, it can be trashy fun.” If you love shows like Scandal and Suits, you should check out Reasonable Doubt.
Only Murders in the Building (2021)
76%
8.1/10Steve Martin and his longtime collaborator Martin Short are enjoying a late-career resurgence thanks to the success of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building. Martin co-created the series and stars as Charles, while Short plays his neighbor and newfound friend Oliver. Their friendship is fueled by a mutual love of true crime stories, which is something they also have in common with their much younger neighbor, Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez). When an actual murder takes place in their high-end apartment building, this unlikely trio starts their own true crime podcast as they try to figure out who the killer is. By stepping into the spotlight, they get deeper and deeper into the building’s increasingly dangerous intrigue.
Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep joined the cast for the third season, and Molly Shannon, Melissa McCarthy, Eugene Levy, Zack Galifianakis, Eva Longoria, and others for the fourth. There’s a new puzzling murder each time, which might be unbelievable. But the show is a fun, entertaining whodunit that keeps you at the edge of your seat. Suspend your sense of reality and relish the performances from this new fan-favorite comedic trio.
Shōgun (2024)
A joint release between Hulu and FX, Shōgun takes James Clavell’s 1975 novel of the same name and brings it to the small screen for the first time since the 1980s. This new take is faithful to the story, following the adventures of English sailor John Blackthorne (based on English navigator William Adams and played by Cosmo Jarvis), daimyo Lord Toranaga (based on the founder of the first shōgun, Tokugawa Ieyasu and played by Hiroyuki Sanada), and Toda Mariko (based on aristocrat Hosokawa Gracia and played by Anna Sawai). The two men come from very different worlds, and there’s an air of mystery about Lady Mariko. But the unlikely trio come together in preparation for a pending civil war.
While fictional, Shōgun is inspired by real-life historical moments. The first major on-screen interpretation from 1980 starred Richard Chamberlain and was hugely successful, earning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series. This latest adaptation of the story is even bigger, having broken records by earning 18 Emmy Awards for its first season, the most ever for a single season. Digital Trends’ Alex Welch draws comparisons to Game of Thrones and praises the performances, script, sets, and locations while calling Shōgun a “samurai epic that cuts deep.”
The Bear (2022)
86%
8.2/10The Bear really took everyone by surprise, and its second season full of guest stars was even better received than the first. While the third takes on an artsier, more character-driven tone, it sets the story up for what is sure to be an explosive fourth season.
Jeremy Allen White (The Iron Claw) stars as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, an award-winning chef who returns to Chicago to run his family’s sandwich shop following the death of his older brother, Michael (Jon Bernthal). Carmy wants to save the business and modernize the restaurant, but he faces stiff resistance from Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri) and other members of his staff. The bonds of friendship and family that form in the kitchen are truly compelling and have fans rooting for all of the characters as each goes on their own journey. As the series progresses and Carmy begins to realize his dreams, he also finds that the road is paved with new and resurfacing hardships along the way. To become the person he wants to be, Carmy needs to face his demons, and that’s easier said than done.
UnPrisoned (2023)
Paige’s (Kerry Washington) life is going fairly well as a single mother and marriage therapist. But when her estranged father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo), is released from prison after 17 years and comes to live with her and her son, Paige’s entire life becomes upended.
A heartwarming comedy, Unprisoned has been positively received by critics and viewers alike for being heartfelt and tackling tough subject matter with a healthy dose of comedy. Both Washington and Lindo are praised for their genuine and wonderful performances, and the show itself for providing an intimate look into the Black experience.
Marvel's Hit-Monkey (2021)
57%
7.9/10A hit man that’s a monkey? Yes, that’s the premise of this adult animated series based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It begins with Hit-Monkey (Fred Tatasciore), a Japanese macaque who witnesses the brutal murder of an assassin named Bryce Fowler (Jason Sudeikis), along with the killing of his former tribe of monkeys. In his dying breath, Fowler asks Hit-Monkey to find the assassins’ employer and kill him. But something strange happens: after Fowler perishes, his ghost reappears to join Hit-Monkey in the fight.
With two seasons under its belt to date, Marvel’s Hit-Monkey is a fun, beautifully animated series that takes inspiration from Japanese anime. Paste Magazine’s Kristen Reid describes the show as “visually stunning and surprisingly gory,” along with “vibrant and explosive.” The two main characters are joined by other talented voice actors, including Olivia Munn, George Takei, Leslie Jones, and Cristin Milioti, all taking you on a wild ride with a primate out for vengeance.
Under the Bridge (2024)
In 1997, 14-year-old Canadian Punjabi girl Reena Virk was viciously murdered by six teenagers who were tried and convicted for their participation in the crime. A victim of bullying, her case shed light on the growing severity of bullying in schools and made news across the country. Deemed a national tragedy, Virk’s death pointed a lens on girl violence. The story of what purportedly happened is told in this true crime drama miniseries.
Based on the Rebecca Godfrey book of the same name, Under the Bridge is tough to watch at times, but it’s a precursor to having important conversations with your kids. It’s also eye-opening regarding the depth of violence that can become the result of bullying, cultural differences, rebellion, and trauma. Receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, Peter Travers of ABC News calls the drama “harrowing” and “haunting,” and warns that “you won’t know what hit you.”
We Were the Lucky Ones (2024)
Joey King and Logan Lerman shine in We Were the Lucky Ones, a gripping historical drama miniseries about a Polish Jewish family torn apart during the Holocaust. Separated by Hitler’s persecution, they scatter, some in concentration camps, others in hiding, and a few who manage to escape to other countries. When the war ends, however, it’s time to find the remaining living relatives (if any) for an emotional reunion.
An adaptation of Georgia Hunter’s book of the same name, which is inspired by the true story of her own family, We Were the Lucky Ones is told through eight succinct episodes. It will leave you both tearful and pumping your fists in the air at the tremendous perseverance demonstrated by characters dealing with horrific circumstances and personal hope.
The Act (2019)
Earning an Emmy for Patricia Arquette for Outstanding Supporting Actress and a nomination for Joey King for Outstanding Lead Actress, The Act tells the harrowing story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who was allegedly abused by her mother Dee Dee, who suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy. She spent years being told she was ill, with her mother fabricating all types of illnesses and disabilities that led to treatments that weren’t needed. Events took a violent turn when Dee Dee was murdered by Gypsy’s boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn, and Gypsy herself was charged with second-degree murder for her involvement.
One of the most controversial, polarizing cases of 2015, The Act retells the story with a talented cast. Led by Arquette and King, both received universal praise for their believable and heart-wrenching performances.
Fleishman Is in Trouble (2022)
An FX on Hulu series, Fleishman is in Trouble centers around Toby (Jesse Eisenberg), a recently divorced man struggling with life as a single parent. His ex, Rachel (Claire Danes), disappeared without warning and now he has two children to raise on his own. Despite having a pretty good life professionally, and even personally while dating, Toby is desperate to figure out why his marriage didn’t work out. What drove his wife to abandon him and the children?
Fleishman is in Trouble features narration by Toby’s best friend, Libby (Lizzy Caplan), who provides context into what might have gone wrong. Through this, Toby realizes harsh truths about the past 15 years of his life and what he might have done to contribute to his marital breakdown. A raw, honest examination of love, marriage, and midlife crisis, Fleishman is in Trouble, based on the Taffy Brodesser-Akner novel of the same name, earned seven Emmy Award nominations, including nods for both Caplan and Danes.
A Murder at the End of the World (2023)
The murder mystery genre is enjoying a resurgence of late, and A Murder at the End of the World is an exciting entry to the mix. Technically created for FX, but streaming exclusively on Hulu, the series is co-created by The OA creator and co-star Brit Marling. The psychological thriller stars The Crown’s Emma Corrin as Darby, one of many individuals invited to a reclusive billionaire’s remote home. It’s a retreat, but when one of the guests winds up dead, Darby must use her amateur sleuthing skills to find out who the killer is — and make sure she isn’t next.
Like other entries in the genre, A Murder at the End of the World has an ensemble cast that also includes Clive Owen, Alice Braga, Jermaine Fowler, and Marling herself. If you’re a fan of The OA and its offbeat style, as well as murder mystery brain teasers, this is the show for you.
Shoresy (2022)
Shoresy isn’t technically a Hulu original, but the Canadian series, which is offered through the Bell-owned Crave streaming service north of the border, was acquired by Hulu for exclusive streaming rights in the U.S. A spinoff of the series Letterkenny about a group of stereotypical small-town residents in Ontario, Canada, Shoresy focuses on the title character (played by creator Jared Keeso) as he makes a big move to Sudbury, Ontario. He has big dreams for his Triple A-level ice hockey team and bets the manager of the flailing team that he can take them to the top.
A feel-good, hilarious comedy, Shoresy is a must-watch for fans of Letterkenny. The immature humor is a perfect escape, and though there’s plenty of Canadian-specific terminology and jokes, the show has struck a chord with American viewers, too.
Solar Opposites (2020)
From the creators of Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites is a hilarious animated dive into the life of a family of aliens living in middle America and observing human behavior. It’s all about perspective, and while some think the way people tend to behave is awesome, others find it deplorable. In a separate storyline, fans also learn about the Yumyulack who has shrunken humans and stored them in a terrarium called The Wall.
You’ll recognize familiar voices like Silicon Valley’s Thomas Middleditch as Terry and The Goldbergs’ Sean Giambrone as Yumyulack. The sci-fi animated sitcom has been praised for being charming, hilarious, sincere, and offering a ridiculous yet also fresh take on humanity and our habits.
Dragons: The Nine Realms (2021)
With a solid seven seasons under its belt, Dragons: The Nine Realms is a joint production with Peacock. The animated series takes place 1,300 years after the events portrayed in the movie How To Train Your Dragon. With dragons merely legends from a past life, a fissure in the Earth’s surface reveals that dragons are not only real but have been hiding away all this time.
The kids who make this discovery have to keep the secret to protect the precious creatures. Produced under DreamWorks Animation, Dragons: The Nine Realms also spawned a video game of the same name.
Letterkenny (2016)
8.8/10Reservation Dogs (2021)
83%
8.1/10Tiny Beautiful Things (2023)
Based on the book of the same name by Cheryl Strayed, which itself is based on Strayed’s own story, Tiny Beautiful Things is a comedy drama but it has been called compelling, dark, and “emotionally vivid.” The show stars Kathryn Hahn as Clare, a writer who becomes a popular advice columnist, despite her own personal life falling apart.
About to turn 50, Clare is dealing with marital issues, troubles with her teenage daughter, and fears about the future and missed opportunities. Somehow, she’s able to channel those frustrations into delivering sweet, kind, and helpful advice to readers who come to rely on her insight. Be prepared to shed a tear or two and maybe feel a bit cathartic while you watch.
The Great (2020)
77%
8.2/10Everybody’s heard of Catherine the Great, the Russian Empress who presided over one of imperial Russia’s greatest periods of prosperity. But not so many know about her husband and second cousin, Peter III, who was so incompetent that she overthrew him in a practically bloodless coup d’état.
History is dramatic and tragic, but it’s also comical, and The Great finds wicked pleasure in pitting Elle Fanning’s cunning and witty Catherine against Nicholas Hoult’s dull, naïve Peter. Catherine’s rise is, of course, inevitable, but it’s a lot of fun to watch play out in this satirical drama.
DAVE (2020)
8.3/10Rapper/comedian Lil Dicky became internet famous after releasing his song “Ex-Boyfriend” on YouTube back in 2013, then released his debut rap album, Professional Rapper, in 2015. He went on to collaborate with the likes of Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Wiz Khalifa. In 2020, Dicky, real name David Andrew Burd, worked with producer Jeff Schaffer to create a comedy series based on his life, and, as it turns out, the talented rapper is a talented comedian, too.
Burd stars in the series as a fictionalized version of himself, a neurotic young man living in a small suburban town who believes he can make it big in the rap game. GaTa, Burd’s real-life hype man, plays himself on the show, including depicting his real-life battle with bipolar disorder. Critic reviews for the first season applaud the “juvenile sense of humor” for those who appreciate those types of jokes. It’s a refreshing and fun show with a laundry list of A-list guest stars, not to mention Kevin Hart counted among its executive producers.
Welcome to Chippendales (2022)
69%
7.4/10Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)
71%
7.5/10The Girl From Plainville (2022)
76%
6.8/10The Dropout (2022)
75%
7.4/10Pam & Tommy (2022)
PEN15 (2019)
87%
8.1/10Dopesick (2021)
67%
8.7/10Devs (2020)
71%
7.7/10Love, Victor (2020)
69%
8.1/10The Looming Tower (2018)
74%
8.0/10The Handmaid's Tale (2017)
8.4/10Normal People (2020)
Little Fires Everywhere (2020)
69%
7.7/10Mrs. America (2020)
7.8/10Ramy (2019)
85%
8.0/10
