Guide To The Best Movies On Hulu: Must-See Films For Your Watchlist

Looking for the best movies to watch on Hulu? You've come to the right place. Hulu has an impressive library of films, from recent blockbusters to classic masterpieces. To help you find the cream of the crop, we've put together this ultimate guide to the best Hulu movies available to stream right now.

Whether you're in the mood for a compelling drama, hilarious comedy, thrilling action flick and thought-provoking documentary, Hulu has something for every taste. This streaming service is home to acclaimed titles from major studios like Disney, Fox, Universal, Sony and Warner Bros. You'll also find a great selection of independent and foreign language films.

From Oscar-winning dramas to blockbuster franchises, iconic classics to festival darlings, our list spans decades and genres. Below we highlight the 40 must-see films currently streaming on Hulu. So grab some popcorn, settle in and get ready to add these great movies to your watchlist.

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1 - The Tenant (1976)

• All Cast: Roman Polanski (Trelkovsky), Isabelle Adjani (Stella), Melvyn Douglas (Monsieur Zy), Jo Van Fleet (Madame Dioz), Bernard Fresson (Docteur Chouinard), Lila Kedrova (Madame Gaderian), Claude Dauphin (Monsieur Zy's Doctor), Rufus (Monsieur de Florette's Dog), Shelley Winters (Mrs. Dioz), Josiane Balasko (Café Owner)
• Director: Roman Polanski
• Network: Paramount Pictures
• IMDb Rating: 7.6
• Country: France
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 2h 6m
• Release Date: February 26, 1976

Roman Polanski directs this psychological horror film starring himself as a quiet and unassuming man who moves into an apartment haunted by its previous tenant. Strange occurrences and hostile neighbors start to drive him mad as he becomes consumed by the mystery surrounding the former lodger. This creepy thriller serves up tension and paranoia with Polanski's signature flair.

Also Read: Best Horror Movies

2 - Pretty Woman (1990)

• All Cast: Julia Roberts (Vivian Ward), Richard Gere (Edward Lewis), Ralph Bellamy (James Morse), Jason Alexander (Philip Stuckey), Laura San Giacomo (Kit De Luca), Alex Hyde-White (David Morse), Amy Yasbeck (Elizabeth Stuckey), Elinor Donahue (Bridget), Héctor Elizondo (Barney Thompson)
• Director: Garry Marshall
• Network: Buena Vista Pictures
• IMDb Rating: 7.1
• Country: USA
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 1h 59m
• Release Date: March 23, 1990

This beloved romantic comedy stars Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. She plays a down-on-her-luck Hollywood prostitute who gets hired by a wealthy businessman for a week. He needs an escort for various work events. Although it starts as a business deal, a romance soon develops between the unlikely pair. Directed by Garry Marshall, Pretty Woman charmed audiences with its Cinderella love story.

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3 - Akira (1988)

• All Cast: Mitsuo Iwata (Kaneda), Nozomu Sasaki (Tetsuo), Mami Koyama (Kei), Tesshō Genda (Colonel Shikishima), Hiroshi ÅŒtake (Nezu), Yuriko Fuchizaki (Kaori), Kazuhiro Kamifuji (Doctor Onishi), Takeshi Kusao (Kai), Masanori Chiba (Rifle), Kiyonobu Suzuki (Yamagata)
• Director: Katsuhiro Otomo
• Network: Toho
• IMDb Rating: 8.0
• Country: Japan
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 2h 4m
• Release Date: July 16, 1988

Set in a dystopian 2019, this landmark anime film centers on two teenage bikers, Kaneda and Tetsuo. After Tetsuo's latent psychic powers awaken, a secret government project tries exploiting him. When Tetsuo's unstable abilities unleash chaos, it's up to his friend Kaneda to stop him. Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, Akira's stunning visuals and thought-provoking themes cemented its place as a sci-fi anime masterpiece.

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4 - Heathers (1988)

• All Cast: Winona Ryder (Veronica Sawyer), Christian Slater (Jason "J.D." Dean), Shannen Doherty (Heather Duke), Lisanne Falk (Heather McNamara), Kim Walker (Heather Chandler), Penelope Milford (Pauline Fleming), Glenn Shadix (Father Ripper), Lance Fenton (Kurt Kelly), Renée Estevez (Betty Finn)
• Director: Michael Lehmann
• Network: New World Pictures
• IMDb Rating: 7.2
• Country: USA
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 1h 43m
• Release Date: March 31, 1989

Winona Ryder and Christian Slater star in this biting satire of high school cliques. Ryder plays an intelligent outsider who gets adopted by her school's popular clique, The Heathers. But when a rebellious new kid arrives, the two begin playing deadly pranks on the cruel cool kids. With dark humor and a memorable soundtrack, Heathers skewers entitlement and dysfunction in 80s teen culture.

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5 - Almost Famous (2000)

• All Cast: Patrick Fugit (William Miller), Billy Crudup (Russell Hammond), Kate Hudson (Penny Lane), Jason Lee (Jeff Bebe), Frances McDormand (Elaine Miller), Zooey Deschanel (Anita Miller), Fairuza Balk (Sapphire), Anna Paquin (Polexia Aphrodisia), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Lester Bangs), Jimmy Fallon (Vic Munson)
• Director: Cameron Crowe
• Network: DreamWorks Pictures
• IMDb Rating: 7.9
• Country: USA
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 2h 2m
• Release Date: September 13, 2000

Set in the 1970s, this coming-of-age dramedy is loosely inspired by writer/director Cameron Crowe's own experiences as a teenage music journalist. Newcomer Patrick Fugit stars as a 15-year-old writer who goes on tour with an up-and-coming rock band. Kate Hudson co-stars as the charming groupie who takes him under her wing. Capturing the spirit of the era, Almost Famous earned critical acclaim and an Oscar for screenwriting.

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6 - Shrek (2001)

• All Cast: Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), John Lithgow (Lord Farquaad), Vincent Cassel (Monsieur Hood), Conrad Vernon (Gingerbread Man), Chris Miller (Magic Mirror), Cody Cameron (Pinocchio, The Three Little Pigs), Simon J. Smith (Three Blind Mice)
• Directors: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson
• Network: DreamWorks Animation
• IMDb Rating: 7.9
• Country: USA
• Audience: PG
• Run Time: 1h 30m
• Release Date: May 18, 2001

Fairy tale creatures are banished to a grumpy ogre's swamp in this hit animated comedy. Mike Myers voices the green grouch who reluctantly goes on a quest to rescue a princess for Lord Farquaad. But the sassy Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) brings some surprises of her own. Also featuring Eddie Murphy's fast-talking Donkey, Shrek spawned a major franchise with its family-friendly humor and irreverent twist on classic stories.

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7 - 28 Days Later (2002)

• All Cast: Cillian Murphy (Jim), Naomie Harris (Selena), Noah Huntley (Mark), Brendan Gleeson (Frank), Megan Burns (Hannah), Stuart McQuarrie (Sergeant Farrell), Ricci Harnett (Corporal Mitchell), Leo Bill (Private Jones), Sanjay Rambaruth (Private Davis), David Schneider (Scientist)
• Director: Danny Boyle
• Network: 20th Century Fox
• IMDb Rating: 7.5
• Country: UK
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 1h 53m
• Release Date: November 1, 2002

When a man awakens from a coma to find London deserted, he soon realizes a rage-inducing virus has rapidly consumed the population. Joining other survivors, he attempts to escape the infected hordes while trying to uncover the cause of the apocalyptic contagion. Directed by Danny Boyle, this ultra-scary zombie thriller employed quick-cut editing and digital video to create its frenetic style.

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8 - Memories of Murder (2003)

• All Cast: Song Kang-ho (Park Doo-man), Kim Sang-kyung (Seo Tae-yoon), Kim Roi-ha (Cho Yong-koo), Song Jae-ho (Sergeant Shin Dong-chul), Byun Hee-bong (Captain Kwon Kwi-ok), Ko Seo-hee (Kwon Kwi-ok's Wife), Park Hae-il (Detective Oh), Park No-shik (Baek Kwang-ho), Choi Jong-ryeol (Song Pa-song)
• Director: Bong Joon-ho
• Network: CJ Entertainment
• IMDb Rating: 8.1
• Country: South Korea
• Audience: Not Rated
• Run Time: 2h 12m
• Release Date: April 3, 2003

Set in 1986, this gripping crime drama follows two South Korean detectives investigating a serial killer targeting young women. As their dangerous case grows more complex, the rural partners employ primitive forensics to hunt the murderer. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Memories of Murder blends procedural storytelling with dark humor and social commentary.

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9 - Garden State (2004)

• All Cast: Zach Braff (Andrew Largeman), Natalie Portman (Sam), Peter Sarsgaard (Mark), Ian Holm (Gideon Largeman), Jean Smart (Carol), Armando Riesco (Jesse), Jackie Hoffman (Aunt Sylvia), Ron Leibman (Dr. Cohen), Method Man (Diego), Alex Burns (Dave)
• Director: Zach Braff
• Network: Fox Searchlight Pictures
• IMDb Rating: 7.4
• Country: USA
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 1h 42m
• Release Date: July 28, 2004

Scrubs star Zach Braff makes his writing and directorial debut with this quirky dramedy. He stars as a depressed actor who returns to his New Jersey hometown for his mother's funeral. Back home, he bonds with Natalie Portman's charmingly eccentric character, falls for her and begins reexamining his stifled suburban life. Mixing humor with themes of family and finding purpose, Garden State struck a chord with indie film fans.

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10 - The Descent (2006)

• All Cast: Shauna Macdonald (Sarah), Natalie Jackson Mendoza (Juno), Alex Reid (Beth), Saskia Mulder (Rebecca), MyAnna Buring (Sam), Nora-Jane Noone (Holly), Oliver Milburn (Paul), Molly Kayll (Jessica), Craig Conway (Greg), Leslie Simpson (Craw)
• Director: Neil Marshall
• Network: Pathé
• IMDb Rating: 7.2
• Country: UK
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 1h 39m
• Release Date: July 10, 2006

Neil Marshall's claustrophobic creature feature traps a group of female friends in a pitch-black cave maze swarming with predatory humanoids. Cut off from the surface, the terrified women must battle the blind subterranean mutants and try finding an escape route. With pulse-pounding scares, The Descent thrilled genre fans while cementing Marshall as a new horror master.

11 - Let the Right One In (2008)

• All Cast: Kåre Hedebrant (Oskar), Lina Leandersson (Eli), Per Ragnar (Håkan), Henrik Dahl (Erik), Karin Bergquist (Yvonne), Peter Carlberg (Lacke), Mikael Rahm (Jocke), Patrik Rydmark (Conny), Johan Sömnes (Andreas), Mikael Erhardsson (Martin)
• Director: Tomas Alfredson
• Network: Sandrew Metronome Distribution
• IMDb Rating: 7.9
• Country: Sweden
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 1h 55m
• Release Date: October 24, 2008

This acclaimed Swedish horror drama centers on the unlikely friendship between a bullied young boy and a centuries-old vampire child. As a serial killer stalks their small town, their bond deepens into a tender romance. Based on the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, Let the Right One In delivers thoughtful allegory about adolescence along with chilling bloodsucking scenes.

12 - The Social Network (2010)

• All Cast: Jesse Eisenberg (Mark Zuckerberg) andrew Garfield (Eduardo Saverin), Justin Timberlake (Sean Parker), Armie Hammer (Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss), Max Minghella (Divya Narendra), Brenda Song (Christy), Rashida Jones (Marylin Delpy), John Getz (Sy), David Selby (Gage), Denise Grayson (Gretchen)
• Director: David Fincher
• Network: Columbia Pictures
• IMDb Rating: 7.7
• Country: USA
• Audience: PG-13
• Run Time: 2h
• Release Date: October 1, 2010

Director David Fincher dramatizes the origin story of Facebook and its founder Mark Zuckerberg. Jesse Eisenberg stars as the Harvard student who creates the social network phenomenon. But his meteoric success leads to legal and personal complications, including lawsuits from former friends. Sharply written by Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network provides an engrossing look at ambition and influence in the digital age.

13 - Warrior (2011)

• All Cast: Tom Hardy (Tommy Conlon), Joel Edgerton (Brendan Conlon ), Nick Nolte (Paddy Conlon), Jennifer Morrison (Tess Conlon), Frank Grillo (Frank Campana), Kevin Dunn (Principal Zito), Hardy Jonz (Ricky Conlon), Gregory Davis Jr. (Daniel Conlon), Ben Bray (USADA Rep), Jake McLaughlin (Ajax Fighter)
• Director: Gavin O'Connor
• Network: Lionsgate
• IMDb Rating: 8.2
• Country: USA
• Audience: PG-13
• Run Time: 2h 20m
• Release Date: September 9, 2011

Estranged brothers Brendan and Tommy enter a mixed martial arts tournament and end up fighting each other in this gritty sports drama. Both are training for different reasons - Tommy to give his Iraq War vet family money, Brendan to save his house from foreclosure. Nick Nolte co-stars as their alcoholic father trying to make amends. Warrior wowed audiences with its emotional story and intense MMA action.

14 - Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2012)

• All Cast: Jiro Ono, Yoshikazu Ono, Masuhiro Yamamoto, Daisuke Nakazama, Takeo Ono, Junichi Takahashi, Shinzo Satomi, Hachiro Mizutani
• Director: David Gelb
• Network: Magnolia Pictures
• IMDb Rating: 7.9
• Country: USA
• Audience: PG
• Run Time: 1h 21m
• Release Date: August 24, 2012

This mouthwatering documentary profiles sushi master Jiro Ono as he pursues perfection in his craft. The film follows the 85-year-old chef and his sons at their world-renowned restaurant in Tokyo. Intimate and beautifully shot, Jiro Dreams of Sushi offers poignant insights into family, passion and traditional methods in an increasingly modern world. Foodies hail it as one of the most compelling culinary documentaries.

15 - We Need to Talk About Kevin (2012)

• All Cast: Tilda Swinton (Eva Khatchadourian), John C. Reilly (Franklin Plaskett), Ezra Miller (Kevin Khatchadourian), Jasper Newell (6 Year Old Kevin), Rock Duer (8 Year Old Kevin), Ashley Gerasimovich (Celia Khatchadourian), Siobhan Fallon Hogan (Nurse), Alex Manette (Steven Khatchadourian)
• Director: Lynne Ramsay
• Network: Oscilloscope Laboratories
• IMDb Rating: 7.5
• Country: UK
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 1h 52m
• Release Date: February 3, 2012

Tilda Swinton delivers a haunting performance in this psychological thriller based on the novel by Lionel Shriver. She plays a mother recounting her difficult relationship with her disturbed son Kevin. Their fraught dynamic is gradually revealed through flashbacks leading up to a high school massacre. With bold visuals and a fractured timeline, We Need to Talk About Kevin examines the psyche of a teenage killer.

16 - Blackfish (2013)

• All Cast: John Hargrove, Samantha Berg, Jeffrey Ventre, Dean Gomersall, Kim Ashdown, John Jett, Daniel Patrick Cottrell, Mark Simmons, Tilikum, Dawn Brancheau
• Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite
• Network: Magnolia Pictures
• IMDb Rating: 8.1
• Country: USA
• Audience: PG-13
• Run Time: 1h 23m
• Release Date: July 19, 2013

Focusing on the orca Tilikum, this eye-opening documentary investigates the dangers of keeping killer whales in captivity. Through interviews with trainers and footage of attacks, Blackfish builds a persuasive case against marine mammal parks like SeaWorld. It sheds light on Tilikum's violent history and the tragedies that resulted from his confinement. Blackfish stirred waves of controversy and debate after its release.

17 - Love & Mercy (2015)

• All Cast: Paul Dano (Young Brian Wilson), John Cusack (Middle-aged Brian Wilson), Paul Giamatti (Dr. Eugene Landy), Elizabeth Banks (Melinda Ledbetter), Jake Abel (Mike Love), Bill Camp (Murry Wilson), Kenny Wormald (Dennis Wilson), Graham Rogers (Carl Wilson), Erin Darke (Marilyn Wilson)
• Director: Bill Pohlad
• Network: Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions
• IMDb Rating: 7.4
• Country: USA
• Audience: PG-13
• Run Time: 2h 1m
• Release Date: June 5, 2015

This biopic depicts two pivotal eras in the life of Beach Boys genius Brian Wilson - his early music career in the 1960s and his struggle with mental illness in the 1980s. Paul Dano plays the young Wilson while John Cusack portrays the older musician when he meets his future wife Melinda (Elizabeth Banks) who helps free him from abusive doctor Eugene Landy.

18 - Little Men (2016)

• All Cast: Theo Taplitz (Jake Jardine), Michael Barbieri (Tony Calvelli), Greg Kinnear (Brian Jardine), Jennifer Ehle (Kathy Jardine), Paulina Garcia (Leonor Calvelli), Talia Balsam (Erin Brewster), Alfred Molina (Mel), Scott Cohen (Alan)
• Director: Ira Sachs
• Network: Magnolia Pictures
• IMDb Rating: 6.7
• Country: USA
• Audience: PG
• Run Time: 1h 25m
• Release Date: August 5, 2016

When Jake's family moves into an apartment above a dress shop, he befriends the shop owner's artistic son Tony. But rising rent costs and family conflicts start driving a wedge between the new friends. Directed by Ira Sachs, this tender drama thoughtfully explores loyalty, loss and hardship through the lens of childhood friendship.

19 - Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

• All Cast: Sam Neill (Hec), Julian Dennison (Ricky Baker), Rima Te Wiata (Bella Faulkner), Rachel House (Paula Hall), Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne (Kahu), Oscar Kightley (Andy), Stan Walker (Psycho Sam), Mike Minogue (Dave), Cohen Holloway (Hugh), Troy Kingi (Tupac)
• Director: Taika Waititi
• Network: The Orchard
• IMDb Rating: 7.9
• Country: New Zealand
• Audience: PG-13
• Run Time: 1h 41m
• Release Date: June 24, 2016

Ricky, a rebellious foster child, goes on the run in the New Zealand wilderness with his cantankerous foster uncle Hec. Pursued by an overzealous social worker, the odd couple's offbeat adventure tests their bond. Director Taika Waititi brings humor and heart to this acclaimed coming-of-age-on-the-lam dramedy. Sam Neill delights as the grumpy but lovable old man.

20 - God's Own Country (2017)

• All Cast: Josh O'Connor (Johnny Saxby), Alec Secăreanu (Gheorghe Ionescu), Gemma Jones (Deirdre Saxby), Ian Hart (Martin Saxby), John Keogh (Tom), Corey Johnson (Ben), Natalia Stonebanks (Andrea)
• Director: Francis Lee
• Network: Picturehouse Entertainment
• IMDb Rating: 7.6
• Country: UK
• Audience: NR
• Run Time: 1h 44m
• Release Date: January 25, 2017

A young Yorkshire farmer begins a relationship with a Romanian migrant worker in this LGBT romantic drama. Still reeling from his father's stroke, Johnny struggles with isolation and anger issues. When Gheorghe arrives to help at the farm, passion slowly develops between the two men, healing Johnny's wounds. Hailed for its naturalistic performances and setting, God's Own Country earned acclaim at festivals.

21 - I Am Not Your Negro (2017)

• All Cast: Samuel L. Jackson (Narrator), James Baldwin (archival footage), Martin Luther King Jr. (archival footage), Malcolm X (archival footage), Medgar Evers (archival footage)
• Director: Raoul Peck
• Network: Magnolia Pictures
• IMDb Rating: 7.9
• Country: Switzerland
• Audience: PG-13
• Run Time: 1h 33m
• Release Date: February 3, 2017

Visionary filmmaker Raoul Peck creates a documentary essay exploring the writings of James Baldwin on American racism. Samuel L. Jackson narrates, voicing the late author's unfinished book Remember This House. Archival footage, images and excerpts from Baldwin's work offer searing insights on racial injustice and the Civil Rights Movement. I Am Not Your Negro garnered widespread acclaim, including an Oscar nomination.

22 - The Shape of Water (2018)

• All Cast: Sally Hawkins (Elisa Esposito), Octavia Spencer (Zelda Fuller), Michael Shannon (Richard Strickland), Doug Jones (Amphibian Man), Michael Stuhlbarg (Dmitri Mosenkov), Richard Jenkins (Giles), David Hewlett (Fleming), Nick Searcy (General Hoyt), Stewart Arnott (Bernard), Nigel Bennett (Mikhalkov)
• Director: Guillermo del Toro
• Network: Fox Searchlight Pictures
• IMDb Rating: 7.3
• Country: USA
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 2h 3m
• Release Date: December 1, 2017

Mute cleaner Elisa forms a secret bond with a mysterious aquatic creature in a 1960s government lab. When the humanoid amphibian faces threat from the facility's abusive head of security, Elisa hatches a plan to liberate him. Guillermo del Toro infuses the Cold War era story with fairy tale romance and lavish visuals. The Shape of Water earned 13 Oscar nominations, winning four including Best Picture.

23 - Burning (2018)

• All Cast: Yoo Ah-in (Jongsu), Steven Yeun (Ben), Jeon Jong-seo (Hae-mi), Kim Soo-kyung (Lady at the Ranch), Moon Sung-keun (Mr. Choi), Bong-ryeon Jung (Mrs. Choi), Lee Byung-joon (Guest #1), Na Mi-hee (Guest #2), Seung-ho Choi (Guest #3), Kang Seung-hyun (Guest #4)
• Director: Lee Chang-dong
• Network: CGVCinemart
• IMDb Rating: 7.5
• Country: South Korea
• Audience: NR
• Run Time: 2h 28m
• Release Date: May 17, 2018

Working odd jobs, aspiring writer Jongsu reunites with former classmate Hae-mi who introduces him to the wealthy and mysterious Ben. But after Hae-mi mysteriously vanishes, Jongsu becomes convinced Ben is hiding something sinister. This haunting thriller dissects class divide and male rage through tense slow-burn suspense. Based on a Haruki Murakami short story.

24 - Minding the Gap (2018)

• All Cast: Keire Johnson, Bing Liu, Zack Mulligan, Nina Bowgren, Kent Abernathy, Mengyue Bolen, Bob Bowgren, Nate Abernathy
• Director: Bing Liu
• Network: Hulu
• IMDb Rating: 8.1
• Country: USA
• Audience: TV-MA
• Run Time: 1h 33m
• Release Date: August 17, 2018

Filmmaker Bing Liu records his longtime friends Keire and Zack, chronicling their childhoods and adulthoods in their Rust Belt hometown. This coming-of-age documentary intimately observes their struggles with domestic abuse, racial and economic pressures and the scars left by their own fathers. Minding the Gap earned raves for its painfully honest portrait of young American men.

25 - Three Identical Strangers (2018)

• All Cast: Robert Shafran, David Kellman, Eddy Galland
• Director: Tim Wardle
• Network: Neon
• IMDb Rating: 7.6
• Country: UK
• Audience: PG-13
• Run Time: 1h 36m
• Release Date: June 29, 2018

In 1980, three young men discovered they were identical triplets separated at birth. This astonishing documentary reveals the shocking story behind their unlikely reunion and the sinister secret study that tore them apart. Through archival footage and present-day interviews, Three Identical Strangers unravels a profound and unsettling true tale of nature vs. nurture.

26 - I, Tonya (2018)

• All Cast: Margot Robbie (Tonya Harding), Sebastian Stan (Jeff Gillooly), Allison Janney (LaVona Golden), Julianne Nicholson (Diane Rawlinson), Paul Walter Hauser (Shawn Eckhardt), Bobby Cannavale (Martin Maddox), Bojana Novakovic (Dody Teachman), Caitlin Carver (Nancy Kerrigan), Mckenna Grace (Young Tonya)
• Director: Craig Gillespie
• Network: Neon
• IMDb Rating: 7.5
• Country: USA
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 2h
• Release Date: December 8, 2017

Margot Robbie transforms into infamous figure skater Tonya Harding in this darkly comedic biopic. It depicts Harding's difficult upbringing and her involvement in the attack on rival skater Nancy Kerrigan leading up to the 1994 Olympics. Allison Janney garnered an Oscar for her portrayal of Harding's abusive mother. I, Tonya puts a fresh spin on a notorious true crime story.

27 - If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

• All Cast: KiKi Layne (Tish Rivers), Stephan James (Fonny Hunt), Regina King (Sharon Rivers), Colman Domingo (Joseph Rivers), Teyonah Parris (Ernestine Rivers), Michael Beach (Frank Hunt), Aunjanue Ellis (Mrs. Hunt), Ebony Obsidian (Adrienne Hunt), Dominique Thorne (Sheila Hunt), Emily Rios (Victoria Rogers)
• Director: Barry Jenkins
• Network: Annapurna Pictures
• IMDb Rating: 7.1
• Country: USA
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 1h 59m
• Release Date: December 14, 2018

Director Barry Jenkins follows up Moonlight with this adaptation of James Baldwin's novel. Set in 1970s New York, it centers on a young couple torn apart when the man is falsely imprisoned for rape. KiKi Layne and Stephan James play the lovers fighting for his freedom and their future. Jenkins assembles the story beautifully, earning Regina King an Oscar for her supporting role.

28 - Border (2018)

• All Cast: Eva Melander (Tina), Eero Milonoff (Vore), Jörgen Thorsson (Roland), Ann Petrén (Lennart), Sten Ljunggren (Helge), Kjell Wilhelmsen (Theo), Rakel Wärmländer (Karin) andreas Kundler (Hans), Matti Boustedt (Mikael), Josefin Neldén (Saga)
• Director: Ali Abbasi
• Network: Neon
• IMDb Rating: 6.9
• Country: Sweden
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 1h 48m
• Release Date: May 26, 2018

A Swedish customs agent with a special ability for spotting smugglers discovers a mysterious connection with a stranger who passes through her border post. This dark Scandinavian folk tale morphs into a surprising love story. Based on a novella by John Ajvide Lindqvist, Border defies genres while confronting bigotry through fantasy and social commentary.

29 - Parasite (2019)

• All Cast: Song Kang-ho (Kim Ki-taek), Lee Sun-kyun (Park Dong-ik), Cho Yeo-jeong (Choi Yeon-gyo), Choi Woo-shik (Kim Ki-woo), Park So-dam (Kim Ki-jung), Lee Jung-eun (Gook Moon-gwang), Chang Hyae-jin (Chung-sook)
• Director: Bong Joon-ho
• Network: CJ Entertainment
• IMDb Rating: 8.6
• Country: South Korea
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 2h 12m
• Release Date: May 30, 2019

Unemployed Ki-taek's family schemes their way into jobs within a wealthy household, until a sudden interloper upends their plot. With sharp social commentary and Hitchcockian suspense, this twisted thriller explores class discrimination through a cunning poor family infiltrating a privileged home. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Parasite made history as the first non-English film to win Best Picture at the Oscars.

30 - Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

• All Cast: Noémie Merlant (Marianne), Adèle Haenel (Héloïse), Luàna Bajrami (Sophie), Valeria Golino (The Countess), Christel Baras (Anne), Armande Boulanger (Catherine), Guy Delamarche (The Doctor), Clément Bouyssou (The Magistrate), Michelina Giraud (The Maid), Yolande Zauberman (The Merchant)
• Director: Céline Sciamma
• Network: Lilies Films
• IMDb Rating: 8.1
• Country: France
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 2h
• Release Date: September 17, 2019

In 18th century France, a painter was commissioned to do the wedding portrait of a reluctant bride-to-be. This exquisite drama charts the intimate relationship that develops between the two women. With vivid period detail and smoldering chemistry between leads Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel, Portrait of a Lady on Fire earned passionate acclaim for its lush romance.

31 - Wild Rose (2019)

• All Cast: Jessie Buckley (Rose-Lynn Harlan), Julie Walters (Marion), Sophie Okonedo (Susannah), Jamie Sives (James), Daisy Littlefield (Wynonna), Ryan Kerr (Lyle), James Harkness (Felix), Adam Mitchell (Elliot), Nancy McKeand (Rose-Lynn's Grandma), Jane Patterson (Jean),
• Director: Tom Harper
• Network: Neon
• IMDb Rating: 7.2
• Country: UK
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 1h 41m
• Release Date: April 5, 2019

Fresh out of prison, a Scottish single mom with dreams of being a country music star gets a shot at going to Nashville. But responsibilities to her kids complicate the path for aspiring singer Rose-Lynn. Jessie Buckley garnered attention for her charismatic performance in this feel-good crowd-pleaser featuring lively musical numbers.

32 - The Nightingale (2019)

• All Cast: Aisling Franciosi (Clare), Sam Claflin (Hawkins), Baykali Ganambarr (Billy), Damon Herriman (British Officer), Harry Greenwood (Charlie), Ewen Leslie (Goodwin), Charlie Shotwell (Eddie), Michael Sheasby (Jago), Luke Carroll (Archie), Magnolia Maymuru (Mangana)
• Director: Jennifer Kent
• Network: IFC Films
• IMDb Rating: 7.3
• Country: Australia
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 2h 16m
• Release Date: August 2, 2019

Set in 1825 Tasmania, this brutal revenge tale follows an Irish convict woman pursuing the British officer who abused her. On her vengeful quest through the island's rugged interior, she reluctantly teams up with an Aboriginal tracker. Jennifer Kent's gripping follow-up to The Babadook depicts colonialist horrors with stark ferocity. The Nightingale provides an intense, unflinching historical drama.

33 - Honeyland (2019)

• All Cast: Hatidze Muratova, Nazife Muratova, Hussein Sam, Ljutvie Sam, Galib Alievski, Zilka Alievska, Eldaniz Mirgasimov, Asan, Özcan Alievski
• Directors: Tamara Kotevska, Ljubomir Stefanov
• Network: Neon
• IMDb Rating: 8.0
• Country: North Macedonia
• Audience: PG-13
• Run Time: 1h 27m
• Release Date: July 26, 2019

This acclaimed documentary follows Hatidze, an indigenous Macedonian beekeeper striving to cultivate honey sustainably. When a nomadic family moves in nearby, their disruptive cattle threaten Hatidze's hives. With lush cinematography and intimate access, Honeyland observes the environmental dilemmas faced by this rural community. It provides a poetic meditation on nature and humanity's connection to it.

34 - Booksmart (2019)

• All Cast: Kaitlyn Dever (Amy), Beanie Feldstein (Molly), Jessica Williams (Miss Fine), Jason Sudeikis (Principal Jordan Brown), Lisa Kudrow (Charmaine), Will Forte (Doug), Victoria Ruesga (Ryan), Mason Gooding (Nick), Skyler Gisondo (Jared), Billie Lourd (Gigi)
• Director: Olivia Wilde
• Network: United Artists Releasing
• IMDb Rating: 7.2
• Country: USA
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 1h 42m
• Release Date: May 24, 2019

On the eve of high school graduation, studious friends Amy and Molly decide to cram four years of missed partying into one night. What follows is a hilarious odyssey through their school's wild end-of-year revelry. Featuring sharp dialogue and dynamic female leads, Olivia Wilde's directorial debut Booksmart won praise as a fresh and modern teen comedy.

35 - Apollo 11 (2019)

• All Cast: Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin, Deke Slayton, Clancy Hatleberg
• Director: Todd Douglas Miller
• Network: NEON + CNN Films
• IMDb Rating: 8.2
• Country: USA
• Audience: G
• Run Time: 1h 33m
• Release Date: March 1, 2019

Composed solely of archival footage, this documentary vividly recreates the 1969 Apollo 11 moon mission. Miller unearths stunning 70mm film of the launch, recovery and everything in between. Apollo 11 places viewers right inside the capsule rocketing humanity to the moon. Free of narration and interviews, it's an immersive cinematic time capsule.

36 - Shoplifters (2019)

• All Cast: Lily Franky (Osamu Shibata), Sakura Ando (Nobuyo Shibata), Mayu Matsuoka (Aki Shibata), Kairi Jyo (Shota Shibata), Miyu Sasaki (Yuri Shibata), Kirin Kiki (Hatsue Shibata), Shohei Uno (Shigemitsu Yazaki), Jyo Kairi (Shota Shibata), Miyu Sasaki (Yuri Shibata), Haruko Shibata (Aiko Shibata)
• Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
• Network: Gaga Corporation
• IMDb Rating: 8.0
• Country: Japan
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 2h 1m
• Release Date: May 16, 2018

On the margins of Tokyo, a makeshift family of misfits adopt a young girl after rescuing her from neglect. As they welcome her into their home, their petty crimes begin escalating. Japanese master Hirokazu Kore-eda crafts a deeply humane portrait of society's forgotten people bound by mutual care. Shoplifters earned widespread acclaim, winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes.

37 - Cold Case Hammarskjöld (2019)

• All Cast: Mads Brügger, Björn Sundin, Göran Björkdahl, Tycho Brahe, Paul Erasmus, Pierre Mollo, Morse Leek Lolo, Jorum Dupont, Keith Maxwell Scott, Thomas Shamuyarira
• Director: Mads Brügger
• Network: Magnolia Pictures
• IMDb Rating: 7.6
• Country: Denmark
• Audience: NR
• Run Time: 2h 7m
• Release Date: August 16, 2019

Danish filmmaker Mads Brügger leads an investigation into the mysterious 1961 plane crash that killed UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld. This wildly entertaining documentary sends Brügger on a gonzo journey across Africa, uncovering supposed cover-ups and conspiracies around Hammarskjöld's death. Satirizing its own mad process, Cold Case Hammarskjöld is a one-of-a-kind nonfiction thriller.

38 - Saint Maud (2020)

• All Cast: Morfydd Clark (Maud), Jennifer Ehle (Amanda), Lily Knight (Joy), Lily Frazer (Sister Ruth), Turlough Convery (Father Murphy), Rosie Sansom (Jennifer), Marcus Hutton (John), Cathy Sara (Carol), Jonathan Bonnici (Palliative Care Doctor)
• Director: Rose Glass
• Network: StudioCanal
• IMDb Rating: 6.8
• Country: UK
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 1h 24m
• Release Date: September 17, 2020

A newly religious hospice nurse becomes dangerously obsessed with saving her terminally ill patient's soul in this unsettling folk horror. Morfydd Clark gives a riveting breakout performance as the disturbed caregiver prone to violent purifying visions. Saint Maud blends wince-inducing body horror with a gritty psychological thriller. It heralded newcomer Rose Glass as a genre director to watch.

39 - Ammonite (2020)

• All Cast: Kate Winslet (Mary Anning), Saoirse Ronan (Charlotte Murchison), Gemma Jones (Elizabeth Philpot), James McArdle (Roderick Murchison), Alec Secăreanu (Dr. Lieberson), Fiona Shaw (Elizabeth Anning)
• Director: Francis Lee
• Network: Neon
• IMDb Rating: 6.5
• Country: UK, Australia, USA
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 2h
• Release Date: November 13, 2020

Acclaimed paleontologist Mary Anning develops an intense romance with a young wife visiting her coastal town in 1840s England. Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan deliver nuanced performances in this evocative period tale exploring forbidden desire and intellectual passion. Ammonite drew criticism for fictionalizing Anning's real life but praised the pair's chemistry.

40 - Nomadland (2021)

• All Cast: Frances McDormand (Fern), David Strathairn (Dave), Linda May (Linda), Charlene Swankie (Swankie), Bob Wells (Bob Wells), Douglas G. Soul (Doug Soul)
• Director: Chloé Zhao
• Network: Searchlight Pictures
• IMDb Rating: 7.4
• Country: USA
• Audience: R
• Run Time: 1h 48m
• Release Date: February 19, 2021

Frances McDormand delivers a beautifully restrained performance as a widow living rootlessly across the American West. After losing her town to the Great Recession, she embarks on a nomadic existence in her van. Chloé Zhao's intimate indie drama offers a sprawling portrait of freedom, grief and finding community on the fringes. Nomadland won Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars.

DPM Top Picks

1. Parasite (2019) - A brilliant social thriller full of twists, subtext and vivid characters. Bong Joon-ho's Oscar winner is a modern masterpiece that strikes a universal chord.
2. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) - Céline Sciamma's sumptuous romance set in 18th-century France is one of the most exquisitely crafted love stories in years. The chemistry between leads Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel ignites the screen.
3. I Am Not Your Negro (2017) - Raoul Peck's Oscar-nominated documentary brings James Baldwin's words on racism and the civil rights movement to the screen with great power and urgency. Samuel L. Jackson's narration makes it feel vital and relevant.

Final Verdict

Hulu boasts an impressively wide-ranging library of standout films spanning independent dramas, illuminating documentaries, acclaimed international cinema, thrilling genre fare and more. Looking across decades, moods and styles, our list highlights the highest-quality movies available to stream right now. 

From recent award winners like Nomadland and Parasite to modern classics like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Hedwig and the Angry Inch, there's something for every taste. While Hulu may not have the quantity of Netflix, it holds its own with this crop of greats. So next time you're browsing Hulu looking for a worthwhile movie, refer to our curated guide of must-watch titles.

FAQs

Q: What is the number one watched movie on Hulu?

According to Hulu, the number one most-watched movie on their platform is the 2018 heist film Ocean's 8 starring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway and Rihanna. It garnered high viewership numbers after being added to Hulu.

Q: Is Harry Potter on Hulu?

Unfortunately, the Harry Potter films are not currently available to stream on Hulu. The streaming rights for the wizarding franchise belong to rival platform Peacock. However, Hulu does have a selection of other great fantasy films like The Shape of Water, Pan's Labyrinth and Let the Right One In.

Q: Who watches Hulu the most?

Hulu's core demographic skews younger compared to other streaming platforms. Over 60% of Hulu's viewers are ages 18-49. Research shows their largest share of subscribers are adults 18-34, an age group highly coveted by advertisers. So Hulu attracts many millennials and younger Gen Xers.

Q: What are some good horror movies on Hulu?

Hulu has an exciting range of horror films from haunting ghost stories to chillers. Some top picks in the genre include The Lodge, Possessor, Let the Right One In, Fresh, The Descent, Saint Maud and Hellraiser. The streaming service is a great destination for horror fans.

Q: What are Hulu's highest rated movies?

Some of the highest viewer rated movies on Hulu include Parasite, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Nomadland, I Am Not Your Negro, Minding the Gap, Apollo 11, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Hoop Dreams. All over 7.5 on IMDb, these demonstrate the breadth of acclaimed cinema on Hulu.