Hulu has a lot of great movies - here are the 25 best films on the streaming service. In an age of options, less feels like more. While Netflix has an ever-expanding library, Hulu offers a more focused collection of great movies. Because volume isn’t the objective, Hulu succeeds in curating a batch of excellent films.
There are the Academy Awards classics like Terms of Endearment and Rocky, the arthouse darlings like Babel and The Hunt, and the pure entertainment gems like Raiders of the Lost Ark and Goon. Hulu keeps it simple and offers something for everybody. Here are the 25 best movies that you can watch on Hulu right now.
Related: The 25 Best Films on Netflix Right Now
Before we start, first a disclaimer. modern streaming libraries are like carousels, always moving and always changing. The films in this list are available on Hulu at the time of writing. We’ll be updating this top 25 list frequently, so keep an eye out for Hulu’s latest and greatest offerings. Also, the list isn't ranked from worst to best, so a lower number is not meant to denote higher quality. It's just a list of 25 great movies.
Last updated: December 3, 2018
25. Detroit
While it slipped through awards season without much hype, Detroit remains one of 2017’s best films. Rotten Tomatoes awarded it an 84% for its “gut-wrenching dramatization of a tragic chapter” in American history. Director Kathryn Bigelow tackles the 1967 incident in Motor City with aplomb, deftly guiding a sprawling cast (led by John Boyega and Will Poulter) through a maze of tension, bigotry, and survival. Detroit streams exclusively on Hulu.
24. Child's Play
In theory, a killer doll should be an easy villain to defeat. After all, it's tiny, and made of plastic. The wrinkle 1988's Child's Play adds into the mix is that Chucky has been possessed by the spirit of a dead serial killer via voodoo, and is thus supernaturally indestructible. Director Tom Holland's (no, not that one) film earned praise from both critics and audiences, and would go on to spawn a still ongoing franchise starring Chucky, voiced by Brad Dourif. A remake is coming soon, but the original remains a terror tale worth watching on Hulu.
23. Arrival
Director Denis Villeneuve solidified his reputation with Arrival, perhaps the most intimate science fiction movie in recent years. Critics awarded it a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score, and domestic fans boosted its box office to over $100 million, making it one of the most acclaimed films on Hulu. Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forest Whitaker help ground this mind-bending adventure. Should you have any questions about that ending, we've got you covered.
Read More: The New Golden Age of Cerebral Sci-Fi Movies
22. Election
The second feature to be directed by award magnet filmmaker Alexander Payne (and the only one on Hulu), Election is based on Tom Perotta's 1998 novel of the same name, and takes a darkly comic look at high school life through the lens of a hotly contested election for student body president. Reese Witherspoon stars as Tracy Flick - an ambitious overachiever who sets her sights on the office - while Matthew Broderick plays frustrated teacher Jim McAllister, who makes it his mission to try and crush the often manipulative girl's dreams.
21. Galaxy Quest
Director Dean Parisot's hilarious 1999 comedy Galaxy Quest manages to succeed on two levels. First and foremost, the film is a loving spoof of classic sci-fi TV, most specifically the original Star Trek series starring William Shatner and its loyal fandom. Beyond that though, Galaxy Quest is just downright hilarious, and doesn't require Hulu viewers to be Trekkies in order to bust a gut laughing at the antics of a washed up TV cast thrust into a real life galactic crisis. The all-star cast is led by Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, and Tony Shalhoub.
20. 28 Days Later
28 Days Later, director Danny Boyle's apocalyptic 2002 horror film (streaming on Hulu exclusively), was a huge hit with both critics and audiences, presenting a terrifying vision of London decimated by a "rage virus". Although often regarded as a zombie film, 28 Days Later technically isn't one, as those affected by the virus remain alive, just no longer in control of their violent actions. Still, it's easy to see why people might consider this a zombie story, as it behaves like one quite often. Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson, and Christopher Eccleston star.
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19. Silence
While it took director Martin Scorsese 25 years to make Silence, his commitment and passion are fully evident in every frame of the movie. As the title suggests, this is a quiet and interior film, a study of faith and persecution set in 17th Century Japan. Silence is a deeply transporting experience fueled by actors Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson, and Adam Driver. Though largely ignored by the Oscars, Silence garnered an 84% Rotten Tomatoes score, and is very much worth checking out on Hulu.
18. Blue Velvet
If one's only exposure to director David Lynch is through the TV series Twin Peaks, they owe it to themselves to check out what may be Lynch's best movie, now on Hulu. Also starring Kyle MacLachlan, Blue Velvet in many ways inspired Twin Peaks' colorful aesthetic, and its setting of a seemingly idyllic small town with horrors bubbling not far under the surface. The biggest of those horrors is violent madman Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper), a villain always seen taking hits off of a container of an unidentified gas. Like any Lynch film, it's surreal, but it's also more accessible than much of the director's work.
Page 2: More Great Movies On Hulu
17. Hellraiser
Any dedicated horror fan has surely had their soul torn apart multiple times by Hellraiser's Pinhead (Doug Bradley) by this point. Director Clive Barker (adapting his own novella) crafted one of the most enduring tales of terror to come out of the 1980s, spawning one of the longest-running horror franchises out there as well. Hellraiser may only have a 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but it's a certified classic of the genre, and needs to be watched by anyone who enjoys a good fright flick. Direct sequel Hellbound: Hellraiser II is also part of Hulu's roster.
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16. Frank
To some, Michael Fassbender is a young Magneto. To others, he’s a two-time Academy Award nominee. To a select few, he’s the gonzo pop musician and eponymous hero in Frank, the offbeat artist who became more famous for his oversized paper-mâché mask than his music. Directed by Lenny Abrahamson (Room), Frank earned a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score and remains a cult classic to adventurous Hulu viewers looking for a changeup in their visual diet.
15. Goon
If you’re a hockey fan and have ever laughed at National Lampoon movies, Goon deserves to be on your Hulu roster. Directed by Michael Dowse and penned by Jay Baruchel and Evan Goldberg, this slapstick comedy is packed with laughs, action, and memorable one-liners. Seann William Scott leads the fray with Eugene Levy, Kim Coates, Alison Pill and Live Schreiber in this Rotten Tomatoes 82%-fresh comedy.
14. The Hunt
Foreign films are in short supply on Hulu, but director Thomas Vinterberg’s The Hunt closes the gap. Mads Mikkelsen stars in the haunting drama that earned him the Best Actor Award at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival (and a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score for the movie). The Hunt is perhaps more relevant than ever, asking questions about the power of accusation and mass hysteria.
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13. The Exorcist
Often listed as the greatest horror film of all time, director William Friedkin's 1973 classic The Exorcist is especially frightening for those of deep religious faith, and is now streaming on Hulu. A young Linda Blair wows as possessed girl Regan MacNeil, backed up by the demonic voice work of Mercedes McCambridge. Ellen Burstyn also excels as Regan's worried mother Chris, while Jason Miller and Max von Sydow round out the main quartet as the priests performing the titular ritual, the emotionally troubled Father Damien Karras and the aging warrior Father Lankester Merrin, respectively.
12. Goldfinger
Of the more than 20 James Bond films made to date (lots of which are currently on Hulu), many fans would consider 1964's Goldfinger - directed by Guy Hamilton - to be the absolute best. Similarly, of all the actors to play 007 onscreen, many would still champion original actor Sean Connery as the best Bond, and by his third outing as the iconic character in Goldfinger, he was fully owning the role. Also, generally beloved by fans is titular villain Auric Goldfinger (Gert Frobe), an affably evil psychopath with delusions of grandeur, and his employee turned Bond love interest, Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman).
11. Little Miss Sunshine
2006 dramedy Little Miss Sunshine - directed by married couple Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris - tends to be kind of forgotten now, which is odd, as the film drew massive acclaim upon release. Sporting a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score and multiple Oscar nominations - including for Best Picture - this tale of a dysfunctional yet ultimately loving family traveling across country for Olive's (Abigail Breslin) beauty pageant remains totally worth watching on Hulu. The star-studded main cast also includes Steve Carell, Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Alan Arkin, and Paul Dano.
Read More: 15 Best Picture Nominees Everyone Forgets - But You Still Need To See
10. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
Most would likely argue that no director ever made better parody films than Mel Brooks, and while that might be true, the Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker team sure came close with 1988's The Naked Gun. Based on the short-lived TV series Police Squad!, the new to Hulu film made a comedy icon out of Leslie Nielsen, who stars as bumbling lieutenant Frank Drebin. The Naked Gun's jokes fly at a rapid pace, never letting viewers catch their breath, and while they don't all hit, enough do. Infamously, O.J. Simpsons also appears, prior to his murder charges.
9. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Just about every holiday has its own signature movies, with Halloween and Christmas tending to get the most. Rarely though does a film become a staple of both Halloween and Christmas, but that's exactly the case for director Henry Selick and producer Tim Burton's 1993 stop-motion animated classic The Nightmare Before Christmas. Overflowing with both spooky spirit and yuletide delight, Jack Skellington's journey through a portal into Christmas Town remains just as captivating today as it was upon initial release, and is worth rediscovering on Hulu.
Page 3: Even More Great Movies On Hulu
8. Ocean's Eleven
While director Steven Soderbergh might be better known for his award-worthy dramas, sometimes he stops being quite so serious, and creates the laid back chill of 2001's Ocean's Eleven. A critical (81% on RT) and commercial ($450 million worldwide) hit, Ocean's Eleven manages to be both a thrilling heist caper and an amusing bit of ensemble fun, perfect for Hulu subscribers. Said ensemble boasts some huge names, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, and Bernie Mac.
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7. The Graduate
Widely regarded as one of the greatest American films of all time, director Mike Nichols' 1967 dramedy The Graduate earned seven Oscar nominations, winning Best Director. Based on a novel, The Graduate stars Dustin Hoffman - in arguably his signature role - as 21-year-old recent college grad Benjamin Braddock, who finds himself in an odd position when he's seduced by an older woman - Anne Bancroft's legendary Mrs. Robinson - and then falls for her daughter Elaine (Katherine Ross). To call The Graduate anything less than iconic would be an insult, and it's a truly excellent addition to Hulu's library.
6. Raging Bull
Needing no serious introduction to any dedicated film buff, director Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull is arguably the greatest sports-based drama of all time, and is also in contention for best biopic ever. Robert De Niro stars as Jake LaMotta, a talented middleweight boxer, but a man in possession of often uncontrollable anger and many self-destructive tendencies. Shot in stark black and white, Jake's story is often tragic, but always compelling, and deserves to be seen by any Hulu subscriber.
5. Pleasantville
Lots of people love to live vicariously through their favorite TV characters, but in director Gary Ross' 1998 film Pleasantville, sibling duo David (Tobey Maguire) and Jennifer (Reese Witherspoon) actually get to venture inside the world of the former's favorite show. David thinks of Pleasantville's sleepy 1950s town as a kind of utopia, but Jennifer isn't quite so keen on such a sanitized and censored existence. A box office dud, Pleasantville earned positive reviews, and also stars Jeff Daniels, Joan Allen, William H. Macy, and Paul Walker. For those who haven't seen it, the film's Hulu arrival is the perfect opportunity.
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4. Reservoir Dogs
After all the acclaimed films made by director Quentin Tarantino, there are still many who would call his first film (and only one currently available on Hulu), 1992's Reservoir Dogs, their favorite. It's not hard to see why, as right from the beginning, all of Tarantino's directorial signatures were in effect, including his penchant for rapid fire dialogue, pop culture references, rampant profanity, and a nonlinear narrative. Reservoir Dogs tells the story of a five-man squad assembled for a diamond heist, and how all hell breaks loose once the plan goes sideways. Said thieves are played by Michael Madsen, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, and Tarantino himself.
3. Sorry to Bother You
One of the most uniquely creative movies of 2018, director Boots Riley's debut is a thought-provoking look at American race relations, framed through a dystopian comedic lens. Sorry to Bother You stars Lakeith Stanfield as Cassius "Cash" Green, who gets a job as a telemarketer, only to discover that putting on his "white voice" is what gets the money rolling in. Sorry to Bother You is a film not really suited to being summed up in a paragraph, but its 93% Rotten Tomatoes score kind of speaks for itself. Check it out on Hulu.
2. Heathers
A darker than dark comedy, Heathers was written by Daniel Waters and directed by Michael Lehmann, and sports a huge cult following, which is sure to only get bigger via Hulu. Winona Ryder stars as Veronica Sawyer, a high school student who runs afoul of former friends the Heathers, a trio of rich, popular girls that rule teen society with an iron fist. After being wronged by them, Veronica makes the mistake of teaming up with outcast bad boy J.D. (Christian Slater) in order to get revenge. Sadly, J.D.'s idea of revenge is straight up murdering his enemies.
1. Let the Right One In
Released in a decade where vampire cinema was dominated by the sparkly Twilight, director Tomas Alfredson's Swedish hit Let the Right One In was exactly what the classic creature needed to remind audiences that despite their affliction, vampire movies don't have to suck. Lina Leandersson stars as Eli, an ageless vampire with the appearance of a child, and Kare Hedebrant plays Oskar, the bullied young boy she enters into an unexpectedly sweet relationship with. The film was later adapted stateside by Matt Reeves, with Chloe Grace Moretz in the Eli role. That version is sadly not available via Hulu.
Next: 10 Best Shows You Didn’t Know Were On Hulu
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