The 30 Best Movies on Hulu Right Now
Hulu doesn’t always get the recognition of competitors like Netflix and Max, but the streaming service has a consistently reliable and constantly updated selection of theatrical releases, as well as impressive original releases. Here are some of the best, most talked about, and/or most engaging films currently available on the service, across a wide range of genres.
Sovereign (2025)
The film is based on the true story of a father and son, “sovereign citizens,” who shot and killed police officers in 2010. Nick Offerman gives a brilliant and chilling performance as Jerry Cain, a little-known figure on the right whose charisma can be compared to his fury. He has decided that the government, like all its legislation, is illegitimate, and he has taken his shy and quiet son, Jerry (Jacob Tremblay), along with him. Dennis Quaid plays the local police chief they must confront, but “Torment” is entirely Offerman’s, and he instills terrifying terror. Watch “Sovereign . “
The Color Purple (2023)
This musical adaptation of Steven Spielberg’s beloved 1985 film didn’t make a splash at the box office, but it’s still beautiful, uplifting, and colorful in its own way, a credit to the brilliant African-American talent behind the scenes, including director Blitz Bazawule. Fantasia Barrino plays Celia, raped and abused by her father before being sent off to marry Mister (Colman Domingo), who isn’t much better. Separated from her children and daughters, she finds solace in her husband’s lover, Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson), whose joyful brazenness and passion for Celia inspire everyone. Watch “The Color Purple.”
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
A simple, old-fashioned love story about a young couple’s romance, a gender-fluid scientist, and a clumsy lab experiment. A cult classic, “Rocky Horror Picture Show” is equally at home on TV as it is at those midnight screenings you’ve already attended, so don’t be afraid to indulge in pure pleasure. Get cozy on the couch. Watch “The Rocky Horror Picture Show . “
Dandelion (2024)
The plot is straightforward: singer-songwriter Dandelion (KiKi Layne) is struggling when she meets Casey (Thomas Doherty), a Scottish musician who’s nearly given up. As Dandelion warms to Casey and his sleazy crew, she begins to rediscover her love for her art. The film stands out for its vulnerable performances, but especially for Nicole Riegel’s direction, which skillfully builds believable, fully developed relationships, largely through scenes where music takes precedence over dialogue. A dreamy musical romance. Watch Dandelion .
The Last Dancer (2024)
The Last Dancer , a sort of companion piece to The Entity , both feature Hollywood stars and explore women who pay the price for daring to grow old. The melodic, more earthy tone of The Last Dancer brilliantly showcases the potential of Pamela Anderson, the lead actress. She plays Shelley Gardner, a Las Vegas dancer with a thirty-year career who finds herself in a predicament after the revue she’s starring in closes. It’s certainly one of the best performances of 2024. Watch The Last Dancer .
The Last Duel (2021)
Ridley Scott’s epic drama, a box office flop that deserved so much more, is adapted from Eric Jaeger’s documentary about the trial in medieval France between Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) after the rape of Jean’s wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer). Scott masterfully approaches the story with the trope of European “Rashomon,” presenting it from each of their different perspectives before we see the full picture from Marguerite’s. History and the participants in the duel may not have paid attention to this, but Scott and the film do. Watch “The Last Duel.”
55 (2025)
Speaking of Ridley Scott, he joined the production team on this crime drama from Indian director Shyam Madiraju to ensure the widest possible release. The film’s title refers to the story of a teenage pickpocket, Pachpan, who falls victim to the care of a local Mumbai gang leader named Fagin, who refers to the children who do his bidding only by a number—in Pachpan’s case, that number is 55. Pachpan steals a wallet full of money and returns to its owner’s home, only to discover that his actions have consequences beyond simple theft. Listen to 55.
Summer of ’69 (2025)
A surprisingly sweet coming-of-age comedy, considering it’s about a young woman who wants to learn how to do the 69 (a sex position you may have heard of). Sam Morelos plays Abby Flores, a popular live-streamer who’s shy in public and hides her online identity. In her senior year of high school, she’s ready to come out of her shell and hopes to explore a relationship with Max, the guy she’s had a crush on for years. With no sexual experience (and little social experience), she visits a local strip club and befriends dancer Santa Monica (Chloe Fineman), whom she pays to be her sex and confidence coach. Despite her outward demeanor, Santa Monica doesn’t feel quite as successful herself; it turns out the mismatched friends have a lot in common and can teach each other a lot. This is a solid directorial debut from SNL writer Jillian Bell. Watch Summer of 69 .
Anora (2024)
Writer-director Sean Baker ( Tangerine , Red Rocket ) boasts an impressive list of film credits, but it was the comedy/drama Anora that firmly established him in the mainstream, earning him an Oscar for Best Director and the film itself the Best Picture award. Mikey Madison (who also won Best Actress) plays the title character, Anora, an exotic dancer whose life changes after she falls in love with the son of a Russian oligarch. Everything is going well until her parents show up and annul their impromptu wedding. Watch Anora .
The Family Stone (2005)
Holiday gatherings always offer great potential for comedy and drama, and The Family Stone delivers a bit of both—this one taking on a slightly poignant edge following Diane Keaton’s death earlier this year. The premise is that Dermot Mulroney brings home his new girlfriend, played by the fearless and edgy Sarah Jessica Parker, for Christmas. It doesn’t go well, as the guest constantly feels out of place and uncomfortable among the insular, close-knit, and reserved clan. But in the background, strong-willed matriarch Sybil Stone (Keaton) also seeks an opportunity amid the holiday chaos to deliver a fatal medical diagnosis. The subtle final shot hits like a sledgehammer every time. Watch The Family Stone .
Osiris (2025)
Director William Kaufman ( Sinners and Saints , End of Days ) is a master of this kind of cheap war movie (the posters always feature muscle-bound guys with guns pointed at your face), and it’s not a bad thing if you’re in a good mood. This film adds a sci-fi twist to the formula: a special forces unit operating in Uzbekistan is captured by a group of Predator-like aliens who have come to Earth to sample the local cuisine (that is, ours). Luckily, they meet Anya (Linda Hamilton), a woman who has managed to survive among the aliens for about 20 years and who has a plan that, you won’t be surprised, involves a ton of explosives. Watch Osiris .
The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat (2024)
One of the best heartwarming films in the style of Soul Food and Steel Magnolia , “The Supremes” stars Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Sanaa Lathan, and Uzo Aduba as three middle-aged friends who have been through everything together. Following the trio’s lives practically from birth, we see them face countless challenges (an unplanned pregnancy, cancer, alcoholism, and more) with heart and a healthy dose of humor. Watch “The Supremes” at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat .
Thelma (2024)
In this delightful independent comedy, the brilliant 90-year-old June Squibb ( Nebraska ) plays Thelma Post, a woman living alone in Los Angeles. She has a good relationship with her grandson, but he’s overprotective. However, when a phone scammer tricks her out of $10,000 by claiming Danny has been arrested, she refuses to take it. The police do nothing, so she grabs an old friend, Ben (the late Richard Roundtree), and a gun, and together they set off on a scooter to track down the scammer and exact a little revenge. The film is funny without being too silly, and Squibb and Roundtree make a terrific cinematic pairing. Watch Thelma .
Longlegs (2024)
Oz Perkins, who recently directed the film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel “Ape,” is the driving force behind this terrifying thriller starring Maika Monroe as a young FBI agent hunting a dangerous serial killer known as Longshanks (Nicolas Cage). The killer’s trail has gone cold, but Agent Harker’s apparent insight puts them on the right track, despite the lack of any evidence that the suspect was even present at the murders for which he is apparently responsible. Stylish and tense, with a predictably unhinged performance from Cage, this is a killer of a lifetime. Watch “Longshanks . “
Monkey (2025)
Speaking of Monkey , here’s another Oz Perkins film that’s as crazy as Long Legs but much funnier—well, if a series of increasingly gory deaths is your idea of fun. Theo James plays twin brothers haunted by a series of tragedies that befell them as children: a wind-up toy monkey belonging to their father proved both protective and malevolent, and its key wind caused it to initiate complex, deadly Final Destination -style scenarios. They threw the monkey down a well when they were kids, but this monkey had absolutely no intention of staying there. The film is incredibly gory, but almost cartoonish, and hints of heart shine through Monkey’s sick sense of humor. Watch Monkey .
Sisu (2022)
A grizzled, haggard, lonely prospector wanders through northern Finland in the final days of World War II, hoping to trade his small stash of gold in the city. German soldiers fleeing the country think he’s an easy mark, but it quickly becomes clear they’ve messed with the wrong guy. Think John Wick , only with fewer killers and more Nazis getting blown up, and it’s actually pretty awesome. The film is a lot of fun, and a sequel is coming soon. Watch it on Sisu .
Totally Unknown (2024)
Another multiple Oscar nominee (though it didn’t win a single award), “Total Unknown” is directed by James Mangold, whose credits include such beloved films as “Ford v Ferrari ,” “The Wolverine, ” and “Indiana Jones,” as well as another Oscar-winning music biopic, ” Walk the Line.” In the film, Timothée Chalamet plays Bob Dylan and Ed Norton plays Pete Seeger. The story is set in 1965, when Dylan made a splash at the Newport Folk Festival and left fans wondering if the voice of his generation had sold out. Watch “Total Unknown . “
Fire Island (2022)
Fire Island is a modern queer take on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice that also critiques the overabundance of fat/feminine/Asian stereotypes in the gay community. Beyond its social commentary, it’s also a funny and witty romantic comedy with a terrific cast, including Joel Kim Booster (as Lizzie Bennett—he also wrote the screenplay), Bowen Yang, Conrad Ricamora, and Margaret Cho as friends who travel to an island every summer, only to find this summer more dramatic (and romantic) than usual. Watch Fire Island .
Triangle of Sadness (2022)
One of the darkest (and funniest) satires of recent memory, Ruben Östlund’s wild film feels like at least three films in one: the plots shift sharply at unexpected moments, criticizing greed and critiquing capitalism. A memorable central scene aboard a luxury cruise ship, divided between the haves (passengers) and have-nots (crew), climaxes in veritable explosions of vomit and shit. And that’s before the satisfying role reversal, inspired by Lord of the Flies, occurs. Brilliant and hilarious, if you’re brave enough. Watch Triangle of Sadness .
Presence (2024)
Steven Soderbergh’s found-footage-style psychological horror film lacks any serious jump scares for much of its runtime, which is helpful to know upfront. Instead, as the title suggests, it’s essentially a drama about an unhappy family: the Payne family moves into a new house that’s already occupied, and everything we see is seen from the curious perspective of a spirit. Though its motives are unclear, the ghost takes a particular interest in her daughter, Chloe (Kallina Liang), who has experienced the deaths of several friends and is possibly susceptible to malevolent influences, both mundane and otherwise. It’s quite surprisingly chilling. Watch “Presence.”
Such Little Things (2024)
Adapted from Claire Keegan’s novella, “Little Things Like These” explores the true history and legacy of Ireland’s Magdalene laundries—a system of workhouses run largely by the Catholic Church and funded by the state. These houses housed “fallen women” (broadly defined) to provide the community with cheap labor. Children born to these women were typically given up for adoption, which brought profit to the institution. Cillian Murphy plays Bill Furlong, a quiet and unassuming coal merchant who witnesses things he shouldn’t and unwittingly clashes with Sister Mary (Emily Watson). She runs the local convent and the school attended by Bill’s five daughters, and her veiled threats are fraught with menace. Chilling. Watch “Little Things Like These.”
Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)
A surprise release from director Dan Trachtenberg, who rescued the Predator franchise with Extraction , the lushly animated Killer tells three separate stories spanning three different time periods, with a finale that ties them all together: moments when we learn Predators visited Earth. In the first, a Viking warrior and her son lead an army against a hostile clan; in the second, a hunter stands between the feuding sons of a samurai warlord in 1609 Japan; and in the third, an aerial battle with an unexpected adversary during World War II. It’s a fitting and impressively succinct and brutal addition to the Predator mythos. Watch Killer .
Sally (2025)
It may seem counterintuitive to admit in the year 2025 AD that Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, an astronaut and physicist, was also a lesbian in a 27-year relationship. But here’s what happened. Ride felt her work and career would suffer if she came out, and she did so less than a year before her death in 2012. Tam O’Shaughnessy, Ride’s partner, is creating this documentary exploring the pioneer’s work and the personal and professional sacrifices she made to keep so much of her private life hidden. Watch “Sally.”
Late Night with the Devil (2023)
A near-flawless recreation of the ’70s talk show atmosphere gives Late Night much of its substance in the beginning, before shifting to a ghostly, anyone-can-do horror in the second half. David Dastmalchian stars as Midnight Owls host Jack Delroy , who spends his downtime at The Grove, an exclusive California hangout for the powerful, rife with dark secrets. During a special Halloween broadcast in 1977, some of Jack’s secrets are revealed. Using found footage tricks—but not limited to them—this is a unique and witty supernatural thriller. Watch Late Night with the Devil .
Perfect Days (2023)
Directed by Wim Wenders, Perfect Days represents a welcome return to form for the director—it’s certainly a high point in his long filmmaking career, even with a mercifully sparse plot to speak of. Koji Yakusho plays Hirayama, a man in his 60s who follows a repetitive daily routine: he wakes up in his modest apartment, grabs coffee from a vending machine, and heads out in his van to clean Tokyo’s public toilets. Perhaps it’s a play on Japanese sensibilities, but it’s hard not to suspect an American version of this film would be a melancholy tragedy; however, Hirayama’s story is joyful. It’s a film about appreciating the quiet beauty of everyday life and the peace found on a favorite route. This marks the first time Japan has ever submitted a film by a non-Japanese director for Oscar consideration. Watch Perfect Days .
The Decision to Leave (2022)
Like most of writer/director Park Chan-wook’s films (including Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance , Oldboy , and The Handmaiden ), this one is difficult to categorize. It alternately feels like a romance, a thriller, and a mystery—or all three at once. Insomniac detective Jang Hae-joon (Park Hae-il) follows every lead until he begins to fall in love with (and then become obsessed, Vertigo- style) a recently widowed woman (Tang Wei) who doesn’t seem all that upset by her husband’s seemingly accidental death. Mysterious and beautifully shot, the film won Park the Best Director Award at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival . Watch The Decision to Leave .
Alien: Romulus (2024)
A stunning return to the land of the xenomorphs from Federico Alvarez ( Don’t Breathe ), Alien: Romulus proves there’s still life in this long-running franchise. An orphaned colonist on a mercilessly bleak planet, along with her friends, are effectively indentured servants of the omnipresent Weyland-Yutani corporation, but an abandoned space station with cryostasis equipment could allow them to survive the journey away from the hellish abyss where they live and work. You might have already guessed that the space station isn’t completely abandoned. Alvarez and company bring true horror back to the franchise, as well as a timeless reminder that large corporations are far more evil than hungry aliens. Watch Alien: Romulus .
The Contender (2023)
In 1998, Tomoaki Hamatsu was cast in the new Japanese reality show Susunu! Denpa Shōnen . He was forced to remain alone in his apartment, without food or clothing, surviving solely on magazine winnings. At various times, he survived on uncooked rice (without a cooking pot), dog food, and soda. His only companion was the stuffed animal he had won. The show ran for a year and became one of the most popular shows on the air, unbeknownst to Hamatsu. This documentary explores our fixation on reality from both sides, and also examines the long and difficult transition back to normal life for a man who didn’t even know he was a star. Broadcast on The Contestant .
Oddity (2024)
This wonderfully atmospheric—and at times genuinely terrifying—Irish horror film begins with a tense murder in a country house, which raises a number of questions for the victim’s twin sister: for example, is a mental hospital patient really guilty of the murder? There are several interesting plot twists, and the film truly keeps you on the edge of your seat, which is unusual even for great thrillers. Watch Oddity .
The Sound of Music (1965)
A charmingly awkward trainee nun takes a job in the home of an Austrian aristocrat, a premise that could probably be the setting for many a classic. But what begins as a lighthearted choral sing-along takes a dark turn as the shadow of Nazi Germany looms over our endangered family. This real threat transforms Julie Andrews’ escape into something equally meaningful, timely, and captivating. One of cinema’s finest musicals, from legendary director Robert Wise. Watch The Sound of Music .