Let’s be real: Hulu used to be the go-to spot for catching up on last night’s TV. But over the past couple of years, something shifted: Hulu quietly built one of the strongest movie libraries around. If you haven’t peeked at what’s streaming lately, you’re missing a lineup that’s quirky, emotional, terrifying, award-winning, or all of the above. So here it is: the 10 best movies on Hulu right now, counted down from number 10 because why spoil the fun?
10. Rye Lane
If formulaic rom-coms put you to sleep, Rye Lane is the delightfully quirky palate cleanser you need. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Peckham and Brixton, it follows Dom and Yas, two newly heartbroken young adults, through a chaotic, wonderfully charming day together. Their chemistry is delicious, and London itself practically steals scenes of its own. Critics have dubbed it “the best romantic comedy in years,” and honestly? Fair.
9. Thelma
Imagine a revenge thriller-but the hero is a 94-year-old grandmother. June Squibb absolutely shines as Thelma, who gets scammed and decides she’s not going down without a fight. This movie is equal measures of funny, sweet, and surprisingly action-packed, inspired by the director’s real grandmother. You’ll want to hug your nana afterwards.
8. Alien: Romulus
If you’ve been pining for classic, claustrophobic space terror, this Alien franchise entry delivers. Slotted between Alien and Aliens, Romulus brings back everything that made the originals so nightmare-inducing: dark corridors, terrifying creatures, and the constant urge to yell “don’t go in there!” Returning series stalwarts, Fede Álvarez injects a breath of fresh air into the series without losing what fans love.
7. Longlegs
Nicolas Cage goes full nightmare-mode in this unnerving indie horror hit. Maika Monroe stars as an FBI agent tracking occult-inspired murders, and the movie pulls liberally from the unsettling energy of The Silence of the Lambs-but with a Satanic, surreal twist. It’s creepy, stylish, and just the type of horror movie that sticks with you.
6. A Complete Unknown
Timothée Chalamet plays a young Bob Dylan as the film chronicles the iconic singer’s early days in New York and the seismic shift he caused in American music. It’s riveting stuff with a great cast in support and an approach that studiously avoids biopic clichés, whether you’re a Dylan expert or barely know the name.
5. The Order
This tense crime thriller follows an FBI agent, played by Jude Law, as he hunts down a violent white supremacist group in the Pacific Northwest, led by a chillingly intense Nicholas Hoult. Based on true events, the film digs deep into extremism, power, and corruption. It’s heavy, gripping, and impossible to look away from.
4. SLY LIVES! (also known as The Burden of Black Genius)
The latest documentary by Questlove dives deep into the legacy and cultural impact of Sly & The Family Stone. Filled with music, history, and emotional depth, it looks at both the groundbreaking sound of the band and the pressures that come with breaking barriers. Fans of music documentaries will be in heaven.
3. A Real Pain
Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg give overwhelmingly emotional performances as cousins traveling through Poland in honor of their grandmother, a Holocaust survivor. It’s humorous, tender, and sharp, treading the thin line between humor and grief with surprising ease. Culkin’s Oscar-winning performance alone is worth the watch.
2. Anora
Sean Baker’s Oscar-sweeping drama follows Ani, a worker who marries the son of a Russian billionaire on a whim. What at first appears to be a Cinderella fantasy soon descends into chaos. Raw, vibrant, heartbreaking, it’s easily one of the most talked-about films of the year.
1. The Monkey
Leave it to Stephen King to turn an innocent toy into fuel for your nightmares. The Monkey follows twin brothers haunted by a murderous cymbal-clapping monkey, and director Oz Perkins balances dark humor with genuinely grisly scares. It’s clever, creepy, and full of unforgettable moments.
There you have it, folks-Hulu’s strongest offerings right now, ready to thrill you, move you, or give you a good dose of fear-induced cardio. With content this good, cable is practically unnecessary.