Let’s be real, Hulu was where you once went to catch up on last night’s sitcoms or binge-watch your favorite comfort TV. But at some point, the streamer ascended. Now, Hulu’s library of movies is totally packed, with some of the most daring, offbeat, and most-discussed films out there. If you haven’t boned up on their movie collection recently, think of this as your wake-up call. From pulse-pounding terror to tear-jerking dramas, here are the 10 best films on Hulu today, listed in reverse order for a touch of extra suspense.
10. Presence
Steven Soderbergh has yet to encounter a genre that he can’t remix, and Presence is the proof. This isn’t your typical haunted-house tale; it’s presented from the ghost’s perspective. Lucy Liu and Chris Sullivan play a family that moves into a new home, only to realize that they have some supernatural housemates. It’s creepy, creative, and quintessentially Soderbergh: stylishly strange with a haunting emotional center. If you prefer your frights intelligent, this one’s for you.
9. Barbarian
You must think you’ve seen all of the Airbnb horror configurations, but Barbarian is here to ruin that for you. Georgina Campbell is a woman who shows up at her rental to discover there’s already another guest (Bill Skarsgård) present, but it’s only the start. Zach Cregger’s movie takes some turns you won’t see coming in a million years, with jaw-dropping twists and manic mayhem. You’ll be skeptical of every rental ad you see by the time you’re finished.
8. The First Omen
Religious horror is experiencing a serious resurgence, and The First Omen is among the best of the lot. Nell Tiger Free plays a young woman in Rome who discovers a dark conspiracy to deliver the Antichrist. Director Arkasha Stevenson goes all in on practical effects and creeping horror, making what could’ve been a disposable prequel into something actually disturbing. It’s chic, tense, and much spookier than anticipated.
7. Thelma
Who says action heroes need to be young or even quick? At 94, June Squibb zooms in on revenge mode on her scooter in Thelma, a laugh-out-loud and laugh-to-cry revenge comedy. When a thief swindles her savings, she takes matters into her own hands. Part action movie, part family drama, and all heart, the late Richard Roundtree joins her for his last outing, and the duo creates magic on screen.
6. Longlegs
If you enjoy your horror extremely strange and improbably stylish, Longlegs will tickle that spot. Maika Monroe maintains her status as the queen of contemporary horror, starring as an FBI agent investigating a ritualistic killer. And Nicolas Cage, well, he’s in full-on, totally off-the-rails Nicolas Cage groove. Director Oz Perkins combines psychological horror, occult symbolism, and detective-thriller energy into something that feels completely singular. It’s stunning, unsettling, and unforgettable.
5. The Monkey
Stephen King adaptations are ubiquitous, but The Monkey deserves its spot with a combination of frights and wry humor. Twin brothers, played by Theo James, are tormented by a malevolent toy monkey with a life of its own. Oz Perkins (yes, him again) helms with wicked glee, making this one of Hulu’s best horror thrills. It’s gruesome, hilarious, and precisely the right kind of depraved.
4. Anora
Sean Baker’s Anora appears to be a rags-to-riches tale, but it’s considerably more. Mikey Madison is a revelation as Ani, the worker who spontaneously marries the offspring of a Russian oligarch and discovers that fairy tales get crushed quickly. Baker’s unshakable empathy and humor transform what might have been cynical into something profoundly human. It’s crazy, sincere, and one of the year’s most moving dramas.
3. A Real Pain
Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg embark on a profoundly humorous, unexpectedly sentimental journey through Poland in A Real Pain. Eisenberg wrote, directed, and co-stars in the film, which tells the story of cousins reconnecting while remembering their grandmother. Culkin won an Oscar for his work, and the movie holds together the mix of grief, silliness, and love with great elegance. You’ll laugh, you’ll weep, and you may text your family members afterwards.
2. John Wick (Series)
Action films don’t get smoother or more rewarding than John Wick. All four of Keanu Reeves’ assassin classics are streaming now, the ideal excuse for a totally immersive marathon. The choreography is ballet-like, the mythology unexpectedly rich, and Reeves has never looked so sharp. Whether you’re watching for the gunfights, the suits, or just the sheer cinematic craftsmanship, John Wick is the gold standard of contemporary action.
1. Anatomy of a Fall
At the head of this list is Anatomy of a Fall, which is a masterclass in tension and ambiguity. Sandra Hüller plays a writer charged with murdering her husband, and director Justine Triet keeps the audience in suspense until the very end. Every word, every look, is charged with possibility. It’s the movie that’s far more intelligent and affecting than another courtroom drama, and it’s a slow-burning mystery that haunts long after the credits roll.
If you prefer your chills in animated doses, Hulu’s anime selection is full of chill-inducing classics. Death Note is still the unrivaled psychological thriller, and Tokyo Ghoul and Parasyte: The Maxim are all nightmare fuel. Go for something gothic and romantic instead? Vampire Knight and Blood-C are your best bets. And for vampire mayhem that’s utterly over-the-top, Hellsing Ultimate is the way to go.
Hulu isn’t just for TV junkies anymore. Whether you’re after prestige dramas, wild horror flicks, or action that leaves your jaw on the floor, Hulu’s movie section is overflowing with gems. Grab the popcorn, it’s movie night.