Whether you are browsing through Hulu or searching for the hottest new releases to stream, the tail end of 2025 is chock-full of eclectic films sure to catch your attention. From spine-tingling horror and pulse-pounding sci-fi to poignant dramas and electrifying documentaries, there’s something for each type of viewer. Here’s a countdown of the 10 best movies now streaming, balancing fresh releases with standout indie gems.
10. Alien: Romulus (2024)
Fede Alvarez brings the Alien universe back to its terrifying roots with Alien: Covenant. A group of young scavengers boards a seemingly deserted spaceship and finds horrors far beyond their imaginations. Alvarez crafts tense, claustrophobic sequences reminiscent of the original films while infusing the story with modern visual flair. With a fresh cast navigating iconic franchise scares, this installment balances nostalgia and innovation, making it a must-watch for sci-fi horror fans.
9. Cuckoo (2024)
Hunter Schafer stars in this moody, atmospheric horror that takes place in a remote German resort. In Cuckoo, a teenager becomes the object of fascination for a mysterious older woman whose intentions are not at all clear. Neon provides a film that is driven far more by tension, creeping dread, and surreal terrors than cheap jump scares. It’s a slow-burn experience, pairing stylistic flair with psychological horror to leave audiences unsettled and yet thoroughly engrossed from the first to the last shot.
8. A Real Pain (2024)
Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin star in this darkly comedic and deeply moving road movie. Cousins travel across Poland to honor their Holocaust-survivor grandmother, experiencing both absurd mishaps and profound moments of reflection along the way. Culkin won a Golden Globe and received an Oscar nod for his performance; Eisenberg offers up his signature dry wit. The balance between humor and heartbreak is perfectly weighted, and you’ll likely be thinking about the film for a long time after it has ended.
7. SLY LIVES! (2025)
Helmed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, SLY LIVES! is a music documentary in full bloom, taking viewers through the life and times of Sly and the Family Stone. With never-before-seen archival footage, electric performances, and interviews with the band and their contemporaries, this film embodies funk, rebellion, and its place within the culture. If you loved Summer of Soul, this is your next must-watch music doc, a celebration of artistry, social commentary, and a transformative era in music history.
6. Longlegs (2024)
Nicolas Cage stars in one of his most unsettling roles to date in this occult horror by Oz Perkins. Longlegs follows an FBI agent, Maika Monroe, investigating a series of murders that involve Satanism and culminate in an incredibly chilling confrontation with forces beyond. The meticulous direction by Perkins builds up a tense and uncanny atmosphere, where every shadow and sound counts. Cage adds to the dread, making this film an engrossing, slow-burning horror that remains long after the screen goes off.
5. A Complete Unknown (2024)
Timothée Chalamet plays young Bob Dylan in the biographical drama A Complete Unknown, written and directed by James Mangold. A Complete Unknown follows the early career of folk legend Bob Dylan with nuance and authenticity. Monica Barbaro and Edward Norton round out an Oscar-nominated cast that delivers powerful performances to complement Chalamet’s magnetic lead. It’s a beautifully constructed portrait of ambition, artistry, and the price of fame in an era of cultural upheaval.
4. Anora (2024)
Sean Baker’s Anora is a fractured Cinderella story that whisks viewers from the working-class streets to the luxurious world of the Russian oligarchy. Mikey Madison shines in the leading role as Ani, a young bride marrying into a life of wealth, power, and her man, unwelcome complications. The film was awarded five Oscars, including Best Actress for Madison, because of its layered storytelling and visual style. Baker balances satire, drama, and empathy in his take on this modern fairytale, with sharp social commentary and memorable performances.
3. The Order (2024)
The Order is a taut, true-event-based crime thriller led by Jude Law, who plays an FBI agent investigating a violent white supremacist group led by Nicholas Hoult’s chilling antagonist. The Order balances effective action with plausible procedural intrigue, furthering the complex insights into extremism and law enforcement. The performances are riveting, and the story is suspenseful and intellectually stimulating in equal measure, which makes this film a must for both true-crime cinema and high-stakes drama buffs.
2. The Last Showgirl (2024)
In this independent drama, Pamela Anderson gives one of her career-best performances as an aging Las Vegas showgirl coming to terms with the decline of her revue. The Last Showgirl explores themes of reinvention, resilience, and aging with heart and sensitivity. The nuance in Anderson’s performance garnered critical acclaim as she proved her range as an actress, while the film’s intimacy in storytelling and emotional depth elevate it from the usual stage-to-screen dramas.
1. Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)
Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Killer of Killers is a wild, R-rated animated anthology that pits a Viking, a ninja, and a WWII pilot against the franchise’s iconic alien hunters. Visually striking animation, relentless action sequences, and bold storytelling are all combined in a fresh and bloody take on a beloved franchise. Fans of Predator will love the inventive battles, and newcomers will be drawn in by the sheer creativity and energy of the film.
From horror to biographical drama, music documentaries, and sci-fi thrillers, these Hulu releases promise to satiate every taste. Get your favorite snacks ready, cozy up, and start streaming; there’s a movie here for everyone.