Once upon a time, Hulu was where you went to catch last night’s TV episodes. Not anymore. The platform has quietly evolved into one of the strongest streaming services around, loaded with films and series that rival what you’ll find on Netflix, Prime Video, or even Disney+. Whether you’re chasing edge-of-your-seat action, indie darlings, or something with a nostalgic kick, Hulu’s lineup is stacked. So, what should you press play on tonight? Let’s count down the 10 best Hulu movies and shows you can stream right now-in reverse order, just to keep things interesting.
10. Thelma
Who says action heroes need to be young and ripped? Ninety-four-year-old June Squibb steals the show in Thelma, a revenge comedy of huge heart. After being swindled, she jumps on her scooter and takes matters into her own hands. Think John Wick-if John Wick had arthritis and a wicked sense of humor. Richard Roundtree’s final performance gives the film an extra layer of soul and nostalgia.
9. Alien: Romulus
The Alien saga just refuses to quit-and for that, quite frankly, we’re grateful. Alien: Romulus breathes new life, and new screams, into the franchise as a group of scavengers find their way onto a “deserted” spaceship. Spoiler alert: it’s anything but. It’s pure sci-fi horror fun while paying homage to the spirit of Ridley Scott’s original nightmare.
8. A Real Pain
Sometimes the best stories are the bittersweet ones. A Real Pain brings Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin together as cousins who go on a journey of retracing their family roots in Poland in honor of their late grandmother, a Holocaust survivor. It’s funny, tender, and quietly devastating all at once, a perfect blend of humor and heartbreak that lingers long after the credits roll.
7. Anora
Sean Baker’s Anora is a modern fairy tale that crashes headfirst into reality. The film follows Ani, a Brooklyn stripper who finds herself suddenly married into Russian oligarch wealth. But the glitter fades fast. This award-winning drama earned Madison a Best Actress Oscar and cemented Baker as one of today’s most daring filmmakers. It’s messy, moving, and mesmerizing.
6. John Wick Franchise
Four movies. One legend. Keanu Reeves’ John Wick series set a new bar for modern action cinema in the process. With its breathtaking choreography, slick world-building, and emotional core-to say nothing of, ahem, that the franchise has left its mark on nearly every action movie to follow. All four installments are now streaming on Hulu-so if you’ve somehow missed them, well, now’s the time.
5. SLY LIVES! (The Burden of Black Genius)
Questlove’s follow-up to Summer of Soul dives deep into the life and legacy of Sly Stone. SLY LIVES! It isn’t just a music doc; it’s a meditation on creativity, genius, and the weight of cultural expectation. It feels especially poignant after Sly Stone’s recent passing. The film pulses with rhythm, reflection, and righteous funk.
4. The Monkey
Stephen King adaptations are everywhere, but The Monkey stands out for its pitch-perfect mix of scares and dark humor. The story of two brothers and a cursed toy monkey is as twisted as it sounds, with Theo James leading a cast that fully commits to the madness. It’s creepy, campy, and wildly entertaining-exactly the kind of horror fun Hulu does best.
3. Goosebumps: The Vanishing
David Schwimmer does a surprise turn in this horror-comedy take on the beloved R.L. Stine Goosebumps franchise. The Vanishing blends scares, laughs, and heart in a way that works both for teens and adults. Schwimmer said he was excited to try his hand at something “action-comedy-horror-drama”-and it totally pays off.
2. The Bear
If you haven’t devoured The Bear yet, stop reading and queue it up. This fast-paced kitchen drama captures the chaos of restaurant life like nothing else. Jeremy Allen White leads a powerhouse ensemble that brings intensity, humor, and raw emotion to every scene. It’s stressful, brilliant, and weirdly addictive-the kind of show that makes your heart race and your stomach growl.
1. Palm Springs
Time loops have never felt this fresh. Palm Springs takes the classic rom-com formula, throws in a dose of sci-fi, and lets Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti run wild. Sharp, funny, and heart-warmingly contemplative on love, boredom, and the absurdity of existence, few comedies can manage to be this clever, this comforting, all at once.
Hulu’s current lineup proves it’s no longer just the home of next-day TV: It’s a full-fledged streaming heavyweight offering everything from genre-bending indies to big-budget favorites. Whether you’re looking for a good laugh, a good cry, or a good scream, something is waiting for you on Hulu right now.