In recent years, streaming services have been producing a plethora of engaging and award-winning programming, adding more scripted series to the many already airing across network and premium cable channels. Hulu has not been an exception and is one of the best streaming services to subscribe to. The streaming service has delivered some excellent content, from The Bear to Shōgun, and you can get all of it with a Hulu subscription. To help narrow it down for your next binge-watch, we've compiled several of the best Hulu original series that you can watch right now.
The Handmaid’s Tale
Probably one of the most popular Hulu original shows, The Handmaid’s Tale has continued to prove just how amazing of a series it is through its brilliant storytelling and fantastic acting. In this original series adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel, the United States has become a dystopian society where women are seen as property of the state and used in order to reproduce. However, it’s not long before they begin to rise up, and take back their freedom. Having been the recipient of many Emmy awards, with five seasons and a sixth (and final one) on the way, this is a show you certainly want to check out.
Stream The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu.
Pam & Tommy
Let’s move on to a great biographical miniseries. Pam & Tommy, starring Lily James and Sebastian Stan in the titular roles, covers the relationship that Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee had back in the ‘90s, and the sex tape they made on their honeymoon that was released to the public without their consent, including all of the backlash that came with it. The series was nominated for several Primetime Emmy awards, and the Pam & Tommy cast was all amazingly talented.
The Act
If you want another intriguing biographical miniseries, then The Act is for you. In this miniseries based on a true story, we follow Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her mother, who, for years, pretended that her daughter had serious illnesses. The story ultimately ended in tragedy. Starring Joey King from The Kissing Booth cast as well as Patricia Arquette, this miniseries is suspenseful and brilliantly acted. With eight episodes, it’s the perfect series to watch in an afternoon, and with Gypsy Rose out of prison now, it’s the best time to learn about her story.
Shōgun
While also an FX show, Shōgun also falls into the category of an FX on Hulu show (meaning it streams exclusively on the platform). The series is based on the James Clavell novel of the same name and takes place during the Sengoku period of Japan, in 1600. It follows the story of three individuals and how their lives cross – a sailor who is shipwrecked in Japan, a woman with dishonorable family ties but strong skills, and a daimyo who will change the tides of Japan’s leadership forever. The series received critical acclaim, and has been confirmed for a Season 2.
The Great
At the beginning of every episode, The Great informs viewers that it’s “an occasionally true story,” and it is. Of course, this Hulu original is the brainchild of The Favourite scribe Tony McNamara, who seems to relish in the lavish frivolity of royalty. The Great, which stars Nicholas Hoult and Elle Fanning as part of the fantastic The Great cast, is loosely based on the life of Catherine the Great who, after marrying Peter III of Russia, plots to kill him.
There are a lot of great wigs, wildly over-the-top characters, and scathing commentary. The series is nothing short of comedic brilliance, boosted by strong performances, and is worth every minute of your time. There are three seasons to binge, so get down to watching. Huzzah!
Nine Perfect Strangers
Starring Nicole Kidman, Nine Perfect Strangers is the show you have to watch if you’re craving a drama. The series follows a group of individuals who travel to a healing retreat, only to find out that this place is anything but peaceful – with plenty of strange problems hidden right under their noses.
Nine Perfect Strangers is one of those shows where you will be on the edge of your seat the entire time. You’ll be waiting to solve the mystery only for another one to appear not that long after. If you like The White Lotus, this show is perfect for you, because it puts a bunch of strangers into one space, and you get to watch them try and figure out what is going on all from the comfort of your couch. There’s also a Season 2 confirmed for the show, so you might as well check out the first season.
Stream Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu.
Black Cake
Black Cake, based on the book of the same name by Charmaine Wilkerson, is a miniseries from Hulu that I know you’ll love. Taking place over eight episodes, Black Cake is what many people experience after their loved ones' past – going through old memories and finding out what your family was really like. However, these two siblings discover dark secrets regarding their mother’s past when they find tapes that she left to them.
Ramy
Hulu’s Ramy garnered a 2020 Golden Globe win for series star and co-creator Ramy Youssef. The series is a character study that turns Ramy into his own worst enemy. As he seeks to find love, religious guidance, and purpose, Ramy's good intentions often blow up in his face.
Ramy's first two seasons also explore the duality of his Egyptian-American identity and takes the time to flesh out the supporting characters as well. The series is poignant, funny, and emotionally raw. Ramy Season 2 takes things a step further and really examines the titular character more deeply through the eyes of other people, including second season addition, Mahershala Ali.
Only Murders In The Building
Ever wonder what would happen if Martin Short, Selena Gomez and Steve Martin were all in the same apartment building together and a murder happened? That’s what Only Murders in the Building answers – well, they play characters who live in an apartment building anyway. This fun Hulu series tells the story of three podcasters who use their true crime knowledge to solve a murder within their home, despite not really being investigators at all.
The Only Murders in the Building cast is star-studded, hilarious, and will almost make you want to become a true crime enthusiast so you can look as cool as them while they solve a murder. There are three full seasons to watch, with a fourth season on the way.
Stream Only Murders in the Building on Hulu.
Reasonable Doubt
Starring Emayatzy Corindealdi, Reasonable Doubt is the legal drama that you’ve been craving. The series mainly follows the worklife of a defense lawyer and how she deals with high-profile cases within the Los Angeles area, but also takes a look into her private life as well and how that affects her at work. A second season is coming out at the end of August 2024, so you might as well check out the first now.
Stream Reasonable Doubt on Hulu.
Normal People
The rise and fall of Marianne's relationship with Connell is at the core of Normal People. Based on the novel by Sally Rooney and starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal, their romance begins while they're at school in a small Irish town and carries on through their years at college. The series is replete with fantastic and complex performances that make the series all the more intimate and crushingly powerful in its execution. One of the standouts of Normal People is that the show doesn't shy away from the messy, complicated love lives of its lead characters, which makes for an intense and wondrous binge.
American Horror Stories
A spinoff of the popular series, American Horror Story, you’ll be on the edge of your seat as you watch this horror series. American Horror Stories is an anthology series where each episode has a new cast, and each tells a new story of horror, from haunted houses to zombies to Santa Claus being an actual killer. The options are endless – and sometimes cross over into other episodes as well.
Stream American Horror Stories on Hulu.
The Bear
If you want to talk about a stressful show, you need to check out The Bear. This Hulu original, starring Jeremy Allen White, follows Carmy, a chef who once worked in a fine-dining restaurant and returns home to his family’s sandwich shop in Chicago to run it after his brother commits suicide. The show is so good and the story is amazing as well, and you get to see some stunning (and quite plainly, delicious) food. White is a fantastic lead, and the rest of The Bear cast is stunning, too. You don’t want to miss out on this one, with three full seasons to watch. It won tons of recognition at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards.
History Of The World, Part II
If you’re looking for a hilarious sketch comedy show, be sure to check out History of the World, Part II. The limited series is a sequel to the 1981 Mel Brooks film, History of the World, Part 1, and is exactly what you would expect it to be — a sketch show about historical events of the world, but parodied and extremely funny, featuring tales about human legends and different periods of time. The History of the World, Part II cast is freaking enormous. I’m sure that with each of its episodes, you’ll find someone you love to watch.
Stream History of the World, Part II on Hulu.
Futurama
While it’s not technically a new series directly from Hulu, the streaming platform revived the show and now, Futurama streams directly on Hulu. The series, created by Matt Groening, follows a man who is cryogenically preserved for 1,000 years only for him to be woken up in a highly futuristic world. I mean, it’s Futurama, do you need me to convince you to watch it?
Reservation Dogs
Produced by FX but made for Hulu, Reservation Dogs is a great comedy-drama series that follows a group of teenagers living in Oklahoma, but in order to leave their reservation, they need to find the money to do so – which leads to them committing crimes so they can break free.
I think what makes Reservation Dogs so good is that not only does it discuss some valid social issues, such as the treatment of Native Americans within the United States and the opportunities they don’t get to have, it’s a great coming-of-age story. Not only that, but breakout star Devery Jacobs is truly a scene-stealer.
Stream Reservation Dogs on Hulu.
Tiny Beautiful Things
Last but not least, we have Tiny Beautiful Things. This miniseries, based on the book of the same name by Cheryl Strayed, is a must-watch. Tiny Beautiful Things is a dramedy starring Kathryn Hahn, and tells the story of Claire, a writer whose life takes an unexpected turn when she turns into one of the most popular advice columnists – even though her life is kind of a mess.
The series itself is hilariously funny with plenty of drama that balances out the story, and features a stellar cast. It was nominated for several Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Hahn. With only eight episodes, this is a quick binge that is worth every minute.
Stream Tiny Beautiful Things on Hulu.
All of the above shows are currently available to stream on Hulu. For more on what to watch, be sure to check out our 2024 TV schedule to see if any of these shows have a new season coming soon – or to find even more great Hulu shows to watch.
