The best shows on Hulu deliver quality entertainment right into your living room (or bedroom/bathroom/whatever room you prefer). And the best shows on Hulu that are available right now offer something for everyone, from comedies like "Only Murders in the Building" to dramas like "The Handmaid's Tale" to reality shows like "The Kardashians."
With its enormous vault of content, Hulu is one of the best streaming services. On the TV side, they've got classic library series, recent airings of current shows and acclaimed originals. One of the service's best features is FX on Hulu, which has older hits like "Justified," next-day episodes of current FX and exclusive originals.
And if you're looking for more of a cinematic experience, check out our list of the best movies on Hulu.
Best Hulu shows: New picks
'Interior Chinatown'
Willis Wu (Jimmy O. Yang) is an Asian-American actor trapped in a cycle of minor, stereotypical roles. But his life takes an unexpected turn when he inadvertently witnesses a crime, setting in motion a series of events that unravel his world in ways he never could have foreseen. Ironically, however, that crime ends up being the catalyst that kicks off his acting career. Yang's comic timing elevate this story, based on the 2020 novel of the same name, to "must-watch" status if you're cruising Hulu.
'The Old Man'
Dan Chase (Jeff Bridges) is a former CIA operative who's been living off the grid for decades. Based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Perry, this thriller explores when Chase's past catches up with him in the form of a chase by a CIA agent (John Lithgow). He's got to put his true skills to the test if he wants to escape his pursuer all the while unraveling the dark mysteries of his past.
'We Were The Lucky Ones'
This limited series, based on the novel by Georgia Hunter, relates the true account of the Jewish Kurc family from Poland in 1939. On the precipice of World War II, the Kurc family is scattered across the globe as the conflict breaks out. Hurled into exile in Siberia, seedy Parisian jazz clubs, and even the sunny beaches of Rio de Janeiro, the Kurcs keep hope alive that they'll get through the terrifying ordeal and find each other again.
'Shogun'
"Shogun" is a historical drama that follows a sailor named John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) as he finds himself shipwrecked in Japan and the eventual captive of Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada). Blackthorne's time in the unfamiliar land will ultimately change him completely as a person as he learns the inner workings of the very different world. Beautifully shot choreography, tight runtimes, and exciting storylines make this an excellent watch.
Dramas
'A Murder at the End of the World'
Darby Hart (Emma Corrin) is an amateur detective and hacker who also wrote a true crime book. Her expertise? Solving cold cases. She finds herself invited to a remote retreat in Iceland along with eight other guests. After meeting with their eccentric billionaire host, one guest ends up dead. Darby puts her sleuthing skills to the test to get to the bottom of the murder mystery before another life is taken.
'Death and Other Details'
Imogene Scott (Violett Beane) is a woman who ends up the prime suspect in a bizarre murder case that took place in a locked room on a massive ocean liner. To prove her innocence, she must team up with Rufus Cotesworth (Mandy Patinkin), the world's greatest detective. There's just one problem: she can't stand him. But he might be her best hope when it comes to clearing her name — and Cotesworth swears he'll get Imogene the truth at all costs.
'Justified: City Primeval'
Everything old is new again. The latest revival brings Timothy Olymphant’s U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens back to the screen to dispense his brand of justice to a new big bad. Ten years after the events of the Justified finale, Raylan is marshalling in Miami and helping to raise his 15-year-old daughter Willa (played by Olyphant's real-life daughter, Vivian Olyphant).
He takes her along to Detroit while returning a pair of fugitives. There, Givens becomes embroiled in investigating the attempted murder of a judge. It brings him into the path of new enemies: sociopathic killer Clement “Oklahoma Wildman” Mansell (Boyd Holbrook) and his formidable defense attorney Carolyn Wilder (Aunjanue Ellis). But unlike Harlan County, Detroit is an unfamiliar place and Givens has a tough road ahead of him — made complicated by his firecracker of a daughter’s presence.
Tiny Beautiful Things
Author Cheryl Strayed’s memoir Wild was already adapted into a movie by Reese Witherspoon. Now, her collection of essays Tiny Beautiful Things is becoming a television series starring Kathryn Hahn. Clare is a struggling writer whose life is falling apart. Her marriage has sunk into routine, her teen daughter is rebelling, and her once-promising career is a big fail.
When an opportunity comes along to take over the advice column Dear Sugar, Clare thinks she has no business giving anyone guidance. Yet, writing it proves to be her saving grace and a balm for many readers
Great Expectations
Charles Dickens’ classic novel is adapted for the screen once again, this time by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. The coming-of-age tale follows Pip (Fionn Whitehead), a poor orphan who yearns for a better life. When he is chosen to visit the eccentric, wealthy spinster Miss Havisham (Olivia Colman), he meets and falls for her beautiful but cold adopted daughter Estella (Shalom Brune-Franklin).
Wanting to become a gentleman to win Estella over, Pip is elated when he receives money from a mysterious benefactor. But his good fortune doesn’t last for long, when the truth about his inheritance comes out.
Fleishman Is in Trouble
Taffy Brodesser-Akner brings her 2019 novel to the screen in this limited series with a star-studded cast. Recently-divorced fortysomething Toby Fleishman (Jesse Eisenberg) ventures into the world of dating apps. He has some success but things are complicated when his ex-wife Rachel (Claire Danes) goes AWOL.
Now, Toby is solely responsible for caring for their two kids, juggling that with a new promotion at work and a slew of dates. As Rachel’s disappearance lengthens, Toby figures out that he’ll never understand what happened to her until he’s honest with himself about why their marriage broke down.
'The X-Files'
One of the most influential genre shows of all time, “The X-Files” is both an episodic procedural and a sprawling serialized saga, and one of its greatest achievements is how well it fits those two elements together. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson play FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, who have become archetypes for many subsequent TV shows about a pairing between a true believer and a skeptic who investigate strange phenomena.
Mulder and Scully look into every type of supernatural and science-fictional occurrence over the course of 11 seasons (including two years-later revival seasons), and they also investigate an insidious government conspiracy to cover up the existence of extraterrestrials, which eventually takes a serious toll on both of their personal lives. “The X-Files” is suspenseful, scary, thought-provoking and funny, all within the malleable context of its simple premise. - JB
Kindred
Newcomer Mallori Johnson has hit a home run in one of her first at-bats on Kindred, an FX on Hulu drama. Here, she plays Dana, a Black woman just on the precipice of a new beginning in Los Angeles, where she hopes to get into TV writing — only to find herself traveling back in time to the Antebellum South. And in the process, she also winds up taking the waiter she hooked up with in our time back to the past with her. It's a lot less trouble for him, though, as he's white. Kindred delivers a fantastic piece of psychological horror that delivers emotions through its interrogations of grief and gaslighting.
The Dropout
Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the health-tech firm Theranos, is a controversial subject to say the least. Holmes and Theranos' claims that they found a new and super-fast way to detect health issues in blood were debunked, and she was then seen as a generational talent in the world of scamming. But one question — and that's what The Dropout examines — remains: did Holmes believe her own hype? Amanda Seyfried paints a compelling portrait of the founder in the process, and arguably helps explain Holmes' unique personality. – HTC
The Handmaid's Tale
Based on Margaret Atwood's science-fiction novel of the same name, The Handmaid's Tale gives voice to fears felt by women all over the Western world. The show envisions a future in which the United States has become a patriarchal theocracy, and most women have lost the ability to bear children. Fertile "handmaids" are forced to birth babies for wealthy couples. After escaping her captivity as Offred, June Osbourne (Elisabeth Moss) continues to agitate against the state of Gilead. She's trying to get her daughter back as well as seek revenge against the people who subjected her and other women to leading such degrading and destructive lives.
Little Fires Everywhere
Powerhouse actresses Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington team up for this limited series adaptation of Celeste Ng's bestselling novel, which follows two families with very different backgrounds. Elena Richardson (Witherspoon) is a rich suburban mom with a picture-perfect family. She upends all of their lives by offering the mysterious new woman in town, Mia (Washington), a job as a maid after seeing that Mia and her daughter seem to be living out of a car. The story explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, the ferocious pull of motherhood — and the danger in believing that following the rules can avert disaster.
Comedies
'Extraordinary'
Extraordinary is so good that I binged the first season one day. Created by relative newcomer Emma Moran, Extraordinary is set in a world where everyone gets a superpower on or around their 18th birthday. Unfortunately for 25-year-old Jen (Máiréad Tyers), she still doesn't have an ability and it’s made her bitter and sarcastic. Then again, her friends/roommates aren’t exactly content, so maybe superpowers don’t guarantee a super life.
'Atlanta'
Over its four seasons, Atlanta has routinely defied expectations (to mostly strong success). The series, which mostly focuses on Earn (Donald Clover) is often verring into modern horror, with a focus on the surreal elements of the Black experience in America (and abroad in season 3). Earn first has to find a roof over his head, which he does by working with his cousin Al (Brian Tyree Henry) an aspiring rapper. All the while, Earn is trying to make things right with Van (Zazie Beetz) the mother of his child Lottie. Dark, hilarious and often pointed — Atlanta is not for everyone, but it's still one of the best shows on Hulu. – Henry T. Casey
What We Do In The Shadows
Laszlo (Matt Berry), Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), Nandor (Kayvan Novak) and Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) are four of the moodiest (but somehow endearing) vampires in all of New York City. But for some reason, they're stuck in obscurity on Staten Island, where their heads would fall off without the help of Guillermo (Harvey Guillen), Nandor's doting familiar (read: human butler). And while Guillermo is mostly OK with his roommates asking way too much of him, he'd be a lot happier about it if Nandor would just make his dreams come true, and turn him into a vampire already. And while WWDITS' vampire misadventures make for excellent comedy, it's their non-traditional vampire Colin Robinson — an energy vampire who bores people to extract their energy) — who is a true standout.
WWDITS just completed its fourth season, with a surprise twist that has us ready to sink our teeth into What We Do In The Shadows season 5. – HTC
Reservation Dogs
Elora, Bear, Willie Jack and Cheese are just four friends who want to get out of their small town. What makes their story — and Reservation Dogs itself — different is that they're on an Indigenous reservation, in a show made by Indigenous people. Having just finished its second season, Res Dogs, as it's called, kept its slot here by being weird and being true to itself. The teens — called the Reservation Dogs when another group of kids sees them as the dominant local "gang" — are all dealing with their own troubles, but they share the trauma of the passing of their friend.
We're excited to see where Res Dogs goes next, as Hulu ordered Reservation Dogs season 3. – HTC
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Paddy's Pub is where weird people go to get drunk and make terrible decisions, and that's the charm of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The Gang has done it all, and with 15 seasons under their belt, we're impressed that they constantly find a way to surprise. This past season saw Paddy's pub hire a monkey, try to make Lethal Weapon 7 and then they all went to Ireland because of a paternity test. While the show's early days haven't aged well, that's almost the point. IASiP is one of those shows where the whole point is that Mac, Charlie, Dennis, Sweet Dee and Frank are not good people. But they're trying to get better — and always entertaining. - HTC
The Bear
We at Tom's Guide cannot stop talking about The Bear, a new FX on Hulu dark comedy that has quickly become that show we can't stop telling people about. One of the most fast-paced shows in ages, The Bear brings you into the kitchen at The Original Beef of Chicagoland, which has a new manager: Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White). Carmy is a world-renowned chef who is running The Original Beef because of a family tragedy that pulls him back into the orbit of his chaotic cousin Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), who also works at the establishment. Though Richie doesn't "work" as much as he antagonizes everyone within earshot. Fortunately, he's hired Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) a smart but inexperienced Culinary Institute of America grad who has plans to help save the restaurant. Brash, intense and brilliant in equal measures, The Bear is easily one of the best shows on Hulu. And now The Bear season 2 also just got confirmed! – HTC
Abbott Elementary
The best new sitcom — also Hulu's best new show — isn't a Hulu Original, it's ABC's Abbott Elementary, which Hulu airs the day after broadcast. One of the best workplace sitcoms in a while, Abbott Elementary uses The Office's trick of a documentary team filming characters in the workplace, but this time it's focused on the teachers at a seriously underfunded elementary school in Philadelphia. Hilarious in ways you don't expect, Abbott Elementary brings a fresh voice to primetime TV, as series star, creator, writer and producer Quinta Brunson plays optimistic teacher Janine Teagues, who is stuck with her pessimistic (but also wisened) colleagues and her lazy aspiring musician boyfriend. – HTC
Shrill
The bold, brash comedy starring Saturday Night Live's Aidy Bryant ends as it began: with lead character Annie Easton continuing her journey of self-discovery. She’s gotten stronger while dealing with online trolls, an awful boyfriend, an eccentric boss and society’s fatphobia. In the third and final season, she engages in casual dating, undertakes a challenging assignment at work and faces the possibility of living apart from best friend Fran (Lolly Adefope). And Annie must confront her own internalized body shame when she meets a new love interest who doesn't immediately attract her. — Kelly Woo
'30 Rock'
It’s almost frightening how prescient Tina Fey’s sitcom has been about the future degradation of the media industry, but that just makes the show even funnier. Fey was inspired by her time at “Saturday Night Live” to create this sitcom set behind the scenes at a sketch-comedy show, but it’s far more than that, with a pitch-perfect satire of showbiz and corporate culture, embodied in the relationship between frenemies Liz Lemon (Fey) and Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin).
Liz is the frazzled producer of a mediocre sketch show, while Jack is a high-powered executive with no interest in things like creativity or artistic expression. Somehow they develop a sort of mutual respect amid the late-capitalist insanity of the TV network’s parent company. Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski are equally hilarious as the deluded, narcissistic stars of the show within the show. - JB
PEN15
One of the weirdest and most heartwarming comes on television is back for more awkward adventures of teenage life. PEN15 will make you laugh, cry and cringe as it takes you back to messy middle school days. Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle play 13-year-old versions of themselves in the year 2000, navigating bad haircuts, unrequited crushes, hallway bullies and the never-ending quest to be cool. The show sends up the juvenile humor and dumb references of kids that age (the title itself is a joke spelling of penis), and deftly balances the stew of emotions that every teen experiences.
Woke
Lamorne Morris' Winston ended up being one of the best characters on New Girl. Now, the actor brings his often-goofy charm as the headliner of this comedy that's a mix of live action and animated sequences. Morris plays Keef Knight, a Black cartoonist about to hit it big with his cute Toast and Butter comic books. He usually avoids controversial topics, but after a disturbing encounter with the police, the traumatized Keef starts hearing inanimate objects that confront him about racism and injustice. Wokeness is his new superpower.
Love, Victor
The acclaimed, groundbreaking 2018 film Love, Simon inspires this spinoff/sequel, which starts off by following Victor (Michael Cimino) as a new student at Creekwood High School. In the first season, as he adjusts to his new town and community, Victor is also undertaking his own journey of self-discovery as he struggles with his sexual orientation. For help and support, he reaches out to Simon (Nick Robinson, returning as narrator). In season 2, Victor navigates being out to his parents and classmates, while being in his first gay relationship.
Ramy
The acclaimed comedy surprised many people when star/creator Ramy Youssef won the Golden Globe for Best Comedy Actor, though the trophy was entirely deserved. Now, the show returns for a second season to continue following young Muslim man Ramy Hassan (Ramy Youssef) on his spiritual journey, as he grapples with a deeper commitment to his faith while still living as a modern American. The latest season featured a very special guest star, two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali.
The Great
The period comedy genre doesn't have a lot of entrants, but here comes a new one about Catherine the Great, Russia's longest reigning female ruler. Elle Fanning stars as Catherine, who starts out as an idealistic, romantic young girl engaged to marry the mercurial Emperor Peter III (Nicholas Hoult). When she arrives at court, she finds a dangerous, depraved world and resolves to fix it. All she has to do is kill her husband, battle the the church, outsmart the military and get the nobles on board.
Reality TV
Taste the Nation With Padma Lakshmi
The Top Chef host and cookbook author (and very entertaining quarantine chef) travels around America to taste diverse foods and cuisines across the country, exploring how immigrant groups have shaped what American food is today. Lakshmi visits a new city in each of the 10 half-hour episodes, with El Paso her first stop. In each town, she focuses on one particular dish and its history, whether it's a family recipe passed down through generations or street food. At one point, she even tries eating a rodent! (None for us, thanks.) "This is the real America," Lakshmi says.
Animated
Rick & Morty
Part sci-fi romp, part family drama and part Lovecraftian horror, Rick and Morty isn't quite like anything else on TV. This animated comedy follows Rick, a dimension-hopping mad scientist, and Morty, his dimwitted teenage grandson, as they get themselves into trouble all around the multiverse. With joke-a-minute pacing and lots of colorful aliens to see, Rick and Morty is easy to sit down and binge. But when the three-dimensional characters start grappling with issues like mortality, individuality and existential freedom, it can get surprisingly deep, too. Few shows pull off the balance between the sublime and the ridiculous so well, all while exploring big ideas.
