66 Must-Watch Shows on Hulu Right Now
66 Must-Watch Shows on Hulu Right Now
There are a lot of streaming services, we know. It feels like every day another cable channel or media company decides they want to try to convince consumers to pay for yet another subscription to watch a few good shows a year. Ultimately, though, it ends up as another app you scroll through on your TV, desperate to find something new to watch. The truth is: there's too much TV out there. Not all of it is good, but it's easy to feel as if everyone has every streaming service and has a new show they can't stop talking about and you just have to watch. You don't have to watch everything, though. For better or worse, we've entered a new era of TV, where you don't always have to be in on the conversation. You can just watch what you like.
Hulu is an ideal streaming service for cord cutters and cable fans alike. Started in 2007, Hulu's stayed a strong streaming service for years due to its steady catalogue of both cable shows and originals. Currently Disney owns 67% of Hulu, while NBCUniversal owns the other 33%, meaning NBC, ABC, and FOX shows are all quickly placed on the platform, sometimes even as soon as the day after an episode airs.
It's likely your favorite comedies and dramas, both old and new, are sitting on the platform and waiting for you to press play. To help you find the best Hulu has to offer, we've got an extensive list of what we consider some of the best shows on the platform.
1) The Dropout
Amanda Seyfried shines in this limited series based on the failed healthcare company Theranos, which became mired in controversy when its founder, Elizabeth Holmes, was exposed for lying about the company and its product.
2) The Girl From Plainville
Elle Fanning stars in this ripped from the headlines story about Michelle Carter, a high schooler who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for her involvement in her boyfriend's suicide.
3) The Handmaid's Tale
Based on the famous Margaret Atwood novel of the same name, The Handmaid's Tale stars Elizabeth Moss as Offred, a woman forced to bear children for one of the elites in a dystopian society.
4) Dollface
Kat Dennings is the star of Dollface, which follows a woman who has to wade through her imagination and reconnect with her friends after a bad breakup.
5) Schitt's Creek
When a rich family loses everything, they're left with one option: live in the small town they bought as a joke. As they adjust to life with regular people, hilarity ensues.
6) Reservation Dogs
One of Hulu's most beloved comedies, Reservation Dogs follows a group of teens who get in and out of trouble while also grappling with the death of one of their friends. It's the first series to feature a majority Indigenous cast and crew, and the first to be shot primarily in Oklahoma.
7) Normal People
Based on Sally Rooney's book of the same name, Normal People follows Marianne and Connell, first as teens and then adults, as they navigate the trials of young adulthood while inexplicably coming back together again and again. The show notably made breakout stars of its two lead actors, Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones.
8) The Great
Nicholas Hoult and Elle Fanning play an extremely fictionalized but very funny Emperor Peter III and Catherine the Great in this Hulu comedy from the writer of The Favourite. The show depicts the rise of Catherine the Great and her ongoing plot to kill her husband.
9) Only Murders in the Building
Steve Martin, Selena Gomez, and Martin Short are a hilarious, charming trio in this cozy murder mystery about three tenants in a New York apartment building determined to solve the murder of one of their neighbors.
10) Love, Victor
A spin-off of the rom-com Love, Simon (which is based on a book of the same name) Love, Victor follows Victor, who starts at a new school and must navigate his sexual identity while going through the regular challenges of high school.
11) Little Fires Everywhere
Based on the popular novel of the same name by Celeste Ng, Little Fires Everywhere follows two women and their families when they're forced to face their secrets and their differences in class and privilege.
12) High Fidelity
This remimagining of Nick Hornby's 1995 novel (and the 2000 film starring John Cusack) follows a record store owner who relives her failed relationships, trying to find a reason why each went wrong. Despite its critical acclaim, the show wasn't renewed past its first season, but it's still a memorable watch for those who enjoyed the book or the film.
13) Kindred
Octavia Spencer's famous sci-fi novel comes to life in Kindred, in which a Black woman in 1976 discovers she's teleported back to before the Civil War, where she meets her ancestors and must learn to survive.
14) Catch-22
Joseph Heller's novel is recreated in this limited series about a bombardier and his colleagues as they navigate the perils of World War II.
15) Shrill
Former SNL cast member Aidy Bryant stars in Shrill, a comedy about a woman who refuses to let society's issues with her weight affect her goals or her love life. The show is based on a book by author Lindy West titled, Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman.
16) Bob's Burgers
FOX's animated comedy about a family who run a struggling burger restaurant is one of the best adult animated shows in recent years. Even if you're not a fan of other cable mainstays like The Simpsons or Family Guy, you'll likely enjoy the antics the Belchers get into.
17) Nine Perfect Strangers
Nicole Kidman stars in this miniseries as the head of a remote retreat where nine strangers come together and have an unforgettable experience which tests each of their personal beliefs. The show is based on the book of the same name, and is from the same author as Big Little Lies.
18) Mrs. America
A star-studded ensemble cast leads this historical drama about the failed Equal Rights Amendment and both its supporters and opposition.
19) Letterkenny
This Canadian comedy follows the small town of Letterkenny and its various antics. It's one of the best sitcoms in recent years you've probably never heard of; it's already in its 11th season with an equally successful spin-off.
20) This Way Up
Irish comedian Aisling Bea stars in This Way Up, about a woman who has to rebuild her life after a nervous breakdown and learn to balance friendships, family, and romance.
21) Pam and Tommy
Lily James and Sebastian Stan star in this fictionalized reenactment of the shocking release of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's sex tape and the subsequent fallout.
22) Dopesick
Micheal Keaton stars in Dopesick, a fictionalized retelling of the U.S. opioid crisis and the involvement of the influential Sackler family. The miniseries is based on a non-fiction book of the same name.
23) Fargo
An anthology series inspired by the famous film of the same name, each season of Fargo stars a notable cast in the midwest, and is centered on some wild crimes. Writer and creator Noah Hawley makes the show equal parts comedic and dramatic, much like the original film by Joel and Ethan Coen.
24) Skins
This British teen drama jumpstarted the careers of various actors you've definitely heard of (Nicolas Hoult, Dev Patel, and Daniel Kaluuya) and explored bullying, substance abuse, sexuality and more. Despite the U.S.'s best attempts, an American version didn't succeed in the same way the original did.
25) Lost
One of the best "appointment" television shows before the age of streaming, Lost follows the survivors of a plane crash who become stranded on a deserted island, only to discover there's much, much more at play than they originally realized. The show's constant twists and mysteries solidified its status as one of the best television shows of all time.
26) Veronica Mars
One of Kristen Bell's major roles, Veronica Mars stars Bell as the eponymous Veronica, a high school student who moonlights as a private detective. Forget being popular or getting the best grades, Veronica's main goal is to uncover the various secrets of the powerful people in her town and bring wrongdoers to justice. And usually, she succeeds.
27) What We Do in the Shadows
Based on Jemaine Clement and Taika Watiti's film of the same name, What We Do in the Shadows centers on a group of vampires in Staten Island and their attempts to understand modern society.
28) American Horror Story
Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk co-created American Horror Story, an anthology series about all things weird, supernatural, and terrifying. Each season of the show follows a brand new story, but often with the same cast as previous seasons (the seasons occasionally connect too). Some may argue it's more camp than scary, but we'll leave that for you to decide.
29) Superstore
This NBC comedy stars America Ferrerra as the store manager of a chain superstore and her constant attempts to wrangle her employees and keep the store running smoothly.
30) Community
Joel McHale, Donald Glover, and others star in this beloved comedy about community college students. The show gained a cult following over the course of its six seasons and as of 2023, a reunion movie is in the works.
31) Desperate Housewives
This ABC drama chronicles the lives of various housewives who live on Wisteria Lane. Over the course of eight seasons, the show follows the women through 15 years of their lives, and uncovers each woman's various secrets as they attempt to keep up the facade of their perfect suburban lives.
32) Mom
Alison Janney and Anna Faris star in this sitcom about a mother and daughter who live together and work to better themselves while recovering from alcohol addictions. The show balances comedy and earnest conversations so well, it's hard not to care for the characters.
33) Atlanta
After his breakout role in Community, Donald Glover went for a darker comedy series and created Atlanta. Here he stars as Earn, a college dropout who decides to help his cousin become a famous rapper while also trying to be an attentive father. The series delves into surreal storytelling and thrives in its standalone episodes rather than the way more typical series succeed in season-long story arcs.
34) It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
The longest running live-action comedy series in the U.S., It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is one of the most beloved comedies of our modern age. The bizarre yet hilarious sitcom follows a group of friends who own a bar but seem to do absolutely everything else but run it.
35) Little Demon
Danny DeVito (when he's not playing Frank on It's Always Sunny) stars alongside his real-life daughter Lucy DeVito in Little Demon. The adult animated comedy follows a teenager, Chrissy, who discovers she's the anti-Christ, a secret long held by her mother (played by Aubrey Plaza). As Chrissy gets to know her father, the Devil, she also works to navigate high school and all the strange supernatural happenings that befall her.
36) Justified
Timothy Olyphant is deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, a tough enforcer of crime in Eastern Kentucky. The series went on for six seasons and is set to have a limited revival, Justified: City Primeval, in 2023.
37) Party Down
This short-lived sitcom follows a catering team all trying to make it big in Los Angeles. The show has kept up a following over the years, and has a long-awaited third season set to premiere in February 2023.
38) The Patient
Steve Carrell and Domnhall Gleeson star in this psychological thriller about a serial killer and his therapist. The ten episode limited series goes places you'll never expect.
39) The Bear
Jeremy Allen White stars as an anxiety-ridden chef tasked with keeping his late brother's sandwich shop in Chicago running in this comedy-drama.
40) The Old Man
Jeff Bridges stars in this thriller about a former CIA operative who has to go on the run after decades in hiding. John Lithgow stars opposite Bridges as the FBI agent tasked with bringing the former operative in.
41) The Americans
This FX historical drama follows two KGB agents who pretend to be a married American couple raising their two kids in Washington, D.C. While they attempt to keep their identities intact, the agents have to deal with their handler and various FBI counterintelligence agents attempting to disrupt their plans.
42) Abbott Elementary
One of ABC's newest comedies, Abbott Elementary is a certified hit. Former BuzzFeed staffer Quinta Brunson created this mockumentary-style show about teachers and students at an underfunded Philadelphia elementary school.
43) Preacher
Based on a comic book series of the same name, Preacher is a supernatural drama about a preacher who discovers he has the "voice of God" and decides to go on a journey (along with his girlfriend and a vampire) to find God himself.
44) Legion
Before the MCU's official foray into television, there was Legion. Despite being a Marvel show, however, Legion isn't all superhero references and callbacks. It's a standalone story about the son of Charles Xavier, David Haller, who attempts to evade government capture while dealing with his mutant powers. The show is successful because it didn't have a Marvel blueprint to follow, and even when it ended in 2019, it didn't renege its unique tone to try and fall in line with the burgeoning Marvel Cinematic Universe. The stacked cast includes Dan Stevens, Aubrey Plaza, Jean Smart, and Hamish Linklater, among others.
45) Fleishman Is in Trouble
Based on a 2019 book of the same name, Fleishman Is In Trouble follows a recently divorced doctor who begins to start dating again. When his wife goes missing, he then has to balance raising his kids, his job, and figuring out where it all went wrong.
46) Modern Family
This popular sitcom follows an intergenerational family in their daily lives. The show ran for 11 seasons and won multiple Emmys throughout its decade-long run.
47) The Shield
Starring Michael Chiklis, The Shield chronicles the lives of the police officers in an experimental division of the Los Angeles Police Department. Over the course of the show's run, it featured a number of notable actors including Glenn Close, Walton Goggins, Forest Whitaker, and Franka Potente.
48) Pretty Little Liars
A group of best friends must band together when a mysterious person called "A" begins to divulge their secrets and hints at knowledge of the disappearance of their clique's former ringleader. The show served as a major start for various actors including Shay Mitchell, Ashley Benson, and Lucy Hale.
49) Luther
Idris Elba stars in Luther as a detective who struggles with right and wrong as he takes down criminals. His moral compass is tested even more as he becomes involved with a murderer he's tasked with arresting.
50) Hannibal
Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy star in this part crime drama part psychological thriller centered on Hannibal Lecter and an FBI agent he brings under his spell (no, it's not Clarice).
51) The Golden Girls
When in need of a good comfort show, you can't go wrong with The Golden Girls. Three retired best friends (and one of their mothers) prove age is nothing but a number as they get into all sorts of trouble together.
52) Under the Banner of Heaven
Andrew Garfield stars in Under the Banner of Heaven, a limited series about an investigator whose faith is tested when he must investigate the murder of a mother and baby with connections to the Mormon community.
53) You're the Worst
Aya Cash and Chris Geere star in this comedy-drama about two cynical people who reluctantly enter a relationship, but throughout the course of the show realize they're an ideal match for one another.
54) Scrubs
This medical sitcom follows a group of residents (who later become full-fledged doctors) as they navigate their difficult and demanding jobs alongside their love lives. It may sound eerily similar to say, Grey's Anatomy, but if you want more comedy than drama, Scrubs is for you.
55) Freaks and Geeks
Despite its single season run, Freaks and Geeks has become solidified as a cult classic and made breakout stars of the show's main cast (including Linda Cardellini, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel among others). The show follows a brother and sister when they move to a new town and discover their high school identities.
56) Ugly Betty
One of America Ferrera's first major roles, Ugly Betty follows a young woman who dreams of working in fashion despite her lack of style. The show went on for four seasons and has since amassed a dedicated following.
57) Younger
Ever wonder what it would be like to relive your 20s? That's the premise of Younger, which follows a recently divorced 40 year old who decides to lie about her age to restart her career in publishing. Along the way, she deals with her new, younger friends and various romantic prospects.
58) The Bold Type
Three twenty-somethings have big aspirations in this Freeform show about working in the media industry. The show is inspired by the life of former Cosmopolitan editor-in-chief Joanna Coles, who executive-produced the series.
59) Claws
Niecey Nash stars in Claws, a show about a nail salon owner who becomes involved in organized crime and, along with her employees, attempts to make her own criminal enterprise.
60) Killing Eve
Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh star in this crime thriller about a British intelligence investigator who becomes roped into a cat-and-mouse game with a serial killer who takes an interest in her.
61) Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Sarah Michelle Gellar stars in this famed show about a teenage monster hunter who balances fighting the forces of evil with her not-so-regular high school life.
62) Steven Universe
This Cartoon Network kids show is beloved by both kids and adults, and is a GLAAD Media Award winner. The show tells the story of a young boy raised by a group of aliens called Crystal Gems and follows he and his family as they protect the world and go through various adventures.
63) Difficult People
Two best friends and aspiring comedians in New York seem to hate just about everyone but each other. Still, that doesn't stop them from getting into a lot of strange and hilarious situations.
64) Castle Rock
Fans of Stephen King will enjoy Castle Rock, a combination of some of the writer's most well-known books all shoved into one strange small town in Maine.
65) Broad City
Two friends galavant around New York in this ridiculous comedy starring Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson. The show is arguably one of the most memorable comedies of the 2010s.
66) Reboot
From the creator of Modern Family, Reboot follows an up-and-coming TV writer who pitches a reboot of a canceled sitcom. When it's approved, she realizes she has to deal with the frustrating demands of the actors, the other writers, and the show's original writer and creator...who happens to be her estranged father.
Here are the best shows on Hulu to stream right now, including Community, The Handmaid's Tale, and more.