There are so many good movies on Hulu, from side-splitting comedies like Fire Island to passionate romances like Palm Springs to terrifying horror films like The Babadook. There are so many good ones, in fact, that it can be hard to wade through everything to find the cream of the crop. Never fear: We’ve compiled a list of the best movies on Hulu so you can find new and old favorites alike.
This list has been curated by top Collider editors with decades of combined experience — not to mention a deep knowledge of and passion for the medium. Only the best of the best is included. Read on to discover the best movies to watch on Hulu right now.
For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows on Hulu, best documentaries on Hulu, and best horror movies on Hulu.
Personal Shopper
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | 6.1/10
personal shopper
- Release Date
- October 19, 2016
- Director
- Olivier Assayas
- Cast
- Kristen Stewart , Lars Eidinger , Sigrid Bouaziz , Anders Danielsen Lie , Ty Olwin , Hammou Graïa
- Runtime
- 105
- Genres
- Fantasy , Documentary , Horror , Mystery , Thriller
The 2016 Cannes Film Festival winner for Best Direction by Olivier Assayas, Personal Shopper tells the story of a young woman named Maureen (Kristen Stewart) in Paris who won’t leave the city until she finds contact with her twin brother, Lewis, who died three months prior. She and her brother had a pact before he died that they would contact one another from beyond, and she is battling her grief, waiting for that message. Working as a personal shopper to a celebrity, Maureen and Lewis are/were mediums and have spiritual connections to the world around them and each other. Adding to the drama is the fact that Maureen is suddenly receiving text messages from a mysterious sender, unsure of what is real and what isn’t.
The film was also written by Assayas and was considered a box office success, as with its limited release, it still earned $2.2 million against its $1 million budget. However, the film’s ending was booed at the Cannes Film Festival, which didn’t bother Assayas, who still won the Best Director prize. Despite the controversial conclusion, it was listed as one of Time magazine’s top 10 films of 2017. – Emily Cappello
Alien
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 8.5/10
I tried to re-create the infamous Alien scene where a creature comes out of someone’s stomach for a film project in college, and the best I could come up with was having my Stitch doll from Lilo & Stitch come out of my brother’s button-up shirt while he pretended to scream. My inspiration came from the 1979 horror-sci-fi classic Alien, directed by Ridley Scott and written by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett. With an epic score by Jerry Goldsmith and brilliant performances from its cast, the film was a box office smash, earning $106 million worldwide. The story follows the crew of a spacecraft as they meet a deadly alien while investigating a transmission. When the crew attempts to hurt the creature, it oozes a corrosive acid. As they try to warn the rest of the world about this danger, they must also try to save themselves.
The cast is made up of Tom Skerritt (Top Gun), Sigourney Weaver (Avatar), Veronica Cartwright (The Witches of Eastwick), Harry Dean Stanton (Repo Man), John Hurt (1984), Ian Holm (The Lord of the Rings), Yaphet Kotto (Live and Let Die), and Bolaji Badeji as the Alien. The film received an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and was nominated for Best Set Direction. It was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Original Score and a Golden Globe for the same category. It ushered in a new era for the genre and has had eight sequels, with a rumored television series on the way. With directors like Scott, James Cameron (The Terminator), David Fincher (Zodiac), and Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Amelie), the films have continued their legendary status. – Emily Cappello
The Heathers
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 7.2/10
Heathers
- Release Date
- March 31, 1989
- Director
- Michael Lehmann
- Runtime
- 103
Plaid. Croquet. Murder. Heathers has it all. The 80s dark comedy follows the story of the three most popular girls in an Ohio high school, all of whom are named Heather. Enter Veronica (Winona Ryder), whose master plan is to murder each of the Heathers and frame those murders as suicides. She finds an unlikely confidante in Jason (Christian Slater), who helps Veronica with her scheme. “The Heathers” are made up of Shannen Doherty (Beverly Hills, 90210), Lisanne Falk (Less Than Zero), and Kim Walker (Say Anything), the last of which was cast in place of another actress, who passed it up because her parents disapproved of the film. Walker took on the role, as she was dating Slater at the time. Filming took only 33 days exclusively in Los Angeles and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 1989. It is now considered one of the best coming-of-age films of all time.
Heathers has been turned into both a musical and a TV series of the same name. The musical ran on and off in different locations from 2010 through 2023, spending time in New York, Los Angeles, the West End of London, Brazil, Ireland, and Buenos Aires. The TV series had one season in 2018, airing on HBO in Europe and the Paramount Network in the US. Although the film is hailed as a cult classic today, when it premiered, it only earned $1 million against its $3 million budget, making it a huge flop. Some speculate that it went strongly against the warm, fuzzy world John Hughes had brought about with films like The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, and Pretty in Pink. No matter what your take on the film, it’s sure to make you have a sudden urge to play croquet. – Emily Cappello
The Babadook
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 6.8/10
The Babadook
- Release Date
- January 17, 2014
- Director
- Jennifer Kent
- Cast
- Essie Davis , Noah Wiseman , Hayley McElhinney , Daniel Henshall , Barbara West
- Runtime
- 94
Based on the 2005 short film Monster, The Babadook crept its way into theaters in 2014, delivering a slow-burn psychological thriller that generated the scream heard ‘round the world. Written and directed by Jennifer Kent, the film was Kent’s feature directorial debut, and boy, was it a good one. The story follows Amelia (Essie Davis), a newly widowed mother to son Samuel (Noah Wiseman), as she unknowingly welcomes a sinister presence into their home by reading Samuel a book that shows up on her doorstep. To add to that insanity, Amelia’s grief and Samuel’s misbehavior are making it seemingly impossible for her to accept him as he is. As Samuel’s fear and paranoia of The Babadook grows, so does Amelia’s, and soon, the two are unsure what is real and what is coming from their terrified minds.
The film was met with fantastic reviews and grossed $10 million against its tiny budget of $2 million, which is impressive for a film that only had a limited release. What critics raved most about in the film is its deeper message, as it wasn’t just an “empty” horror riding only on jump scares. Instead, it contained a layered story that tackled grief, single parenthood, and the exhaustion that comes with both. If the real Babadook film is too scary for you, there’s always “The Pookadook,” The Simpsons parody featured on their 34th Treehouse of Horror special. Well, even the Pookadook made me cover my eyes, so maybe just choose a comedy if you’re easily frightened. – Emily Cappello
Theater Camp
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 7.0/10
Theater Camp
- Release Date
- July 14, 2023
- Runtime
- 94 minutes
- Genres
- Comedy
A poignant allegory for the post-pandemic financial struggles of the arts industry, Theater Camp follows run-down upstate New York theater camp AdirondACTS and the group of superstar wannabes that attend. After the founder of the camp, Joan (Amy Sedaris), sadly falls into a coma, the day-to-day running of the business is given to her son Troy (Jimmy Tatro), a man with no experience or interest in the arts. A story of zero to hero, Troy must battle a frustrated group of passionate attendees and a crippling financial burden in order to keep his mother’s dream alive.
Despite the plot suggesting AdirondACTS is a camp for amateurs, the actual cast of characters is a treat for the senses, starring Broadway star Ben Platt. Funny and touching, the narrative lures you in with its endearing humor before emotionally gripping you, thanks to some tender dramatic moments. Bags of fun and energy, it is impossible to find a moment’s boredom with Theater Camp — something that can also be said for the sort of organizations the film showcases… so make sure to support local theater. – Jake Hodges
The Banshees of Inisherin
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.7/10
The Banshees of Inisherin
- Release Date
- 2021-00-00
- Main Genre
- Drama
- Genres
- Drama , Comedy , Crime
This Academy Award-winning tale is set against the backdrop of the Irish Civil War and follows lifelong buddies Padraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson). On one seemingly ordinary day, Colm suddenly decides to end their friendship, leading to an in-denial Padraic refusing to let the truth sink in. With his persistence pushing Colm to madness, Padraic’s life is turned upside down when the feud turns violent and a final ultimatum from Colm reveals shocking twisted consequences.
A whirlwind narrative from writer/director Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin is a pensive, thought-provoking tale with a unique sense of tension. Despite its seemingly remote setting, the film feels huge in its concept, with the backdrop of a Civil War only adding to the sense of scale. Both Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell are incredible and have electric on-screen chemistry with a performance as captivating as their work on In Bruges. Dramatic and gruesome, the plot still finds moments to breathe thanks to a genuinely funny script that provides a sense of comedic irony during some of the film’s toughest scenes. – Jake Hodges
No One Will Save You
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 6.3/10
No One Will Save You
An exiled anxiety-ridden homebody must battle an alien who’s found its way into her home.
- Release Date
- September 22, 2023
- Director
- Brian Duffield
- Cast
- Kaitlyn Dever , Ginger Cressman , Zack Duhame , Geraldine Singer
- Runtime
- 93 minutes
This unique horror tale from Brian Duffield follows Brynn (Kaitlyn Dever), a woman who lives alone following the deaths of her loved ones and is shunned by the community around her. One fateful day, an alien invades her home, and after accidentally killing it, a venture into her town reveals that she is not the only one under attack. Now charged with defending her home as the invasion grows, can Brynn survive on her own?
A shining example of ‘show, don’t tell’ filmmaking, No One Will Save You has just five words in its entire runtime, meaning that Kaitlyn Dever’s lead performance is more pivotal than ever. Luckily, she excels with a script from Brian Duffield that finds tension at every turn. Despite the aliens invading, it is still perhaps the people around her that are the most villainous, with a message of human cruelty akin to that in 28 Days Later. Brooding and creepy, No One Will Save You is a great exponent of the recent trend of finding new ways of making horror. – Jake Hodges
The Quiet Girl
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.7/10
The Quiet Girl
- Release Date
- May 13, 2022
- Director
- Colm Bairéad
- Cast
- Carrie Crowley , Andrew Bennett , Catherine Clinch , Michael Patric
- Runtime
- 94 minutes
The Academy Award-nominated The Quiet Girl begins in rural 1981 Ireland and follows young Cáit (Catherine Clinch) after she is sent away from her family to live with foster parents for a summer. After being dismissed and neglected by her family for so long, Cáit grows under the care of Seán (Andrew Bennett) and Eibhlín Cinnsealach (Carrie Crowley) as she blossoms into the carefree child her previous life had disallowed her to be. However, the caring front of this doting couple contains one simple rule: there will never be any secrets. When Cáit discovers a hidden truth as her foster couple becomes more attached to her, what will the consequences be?
Poignant, pretty, and playful, The Quiet Girl is a delight that transcends both the public and critics, with it rightfully becoming the first ever Gaelic-language film to be nominated for an Academy Award. Catherine Clinch, among a sea of great performances, steals the show as the titular Quiet Girl asher life beautifully transitions from downbeat into magical and wonderous once she realizes life can be good. Director Colm Bairéad understands how to sensitively pace such a fragile narrative, creating a careful story full of stunning details that take its time to develop. – Jake Hodges
Prey
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 7.1/10
This action-adventure film from director Dan Trachtenberg follows the journey of Naru (Amber Midthunder) some 300 years ago. Set in the Comanche Nation, Naru has lived her life surrounded by highly-trained warriors, with her absorption of their lifestyle creating a fiery, talented warrior in her, too. When their lives become threatened by strange creatures, Naru takes it upon herself to fight back, with their terrifying foe unexpectedly a highly-evolved monster. As she stalks the titular prey, it is clear that this mission, even for a woman of her abilities, will require precision and perhaps a bit of luck.
Set in the immersive wilderness, Prey is a delight for many reasons, with one of those certainly its cinematography from DP Jeff Cutter. Sarah Schachner’s atmospheric score perfectly balances the on-screen action as the narrative twists and turns toward a dramatic finale. Well-paced, the movie doesn’t hold back as it hurtles through neatly choreographed action. Just like the prey its protagonist is trained to capture, from minute one, this movie hooks its audience and keeps them gripped until the end. – Jake Hodges
Rye Lane
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 7.2/10
Rye Lane
Two youngsters reeling from bad breakups who connect over an eventful day in South-London.
- Release Date
- March 31, 2023
- Director
- Raine Allen-Miller
- Cast
- David Jonsson , Vivian Oparah , Poppy Allen-Quarmby , Simon Manyonda
- Runtime
- 82 minutes
Set in South London and named after the real-life Rye Lane Market, Rye Lane follows David Jonsson’s Dom and Vivian Oparah’s Yas as, on one completely unassuming day, the two meet unexpectedly and begin to get to know each other. After realizing that they both share recent heartbreak in common, their time together displays even more similarities. As their day together progresses, it is clear a love may be blossoming, but how easy is it to simply forget your heartache for someone new?
A sweet romantic comedy, Rye Lane has received a plethora of praise since its debut at the Sundance Film Festival, with almost every aspect of the movie having been gushed over. Despite its well-trodden genre, Rye Lane really is a breath of fresh air, with the chemistry from the lead couple keeping eyes transfixed on every on-screen detail. Unlike other rom-coms of this nature, the nuances of human emotion are explored with maturity, with both of the protagonists making questionable choices but never losing their appeal. Simply put, Rye Lane is a joy to watch. – Jake Hodges
Triangle of Sadness
Rotten Tomatoes: 72% | IMDb: 7.3/10
Triangle of Sadness
A fashion model celebrity couple join an eventful cruise for the super-rich.
- Release Date
- September 18, 2022
- Director
- Ruben Östlund
- Cast
- Thobias Thorwid , Harris Dickinson , Charlbi Dean , Vicki Berlin
- Runtime
- 147 minutes
- Genres
- Comedy , Drama
A winner of the coveted Palme d’Or prize at Cannes, Triangle of Sadness follows celebrity model couple Carl (Harris Dickinson) and Yaya (Charlbi Dean) after they are unexpectedly invited on a yacht with some of the richest people in the world. Promised a luxurious getaway full of social media content opportunities, the couple instead find Woody Harrelson’s strange boat captain and a voyage destined for disaster as they end up stranded with no hope on a desert island.
A satirical examination of social hierarchy, Triangle of Sadness moves with comedy, its underlying message providing a biting view of the entitlement of the mega-rich. Although overt in its critique, the film is both satisfying in its delivery and, in places, quite heartfelt, with our central couple finding moments of nuance despite all their flaws. Full of energy, the plot, like the yacht, rocks and crashes until each of the undesirables meets their deserved fate. – Jake Hodges
Bruiser
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 6.1/10
Bruiser
- Release Date
- February 24, 2023
- Director
- Miles Warren
- Runtime
- 1 hr 37 min
- Genres
- Drama
Co-written and directed by Miles Warren, Bruiser follows the story of 14-year-old Darious (Jalyn Hall), who, surrounded by a world of contrasting views from his faith to toxic masculinity, fights to find his place. Bullied at private school, Darious, searching for answers, rebels against his strict regimen of life by befriending a much older stranger. In a twist of fate, this stranger turns out to be Darious’s biological father, a man from which his mother had kept him hidden for fear that his violent tendencies would be passed down to her son.
A story split down the middle in both its style and substance, Bruiser is, in fact, based on Miles Warren’s own experience as an adolescent, making the nuanced drama all the more impactful. Incredibly relevant, Bruiser sacrifices the flashier aspects of cinema in favor of telling a genuinely heartfelt story — one that almost transcends the medium with which it is told. Thanks to a truthful script and Jalyn Hall’s magnificent performance, Bruiser is a piece of media that serves as both entertainment and, in some respects, social education. – Jake Hodges
Fire Island
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 6.7/10
Fire Island
- Release Date
- June 3, 2022
- Director
- Andrew Ahn
- Runtime
- 105 minutes
- Genres
- Romantic Comedy
Both written by and starring Joel Kim Booster, Fire Island, inspired by Pride and Prejudice, follows a group of gay friends who decide to get away and let their proverbial hair down one summer. What ensues is a recipe for romantic success, as each of their lives is changed thanks to blossoming romances, philosophical epiphanies, and plenty of cheap booze.
A zeitgeisty take on today’s youth, Fire Island leaves no stone unturned in its pursuit of representing the underrepresented. From social media trends to drugs and body dysmorphia, Fire Island thrives thanks to the diverse nature of its plot, which neatly encapsulates the hopes and fears of a modern generation. Andrew Ahn’s direction makes sure to capture a sense of realism but never loses a frame of fun in this wild ride of an adventure. Much like the attitudes of the people it is trying to represent, the movie flows between a yearning for self-confidence and the sometimes flawed attempts to always do what’s right. – Jake Hodges
Changing the Game
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 6.4/10
Changing the Game
- Release Date
- April 26, 2019
- Director
- Michael Barrett
- Runtime
- 1 hr 28 min
- Genres
- Documentary
The multi-award-winning Changing the Game is a documentary following the highs and lows of participating in competitive sports, shining a light on talented transgender athletes. Weaving through different tales of the tough rise to the pinnacle of competition, the story neatly juxtaposes such a struggle for recognition with that of transgender representation and rights, with each of the subjects providing an in-depth emotional take on an underrepresented topic.
A blend of touching sadness and hope for the future creates the tone of Changing the Game — one that is certainly impossible to get out of your head long after viewing. Both entertaining and educational, the movie is a must-watch simply for its message. But beyond its importance, it’s a genuinely well-made documentary, too. Directed with integrity by Michael Barnett, the story never dives into the over-dramatic, instead wisely opting to simply tell the fascinating and tear-jerking tales of each of its subjects. – Jake Hodges
The Worst Person in the World
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.7/10
The Worst Person in the World
- Release Date
- July 8, 2021
- Director
- Joachim Trier
- Cast
- Renate Reinsve , Anders Danielsen Lie , Herbert Nordrum
- Runtime
- 128
A success at both Cannes and the Academy Awards, Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person in the World follows protagonist Julie (Renate Reinsve) over four crucial years in her life. From the highs of love to the lows of rejection and everything in between, Julie’s life in modern-day Oslo is both extraordinary and ordinary, with her navigation through her late 20s and into her 30s filled to the brim with life-altering moments that all culminate in an introspective look at who she really is and who she really wants to be.
A contemplative take on 21st-century humanity, The Worst Person in the World is, at its heart, a relatable tale. No matter the nuance of each moment in Julie’s life, the emotions on display, portrayed excellently by Renate Reinsve, are easily recognizable with emotions in our own lives. What looks like a simple story on the surface buries deep into the audience’s soul, using its simplicity to hold a mirror up to our own faces as we find ourselves asking the same questions that Julie does. Quite simply, The Worst Person in the World has the potential to change the life of anyone who watches it, evolving it from a film to a moving experience. – Jake Hodges
Fresh
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 6.7/10
Fresh
- Release Date
- March 4, 2022
- Director
- Mimi Cave
- Runtime
- 114 minutes
Directed by exciting up-and-comer Mimi Cave, Fresh follows the down-on-her-luck Noa (Daisy Edgar-Jones), who, after spending quite some time attempting to find love through dating apps, decides to instead try the old-fashioned approach. After a chance encounter with Steve (Sebastian Stan) at a grocery store, Noa decides to take the plunge and finds what initially seems to be a blossoming romance. After agreeing to a love-fueled vacation, the smitten Noa suddenly finds that there may be more to Steve than she once thought as his true hobbies are laid by in gruesome detail.
A fantastic pair of lead performances from both Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan provides the backbone for this terrifying tale, which thrives thanks to the dedication of all parties involved in delivering realistic drama through a potentially unbelievable plot. With an eye on the modern attitudes to dating and love, Fresh follows both a gripping, unique horror narrative as well as an analysis of certain 21st-century sensibilities, managing to deliver both visual scares and a contemplative message. Fast-paced and frightening, Fresh is a stand-out horror movie among somewhat of a modern renaissance in the genre. – Jake Hodges
Pig
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 6.9/10
Starring Alex Wolff and Nicolas Cage, Pig follows the latter as hermit Rob, a man who lives deep in the heart of the Oregon forests with his solitude shared only by his best friend: a foraging pig. With his life following a strict sense of regimented routine, unbeknownst to Rob, that routine will be soon interrupted, resulting in the disappearance of his beloved companion. With nothing to lose, Rob will move heaven and Earth to find his four-trotted friend.
As part of his recent career renaissance, Nicolas Cage brings his unique talent to Pig in all its glory, delighting as he carries almost the entire film on his back, perfectly selling the desperate love his character has for the titular pig. Despite seeming wacky in its premise, Pig is full of genuine tension and mystery as the story unfolds, creating some brilliantly crafted dramatic moments thanks in no small part to director Michael Sarnoski. Suspenseful and surprising, Pig has more turns in its tale than its titular sow. – Jake Hodges
Flee
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 7.9/10
Flee
- Release Date
- December 3, 2021
- Director
- Jonas Poher Rasmussen
- Runtime
- 1 hr 30 min
This critically-heralded documentary, directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, follows the story of Amin, a man who fled to Denmark from Afghanistan when he was just a boy. After building a successful life in his new country, Amin finds both academic and romantic success, breaking the barriers that seemed so set on blocking him. Now 36 years old and engaged, Amin is ready to sit down with his long-time friend, the aforementioned Rasmussen, and discuss his life, including a secret he has been hiding all these years. With Amin fearing for his relationship and his life, what exactly is his darkest secret?
A powerful story that digs to the deepest depths of human experience, Flee is not simply a character piece but a valuable history lesson, too. Because of the director and subject’s long friendship, the documentary feels truly personal, as if we ourselves have worked for years to earn Amin’s trust. By using beautiful animation to recreate parts of Amin’s life, the documentary is propelled to another level as this tragic tale unfolds. A triumphant cross-analysis of the horrors of the ripple effects of war and LGBTQIA+ representation, it is no wonder why Flee won the Grand Jury Prize in Sundance’s World Cinema Documentary section. – Jake Hodges
Another Round
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 7.7/10
Another Round
- Release Date
- December 18, 2020
- Director
- Thomas Vinterberg
- Cast
- Mads Mikkelsen , Thomas Bo Larsen , Lars Ranthe , Magnus Millang , Maria Bonnevie , Susse Wold
- Runtime
- 117 minutes
- Genres
- Drama , Comedy
Starring Mads Mikkelsen in one of his best roles, this Cannes selection follows Mikkelsen as Martin and three other high school teachers, all of whom have decided to use a controlled amount of alcohol to regulate their lives. With Martin finding life tiresome, he feels as if alcohol often lifts both his spirits and creativity, with the other three agreeing to use this experiment to test just how useful alcohol may actually be. With a deep character study of each of them, the movie details the rise and subsequent fall of the experiment, with each of them having nuanced reactions to a dangerous new way of life.
On its surface, Another Round has a strong message about alcoholism, but as time goes on, it becomes clearer that this is a story of love, loss, and the dangers of a mid-life crisis on mental health. Beautifully written by director Thomas Vinterberg and Tobias Lindholm, the story is calculated in its approach to a delicate subject matter, with hints of comedy and honesty balancing out some hard-hitting moments. At its heart, Another Round is about a search for freedom and how that search will always come with its own dangers. – Jake Hodges.
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