The Hulu streaming service is known largely for its wide selection of television programs, but it also boasts a healthy film library as well. The film selection is one of the best available on streaming, although Hulu only has about a third of the number of films that Netflix offers. What Hulu lacks in quantity, however, it makes up in quality. Hulu offers a strong selection of modern blockbusters and Oscar nominees, including several Best Picture winners.
Hulu is owned by Disney, so in addition to a wide selection of television programming from ABC and FX, they offer several film classics from the Fox library as well. Most of those films are hits from 1980 to the present and represent the best of the modern Fox era. Hulu has also scored streaming deals with both Warner Bros. and Universal, allowing some of their better films to stream on the service as well. We’ve collected a few of the best films that are currently available to stream on Hulu, ranked in no particular order.
Updated on Feb. 10th, 2024 by Ben Hathaway: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
26 The Mummy (1999)
Stephen Sommer’s modernized take on Universal’s The Mummy is every bit as fun as that classic, and then some. Brendan Fraser inhabits the most beloved role of his career with adventurer Rick O’Connell, but there’s little doubt the two sequels combined aren’t as energetic and entertaining as the 1999 film. The first movie follows O’Connell as him, a librarian, and the librarian’s older brother as they accidentally unearth an ancient, betrayed, and quite vengeful mummified High Priest.
A Mummified Rollercoaster
Fraser’s lovability alone is reason enough to watch The Mummy, but there’s also his camaraderie with his co-stars. This is particularly true of his chemistry with Rachel Weisz, though admittedly the film’s script doesn’t give the latter quite enough to do. But, that’s just one problem in a movie that gets a lot of things right.
25 Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
The MCU changed Hollywood when it emphasized the financial potential of the shared cinematic universe. And, if there’s one shared universe that’s actually managed to surprise people by successfully lifting off the ground, it’s the MonsterVerse. And this was proven outright with the COVID-era release Godzilla vs. Kong, a title that sells the plot all it needs to.
A Clash of the Titans
While the monster fights are still more compelling than the human characters, those human characters found in this fourth MonsterVerse installment are deeper than those found in the previous films. And, back to the fights, this film features some of the best in Godzilla history. That includes the MonsterVerse and any of the Toho eras. In other words, this thing’s a crowd-pleaser.
24 Heat (1995)
Heat
- Release Date
- December 15, 1995
Easily one of the best American heist films ever made, Michael Mann’s Heat is also his magnum opus. The epic plot essentially tells two stories simultaneously. One is the tale of Captain Vincent Hanna, an LAPD investigator in pursuit of a notorious crew of bank robbers. And, on the other end, there’s the leader of that crew: Neil McCauley. Each man has a vastly different approach to life, but, they do share a similarity, their life’s a mess…but they’re the only lives they know.
A Classic Heist Film
Is the movie’s extended street shootout as engrossing as a set piece can get? Absolutely. But, that’s not what makes Heat a near-perfect film. It’s the fact that a simple conversation between two men at a diner can be every bit as compelling.
23 Predator (1987)
Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jesse Ventura, and the late, great Carl Weathers, Predator is an action classic loaded with literal heavy hitters. And, thankfully, the quote-laden script never lets them down. The narrative follows a squad of commandos as they enter the jungle of Central America in pursuit of a gun-running team. Too bad they’ll find someone else, too. Or, rather, he’ll find them.
A Top-Five Actioner
Even just standing on its own, John McTiernan’s sci-fi actioner is one of the best entries in either genre. But, the film’s expertly-crafted assembly is even more impressive when one considers that just one year prior the director was helming Die Hard. In other words, one individual was responsible for what could easily be called the two best action films of all time in just as many years.
22 Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019)
Featuring a star-studded cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood takes you to 1969, Los Angeles, where fading actor Rick Dalton and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth navigate an industry they hardly recognize anymore. While Booth struggles to find work, Dalton tries to remain relevant by befriending the spellbinding enigma that is his new neighbor – actress Sharon Tate.
Tarantino’s Love Letter to His Industry
The movie is writer-director Quentin Tarantino’s ninth feature, and its essence lies in bidding adieu to a bygone Hollywood golden era. The multi-layered storyline moves at an intoxicating pace, and we see glimpses of nostalgia and celebration of friendship through the eyes of DiCaprio and Pitt, who are pure excellence alongside Margot Robbie’s Tate. The film received massive praise for being deeply personal and thoroughly entertaining.
21 The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Written by Tim Burton, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a phenomenal gothic stop-motion musical that has become a go-to holiday tradition for audiences of all ages. It follows the Pumpkin King Jack Skellington who is bored out of his mind with the same old scare routines in Halloween Town. His longing for change leads him to Christmas Town, and Jack is immediately enchanted by the holiday cheer, lights, and love therein. He decides that Halloween town needs the same healthy dose of happiness so he kidnaps Santa Claus, which only leads to chaos.
A Seasonal Delight
Burton not only created a Christmas classic with the fascinating and whimsical narrative but also pushed the boundaries of stop-motion and infused it with a charming and imaginative production design and a tinge of romance between Jack and Sally. The catchy and kooky musical score provided by Danny Elfman (who also voiced Jack Skellington) enhances the film’s spirit. Almost 30 years later, The Nightmare Before Christmas remains a cinematic marvel.
20 Self Reliance (2023)
A wildly impressive directorial debut for Jake Johnson, Self Reliance is a wonderfully entertaining and consistently thought-provoking work. It’s also impeccably cast, with Johnson ably supported by the likes of Mary Holland, Natalie Morales, Anna Kendrick, and a pair of bonkers cameos from Andy Samberg. The narrative follows a man who will receive a million dollars should he be able to avoid getting murdered by a group of hunters before the clock runs out.
A Great Calling Card for Johnson as a Director
The inventiveness of the plot is an asset all its own. But, it has a twist that allows the narrative to reach emotional poignancy. Johnson’s Tommy cannot be killed if he is within arm’s length of another individual. So, perhaps, fate will make it so that he not only cleans up financially but gets over his ex, as well.
19 Quiz Lady (2023)
Quiz Lady
- Release Date
- November 3, 2023
- Director
- Jessica Yu
Written by Jen D’Angelo and produced by Will Ferrell, Quiz Lady is a light-hearted comedy that follows two sisters Anne and Jenny, who are stuck together, striving hard to pay off a debt of $80,000 that their mother owes to a loan shark. Meanwhile, using Anne’s wit and trivia knowledge and Jenny’s disastrous charm, they embark on a road trip to retrieve their kidnapped dog, Mr. Linguini.
Sandra Oh and Awkwafina’s Chemistry Is Wonderful
At its core, Quiz Lady is the story of two ordinary women and their extraordinary moment in the spotlight. Awkwafina and Sandra Oh are a hilarious duo who bring out the high tension and heart of Jessica Yu’s premise with their signature style. The rapport they share and the gags they deliver are a hit. That said, the movie feels fresh and timely, charming and resilient, endearing and funny.
18 Rye Lane (2023)
Directed by Raine Allen-Miller in her feature directorial debut, Rye Lane is a little London-set romantic comedy that proves that the genre still has a lot of stories to explore. When Yas finds Dom crying in the bathroom over his breakup with his long-term girlfriend, she accompanies him on the walk back home. The two immediately hit it off, sharing experiences and humor, with Yas opening up about her own failed relationship. From singing karaoke to breaking and entering, they do it all in one day of adventure.
Reviving the Rom-Com Genre
There are a lot of factors working in this beautiful rom-com. David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah are perfectly cast as two strangers who are as complicated as they are communicative. Set in the actual Rye Lane Market, the film pops in the frame with its vivid colors and wide-angle cinematography. The script, too, is incredibly funny and delightful, with the little anecdotes and connections to films in the genre feeling as refreshing and familiar as ever. Overall, this is a modern-day movie that’s here to stay.
17 Nightmare Alley (2021)
Bringing the darkest depths of showbiz to blinding light, Nightmare Alley follows the miserable yet ambitious Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) who accidentally stumbles upon a wealthy couple and is enchanted by their vibe. He schemes and cons his way into the high-class carnival and eventually seeks the help of a mysterious psychologist to go bigger. However, little does Stanton know, he may be trapped in his own little game.
Guillermo del Toro in Top Form
Cooper and Cate Blanchett put on mesmerizing performances, showcasing both ambition and power in a glorious light, even though the message given is the exact opposite. They bring justice to Guillermo del Toro’s dazzle and darkness and honor his vision to revive the neo-noir genre. Moreover, the movie is set in the 1940s, which means the aesthetic feels as vintage as it is fresh. The shadowy visuals paired with the twisted mind games are nothing short of spectacular.
16 21 Jump Street (2012)
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s 21 Jump Street could have been a trainwreck. Taking an old property and trying to make it new again doesn’t always work out for comedy movies (e.g. McHale’s Navy), in fact it hardly ever does, but boy did it work out here. Without exaggeration, the 21 Jump Street movie is far better, and far smarter, than the original television series could have hoped to be.
Just Delightful Fun
There’s an argument to be made that 21 Jump Street isn’t just the funniest mainstream comedy of the 2010s, but one of the best comedy films ever made. It’s certainly one of the funniest. Why? Because the brilliant script paired with the chemistry shared between Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum (who altered his career, and people’s opinion of his abilities, with his work here) is a match made in heaven.
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14 No One Will Save You (2023)
No One Will Save You features Kaitlyn Dever as Brynn Adams, a young girl who is incredibly talented but also an anxiety-ridden homebody. After experiencing several shocking instances in life, Brynn has finally found peace within the four walls of her home. But when Brynn begins hearing strange sounds at night, she realizes that her very haven is intruded by an alien and that she must fight it.
Experimental and Chilling
Shot incredibly well by writer-director Brian Duffield, the movie is the latest addition to Hulu’s wide library of science-fiction horror films. Dever is known to be stunning in every role she plays, and paired with the sparse script and fragmented editing, the movie is a riveting experience for fans of horror. With only a few words spoken in the entire runtime, this is a masterclass in the idea of show don’t tell.
13 Fresh (2022)
Fresh
- Release Date
- March 4, 2022
- Director
- Mimi Cave
Daisy Edgar-Jones plays Noa, a single young woman navigating her love life after accidentally bumping into a charming surgeon named Steve, played by Sebastian Stan, in a convenience store aisle. After a few weeks of dating and an out-of-town escape to his weird house, Noa realizes that Steve has an unusual appetite. He preys on women’s bodies and she might have become his next victim.
A Roller Coaster Ride of a Horror Movie
Extremely unpredictable in its premise but still wicked and fun, Fresh brings two actors we never imagined would look so gorgeous together and gives them a brilliant premise to work with. Fresh deconstructs modern dating culture through the lens of horror and humor, but what makes it so good is the clever writing. The movie hides a feminist allegory beneath all the gruesome visuals, and in the end, gives the female lead a huge win.
12 How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2023)
How to Blow Up a Pipeline immediately introduces us to a bunch of environmental activists – or eco-warriors, as we’d like to call them – and their frustration at not being heard. As radical individuals, they hatch a plan to disrupt an oil pipeline and finally attract the attention of society and the authorities. After all, it is our right as civilians to protest and alter unjust systems and create awareness about the looming environmental crisis.
Taking on a Pressing Issue With Confidence
Directed by Daniel Goldhaber, How to Blow Up a Pipeline is a movie that boldly and quickly makes its case about steering ourselves away from a global climate collapse by taking small but necessary steps. It achieves just that by being so well-thought-out. Because the film chooses a universally resonant subject, its pacing and plotting have to be direct but breezy. Genuinely gripping, the movie sparks real discussions about where we must draw lines when it comes to our home.
11 Tropic Thunder (2008)
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The plot of Tropic Thunder goes something like this – a bunch of actors shooting a Vietnam War film get stranded at the location of the shoot, which is a jungle. They try to find their way out and end up getting one of their buddies kidnapped and being chased by scary drug dealers. What follows is a hysterical back-and-forth between the characters.
A Classic, But Controversial Contribution
Co-written and directed by Ben Stiller, the movie is a satirical action comedy that picks on Hollywood egos and wartime cinema by telling a subversive story around the same. Stiller has written an impressive film that is bold enough to poke fun at society but also absurd enough to make you laugh. From Robert Downey Jr’s controversial Blackface role to the film’s overall incorrectness, several aspects have made Tropic Thunder earn fame for both good and bad reasons.
10 Theater Camp (2023)
Theater Camp
- Release Date
- September 14, 2023
- Director
- Molly Gordon , Nick Lieberman
The film follows an ensemble of eager and eccentric staff members of an upstate New York theater camp. Despite being underdogs, the entire team bands together to save their jobs and home after their founder, Joan, falls into a coma. They emerge through teamwork and the main characters, Amos and Rebecca-Diane, eventually ease the financial troubles through their efforts.
A Criminally Underrated Comedy
Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman truly created history with Theater Camp, which is the feature directorial debut of both of them. Filled with campy vibes, determined theatrical kids, and a cast made of incredible people like Molly Gordon, Ayo Edebiri, Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, Patti Harrison, and Jimmy Tatro, the movie features plenty of feel-good laughs and a cozy summer-like aesthetic that makes it a delightful watch.
9 The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Set on a rural Irish island, The Banshees of Inisherin follows Pádraic, who is crushed when his best friend, Colm, suddenly breaks off their friendship without so much as a warning. Confused about his intentions, Pádraic confronts Colm only to hear that the man simply doesn’t like hanging out with him anymore. But Pádraic is determined to repair the damage and win his friend back.
If You’re in the Mood for Devastation…
As is typical for director Martin McDonagh, Banshees is hard to categorize. It’s made up of both belly-laugh moments and truly gut-wrenching emotional scenes. Chaos and dark comedy ensue as the entire island hears of their fallout. Anchored by powerful performances from Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, the movie creates a skillful balance between what is mundane and what is monumental in a person’s life.
8 Triangle of Sadness (2022)
Ruben Östlund’s Palme d’Or winner Triangle of Sadness follows a couple – Carl is a model and Yaya is an influencer – who wins a chance to go on a luxury cruise with some of the most pretentious and weirdly arrogant upper-class people. Once there, things go awry because a storm hits them and a major part of the ship sinks. Some of the guests who survive are stranded on an island, and a woman from the ship’s cleaning crew takes charge because she’s the only one with some food supply and a skillset that will sustain them until help arrives.
Top Tier Performances
Piercing social commentary meets outrageous comedy as the hierarchy flips and the yacht-bound become desperate. Every scene-stealing scene that makes it to the big screen arrives with a jarring truth about the class divide wrapped inside it, which is fitting in today’s time when satire is the only way truth can be told and heard. Harris Dickinson and Dolly De Leon deliver career-defining performances and make the film a unique experience.
7 Snowpiercer (2013)
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In 2031, the world is frozen due to climate change and has wiped out almost the entire civilization except for a few survivors who travel on a train named Snowpiercer. However, with the new world, new changes and social classes have emerged, prompting ambitious individuals to reap the benefits of labor and discoveries. The story follows Curtis (Christ Evans) and a group of low-class residents living in a cramped compartment at the back of the train as they strive to rebel against the unfair treatment by battling their way to the top (or front).
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Snowpiercer is another influential social commentary film from Bong Joon-ho, the director behind The Host and the Oscar-winning Parasite. It is his first English language film, but he doesn’t lose his style in the process, and despite some situations bordering on ridiculousness, he balances the scales beautifully. Moreover, its overarching message is so strong and impactful that there’s even a series of the same name based on the movie.
