The Best Movies on Hulu Every Film Lover Needs to Watch

What is Hulu?

Many people think of it as Disney’s second streaming service – the one with movies and shows that aren’t from Pixar, Marvel, or Star Wars. It also includes a lot of content Disney gained when it bought 20th Century Fox a while back.

I wasn’t asking about the streaming service itself, but the word ‘Hulu’. What does it actually mean? Apparently, the company’s CEO chose the name because ‘Hulu’ is the Mandarin word for ‘gourd’. He liked it because a gourd traditionally symbolizes a container for valuable items, which he felt represented the premium content Hulu offers. So, that’s the story behind the name.

I doubt most people, even those who regularly use Hulu, immediately think of it as a source of high-quality movies and TV shows. However, Hulu does have a decent selection of good films, largely because Disney+ keeps most of its adult-oriented content separate. Of course, there are some exceptions – for example, the R-rated movie Deadpool is actually available on Disney+.

What are the must-watch shows and movies on Hulu? ScreenCrush has compiled a list of 15 top picks. Plus, if you have both Hulu and Disney+, you can often watch these titles on Disney+ too, as long as your accounts are connected – it’s a great perk!

The Best Movies on Hulu Every Film Lover Should Watch

Ghostbusters (1984)

I have a clear memory from when I was very young: sitting at the foot of my parents’ bed, completely captivated by Ghostbusters on their big TV. I don’t remember exactly how old I was, but my brother and I were young enough to get in trouble for repeating some of the bad words from the movie. But that didn’t stop us from watching Ghostbusters over and over again – probably more times than any other film in my life!

And honestly, I turned out fine. Any parent would be proud to have a son who’s a film critic, right? So, don’t hesitate to let your kids watch Ghostbusters even when they’re little. What’s the harm?

When Harry Met Sally… (1989)

One reason Rob Reiner didn’t initially receive the recognition he deserved as a director is that he consistently avoided repeating himself. While some directors focus on the same ideas throughout their careers, Reiner always sought new challenges. For instance, he moved from the whimsical fairy tale The Princess Bride to the intense psychological thriller Misery, and in between, he created what many consider the quintessential romantic comedy of the late 20th century, When Harry Met Sally… Starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, the film follows two people who repeatedly cross paths as friends before considering a romantic relationship. When Harry Met Sally is now a hugely influential and often-quoted movie from the 1980s, and it’s well worth watching again if it’s been a while.

Heat (1995)

Often imitated but never surpassed (even other streaming services have copied it this year!), Heat is still a defining film in the crime genre. It finally brings together two acting legends, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, in a tense showdown—though their scene together is brief—as a criminal and the detective pursuing him during a series of heists in Los Angeles. With its fast-paced direction by Michael Mann and memorable, tough dialogue—you’ll be quoting lines like “GIMME ALL YA GOT!” with your friends for days—Heat is a movie you won’t soon forget.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

Combining the styles of Preston Sturges films, traditional folk music, and Homer’s The Odyssey, O Brother, Where Art Thou? is considered one of the Coen brothers’ best films. It features excellent performances from George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson, who play escaped convicts searching for hidden treasure. The film’s soundtrack was a huge hit, and the movie itself is also very well-made.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

I can’t recall exactly when or where I first watched Eternal Sunshine, but it was around 20 years ago while I was living in New York City. The details of that initial viewing have faded with time, like so many memories do. Interestingly, that makes me appreciate the film even more now than I did when it came out in 2004. What’s so compelling about Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is how it uses a science fiction idea – a couple erasing each other from their memories – to explore the realities of natural memory loss. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet create one of the most memorable couples in film history, largely because their relationship is destined to fail. Ultimately, all relationships end somehow – it’s like watching a beach house slowly fall into the ocean.

Borat (2006)

Hulu is a great choice for streaming Borat (also known as Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glourious Nation of Kazakhstan). Sacha Baron Cohen brought his famously awkward character, Borat Sagdiyev, from his HBO show Da Ali G Show and gave him his own movie. Despite a difficult production – the original director, Todd Phillips (of The Hangover fame!), left mid-shoot and the entire plot had to be rewritten – the film became one of the funniest and most shocking movies of the 2000s. It might not be as hilarious watching it at home, so maybe watch it with your spouse to get a few extra laughs!

Superbad (2007)

If you’re looking for funny movies on Hulu, consider Superbad. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg worked on the script for about twelve years, starting when they were teenagers – even younger than the characters in the movie! By the time the film got made, Rogen was too old to play the part originally written for him, so Jonah Hill stepped in. Michael Cera played Evan, and together they portray two best friends determined to get beer for one last high school party before heading off to college. The movie also features a fantastic cast, including Emma Stone in one of her first major roles, and the unforgettable McLovin (Christopher Mintz-Plasse). Despite the name, Superbad is anything but a bad movie!

Django Unchained (2012)

Quentin Tarantino’s first Western draws inspiration from blaxploitation films, horror, and even superhero stories. It’s essentially the origin story of a revenge-driven hero (Jamie Foxx, delivering a powerfully intense performance) in the pre-Civil War South. Like many of Tarantino’s later films, it feels a bit too long—the climax is interrupted by a pointless 15-minute scene where Tarantino himself appears as an unconvincing Australian miner—but at its best, it’s truly exceptional, featuring some of the finest acting in his entire career. In my opinion, Christoph Waltz gives a better performance as Dr. King Schultz, a bounty hunter who mentors Foxx’s character, than he does in Inglourious Basterds.

Force Majeure (2014)

Many movies today focus on heroes, but ‘Force Majeure’ stands out by exploring cowardice. The film follows a Swedish family on a ski trip to the French Alps, and a frightening incident reveals a lot about the father and changes the family forever. It’s a thought-provoking look at what happens in marriages, how men see themselves, and what it means to realize you’re not capable of heroic acts. It’s a film you’ll want to watch again – both for the witty dialogue that hints at what’s to come, and to fully consider the meaning of its ambiguous ending.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ was the clear standout blockbuster of 2014. While it’s a thrilling story about the fragile peace between humans and apes, it also offers a smart look at issues relevant to our own world, like prejudice, gun violence, and the repeating patterns of conflict. The digitally created apes, particularly Caesar (played by Andy Serkis) and Koba (played by Toby Kebbell), were more nuanced and believable than most of the human characters in other summer movies. This exciting sequel proved that big-budget action and intelligent storytelling aren’t mutually exclusive – even though the film shows us that gorillas and humans often can’t find a way to coexist peacefully.

In & Of Itself (2020)

Honestly, seeing Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself live was one of the best nights I’ve ever had in a theater. I hesitated to watch the filmed version – even though Frank Oz directed it – because I was convinced nothing could replicate that feeling of being in the room, which was funny, beautiful, and genuinely magical.

But this film… it’s surprisingly effective. Live performances like this always make you wonder if some audience members are plants, but Oz cleverly edits together footage from multiple shows. You see DelGaudio repeating these incredible moments with different people, each time unique and tailored to them. And the climax, which was already mind-blowing in person, actually feels more powerful on film. Oz positioned cameras all over the theater, so you get to witness the audience’s reactions alongside everything that happens.

It’s a really moving experience. Hulu Originals doesn’t always have a ton of stand-out content, but the fact that they have this gem is impressive all on its own.

Palm Springs (2020)

The movie Palm Springs takes the familiar time-loop idea from Groundhog Day – where someone relives the same day repeatedly until they improve as a person – and turns it into a romantic comedy. Instead of one person stuck in the loop, it’s a couple: Nyles (Andy Samberg) and Sarah (Cristin Milioti). They meet and connect at a wedding, but things get strange when a mysterious man in camouflage (J.K. Simmons) shoots Nyles with an arrow.

After Sarah follows Nyles into a glowing cave, she becomes trapped in the time loop with him. Palm Springs is clever in how it portrays both characters and their emotional journeys, even if Nyles is a bit of a goofball. The chemistry between Samberg and Milioti is a definite plus. While the story isn’t groundbreaking, as many films inspired by Groundhog Day have shown, there’s something satisfying about a repeating narrative.

The Last Duel (2021)

Ridley Scott attributed the poor box office results of The Last Duel – it earned only $30 million on a $100 million budget – to a lack of interest from young audiences glued to their phones. However, the film’s failure was likely due to the merger between Fox and Disney, as Disney didn’t seem enthusiastic about promoting it. Despite flopping, The Last Duel was one of Scott’s strongest films in recent years: a compelling drama based on a true story of a feud in medieval France between Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver). What starts as a rivalry over money and status escalates into a deadly conflict when de Carrouges’ wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer), accuses Le Gris of rape. The screenplay, written by Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Nicole Holofcener, is presented in a Rashomonlike style, retelling the story from the perspectives of each main character and highlighting how their interpretations of events differ – or, surprisingly, align. The film boasts stunning, candlelit cinematography by Dariusz Wolski, a thrilling duel that was arguably the best action sequence of 2021, and a continued effort by Driver to redefine himself beyond the typical “heartthrob” image (as seen in Annette and Scott’s House of Gucci*).

Decision to Leave (2022)

As a huge fan of classic thrillers, I was absolutely blown away by Decision to Leave. It honestly feels like Park Chan-wook took the best parts of Vertigo and Basic Instinct, moved the story to South Korea, and created something totally unique. It’s beautifully shot, incredibly restrained, and the editing is just brilliant – it plays with time in a way that keeps you guessing. It’s a heartbreaking love story between a detective (Park Hae-il) and a mysterious woman (Tang Wei) whose husband has died, but it’s also a really compelling detective story. Honestly, it’s both, and that’s what makes it so amazing. It’s a departure for Park Chan-wook, much more classical and less flashy than his other work, but it totally works.

Anora (2024)

The film Anora begins with a premise similar to Pretty Woman: a sex worker accepts a proposal to pose as a wealthy man’s girlfriend for a week, and a connection develops. Interestingly, writer/director Sean Baker didn’t notice the similarities until halfway through filming. However, it’s around that point that Anora significantly departs from the Pretty Woman formula and becomes truly compelling.

Baker then brings the same sensitivity he showed in earlier films like Tangerine and The Florida Project, which also focused on the lives of sex workers. What sets Anora apart is its excellent cast, led by Mikey Madison, and its unique ability to blend humor and heartbreak, often within the same scene.

The Best Movies on Disney+ Every Film Lover Must Watch

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Following the success of their short films, Disney created its first full-length animated movie in 1937: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Even if the story isn’t to your taste, it’s a hugely important film for anyone interested in animation history. Plus, a recent restoration means it looks beautiful on Disney+.

Pinocchio (1940)

Many of Walt Disney’s first animated movies are now classics, but they weren’t all successful when they first came out. Today, Pinocchio is considered a masterpiece, but it actually lost money when it was originally released, costing the studio about $1 million – a significant amount at the time. This was partly because World War II was impacting movie ticket sales overseas. Disney re-released the film several times over the years, and eventually it became profitable. It just proves that a movie’s success isn’t always immediate. (By the way, be sure to watch the original animated version, not the recent live-action remake – unless you really want to annoy someone!)

The Three Caballeros (1944)

While not considered one of Disney’s greatest early animated films, The Three Caballeros remains a unique and interesting part of the company’s story. Originally created as a series of shorts to celebrate Donald Duck’s 10th anniversary, the film features lovely hand-drawn animation, energetic music, and a pioneering blend of animation and live-action. The characters – Donald Duck, Jose Carioca, and Panchito Pistoles – have remained popular for decades, with their own ride at Epcot and a recent TV series, Legend of the Three Caballeros.

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Honestly, Sleeping Beauty is probably the most gorgeous Disney movie ever made – it’s worth watching just for how beautiful it is. But I have to ask… those fairies seriously hid with this princess for almost 16 years and never used their magic? Then, on the one day they were terrified of, they let her wander off alone? And they wasted all that powerful magic on throwing a silly birthday party?! Seriously, fairies?! It’s a beautiful film, don’t get me wrong, but I definitely wouldn’t trust those fairies to babysit my kids.

Star Wars (1977)

It remains the original and, many would say, the best. Even after 50 years, the dynamic between the characters, the thrilling sense of adventure, and the iconic final attack on the Death Star haven’t been surpassed – and countless films have tried, often by simply copying it. While there are many ways to judge a film, I often find myself rewatching this one, even with so many other choices available on streaming services like Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon.

The Great Muppet Caper (1981)

While many people love The Muppet Movie, I’ve always preferred its sequel, a funny and charming heist film featuring the Muppets. It’s thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end, and honestly, if it had just a little more footage of Charles Grodin pursuing Miss Piggy, it would be perfect!

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

The Indiana Jones movies perfectly blended George Lucas’ love for classic adventure stories with Steven Spielberg’s incredible talent for directing exciting action scenes. This combination led to four sequels (and a TV show), but the original, Raiders of the Lost Ark, remains the best. While it might not be Spielberg’s most emotionally deep film, it’s arguably the one worth preserving above all others simply because it’s endlessly rewatchable and fun.

The Princess Bride (1987)

Similar to This Is Spinal Tap, Rob Reiner’s The Princess Bride wasn’t a huge success when it first came out in theaters. However, over time and through repeated showings on cable, it became one of the most popular children’s movies of the late 20th century. The story centers on a grandfather (Peter Falk) reading a fairytale to his ill grandson (Fred Savage) about the courageous Westley (Cary Elwes) and his quest to save his true love, Buttercup (Robin Wright), from a group of villains, including the cunning Vizzini (Wallace Shawn) and the skilled swordsman Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin). While aimed at children, the film is filled with humor, romance, and adventure that adults will also enjoy.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

It’s easy to argue that Who Framed Roger Rabbit is one of the most important films of the past half-century—I’ve certainly made that case before. The movie was a turning point for animation, brilliantly combining it with live action. Beyond that, it’s a fantastic detective story, a charming buddy-cop adventure, a genuinely funny comedy, and surprisingly scary for a kids’ movie. I personally had a lot of nightmares about Judge Doom when I was a child!

The Little Mermaid (1989)

I grew up watching The Little Mermaid over and over – it was part of that amazing wave of Disney movies that came out when those of us who were kids in the ’80s were the perfect age for them. Now that I’m sharing those films with my own children, I’m noticing new things. I’ve become a bit of a cynic, so what really strikes me about The Little Mermaid now is how beautifully they animated Ariel’s hair underwater. It’s just so much fun to watch it float! Of course, the music is fantastic, but seriously, the hair is incredible.

The Rocketeer (1991)

“The Rocketeer” represents a fascinating “what if” for Disney. Before they owned Marvel, the company tried to create its own superhero franchise, but it didn’t quite succeed. Though a beloved film from the 1990s, it only resulted in one movie, though Disney later created an animated series based on it. The original film remains enjoyable, perhaps because its historical setting gives it a timeless quality, telling the story of an ordinary pilot who discovers a revolutionary jetpack and becomes a hero.

Aladdin (1992)

“A Whole New World” with Peabo and Regina, best end credits song ever. ’Nuff said!

Finding Nemo (2003)

While it might not be Pixar’s greatest film, Finding Nemo truly captures the heart of what makes Pixar special. It features an unlikely pair on an adventure – a journey across the ocean, no less! – and a fantastic cast of supporting characters, like the memorable fish in the dentist’s office. The movie builds to a thrilling climax, all driven by the deeply emotional story of a father’s desperate search for his son.

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Without the pressure of establishing Spider-Man’s backstory and a new plot in one movie, Sam Raimi created a deeply engaging story in Spider-Man 2 focused on Peter Parker’s relationship with a gifted scientist (Alfred Molina, arguably delivering the best performance in any Spider-Man film). This scientist is consumed by unchecked ambition and equipped with dangerous robotic arms. Even after 20 years, the film still looks fantastic—the elevated train scene remains a standout moment in the entire Marvel universe. The way the movie relentlessly throws one problem after another at Peter Parker makes the ultimately happy, yet poignant, ending feel truly earned.

Inside Out (2015)

Even before becoming Pixar’s chief creative officer, Pete Docter was known as a creative force at the studio. He contributed as a writer to beloved films like Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and WALL-E, and went on to direct three of Pixar’s most acclaimed movies: Monsters, Inc., Up, and Inside Out. Inside Out is a remarkably imaginative story exploring the mind of an 11-year-old girl, Riley, whose move from Minnesota to San Francisco throws her emotional world into turmoil. The film depicts Riley’s emotions as characters battling within her brain, and its visual design is consistently inventive and engaging. Beyond its creativity, Inside Out is a profoundly insightful film about the vital role of sadness and grief in life, and remains the high point of Docter’s impressive career.

2026-02-16 20:02