Hulu has been busy adding to its lineup of Hulu Originals (and Hulu exclusives), with several recent hits returning for new seasons. Looking at both new seasons of returning favorites, well-established favorites, and fresh arrivals, here is an updated round-up of some of the best offerings from Hulu. Many of the previous entries or honorable mentions are still on the list, with updated ratings and renewal news when applicable. This list is a “scientific” blend of Rotten Tomatoes scores (the two percentages, noting critical and audience response), the initial buzz for new series, as well as broader public appeal, and maybe just a little of this reviewer’s opinions.
Note: Given the Hollywood shut-down for the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike, some shows that are currently pending or even renewed may see an unexpected change in their future.
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Best Hulu Original Shows
1. Only Murders in the Building (99%/91%) – 3 seasons, pending
This comedy, co-written by comedy legend Steve Martin, stars Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez as three strangers completely obsessed with true crime. Living in the same upscale New York apartment building, the three discover their shared interest when a fellow resident dies, and come together to start their own true-crime podcast. Season 3 is currently airing and is still keeping fans engaged in the antics of the amateur crime solvers.
2. The Bear (99%/92%) – NEW – 2 seasons, pending
While technically an FX production, the series premiered and is streaming on Hulu, and it is THE one to watch this year, with a solid 13 Emmy nominations for its first season. The intense, fast-paced comedy/drama about a family-run restaurant in Chicago has all the hallmarks of prestige television, from excellent acting and casting to complex characters with troubling issues and baggage. Led by Jeremy Allen White (Shameless), Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Ayo Edebiri, the large ensemble cast keeps growing in dimension each episode and season.
3. This Fool (100%/93%) – NEW – 2 seasons, pending
This half-hour comedy show centered around Julio Lopez, a 30-year-old who still lives at home in his working-class South Central Los Angeles neighborhood. A pushover with a heart of gold, he has been dating his high school girlfriend Maggie on and off for years and actively avoids his real problems and growing up. When his older cousin Luis, an ex-gang member, moves in with Julio’s family after being released from prison, Julio has to deal with him not just at home but also at his non-profit job at a gang rehabilitation program.
4. Shoresy (100%/92%) – 1 season, renewed
In this spinoff of the hit Canadian comedy Letterkenny, the titular character of Shoresy (Jared Keeso) moves to Sudbury to join the struggling Triple A-level ice hockey team, the Sudbury Bulldogs. Hockey wackiness ensues.
5. Reservation Dogs (99%/90%) – 3 seasons, pending
This popular dramatic comedy follows four Native American teenagers growing up on a reservation in eastern Oklahoma trying to “collect” and save enough money to move to California after the death of their friend. The show’s title is a callback to Quentin Tarantino’s gangster film Reservoir Dogs, as the crew in Reservation Dogs are a sort of wannabe gangsters that rob and steal whatever they can so they can head to the magical place where TV dreams are made.
6. Ramy (96%/86%) – 2 seasons, renewed
Comedian Ramy Youssef frequently pulls from his own life as a Millennial Muslim American in his self-created fiction series about the struggles of a first-generation Egyptian American Muslim living in New Jersey. The show focuses on finding a personal spiritual path and balancing with his traditional culture in modern America. Hilarious and insightful, Ramy is a nuanced look at family, religion, and culture in all of its messy, complicated humanity. Check out our preview of Ramy.
7. Unprisoned (93%/95%) – NEW – 1 season, pending
Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo star in this comedy about a messy but perfectionist relationship therapist whose life gets shaken up when she lets her dad, recently released from prison, move in with her and her teenage son. She’s not only giving out relationship advice but having to rebuild her own family relationships as well as feel out the shakey new ground of a fresh romance.
8. Love, Victor (92%/84%) – 3 seasons, ended
Set in the same world as the 2018 hit film Love, Simon, this series chronicles the arrival of Victor to Creekwood High School. Dealing with teenage struggles of self-discovery, complicated home life, and exploring sexual orientation, Love, Victor is charming both critics and audiences. Heartfelt, wholesome, and encouragingly inclusive, the series makes room for a new form of high school story. The popular show just returned with its third season.
9. The Great (94%/85%) – 3 seasons, renewed
The Great crosses a lush period drama with a satirical comedy in a fine frivolous fashion. Chronicling the rise of Catherine the Great, the series pairs Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult as the outsider queen and her foppish monarch spouse, who she develops dark intentions toward on her path to becoming the longest-reigning woman in Russian history. Wickedly funny if a bit dark, The Great manages to walk a fine line between costume drama and not taking itself too seriously—a feat that snagged it Emmy nominations for writing and directing.
10. This Way Up (91%/92%) – 2 seasons, ended
This quirky Irish dramedy follows Áine, a single woman recovering from a “wee little” nervous breakdown under the wary eye of her older sister Shona, who is juggling her own minor crisis of identity in her romantic life. The simultaneously raw and light approach to mental health and the strong comedic cast make this series totally worth the binge.
11. Solar Opposites (98%/81%) – 4 seasons, pending
The continued growth in popularity in this adult animated series helps put it on the chart. In the series, a group of aliens set adrift after the destruction of their homeworld end up on Earth. Wackiness ensues in their lack of comprehension of human culture and entertainment and an inability to distinguish between reality and fiction.
12. The Handmaid’s Tale(83%/77%) – 5 seasons, renewed for final
While no longer the highest-ranking, review-wise, the ongoing popularity of The Handmaid’s Tale keeps it on the list (and recently renewed for a fifth and sixth season). Based on Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, The Handmaid’s Tale is a dark drama in which a totalitarian society takes over following a Second American Civil War, and fertile women, the “Handmaids,” are forced into child-bearing slavery.
14. Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi (100%/67%) – 2 seasons, pending
Fans and critics can’t quite agree on this new food show hosted by Padma Lakshmi (cookbook author and former host of Top Chef), although its second season fared slightly better. In her journey across America, Lakshmi explores the many variations of what American food is, from the diversity of immigrant groups to indigenous communities. The show hopes to be a deeper look into food as a source of community, and cultural roots, as well as explore the complicated identity of “American.” It’s a rather enjoyable way to decompress and take a breath from the current state of America.
15. Tell Me Lies (86%/66%) – NEW – 1 season, renewed
Is the story of a complex and toxic relationship relationship of a couple whose met in college and show lives entangle repeatedly over the course of 8 years. Their addictive involvement becomes tumultuous and intoxicating, affecting not just them but also entangling those around them.
14. Marvel’s Hit-Monkey (77%/90%) – 1 season, renewed
More Marvel and more adult animation, Marvel’s Hit-Monkey follows an unjust snow monkey who becomes a hit-man (er, monkey), mentored by the ghost of an American assassin after his tribe is slaughtered. It features the voice talents of Fred Tatasciore, Jason Sudeikis, George Takei, Olivia Munn, Ally Maki, and Nobi Nakanishi.
15. Wu-Tang: An American Saga (74%/95%) – 3 seasons, ended
This drama series follows a fictionalized account of the formation and rise of the popular Wu-Tang Clan band. Set in 1990s New York, the show follows the vision of Bobby Diggs, aka The RZA, as he strives to form the band and help a group of young black men who might otherwise fall into the crack cocaine epidemic.
16. Woke (74%/87%) – 2 seasons, ended
This irreverent comedy is based on the work of artist Keith Knight and stars Lamorne Morris as a cartoonist whose daily life is interrupted on the brink of reaching commercial success. After a traumatic police-profiling incident, he begins hearing voices in everyday objects, making the show a surprising blend of serious race issues and surreal silliness.
17. The Hardy Boys (71%/87%) – 3 seasons, ended
Another vintage childhood classic has been rebooted, but perhaps with a little less soap and grit than the likes of Riverdale and Sabrina. This retro-styled and mildly successful take on the classic mystery series, The Hardy Boys, features brothers Frank and Joe Hardy, who move from the big city to the small hometown of their parents after a family tragedy. Here their detective father is pulled into a secret investigation, and the boys can’t help but be drawn in, too.
18. History of the World: Part II (73%/35%) – NEW
This comedy is a return to the popular Mel Brooks movie from 1981, History of the World, Part I. Now, a new series of sketches covering human history spread out over eight hilarious episodes. Mel Brooks himself is back, at 96 years old, joined by Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, and Ike Barinholtz, as well as extensive guest stars including Taika Waititi, Sarah Silverman, Kumail Nanjiani, Seth Rogan, Danny DeVito, David Duchovny, and many many more.
Old Favorites and Honorable Mentions
Many of these series have been over for a bit, or aren’t truly Hulu Originals, but we couldn’t entirely take them off the list of the top recommendations, as they are still choice selections in Hulu’s collections.
Futurama (94%) – NEW
From the creator of The Simpsons comes another revival/extension of the popular and quirky animated series that first debuted in 1999. The series follows the wacky adventures of Phillip J. Fry, a 20th-century slacker cryogenically preserved for 1000 years. Waking up in 2999, he gets a job at an interplanetary delivery company, working alongside the robot Bender and one-eyed Leela, who soon becomes Fry’s on-again, off-again love interest.
Harlots (97%/89%) – 3 seasons, ended
For three shining seasons, this period drama a co-produced by Hulu and ITV in the UK, continually carried strong ratings and viewer popularity. Created by Alison Newman and Moira Buffini, Harlotsis a primarily female-driven project, written and directed by women and starring an impressive group of leading ladies. The series is a lush romp set in 18th-century England’s sex trade. The story follows Margaret Wells, a woman balancing her role as a brothel owner with raising two daughters in an era very much driven by the patriarchy.
PEN15 (97%/87%) – 2 seasons, ended
This whimsically awkward comedy, co-created and written by real-life best friends Maya Erskine (Casual, Insecure) and Anna Konkle (Rosewood, Maron), chronicles “middle school as it happened.” From burgeoning sexuality and early romantic encounters to the challenges of changing friendships and peer pressure, PEN15 tackles each awkward bump on the road to maturity—with the added twist of the adult creators playing13-year-old versions of themselves surrounded by actual teen actors. Both endearing and cringe-worthy, PEN15 has won over audiences and critics alike.
Difficult People (96%/86%) – 3 seasons, ended
Difficult People isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It’s a dark comedy starring series creator Julie Klausner, along with Billy Eichner, which follows the pair as struggling and bitter comedians in New York. Their frequently clueless and antisocial behavior consistently lands them in one awkward situation after another in each 30-minute episode. Despite the often offensive or cringe-worthy antics, the series is smart and built a solid following (not hurt by the influence of executive producer Amy Poehler).
Casual (92%/89%) – 4 seasons, ended
Casual focuses on the antics and bonding between two adult siblings who face the challenges of the dating world side by side after newly divorced Valerie moves in with her bachelor brother Alex, along with Valerie’s teenage daughter. All three are navigating the waters of casual dating while on the road to personal growth. The show earned regular rave reviews and was considered a turning point in the quality and expansion of Hulu’s original content.
Shrill (88%/62%) – 3 seasons, ended
Shrill, inspired by Lindy West’s 2016 feminist memoir on body positivity Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman, focuses on Annie (Aidy Bryant), an overweight young woman with a burgeoning new career who is ready to change something in her life—but not her body. The show’s short, sweet first season easily won over audiences and critics for its combination of comedic misadventures with heartfelt honesty, as well as a pointed commentary on beauty standards. Star Aidy Bryant (Saturday Night Live), who wrote and adapted the series along with West and Alexandra Rushfield, brings a star turn as one of the few plus-size leads on TV. While renewed twice, the audience seems to have waned and it was canceled after the third season. Read our original preview here.
The Path (77%/80%) – 3 seasons, ended
Despite some mixed reviews, this mysterious drama has not been short of viewers or fans. The Path centers on a family in the center of a controversial cult, dealing with the struggle between power, belief, and personal relationships. Starring Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Michelle Monaghan (True Detective), and Hugh Dancy (Hannibal), the series starts insular, dealing with a personal crisis of faith, but grows and expands over the three seasons.
Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K. (88%/66%) – 1 season, cancelled
Another adult animation series to crack the list, Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K., is about a megalomaniacal supervillain whose years of pursuing his dream to control the world have only left him with his evil organization and his marriage in ruins.
Castle Rock (88%/79%) – 2 seasons, ended
The anthology series Castle Rock is one of several Stephen King properties in development with Hulu. The first season debuted in July 2018 with 10 episodes intertwining the lives of characters in the small town of Castle Rock, Maine, the setting for many of King’s novels and stories. Castle Rock weaves multiple stories in and out of the King canon, tying together his prominent themes in a new suspense/thriller. Season 2 focused on such classics as Misery and The Body (Stand By Me) and managed to hold as strong a following as season 1.
High Fidelity (86%/79%) – 1 season, ended
This fresh take on the cult favorite film puts Zoë Kravitz in the lead role of “Rob,” a record store owner—now in too hip Brooklyn—who explores her top 5 romantic hits (relationships) in hopes of figuring out what went wrong. The show won over audiences, with its more modern vibe and Kravitz’s charm—although apparently not enough, and the show was not renewed. You can read our original preview here.
Utopia Falls (43%/93%) – 1 season, ended
About as expected, Utopia Falls has huge points of appeal and a lot of immature and predictable tropes of young adult dystopian stories. But the highs—strong cast, a killer soundtrack, awesome dance sequences—might be just the thing that earned the otherwise mediocre show a fan following. Read our preview here.
Four Weddings and a Funeral (42%/82%) – 1 season, cancelled
Perhaps not a critic favorite, but the quirky British miniseries, based on Richard Curtis’s 1980s hit film of the same title, has an active niche audience. And for fans who fit that niche, it is a delightfully frothy romp. Stretched over a year of the titular four weddings and a funeral, a group of friends explores love, loss, successes, and struggles for identity in modern-day London. It’s a little sappy and self-referential but manages to hit the heartstrings. Read our preview here.
Top Hulu Original Miniseries
Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers (82%/95%) – NEW
This documentary series provides exclusive new access and interviews behind the scenes of one of the most legendary sports teams in the country, if not the world, tracking how the team’s owner turned a sport into a business and entertainment.
Normal People (91%/92%)
This intimate portrayal of modern love follows the lives of Marianne and Connell and their on-again, off-again affair that goes on for years. The series is based on Sally Rooney’s best-selling novel, which looks at how people are drawn together even as their lives and social classes pull them apart. From the acclaimed director of Room, the show is a quiet and tightly crafted examination of intimacy.
Mrs. America (96%/69%)
While audience reaction was mixed, there was no doubt that this 2020 miniseries about the movement to pass the Equal Rights Amendment was a popular favorite when it debuted. The series garnered ten Emmy nominations, including a win for Uzo Aduba (Orange Is The New Black). The focus of the political story is through the eyes of the women involved and the backlash the ERA faced from conservative Phyllis Schlafly (Cate Blanchett), giving rise to the Moral Majority.
Captive Audience (92%/88%) – NEW
The story of how a story gets told and the impact of the media’s magnifying glass, Captive Audience looks at two true crime stories that hit the same family. In 1972, seven-year-old Steven Stayner was kidnapped and held captive for seven years. When four women are brutally murdered in 1999, the investigation comes surprisingly close to home, putting the Stayner name back in the media spotlight. The series looks at the role of the media spotlight, and how eager is the media to feed our hunger for information.
The Accident (93%/44%)
When a Welsh community is rocked by an accident that kills a group of children, tensions run high in the search for justice. With questions unanswered by town leadership, one woman struggles to help hold the community together, while caring for her daughter—the one survivor of the accident.
Dopesick (87%/94%)
Dopesick, produced by award-winning writer and producer Danny Strong and star Michael Keaton, looks at the explosion of the opioid epidemic in America, from its start by Big Pharma, to the heavily impacted Virginia mining town, to the DEA investigating the crisis. Inspired by the New York Times bestselling book by Beth Macy, the series stars Michael Keaton, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg, Will Poulter, John Hoogenakker, Kaitlyn Dever, and Rosario Dawson.
Catch-22 (84%/81%)
The story of a U.S. Air Force bombardier in WWII, this new miniseries based on Joseph Heller’s classic novel of the same name has received solid fan and critic reviews. The young man struggles between the threat of outside enemies and the brutally increasing demand of his own army, forcing men to fly more and more missions. To avoid the missions, he’ll be caught in the titular Catch-22—to fly the dangerous missions is insane, to refuse to fly out of fear of personal safety makes him clearly sane, therefore ineligible to be relieved of duty.
Devs (82%/77%)
Created by Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation), Devs is a compelling thriller about a young computer engineer searching for secrets in a cutting-edge tech company into which her boyfriend disappeared. The series co-stars Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation), in perhaps his creepiest role to date.
Pam & Tommy (79%/66%)
The series is based on the true story of the leaking of Pamela Anderson (Lily James) and Tommy Lee (Sebastian Stan)’s sex tape in the early days of the internet. Exploring the intersection of privacy, technology, and celebrity, Pam & Tommy combines mixes crime caper with a love story and a cautionary tale for the modern age.
Little Fires Everywhere (79%/60%)
Elements of this suburban drama want to capture the hit status that was HBO’s Big Little Lies, a similar book-turned-series also starring Reese Witherspoon. While not garnering quite the same level of excitement, this 1990s-set drama is solid for fans of the genre, and with star power like Witherspoon and Kerri Washington, you’re in for some fierce standoffs. Read our preview here.
Candy (69%/70%)
Another true crime miniseries, Candy follows the 1980s case of housewife Candy Montgomery, who seemed to have done it all right, until an extramarital affair with her neighbor and friend Betty Gore’s husband leads to the brutal murder of Betty. Was Candy capable of chopping her friend 41 times with an ax? Hulu’s version of the story stars Jessica Biel as Candy, Melanie Lynskey as Betty, as well as Timothy Simons, Pablo Schreiber, and Raúl Esparza.
Not So Original Hulu Originals
Hulu has been building a pretty good library of “Originals” that are not actually original to Hulu but rather canceled shows they have given new life to (The Mindy Project) and older or international series that they have picked up for exclusive distribution.
Letterkenny (90%) is the latest popular new-to-Hulu Original. Picked up with its seventh season, the popular Canadian comedy debuted in 2019 and has since been the exclusive U.S. home for the series, including its new season 10 (with season 11 confirmed). All released seasons are available on Hulu. Letterkenny is a quirky comedy about a small town of three constantly feuding communities: the Hicks, the Skids, and the Hockey Players. Let the wacky antics ensue.
The Wrong Mans (95%/91%) is a two-season British comedy from BBC Television, in which a county council employee and his mate become entangled in a deadly criminal conspiracy. Created by James Corden and Mathew Baynton, the series combines the intricacies of a crime drama with the tropes of a sitcom, all driven by a simple case of mistaken identity.
National Treasure (97%/87%) first aired in the United Kingdom, but the streaming service has exclusive distribution rights. The series is a four-part drama inspired by a real-life police operation that uncovered cases of abuse by several veteran TV performers. Starring Robbie Coltraine, the four-part television drama is engaging, timely, and received universal acclaim when it aired in 2016.
11.22.63 (83%/88%) is a science fiction miniseries thriller based on Stephen King’s novel about an ordinary English teacher sent back in time to stop the JFK assassination. Mysterious setbacks and supernatural happenings keep the series engaging through all eight episodes, and the compelling storytelling is not surprising given the pedigree involved. The series stars James Franco and Chris Cooper.
