Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Hulu first began life as a “TV-first” streaming service, with movies beyond consideration when it launched back in 2007.
Over the years, however, the venue has evolved into a venerable film destination — and a must-have for film fans. Since Disney acquired 21st Century Fox, Hulu has become the “grown-up” sibling to Disney Plus, housing limited content and respected indies alongside big-name blockbusters and a large selection of licensed classics.
Now the exclusive distribution home of the releases of Searchlight Pictures (A Real Pain, A Complete Unknown), Hulu is also the first platform for the content of 20th Century Studios to arrive, allowing the service to draw a place as a destination for smart horror, sci-fi and thrillers (Alien, Predator and Omen franchise in Halund all Rock House in Hudle and Halund remake and Smile).
In contrast Netflixnone of Hulu’s homegrown titles received an Oscar nomination this year, but the Hulu Originals imprint nonetheless produces a steady stream of strong special features like Andy Samberg’s comedy Palm Springs and Mimi Cave’s grisly horror-thriller Fresh. To help you delve into Hulu’s movie catalog, we’ve compiled a list that covers a little bit of everything, including originals, licensed flicks and more.
Predator: Badlands (2025)
While many other classic ’80s sci-fi franchises have been marred by a succession of subpar spinoffs and sequels, the Predator series seems to be going from strength to strength. Dan Trachtenberg got the ball rolling with 2022’s excellent Prey — available on Hulu — pitting a sharp-toothed alien against a tough-as-nails Comanche warrior.
Wisely, the same director is given another opportunity to expand the universe of the most technologically advanced hunter. An upcoming companion movie may seem like an odd choice for the franchise, but a strong performance from Elle Fanning and a series of well-designed action set pieces make Predator: Badlands an unexpected success.
More than 50 years after it captivated moviegoers, Francis Ford Coppola’s sprawling mafia drama hasn’t lost its brutal power. The passing of Robert Duvall may have made many fans revisit the veteran actor as the trusted advisor of King Vito Corleone, Tom Hagen, in recent weeks, but the great value of Coppola’s story based on Mario Puzo’s novel ensures that this ’70s cinema classic’ remains a classic. If you haven’t seen it and have access to Hulu, there’s really no excuse.
While any film chronicling the extraordinary life of funk and soul pioneer Sly Stone would be fascinating, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s stunning, probing documentary is a departure from the hagiographic rock film.
Originally released just months before the singer’s death last year, it’s an important reminder of Stone’s profound influence on modern music, while not shying away from exploring the personal issues that ultimately affected his larger career.
Little Things Like This (2024)
Adapted from Claire Keegan’s short but powerful book of the same name, Enda Walsh’s big-screen retelling is equally low-key and equally affecting. Set in 1980s Ireland, Small Things Like This stars Oscar winner Cillian Murphy as a hard-working coal merchant who witnesses abusive practices at a local nunnery, evoking memories of his difficult childhood.
Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere (2025)
The words “authorized biopic” can often lead to films that feel more like product extensions than honest life examinations, but that’s not the case with this Boss-authored feature. Starring Jeremy Allen White of The Bear as Bruce Springsteen, the film focuses not on a career review but on the genesis of the singer’s acoustic album Nebraska, set after his experiences with depression.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Not only is it a solid sequel, but we’re offering one of the best Marvel movies in the streaming MCU canon. Faced with the seemingly impossible task of following up on the cultural phenomenon Black Panther, director Ryan Coogler somehow delivered another master class in superhero cinema — all while overcoming the huge challenge of losing the film’s true star.
More than just an homage to the late Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a triumph of production design, and the story that charges Shuri’s path to revenge against the fallen king T’Challa is as endearing as it is heartbreaking.
He serves as a love letter to the late Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek, and celebrating the naughty bonds of sisterhood, Quiz Lady is a must-see for anyone scrolling through low-risk comedy.
Starring Awkwafina (Crazy Rich Asians, Ocean’s 8) and Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy, Killing Eve) as down-on-their-luck sisters who turn to a TV show to pay off their mother’s gambling debts, this wacky adventure also boasts a scene-stealing performance from Will Ferrell as host.
For those looking for a fun fix, the French legal drama starring Justine Triet is undoubtedly the pick of Hulu’s catalog. The Oscar-winning film sees Sandra Hüller play a novelist accused of murdering her husband after he fell from a window at their home in the French Alps, with her visually impaired young son acting as a key witness.
The Death of Stalin (2017)
While the power struggle that followed the death of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin might not sound like a mainstream comedy, the sharp script and top-cabinet cast elevate this above the usual satire.
Directed by The Thick of It and Veep creator Armando Iannucci, The Death of Stalin boasts an excellent ensemble that includes White Lotus’ Jason Isaacs, indie icon Steve Buscemi and Monty Python legend Michael Palin.
Jaws at 50: The Clear Inside Story (2025)
Often considered the first blockbuster of the summer, this feature-length documentary offers insight into how Jaws almost became a real-life disaster rather than the cinematic phenomenon it became. From the inefficient animatronic sharks to the unsettling open-water spawns and spiraling budget, the film provides a fascinating look at the troubled production of Steven Spielberg’s maritime masterpiece, while exploring its incredible legacy and impact.
