Universal Pictures
Last Updated: July 5th
While it may live in the shadow of other better-known streaming services, Hulu, once regarded simply as “that TV thing” has managed to maintain itself as a viable competitor in terms of offering a great variety of content online, including an impressive selection of quality movies, offering up everything from iconic classics to contemporary indie fare. Here’s a look at the 30 best movies on Hulu right now, arranged by genre.
Related: The 25 Best Movies On Amazon Prime Right Now
COMEDY
Paramount
Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)
Run Time: 117 min | IMDb: 7.0/10
Richard Linklater’s spiritual sequel to 1993’s Dazed and Confused follows a group of college baseball players in the fall of 1980, just before they start college. The film premiered at SXSW in 2016, and enjoyed praise across the board from critics during its limited release nationwide. Filmed in and around central Texas, the care-free, nostalgic tale is perfectly fit for Linklater’s relaxed style of filmmaking.
Columbia Pictures
A League Of Their Own (1992)
Run Time: 128 min | IMDb: 7.2/10
Director Penny Marshall’s 1992 film is a semi-true account of the All Girls Professional Baseball League, formed during WWII to keep baseball in the public eye while the men were fighting overseas. Marshall was inspired to make the film after watching a documentary on the league before casting Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, and Madonna in the comedy/drama. It became a hit with both audiences and critics, though it’s perhaps best known for teaching us the all-important lesson that “there’s no crying in baseball.”
Columbia Pictures
Roxanne (1987)
Run Time: 107 min | IMDb: 6.6/10
A modern-day retelling of the classic tale of Cyrano De Bergerac, which was adapted by star Steve Martin. Set in the small town of Nelson, Washington, Martin stars as Charlie Bales, a local fire chief with an unusually large nose, but the heart of a poet. When an astronomy grad student, the titular Roxanne (Daryl Hannah), moves to town, he’s immediately smitten, but when she’s taken to the more conventionally handsome Chris (Rick Russovich), Charlie agrees to help him find the right words to express his feelings.
A SLIGHTLY DARKER COMEDY
TriStar
Trainspotting (1996)
Run Time: 94 min | IMDb: 8.2/10
This British dark comedy from director Danny Boyle became a cult phenomenon when it hit theaters over 20 years ago. The film follows Ewan McGregor, who plays a young man immersed in the Edinburgh drug scene, desperately trying to get clean despite the negative influences of his rag-tag group of friends. The sequel didn’t really live up to the brilliance of the first, but luckily, Hulu just gave the original a new home.
New World Pictures
Heathers (1988)
Run Time: 103 mins, IMDb: 7.3/10
Helping to close out a decade of memorable teen films on a dark note, Heathers is a savagely funny deconstruction of the frivolousness of popular cliques that helped set the tone of many dark comedies that would follow in its wake. The plot involves a popular group of girls known as The Heathers who invite Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) to join them, guaranteeing that she would gain popularity by association. Eventually, Veronica finds herself teaming up with a dangerous sociopath (Christian Slater) in an attempt to break the Heathers’ tyrannical hold on the school.
Neon
Colossal (2017)
Run Time: 109 min | IMDb: 6.2/10
A decidedly unusual twist on the giant monster movie, Nacho Vigolando’s Colossal follows Gloria (Anne Hathaway), an unemployed writer who moves back to her hometown after her boyfriend Tim (Dan Stevens) breaks up with her. After moving into her childhood home, Gloria’s heavy drinking starts to take a toll on her before she starts to realize that she may have a significant connection with a towering monster that spontaneously appears over Seoul, South Korea.
Magnolia
The Square (2017)
Run Time: 142 min | IMDb: 7.3/10
This Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film follows Christian, an art curator whose life starts to unravel after he’s robbed and a new controversial piece opens at his exhibit. Co-starring Elisabeth Moss, Dominic West, and an aggressive man-ape artist, the movie shifts seamlessly from an awkward and bitingly funny satire to a dramatic examination of life. Despite a running time of 150 minutes, it never seems to lag, jumping from extremely tense moments to eccentric characters while being undercut with haunting music. Like a work of modern art, it’s very much left open to interpretation.
IFC
Super (2010)
Run Time: 96 min | IMDb: 6.8/10
The Office funnyman Rainn Wilson dons a spandex suit and a poorly-made mask for this superhero comedy that follows a regular Joe-turned-crime-fighting-vigilante. What sets Super apart from basically every other legit genre offering is the fact that the hero sucks at saving the day. Wilson’s character has good intentions — to clean up the streets and save his wife from drug dealers — but he lacks the know-how to get the job done.
DOCUMENTARY
Getty Image
The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years (2016)
Run Time: 137 min | IMDb: 7.8/10
Set during the touring years of The Beatles’ career, from 1962-1966, director Ron Howard crafts an intimate portrayal of the world’s most popular band with the help of both Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with widows Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison. Featuring 4K restorations of some of the band’s most memorable concerts, this documentary is a must for any film lover, Beatles fan or otherwise.
IFC Films
Room 237 (2012)
Run Time: 102 min | IMDb: 6.2/10
Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is arguably one of the best horror movies of all time. With its bleak cinematography and haunting messages, it’s one of those films that leaves you with questions well after you see it the first time. And for the people behind Room 237, those questions will stick with you decades later. It’s a doc that consists of nothing more than disembodied voices diving deep, deep, deep into Kubrick’s work, including the schematics of the Overlook Hotel’s floor plan, whether a typewriter has to do with the Holocaust, and plenty of other conspiracy theories that might be looking too far into a great film. But in a fun way! Room 237‘s ominous music and comedic juxtapositions drive what could’ve been nutty people rambling into an intriguing examination that’s a must for any Kubrick fan.
FANTASY/SCI-FI/DEPRESSING APOCALYPSE
New Line Cinema
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
178/179/201 min | IMDb: 8.8/8.7/8.9
Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy follows a mismatched group of heroes across Middle Earth as they try to destroy a ring that could literally determine the fate of the world. There are hobbits and elves, dwarfs, wizards, orcs, and a bunch of humans making pretty sh*tty decisions along the way but the core of all three films centers on the relationships between friends, lovers, and family. What would you do to save the people you love? What burden would you bear? But if that’s too deep just enjoy watching Gandalf, Frodo, Sam, Legolas and the rest of em race to save Middle Earth.
(The Fellowship of the Ring/The Two Towers/The Return of the King)
Magnolia Pictures
Melancholia (2011)
Run Time: 137 min | IMDb: 7.1/10
Merging high art and science fiction, director Lars Von Trier found inspiration for his story after suffering a depressive episode. Focused on two sisters with a strained relationship, they must now face the reality of a rogue planet set to collide with Earth. It premiered at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, where Kristen Dunst was given the Best Actress Award, and the following year the British Film Institute named it one of the greatest films of all time — a rare honor for any film made in the 21st century.
Paramount
Arrival (2016)
Run Time: 116 min | IMDb: 7.9/10
A methodic, thoughtful approach to an alien invasion story, Arrival follows linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) as she struggles to figure out a way to communicate with two creatures that have inexplicably shown up in Montana. While Louise tries to buy more time in understanding the visitors, she butts heads with the military side of the operation who keep pressuring her for quick answers. After its release, it exceeded expectations at the box office, grossing more than $200 million worldwide. That year it was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning one for Best Sound Editing.
Toho
Akira (1988)
Run Time: 124 min | IMDb: 8.1/10
Loosely based on the ground-breaking manga of the same name, Akira is considered a landmark in Japanese animation, as well as one of the best animated films ever produced. Set in a dystopian future in 2019, a teenager named Tetsuo gains tremendous telekinetic powers after a motorcycle crash, eventually going mad with power before bringing the military-industrial complex to its knees. A live action adaptation has been in the works in some form since 2002, but remains in development purgatory for the time being.
Oscilloscope
Coherence (2014)
Run Time: 89 min | IMDb: 7.2/10
Coherence is one of those low-budget sci-fi stories that is extremely tough to explain without either giving too much away or requiring an extended entry. Essentially, a group of friends sifts through their own issues and insecurities during a mind-bending paradoxical experience. Taking place almost entirely in the same room on a single night, the characters struggle to find answers just as much as the viewer. It’s a challenging yet enthralling film, perfect for those who love to overthink things.
FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART
Disney
The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
Run Time: 78 min | IMDb: 7.3/10
Here’s an over-reaching statement that we will defend until the end of time: The Emperor’s New Groove is one of the greatest animated films of our generation. The film follows a spoiled king (voiced by David Spade), who is accidentally turned into a llama and goes on the run from his evil adviser Yzma (Eartha freaking Kitt people). He’s befriended by a lovable llama herder named Pacha (John Goodman) who helps him take back his thrown. Llamas don’t get enough screen time, to be honest, and they make for hilarious heroes, but the real star of this show is Kronk (Partick Warburton), Yzma’s dim-witted, kind-hearted sidekick who can talk to squirrels and was so entertaining, he got his own spin-off.
Columbia Pictures
The Karate Kid (1984)
Run Time: 126 min | IMDb: 7.2/10
Even after numerous sequels, an animated series and even a 2010 reboot, nothing can compare to the charm of the original Karate Kid. Starring Ralph Macchio as Danny LaRusso, a kid from New Jersey who relocates with his family to Los Angeles, he’s taken in by their building’s maintenance man, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Norita), who teaches Danny how to fight through the repetition of mundane tasks. The film’s popularity was massive, which caused a surge of interest in both karate and headbands, as well as introducing the phrase “sweep the leg” into everyday vernacular.
Tribeca
Hunt For The Wilderpeople (2016)
Run Time: 101 min | IMDb: 7.9/10
A charming, unconventional story about what it means to be a family, Hunt for the Wilderpeople follows a juvenile delinquent named Ricky (Julian Dennison), who is adopted by a couple living on a farm in a remote region of New Zealand. After Ricky fakes his suicide and escapes into the bush, his (reluctantly) adopted father Hec (Sam Neill) goes looking for him, and after a series of mishaps, the two are forced to survive in the woods together for months. It was released during SXSW in 2016 (you can read our review here), and after rave reviews from critics the world over, it’s gone on to become the highest-grossing film in New Zealand history.
THE CLASSICS
Columbia Pictures
Lawrence Of Arabia (1962)
Run Time: 216 min | IMDb: 8.3/10
Widely considered one of the greatest films of all time, this historical epic stars Peter O’Toole as real-life archeologist, diplomat, and writer T.E. Lawrence. Starting at Lawrence’s funeral, the film is told in two parts, covering his life through WWI and beyond. While some of the film’s accuracy at depicting both Lawrence and the events it chronicles, the film was a smashing success, and nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning seven — including Best Actor for O’Toole, Best Director for David Lean, and Best Picture.
Columbia Pictures
Taxi Driver (1976)
Run Time: 114 min | IMDb: 8.3/10
Director Martin Scorsese’s neo-noir chronicles one lonely cab driver’s slow descent into madness. A Vietnam vet with a bad case of insomnia, Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro) takes a job driving a taxi during the graveyard shift in pre-Guiliani New York City. After crossing paths with an underaged prostitute, Iris (Jodie Foster), he becomes obsessed with the idea of saving her, and proves he’s willing to go to any lengths to do so. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, but lost to Stallone’s boxer epic Rocky.
DRAMA
Universal Pictures
Apollo 13 (1995) (requires Showtime)
Run Time: 140 min | IMDb: 7.6/10
Another Ron Howard entry, this one follows the crew of the Apollo as they try to survive a seemingly-doomed mission ins space. Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, and Kevin Bacon all turn in electric performances as members of the unfortunate crew. Space is in vogue again when it comes to movies but it’s always nice to go back to an original, especially’s Howard’s film, which values strong turns from its cast over special effects.
Roadside Attractions
Winter’s Bone (2010)
Run Time: 100 min | IMDb: 7.2/10
A film noir set in the Ozarks of Missouri, Winter’s Bone was the breakthrough role for Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Ree Dolly, a 17-year-old who looks after her family since her father disappeared. With the looming threat of losing her home, Ree goes in search of her missing father, drawing her into a world of distrust and violence. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and though it didn’t take any Oscars home, it did win the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.
Magnet Releasing
13 Assassins (2010)
Run Time: 141 min | IMDb: 7.6/10
Controversial director Takashi Miike’s remake of a 1963 film starts as a slow burn and builds to one of the longest, most elaborate sword battles you’ll ever see, complete with weaponized burning bulls. When the psychotic half-brother of the Shogun edges ever closer to assuming too much power in 1840s Japan, a group of samurai band together to assassinate him, shirking their honor for the good of the people. Despite being slightly based on true events, 13 Assassins retains Miike’s trademark uncompromising and slightly stylized brutality, but this is certainly more accessible than some of his well-known works like Ichi The Killer. Like the dying-out warriors of the time, they don’t make samurai films like this anymore.
Universal Pictures
A Beautiful Mind (2001) (requires Showtime)
Run Time: 135 min | IMDb: 8.2/10
Russell Crowe’s follow-up to Gladiator traded in bloody arenas for blackboards and mathematics seminars. Crowe brought real-life mathematician John Nash to life in this thrilling drama directed by Ron Howard. Nash was a genius,a but the film also shows the darker side of his gifted mind, especially once secret government agencies and cryptic missions begin to take shape.
Oscilloscope Pictures
We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011)
Run Time: 112 min | IMDb: 7.5/10
Eva Khatchadourian (Tilda Swinton), who’s unwilling and unable to properly care for her troubled son Kevin, watches her life unravel as her husband (John C. Reilly) ignores their problems and Kevin grows more and more sociopathic and violent. The story jumps around in time, showing Swinton’s character as both a new mother who blames her son for ruining her life and as a woman who eventually blames herself for what becomes of her son. Swinton proves once again that she’s the actress that indie movies need for complex characters that live their lives in grey areas. At its core, We Need To Talk is about the importance of proper parenting, communication, and probably therapy. And it’s not for the faint of heart.
Paramount
Fences (2016)
Run Time: 139 min | IMDb: 7.2/10
Directed by and starring Denzel Washington, this period family drama was adapted from the play by the late August Wilson, who’d completed a screenplay prior to his death. Washington reprised his role of Troy Maxson, who he played on Broadway back in 2010. The film was released on Christmas of 2016, and was a huge critical success, and ended up nominated for four Academy Awards. Viola Davis took home the trophy that year for Best Supporting Actress.
HORROR
Paramount
Zodiac (2007)
Run Time: 157 min | IMDb: 7.7/10
Based on the 1986 book of the same name, Zodiac is a tense and atmospheric look at one of the nation’s most notorious unsolved crime sprees. Director David Fincher spent 18 months prior to filming doing research and investigation of the infamous Zodiac killings, which occurred in San Francisco in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The film stars Mark Ruffalo, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Robert Downey, Jr. in lead roles, with an all-star ensemble cast. It was beloved by critics and fans alike and appears on more top-ten lists from 2007 than any film aside from No Country For Old Men and There Will Be Blood.
Paramount
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
Run Time: 104 min | IMDb: 7.2/10
A sort-of sequel (at least in spirit) to J.J. Abrams’ 2008 found-footage monster movie Cloverfield, 10 Cloverfield Lane takes place largely inside the confined space of a secured bunker ran by the mysterious Howard (John Goodman). Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, the film follows a young woman named Gloria (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), who’s driving through Louisiana when she hears reports of major blackouts on the radio. After wrecking her car, she wakes up to find herself inside Howard’s bunker, who refuses to let her out for fear of a fallout. Tensions steadily escalate between Gloria, Howard, and the bunker’s other resident, John (Emmit DeWitt), as they all begin to question each others’ true motivations.
Showbox
The Host (2006)
Run Time: 119 min | IMDb: 7.0/10
Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s monster-run-amock movie was first inspired by reports of a fish with an S-shaped spine being caught in the Han River. For The Host, he made the creature significantly more menacing, as it eventually emerges from the Han River and causes immense havoc. Local snack bar vendor Park Gang-du (Song Kang-ho) tries to escape with his daughter, before realizing he’s escaped with the wrong girl. Soon, the U.S. military arrives and quarantines all those who’ve come into contact with the creature, making Park Gang-du’s attempts to rescuing his daughter from the creature’s lair significantly more difficult.
Magnet
Let The Right One In (2008)
Run Time: 115 min | IMDb: 7.9/10
Director Tomas Alfredson shrugged off the conventions of vampire movies when he crafted a disarmingly charming tale that focuses on the unusual friendship that develops between a bullied young boy, Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant) and a vampire girl Eli (Lina Leandersson). Based on the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist (who also penned the screenplay) the film received near-universal acclaim, winning multiple awards across the globe. It was remade in 2010 as Let Me In, which managed to be considered a successful endeavor that stayed true to the original while differentiating itself enough to stand on its own.
Recent Changes Through June 2018:
Removed: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, 25th Hour
Added: We Need To Talk About Kevin, Room 237, Coherence
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