Some Hulu series are so excellent that they can be considered masterpieces. Netflix and Prime Video have huge releases that are must-watch TV, from the sci-fi hit Stranger Things to the Bosch crime drama spinoff Ballard. Hulu shouldn’t be counted out, though, thanks to smart comedies like Difficult People and the juicy Tell Me Lies about college romance.
Though Hulu is merging with Disney+, the streamer’s original shows will still be available to watch through Disney’s streaming platform. From an epic dystopian tale to a beautiful romance, Hulu has plenty of shows that prove it will continue to be a go-to spot for moving and impressive storytelling.
The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-2025)
6 Seasons
A compelling adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel and a raw, brutal, and terrifying depiction of a world where some women are slaves forced to give birth, The Handmaid’s Tale is one of Hulu’s most well-crafted shows. The Emmy Award-winning series is also one of its most high-profile, thanks to actors Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Alexis Bledel, and Joseph Fiennes.
Over The Handmaid’s Tale‘s six seasons, the series follows several young women who are suffering, with a focus on June Osborne/Offred (Moss). It’s easy to become invested in June’s journey to find happiness, peace, and agency, and the moving series finale gives her story a proper resolution.
The Handmaid’s Tale is alarming and realistic, and its social and political commentary about women’s rights can’t be ignored. The show wouldn’t be nearly as powerful without its memorable setting of Gilead, one of the most disturbing TV settings. The costumes have also become iconic, with the slaves wearing red cloaks and white hats.
Only Murders In The Building (2021-Present)
5 Seasons (Renewed For Season 6)
The premise and cast make Only Murders in the Building a standout Hulu series. Viewers likely never expected to see Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short on the same show, but it gives viewers of any age a reason to tune in and find a character to relate to.
The trio has perfect comedic timing and nice chemistry as New York City residents who bond and start a podcast about crimes in their building, The Arconia. The series is not only a fun twist on a typical murder mystery, which is often a drama rather than a comedy, but it’s a satirical look at people’s obsession with true crime. What really makes Only Murders in the Building impressive is how it remains compelling season after season. It might be unrealistic to imagine the same characters continually finding dead bodies, but that’s the joke, so it works.
The friendship between wise Mabel Mora (Gomez), former Hollywood star Charles-Haden Savage (Martin), and quirky Oliver Putnam (Short) is beautiful to witness and becomes stronger with each episode. Only Murder‘s incredible guest stars can’t be ignored, either, from Meryl Streep as nervous actress Loretta Durkin to more seasoned professional Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd).
Normal People (2020)
1 Season
The quiet pain and suffering from young adults Connell Waldron (Paul Mescal) and Marianne Sheldon (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is present on every page of Sally Rooney’s beautifully written 2018 book, and the Hulu adaptation brought these smart characters to life flawlessly.
Charting Connell and Marianne’s dynamic from their secret romance in high school to their complicated friendship in college, Normal People is an incredible 12-episode miniseries about first love, following dreams, and this confusing period of time. Episodes dive into intimacy, mental health, and planning for the future.
What sets Normal People apart from other stories about teenagers and twenty-somethings is the fact that it’s not afraid to go to some dark, raw, and important places. Marianne comes from a home that is anything but loving, and her brother abuses her. While these scenes are tough to watch, they’re an important piece of her character arc since they let viewers know that she’s searching for love.
There are plenty of great coming-of-age characters, but these two are honest about the painful parts of their lives, and that sets them apart. Marianne’s mental health struggles also cement her connection with Connell and make the ending particularly poignant and sweet.
The Great (2020-2023)
3 Seasons
Netflix’s The Crown is impressive, but it can feel dry at times. A rare historical series is simply a lot of fun, and that’s why The Great, which streamed for three seasons on Hulu, is so fantastic. The show focuses on Catherine the Great (Elle Fanning) and is a moving character study of a strong-willed, determined, and interesting woman.
Since she was in power for several decades and didn’t act like the prim and proper woman that society expected at the time, the Empress of Russia has always been a fascinating historical figure. According to BBC.co.uk, she was known for her intelligence, love of the arts, and tough relationship with her husband, Peter III.
The Great takes all those elements of Catherine’s story and builds a gripping story around it. Although, of course, not every scene happened in real life, The Great depicts history properly in several instances, including Peter III’s (Nicholas Hoult) drinking problem. Most of all, what makes the Hulu series so excellent is the reminder of how much Catherine accomplished despite her youth. At the end of season 1, she turns 21, and it’s amazing to think she was married, pregnant, and in charge of Russia when today’s twenty-somethings are in college, starting their careers, and figuring out who they are.
Source: BBC.co.uk
