The 30 Best TV Shows On Hulu (August 2024)

Summary

• Hulu offers a diverse selection of TV shows, icluding both popular hits and unique, innovative series.
• Hulu’s roster includes critically acclaimed shows like
  Only Murders in the Building
  and
  The Handmaid’s Tale
  .
• The streaming service also features comedies like
  Schitt’s Creek
  and
  Abbott Elementary
  , as well as shows that cater to specific audiences, like
  Reservation Dogs
  .

Offering an eclectic mix of popular network hits and more obscure hidden gems, the best TV shows on Hulu form a great collection. Including properties from 20th Century Studios, Searchlight Pictures, Disney Television Studios, ABC, Freeform, and FX Networks, as well as original programming, Hulu provides an impressively diverse slate of TV shows. As a result, there’s something to suit every taste, whatever a viewer might be in the mood for.

Some of the most impressive series in Hulu’s roster include award-winning, critically lauded shows. Hits like Only Murders in the Building and The Handmaid’s Tale not only demonstrate the quality of content available but also the range. Hulu also makes room for creative new content by hosting series like Reservation Dogs and Atlanta, which often showcase either overlooked or unusual premises. Consequently, Hulu’s top shows mark the streaming service out as a home for interesting, innovative content.

Best Comedy TV Shows On Hulu

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005-Present)

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia is one of the longest-running live action sitcoms currently on air, and it’s no secret why if fans of the show are asked. However, for the uninitiated, IASIP is a little difficult to summarize. The premise is simple enough — friends Charlie (Charlie Day), Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Mac (Rob McElhenney), Dee (Kaitlin Olson), and Frank (Danny DeVito), own and run a bar in Philadelphia named Paddy’s Pub. However, the premise reveals little about what It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia is actually about, or why it’s so popular.

The five owners of Paddy’s Pub are, without a doubt, some of the most morally corrupt sitcom characters ever conceived. Whether it’s faking illnesses to get free lap dances, pretending to suffer from HIV to skip lines at a water park, or deliberately developing a crack cocaine addiction for welfare, there’s seemingly no low “the gang” won’t sink to. However, IASIP is also an incredibly cerebral show and incredibly cutting-edge satire, with the antics of the central characters always used to make some kind of commentary on modern society. As far as cult comedy shows on Hulu go, it doesn’t get much better.

Welcome To Wrexham (2022-Present)

Welcome to Wrexham proves that documentaries can be incredibly hilarious with the right subject-matter and focus — and the combination of Deadpool‘s Ryan Reynolds and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’s Rob McElhenney purchasing a minor-league soccer team in the UK (despite knowing nothing about the sport) was always going to be a recipe for some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments. The Hulu show focuses on Reynolds and McElhenney after they become owners of the Welsh soccer team, Wrexham A.F.C.

Wrexham is a club with a long history, but it hasn’t performed incredibly well in recent years. Reynolds and McElhenney set out to change this, although they know they’re going to need some help as they’re both, by their own admission, completely clueless when it comes to professional soccer. Thanks to the pair’s genuine friendship and lack of knowledge before setting out on such an incredible undertaking, Welcome to Wrexham is genuinely hilarious throughout, and it’s clear to see why the show (which originally aired on FX) has become a global sensation.

Abbott Elementary (2021 – Present)

Miracle Workers and A Black Lady Sketch Show star Quinta Brunson found acclaim when she created and starred in Abbott Elementary, the acclaimed mockumentary comedy that seems to grow its fan base exponentially with each passing season. The show has an incredible amount of accolades already, including three Golden Globe wins in 2023 — Best Comedy, Best Actress in a Drama or Comedy (for Quinta Brunson), and best Supporting Actor in a Drama of Comedy (for Tyler James Williams).

The premise is relatively straightforward, as it simply takes the mockumentary format which made shows like
The Office
and
Modern Family
so popular and focuses on the staff of the fictional Willard R. Abbott Elementary School.

The premise is relatively straightforward, as it simply takes the mockumentary format which made shows like The Office and Modern Family so popular and focuses on the staff of the fictional Willard R. Abbott Elementary School. As with most mockumentary shows, it’s the charming characters and hilarious dialogue that make Abbott Elementary one of the best shows to watch on Hulu, with Quinta Brunson’s Janine Teagues and Tyler James William’s Gregory Eddie among the most endearing new sitcom characters to come out of the 2020s so far.

New Girl (2011-2018)

Gentle, frequently hilarious, and available on Hulu in its entirety, New Girl is another terrific sitcom perfect for binging.The show stars Zooey Deschanel as Jessica Day, a bubbly and optimistic young woman who, following a breakup, moves in with three men.

It is another show that benefits from its incredible cast with Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield, and Lamorne Morris rounding out the winning ensemble. New Girl gained a huge following over the seven years it aired, and its arrival on Hulu should help maintain its understandable popularity.

Adventure Time (2010-2018)

Following the psychedelic adventures of self-described heroes Finn the Human and Jake the Dog in the Land of Ooo, Adventure Time is a cult hit whose popularity spans generations. The winner of eight Primetime Emmys, one Peabody, two British Academy Children’s Awards, and nominated for so much more, Adventure Time is a crowning achievement in Western animation and storytelling.

Underneath the clever absurdity and colorful action of Adventure Time lie clues about the fantastical mysteries of Ooo, post-apocalyptic and fantasy-inspired lore, and some of the most relatable surreal characters in animation history. Consequently, Adventure Time is one of the best Hulu shows for adults and children alike.

Adventure Time
has also received two spinoffs –
Distant Lands
and 2023’s
Fionna and Cake.

Reservation Dogs (2021-2023)

A coming-of-age story that spotlights one of the most underrepresented groups in mainstream entertainment, Reservation Dogs provides welcome relief from typical teen comedies. Featuring Indigenous writers and directors, along with a cast made up of nearly all Indigenous actors, the series follows a group of four friends in rural Oklahoma as they dream of running away to California, all while dealing with the stresses of growing up.

For its hilarious and unique takes on the social realities of reservation life, Reservation Dogs won the Peabody Award for Entertainment in 2022, alongside two Independent Spirit Awards, and was named by the American Film Institute as one of the Top 10 Programs of the Year.

While
Reservation Dogs
has concluded, co-creator Sterlin Harjo has revealed intentions to bring the cast back
for a
Reservation Dogs
movie
at some point in the future.

Modern Family (2009-2020)

Although Modern Family‘s documentary-style camera work was nothing new, the hit comedy nonetheless manages to be completely original thanks to its colorful characters and domestic setting. An ensemble cast of Julie Bowen, Sofia Vergara, Ed O’Neil, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, and Ty Burrell star as branches of a family as they live their day-to-day lives. Focusing on and celebrating each family member’s individuality allows Modern Family to revel in creating chaotic, hilarious situations, without losing sight of the warm heart that makes the show such an enjoyable viewing experience.

Almost all of the Modern Family cast received consecutive Emmy nominations during their time on the show, with Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, and Eric Stonestreet all winning awards. Ty Burrell received the most nominations, with an astounding 8 consecutive Emmy nods and two wins for his role as Phil. The show itself has won 22 Primetime Emmy Awards.

Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020)

One of the most heartwarming comedy hits of recent years, Schitt’s Creek chronicles the fall and redemption of the affluent Rose family as they’re forced to rebuild their lives. An innovative take on the classic fish-out-of-water trope, the show’s comedy comes from the Roses’ wealthy sensibilities bumping against the down-to-earth and provincial citizens of a small town.

Schitt’s Creek swept the comedy acting awards during the 72nd Emmy ceremony, winning nine in total. As such, it’s easily a can’t-miss show for Hulu subscribers seeking a joyous modern take on classic comedy.

Atlanta (2016-2022)

Created by and starring Donald Glover, Atlanta is a dark fairy-tale and comedy-drama that follows college dropout and music manager Earn (Glover) as he tries to make it big. The show is only partially interested in following that plotline, however, and much of Atlanta is told through short anthology-style stories rather than an overarching narrative.

Through this fresh, unorthodox structure, Atlanta examines themes of race, class, America, and existentialism. It’s a unique story only Glover could tell, and his efforts have earned him multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nods. It’s inarguably one of the best TV shows on Hulu for audiences looking for something out of the ordinary.

Among the many awards won by
Atlanta
are a Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy, and a Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy for Donald Glover.

Bob’s Burgers (2011-Present)

Among the many great animated series on Hulu, Bob’s Burgers is perhaps one of the most underrated, yet undeniably brilliant. The show follows the oddball Belcher family as they run their small and struggling burger joint while trying to keep their madcap members together. The show’s easy sense of humor and likable wacky characters have helped it develop a passionate following, and even led to a feature film in 2022.

Bob’s Burgers is especially notable for managing to feel remarkably grounded for an animated sitcom, almost like King of the Hill, despite the fact its many characters wouldn’t feel out-of-place in a show like Family Guy or The Simpsons.

Unfortunately,
The Bob’s Burgers Movie
isn’t available to stream on Hulu, but can be rented or purchased digitally on platforms like Amazon, Google Play, and AppleTV.

Best Drama TV Shows On Hulu

Lost (2004-2010)

While there is no shortage of gripping drama and mystery shows on Hulu right now, one title that still stands out is Lost, the J.J. Abrams-created series that was a cultural phenomenon in the 2000s and arguably laid the foundation for many series that followed. It’s difficult to overstate just how much of a talking point Lost was when it was on the air, especially during its earlier seasons, with only perhaps Game of Thrones matching just how widely-discussed what may happen on the next episode was.

Lost still holds a 90% average audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with season 2 holding a coveted 100% Tomatometer score too. The plot of Lost became a little convoluted as the show continued, but the initial premise — a group of survivors from a crashed plane find themselves on a seemingly abandoned island — laid a solid groundwork for everything that followed. Thanks to all six seasons being available on Hulu, watching Lost from start to finish is a thoroughly enjoyable experience for subscribers whether they’ve seen the show before or not.

The Bear (2022-Present)

A Hulu original that’s proved a major critical hit for the service, The Bear is a black comedy-drama about a classically trained chef (Jeremy Allen White) who has to return to his hometown in Chicago to help run the family restaurant. White, in one of his best roles, won a SAG and a Golden Globe for Best Actor for his work, and the series cemented its status with a stellar season 2.

The often spiky atmosphere between the uninterested chefs in the restaurant and White’s driven Carmy Berzatto is a delight to watch. The Bear is a funny and inspiring antidote to the self-serious Chef’s Table-like shows that have become ubiquitous in food programming. There’s also heavy themes when it comes to the trials and tribulations of working families too, as Carmy struggles to both honor his father’s legacy and simultaneously step out of his shadow.

The Rookie (2018-Present)

Some actors manage to garner an incredibly dedicated fanbase who’ll flock to anything they put out, and there’s perhaps no better example of this today than Nathan Fillion, the star of Firefly and Castle. By the same token, there are certain subgenres that almost guarantee a viewership for new shows when they debut, which is the case with police procedural dramas. It’s no surprise then that when Fillion took the lead role in ABC’s cop show The Rookie in 2018, it became an instant hit, and continues to be 6 seasons in, especially among Hulu subscribers.

Fillion stars in The Rookie as John Nolan, a freshly-divorced construction company owner in his mid-40s. After helping the police thwart a bank robbery, Nolan realizes that the event wasn’t traumatizing but the most alive he’d felt in decades. So he decides to shut down his company and enrol with the LAPD. As the oldest rookie on the force, Nolan has many obstacles to overcome, but he proves himself time and time again, eventually helping to train new cops as the show progresses and becoming a force for positive change within the department.

Shōgun (2024)

Of all the new TV shows released on Hulu in 2024, few have been as much of a sensation as the 2024 miniseries Shogun, which arrived to instant acclaim from both audiences and critics alike. Based on the novel of the same name by James Clavell, Shogun primarily follows two characters and is set in feudal Japan. The first is Englishman John Blackthorne, a sailor who finds himself shipwrecked in Japan, and Lord Toranaga, a powerful ruler who imprisons Blackthorne and the rest of his crew.

Shogun is primarily a tale about the clashing of cultures, with Blackthorne learning to navigate the strange new world he finds himself and, ultimately, striving to become a Samurai. He also learns of the many intricacies of the world Toranaga inhabits, and just how dangerous political intrigue can be in feudal Japan. The production quality on Shogun is astounding, with everything from the costume design, set-pieces, and action scenes instantly making it stand out as one of the best historical dramas released in the 2020s so far.

This Is Us (2016-2022)

Both life-affirming and devastating, This Is Us has a well-earned reputation as the biggest tearjerker on television. Cleverly told in different time periods, This Is Us examines the struggles, tragedies, and connections between a trio of siblings, the Pearsons. The talented ensemble of actors helps to make these stories all the more emotional and impactful, while still being a heartwarming multigenerational tale of a family’s journey.

The show was originally on NBC and created by Dan Fogelman. The cast also helps the story stand out significantly, with the likes of Milo Ventimiglia playing Jack, Mandy Moore as his wife Rebecca, and Sterling K. Brown as their adopted son, Randall. Across its six seasons, This is Us never dropped below an average viewership of 8 millions when originally on the air, and these impressive figures plus its multiple awards make it easy to see why it stands out today as one of the best TV shows on Hulu.

This is Us
has won multiple awards, including a Golden Globe in 2018 for Sterling K. Brown, who scooped the Globe for Best Actor – Television Series Drama.

Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)

Also available on streaming services such as Netflix, Friday Night Lights is an inspiring, thrilling, and heartwarming sports story tailor-made for the small screen. Kyle Chandler stars as Coach Taylor, a charismatic leader charged with leading a high school football team in a small Texas town where success on the field is everything.

The series follows Taylor and the players on and off the field as they seek to be the best in the sport while also realizing that there’s more to life than football. Triumphant and enjoyable melodramatic, Friday Night Lights also helped launch the careers of future stars like Michael B. Jordan and Taylor Kitsch.

The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-Present)

Based on the novel of the same name, The Handmaid’s Tale is a post-apocalyptic original series by Hulu that’s become one of the most popular shows on television. The show takes place after a fictional second American Civil War, which leads to a dystopia where men are the ruling class and women are strictly controlled – especially regarding bodily autonomy.

The Handmaid’s Tale not only secured 15 Primetime Emmys, but is the first Hulu original series to win a major award. While the series can be uncomfortable and upsetting, it is also thought-provoking, and the struggling characters at the center of the story make The Handsmaid’s Tale one of the best shows Hulu has available in any genre.

While it’s yet to receive an official release date,

The Handmaid’s Tale
season 6
remains in development, and will pick up directly after the explosive events of the season 5 finale.

Best Sci-Fi & Fantasy TV Shows On Hulu

Rick And Morty (2013-Present)

Irreverent, vulgar, and surprisingly heartfelt, Rick and Morty has quickly established itself as one of the most popular sci-fi comedies of the past decade. Subverting Back to the Future‘s central dynamic, the show centers on misanthropic genius Rick Sanchez, who travels the multiverse with his skittish grandson in tow.

While Rick and Morty was initially known for its inventive standalone stories, its wider overarching narrative has come to the fore in later seasons, rewarding long-time viewers and newcomers alike.

Futurama (1999-Present)

While somewhat overshadowed by creator Matt Groening’s cultural monolith The Simpsons, Futurama remains one of the best and most consistently funny sci-fi shows to ever appear on television. Following the crew of fictional delivery ship The Planet Express as they embark on journeys across a futuristic galaxy, Futurama is hailed for its colorful cast of characters, satirical look at contemporary concerns through a futuristic scope, and inventive world-building.

Despite multiple cancelations and revivals, the show remains hugely popular and one of the best sci-fi shows on Hulu. While it currently lives as one of the funniest shows on Hulu, Futurama has managed to survive being canceled twice and has moved between multiple networks, with continued demand ensuring the Planet Express crew have never stayed away from screens for too long.

Firefly (2002-2003)

One of the most notorious and oft-cited one-season wonders in the history of television, Firefly is perhaps the quintessential cult classic show. Despite its short lifespan, Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer follow-up enjoys a dedicated following of fans to this day, many of whom still wonder what might have been had the show avoided cancelation.

Nathan Fillion leads the cast as the captain of a ragtag crew of outlaws taking on various criminal jobs in the war-torn intergalactic world. Infusing Spaghetti Western elements into an original sci-fi setting makes Firefly stand out from other sci-fi shows, and the continuation of the mythos with the Serenity movie only helped secure its status further.

Firefly
may have been underappreciated critically when it was originally on the aire, but it did scoop the Emmy for Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series in 2003.

The X-Files (1993-2002)

It’s easy to forget what a phenomenon The X-Files was when it first started airing in the 90s. The eerie and intense show followed FBI agents Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) as they investigated strange and unexplained cases as an unseen threat sought to stop them. The show ignited fan interest, launching the online fan community with theories and fan fiction. Its blend of horror, sci-fi, and classic mystery made for an engrossing story that captured the 90s zeitgeist and dominated pop culture for a decade.

Best Crime TV Shows On Hulu

Sons Of Anarchy (2008-2014)

Painting a somewhat romanticized portrait of biker culture, Sons of Anarchy won acclaim from fans and critics for its nuanced characters, exploration of complex ideas, and thrilling story. The series revolves around Hunnam’s Jax Taylor, who serves as Vice President (and later President) of the titular gang.

Living on the wrong side of the law leads Taylor and his closely-knit compatriots to engage in vigilantism and other criminal acts, all while contending with the morality of their actions. The show never shies away from questioning the efficacy of the group’s actions, while still placing them as heroes in a chaotic and morally confusing world.

Fargo (2014-Present)

As the original Fargo film is such a cultural and critical touchstone, the announcement of a spin-off series was met with some surprise and no small amount of skepticism. First premiering in 2014, Fargo follows an anthology format and takes place in the same continuity and Midwestern settings as the film. However, the crime series takes an entirely different approach from the Coen brothers’ classic.

Each season tells a different story, with the complex narrative allowing a new compelling cast of characters to shine. Fargo has seen gripping performances from the likes of Martin Freeman, Chris Rock, Ewan McGregor, and Jon Hamm establishing it as a showcase for some of the best talent working in the entertainment industry.

Fargo
season 5 wrapped in January 2024 and is available to stream on Hulu along with every other
Fargo
episode.

Only Murders In The Building (2021-Present)

One of the most celebrated original Hulu crime series, Only Murders in the Building is a joy from start to finish. Starring Selena Gomez (Mabel Mora), Steve Martin (Charles-Haden Savage), and Martin Short (Oliver Putnam), the series follows three strangers living in the same apartment building who bond over their love of true-crime podcasts.

Things change, however, when a real murder happens in their building, leading the trio to start investigating and develop a podcast of their own. The chemistry between the three leads powers the series, and the zany comedy perfectly complements the genuinely compelling mystery. Each season of Only Murders in the Building focuses on a different case that Mabel, Charles, and Oliver have to solve, and the genuine mystery and intrigue is just as integral to the show’s success as the chemistry between the central cast.

Best Thriller TV Shows On Hulu

Sherlock (2010-2017)

Few literary works have been adapted as widely as Arthur Conan Doyle’s 19th century detective novels about London detective Sherlock Holmes, and one of the best versions ever seen on screen is available for Hulu subscribers — Benedict Cumberbatch’s turn as the famed sleuth in Sherlock. Originally airing on the BBC between 2010 and 2017, Sherlock stars Cumberbatch’s titular detective alongside Martin Freeman as his incredibly reluctant sidekick, Watson. It’s a unique take on Sherlock Holmes and is set in present-day London.

Created by famed Dr Who creative Steven Moffat alongside Mark Gatiss (who also plays Sherlock’s brother Mycroft), Sherlock was an instant hit with both audiences and critics, and has won multiple accolades including Emmys, BAFTA’s, and Critics’ Choice Television Awards. The show stands as a near-perfect modernization of a classic literary property, and thanks to the incredibly intricate cases Sherlock and Watson work, Sherlock still stands as one of the best thrillers on Hulu despite several years passing since it debuted.

Prison Break (2005-2017)

A huge hit with audiences on release, Prison Break remains an essential 00s thriller, thanks largely to its exceptional first few seasons. The show revolves around two brothers, one of whom has been sentenced to death for a crime he didn’t commit.

Vowing to help his sibling, the other brother devises an elaborate plan to help him escape and avoid a tragic miscarriage of justice. Nail-bitingly tense – especially during its acclaimed first season – Prison Break is a classic thriller TV show that will delight genre fans.

Best Horror TV Shows On Hulu

The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch (2020-Present)

Outside the realms of ghost investigation shows, horror and reality TV are two genres that rarely blend well — at least for those who are looking for incredibly gripping and well-made watches instead of borderline-trash TV. However, one incredibly notable exception is also one of the best and most popular horror shows on Hulu. This is, of course, The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch, the series that manages to transcend the foibles most viewers find in horror-themed reality TV shows and is instead regarded as incredibly high-quality and gripping throughout.

The show focuses on the now-infamous Skinwalker Ranch in Utah, a location that’s known for a host of paranormal and unexplained phenomena. While it’s been criticized by some for its lack of scientific evidence to back the claims made by many of those on the show, The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch has found a strong footage and fanbase regardless. For Hulu subscribers that enjoy investigations into the paranormal and unexplained, there are very few options that cater quite so well.

American Horror Story (2011-Present)

Responsible for catapulting producer/director Ryan Murphy to superstardom, American Horror Story has left a huge mark on popular culture. The anthology series takes a new horrific setting and premise with every season, dealing with everything from alien abduction to cults, circuses, and covens in the process.

Fiendishly inventive and effectively scary throughout, the series has become a staple of horror on the small screen and continues to shock well over a decade after its debut.

Anthology spin-off
American Horror Stories
is also available on Hulu.

The Strain (2014-2017)

Created by horror auteur Guillermo del Toro and based on his co-authored novel series of the same name, The Strain is a bold reinvention of the vampire myth. Instead of the usual suave and seductive creatures of the night, The Strain imagines vampires as a literal plague, brought to life by infectious viral worms that have the power to consume the planet.

Corey Stoll’s Dr. Goodweather leads a team of underground survivors as they attempt to combat the menace as it reaches America. Boasting some truly unsettling imagery, The Strain is one of the most original vampire series to be found anywhere.

The Strain
picked up several awards during its run, including a Critics Choice Television Award for Most Exciting New Series in 2014.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Though it started out as a forgettable and poorly received movie, Buffy the Vampire Slayer found redemption as a dark, funny, and much-loved television series. Created by Joss Whedon, it follows Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), a young high school girl who learns she is next in line to be the world’s defender against vampires and other supernatural threats.

Due to Whedon’s alleged abusive behavior during the making of the show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer has a complex legacy. Yet it still means so much to many fans who enjoy it as its own piece of pop culture.