Good Movies on Hulu: From Award-Winning Dramas to Binge-Worthy Comedies

Finding Great Films to Watch on Hulu 

We’ve all been faced with the challenge of finding something good to watch from the seemingly myriad of movies available on digital streaming services. Whether your preference is for indie films, genre-busting comedies, classic blockbusters, or something completely unexpected, you can be sure that Hulu has plenty to choose from.

In this article, we’ll be looking at the best movies on Hulu, spanning all genres and formats, from award-winning dramas to binge-worthy comedies. Whether you’re looking for something light and fun or a thoughtful, emotionally challenging story to watch, you’ll be able to find it on Hulu. So let’s take a look at some of the very best movies to be found on the service.

Award-Winning Dramas   

When you’re in the mood for something a bit more weighty and thought-provoking than the regular run of Hollywood blockbusters, a great drama can be just the thing. Hulu has some outstanding award-winning films, including:

1. 12 Years A Slave: This gripping drama directed by Steve McQueen won Best Picture at the 86th Academy Awards and Best Adapted Screenplay at the 71st Golden Globe Awards. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup, a free black man abducted into slavery who endures a grueling 12 year ordeal.

2. Boyhood: Richard Linklater’s groundbreaking film was shot over the course of twelve years, from 2002 to 2014. It follows the lives of a mother (Patricia Arquette) and her kids, tracking the growth and development of the title character, Mason, as played by Ellar Coltrane. Boyhood won several awards, including the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama.

3. Manchester By The Sea: Kenneth Lonergan’s film tells the story of Lee (Casey Affleck), who, after the death of his estranged brother Joe, returns to his hometown to care for his teenage nephew (Lucas Hedges). Casey Affleck won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance and the film also won the award for Best Original Screenplay.

4. The Imitation Game: This drama tells the true story of code-breaker Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), who led a team of cryptographers charged with cracking the German Enigma code during World War Two. Cumberbatch was nominated for an Oscar for his performance, and the film also won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Indie Favorites   

If it’s Indie films you’re looking for, then again, Hulu has a varied selection for you to choose from. Here are just four of the best:

1. Blue Valentine: This heartbreaking drama stars Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams as a couple dealing with the collapse of their marriage. The film was a critical success, receiving Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations

2. Short Term 12: Winner of the Audience Award at the 2013 SXSW Film Festival, this film follows the life of Grace (Brie Larson), a young foster care worker at a residential facility. It also stars John Gallagher Jr., Kaitlyn Dever and Keith Stanfield.

3. The Spectacular Now: Another critically acclaimed film, The Spectacular Now tells the story of two high school seniors dealing with life and love in a small town. Shailene Woodley stars alongside Miles Teller, with four Independent Spirit Award nominations for its cast and crew.

4. Begin Again: A look at the New York music scene, Begin Again follows an aspiring singer (Keira Knightley) and a sour ex-record company executive (Mark Ruffalo) who stumble upon each other and embark on an unlikely musical collaboration. The film won the audience award at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.

Classic Blockbusters   

Sometimes only a classic blockbuster will do. Hulu has one of the best collections of classic films, with everything from beloved family favorites to intense action films. Here are just a few of the classic films you can find on the service:

1. Ghostbusters: Who you gonna call? This classic comedy follows three out-of-work parapsychology professors who set up shop as “ghostbusters” who specialize in the trapping and eradication of pesky poltergeists.

2. The Goonies: This classic adventure-comedy tells the story of a group of kids in search of buried treasure. Along the way they battle the bumbling Fratelli brothers and a monstrous creature called the “Goonie-Eater”.

3. The Terminator: James Cameron’s science fiction classic follows the war between humanity and the Terminator, a relentless cyborg assassin sent back from the future by the evil Skynet computer system.

4. Top Gun: Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer star in this military action drama about two Maverick pilots competing to become the Top Gun at an elite US Air Force school. The film spawned a sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, and is one of the most beloved films of the 1980s.

Romantic Comedies  

Romantic comedies offer a mix of heartfelt story and lighthearted laughs, and Hulu has plenty to choose from. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic romantic romp or a more offbeat romantic comedy, you’ll find something here that you like:

1. Trainwreck: Amy Schumer stars in this hilarious comedy about a magazine writer looking for love in all the wrong places. Directed by Judd Apatow and also starring Bill Hader, Brie Larson, Vanessa Bayer and Colin Quinn, Trainwreck is one of the funniest films to come out of Hollywood in recent years.

2. 10 Things I Hate About You: A modern-day retelling of Shakespeare’s The Taming Of The Shrew, 10 Things I Hate About You follows two sisters, played by Julia Stiles and Larisa Oleynik, as they negotiate love, high school and teenage drama.

3. Bridget Jones’ Diary: Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant star in this classic romantic comedy based on the best-selling novel by Helen Fielding. As a proper but bumbling British lady looking for love, Bridget Jones is a beloved character in the romantic comedy genre.

4. Crazy, Stupid, Love: Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling star in this heartfelt romantic comedy about a middle-aged husband whose life is thrown into chaos when his wife (Julianne Moore) suddenly asks for a divorce. The film also stars Emma Stone and Marisa Tomei.

Genre Movies   

No matter what genre you’re into, Hulu has a great selection of films for you. Here are four worth checking out:

1. Mad Max: Fury Road: George Miller’s post-apocalyptic action film stars Tom Hardy as Mad Max, a loner in the wasteland who teams up with the resourceful Furiosa (Charlize Theron) in an attempt to cross the treacherous wasteland.

2. Pulp Fiction: This beloved classic crime film was written and directed by Quentin Tarantino and stars John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman and Bruce Willis. Pulp Fiction has been ranked as one of the best films of the 1990s and is one of the most iconic films of the modern era.

3. The Thing: John Carpenter’s classic horror-sci-fi hybrid is set at a remote Antarctic research facility where an alien life form threatens to run amok. Kurt Russell and Wilford Brimley star in this horror classic.

4. The Dark Knight: Christopher Nolan’s Batdad-fueled action epic is one of the highest-grossing films of all time, and one of the best superhero movies ever made. The film stars Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne and the late Heath Ledger as the Joker.

When it comes to movies, Hulu has it all. From indie favorites to classic blockbusters, from award-winning dramas to genre adventures, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful drama, a feel-good romantic comedy, or an offbeat indie film, you’re sure to find something to enjoy on Hulu.