Netflix may have been seen as the leader in creating engaging original programming among streaming networks, but Hulu was actually first. In 2011, well before Netflix debuted “Lilyhammer,” Hulu launched “The Morning After,” a pop-culture news show that aired 800 episodes over three years. Since then, Hulu has consistently made TV history, such as in 2017 when it became the first streamer to win an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series with “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Since then, Hulu has maintained high standards of quality entertainment, evidenced by shows like “Shōgun,” setting an Emmy record with 18 wins in one season, and “The Bear,” which earned 11 Emmys in 2024.
Despite increased competition, Hulu stands out for its carefully curated original series and its partnerships with major networks, such as FX. Some of our current favorite Hulu shows are listed below.
If you’re looking for more options, check out WIRED’s recommendations for the best TV shows on Amazon Prime, Disney+, and Netflix. If you have other suggestions, share them in the comments.
“Alien: Earth”
Noah Hawley turned the iconic film “Alien” into an engaging series, “Alien: Earth,” set two years before Ridley Scott’s original “Alien.” It features the Prodigy Corporation, which transfers the consciousness of terminally ill children into synthetic beings. Wendy (Sydney Chandler) is one such “hybrid,” leading an investigation into a Weyland-Yutani crash rife with horrors.
“King of the Hill”
Fifteen years after its farewell, Mike Judge and Greg Daniels take us back to Arlen, Texas, with Hank Hill (Judge), his wife Peggy (Kathy Najimy), and their son Bobby (Pamela Adlon), who return home after living in Saudi Arabia.
“Dope Girls”
Inspired by Marek Cohen’s “Dope Girls: The Birth of the British Drug Underground,” this series features Julianne Nicholson as Kate Galloway, who builds an underground nightclub and a drug empire in post-WWI London.
“Washington Black”
Esi Edugyan’s bestseller becomes a miniseries about George Washington “Wash” Black (Ernest Kingsley Jr.), who escapes his Barbados plantation to Nova Scotia, finding mentorship under Medwin Harris (Sterling K. Brown).
“The Bear”
Jeremy Allen White stars as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, a city chef returning home to save his family’s sandwich shop. The series captures kitchen stress and reveals Carmy’s mysterious past, featuring guest spots like Jamie Lee Curtis’s Emmy-winning performance.
“Such Brave Girls”
Kat Sadler and her sister Lizzie Davidson star in this dark comedy about a dysfunctional family picking up the pieces after Dad leaves.
“Adults”
Dubbed a Gen Z “Friends,” the show features twentysomething New Yorkers tackling adulthood with unexpected complexities.
“Welcome to Wrexham”
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s passionate mission to revive Wrexham AFC, a Welsh soccer club, unfolds in this docuseries reminiscent of a real-life “Ted Lasso.”
“The Handmaid’s Tale”
Margaret Atwood’s dystopian classic shapes this Emmy-winning series about female oppression, with the sixth and final season now streaming.
“Dying for Sex”
Michelle Williams plays Molly Kochan, who, upon learning of her terminal cancer, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected consequences.
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”
This long-running sitcom showcases the dysfunctional exploits of the Paddy’s Pub gang, with its 17th season recently premiered.
“Big Boys”
Jack Rooke’s BAFTA-winning dramedy outlines a heartfelt journey of young adulthood and self-acceptance.
“Deli Boys”
Pakistani American brothers discover their late father’s stores are a front for drug operations in this comedic take on the immigrant experience.
“A Thousand Blows”
Steven Knight’s drama features an all-female crime syndicate set against the backdrop of historical crime, with a standout turn by Erin Doherty.
“Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke”
This docuseries uncovers the shocking fall of mommy vlogger Ruby Franke, whose parenting style led to legal accusations.
“Paradise”
Dan Fogelman’s thriller, with Sterling K. Brown, explores treachery and suspense in a political context, with more seasons on the way.
“Scamanda”
ABC News scrutinizes Amanda C. Riley’s false cancer claims in this true crime examination from podcast source material.
“Accused”
“Accused” provides a reverse approach to “Law & Order,” with each episode featuring a new defendant’s story.
“Say Nothing”
Adapted from Patrick Radden Keefe’s novel, this show helps shed light on the mysterious “The Disappeared” group from the Troubles in Belfast.
“Interior Chinatown”
Charles Yu adapts his award-winning novel into a meta comedy-crime series