In today's world of television, it can be overwhelming to keep track of the many shows being released on various streaming platforms. Hulu, launched in 2007, has emerged as a key player in the streaming industry. In 2012, the company announced that they were developing its first original scripted programming with Battleground.
Since then, several Hulu original series have risen significantly in the pop culture zeitgeist. Some of Hulu's most successful shows have received praise from audiences and critics alike, as shown by their IMDb scores. Several series, including Only Murders In The Building, Under the Banner of Heaven, and Pam and Tommy, received nominations at this year's Emmy Awards.
10 Love, Victor Is A Heartwarming Story Of Self-Discovery — 8.0
Hulu's Love, Victor is a teen comedy-drama set in the same universe as the 2018 film Love, Simon. Narrated by Love, Simon's Nick Robinson, the series follows a similar journey of self-discovery as the film did through the story of Victor Salazar, portrayed by Michael Cimino, as he navigates accepting his sexuality and coming out to his loved ones.
Love, Victor has been praised by critics and audiences for its talented ensemble of young actors and poignant storytelling. Hulu renewed the show for a third and final season in early 2022.
9 PEN15 Captures The Cringe-Worthiness Of Middle School — 8.1
PEN15 first debuted on Hulu in early 2019. A comedy like no other, the series stars Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle in a cringe-worthily realistic depiction of middle school life. Erskine and Konkle were both 31 years old during the show's first season as they played the 13-year-old versions of themselves.
PEN15's second and final season achieved even further critical acclaim than its debut. PEN15 was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series at the 2021 Emmy Awards in addition to an Outstanding Writing nomination for Erskine.
8 11.22.63 Is A Time-Traveling Historical Adventure — 8.1
Hulu's 11.22.63 is a miniseries television adaption of Stephen King's 2011 novel of the same name. Starring James Franco, the series follows the protagonist, Jake Epping, as he is given the chance to travel back in time in an attempt to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
11.22.63 explores the complexities of time travel in a thrilling adventure. The eight-episode miniseries received favorable reviews from critics who praised Franco's performance in the lead role as well as the show's supernatural elements.
7 Only Murders In The Building Seamlessly Blends Comedy & Mystery — 8.1
Starring Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building is a hilarious blend of comedy and mystery. The series explores the popularity of true crime podcasts as the main characters team up to create their own podcast and attempt to solve the case of a suspicious death in their apartment building.
The combination of Short and Martin's classic humor with Gomez's Gen-Z personality is an unexpected hit that propels the show's comedic elements. Only Murders in the Building received multiple 2022 Emmy Awards nominations, and Hulu recently renewed it for a third season.
6 The Great Is A Satirical Take On History — 8.2
The Great features Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult in a satirical take on Catherine the Great's rise to power. Fanning stars as Catherine, while Hoult portrays her husband, Emperor Peter III.
The fictionalized version of the historical account makes for a unique dark comedy unlike anything else streaming today. The Great has received critical acclaim, with its second season holding an impressive 100% on critic aggregate Rotten Tomatoes. Fanning and Hoult each received nominations for their acting in the series' second season at the 2022 Emmy Awards.
5 Wu-Tang: An American Saga Follows The Foundation Of A Legendary Band — 8.3
Hulu's Wu-Tang: An American Saga, starring Ashton Sanders and Shameik Moore, first premiered in 2019. The drama series is a fictionalized portrayal of the creation of the American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. The show was co-created and executive produced by RZA, a founding group member. RZA earned an Emmy nomination in 2020 for the show's theme song.
Hulu released a second season in 2021, and the series has scored a renewal for a third and final season. Wu-Tang: An American Saga currently holds a 74% on critic aggregate Rotten Tomatoes.
4 The Handmaid's Tale Expands Upon A Dystopian Classic — 8.4
Margaret Atwood's 1985 dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale explores a chilling near-future in which fertile women are forced to become "handmaids," sexual enslaved people who must birth children for the ruling class of men. Hulu's adaptation of the novel expands beyond past the ending of the novel, allowing for a deeper look at the dystopian future Atwood developed in her book.
The Handmaid's Tale was led by Elizabeth Moss and achieved significant critical praise, especially for its first season. Season 1 took home the top prize of Outstanding Drama Series at the 2017 Primetime Emmy Awards.
3 Normal People Captures The Nuances Of Love — 8.4
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Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal lead Hulu's miniseries adaptation of Sally Rooney's novel, Normal People. The series follows Marianne Sheridan and Connell Waldron and their complex romantic relationship as they grow from adolescents into young adulthood in Ireland.
Normal People's poignant portrayal of the nuances of love and relationships throughout one's life makes for an emotional watch that is largely faithful to its beloved source material. The 12-episode series, which premiered in 2020, has received both critical and audience praise, scoring two nominations at the 2020 Emmy Awards.
2 Dopesick Portrays The Tragic Impact Of The Opioid Epidemic — 8.6
Dopesick, which premiered on Hulu in 2021, is a drama miniseries that chronicles the devastating impact of the opioid crisis in the United States and the legal case against Purdue Pharma regarding the development and marketing of OxyContin. The series is an adaptation of the book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy.
Michael Keaton leads an impressive ensemble cast that includes Will Poulter, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Peter Sarsgaard. Dopesick received fourteen nominations at the 2022 Emmy Awards, with Keaton taking home the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series.
1 Letterkenny Is A Hilarious Look At Small-Town Life — 8.7
Letterkenny is a Canadian sitcom that originally began as a YouTube web series in 2013. The show was created by Jared Keeso, who leads the series as Wayne. Letterkenny follows Wayne and his sister Katy, played by Michelle Mylett, as the pair run a farm stand in a small town in Canada.
The comedy series' first season debuted in 2016, with a second season released later that same year. Since then, Letterkenny has gone on to run for ten seasons in addition to several holiday-themed specials.