Okay let's be real – scrolling through Hulu's endless library can feel like wandering through a Netflix-themed maze after three espresso shots. Been there. You start strong, then two hours later you're watching a documentary about competitive snail racing wondering how you got there. That's exactly why I put together this no-BS guide to the top series to watch on Hulu. No fluff, just shows actually worth your time based on my own binge sessions.
Hulu's got this weird mix of hidden indie gems and mainstream hits that nobody talks about enough. Plus they drop new episodes next-day for current network shows – which saved me during that whole "working from home in sweatpants" era. Remember that? Good times.
Quick Reality Check:
Hulu's lineup changes faster than my toddler's mood. I update this monthly (last refresh: August 2023). If something disappears? Blame streaming rights drama, not me. Prices mentioned are for the ad-supported plan because honestly, who can afford $15/month just to avoid commercials?
Hulu's Secret Sauce: Why Their Shows Hit Different
So why bother with Hulu when there's 800 other services? Three things stand out in my experience:
- FX Content: Basically Hulu's cheat code. Shows like The Bear and What We Do in the Shadows launch here first. FX doesn't mess around.
- Next-Day Broadcast: Missed Grey's Anatomy or Bob's Burgers? It's up by breakfast. Lifesaver during "watercooler talk" moments.
- Weird Little Gems: Found Ramy here before it blew up. Their algorithm actually suggests interesting stuff sometimes.
What Works
- FX originals are consistently elite
- Best current-season network TV access
- Surprisingly good documentaries
What Irritates Me
- Classics disappear without warning
- Movie selection feels like an afterthought
- Basic plan has SO many ads
Top Series to Watch on Hulu by Category
Breakdown based on what mood you're in. Made tables because scrolling through paragraphs for show info makes me twitchy.
Drama Series That Actually Deserve Your Time
Drama's tricky. Too many "prestige" shows that are just misery porn. These actually earn their emotional toll:
| Show | Cast | Seasons | Why It's Worth It | My Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bear Kitchen Drama | Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri | 2 seasons (2022-) | Chaotic kitchen energy so real I stress-ate through both seasons. Season 2 is even better. | 10/10 |
| Killing Eve Spy Thriller | Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer | 4 seasons (Complete) | Comer's Villanelle is iconic. Final season fizzles but seasons 1-3? Perfection. | 9/10 (S1-3), 6/10 (S4) |
| Handmaid's Tale Dystopian | Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski | 5 seasons (Ongoing) | First two seasons are masterclasses. Gets repetitive later but still visually stunning. | 10/10 (S1-2), 7/10 later |
| Normal People Romance | Daisy Edgar-Jones, Paul Mescal | Limited Series (2020) | Made me text my college ex at 2AM. That's how you know it's good. | 9.5/10 |
Real talk about The Handmaid's Tale – I appreciate what it's doing but sometimes it's just too much. Needed to take breaks between episodes during season 3. Still think it's essential viewing though.
Comedies That Won't Make You Cringe (Mostly)
Comedy's subjective but these made me actually laugh out loud instead of just exhaling through my nose:
| Show | Cast | Seasons | Vibe Check | Bingeability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What We Do in the Shadows Mockumentary | Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou | 4 seasons (Ongoing) | Absurd vampire roommate chaos. Gets better every season somehow. | Easy weekend binge |
| Reservation Dogs Coming-of-Age | D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Devery Jacobs | 2 seasons (Ongoing) | Funny, heartfelt, unlike anything else on TV. Native creators = authentic voice. | Perfect after-work unwind |
| Only Murders in the Building Mystery | Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez | 2 seasons (Ongoing) | Chemistry between legends and Gomez is magic. Season 2 drags slightly but still fun. | Great for mystery lovers |
| Letterkenny Canadian Humor | Jared Keeso, Nathan Dales | 11 seasons (Complete) | Acquired taste but once you get the rhythm? Obsession material. Wordplay genius. | Commitment required |
Sci-Fi & Fantasy That Doesn't Feel Like Homework
Some sci-fi shows require charts and spreadsheets. These respect your time:
- Devs (2020) – Alex Garland's mind-bender about a tech CEO playing god. Short, visually insane.
- Preacher (2016-2019) – Bonkers adaptation of the comic. Gets weird in the best way.
- Future Man (2017-2020) – Raunchy time-travel comedy. Way smarter than it looks.
- Castle Rock (2018-2019) – Stephen King universe mashup. Season 2 > Season 1.
Underrated Series on Hulu You Might Have Missed
Hulu's algorithm pushes the same 10 popular shows. These hidden gems deserve attention:
- This Fool (2022-) – Comedy about a South LA do-gooder. Shockingly heartfelt.
- The Great (2020-) – Elle Fanning as Catherine the Great. "Historical" comedy that plays fast and loose with facts. Hysterical.
- Ramy (2019-) – Ramy Youssef's semi-autobiographical show about Muslim millennial life. Feels incredibly real.
- Chance (2016-2017) – Hugh Laurie as a neuropsychiatrist in a Hitchcockian thriller. Canceled too soon but worth it.
Found Ramy during lockdown and it became my comfort show. Season 2's episode about Palestine hit me hard – rare to see that perspective on TV.
Current Shows Worth Keeping Up With
Hulu's next-day drops make these ongoing series actually watchable without dodging spoilers:
| Show | Network | New Episodes | Why Bother? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbott Elementary | ABC | Next day | Joyful, clever mockumentary about teachers. Restores faith in network TV. |
| The Rookie | ABC | Next day | Nathan Fillion's cop drama. Surprisingly consistent comfort food TV. |
| It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | FXX | Next day | Still going after 15 seasons. Hit-or-miss now but when it hits? *chef's kiss* |
| Shoresy | Crave (Canada) | Season drops | Letterkenny spinoff about hockey. Somehow even better than original. |
Finding Your Next Series to Watch on Hulu (Without Losing Your Mind)
After testing every "recommendation" trick, here's what actually works:
- Keyword Search Fail: Their search is terrible. Better to browse FX or "Hulu Originals" sections directly.
- Third-Party Help: Use JustWatch.com to track what's actually available RIGHT NOW. Lifesaver.
- My Weird Trick: Search actors you like. Found Dopesick because Michael Keaton never misses.
Last month I wasted 20 minutes searching for a show that left Hulu 6 months ago. Don't be me.
Hulu Series FAQs (Real Questions People Actually Ask)
What are the most popular series to watch on Hulu?
Currently: The Bear, Only Murders, Abbott Elementary. But popularity doesn't equal quality – looking at you, Kardashians.
Does Hulu have complete series or just recent seasons?
Both! Older shows like Lost and Buffy rotate in/out. Newer network shows usually have current seasons only.
What's the best Hulu original series?
Personal top 3: The Bear (technically FX on Hulu), Ramy, Reservation Dogs. Fight me.
Are Hulu's true crime series worth watching?
Some are great (The Act), some feel exploitative. Catch-22 documentary surprised me though.
How often do new series appear on Hulu?
Weekly network drops, originals drop entire seasons. Big library adds happen 1st of each month usually.
Final Thoughts Before You Start Binging
Hulu's strength is its weird middle ground – not as vast as Netflix but way more curated than Prime. The FX partnership alone makes it worth the subscription when you want quality series to watch on Hulu.
Personal recommendation? Start with Reservation Dogs. Went in expecting nothing, came out emotionally devastated in the best way. That's the magic of finding great series to watch on Hulu – the unexpected gems hidden between the Kardashians and Law & Order reruns.
What's your favorite underrated Hulu series? I'm always hunting for new obsessions between my kids' naps. Hit me up on Twitter if you find something amazing – or if you just want to rant about that Lost finale again. We've all been there.
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