Summary

• Hulu's original movies have proven to be successful and diverse, offering unique and varied options for subscribers.
• Boss Level, Hulu's first action movie, received praise for its new approach to the time-loop genre and its over-the-top action.
• Hulu's original movies include impactful biopics, star-studded comedies, and inventive genre films, showcasing the platform's commitment to high-quality content.

While more successful with its original series, the best Hulu original movies show the streaming platform has developed some excellent cinematic entries. Hulu has emerged as a formidable player in the streaming world with hit shows like The Handmaid's Tale and Only Murders in the Building helping to give it plenty to high-quality original content to offer subscribers. Hulu has also gradually been dedicating more to their original movie projects, resulting in some excellent and varied options available that can't be found anywhere else.

While certain high-profile titles from Hulu, like Adrian Lyne's Deep Water or the remake of White Men Can't Jump failed to find much success, there are great Hulu original movies on the platform too. These titles range from exciting remakes of horror franchises to inventive rom-coms to intense horror movies. While their catalog of existing movies is always enticing, the best Hulu original movies should not be overlooked.

15 Boss Level (2020)

Hulu's First Original Action Movie

Boss Level was Hulu's first full-blown action movie and shows the streamer was well-equipped to tackle the genre. The movie takes a time-loop approach to the genre with Frank Grillo playing a special forces officer stuck in the same day of his death as he fights deadly enemies and brutal demises again and again while looking for the key to his escape.

The movie is packed with exciting names like Michelle Yeoh, Mel Gibson, and Naomi Watts. Despite the crowded subgenre of time loop movies, Boss Level was praised for finding new ways to approach the story while also embracing its over-the-top action.

14 Big Time Adolescence (2019)

The Hulu Original Coming-Of-Age Comedy That's Full Of Heart

Big Time Adolescence follows Monroe "Mo" Harris (Griffin Gluck), a 16-year-old boy who remains friends with his big sister's ex, Zeke (Pete Davidson). Mo's parents aren't thrilled with the dynamic, but the young slacker isn't as awful an influence as he initially appears.

The most positive reviews for this 2019 Hulu original pointed at the movie's fair balance of heart and humor.

Critics found the film well-cast and mostly well-acted, with Gluck, in particular, receiving praise. Furthermore, the most positive reviews for this 2019 Hulu original pointed at the movie's fair balance of heart and humor.

13 Little Monsters (2019)

A Post-Apocalyptic Musical Comedy

While Shaun of the Dead is seen by many as the greatest comedic take on a zombie movie, Little Monsters proves there are still laughs and thrills to be had from this particular mashing of genres. Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o portrays a school teacher who must do what she can to protect her young students from flesh-eating ghouls while on a field trip.

It's a film that knows it's silly and leans into it, resulting in a movie that's more funny than scary, but it does actually manage to provide legitimate scares. Nyong'o received high praise for a rare comedic turn, while the movie itself earned strong reviews for its fresh take on a heavily explored subgenre.

12 Vacation Friends (2021)

John Cena Proves He's Just As Suited To Comedies As The Wrestling Ring

John Cena has emerged as a surprisingly adept comedic actor, thanks to standout roles in the likes of The Suicide Squad and Blockers. Vacation Friends is another winning comedy that shows his funny side while teaming him with other hilarious people like Lil Rel Howery, Yvonne Orji, and Meredith Hagner.

The light comedy follows Orji and Howery's couple as they vacation in Mexico and meet Hagner and Cena's duo only to find their new friends extending the friendship once the vacation is over. The movie has a lot of fun turning relatable social situations into hilarious misadventures. Vacation Friends was a comedy hit and one of the first Hulu original movies to get a sequel.

11 The United States Vs. Billie Holiday (2021)

An Impactful Biopic That Helped Launch Andra Day's Acting Career

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lee Daniels made his first movie with Hulu with the biopic The United States vs. Billie Holiday. The title of the film refers to the United States's narcotics charge against artist Billie Holiday, looking at the injustice and betrayal at the center of the drama.

It is a timely and impactful period drama about celebrity scandal that still packs a powerful punch.

Singer Andra Day delivers a career-making performance in the lead role as Holiday, earning herself an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. It is a timely and impactful period drama about celebrity scandal that still packs a powerful punch.

10 No One Will Save You (2023)

The Dialogue-Free Alien Invasion Movie That Gained Viral Fame

While Hulu doesn't have the same funds for its original movies as most Hollywood blockbusters, it has found budget-friendly ways to tackle exciting genres. No One Will Save You pulled off a small-scale alien invasion movie with the thriller starring Kaitlyn Dever as an isolated young woman living on her own who must fight for her survival when an alien finds its way into her home.

The home invasion story is an inherently creepy one and this inventive take on it made No One Will Save You something of a viral sensation when it arrived in 2023. The Hulu original movie also received strong critical acclaim for its nearly dialogue-free story that holds tension and excitement throughout.

9 Happiest Season (2020)

A Star-Studded Festive Comedy With An LGBTQ+ Centered Story

Happiest Season is one of Hulu's most star-studded originals to date, with greats like Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Kristen Stewart, Dan Levy, Mackenzie Davis, and Mary Steenburgen lining the cast. Hailed as one of the best LGBTQ+ rom-coms, Happiest Season stars Kristen Stewart as a young woman who is invited to spend the holidays with her girlfriend's family only to learn that her partner is still in the closet to her relatives.

The movie is a terrific mix of big laughs as well as some emotionally devastating moments. Happiest Season won the GLAAD Media Award for "Outstanding Film - Wide Release" and has already been adopted as a new holiday favorite.

8 Fire Island (2023)

Secrets Threaten To Unravel A Vacation In This LGBTQ+ Hulu Comedy

Another LGBTQ+ movie that is among the best Hulu original movies is Fire Island. The comedy is loosely inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice as it follows a group of gay men who head to a vacation getaway only for revelations to threaten their fun times and their overall relationships.

The movie takes a funny and clever approach to topics of classism and romance with an ensemble of likable characters. The movie earned a near-perfect 94% on Rotten Tomatoes while also receiving an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Television Movie.

7 Plan B (2021)

Hulu's Take On Coming-Of-Age Comedies

The best coming-of-age movies like Plan B tend to go places that ring true for anybody who's gone through their teens. Natalie Morales (Parks and Recreation) directed Hulu's 2021 addition to the subgenre, and it received overall positive critical reviews.

The movie follows a straight-laced high school student who embarks on a quest with her best friend to find a Plan B pill following her first awkward sexual experience.

The movie tackles very timely and important messages in thoughtful and insightful ways while never losing sight of its comedic tone. Morales won the Hollywood Critics Association Film Awards award for new filmmakers while the movie received high praise from critics.

6 Run (2020)

Sarah Paulson Plays One Of Horror's Most Terrifying Mothers

Run is a psychological thriller that ended up setting a viewership record for the streamer. The plot follows Diane Sherman (Sarah Paulson) and her chronically ill daughter, Chloe (Kiera Allen). However, not everything is as it seems, and Diane harbors some dark secrets that run both women's lives.

Along with becoming Hulu's most successful movie upon its release, Run scored praise from critics who pointed to the central performances and the movie's ability to avoid the familiar tropes of the genre as aspects that helped it to stand out.