Best TV Shows on Hulu by Genre
This article is updated frequently as titles leave and enter Hulu. *New additions are indicated with an asterisk.
Hulu is still primarily known for television as it’s the best place to watch current shows the next day. With that in mind, this guide mostly includes Hulu originals, exclusives like their deal with FX, and shows that have completed their run, but Hulu is also the place for current comedies we love likeAbbott Elementary.With that FX deal and a robust original programming slate, they’re one of the best streamers out there for TV, maybethebest, so expect this list to be rotated and updated regularly. There’s a lot to choose from.
This Month’s Critic’s Pick
*Sherlock
Years:2010-2017
Length:4 seasons, 13 episodes
Creators:Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat
The BBC hit that made Benedict Cumberbatch a star and redefined the legend of Sherlock Holmes is just sitting there on Hulu waiting to occupy your weekend. More like a series of films than a traditional American TV season,Sherlockis smart mystery television with two magnetic performances from Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, along with the futureTom Ripley,Andrew Scott.
Drama
The Americans
Years:2013-2018
Length:6 seasons, 75 episodes
Creator:Joe Weisberg
Arguably the best show of the 2010s, this FX drama stars Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys as Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, a seemingly average couple with two kids living in ‘80s suburbia. It turns out that they’re actually undercover Russian operatives, staying on step agent of the FBI agent (Noah Emmerich) who happens to be their neighbor. Smart, sexy, moving, and thrilling, this show really feels like nothing else on TV then or now. It’s such a daring, brilliantly written program, and time will be very kind to it.
The Bear
Years:2022-present
Length:1 season, 8 episodes
Creator:Christopher Storer
One of the most critically acclaimed new shows of 2022,The Bearis the story of a sandwich shop owner in the Windy City, and the pressures of life in the food business. Jeremy Allen White is spectacular in the lead role, but he’s ably supported by great turns from Ayo Edibiri and Ebon Moss-Bacharach. Expect them all to be Emmy players this year, and for the show to return for a second season expected sometime this Summer. It’s both one of the funniest and most stress-inducing shows on TV.
Fargo
Years:2014-present
Length:4 seasons, 41 episodes
Creator:Noah Hawley
All four seasons (so far — year five is currently in production) of this twisted gem are exclusively available on Hulu, and there’s really no logical reason not to watch this show as soon as possible if you have yet to see it. Noah Hawley’s critical darling is simply brilliant, starting with a wonderfully entertaining first season anchored by Billy Bob Thornton and Martin Freeman, and then developing into an arguably-better second season. Years 3 & 4 may not live up to the first two but remains must-see TV. Just trust us on this one. Watch them all.
Friday Night Lights
Years:2006-2011
Length:5 seasons, 76 episodes
Creator:Peter Berg
“Clear eyes, full heart, can’t lose.” TV hasn’t really been the same without Coach Taylor, the leading man of this NBC hit. There’s a remarkable array of quality highs and lows in its five-year run, but when this story of small town life and sports-centric communities was at its best, it was very, very good. Progressive in the way it handled the lives of young people without talking down to them, it feels like a re-appreciation ofFriday Night Lightsas one of network TV’s best modern shows is right around the corner.
Hannibal
Years:2013-2015
Length:3 seasons, 39 episodes
Creator:Bryan Fuller
It’s hard to believe this was ever on television. Bryan Fuller did the impossible, using the Thomas Harris books about Hannibal Lecter in a way that escaped the shadow of Sir Anthony Hopkins to become its own twisted thing. Mads Mikkelsen is perfect in the title role, a forensic psychiatrist who basically plays with FBI investigator Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) like a cat would a mouse. More formally daring than anything that’s been on network TV sinceTwin Peaks,the only bad thing aboutHannibalis that we didn’t get more of it.
Justified
Years:2010-2015
Length:6 seasons, 78 episodes
Creator:Graham Yost
FX premiered one of the best Elmore Leonard adaptations of all time in 2010, introducing the world to the beloved Raylan Givens, perfectly embodied by Timothy Olyphant. Givens is an old-fashioned hero in a modern world, dealing with the forces of evil in his corner of Eastern Kentucky, particularly one tough guy played unforgettably by Walton Goggins. Smart, thrilling, and character-driven, one wishes there were more shows like this (and Raylan is back in the excellent limited seriesJustified: City Primeval,also on Hulu).
Moonlighting
Years:1985-1989
Length:5 seasons, 67 episodes
Creator:Glenn Gordon Caron
Held up inmusic rights issues for decades,this ABC hit dramedy was finally made available to Hulu subscribers in October 2023. A show so far ahead of its time that it feels like creators are still catching up to it,Moonlightingmade Bruce Willis a star as David Addison, half of a couple with Cybill Shepherd that solved crimes while defining the will-they-won’t-they dynamic of the era. It fell apart too soon, but there’s still so much to love over these five seasons. Startherewith a primer on the most essential episodes.
The Shield
Years:2002-2008
Length:7 seasons, 88 episodes
Creator:Shawn Ryan
The only place you can watch one of the best cop shows of all time is Hulu. Shawn Ryan’s FX drama helped shape the modern TV landscape with its no-holds-barred presentation of cops who operate in a very gray area or morality. Michael Chiklis and Walton Goggins really drive the show, but the entire ensemble works, especially later season-long guest stars like Glenn Close and Forest Whitaker. This is a must-see.
Shogun
Year:2024
Length:1 season, 10 episodes
Creators:Rachel Kondo, Justin Marks
Forty-four years after the ratings-breaking mini-series of the same name, FX has returned to the world ofShogun,based on the hit novel by James Clavell. This 10-episode limited series is a gorgeously rendered epic, the story of a British sailor named Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) who lands on the Japanese shores at a time of great conflict, and completely changes history in the process. Co-starring Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, this version if even better than the Richard Chamberlain original.
Sons of Anarchy
Years:2008-2014
Length:7 seasons, 92 episodes
Creator:Kurt Sutter
Kurt Sutter’s macho reimagining ofHamletin the world of a California motorcycle gang often gets a bad rap as nothing more than macho posturing. This is a much smarter, daring show than you might think at first, and it’s anchored by stand-out performances from Ron Perlman and Katey Sagal, who was robbed for at least one Emmy nomination for her work here. This is another long-running drama with some rocky, sub-par seasons, but the entire trip is worth the ride overall.
Under the Bridge
Year:2024
Length:1 season, 8 episodes
Creator:Quinn Shephard
Rebecca Godfrey’s non-fiction book of the same name gets an empathetic, moving adaptation with some of the best performances of 2024. Riley Keough plays Godfrey herself, alongside Lily Gladstone as the investigating officer and Archie Panjabi as the mother of Reena Virk, a Canadian teenager who was murdered in 1997. Nuanced without being melodramatic, it’s the rare true crime mini-series that takes its human responsibility very seriously. It’s a quest for understanding that will destroy you.
*The Veil
Year:2024
Length:1 season, 6 episodes
Creator:Steven Knight
The creator ofPeaky BlindersandTaboowas behind this thriller about an agent (the always-great Elisabeth Moss) who ends up transporting a potential ISIS leader (the excellent Yumna Marwan) through Europe, questioning the entire time if she’s really got the right target in her sights. It’s a bit rocky at times, but good enough for this list because of Moss, Marwan, and the reliable Josh Charles.
Comedy
Abbott Elementary
Years:2021-present
Seasons:3
Creator:Quinta Brunson
This is the show that proved that there’s still life in the network TV comedy. Hysterically funny and subtle in its social commentary, it’s the tale of a Philadelphia elementary school with a great staff but few resources. Shot like a mockumentary, it has incredibly sharp writing, butAbbott Elementary’s best asset is its ensemble, one of the best of its era of comedy television.
Archer
Years:2009-2023
Length:14 seasons, 142 episodes
Creator:Adam Reed
When this spoof of James Bond and other suave spy properties, who could have guessed that it would be on the air for almost 15 years? The saga of Sterling Archer has become an epic one, spinning through several dream seasons that took the voice actors in an entirely different direction. It’s a bit past its prime, but there’s stuff to enjoy through the entire fun ofArcher.(If you’re looking for the best of the best, check outthis list.)
Atlanta
Years:2016-2022
Length:4 seasons, 41 episodes
Creator:Donald Glover
The last couple of pandemic-delayed seasons ofAtlanta,both of which aired in 2022, were pretty divisive, but there’s some undeniable genius in these 20 episodes, especially in the very satisfying end run of the show. Now that we can look at Donald Glover’s creation as a whole, it’s easier to appreciate its broad swings and willingness to feel like nothing else on TV. It’s also going to be fun to watch talents like Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, LaKeith Stanfield, and Zazie Beetz get more and more popular.
Better Things
Years:2016-2022
Length:5 seasons, 51 episodes
Creators:Pamela Adlon, Louis C.K.
One of television’s smartest comedies is this gem created by and starring Pamela Adlon. The brilliant comedian presents a skewed version of her own life balancing parenthood with working as an actress, and the result is as confessional, hysterical, and daring as any comedy of the modern era. This show still feels a bit under the radar of where it deserves to be. Maybe time will correct that now that it’s completed its run. Be on the right side of history now.
The Great
Years:2020-present
Length:3 seasons, 30 episodes
Creator:Tony McNamara
Most period pieces aren’t as wickedly hysterical as this one. From the Oscar-nominated writer ofThe Favourite,this is a fictional reimagining of the true story of Catherine the Great, played perfectly here by Elle Fanning. When she’s thrust into a loveless marriage with Emperor Peter III (Nicholas Hoult), Catherine is forced to play political and even sexual games to get what she wants. This is such a clever, creative show, an examination of power and ego that may take place centuries ago but feels remarkably timely too.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Years:2005-present
Length:16 seasons, 170 episodes
Creator:Rob McElhenney
FX’s longest-running show also has one of the network’s most devoted fan bases. The dark comedy about a bunch of misanthropic lunatics in a Philadelphia bar has been surprisingly consistent over its remarkable run — season 16 is in production now. If you like shows about selfish people behaving very badly, take a look at this, and marvel at how often this program has pushed the envelope in terms of taste and somehow survived changes in TV comedy to remain as popular as ever.
Only Murders in the Building
Years:2020-present
Length:3 seasons, 30 episodes
Creators:Steve Martin, John Hoffman
One of the best original shows of the streaming era stars Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez as unlikely allies in a series of murder mysteries. The first season centered on a suspicious death in their high-class apartment building that had ties back to the youth of Gomez’s character. The second season? Another murder and a few more memorable guest stars. The third season is currently in production with Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep for a premiere later this year.
Reservation Dogs
Years:2021-2023
Length:3 seasons, 28 episodes
Creators:Sterlin Harjo, Taika Waititi
One of the best comedies on television is this phenomenal coming-of-age story about young people on a reservation. Blending cultural resonance with universally relatable themes, the writers find a way to make comedy television that feels completely fresh and new. Alternately very funny and incredibly moving, this is a must-see for all generations.
Schitt’s Creek
Years:2015-2020
Length:6 seasons, 80 episodes
Creators:Eugene Levy, Daniel Levy
This is one of the biggest word-of-mouth hits of all time. When it started, people barely noticed. By the time it ended? It was the biggest comedy on television, winning multiple Emmys. What happened? Well, people noticed the perfect timing between Eugene Levy, his son Daniel Levy, Catherine O’Hara, and Annie Murphy. However, the show got even better when it highlighted supporting players like Emily Hampshire and Chris Elliott. It’s hilarious even if you’re watching it for the second or third time.
Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy
American Horror Story
Years:2011-present
Length:12 seasons, 128 episodes
Creators:Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk
American Horror Storyis so popular and so long-lasting that it’s become a powerhouse brand. Sure, it’s not as culturally vibrant as it once was, but fans of this anthology series are loyal to the twisted visions of Ryan Murphy and his team of regular collaborators. Personal favorites are the original (rebranded asMurder House), the dementedAsylum,and the underratedCult.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Years:1997-2003
Length:7 seasons, 144 episodes
Creator:Joss Whedon
This show isstilldismissed by some people as a “teen soap opera with fangs,” but anyone who doesn’t recognize how brilliant and important this show is to the history of television simply hasn’t seen it.Buffyhelped redefine audience expectations, proving that deep, progressive social commentary could be embedded in a show about monsters and that people of all ages could get it. There is so much genre TV that followed — fromStranger ThingstoWestworld— that owes a debt to this show.
Firefly
Year:2002
Length:1 season, 14 episodes
Creator:Joss Whedon
The top of almost every list of “shows canceled too soon,” it almost feels like the brief run of this FOX sci-fi show helped to cement its legacy. Would we still be talking about it so much if it had been on for years? The fact that FOX couldn’t see what they had inFireflyactually had a greater impact — illustrating how creatively naïve the networks were at a time when companies like HBO were stealing talent away. See for yourself how big a mistake they made.
Gravity Falls
Years:2012-2016
Length:2 seasons, 40 episodes
Creator:Alex Hirsch
A lot of animated programming aimed at kids goes on for years and years. It feels like there has to be at least 4,000 episodes ofSpongeBob Squarepantsby now. But this Disney hit is a rare exception, running for only two phenomenal seasons, and leaving viewers wanting more. The result is a tight series run that really doesn’t have a single bad episode in it. The story of two kids whose uncle runs one of those tourist-trap mystery shops — only this one contains some actual mysteries — works for all ages.
The Handmaid’s Tale
Years:2017-present
Length:5 seasons, 56 episodes
Creator:Bruce Miller
Hulu has lagged behind Netflix in the original drama department with onehugeexception, the Emmy-winning thriller based on the Margaret Atwood novel about a dystopian future that feels increasingly and disturbingly like life in the 2020s. The show has struggled some since its universally-acclaimed first year, but the performances continue to make it worth everyone’s time, especially the leading one from Elisabeth Moss, one of the best actresses of her generation. And it’s headed into its final season soon. We’re all curious to see where this saga ends.
The Last Man on Earth
Years:2015-2018
Length:4 seasons, 67 episodes
Creator:Will Forte
On the one hand, it’s amazing that something as delightfully strange as this sci-fi comedy ran for four seasons on network TV. On the other hand, we’re still angry that FOX canceled the show after a cliffhanger, denying Tandy (Will Forte) and his friends the narrative closure this show really deserved. Here’s what we need — everybody watch this on Hulu. If it’s their #1 streaming show, maybe they’ll get the gang together for aDeadwood-style closure movie.
Lost
Years:2004-2010
Length:6 seasons, 121 episodes
Creators:Jeffrey Lieber, J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof
Our current era of twisty TV with hits likeYellowjacketswouldn’t exist if this ABC masterpiece hadn’t built its foundation. The first season was a legitimate phenomenon, telling the story of a group of plane crash survivors who discover they have landed in a very unusual place. Brilliantly written and rivetingly directed, it holds up very well, even in the “lesser” seasons that turned fans on the show.
What We Do in the Shadows
Years:2019-present
Length:5 seasons, 50 episodes
Creator:Jemaine Clement
Jemaine Clement adapted his own 2014 film into a show that’s even better than its source material. Sort of “The Real Worldwith vampires,” this is a mockumentary look at a group of immortals who just happen to be living in Staten Island. The writing is incredible, but it’s the timing of the cast here that slays, including Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillen, and Mark Proksch. They’re always funny.
The X-Files
Years:1993-2002, 2016-2018
Length:11 seasons, 218 episodes
Creator:Chris Carter
Chris Carter’s show truly changed the way people looked at genre TV in the ‘90s, paving the way for the next two decades of hit sci-fi and supernatural programming. At its peak, it was one of the best shows on TV, and those episodes have held up as well as anything from the era. Pick out your faves and don’t be surprised if you get sucked back into the entire saga of Mulder, Scully, Skinner, and the Cigarette Smoking Man.
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