The Ultimate Compilation of Must-Watch Hulu Original Series

Summary

Critically acclaimed and praised for their performances and writing, shows such as Solar Opposites, 11.22.63, The Great, Love, Victor, Pen15, The Bear, Reservation Dogs, and Only Murders in the Building have received accolades.

The Handmaid's Tale, hailed as the premier and most successful Hulu original series, has garnered numerous Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. This groundbreaking show played a pivotal role in solidifying Hulu's esteemed reputation within the streaming industry.

In the realm of original series, Hulu has proven itself to be a formidable competitor to Netflix and other major streaming services. Despite its smaller size, Hulu has achieved success in a variety of genres and has garnered recognition at prestigious award shows such as the Primetime Emmy Awards and the Golden Globes. The journey began in 2011 with the release of their first original series, The Morning After, a news show. However, it was in 2012 with the debut of Battleground, a mockumentary centered around a political campaign in Wisconsin, that Hulu entered the realm of scripted original content.

Since then, Hulu has explored diverse genres including drama, comedy, animation, and science fiction. They have collaborated with renowned figures such as J.J. Abrams, Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, Justin Roiland, and Taika Waititi, and have featured esteemed actors like Michael Keaton, James Franco, Steve Martin, and Nicole Kidman. The outcome of these efforts has been an impressive collection of original content that rivals, and in some cases surpasses, the offerings of Netflix. This success has been met with critical acclaim, mainstream praise, and numerous award nominations and wins.

10 Solar Opposites (2020- )

Justin Roiland, co-creator of Rick & Morty, went on to co-create the Hulu original animated series Solar Opposites. While both shows are rooted in sci-fi, Solar Opposites goes further by centering around aliens who reside on Earth. Although Roiland was let go from the series after the third season, the show continued on with a fourth season, and a fifth season is still in the works.

While Solar Opposites hasn't achieved the same level of critical acclaim as Rick & Morty, it has still proven to be a successful original series for Hulu. Season 4 saw the replacement of Roiland in the voice cast by Dan Stevens (known for Legion), which brought the show to new heights. The series has also been recognized with awards such as Best Streaming Series at the BMIs and a Bronze and Gold award at the Clios.

9 11.22.63 (2016)

Hulu has produced multiple original series based on the works of Stephen King. However, the standout among them is the 2016 adaptation of 11.22.63. In contrast to many King adaptations, this series is not a horror story but rather a captivating time travel tale. James Franco takes on the role of Jake Epping, a recently divorced teacher from Maine who discovers a way to journey back in time, consistently landing in a specific point in the past. Motivated, he resolves to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Executive produced by J.J. Abrams and Stephen King, the series garnered high praise upon its release on Hulu. Though it only received one award, this was not unusual for streaming services like Hulu at the time. Nonetheless, the accolade it did receive was of great significance to the realm of genre entertainment—the Saturn Award for Best Television Presentation.

8 The Great (2020-2023)

The Great is a comedic Hulu original series loosely based on the life of Catherine the Great, the historical figure. Starring Elle Fanning as Catherine and Nicholas Hoult as Emperor Peter III, the show takes a lighthearted approach to depicting her rise to power in Russia. Although formatted as a historical show, The Great primarily focuses on fictionalized events and aims to entertain rather than provide a strictly accurate portrayal. The series concluded in 2023 after three seasons, with the death of Emperor Peter III establishing Catherine as the new ruler of Russia. Notably, The Great received critical acclaim and earned Primetime Emmy nominations, particularly for the performances of Fanning and Hoult. While it secured a victory in the costume category, it also received the Best Episodic Comedy award at the Writers Guild of America Awards.

7 Love, Victor (2020-2022)

Love, Victor is a Hulu original series that takes place in the same universe as the 2018 film Love, Simon. The movie, which was groundbreaking as the first major Hollywood studio production centered around a gay teenage romance, follows Simon, a closeted gay high school student named Simon dealing with the challenges of balancing his personal life amidst the threat of being outed by a blackmailer. The Hulu series builds upon the foundations of the movie, focusing on a new student named Victor who also struggles with his sexual orientation. Seeking guidance, Victor turns to Simon (played by Nick Robinson, reprising his role from the film) for advice and support. Robinson also narrates the series. Love, Victor spans three seasons and has been recognized with awards from the Imagen Awards, as well as nominations from the GLAAD Media Awards for its inclusive representation.

6 Pen15 (2019-2021)

Pen15, an early comedy series produced by Hulu, was uniquely presented and garnered much attention. The show revolves around the middle school experiences of its creators, Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle. Interestingly, despite being 31 years old at the time of filming, the two women portrayed themselves as 13-year-old girls. The rest of the cast, however, consisted of actual teenagers, adding to the show's intriguing concept. This approach proved to be an instant success for Hulu, as the show quickly became popular. Both Erskine and Konkle received Primetime Emmy Awards nominations for their writing in both seasons of the series. Additionally, Pen15 received an Outstanding Comedy Series nomination for its second season.

5 The Bear (2022- )

The Hulu original series, The Bear, premiered in 2022 and became an unexpected critical success. This dark comedy-drama revolves around a classically trained chef, played by Jeremy Allen White, who returns to his family's restaurant in Chicago. The dynamic characters, particularly the apathetic chefs and the ambitious Carmy Berzatto, bring an engaging and entertaining element to the story.

Following the first season's remarkable achievement of receiving 13 Emmy Awards nominations, including one for Outstanding Comedy Series, the second season debuted in 2023. The talented cast, including White, Oliver Platt, Jon Bernthal, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Ayo Edebiri, received numerous nominations. Edebiri also won the Independent Spirit Awards for Best New Scripted Series and Best Supporting Performance in a New Series.

4 Reservation Dogs (2021-2023)

Reservation Dogs is a comedy drama series created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi for Hulu. The show centers around a group of indigenous teenagers residing in rural Oklahoma, who harbor a strong desire to escape their small town. While their days are mostly characterized by boredom and engaging in minor criminal activities, they also take it upon themselves to fight against crime during their free time. The series revolves around their shared aspiration of traveling to California to pay tribute to a deceased friend.

Despite widespread critical acclaim, the Hulu original series concluded after three seasons. The show received high praise from critics and achieved a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its second and third seasons. It also garnered recognition during awards season, winning the Independent Spirit Awards for Best New Scripted Series and Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series in 2022. Additionally, it received the esteemed Peabody Award for Entertainment in the same year.

3 Only Murders In The Building (2021- )

Only Murders in the Building, an acclaimed Hulu original series, has captivated viewers with its stellar cast and compelling storyline. Starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez as three true crime podcasters, the show follows their quest to solve real-life murders unfolding in their vicinity. The gripping third season concluded with a shocking twist, bringing the characters even closer as they mourn the loss of someone dear to them.

Receiving widespread acclaim, each of the first three seasons achieved impressive ratings, with Season 1 earning a perfect 100% fresh rating and the subsequent two seasons scoring 98% and 96% respectively. The series garnered seven Golden Globe nominations and 29 Emmy nominations, securing victories in three categories. As fans eagerly await the fourth season, expectations are high for Only Murders in the Building to continue its remarkable success.

2 Dopesick (2021)

Dopesick, a Hulu original miniseries starring Michael Keaton, was released in 2021. It delved into America's struggle against opioid addiction and its impact on affected families and individuals. While the series was based on a true story, the characters were fictional, although some were composite characters inspired by individuals involved in the crisis. The only exception was the Sackler family, who were real and faced lawsuits for overprescribing drugs such as OxyContin through their company, Purdue Pharma.

Michael Keaton's lead role in the series drew inspiration from various doctors, including Dr. Stephen Loyd, who himself battled addiction. Dopesick received critical acclaim and garnered 13 Primetime Emmy nominations. Keaton took home the award for Best Lead Actor, while the series also won for cinematography. Additionally, Will Poulter, Peter Sarasgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg, Kaitlyn Dever, and Mare Winningham earned nominations for their outstanding performances.

1 The Handmaid's Tale (2017- )

The Handmaid's Tale is undoubtedly the pinnacle of Hulu's original series and a true game-changer for the streaming service. This dystopian masterpiece, adapted from Margaret Atwood's novel, unravels a post-apocalyptic world shaped by a devastating second American Civil War. In this chilling society, men reign over women who are subjugated and primarily employed for procreation—the embodiment of an oppressive patriarchy.

Elevating its status as a streaming sensation, The Handmaid's Tale has left an indelible mark on the awards circuit. Over its first five seasons, this compelling series has garnered an impressive total of eight Primetime Emmy Awards from 13 nominations, solidifying its position as the most decorated Hulu original series to date. Remarkably, it also became the first show from the streaming service to claim a major industry accolade. Moreover, The Handmaid's Tale secured a prestigious Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series - Drama, further validating its unrivaled excellence.