The 40 Best Movies on Hulu Right Now (December 2024)

This list has been curated by top Collider editors with decades of combined experience — not to mention a deep knowledge of and passion for the medium. Only the best of the best is included. Read on to discover the best movies to watch on Hulu right now.

For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows on Hulu, best documentaries on Hulu, and best horror movies on Hulu.

Editor's note: This article was updated December 2024 to include Nutcrackers.

‘Nutcrackers’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 37% | IMDb: 5.4/10

This brand-new Christmas movie directed by David Gordon Green follows Ben Stiller’s workaholic Michael who, following the death of his sister and her husband, becomes the unlikely guardian of his four nephews. Based loosely on true events, Nutcrackers is a gentle film with plenty of heart. After premiering at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, Nutcrackers was praised for its family-oriented message of hope — perfect for the spirit of Christmas. - Jake Hodges

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‘Bad Moms’ (2016)

Rotten Tomatoes: 59% | IMDb: 6.2/10

Featuring the fantastic trio of Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, and Kristen Bell, Bad Moms tells the tale of, well, three bad moms, each feeling pushed beyond their limits as parents and women. Tired of their overloaded routines, the trio heads on a journey to seek freedom and find some fun. Co-written and co-directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, Bad Moms is a laugh-a-minute romp with plenty of memorable moments. Not trying to break any particularly new ground, Bad Moms is instead interested in letting three terrific performers have infectious fun for 100 minutes — and it’s all the better for it. - Jake Hodges

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‘Alien: Romulus’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 7.2/10

The iconic Alien franchise continued this year with Alien: Romulus, Fede Álvarez’s tale set in 2142 between the events of the first two movies. While scavenging a derelict space station, Alien: Romulus follows six space colonists who come literally face-to-face with a horrifying unknown entity. A crowd-pleasing sci-fi horror that oozes tension, Romulus is a wonderful addition to the Alien franchise. Featuring the likes of Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, and more, Alien: Romulus is an exciting cinematic experience worthy of your time. - Jake Hodges

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‘The End We Start From’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 5.9/10

Jodie Comer’s best lead movie performance comes in The End We Start From, an adaptation of Megan Hunter’s moving novel of the same name. The film follows Comer as a woman forced to enter labor whilst terrifying rainfall floods the country. Quickly, she and her newborn are thrust into a life-or-death fight for survival as a country-wide weather-born crisis sends the nation into chaos. A hugely moving, culturally relevant story, The End We Start From whisks audiences on a horrifying adventure that feels more real by the day. Comer is excellent as the backbone of the film, with this one of the most underrated movies available on Hulu. - Jake Hodges

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‘Waitress’ (2007)

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.0/10

Almost a decade before it was adapted into a Tony-nominated musical, Adrienne Shelly’s Waitress debuted in theaters. The film follows Keri Russell’s Jenna, who is saving money to hopefully one day leave her unhappy marriage. Eyeing the prize fund of a pie-making contest, can she find her way out unscathed? A heartwarming rom-com unlike many others, Waitress is perhaps best loved thanks to a brilliantly cast ensemble. Among them is Shelly herself, who sadly passed away before the movie debuted, leaving Waitress as her poignant, lasting legacy. - Jake Hodges

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‘La La Land’ (2016)

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 8.0/10

This Academy Awards darling follows the blossoming romance of pianist Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and actress Mia (Emma Stone), as they battle with the progression of their dreams and the spiraling of their love. Featuring iconic performances from both Gosling and Stone, a soundtrack that has already aged like a fine wine, and a terrific ode to classic Hollywood musicals, La La Land is simply a joy. A winner of six Oscars — although not for Best Picture despite that announcement — La La Land is already considered one of the greats of the last decade and will continue to grow its wonderful legacy as time goes by. - Jake Hodges

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‘Late Night with the Devil’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.0/10

Written, directed, and edited by Colin and Cameron Cairnes, Late Night with the Devil is a supernatural horror film that stars David Dastmalchian as a late-night talk show host who attempts to improve ratings by bringing an allegedly possessed girl on the show on Halloween night, 1977. Framed as a documentary, the movie explores how this ill-conceived Halloween episode deteriorates into a terrifying nightmare. Besides Dastmalchian, the film also stars Laura Gordon, Ian Bliss, Fayssal Bazzi, Ingrid Torelli, Rhys Auteri, Georgina Haig, and Josh Quong Tart.

Late Night with the Devil premiered at the 2023 South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) in the festival's horror-focused "Midnighters" section. The movie was subsequently released in theaters by IFC Films and was fairly successful at the box office, earning over $15 million. The film has also received largely positive reviews from critics, with praise for its dark story and Dastmalchian’s performance. A creepy and enthralling work of possession horror, Late Night with the Devil is the perfect watch for late-night scares.

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‘The Favourite’ (2018)

Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 7.5/10

Before they were teaming up for Poor Things and, more recently, Kinds of Kindness, Yorgos Lanthimos and multi-Academy Award winner Emma Stone collaborated on The Favourite. Set in 18th-century England, a physically frail but mentally brash Queen Anne’s (Olivia Colman) rule over her court is disrupted when a scheming new servant, Abigail (Stone), rapidly climbs the ranks. An offbeat blend of comedy and drama that Lanthimos fans have come to know and love, The Favorite oozes charm and wit but never even threatens to edge toward pompousness. Supported by a wonderful cast, including Rachel Weisz, The Favorite famously led Colman to her first and only Academy Award to date. - Jake Hodges

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‘Nightmare Alley’ (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 7.0/10

This 2021 psychological thriller partners director and co-writer Guillermo del Toro with a star-studded cast in a story of tension, secrets, and deceit. Based on the 1946 novel of the same name, the film follows the rise of Stan Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) from a body under his floorboards, through the carnival, and to the top of the medium game as his journey is being watched by a keen opponent. An aesthetic dream, Nightmare Alley takes the noir genre and paints it with the brush of a master, making for a viewing experience you’re unlikely to ever forget. Add that to a genuinely intriguing story, and you have a recipe for public and critical success. Such was Nightmare Alley’s success that it even earned four Academy Award nominations for its trouble. - Jake Hodges

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‘Ready or Not’ (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 6.9/10

This unexpected slasher hit from Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett follows a bride and groom on their wedding night as they engage with the latter’s family’s traditions. However, these traditions are anything but usual, as the evening quickly spirals into a bloody game of hide-and-seek with lives on the line. A satirical examination of class and wealth is unapologetically served on a gory platter, with Ready or Not quickly becoming a slasher fan-favorite. Alongside a terrific cast, Samara Weaving plants her flag as the next big scream queen with a performance for the ages. - Jake Hodges

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‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’ (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 87% | IMDb: 7.0/10

Starring the fantastic pairing of Pedro Pascal and Nicolas Cage, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent follows Cage as a fictionalized version of himself, who is offered an eye-popping $1 million to attend the birthday party of his biggest fan, Javi Gutierrez (Pascal). However, his trip is about to take a strange turn when he is recruited by the CIA to infiltrate the party as the amalgamation of his most popular on-screen characters. Unlike anything you’ve seen before, Tom Gormican’s The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a meta masterpiece. Self-aware in all the best ways, the film is bursting with vibrant satirical comedy and makes for perfect viewing for anyone with even the slightest interest in Cage’s enigmatic career. - Jake Hodges

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‘Jennifer’s Body’ (2009)

Rotten Tomatoes: 46% | IMDb: 5.5/10

This brilliant blend of satirical comedy and teen horror sees Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried star as unlikely best friends, Jennifer and Needy, whose relationship is tested when a tragic fire renders Jennifer with an inexplicable taste for human blood. This is not a critically-driven drama of the Academy Awards variety but is instead a wild, gory cinematic experience that is worth every satirical second. Fox and Seyfried make for a fascinating pair, with their undeniable chemistry one of the best aspects of this gripping film that is perhaps the best feature in director Karyn Kusama’s career. - Jake Hodges

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‘Freaky Friday’ (2003)

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 6.3/10

This remake of the 1976 classic, which is itself an adaptation of the 1972 Mary Rodgers novel, sees Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan play the bickering mother-daughter pair of Tess and Anna. When a particularly unassuming Friday suddenly turns freaky, the two inexplicably wake up inside the other’s body, leading to a journey of discovery that might just help them heal their relationship. As the third adaptation of the novel, some 2003 moviegoers had assumed they’d seen it all before. Alas, they were wrong, with this modern adaptation serving as both a doting homage and refreshing comedy. Both Curtis and Lohan have enormous chemistry as a mother and daughter, with the two excitingly ready to reprise their roles in the upcoming 2025 sequel, Freakier Friday. - Jake Hodges

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‘Punch-Drunk Love’ (2002)

Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 7.3/10

This 2002 Paul Thomas Anderson masterpiece follows Adam Sandler’s Barry, a man who feels unfulfilled in his mundane life. Attempting to find some thrill, Barry rings a sex hotline — only for his name and information to become embroiled in a criminal ring. With nowhere to turn, Barry accidentally finds love, but will his newfound emotion fuel a fight to free himself from criminal clutches? For some, Punch-Drunk Love is a beautifully structured film brimming with memorable moments, but for others, it is a movie that manages to impressively represent the nuances of autism — way before the topic was as spoken of as it is today. Sandler’s performance is one of his absolute best, with the quirky narrative additions Anderson has become famed for helping craft an unforgettable experience that will at least entertain and perhaps even change your life. - Jake Hodges

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'Tangerine' (2015)

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.1/10

One of the most innovative movies of the 2010s, Tangerine follows Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez), a woman returning to Tinseltown after 28 days away. With Christmas on the horizon, her holiday spirit is crushed after learning that the love of her life has cheated on her, which sets Sin-Dee on a mission to track him down at any cost. On its surface, Tangerine is already an immersive and gorgeous flick that oozes style and substance. However, when learning that the entire project was shot on the iPhone 5s, it becomes a masterpiece. Indulgent and inventive, Tangerine is early proof of the genius of its creator, Sean Baker, with the most recent Cannes Film Festival seeing the filmmaker pick up the Palm d’Or for his movie Anora. - Jake Hodges

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'Little Women' (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 7.8/10

Based on the iconic 1868 novel of the same name by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women marks Greta Gerwig’s second solo directing project, following on from the hit coming-of-age drama Lady Bird. Set in 19th-century Massachusetts, the film follows the four March sisters, each with their own dreams — and all bound by their desperate attempts to escape the clutches of a patriarchal society unwilling to let them fly. The gorgeous period setting plays host to a modern tale of equality and freedom wrapped in the stylings of the 19th century. Bolstered by an iconic central cast featuring some of the best actors of today, Little Women is a masterpiece in adaptation and rightfully earned itself an Academy Award for Best Costume Design, along with five other nominations. - Jake Hodges

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'War for the Planet of the Apes' (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 7.4/10

The third film in the Planet of the Apes reboot franchise, War for the Planet of the Apes was directed by The Batman filmmaker Matt Reeves, who also co-wrote the script with Mark Bomback. A sequel to Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, the film picks up two years after the previous entry and follows the central character, Caesar (Andy Serkis), on a quest for vengeance as the war between apes and humans reaches its crescendo. War for the Planet of the Apes has received widespread critical acclaim, with praise for practically every aspect of the movie, from its story and performances to the visual effects, cinematography, and music. The film was a massive box office success and won awards and nominations, including Academy Award nominations for Best Visual Effects and Best Special Visual Effects. While very much an action sci-fi film, what sets War apart is its deeply emotional storytelling and the themes of loss and humanity that it explores through its unique setting, delivering a satisfying conclusion to Caesar’s epic story.

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'Die Hard' (1988)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 8.2/10

Die Hard is the first entry in a multimedia franchise that encompasses four sequels, games, comics, and more. Directed by John McTiernan and written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza, the movie is based on Roderick Thorp’s 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever. Die Hard stars Bruce Willis as NYC detective John McClane, who flies to LA on Christmas Eve to visit his estranged wife — only to find himself caught in a hostage situation masterminded by charismatic international criminal Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman). Though it received a lukewarm response from critics at the time of its release, Die Hard was commercially successful and nominated for four Academy Awards, becoming the most successful actioner of the year. It’s now hailed as one of the greatest action movies of the 1980s — and possibly of all time. The biggest highlights of the movie are Willis and Rickman, who both deliver pitch-perfect performances. With its tightly-paced plot, memorable characters, and heaps of punchy one-liners, Die Hard is a delightful entertainer from start to finish.

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'BlackBerry' (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% IMDb: 7.4/10

A biographical comedy-drama film, BlackBerry is a fictionalized adaptation of Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff's book Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry. The movie was directed by Matt Johnson, who also co-wrote the script with producer Matthew Miller and co-stars alongside Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton. The film explores the origins of the BlackBerry mobile phone and the story of how it went from the hottest new thing to a mostly forgotten footnote in the history of smartphones. The most nominated movie in the history of the Canadian Screen Awards, BlackBerry has been praised by critics and audiences for its wit and intelligence. With its great performances and sharply written story, it’s easy to forget that this film is ultimately a work of fiction. Glenn Howerton, in particular, delivers what’s arguably a career-best performance. Whether you are familiar with the BlackBerry phones or if they’re just some relic of the past to you, there’s plenty to enjoy in the humorous, sort-of-true story.

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'Anatomy of a Fall' (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.8/10

The 2023 French legal drama Anatomy of a Fall was directed by Justine Triet from a screenplay she co-wrote with Arthur Harari. The film stars Sandra Hüller as a writer accused of killing her husband, the narrative bridging the criminal investigation with a psychological one. The movie also stars Swann Arlaud, Milo Machado-Graner, Antoine Reinartz, Samuel Theis, Jehnny Beth, Saadia Bentaieb, Camille Rutherford, Anne Rotger, and Sophie Fillières.

Anatomy of a Fall premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where it won the coveted Palme d'Or and the Palm Dog Award. In addition to these accolades, it was also a strong contender for the Queer Palm and won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. The film received a total of five Oscar nominations, not to mention widespread critical and popular acclaim.

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