The 32 best movies on Hulu this week (September 2024).
Hulu has been gaining traction in the features market as well. While Netflix dominates the original movie streaming market, it also managed to convince A-listers such as Guillermo del Toro and Alfonso Cuaron to join. Here are our picks for some of the best movies streaming on Hulu at this time (both original and non-original). WIRED has guides for the best Hulu TV shows, Netflix movies, Disney+ movies, and Amazon Prime movies. Want to make your own suggestions or disagree with our choices? Head on down to the comments below. If you purchase something after clicking on a link in one of our articles, we might earn a small commission. Learn more.
Kinds of KindnessJust three months after Poor Things won four Oscars, Yorgos Lanthimos brought back the gang–including Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe and Margaret Qualley- for Kinds of kindness. Find out more.
Kinds of Kindness
Three months after Poor Things won four Oscars, Yorgos reunited the gang, including Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe and Margaret Qualley, for Kinds of Kindness which premiered at Cannes. This is a different kind of film for the writer-director. It is an anthology, or what was marketed as “a triptych fable”. Like his other films, it’s based on absurdist humor and features over-the-top performances by its stars. Sex cults, reanimation, sandwiches, murder-happy bosses, and John McEnroe’s smashed tennis racket all play a part in the wildly fun festivities.
Little Women
Greta Gerwig is far (far) from the first writer-director to adapt Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women for the big screen. She’s not the first to do a great job. Gillian Armstrong’s 1994 adaptation starring Winona Ryan and Christian Bale remains a beloved version. Gerwig’s seemingly insignificant decisions, such as changing the timeline of the novel, made this 19th-century tale feel modern and unique. It also doesn’t hurt that it just happens to star some of the most impressive actors working today, including Saoirse Ronan, Timothee Chalamet, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, James Norton, Laura Dern, Chris Cooper, Tracy Letts, Meryl Streep, and Bob Odenkirk.
Immaculate
Sydney Sweeney produced this religious horror flick and also stars as Cecilia, a young nun (yep, you read that right) whose traumatic brush with death has convinced her that God saved her for a higher purpose. When she is invited to join a convent in the remote Italian countryside that assists older nuns at the end of their life, she happily accepts–then quickly comes to realize that all may not be what it seems.
Casino
Casino isn’t one of Martin Scorsese’s most financially successful movies, nor is it one of his most critically acclaimed. It’s a movie that gets better over time, and even though it has a 178-minute runtime. The film, based on Nicholas Pileggi’s 1995 novel Casino: Love and Honor In Las Vegas is based on real-life Vegas gangster Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal. Robert De Niro plays Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a Chicago-based mobster asked to relocate to Las Vegas in order to manage the Tangiers casino. The former handicapper finds that his skills are impressive, earning him the respect of Las Vegas’ most powerful figures. When Nicky Santoro, a hot-headed enforcer (Joe Pesci), follows his friend into Las Vegas the carefully constructed world around Ace and the casino business begins to crumble. Ace’s relationship to his con-artist wife Sharon Stone also suffers. While Casino struck some viewers as being too similar to Goodfellas and some of Scorsese’s other works to stand on its own, its impeccable performances–including a career-best from Stone–make it compulsively watchable.
Ferrari
Enzo Ferrari (Adam Driver) is a man who should have it all: the one-time race car driver and founder of the Ferrari car company oozes charm, wealth, and excitement. Behind the scenes the walls are closing on him. Michael Mann’s 1957 biopic, set in the summer, finds Ferrari (the person) on the brink of bankruptcy. He is mourning the loss of his son and trying desperately to hide past indiscretions. Penelope Cruz’s bravura performance is the biggest selling point. But it’s biggest selling point is Penelope Cruz’s bravura performance.
Perfect Days
Nearly 60 years into his career as a filmmaker, Wim Wenders managed to make one of his best films yet with Perfect Days–which is saying a lot when you consider that this is the same director who made Paris, Texas (1984) and Wings of Desire (1987). Hirayama, played by Koji Yakusho, is a toilet cleaner who lives in Tokyo. He is happy with his simple life because it gives him time to pursue his passions, which include music, books and nature. It’s not the overly dramatic plotlines that make the movie, but rather the quiet interactions between Hirayama and those around him, whether they are family, coworkers or total strangers, and how those moments impact him. The film’s heart comes from the poetic simplicity and Yakusho’s amazing performance. Peele’s Get out is still having the same impact seven years after its release. Rose (Allison Williams) invites Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), his girlfriend, to spend the weekend with her parents in upstate New York. Rose assures Chris that the interracial relationship won’t cause any problems, despite Chris’s fears. Rose is right–but for all of the wrong reasons. With Get Out, Peele cracked the code on making a film that was a horror movie, psychological drama, and telling commentary on race all at once.
Origin
Writer-director Ava DuVernay finds a way to yet again change the language of cinema with what is both a biopic and a historical document. The film is based upon the life of Isabel Wilkerson, played by Aunjanue Elli-Taylor. She was the first Black woman in history to receive the Pulitzer Prize for journalism. It follows Wilkerson as she embarks on her journey to complete her 2020 book Caste : The Origins of Our Uncontents. This project took her to Germany, India and the US in order to research the troubling histories of the caste systems of both countries and the parallels between them. Then, doesn’t seem to be able shake him. They don’t seem to really want to. Especially when they realize how effective it is to beat each other up to relieve stress. They soon have a team of Fight Club members ready to fight the world. The Contestant
On the 11th of January 1998, Tomoaki Hamatsu, a 22-year old comedian, entered an apartment in Japan, where he lived naked and without human contact for 15 months, as part of a controversial game show called Susunu. Denpa Shonen. Hamatsu didn’t know his life was broadcast. This riveting documentary delves into not just how anyone ever allowed this experiment to happen, but the real-world effects–cultural, psychological, and beyond–it had on both Hamatsu and the tens of millions of viewers who were somehow drawn into witnessing his on-camera abuse.
Anatomy of a Fall
Between her starring roles in The Zone of Interest and Anatomy of a Fall, German actress Sandra Huller made it clear that when it comes to scripts, she knows how to pick ’em. Huller is a successful author who becomes a murder suspect after her husband Samuel Theis (who was found dead on a snowy morning outside their house) is murdered. It could be Sandra’s son (Milo MachadoGraner) or his guide dog, Messi (the movie’s star), who seals her fate. It’s a smart, twisty, and well-acted mystery that will keep you guessing.
Poor Things
Whether or not you agree with her Best Actress Oscar win, there’s no denying that Emma Stone’s performance is one that won’t be soon forgotten and has likely changed the trajectory of her career. Bella Baxter is played by Emma Stone, who has the brain of a baby. She is brought to life again by Dr. Godwin Baxter aka God. Bella Baxter is an incredibly fast learner who is fascinated by the adventures that the world offers her, regardless of what the polite society says. Mark Ruffalo and Christopher Abbott, among others, are captivated by Bella’s frankness (“I must go punch that baby”) in this film, which is Yorgos Langthimos’ most outrageous title. One caveat: Those who are easily offended by nudity or graphic sex might want to give this a skip.
BlackBerry
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Glenn Howerton is practically unrecognizable in this immensely entertaining recounting of the rise and fall of BlackBerry–the must-have cell phone that had the world entranced before the iPhone came along. Howerton plays Jim Balsillie who was the real-life negotiator that, along with Mike Lazaridis, played by Jay Baruchel, gave the world the first smartphone. The Royal Hotel
Ozark’s Julia Garner and director Kitty Green, who previously directed The Assistant, reunite for this taut thriller where BFFs Hanna Garner (Jessica Henwick), and Liv (Julia Garner) backpack through the Australian Outback. They jump at the opportunity to work and live at a remote Australian hotel to replenish their bank accounts. She’s onto something. Garner has played one badass character after the next, and The Royal Hotel is no exception.
All of Us Strangers
Adam (the always superb Andrew Scott) is a television writer who largely keeps to himself, until an awkward encounter with his tipsy neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal) kickstarts a passionate new relationship. Adam (the always superb Andrew Scott) is a television writer who largely keeps to himself, until an awkward encounter with his tipsy neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal) kickstarts a passionate new relationship. The fantastical elements would have seemed forced in the hands of an inferior director. But with Andrew Haigh (Weekend, 45 Years) behind the camera, the surreal setup only augments the emotion.
The Creator
Director Gareth Edwards (Rogue One) imagines a not-too-distant future in which the human race is at war with AI–which feels all too relatable for some. John David Washington, son of Denzel and Tenet actor, is the best hope to end this war once and for all. He’s given the task of tracking down the Creator who’s the architect behind this technology. Jake Johnson, who starred in New Girl, makes his directorial debut as a feature film with Self Reliance, a wonderfully dark and sometimes weird meta comedy. He also wrote the script and acted in it. Andy Samberg, playing Andy Samberg, approaches Tommy Walcott and offers him a chance to win $1,000,000 in a reality show. Tommy Walcott (Johnson) is living a pretty ordinary existence until he’s approached by Andy Samberg (as Andy Samberg), who offers him the chance of a lifetime: to win $1 million as part of ten massive reality competitions. What’s the catch? The catch? Tommy decides to team up with Maddy (Anna Kendrick), a contestant who is also in the show. They both have millions to gain, and their lives to lose if they fail to win. So they agree to spend the next 30 day together. Just when you think you know where Self Reliance is headed, it goes ahead and surprises–and in the best ways possible.
Nocebo
Christine (Eva Green) is a children’s fashion designer suffering from a debilitating, but undiagnosed, illness following a tick bite. Diana (Chai Fonacier), a housekeeper and nanny who also happens to have healing abilities, arrives at the home of Christine. She finds relief in many ways. Felix, Christine’s husband (Mark Strong), is suspicious about Diana’s overly helpful demeanor. It turns out that he’s right to be. No One Will Save You
Home intrusion thrillers are plentiful, but they are rarely effective. Kaitlyn dever is brilliant as Brynn, a young seamstress who lives alone in her childhood house and grieves the loss of both her mother and her closest friend. She wakes up to find that someone has entered her home. It turns out that it is something. The 17-year-old Miguel (Tyler Dean Flores), who has never fought before, wants to fight. When Miguel learns that his family and friends will be moving, he asks his friends to help him have his first fight. This is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a coming-of age ritual, but it certainly makes the list. A talented cast of young actors make this comedy–cowritten by Shea Serrano and Jason Concepcion–immensely watchable.
Bad Axe
David Siev paints a deeply personal portrait of the American Dream disrupted as he traces his family’s journey from the Killing Fields of Cambodia to the tiny–and overwhelmingly white–town of Bad Axe, Michigan. Shot in real time, this moving documentary shows the challenges facing Siev’s family, and the restaurant they own, amid political tension and anti-Asian sentiment during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sanctuary
Hal Porterfield (Christopher Abbott) has just been handed the keys to the castle following the death of his hotel magnate father. Rebecca Marin (Margaret Qualley), a dominatrix, believes that she is entitled to some of Hal’s credit and half the money that comes with his new CEO role. Sexual politics have rarely played out as twisted, or darkly funny, as they do in this mesmerizing, and often claustrophobic, thriller from Zachary Wigon.
Corsage
Vicky Krieps delivers yet another top-notch performance as Empress Elisabeth of Austria, who–following her 40th birthday–longs to recapture the freedom of her youth. Marie Kreutzer wrote and directed this fictional biopic. Empress Elisabeth, who is real but the story within has taken many creative liberties, rebels against the lack of power she holds to effect any real changes, despite the title. Even more so, it’s about a woman who is desperate to hold on to the power that youth and beauty entitle her to–regardless of the consequences.
How to Blow Up a Pipeline
Environmentalism meets heist movie in director Daniel Goldhaber’s thriller about a group of young people who try to–as the title implies–expose the fragility of the oil industry. The film is a thriller that explores the fight against climate change and also has an exciting adventure. You can give Tehillah Castro some credit for this. Smart, prescient, and nearly unprecedented, How to Blow Up a Pipeline is more than worth the stream.
Alien
Alien was originally released in 1979, but it has lost none of its potency in the intervening years–which isn’t something most fortysomethings could say. You probably already know the story. The crew of the Nostromo spacecraft, including Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), paused their return to Earth to answer a distress signal from a planetoid nearby. What they find is a strange alien life form which seems to enjoy knocking crew members off in new and often terrifying ways. Facehugger, anyone? Or Chestburster? Rye Lane
Raine All-Miller’s directorial debut at Sundance 2023, which offered a playful spin on the typical romcom, made a splash. Yas (Vivian Oparah), and Dom (David Jonsson), are two twentysomethings who have recently been through a breakup. Think of it as Gilligan’s Island with more class commentary. A group of wealthy people are on a yacht when they get caught in a storm. They’re left stranded and unable to survive. This Oscar-nominated movie is for those who enjoy dark comedy and critiques on the excesses that come with wealth. The film is set on the isolated French coast of late 1700s and centers around a young woman who’s betrothed with a wealthy Milanese. Heloise’s mom hires Marianne to paint a picture of her daughter. The two women fall in lust and have a heartbreaking affair. You’ll be transfixed.
Spencer
Look, there are probably far too many Princess Diana movies and TV shows already. This film, directed by Pablo Larrain, stars Kristen Stewart in the role of the former Princess of Wales. It focuses on a specific Christmas at Queen Elizabeth’s Sandringham Estate, and shows how complicated Diana’s daily life must have been. Yes, the backdrop is the divorce rumors surrounding Diana and Prince Charles (Jack Farthing), but the story is about her relationships within the family and the life she left behind to join them.
Nomadland
This film from director Chloe Zhao, about one woman’s post-Great Recession quest through the American West, won a ton of Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actress for lead Frances McDormand, and Best Director and Best Editing wins for Zhao. Zhao won Best Adapted Screenplay as well for her adaptation from WIRED contributor Jessica Bruder’s book Nomadland. It’s a bracing look at the modern American dream.
Fresh
Noa (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is a single woman who is on the lookout for a partner but tired of the online dating scene. She decides to give Steve (Sebastian Stan), an eccentric, handsome stranger her number when they meet. After a first date, Noa and Steve are planning a getaway. But Noa soon discovers that Steve is hiding some disturbing information about himself. Ultimately, Fresh stands as a lesson in the horrors of dating in the digital age (both real and imagined).
Palm Springs
