The 25 Best Movies Hulu Has to Offer Right Now

“Bottle Rocket” is Wes Anderson’s 1996 directorial debut, a crime-comedy featuring Owen and Luke Wilson in their acting debuts. Co-written by Anderson and Owen Wilson, it’s based on Anderson’s 1994 short film of the same name. The plot involves two friends planning a series of heists and their complex interpersonal dynamics. Despite limited commercial success, it received critical acclaim and is considered a cult classic. Martin Scorsese named it one of his top-ten favorite films of the 1990s.

“The Last Unicorn” is a 1982 animated fantasy film directed by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass. It tells the story of a unicorn, the last of her kind, embarking on a quest to discover the fate of other unicorns. The film, based on Peter S. Beagle’s 1968 novel, features voices from Alan Arkin, Jeff Bridges, and Mia Farrow. The soundtrack was composed by Jimmy Webb, with performances by America and the London Symphony Orchestra.

The fantasy/adventure is about a teenage girl (Jennifer Connelly) who has 13 hours to navigate a labyrinth and save her baby brother (Toby Froud) after her wish for him to be taken away was granted by the Goblin King (David Bowie).

“Rise of the Planet of the Apes” is a 2011 American apocalyptic science fiction film directed by Rupert Wyatt. The seventh installment in the series, it features Andy Serkis as Caesar, a genetically enhanced chimpanzee who leads an ape uprising against humanity. The film, praised for its direction, visual effects, and performances, grossed over $481 million worldwide and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Visual Effects. It reignited the franchise, leading to several sequels.

“The Pursuit of Happyness”, a 2006 American biographical drama film, is directed by Gabriele Muccino and stars Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a homeless salesman. Alongside Smith is his son, Jaden Smith, making his film debut as Gardner’s son. The film is based on Gardner’s memoir, depicting his nearly one-year struggle with homelessness. Set in San Francisco in 1981, the film is a compelling narrative of resilience and determination, earning Smith Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor.

“The Shape of Water” is a 2017 romantic fantasy film directed by Guillermo del Toro. Set in 1962 Baltimore, it follows a mute custodian who falls in love with a humanoid amphibian creature at a government lab and helps him escape from an evil colonel. The film, acclaimed for its acting, screenplay, visuals, and musical score, won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. It grossed $195 million worldwide.

“The Lincoln Lawyer” is a 2011 American legal thriller directed by Brad Furman, adapted from Michael Connelly’s novel. Matthew McConaughey stars as Mickey Haller, a lawyer who operates from his Lincoln Town Car, defending a rich businesswoman’s son in an assault case. The film intertwines Haller’s current case with a former one that has many similarities, showcasing a complex narrative. It earned positive reviews and grossed $87 million.

“Sophie’s Choice” is a 1982 drama by Alan J. Pakula, based on William Styron’s novel. Meryl Streep stars as Sophie, a Polish immigrant in America with a haunting past, sharing a Brooklyn boarding house with her lover Nathan (Kevin Kline) and a writer Stingo (Peter MacNicol). The film received positive reviews, particularly for Streep’s performance, which won her an Academy Award for Best Actress.

“Patriots Day” is a 2016 action thriller directed by Peter Berg, based on the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. The film showcases the collaboration between law enforcement and the community during the subsequent manhunt. It features performances from Mark Wahlberg, Kevin Bacon, John Goodman, and others. The film, based on the book Boston Strong, was selected as one of the National Board of Review’s top-ten films of the year.

“Black Dynamite” is a 2009 American action comedy directed by Scott Sanders. It stars Michael Jai White, Tommy Davidson, and Arsenio Hall. The film, a parody and homage to the blaxploitation genre, focuses on Black Dynamite, a former CIA agent, avenging his brother’s death and combating a new drug epidemic in his community. Shot in 20 days, the film received mostly positive reviews.

“Official Secrets” is a 2019 British drama film about the real-life story of whistleblower Katharine Gun, portrayed by Keira Knightley. Directed by Gavin Hood, the film explores Gun’s exposure of an illegal spying operation by U.S. and British intelligence to influence United Nations diplomats’ votes on the 2003 Iraq invasion.

“The Death of Stalin” is a 2017 political satire black comedy directed by Armando Iannucci. Based on a series of French graphic novels, it humorously portrays the power struggle in the Soviet Council of Ministers following Stalin’s death in 1953. The film stars a distinguished cast including Steve Buscemi and Jason Isaacs. Premiered at Toronto International Film Festival, it was critically acclaimed and nominated for various awards, including two BAFTAs. However, it faced opposition in Russia and was banned for allegedly mocking the Soviet past.

“Waking Ned Devine” is a heart-warming comedy set in the quaint Irish village of Tulaigh Mhór. This 1998 film, written and directed by Kirk Jones, features a unique plot where two elderly friends, Jackie and Michael, discover that their reclusive friend Ned has won the lottery but died from shock. In an unexpected twist, they decide to claim the winnings themselves, involving the entire village in their scheme. The film was recognized for its stellar performances, notably David Kelly’s, earning him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.

“Win Win” is a 2011 sports comedy-drama directed by Tom McCarthy. The film revolves around Mike Flaherty, played by Paul Giamatti, a struggling attorney and wrestling coach. When Mike is appointed guardian to his client suffering from dementia, he discovers the man’s grandson, Kyle, is a talented wrestler. This leads to complications when Kyle’s mother, who was in rehab, attempts to gain custody of her father’s estate. The film is noted for its well-drawn characters and performances, receiving positive acclaim from critics.

“Lucky” stars Harry Dean Stanton in one of his rare leading roles – and his penultimate film appearance – as an aging atheist searching for meaning in his small desert town. When Lucky finds himself facing his own mortality, he begins questioning his isolation and seeking connection. The film marks the directorial debut of actor John Carroll Lynch (“Fargo,” “The Drew Carey Show”), and director David Lynch – no relation – has a featured role as a barfly who has lost his pet tortoise.

“3:10 to Yuma” is a 2007 American western action drama directed by James Mangold. The film, starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, is a gripping tale of a poverty-stricken rancher who takes up the perilous task of bringing a notorious outlaw to justice. The film is the second adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s 1953 short story “Three-Ten to Yuma”. Shot in New Mexico, the movie earned positive reviews and grossed $71 million worldwide against a budget of about $55 million.

“Midnight in Paris” is a 2011 fantasy comedy written and directed by Woody Allen. The film, set in Paris, follows Gil Pender, a screenwriter, confronting his relationship’s shortcomings with his materialistic fiancée. The film unfolds as Gil time travels to 1920s Paris each midnight, encountering notable figures of the art scene and exploring the rich artistic history of the city. The film won the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Original Screenplay.

Based on the life of singer Tina Turner, “What’s Love Got to Do With It” takes its title from one of her many hit songs. It follows her life from childhood to stardom, including her abusive marriage to Ike Turner, played by Laurence Fishburne.

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” is a 2014 comedy-drama directed by Wes Anderson. The film stars Ralph Fiennes as Monsieur Gustave H., a renowned concierge at a mountain resort in Zubrowka. The plot unfolds as Gustave is framed for a wealthy woman’s murder, and together with his protégé Zero, they embark on an adventure for a priceless painting. Themes of fascism, nostalgia, friendship, and loyalty are explored in the film. It was highly acclaimed, earning $173 million worldwide.

“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” an epic fantasy adventure film, is the final installment of Peter Jackson’s acclaimed trilogy. Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel, the film follows the journey of Frodo, Sam, and Gollum to destroy the One Ring while others battle Sauron’s forces. With a star-studded cast, the film was a box-office sensation, grossing over $1.1 billion worldwide, and swept the Oscars, winning all 11 categories it was nominated in.

“Ford v Ferrari” is a biographical sports drama that stars Matt Damon and Christian Bale and tells the compelling true story of American automotive designer Carroll Shelby and British driver Ken Miles. Commissioned by Henry Ford II and Lee Iacocca, they build a race car to challenge the dominant Italian racing team, Scuderia Ferrari, in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The film earned critical acclaim and won Oscars for Best Film Editing and Best Sound Editing.

“Whiplash” is a psychological drama featuring Miles Teller as Andrew Neiman, a jazz drummer at a prestigious conservatory in New York City. Neiman’s relentless pursuit of perfection is fueled by his abusive instructor Terence Fletcher, played by J.K. Simmons. The film explores themes of ambition, perfectionism, and the harsh demands of success, and received widespread acclaim for its screenplay, direction, and performances. It won Oscars for Best Supporting Actor (Simmons), Best Film Editing, and Best Sound Mixing.

“Aliens” is a sequel to 1979’s “Alien”, it stars Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, who survives an alien attack. When a human colony loses contact, Ripley, along with a team of colonial marines, investigates. The film was a hit, earning about $183 million at the time and critical acclaim for its action and performances.

This groundbreaking sci-fi horror film recounts the terrifying encounter of the Nostromo crew with a deadly extraterrestrial. Stranded on a planetoid, they discover a derelict spaceship and a chamber filled with alien eggs, setting off a chain of horrifying events. The film, starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, and Veronica Cartwright, received mixed reviews initially but later won notable accolades. Today, it’s considered a landmark in the genre, spawning a significant franchise.

“The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” is an epic fantasy adventure film. It is the second part of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s novel. The film features a star-studded cast and continues the plot from the first film. It interweaves three storylines. The film was highly acclaimed and grossed over $936 million worldwide.