Best TV Shows On Hulu Right Now: What's Actually Worth It
- 01. The Best TV Shows on Hulu Right Now: A Curated Guide for Discerning Viewers
- 02. Top 10 Must-Watch Shows on Hulu (May 2026)
- 03. FX-on-Hulu Signature Series You Can't Miss
- 04. New Releases & Returning Favorites (2024-2026)
- 05. Critically Acclaimed Hidden Gems
- 06. Classic & Long-Running Series Worth Binging
- 07. Why Hulu's Library "Hides More Than You Think"
The Best TV Shows on Hulu Right Now: A Curated Guide for Discerning Viewers
The best TV shows on Hulu right now include The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, Shōgun, Rivals, High Potential, Paradise, Alien: Earth, and The Handmaid's Tale, according to TV Guide's May 2026 list of 44 top shows. Hulu's library combines award-winning FX originals, critically acclaimed Hulu Originals, and timeless classics, offering something for every viewer seeking quality storytelling.
Top 10 Must-Watch Shows on Hulu (May 2026)
Based on critical scores, recent releases, and cultural impact, these are the premier shows streaming on Hulu as of May 2026:
| Show Title | Genre | Tomatometer | Seasons Available | Why Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bear | Dramedy | 93% | 4 | Two-time Emmy winner Jeremy Allen White; intense kitchen drama |
| Only Murders in the Building | Comedy-Mystery | 95% | 4 | Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez; new season every fall |
| Shōgun | Historical Drama | 99% | 1 | Epic feudal Japan political intrigue; Hiroyuki Sanada leads |
| Rivals | Dramedy | 96% | 2 | 2025 International Emmy winner; David Tennant & Alex Hassell |
| High Potential | Procedural | 98% | 1 | Kaitlin Olson as genius cleaning lady consultant; ABC hit |
| Paradise | Sci-Fi Thriller | 88% | 1 | Sterling K. Brown investigates presidential murder in post-apocalyptic bunker |
| Alien: Earth | Sci-Fi Horror | N/A | 1 | Noah Hawley's ambitious franchise expansion; xenomorphs on Earth |
| The Handmaid's Tale | Dystopian Drama | 83% | 5 | Elisabeth Moss; complete series streaming; cultural phenomenon |
| Abbott Elementary | Mockumentary Comedy | 99% | 4 | Emmy-winning Philadelphia school comedy; Quinta Brunson |
| Reservation Dogs | Comedy-Drama | 99% | 3 | All-Indigenous creative team; one of best shows of the decade |
FX-on-Hulu Signature Series You Can't Miss
Hulu's direct partnership with FX has produced some of Peak TV's most influential programming. The Bear stands as FX and Hulu's signature show, shot with Scorsese-level energy while exploring grief and dysfunctional families. Shōgun demonstrates pay-cable quality from basic cable, with violent political intrigue in feudal Japan led by Hiroyuki Sanada. Other FX hits include Fargo (anthology crime drama with Jean Smart, Ewan McGregor), Atlanta (Donald Glover's genre-defying masterpiece), and Justified (Timothy Olyphant as U.S. Marshal with best dialogue in TV history).
New Releases & Returning Favorites (2024-2026)
Recent additions to Hulu's top tier include:
- Rivals (2024-Present): British dramedy set at 1980s TV network; won 2025 International Emmy for Drama Series
- Wonder Man: Marvel's first showbiz satire; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars as actor with secret superpowers
- Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair: Four-episode revival with Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston for parents' 40th anniversary
- The Testaments: Margaret Atwood sequel to The Handmaid's Tale following Agnes and Daisy at Aunt Lydia's school
- The Lowdown: Ethan Hawke as "truthstorian" journalist in Tulsa; described as "fearless and gonzo" with 9.5/10 review
- Chad Powers: Glen Powell as disgraced quarterback adopting new persona; Eli Manning's prank character becomes real show
- A Thousand Blows: Steven Knight's bare-knuckle boxing in 1880s London; Jamaican immigrants vs. veteran boxer
Critically Acclaimed Hidden Gems
These lesser-known but highly-rated shows deserve attention:
- This Fool (100% Tomatometer): Julio Lopez helps community while failing himself; heartwarming comedy
- Such Brave Girls (100%): British A24 dark comedy about toxic family manipulating world for personal gain
- Big Boys (100%): Two boys from different masculinity ends become best friends at university
- Shoresy (100%): Jared Keeso's hockey comedy with unfettered emotion; starts with lake gags ends with bawling
- Extraordinary (100%): 25-year-old powerless in world where everyone gets superpowers at 18
- Dying for Sex (98%): Michelle Williams as woman with Stage IV cancer exploring sexuality; Jenny Slate in best role
- Deli Boys (98%): Pakistani American brothers discover father's wealth wasn't from delis; bold crime comedy
Classic & Long-Running Series Worth Binging
Hulu's library includes over 300 episodes of ER (1994-2009), the ultimate medical procedural with George Clooney and Julianna Margulies. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia remains the highest form of escapist humor-morally bankrupt foursome never learning from mistakes but always funny. The Rookie has chugged along for eight seasons with Nathan Fillion as 40-year-old LAPD recruit now nearly 50. Scrubs revival brings back Zach Braff and Donald Faison; first nine seasons available. Bob's Burgers offers family comedy with best puns in game and healthy Belcher marriage.
Why Hulu's Library "Hides More Than You Think"
Hulu's title "Hulu's Best TV Shows Right Now Hide More Than You Think" reflects the platform's depth beyond surface-level hits. While The Bear dominates awards conversations, hidden gems like This Way Up (dark comedy about mental illness with Aisling Bea), Better Things (Pamela Adlon's human single-mother comedy), and Big Boys offer equally compelling character-driven storytelling. The service combines timeless classics (Lost, Firefly, Modern Family), current-season ABC shows (High Potential, Scrubs revival), and prestige FX originals in one curated streaming experience. With Disney's full ownership, integration between brands continues expanding, making Hulu increasingly valuable for viewers seeking evidence-based quality over algorithm-driven recommendations.
What are the most common questions about Best Tv Shows On Hulu Right Now Whats Actually Worth It?
What are the absolute best Hulu shows to watch right now?
The absolute best shows on Hulu right now are The Bear (93% Tomatometer, 4 seasons), Only Murders in the Building (95%, 4 seasons), Shōgun (99%, epic historical drama), Rivals (96%, 2025 International Emmy winner), and Abbott Elementary (99%, Emmy-winning school comedy). These shows combine critical acclaim, cultural impact, and streaming availability.
Does Hulu have good original shows?
Yes, Hulu has exceptional original programming including The Handmaid's Tale (launched 2017, complete series streaming), Only Murders in the Building (2021, 4 seasons), The Bear, Reservation Dogs (all-Indigenous creative team, one of best shows of the decade), Say Nothing (IRA drama), and The Dropout (Elizabeth Holmes story). Hulu Originals consistently earn Emmy wins and 90%+ Tomatometer scores.
What new shows were added to Hulu in 2025?
New 2025 additions include Rivals Season 2 (International Emmy winner), Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair (4-episode revival), The Testaments (Handmaid's Tale sequel), The Lowdown (Ethan Hawke noir), Chad Powers (Glen Powell football comedy), A Thousand Blows (1880s boxing), and Wonder Man (Marvel showbiz satire). These represent Hulu's continued investment in fresh, high-quality original content.
Are FX shows available on Hulu?
Yes, all FX-on-Hulu series stream exclusively on Hulu including The Bear, Shōgun, Fargo, Atlanta, Pose, The Americans, Justified, What We Do in the Shadows, and The Old Man. Hulu's direct partnership with FX has expanded their cultural and awards reach significantly since Disney fully acquired Hulu.
What's the highest-rated Hulu show by Tomatometer?
This Fool holds the highest Tomatometer at 100% (94% audience score), followed by Such Brave Girls (100%, 82%), Big Boys (100%, 90%), Shoresy (100%, 95%), Extraordinary (100%, 91%), and Reservation Dogs (99%, 91%). These comedies and dramedies represent Hulu's strongest critical performers.
