5 Underrated Hulu Originals You Need To Watch

5 Hidden Gem Shows You Can Only Watch On Hulu

The Great publicity still featuring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult.MovieStillsDB

By Cher Thompson Published 13 minutes ago

Cher Thompson is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, where she covers everything from explosive reality TV moments to cast interviews about the twists and turns of scripted dramas. With a background in creative writing, marketing, and teaching, Cher knows how to spot both the storytelling genius and the guilty pleasures in pop culture. Her work blends wit with insight, making readers feel like they’re chatting with a friend who just happens to know way too much about TV.

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Hulu’s original programming has developed a distinctive identity within the increasingly crowded streaming landscape, and some of the platform's best shows are its hidden gems. While many competitors invest heavily in massive franchises and well-known IP, Hulu has consistently chosen projects that take creative risks and challenge traditional formats. With shows that explore unconventional tones and push the boundaries, Hulu has a reputation for supporting storytellers.

Often valuing experimentation over formula, Hulu is no stranger to mainstream success despite the platform's consistent ability to carve out space for inventive shows. The Handmaid's Tale remains one of Hulu's most iconic and decorated shows, and the streamer's partnership with FX has produced several critically acclaimed shows. Beyond these headline-dominating titles exists an entire ecosystem of smaller, quieter successes.

While these series attract critical praise, they're not as consistently finding widespread recognition despite matching or surpassing the quality of Hulu's more well known series. These under-the-radar shows have Hulu's support, which allows them to do whatever they feel serves the story best. Whether that's genre-blending or ambitious storytelling, the streamer has been able to give creativity back to its creators in smaller spaces.

As a result, many of its lesser-discussed originals boast layered writing, memorable performances, and a surprising resonance that leaves a lasting impression on viewers who stumble across them. Even with their strengths, these Hulu hits frequently slip past the streamer's biggest audiences, overshadowed by the constant influx of high-profile releases across other streaming services. The quieter shows often feel fresh, bold, and more personal.

For those interested in exploring beyond Hulu’s most famous titles, these shows exemplify the platform’s commitment to championing uniquely creative voices. Its smaller hits and hidden gems reflect the platform's broader philosophy of supporting innovative storytelling, proving that some of the most compelling television on Hulu can be found outside the biggest audiences, just waiting to be discovered.

Nine Perfect Strangers

1 Season

Masha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman) with an analytical look in Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Ep 8

Image via Hulu

Based on the novel by Liane Moriarty, Nine Perfect Strangers is a psychological drama that currently has one season, and is set to return for a second. Led by Nicole Kidman as the off-kilter Masha, Nine Perfect Strangers follows her as the director of a wellness retreat. Leaning into its strong ensemble featuring stars like Melissa McCarthy and Regina Hall, the series is powerful.

While the show's moving into an anthology-style format through its second season with a whole new cast, the first season's ability to capture audiences was intense. With a mysterious character-study style, Nine Perfect Strangers blended humor with heart, making for an emotionally grounded yet surreal series.

8.3/10

7/10

Nine Perfect Strangers

10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-MA Drama Mystery Thriller Release Date August 18, 2021 Network Hulu Showrunner David E. Kelley Directors Jonathan Levine Writers T. Rafael Cimino

Cast

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Nicole Kidman Masha
Aras Aydın Matteo

Genres Drama, Mystery, Thriller Powered by

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Candy

1 Season

A limited series based on the story of Candy Montgomery, Hulu's 2022 Jessica Biel led Candy is a must-watch offering from the platform. Candy follows the story of the titular housewife, taking from the 1980 case of the literal axe-murder of Betty Gore (Melanie Lynskey). The show's true crime roots explore the small Texas neighborhood where Candy and Betty resided.

Receiving strong reviews for its performances, Candy was a well-directed period piece that used an authentic story to get to the roots of its characters. Rather than sensationalizing the events, Candy dove into the emotional web of Candy's suburban life in order to tease out the psychological pressures she was experiencing, adding emotional weight with Lynskey's performance as Betty.

8.0/10

Candy

10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-MA Drama Crime Release Date 2022 - 2022-00-00 Network Hulu

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Jason Ritter Deputy Denny Reese
Jessica Biel Candy Montgomery

Genres Drama, Crime Powered by

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The Great

3 Seasons

Peter (Nicholas Hoult) and Catherine (Elle Fanning) in The Great

A comedic drama following the life of Catherine The Great (Elle Fanning), The Great earned consistent critical acclaim throughout its run. With Nicholas Hoult starring alongside Fanning as both Russian Emperor Peter III and his body double Yemelyan Pugachev, the pair's chemistry throughout the series was an incredible feat. The trio of seasons is strong, stylized, and has been successful without going overboard.

With a bold mix of satire, historical fiction, and modern sensibility, The Great crafts a world that is fast-paced and sharply funny while often working against itself. The comedic performances and compelling character arcs create a rich world for Fanning, Hoult, and the rest of the cast to work within.

9.3/10

7/10

The Great

10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed Comedy Drama Biography Release Date 2020 - 2023-00-00 Showrunner Tony McNamara Directors Tony McNamara Writers Tony McNamara

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Sacha Dhawan
Adam Godley

Genres Comedy, Drama, Biography Powered by

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How To Die Alone

1 Season

Natasha Rothwell pointing to someone sitting across from her with a smile in How To Die Alone

Natasha Rothwell's original comedy, How To Die Alone, has garnered strong praise for its humor and heartfelt storytelling. Despite only having one season on Hulu and not being picked up for a second, the series has quickly become a favorite of Rothwell fans and Hulu subscribers alike. Following 37-year-old JFK airport employee Melissa after a near-death experience, the series reconsiders everything.

With an emotionally grounded performance by Rothwell and an offbeat sense of humor, How To Die Alone showcases the actress' strengths in her craft in more ways than one. Rothwell's storytelling from both performance and writing standpoint is phenomenal, and well worth the watch despite the show's cancellation.

How To Die Alone

10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed Comedy Release Date 2024 - 2024-00-00

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Natasha Rothwell Melissa
Conrad Ricamora Rory
Jocko Sims Alex
KeiLyn Durrel Jones Terrance

Genres Comedy Creator(s) Natasha Rothwell Powered by

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Tell Me Lies

2 Seasons

Grace Van Patten as Lucy in class in Tell Me Lies Season 2

One of Hulu's wildest shows, Tell Me Lies is based on Carola Lovering's novel of the same name. With two seasons on the streaming platform and another on the way, Tell Me Lies is a tangled web of drama that takes incredibly unexpected twists and turns. As the relationship between Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White) continues to be explored, Tell Me Lies returns soon.

Exploring obsession, manipulation, and emotional fallout, Tell Me Lies has become one of Hulu's most underrated shows. The nonlinear structure adds a rich emotional depth and sense of tension, allowing the slow burning plot to open up slowly. Tell Me Lies' sense of psychological mystery makes it a great watch, drawing viewers to the complex relationship drama.

10/10

Tell Me Lies

10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-MA Drama Release Date September 7, 2022 Showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer Writers Meaghan Oppenheimer, Carola Lovering

Cast

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Grace Van Patten
Jackson White

Genres Drama Creator(s) Meaghan Oppenheimer, Carola Lovering Powered by

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Tell Me Lies
How To Die Alone
The Great

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