From blockbuster hits to thought-provoking indie flicks, Hulu's selection of full-length feature films is robust enough to satisfy any cinephile's urge to kick back and binge. Whether you're in the mood for a chaotic action adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat, a heartwarming romantic comedy or a hair-raising thriller, Hulu has you covered.
Unlike Netflix, who shifted their focus from early 2018 and beyond to churning out a massive amount of original content, Hulu is laser-focused on giving their subscribers access to recent releases with films like Arrival and Spectre now available for on-demand viewing. Additionally, Hulu also offers their customers Hollywood classics like Taxi Driver and The Matrix.
If you're wondering what to watch this weekend and want to opt out of browsing endlessly through category screens, check out this list of the very best movies Hulu has to offer in 2019 below, presented in no particular order.
Sorry To Bother You
In Sorry To Bother You, first-time director Boots Riley uses dark comedy as a backdrop to tell the tale of a young, African-American telemarketer who uses a "white" accent to succeed at his job. An intricate tale of conspiracy, activism, and the divisive, racial undertones that web their way through every aspect of the American experience, Sorry To Bother You has the star power and the compelling narrative to keep you hooked throughout the entire film. As well as an unexpected surprise or two along the way.
Ingrid Goes West
In an age where social media reigns supreme, Ingrid Goes West is a cautionary tale of just how far obsession can run unchecked when celebrities are just a click away. Growing increasingly fixated with an Instagram personality, Aubrey Plaza's Ingrid character abandons all rational thought and hesitation when she packs up her belongings and heads to Los Angeles for some much-needed IRL face-to-face time with her idol. With razor-sharp dialogue and a message that is far from preachy, Ingrid Goes West is a timely commentary on just how out-of-touch we, as a society can become when social media triumphs over our day-to-day lives.
Fyre Fraud
Still a source of countless memes about blowjobs and disasters, Fyre Fraud, Hulu's own take on a documentary surrounding the disastrous 2017 music festival is a captivating exploration of the most publicized con in modern history.
Offering a behind-the-scenes, in-depth look into the events that fed into Fyre Festival's horror show with no escape plan, viewers can begin to understand why thousands of attendees shelled out some serious cash without ever knowing fully what they were getting themselves into. Unlike its Netflix counterpart, Hulu's Fyre Fraud actually puts Billy McFarland, the CEO of Fyre Media Inc front and center, giving him screen time to plead his case to the public.
Mother!
The latest brainchild from the Darren Aronofsky, the creative force behind Requiem For A Dream and Black Swan, Mother! is an expertly-crafted biblical parody with all the trappings of a psychological thriller. The film follows the plight of a poet (Javier Bardem), known as 'Him,' as he earnestly tries to complete his next work, while his wife, known only as 'Mother' (Jennifer Lawrence), struggles to bring their house to its former glory. Aronofsky slowly introduces throngs of strangers to their secluded sanctuary. Who are they? What do they want? And above all, why won't they leave?
Fences
Denzel Washington's much-anticipated adaption of August Wilson's classic play Fences is a compelling, laser-focused character study on what happens when anger and resentment spread through a man's character like a cancer. Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) languishes day-in and day-out as a Pittsburgh garbage collector following a thwarted attempt at playing major league baseball. Fences explores the lasting impact of past trauma on present-day relationships.
Arrival
If you're looking for an aliens-come-to-earth action drama without the cheesy, over-the-top space battle scenes then Arrival is the perfect film for you. With the nations of the world pushed to their breaking point after the arrival of 12 massive spaceships sends global leadership into a frenzy, one linguistics professor (played by Academy Award nominee Amy Adams) must lead the charge of decoding the alien language and arriving at a solution.
Little Miss Sunshine
Little Miss Sunshine is the darkly funny, intensely witty indie comedy antidote to the number of feature films that portray a family road trip as a non-stop barrel of laughs. With so many strong, flawed characters in cramped, close quarters for such a long period of time, there's bound to be explosive arguments and outbursts-- and Little Miss Sunshine executes them perfectly, every time.
Office Space
What better time to celebrate this cult classic than on the 20th anniversary of its 1999 debut? Completely dissatisfied with the monotony of office life, main character Petter Gibbons (brought to life by Ron Livingston) does everything in his power to be fired from his cubicle job at a tech company. When his newfound apathetic attitude leads to a promotion instead of a severance package, Livingston continues his "F--- the man" lifestyle which of course, yields hilarious results. For a witty scathing commentary on the droll hierarchy of 9 to 5 office life, this evergreen film will certainly cure your case of the impending Mondays.
Shutter Island
The combined talents of Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorcese always produce cinematic gold. As DiCaprio's Teddy Daniels investigates the case of an escaped convict from a psychiatric facility for the criminally insane, his confusion and fascination with the eerie setting escalate until peaking with a fever pitch of twists and turns. With a dramatic reveal at the end, Shutter Island is perfect for fans of psychological thrillers that keep your mind reeling for hours after the film fades to black.
Space Jam
Take all the time you need, but we're certain you'll be hard-pressed to find a more iconic duo than Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny. Delivering a now-iconic blend of classic Looney Tunes characters and IRL 90s basketball stars (with a healthy dose of evil aliens to bring the drama), Space Jam will undoubtedly hit your nostalgic movie-night sweet spot by transporting you to a simpler, pre-Y2k time.
American Beauty
With a talent-packed roster of A-list talent, (Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch and Wes Bentley, to name a few) and a screenplay bursting with slow-burning narrative exposition, American Beauty serves as an evergreen commentary on American suburban life. Tackling heavy issues like infidelity, workplace burnout, jealousy, lust and the casualties of midlife crises, American Beauty is as dark as it is thrilling.
Batman Begins/The Dark Knight
While there's nothing new about bringing the tale of orphan Bruce Wayne's transformation into Batman to cleanse Gotham City of its crime problem to the big screen, Cristopher Nolan's film trilogy breathes life into the classic tale. Showcasing stellar performances by Christian Bale and the late Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight trilogy as an on-demand streaming option is a must for any cinephile.
Primal Fear
With a knockout debut performance from then-newbie actor Edward Norton, Primal Fear is arguably one of the best white-knuckled courtroom thrillers that will have you on the edge of your seat for the entire run time. With a last-minute twist that will have you second-guessing whether or not Norton's character was a victim who carried out a necessary act of justice or a master manipulator, Primal Fear delivers an ending that will keep your mind reeling long after the last fade to black.
The Royal Tenenbaums
Looking for a bitingly-sharp narrative on the idiosyncrasies of a brilliantly talented but deeply flawed group of upper-class, out-of-touch elites? If so, then Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums is the perfect fit for your slightly off-color viewing pleasure. With a star-studded cast blending together to deliver a memorable ensemble performance backlit by Anderson's now-iconic film palette, TRT is a timeless piece of satire that is just as enjoyable to watch today as it was in its 2001 premiere.
Edward Scissorhands
If you're looking for a pre-Pirates of the Caribbean Johnny Depp classic to settle into, then Edward Scissorhands is the perfect flick for you. Despite the fact that the film operates under the Frankensteinian trope of mad-scientist-gone-wrong, Depp breathes enough life into his character that soon, you find yourself brimming with empathy for a man living with hedge trimmers for hands. Weaving the triumph of a love story with the pain of an outcast narrative, Edward Scissorhands is a must-watch, through and through.
Heathers
Heathers is what mean Mean Girls could have been if and only if Regina George actually did get hit by that speeding school bus and die. Refusing to flinch away from the grisly reality of adolescence and burrow in the safety net of teen movie tropes, Heathers explores the outcast revenge fantasy to its fullest by showing that the "popular" cliques can be stripped of their power-- if you're committed enough to the cause.
Iron Man 2
Stripped of the anonymity he once enjoyed, billionaire inventor Tony Stark now faces immense pressure from nearly everyone in his life to share the futuristic technology of his armored suit with the military. Hesitant to divulge his secrets, Stark must now forge his own path and confront a brand-new enemy hellbent on his destruction. Filled with thrilling action scenes and top-notch action, Iron Man 2 soars where most sequels fall flat.