Buzz
Hulu is your go-to destination for an exceptional movie experience. With a mix of fresh releases and timeless classics, including ’90s comedies and indie masterpieces, the platform caters to all tastes. Whether planning a holiday binge or revisiting beloved films, explore our curated recommendations for your next watchlist.
The First Omen (2024)
Set against the backdrop of 1970s Italy during political turmoil, an American nun forms a bond with a troubled orphan girl, despite warnings of sinister forces surrounding her. Serving as a prequel to the 1976 classic The Omen, this sixth installment in the franchise delivers a slow-burning yet intense horror experience. Praised as a revival of the series, The First Omen combines stunning visuals with spine-chilling terror, earning acclaim as a worthy successor to the original.
Poor Things (2023)
Set in Victorian London, an unconventional scientist revives a woman by transplanting her fetus's brain into her lifeless body, resulting in an adult with the intellect of a child. As she begins to grow mentally, this provocative and genre-defying film by visionary director Yorgos Lanthimos features Emma Stone as the unconventional protagonist and Mark Ruffalo as her companion on a journey of self-discovery.
Independence Day (1996)
Roland Emmerich’s explosive blockbuster captures the essence of 1990s cinema, depicting an alien invasion that decimates Earth’s major cities. A diverse team, including a quick-witted Marine (Will Smith), a brilliant scientist (Jeff Goldblum), a rugged pilot (Randy Quaid), and the U.S. President (Bill Pullman), must unite to save humanity from annihilation.
The Fifth Element (1997)
In a bizarre future, Earth faces an unstoppable threat: a massive, malevolent orb of cosmic energy. Nuclear weapons only amplify its power, but humanity’s last hope lies in Leeloo (Milla Jovovich), a genetically engineered warrior, and Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), a reluctant cab driver turned hero. Luc Besson’s iconic sci-fi adventure dazzles with unforgettable dialogue, eccentric action sequences, and Jean Paul Gaultier’s extraordinary costume designs.
Planet of the Apes (1968)
While the film’s twist ending has become legendary, this groundbreaking sci-fi tale offers much more. Charlton Heston stars as an astronaut stranded on a planet ruled by intelligent apes, where humans are silenced, experimented on, and hunted. His ability to speak makes him both a fascination and a danger to the ape rulers, forcing him to flee and potentially disrupt their oppressive society.
True Lies (1994)
James Cameron crafted this long-awaited sci-fi story about a cyborg (Rosa Salazar) who defies her programming. Recently, Cameron mentioned the possibility of revisiting this universe as a streaming series.
Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
Arnold Schwarzenegger reunites with Terminator director James Cameron in this high-octane thriller about Harry Tasker, a spy juggling his dangerous career while hiding it from his wife Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis). However, Helen has her own hidden life. This film is a reimagining of the 1991 French movie La Totale, though the stakes are higher here, with Miami’s skyline at risk instead of a French stadium.
Perfect Days (2023)
From the master of slow cinema, Wim Wenders, comes this Cannes-acclaimed gem about a Tokyo toilet cleaner who finds beauty in simplicity. His life of routine is punctuated by a passion for music, literature, and photographing trees. Unexpected encounters gradually unveil his past, forge new bonds, and paint a vivid picture of human connection, all set to the backdrop of Patti Smith’s melodies and quiet tic-tac-toe games.
Pig (2021)
Nicolas Cage takes the lead in this introspective drama about a reclusive truffle hunter whose cherished pig is stolen, forcing him to return to the bustling restaurant world he once abandoned. Cage prepared for the role by training with renowned chef Gabriel Rucker to ensure his on-screen cooking scenes were authentic.
Boston Strangler (2023)
Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon shine as the real-life reporters who uncovered the chilling murders that gripped Boston in the 1960s. Director Matt Ruskin meticulously studied archives, including recorded interviews with Loretta McLaughlin, Knightley’s character. The film joins the earlier adaptation, The Boston Strangler (1968), featuring Tony Curtis, Henry Fonda, and George Kennedy, also available on the platform.
Spencer (2021)
Kristen Stewart earned widespread praise for her portrayal of Diana Spencer during the tumultuous period before her separation from Prince Charles (now King Charles III). Director Pablo Larraín had Stewart dance to various tracks after each day’s shoot, later weaving these moments into a poignant montage near the film’s conclusion.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Héloïse (Adèle Haenel), a reluctant bride-to-be, refuses to pose for her wedding portrait. Her mother secretly hires Marianne (Noémie Merlant), an artist, to pose as a servant and paint Héloïse on a secluded island. Despite the initial deceit, the two women form a deep bond, culminating in a passionate yet fleeting romance that unfolds against the backdrop of their limited time together.
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)
Romy White (Mira Sorvino) and Michele Weinberger (Lisa Kudrow) dread attending their 10-year high school reunion with their unremarkable lives. To impress their former bullies, they concoct an elaborate lie about their success. This 1997 comedy is a timeless gem, filled with quirky characters, outrageous fabrications, and the relatable humor of pretending to have it all figured out when you’re still figuring life out.
High Fidelity (2000)
When record store owner Rob Gordon (John Cusack) is dumped by his girlfriend Laura (Iben Hjejle), he revisits his top five past breakups to understand his romantic failures. Adapted from Nick Hornby’s 1995 novel, the story follows Rob as he reflects on his high school, college, and adult years, marked by his lingering immaturity. Breaking the fourth wall, he shares his journey while bantering with his music-obsessed coworkers.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
Loosely inspired by The Odyssey, the Coen Brothers’ film follows three escaped convicts (George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson) on a comedic odyssey through 1930s Mississippi. Their mission: stop a wedding before a valley is flooded. This witty, Golden Hollywood-inspired adventure left such a cultural mark that it sparked a brief bluegrass revival in the early 2000s.
Sweet Virginia (2017)
Jon Bernthal stars as a worn-out former rodeo champion who encounters a dangerous drifter (Christopher Abbott) in a quiet town. This gripping crime drama, rooted in American themes, was penned by Benjamin and Paul China, English brothers now based in Australia.
Boss Level (2021)
Frank Grillo stars in this high-octane twist on Groundhog Day, where he must uncover who’s trying to kill him before he’s doomed to repeat his death. Director Joe Carnahan and Grillo share a dynamic akin to Scorsese and De Niro, having collaborated on films like The Grey, Wheelman, and Copshop.
Prey (2022)
Amber Midthunder leads this fresh installment in the Predator series, playing an 18th-century Comanche warrior facing off against a deadly alien hunter. The film marks a milestone as the first in the franchise to offer a full Comanche language dub.
Underwater (2020)
Kristen Stewart headlines this gripping thriller about deep-sea workers who face a terrifying creature in the ocean’s abyss. Stewart shared that her own fear of vast water bodies drew her to the role.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Tom Cruise shines in this acclaimed blockbuster as a soldier trapped in a time loop, forced to relive the same day to stop an alien invasion. The film, initially titled All You Need Is Kill after Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s novel, underwent a name change before release.
This story was originally published in 2020; it has been updated for 2024.
