The Best Movies on Hulu Right Now (Nov. 2020)

Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a period drama set in 18th century France. Marianne is a painter commissioned to paint Heloise’s portrait. Heloise is a reluctant bride, and Marianne must paint her without her knowing. As they spend more time with one another, their connection grows into a deep but forbidden love. There is something incredibly simplistic about this story, but the film doesn’t rush. In fact, it begs for your patience. From Celine Sciamma, we feel each emotion because the shot sits with each character long enough to see their expressions change moment by moment, until we realize the story is one of the realest cinematic love stories we’ve been involved in, in years. The film feels slow and calm initially, but progresses into quite a work of art.

Gus Van Sant’s underrated Drugstore Cowboy stumbles its way onto Hulu October 1st. Bob Hughes, played by Matt Dillon, leads his family of drug addicted friends, with his wife, Dianne, played by Kelly Lynch, as they feed their habit by robbing drug stores. When one of their friends passes away, Bob seeks a new life, but not before pressures of the past catch up to him. Based on the autobiographical novel by James Fogle, though it was actually unpublished until 1990 when he was released from prison. One of the few films that received 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

A mathematician made an incredible discovery early on his career, but his arrogance sent him on a more painful expedition of self-discovery. This drama, inspired by true events sees Russell Crowe at his best. Based on the biography “A Beautiful Mind” by Sylvia Nasar, it stars Crowe, and Jennifer Connelly, and directed by Ron Howard.

The story of a boxer that isn’t much about boxing at all. A highly insecure man rises in the ranks in the boxing world but fails to do so in his personal life. He tries to control everyone and everything around him, and we see what happens when insecurity and inability to express feelings take over. DeNiro, Pesci, and Martin Scorsese all give their best to create a  true cinematic experience that is worth the rewatch 40 years later.

The funny side of Katherin Heigl came out in all its preggo glory in Judd Apatow’s Knocked Up.  Playing Alison Scott,  a journalist rising in the ranks in the entertainment industry, she has a bit of a lapse in judgement and sleeps with slacker Ben Stone, (Seth Rogan). Unsure if he is ready to be a father, she attempts to give him a chance, as they both struggle to decide if they’re even compatible.

Good Movies to Watch on Hulu

Booksmart (2019)

With no awards in sight just yet, this film gets the superlative for best duo. The film follows Zak (played by Zack Gottsagen), a young man with Down syndrome, who runs away from his nursing home to chase a dream of attending a professional wrestling school. He meets Tyler (Shia LaBeof), an outlaw on the run, who becomes his trusted ally and coach, and the two embark on a journey of friendship and redemption.

Best Movies on Hulu

I, Tonya (2017)

The film goes between perspectives and makes you wonder whether or not Tonya Harding is losing her mind, or a completely misunderstood athlete taken to pressures beyond comprehension. Both seem plausible. But it’s the performances from Margot Robbie and Alison Janney (who plays her mother) that are absolutely incredible. Star performances from Robbie and Janney make this a must watch film.

New Movies to Watch on Hulu

Babyteeth (2019)

Written by Rita Kalnejais and directed by Shannon Murphy, comes a coming-of-age tragicomedy that’s received nothing but great reviews. An ill teenager falls in love with a drug-dealer her parents disapprove of, as she finds a lust for life---typical story, not so typical execution, we’re hooked. The film had its premiere in 2019 at the Venice Film Festival but was released in Australia this year by Universal with incredibly positive reviews. The film stars Eliza Scanlen and Toby Wallace.

Horror Movies to Watch on Hulu

House of 1000 Corpses (2019)

House of 1000 corpses is a dark comedy horror movie written, co-scored, and directed by Rob Zombie. It’s his directorial debut. The plot follows a group of teenagers who get kidnapped and tortured by a crazed and psychotic family on Halloween. For such a low critic’s score, a fair majority of fans enjoyed this creepy piece of cinema from Musician, Director, Rob Zombie. In light of Halloween, and nostalgia, it’s made the list.

Vampire Movies on Hulu

Interview with the Vampire (1994)

Brad Pitt plays Louis, a bicentennial vampire, once an 18th century lord, who recounts his story to biographer Daniel Molloy played by Christian Slater. He tells the reporter of his life worse than death---a life of betrayals, loneliness, and thirst. Story and screenplay by Anne Rice, directed by Neil Jordan, one of the better vampire movies to date.

Scary Movies on Hulu

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Three film students, (played by  Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, Michael C. Williams), looking to gather footage about the legendary murderer,  the Blair Witch, travel to a small town. As they interview locals to create their documentary, this infamous local murderer becomes less of a project and more of a reality when they get lost in the woods.

Popular Movies on Hulu

A Quiet Place (2018)

With its clever use of sound to support the movie’s entire plot, John Krasinski brings us a film where horrifying creatures use sound to kill humans. The entire film is built on tension, but does much more than most horror movies. Those who don’t love horror movies, may even find something to discover here. Starring John Krasinski and Emily Blunt.

Florence Pugh came onto the scene strong in 2019 with this wrestling comedy. The movie is inspired by the real wrestling star, Paige, and it follows how she was raised by wrestling fans and went from small time to big time fast. Even if you aren’t into wrestling, this film is a pleasure to watch, boasting a star studded cast---Lena Heady, Florence Pugh, Vince Vaughn and more.

Best Movies on Hulu

The Assistant (2019)

Starring Julia Garner, who gives a noteworthy performance, The Assistant takes a magnifying glass to the entertainment industry, and how women witness and experience continuous coercion and sexual harassment on a daily basis. Indie feels with award-worthy performances. A kind of visual diary of what it’s like to be female in the film industry.

Best New Movies on Hulu

Judy (2019)

Whether or not the choice to solely focus on the end of Garland’s life brings the late actress any real justice is another conversation, but the performance Zellweger gives makes us more intrigued to revisit Garland’s entire legacy.

It’s a real gut wrencher and Rene Zellweger is Judy Garland.

A film by Martin Scorsese, this is a powerful music documentary that features incredible performances from Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, and Muddy Waters. Interviews intermixed about life on the road. Nearly 20 years after being the backing band for cult musician Ronnie Hawkins, The Band threw in the towel with a ridiculous farewell show in San Francisco on November 25th, 1976.

80s Movies on Hulu

Weird Science (1985)

This makes the list more for nostalgic reasons and just sheer ridiculousness, than anything else. Reviews were mixed compared to other John Hughes films. But honestly, I think it’s an 80s classic. Teen outcasts Gary (Anthony Michael Hall) and Wyatt (Ilan Mitchell-Smith) create their ideal woman from a computer, and by some weird accident, she comes to life. I’d say that entire concept is pretty awful, but she’s kind of a badass. She sets them up with a new wardrobe, drives them around in Porsche, and helps them stand up to bullies. 

Jason Schwartzman plays an environmentalist struggling with existential dread. So much so that he hires existential detectives to sort out meaning in a series of strange coincidences in his life . Investigators Bernard (Dustin Hoffman) and Vivian (Lily Tomlin) convince Albert that Brad (Jude Law) is the cause of all of his problems. When Brad decides to hire the investigators for his own agenda, it only gets weirder. Mark Wahlberg and Naomi Watts also star.

Good Films on Hulu

Reality Bites (1994)

For the Gen X’ers watching Hulu. Reality Bites may not be making any profound statements but for the love of 90s nostalgia! And this beloved ensemble cast.  Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Steve Zahn, and Janeane Garofalo give authentic performances. Winona Ryder reveals herself to be a solid talent. Dated and dripping in 90s drab, a few of us still love it. Hulu gets it.

Series Movies on Hulu

The Bourne Series (2002-2007)

The Bourne Identity released in 2002, and it’s the story of Jason Bourne, played by Matt Damon, rescued from the ocean by an Italian fishing boat. He suffers amnesia and has no recollection of who is, except for his talents in fighting and linguistic skills that shine a light on his dangerous past. With help from Marie (Franka Potente), he tries to figure out who is and why he’s being hunted by assassins.

The Bourne Supremacy released in 2004, is the second installment where we see Bourne living in India, framed by Russian agent Kirill, played by Karl Urban, for the theft of millions of dollars from the CIA. After a tragedy befalls his girlfriend, the film becomes a revenge film while he simultaneously must prove his innocence to stay alive.

The Bourne Ultimatum released in 2007, follows a once CIA assassin as he treks ahead trying to fill in memory gaps. When a reporter catches up to him, he is somehow more in trouble than ever before. Action-packed Matt Damon yet again.

I guess it’s marathon time.

Way before Clive Barker was best known for the horror movie, Hellraiser, his Books of Blood series of short terrifying spanned six volumes. On October 7th, those stories will culminate into a feature. 

Cult Classics on Hulu

Scream 4 (2011)

On October 8th, the streaming service will give us the fourth installment of Wes Craven’s Scream series. It’s been a long time since Ghostface has wreaked havoc on Woodsboro. Of course when Sidney Prescott comes back home on her book tour, you know the self-help book she wrote to combat her Ghostface trauma, someone had other plans. Our favorite characters -  Sheriff Dewey, Gale Weathers, and Sidney Prescott taking names one last time. Not a favorite by critics, but for a 4th movie, not a bad finale.

Hulu Originals

Bad Hair (2020)

Set to release on October 23rd, Bad Hair, a Hulu Original, follows a young woman who gets a weave in order to succeed in music television in 1989. Her blossoming career comes at a cost when she discovers her hair may have a mind of its own. A horror satire that looks at the image-obsessed industry.

This horror comedy is written, directed, and produced by Justin Simien. It stars Elle Lorraine, Vanessa Williams, Kelly Rowland, Jay Pharoah, Lena Waithe, Blair Underwood and Laverne Cox.

Film premiere, I Am Greta, arrives on Hulu November 13th.  In no way, is this a feel-good movie, but attempts to tackle the conversation of the importance of activism and climate change during these strange times when science has become political. We follow 15 year old, Greta Thunberg, as she skips school, doesn’t fit in too well with her peers, as she sits outside of government buildings with a bigger mission. A doc highlighting the vital role we can play in stopping climate change before it’s too late. Though, I would say it focuses a little too much on Greta, not enough on the topics, and is a tad underwhelming as a whole.