The Best Movies on Hulu Right Now (September 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.

A cyborg assassin travels to 2029 to kill.

The Terminator may have come from the 80s but the premise is freakishly relevant to mounting concern about artificial intelligence. And 2029 is just around the corner---just sayin.

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 Downs 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.

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.

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.

Before Johnny and Moira Rose, there was Gerry and Cookie Fleck. Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara have a long history as an on-screen couple, and Best in Show brings out the best in them. A mockumentary about the mounting pressure of dog shows will likely stand the test of time.

Iconic Movies on Hulu

10. Top Gun (1986)

A movie made for Tom Cruise that made Tom Cruise. He fights to compete with another pilot and fights for the girl. An all-American ode to masculinity and the military.

At least the flying scenes will always be thrilling.

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.

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.

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.

Best New Movies on Hulu

15. 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 it’s coming to Hulu in September .

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. Ryder, in particular, reveals herself to be a solid talent.

We all know the story. But if you’re not watching for nostalgic reasons and haven’t seen Joe Pesci in one of his most iconic roles, you're in for a treat. New York lawyer, Vinny (Joe Pesci), has never won a case. When his younger cousin is wrongfully accused of murder, he steps up. It’s a classic comedy and a light watch.

Coming this September, Bella and Edward are back if teen vampires are your thing. Based on the book series from Stephanie Meyer, all five of the memorable Twilight films will be available to stream on Hulu.

Comedy Classics on Hulu

21. The Birdcage (1996)

Even if there are some dated elements or stereotypes, the good outweighs any bad here. It's an absolutely hilarious movie with an even funnier ensemble. And for the 90s, the entire premise of it was brave. It was a meet-the-parents comedy before the Meet the Parents comedies, but with much more interesting characters.

This movie is based off of real murders  known as the Freedom Summer Murders that took place in June of 1964 in Neshoba County, Mississippi. Three civil rights workers, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner were kidnapped and murdered by the KKK. The film follows two FBI agents who come to the town to investigate. Local police refuse to cooperate and the African American community is far too scared to.

This movie takes on a lot and all at once. But it’s worth taking a look at. It’s definitely a daring film that isn’t afraid to change course. Telemarketer Cassius Green finds himself in an alternate reality. His friends organize a protest against corporate oppression, while he gets wealthy. A breakout movie in more ways than one.