Directors: Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman | Runtime: 1h 33m

Cast: Ben Platt (Amos Klobuchar), Molly Gordon (Rebecca-Diane), Noah Galvin (Glenn Winthrop), Jimmy Tatro (Troy Rubinsky), Caroline Aaron (Rita Cohen), Ayo Edebiri (Janet Walch), Patti Harrison (Caroline Krauss)

Those who enjoyed the mockumentaries of the '90s starring Schitt's Creek actors Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara will be delighted by what the next generation has to offer with Theater Camp. The movie centers around the staff of the AdirondACTS, a struggling theater camp in upstate New York who must work together to keep things running when its founder falls into a coma. Past and present theater kids will unsurprisingly get a lot out of this movie, but its heart and humor, thanks to its mostly improvised dialogue, shine through for anyone to enjoy, regardless of their experience with the stage.

Director: Edgar Wright | Runtime: 1h 39m

Cast: Simon Pegg (Shaun), Nick Frost (Ed), Kate Ashfield (Liz), Bill Nighy (Philip)

The first, and arguably best, of Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg's Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, Shaun of the Dead is the definitive zombie comedy. Pegg stars as the titular protagonist, a recently dumped slacker living in London who finds himself in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. With the help of the film's talented cast, which includes Cornetto regulars Nick Frost and Bill Nighy, Shaun of the Dead hilariously lampoons the zombie movie subgenre that was seeing a boom in popularity at the time of the film's release. But like the other Cornetto movies, Shaun of the Dead is also full of heart as Shaun realizes that up until the apocalypse, he too had been living life literally like a zombie.

Director: Richard Linklater | Runtime: 1h 42m

Cast: Jason London (Randall "Pink" Floyd), Joey Lauren Adams (Simore Kerr), Matthew McConaughey (David Wooderson), Rory Cochrane (Ron Slater), Milla Jovovich (Michelle Burroughs), Wiley Wiggins (Mitch Kramer), Ben Affleck (Fred O'Bannion)

Released over 30 years ago, Dazed and Confused is worth a watch just for the who's-who of young A-list actors before they were famous, as the film sees appearances from Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck, Cole Hauser, and Renee Zellweger. The film takes place over the course of a single day in 1970s Austin, Texas — specifically the last day of school — and follows a sprawling ensemble of graduating seniors and incoming freshmen as they make their way to the last big party of the school year. Dazed and Confused is directed by Richard Linklater, who is known for his slice-of-life movies, and it's one of the filmmaker's best as it perfectly captures a universal moment in a very distinct era, and does so with one of cinema's greatest soundtracks.

Director: Armando Iannucci | Runtime: 1h 46m

Cast: Steve Buscemi (Nikita Khrushchev), Jason Isaacs (Georgy Zhukov), Simon Russell Beale (Lavrentiy Beriya)

After his work on blackly satirical hits like The Thick Of It and In The Loop, the terrifying incompetence of the Soviet Union in the aftermath of Stalin's death was in many ways comfortable territory for writer-director Armando Iannucci. Set during the tense hours and days following the dictator's demise, the movie balances farcical slapstick with genuinely unsettling paranoia as all the major players jostle for power and attempt to stab each other in the back. A reminder that the ridiculous eccentricities of authoritarianism can still be horrifying, The Death of Stalin won critical acclaim for its deft handling of the subject and hilarious performances.

Director: Eli Craig | Runtime: 1h 29m

Cast: Alan Tudyk (Tucker), Tyler Labine (Dale), Katrina Bowden (Allison), Jesse Moss (Chad)

A hilarious subversion of the hillbilly horror trope, Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil is both gruesome and surprisingly heartwarming. The movie's titular characters are a pair of kind-hearted red-necks, who have just bought a dream holiday cabin in the woods. Unbeknownst to them, a group of hapless college students are also camping in the area. Upon spotting Tucker and Dale, they immediately assume that they are intent on murdering them, leading to a series of unfortunate and outrageous accidents. Often laugh-out-loud funny, with an important message about judging books by their covers, Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil is a much-loved horror comedy classic.

Director: Thomas Vinterberg | Runtime: 1h 57m

Cast: Mads Mikkelsen (Martin), Thomas Bo Larsen (Tommy), Magnus Millang (Nikolaj), Lars Ranthe (Peter)

A black comedy-drama with a somewhat ridiculous premise, Another Round follows four Danish teachers who commit to an experiment to maintain a constant low level of intoxication throughout the day. Although the plan initially seems to produce promising results, the experiment quickly spirals out of control – with tragic results. While alcohol and alcoholism is a key concern throughout the movie, Another Round is really a meditation on aging and the stereotypical "midlife crisis". This original approach to the subject, as well as Mikkelsen's incredible performance, helped secure the movie the 2021 Oscar for Best International Feature Film.

Director: Ben Stiller | Cast: Ben Stiller (Derek Zoolander), Owen Wilson (Hansel), Will Ferrell (Mugatu), Christine Taylor (Matilda Jeffries), Milla Jovovich (Katinka)

Runtime: 1h 29m

An uproarious satirical swipe at the fashion industry, Zoolander remains one of Ben Stiller's best-known and most popular movies. The film pits Stiller's Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) against Owen Wilson's Hansel in a bid to secure their status as the hottest male model. However, Derek and Hansel must put their rivalry aside in order to help the journalist Matilda (Christine Taylor) unravel a great global conspiracy that strikes at the heart of the industry. Much more than just one of the best Hulu movies, Zoolander remains the definitive lampoon of the world of elite models and high fashion culture.

Director: Martin McDonagh | Runtime: 1h 54m

Cast: Colin Farrell (Pádraic Súilleabháin), Brendan Gleeson (Colm Doherty), Kerry Condon (Siobhán Súilleabháin), Barry Keoghan (Dominic Kearney)

Martin McDonagh chooses his native Ireland for the setting of his pitch-black dramedy The Banshees of Inisherin. Taking place in the 1920s on a small fictional island, the film finds Pádraic Súilleabháin (Colin Farrell) blindsided when his best friend Colm Doherty (Brendan Gleeson) spontaneously ends their friendship. Colm claims that he finds Pádraic too dull and would rather devote the remainder of his life to playing his fiddle. To make matters darker, Colm threatens to cut off his own fingers anytime Pádraic approaches him. The Banshees of Inisherin is a hauntingly beautiful, almost mythical tale about the complexities of male friendship, and it's grounded not just by its two leads but by supporting players Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan. All four actors were nominated for Academy Awards, and though they went home emptyhanded, The Banshees of Inisherin lives on as one of the best movies on Hulu.

Director: David Mackenzie | Runtime: 1h 42m

Cast: Chris Pine (Toby Howard), Jeff Bridges (Marcus Hamilton), Ben Foster (Tanner Howard)

Written by Yellowstone's Taylor Sheridan, Hell or High Water is a thrilling revisionist Western that leans into the genre's fixation with vigilantism and morality. Pine and Foster play a pair of brothers who embark on a series of bank robberies in order to save their family's ranch from being seized by the bank. Their crime spree attracts the attention of Jeff Bridges' Marcus Hamilton, who pursues the pair in a quest for justice. Complex and emotionally raw, Hell or High Water won near-universal praise from critics and confirmed Sheridan's status as a master of the genre.

Director: Joachim Trier | Runtime: 2h 8m

Cast: Renate Reinsve (Julie), Anders Danielsen Lie (Aksel), Herbert Nordrum (Eivind)

In Norweigan film The Worst Person in the World, Oslo student Julie (Renate Reinsve) finds herself unsure of what she wants to do with her life as she approaches her 30th birthday. As she repeatedly changes her field of study, from medicine to psychology to photography, Julie finds herself falling for comic book artist Aksel (Anders Danielsen Lie) and bartender Eivind (Herbert Nordrum). The Worst Person in the World perfectly captures that feeling of getting lost in limitless possibility, and it's anchored by Reinsve's masterful performance. The movie was not only nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards but also Best Original Screenplay, and its words truly leap off the screen.

Director: Kevin Macdonald | Runtime: 2h 3m

Cast: James McAvoy (Dr. Nicholas Garrigan), Forest Whitaker (Idi Amin), Gillian Anderson (Sarah Merrit)

Based on the book of the same name by Giles Foden, this intense period drama is set in 1970s Uganda, where a young doctor from Glasgow becomes part of the inner circle of dictator Idi Amin by pure chance. Initially, Nicholas is looking only for an adventure, and works at a small clinic, but a chance encounter with the leader leads to him becoming a confidante - and as the film is from his perspective, it gives a unique look into the horrors of the regime, and how Amin attempts to justify his actions. Whittaker is spectacular as Amin, and won an Oscar for his performance.

Director: Shannon Murphy | Cast: Eliza Scanlen (Milla Finlay), Toby Wallace (Moses), Essie Davis (Anna), Ben Mendelsohn (Henry)

Runtime: 1h 58m

An underappreciated gem, the Australian drama Babyteeth ranks as one of the best Hulu movies right now. The film follows Eliza Scanlen's (Sharp Objects) Milla, a terminally ill teenager, who falls in love with a 23-year-old drug addict named Moses (Toby Wallace), much to the chagrin of her affluent parents. Based on a stage play by Rita Kalnejais, director Shannon Murphy's tragic tale debuted at the Venice Film Festival in 2019 to overwhelmingly positive results. In fact, Babyteeth was so highly regarded that it won nine AACTA awards, including one for Best Film, and was also nominated for a Best Direction BAFTA.

Director: Alice Diop | Cast: Kayije Kagame (Rama), Guslagie Malanda (Laurence Coly), Valérie Dréville (The Judge), Aurélia Petit (Defence Barrister Vaudenay)

Runtime: 2h, 2m

A powerful contemporary drama that mirrors the classical Greek tragedy Medea, Saint Omer is inspired by a heartbreaking true story of infanticide. Pregnant novelist named Rama (Kayjie Kagame) attends the trial of Laurence Coly (Malanda), a Senegalese mother accused of allowing her baby to be swept away by the ocean. Based on the true story of Fabienne Kabou, director Alice Diop carefully toes the line between horror and sympathy, weaving a complex, thought-provoking narrative. Saint Omer was recognized as the Best International Film by the African-American Film Critics Association, the Best First Film by the Cesar Awards, and has over a dozen more international accolades.

Director: Alan J. Pakula | Cast: Meryl Streep (Zofia "Sophie" Zawistowski), Kevin Kline (Nathan Landau), Peter MacNicol (Stingo)

Runtime: 2h, 30m

To this day, Sophie's Choice remains famous for Meryl Streep's powerful central performance that secured her first Academy Award for Best Actress. However, even without Streep's presence in the title role, Sophie's Choice is one of the most compelling and heartbreaking stories ever told about the Holocaust. In 1947, a writer named Stingo (Peter MacNicol) moves to Brooklyn and befriends the Polish immigrant Sophie (Streep) and her lover Nathan (Kevin Kline), who suffers from mental health problems. As Nathan grows increasingly jealous of Stingo and Sophie's friendship, Sophie's Choice reveals Sophie's dark history, including how she was interned at Auschwitz. The movie remains just as powerful as it was upon release and easily ranks among the best drama movies on Hulu.

Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda | Cast: Song Kang-ho (Ha Sang-hyeon), Gang Dong-won (Dong-soo), Bae Doona (Soo-jin), Lee Ji-eun (Moon So-young), Lee Joo-young (Detective Lee)

Runtime: 2h, 9m

A surprisingly affirming film, despite its seemingly dark premise, Broker revolves around the practice of baby boxes. The movie sees Ha Sang-hyeon (Song Kang-ho) and his right-hand man Dong-soo (Gang Dong-won) steal babies from the local church's baby box in order to sell them in the adoption black market. When Moon So-young (Lee Ji-eun) - a mother who abandoned her baby - changes her mind, she discovers Sang-hyeon and Dong-soo's illegal operation. For their work in Broker, Song Kang-ho won Best Actor and director Hirokazu Kore-eda won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury - and was nominated for the Palme d'Or - at The Cannes Film Festival.

Director: George Clooney | Cast: Ryan Gosling (Stephen Myers), George Clooney (Mike Morris), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Paul Zara), Marisa Tomei (Ida Horowicz), Evan Rachel Wood (Molly Stearns)

Runtime: 1h 41m

Directed by and starring George Clooney, The Ides of March is a powerful political drama that also established Ryan Gosling as a compelling lead performer. The movie sees Clooney as a governor planning to run for U.S. President. However, things take a turn when his junior campaign manager (Gosling) learns that the governor had an illicit affair, with potentially dire consequences for the campaign. Gosling picked up a Golden Globe nomination and Clooney earned an Oscar nomination for his screenplay, and the Ides of March remains a surprisingly prescient thriller about the perilous and underhand world of politics.

Director: Michael Sarnoski : Cast: Nicolas Cage (Robin Feld)

Runtime: 1h 32m

Nicolas Cage has taken on some unique roles in recent years, but none have generated the hype or acclaim of Pig. Released in 2021, Pig sees Cage as a former Portland chef who has become a recluse, living in a cabin deed in the Oregon forests. However, when someone steals his beloved truffle-hunting pig, he sets out to find who took his pig and ends up on a journey of reflection and self-discovery. While it was a limited release and looked on paper like a typically bombastic Cage revenge thriller, Pig won several critics' awards and earned a high 97% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Director: Jérôme Salle | Cast: Gilles Lellouche (Matthieu Roussel), Joanna Kulig (Svetlana)

Runtime: 2h 7m

Based on the real-life case of Yoann Barbereaum, Kompromat follows Mathieu Roussel (Gilles Lellouche), the director of Alliance française in the city of Irkutsk in Russia. Mathieu is suddenly arrested by the FSB, for accusations involving disseminating child pornography and molestation. After Mathieu gets attacked in prison and his lawyer negotiates for house arrest, Mathieu plans his escape and finds more about who planted the evidence against him. A twisted drama set in the shadowy underworld of Russian politics, Kompromat is a tense watch from start to finish.

Director: John Carroll Lynch | Cast: Harry Dean Stanton (Lucky), David Lynch (Howard), Ron Livingston (Bobby Lawrence)

Runtime: 1h 28m

Played by Harry Dean Stanton in one of his final roles before his death, Lucky tells the story of a 90-year-old man living an isolated life in the desert town of Piru, California. On the surface, Lucky sees its aging protagonist go about his daily life enjoying lighthearted interactions with the people in town. However, this deceptively simple premise soon becomes a highly emotional meditation on mortality and enlightenment, a hopeful story that never underestimates its audience. The Gijón International Film Festival gave Harry Dean Stanton the AISGE Award for Best Actor, while the Locarno Film Festival conferred Lucky its top award - the Golden Leopard. Rotten Tomatoes' critics also gave Lucky a rare 97% rating, highlighting its credentials.

Director: Anne Fletcher | Cast: Katherine Heigl (Jane), James Marsden (Kevin), Malin Akerman (Tess)

Runtime: 1h 51m

27 Dresses is a classic rom-com - and deservedly so. Katherine Heigl stars as Jane, the woman who embodies the old adage 'always a bridesmaid, never a bride', meets an ambitious journalist at the same time as her younger sister announces her engagement to Jane's boss. As well as hitting all the right beats, the movie takes a look at honesty, love, and family ties - as well as unrequited love, as Jane has secretly been in love with her boss for years! Funny, touching, and feel-good, this is a perfect rom-com.

Director: Gurinder Chadha | Cast: Parminder Nagra (Jess), Keira Knightley (Jules), Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Joe)

Runtime: 1h 52m

This heartwarming British comedy covers a huge range of subjects - romance (and cultural expectations of marriage), racism, teenage rebellion, and of course, football. Both Jess and Jules are teen girls who want to play professional football, and although Jess' parents are against her playing at all, both girls become part of the local football club. Their friendship is tested when both girls develop a crush on the coach, but this romance is only one of the many sub-plots, with others include Jess' sister's wedding, her father's history with racism in cricket, and Jules' mother mistaking their friendship for a lesbian relationship. Bend It Like Beckham combines all the best elements of a rom-com with an inspirational sports movie.

Director: David Frankel | Cast: Anne Hathaway (Andy Sachs), Meryl Streep (Miranda Priestly), Emily Blunt (Emily)

Runtime: 1h 49m

Based on the novel of the same name, The Devil Wears Prada was a smash hit on release, with a star-studded cast and two Oscar nominations under its (designer) belt. Hathaway stars as Andy, a young woman with aspirations to become a 'real' journalist, but who lands a job at a fashion magazine (a fictional version of Vogue, called Runway). Over her year there, she struggles with her horrifyingly demanding boss, her lack of fashion knowledge, and her relationship with her boyfriend, which suffers due to her intense work schedule. Eminently quotable, this brilliant comedy has since become iconic.

Director: Sophia Hyde | Cast: Emma Thompson (Nancy Stokes), Daryl McCormack (Leo Grande)

Runtime: 1h 37m

A heartfelt examination of life and love after grief, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande is both poignant and hilarious. Emma Thompson stars as a woman who hires a male sex worker after her husband dies in an effort to experience her first orgasm. Although the relationship begins as purely physical, the pair soon form a more intimate emotional bond that allows both parties to heal and work through their different traumas. Good Luck to You, Leo Grande was acclaimed upon release, while Thompson won the Most Daring Performance Award from the Alliance of Women Film Journalists.

Director: Clea DuVall | Cast: Kristen Stewart (Abby), Mackenzie Davis (Harper), Alison Brie (Sloane), Aubrey Plaza (Riley)

Runtime: 1h 42m

Happiest Season arrived in 2020 as a Hulu original, cementing the service's status as a content producer as well as hub. Directed by Clea DuVall, the movie focuses on a young couple played by Kristen Stewart (Abby) and Mackenzie Davis (Harper). While they have been dating for over a year, Harper has not told her parents she is gay and asks Abby to pretend to be her friend. The movie has positive critical reviews for its nuanced examination of young relationships, and it won a GLAAD Award for its smart and sensitive approach to the material. As such, Happiest Season forms part of a wealth of great LGBTQ+ content on Hulu.

Director: Peter Howitt : Cast: Gwyneth Paltrow (Helen), John Hannah (James), John Lynch (Gerry), Jeanne Tripplehorn (Lydia)

Runtime: 1h 39m

A whimsical story of what might have been, Sliding Doors established Gwyneth Paltrow as a star and set the standard for late-90s romantic comedy. After being fired from her job, Helen Quilley (Gwyneth Paltrow) misses her train, due to a small child on the stairs - and discovers it is the last one for some time due to delays. However, after the train doors close, Sliding Doors rewinds the entire scene, imagining the course of Helen's life had she managed to make it aboard. This clever narrative device means that Sliding Doors is one of the best Hulu movies and is a must-watch for anyone interested in cleverly scripted alternative romances.

Director: Max Barbakow | Cast: Andy Sanberg (Niles), Cristina Milioti (Sarah), J.K. Simmons (Roy Schlieffen)

Runtime: 1h 30m

Another Hulu original, Palm Springs is an innovative science fiction comedy about two strangers who meet at a wedding in Palm Springs and end up stuck in a time loop. Starring Andy Samberg as Nyles and Cristin Milioti as Sarah, Palm Springs' time-hopping narrative helped mean that more people watched the movie in its first three days than any other in the service's history (via IndieWire). As an original take on the classic sci-fi trope, the movie also secured rave reviews from critics.

Director: George Miller | Runtime: 2h

Cast: Tom Hardy (Max Rockatansky), Charlize Theron (Imperator Furiosa), Nicholas Hoult (Nux), Hugh Keays-Byrne (Immortan Joe)

After the 1985 release of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, it would be a whopping 30 years before George Miller and Byron Kennedy's Mad Max franchise would see its next installment. And Mad Max: Fury Road did not disappoint. The dystopian story takes place in a post-apocalyptic wasteland under the control of tyrannical cult leader Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne). The titular hero Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) aligns himself with Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) for an epic road battle against Joe's army. With its exquisite yet unrelenting action scenes, made up of almost entirely practical effects, Mad Max: Fury Road is a cinematic spectacle to behold. Its brilliant artistry swept the craft categories at the 88th Academy Awards, and the movie took home six Oscars.

Director: Bong Joon-ho | Runtime: 2h 6m

Cast: Chris Evans (Curtis), Song Kang-ho (Namgoong), Tilda Swinton (Minister Mason), Jamie Bell (Edgar)

A dystopian action-thriller with cutting contemporary social commentary, Snowpiercer is a gripping introduction to director Bong Joon-ho's views on class and capitalism. Snowpiercer eschews the more subtle suburban setting of Parasite for something much more adrenaline-filled – a gigantic train responsible for transporting what remains of humanity through a deadly frozen wasteland. In this vision of the future, sections of the train are strictly divided according to social standing, with the wealthiest at the front and poorest at the back. When conditions become to much too bare, it's up to the working classes to fight their way to the front. While Snowpiercer has also been made into a popular Netflix series, the original movie remains the definitive version of the subversive sci-fi story.

Director: Jake Kasdan | Runtime: 1h 59m

Cast: Dwayne Johnson (Dr. Smolder Bravestone), Karen Gillan (Ruby Roundhouse), Kevin Hart (Franklin Finbar), Jack Black (Professor Sheldon Oberon)

On the surface, a sequel to the classic 1995 adventure movie Jumanji 20 years after the fact didn't seem like a guaranteed winner. However, thanks to an inventive update to the source material, Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle delivered above and beyond expectations. Whereas the Robin Williams original revolved around a board game, the 2017 update reimagined Jumanji as a videogame, sucking characters into a virtual world. Add in the unparalleled chemistry between all four cast members, and Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle becomes a refreshingly funny action adventure for all the family.

Director: Neil Marshall | Runtime: 1h 45m

Cast: Kevin McKidd (Pvt. Cooper), Sean Pertwee (Sgt. Harry G. Wells), Sean Cunningham (Captain Richard Ryan), Emma Cleasby (Megan)

A bloody blend of action and horror, Dog Soldiers is a werewolf movie whose bite is just as bad as its bark. Following a group of soldiers on what's supposed to be a routine training exercise in the Scottish Highlands, the movie pits the tightly-knit team against a family of werewolves out for blood. The team takes refuge in a mysterious cabin, barricading themselves in to prepare for a brutal battle and to try and make it to morning. Influenced by the likes of Zulu and Aliens, and earning a deserved cult following in the years following its release, Dog Soldiers is a hidden gem in The Descent-director Marshall's career and a great action-horror flick.

Director: Katsuhiro Otomo | Runtime: 2h 4m

Cast: Mitsuo Iwata (Shōtarō Kaneda), Nozomu Sasaki (Tetsuo Shima), Mami Koyama (Kei)

One of the most popular and acclaimed anime features of all time, Akira is a landmark achievement both for its mainstream impact and its furiously energetic storytelling style. Set in an alternate 2019 Tokyo, the film centers on the leader of a biker gang whose childhood friend acquires incredible telekinetic abilities following an accident. This brings the pair into conflict with the military, with spectacularly explosive results. The film's lovingly hand-drawn animation style set the new standard for the genre, and Akira ranks among the best animated action movies ever made.

Director: Joel Schumacher | Runtime: 1h 21m

Cast: Colin Farrell (Stu Shepard), Kiefer Sutherland (The Caller), Forest Whitaker (Captain Ramey)

Today, Colin Farrell is considered one of Hollywood's greatest working actors, but in the 2000s he was an "It" celebrity known for starring in predominantly mediocre movies. However, 2003's Phone Booth is not one of them, and is an early example of Farrell's astounding talent. He stars as Stu Shepard, an arrogant and unscrupulous publicist who picks up a ringing phone in a phone booth in the middle of Times Square only to be told by the caller that if Stu hangs up, he will die. Taking place in real time, Phone Booth is an intense, heart-pounding watch as the tension ratchets up. While many films' runtimes go north of two hours, Phone Booth's lean 81-minute runtime makes it an ideal watch for those without a lot of free time.

Director: Daniel Goldhaber | Runtime: 1h 44m

Cast: Ariela Barer (Xochitl), Kristine Froseth (Rowan), Lukas Gage (Logan), Forrest Goodluck (Michael)

Taking inspiration from Andreas Malm's non-fiction book of the same name, How To Blow Up A Pipeline is as explosive and incendiary as its title suggests. The film follows a group of young eco-terrorists as they plot to destroy an oil pipeline in West Texas. Despite their violent plan, the movie raises thought-provoking questions about to what extent such actions are justifiable, given the existential nature of the climate emergency. Powerful and provocative, How To Blow Up A Pipeline is a considered thriller that never shies away from the complexity of its themes.

Director: Tom George | Runtime: 1h 38m

Cast: Saoirse Ronan (Constable Stalker), Sam Rockwell (Inspector Stoppard), Adrien Brody (Leo Kopernick), Ruth Wilson (Petula Spencer)

A meta murder mystery that reinvents its Agatha Christie-inspired source material, See How They Run is one of a number of movies that have helped to repopularize the genre in recent years. Set behind the scenes during a production of Christie's legendary and long-running play The Mousetrap, the movie revolves around the death of director Leo Kopernick – an American hired to make the movie version of the play. What follows is an intricately plotted thriller, with fingers pointed at a number of suspects thanks to the determined detective work of duo Constable Stalker and Inspector Stoppard.

Director: Tony Scott | Runtime: 2h 12m

Cast: Will Smith (Robert Clayton Dean), Gene Hackman (Edward Lyle), Jon Voight (Thomas Reynolds)

Shot with Tony Scott's signature snappy style, Enemy of the State is a slick political thriller that only seems more prescient given the revelations about government surveillance after its release. Will Smith stars as a lawyer who is secretly slipped evidence of a corrupt plot by the NSA to murder a US congressman, forcing him to go on the run. Praised for its oppressively paranoid atmosphere, as well as the chemistry between Smith and Hackman, Enemy of the State still holds up decades after its release.

Director: Andrew Semans | Cast: Rebecca Hall (Margaret), Tim Roth (David), Grace Kaufman (Abbie), Michael Esper (Peter), Angela Carbone (Gwyn)

Runtime: 1h 43m

For a Sundance-selected film that hasn't won any major industry awards, Resurrection nonetheless ranks among the most compelling thrillers of the past few years. The film follows Margaret (Rebecca Hall), a tech executive who is surprised to find David (Tim Roth), her abusive ex-boyfriend, at a business conference. From Margaret finding morbid clues about David's return, to her horrific dreams that reveal more about her traumatic past, Resurrection is not for the faint-hearted. However, it is a must-see for audiences intrigued by an unhinged study of paranoia, mental instability, and toxic masculinity.

Director: Matthew Gentile | Cast: Tom Pelphrey (Jason Derek Brown), Idina Menzel (Melanie), Ryan Philippe (Lance Leising), Jacki Weaver (Jeanne)

Runtime: 1h 41m

A true-crime story that expertly blends history with narrative license, American Murderer chronicles the real-life murderer, robber, and fugitive Jason Derek Brown, played by Tom Pelphrey. Jason is a charismatic conman using a series of scams to fund his decadent lifestyle - while being pursued by FBI special agent Lance Leising (Ryan Philippe). For his portrayal of Jason Derek Brown, Tom Pelphrey won the Best Actor award at the Boston Film Festival. Meanwhile, the San Diego International Film Festival gave Matthew Gentile the Artistic Director's Award, and the Fayette Film Festival handed him the Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature.

Director: Brandon Cronenberg | Runtime: 1h 44m

Cast: Andrea Riseborough (Tasya Vos), Christopher Abbott (Colin Tate), Sean Bean (John Parse)

Like the rest of his work, Brandon Cronenberg's Possessor blurs the line between multiple genres. A mix of sci-fi, action, and twisted psychological horror, the movie stars Riseborough as an assassin who conducts assignments by possessing the body of someone close to the intended victim. However, when her latest mission goes awry, things begin to unravel, with horrific results. Daring, gruesome, and incredibly compelling, Possessor is a unique horror movie that isn't easily forgotten.

Director: Mike Judge | Runtime: 1h 24m

Cast: Luke Wilson (Joe Bauers), Maya Rudolph (Rita), Dax Shepard (Frito Pendejo), Terry Crews (Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho)

A sly dystopian comedy critiquing society's consumerist inclinations, Idiocracy is an inventive and frequently hilarious science fiction satire. Luke Wilson stars as Joe, determined to be the most average man serving in the 2005 US military. This averageness sees him selected for an experiment, whereby he is frozen in a time capsule and unearthed several hundred years later. However, upon waking, he realizes that society has degenerated to the point where idiocy is rampant, and he has become the smartest man in the world. Smart and surprisingly sophisticated, given its low-brow contents, Idiocracy is an underrated noughties gem.

Director: Steven Spielberg | Runtime: 2h 7m

Cast: Sam Neil (Alan Grant), Laura Dern (Ellie Satler), Jeff Goldblum (Ian Malcolm), Richard Attenborough (John Hammond)

One of the most beloved blockbusters ever released, Jurassic Park remains a classic three decades after its debut. Like the original novel, the film is a critique of man's arrogance in the face of scientific discovery, as chaos reigns when a team of scientists figure out a way to create dinosaurs from clone prehistoric DNA. Legendary for its incredible practical effects and unparalleled set pieces, Jurassic Park kickstarted a franchise that is yet to top the original movie.

Director: Dan Trachtenberg | Cast: Amber Midthunder (Naru)

Runtime: 1h 39m

After a string of sub-par sequels, the Predator franchise was in dire need of restitution. Thankfully, Dan Trachtenberg's Prey restored the series to its former greatness. Taking place in 1719, the movie pits a young Comanche woman against the terrifying alien hunter, restoring Predator to its roots with a brutally efficient premise. The movie was a huge success, becoming not only one of the best movies in the franchise but one of the best Hulu movies in general. The movie has a 93% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with new star Amber Midthunder winning plaudits for her performance.

Director: Rupert Wyatt | Cast: James Franco (Will Rodman), Freida Pinto (Caroline), John Lithgow (Charles Rodman), Brian Cox (John Landon), Tom Felton (Dodge Landon)

Runtime: 1h 45m

Although there was little excitement in 2011 about the prospect of a revamped Planet of the Apes franchise, Rise of the Planet of the Apes proved that a prequel to the original classic series was not only warranted, but could also enhance the earlier story. The movie told the story of how the apes ended up gaining intelligence and eventually finding the need to rise and defend themselves against a hostile human world. While Matt Reeves went on to direct the next two movies to great acclaim, it was Rise that started the journey and proved that some reboots could exceed the movies that came before. The movie even picked up an Oscar nomination for its efforts.

Director: Nyla Innuksuk | Cast: Tasiana Shirley (Maika), Nalajoss Ellsworth (Uki), Chelsea Prusky (Leena), Alexis Wolfe (Jesse)

Runtime: 1h 24m

A bewitching blend of coming-of-age-story, classic creature feature, and 80s adventure, Slash/Back is as unusual as it is enjoyable. Maika (Tasiana Shirley), Jesse (Alexis Wolfe), Aju (Frankie Vincent-Wolfe), and Leena (Chelsea Prusky) are four Inuit girls who band together to stop the alien invasion of their small, isolated hometown of Pangnirtung, Nunavut. Though not a perfect movie, Slash/Back's ambitious genre mash-up - coupled with its unique setting - allows it to stand out even in an era dominated by 20th-century nostalgia. Slash/Back not only serves as the directorial debut of Nyla Innuksuk, but also greatly advances Inuit representation in mainstream cinema.

Director: Brandon Cronenberg | Runtime: 1h 58m

Cast: Alexander Skarsgård (James Foster), Cleopatra Coleman (Em Foster), Mia Goth (Gabi)

Surreal and sinister, Brandon Cronenberg's Infinity Pool is an intricate blend of science-fiction and horror. Centering on James Foster, a struggling writer in search of inspiration, the movie takes place in a picture-perfect resort with something ugly bubbling below the surface. After he's embroiled in a car accident, James discovers an underground hedonistic cabal who commits horrific acts, only to create clones and have their doubles punished in their place. Praised by critics for its unsettling visuals and style, Infinity Pool cements Cronenberg's status as a major player in modern horror.

Director: Rob Savage | Runtime: 1h 39m

Cast: Sophie Thatcher (Sadie Harper), Vivien Lyra Blair (Sawyer Harper), Chris Messina (Will Harper), David Dastmalchian (Lester Billings)

Stephen King adaptations will forever be a staple of horror cinema, and 2023 offers The Boogeyman, an adaptation of King's 1973 short story of the same name. It centers on sisters Sadie (Sophie Thatcher) and Sawyer Harper (Vivien Lyra Blair), two sisters grieving the loss of their mother with no emotional support from their father Will (Chris Messina). The Harpers' tragedy takes a horrifying turn when a mysterious man shows up at the house and leaves behind a supernatural entity who terrorizes the family. The Boogeyman isn't destined to reach the legacy of iconic King adaptations like Carrie (1976) or The Shining, and it does rely a little too heavily on jump scares, but the cast's strong performances and the themes of grief and loss make this film a memorable story worth a watch. Just be sure to have a death-grip on the popcorn.

Director: Neil Jordan | Runtime: 2h 3m

Cast: Brad Pitt (Louis), Tom Cruise (Lestat), Kirsten Dunst (Claudia), Christian Slater (Molloy), Antonio Banderas (Armand)

Interview with the Vampire, the 1994 film adaptation of Anne Rice's 1976 novel of the same name, sees Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, two of Hollywood's biggest movie stars at the time — and now — come together for a wickedly fun horror movie. It centers on vampire Louis (Pitt) recounting his life and relationship with fellow vampire Lestat (Tom Cruise) to reporter Daniel Molloy (Christian Slater). Interview with the Vampire is not a perfect movie, as it shies away from the gay undertones of Rice's novel (that the 2022 AMC series does not), but it's an enthralling story, and if taken as campy fun is perfect for a cozy movie night.

Director: Andrew Fleming | Runtime: 1h 41m

Cast: Robin Tunney (Sarah Bailey), Fairuza Balk (Nancy Downs), Neve Campbell (Bonnie Harper), Rachel True (Rochelle Zimmerman), Skeet Ulrich (Chris Hooker), Christine Taylor (Laura Lizzie)

Many of the best witch movies were released in the '90s, and The Craft leads the pack. It follows troubled teen Sarah Bailey (Robin Tunney) who attends a new school and befriends a group of outcast girls who all aspire to be witches. Together they are able to tap into real magic, using their powers for their own gain. But leader Nancy (Fairuza Balk) grows more power-hungry than others, leading to a conflict with Sarah, who thinks there's a line about what magic should be used for. With its enchanting combination of spooky witch fun and themes of female agency, The Craft quickly became a feminist cult classic, and it's one of the best movies on Hulu.

Director: James Wan | Runtime: 1h 51m

Cast: Annabelle Wallis (Madison Mitchell), Maddie Hason (Sydney Lake), George Young (Kekoa Shaw)

A divisive horror that toes the line between the sublime and the ridiculous, Malignant is a typically bombastic effort from Saw director James Wan. The film's premise sees Annabelle Wallis' Madison experience terrifying visions of murder in her sleep, only to realize that the events are actually happening in real life. However, while this set-up is reminiscent of many genre hits, Malignant ups the ante even further with a shocking violent twist and explosive third act. Shocking and genuinely original, Malignant is impossoble to ignore, whatever the viewer's reaction.

Director: Mark Mylod | Runtime: 1h 47m

Cast: Ralph Fiennes (Chef Slowik), Anya Taylor-Joy (Margot), Nicholas Hoult (Tyler)

Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy shine as a murderous chef and a surprise guest at his exclusive restaurant in this comedic horror about the pretensions of fine dining. As an evening unfolds in the Hawthorne restaurant, secrets come to light, the chef delivers a series of ever-more disturbing monologues, and the guests realize that they will not make it past dessert. At times gruesome, there is a sharp humor behind The Menu that made it one of the biggest horror movies of the year.

Director: Lars von Trier | Runtime: 2h 35m

Cast: Matt Dillon (Jack), Uma Thurman (Lady 1), Riley Keough (Jacqueline), Bruno Ganz (Verge)

One of the most controversial horror movies of the past 20 years, The House That Jack Built is another divisive and deeply disturbing release from Danish director Lars von Trier. The movie follows a serial killer (Dillon), who describes and attempts to justify his crimes to a vision of the poet Virgil as the pair navigate a version of Dante's journey through hell. Featuring some of the most violent scenes in cinema, The House That Jack Built completely polarized critics, many of whom felt it was a masterpiece, while others found it impossible to stomach. Either way, the movie is certainly a memorable experience.

Director: Julia Ducournau | Runtime: 1h 48m

Cast: Agathe Rouselle (Agathe/Adrien), Vincent Lindon (Vincent), Garance Marillier (Justine)

Directed by Raw's Julia Ducournau, Titane is a bizarre and unconventional body horror that won acclaim on release. The movie centers on Agathe, who continues to suffer bizarre symptoms years after a car crash left her with a titanium plate in her head. Not only does the experience tend her towards violent behavior, but it is established early on in the film that she is sexually attracted to cars. Exploring themes of identity and historical psychological damage, Titane won Ducournau the Palme d'Or, becoming only the second female director to do so.

Director: David Bruckner | Runtime: 2h

Cast: Jamie Clayton (The Priest), Odessa A'zion (Riley McKendry), Adam Faison (Colin), Drew Starkey (Trevor)

After a succession of sub-par releases went a long way towards ruining the franchise's reputation, Hellraiser (2022) was a welcome return to form. Just like earlier entries, the movie revolves around a mysterious puzzle box that has the power to summon sinister and terrifying demons. However, where other Hellraiser movies have ignored plot and character for the sake of gore, Hellraiser (2022) explores themes of addiction and trauma in order to bring its story to life. The result is a horror that, while not quite on a par with original, is certainly one of the better entries in the series.

Director: Zach Creggar | Runtime: 1h 42m

Cast: Bill Skarsgård (Keith), Justin Long (AJ), Georgina Campbell (Tess)

One of the most terrifying and original horror movies of recent years, Barbarian is a startling debut from director and writer Zach Creggar. Set in a rental home with a sinister secret, the film follows protagonist Tess as she uncovers a terrifying subterranean dungeon in the basement. Providing a savage critique of toxic masculinity, and building on themes established by the likes of Promising Young Women, Barbarian is genuinely scary while successfully managing to convey effective social commentary.

Director: Kyle Edward Ball | Runtime: 1h 40m

Cast: Lucas Paul (Kevin), Dali Rose Tetriault (Kaylee)

Highly experimental and deeply weird, Skinamarink is one of the most unsettling psychological horrors of the past decade. The movie follows two children who awake in their house to find their father missing. To make matters worse, the building's doors and windows slowly start to vanish, leaving them trapped. The movie has a nightmarish quality, and was even inspired by a recurring dream from the director. Shot on a minuscule budget, the movie is deliberately paced and extremely atmospheric, marking it out in a saturated horror market.

Director: Jennifer Kent | Runtime: 1h 30m

Cast: Essie Davies (Amelia), Noah Wiseman (Sam)

Both a complex meditation on motherhood depression, and mental health, and a straight-up terrifying horror movie, The Babadook won universal critical acclaim on release – with good reason. The film follows a single mother, who struggles to contend with her son's erratic behavior while also trying to process her grief about her husband's death. After reading a mysterious pop-up book to her son, the pair seem to be haunted by a terrifying monster, although questions remain over exactly what is and isn't real. The Babadook won a string of awards and was a major financial success, easily ranking among the best horror movies on Hulu.

Director: Mimi Cave | Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones (Noa), Sebastian Stan (Steve)

Runtime: 1h 54m

A brutal parable about the perils of modern dating, Fresh was a welcome addition to the modern canon of so-called "elevated horror" when it released in 2020. Daisy Esgar-Jones stars as a woman named Noa who is struggling in the dating world, but soon finds what she thinks is the perfect man in Sebastian Stan's Steve. What she doesn't realize is that Steve is a butcher of human meat, and Noa is his latest conquest. The movie is rightly recognized as one of the best Hulu horror movies, as well as one of its most-watched originals.

Director: Aneesh Chaganty | Cast: Sarah Paulson (Diane Sherman), Kiera Allen (Chloe Sherman)

Runtime: 1h 29m

A tense and terrifying psychological thriller, Run is a haunting tale of parental deception, not dissimilar from the real-life case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard. Starring American Horror Story's Sarah Paulson and Kiera Allen as Diane and Chloe Sherman, Run chronicles the experiences of a young girl with a slew of illnesses navigating everyday life. However, she eventually discovers that one of the pills her mother gives her only aids in her paralysis and that everything in her life isn't as it seems. Run is by far one of the best Hulu originals and delivers a shocking thrill ride from beginning to end.

Director: Ron Howard | Runtime: 1h 33m

Cast: José Andrés, Various

A gripping look inside the operation of chef José Andrés' incredible World Central Kitchen organization, We Feed People is a thrilling story of food and crisis management. Directed by Ron Howard, the movie looks at the World Central Kitchen's role in providing relief to communities afflicted by natural disasters, such as in the aftermath of hurricanes Florence and Maria. Praised by critics both for its inspirational message and anger at the ineffectiveness of elected politicians, We Feed People is a reminder of what it takes to rebuild after disaster.

Director: James Marsh | Runtime: 1h 34m

Cast: Philippe Petit, Various

One of the most exciting and pulse-pounding documentaries ever made, Man on Wire is more like Ocean's Eleven than an educational film. Structured like a heist movie, the feature chronicles the 1974 attempt by French high wire artist Philippe Petit to walk between the Twin Towers of New York's World Trade Center, armed only with a long pole and a metal cable. A compelling study of one man's obsession in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, Man on Wire won dozens of high profile honors, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary.

Director: Bill Corben | Runtime: 1h 49m

Cast: Giancarlo Granda, Jerry Falwell Jr., Becki Falwell (Themselves)

A shocking scandal with political implications that go right to the heart of the American government comes under the spotlight in this salacious and riveting documentary. Told from the perspective of Giancarlo Granda, the movie explains how, as a pool attendant, he became sucked into the orbit of the powerful Falwell family, embarking on a seven-year affair with Becki. Full of astonishing revelations about what really goes on behind the scenes in the corridors of power, God Forbid is a shocking exposé of the evangelical movement in the United States.

Director: Tim Wardle | Runtime: 1h 36m

Cast: Edward Galland, David Kellman, Robert Shafran (Themselves)

Unfolding like the most farfetched political thriller, Three Identical Strangers takes an extraordinary true story and reveals that the full picture is even more incredible than it seems on the surface. When Robert Shafran arrives at college, he is unnerved at the way that staff and students constantly refer to him as "Eddy". This constant mistaken identity issue leads him to discover a long-lost twin brother. After the pair's story reaches the news, it becomes clear that the twins are in fact triplets, leading to some minor celebrity status. However, what seems like a heartfelt reunion soon descends into something much darker. A true stranger-than-fiction story, Three Identical Strangers won multiple awards for its storytelling and praise for its deft coverage of sensitive and heart-breaking material.

Director: Kenny Ortega | Runtime: 1h 36m

Cast: Bette Midler (Winifred Sanderson), Sarah Jessica Parker (Sarah Sanderson), Kathy Najimy (Mary Sanderson), Omri Katz (Max Dennison), Thora Birch (Dani Dennison), Vinessa Shaw (Allison Watts)

Disney's Hocus Pocus has been putting a spell on audiences since 1993. In the film, new kid in town Max Dennison (Omri Katz) accidentally resurrects a trio of villainous witches, the Sanderson sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy), who wreak havoc on Salem, Massachusetts in their quest to become immortal. A Halloween movie, Hocus Pocus bombed when it was questionably released in July, but developed a cult following when it became a success on home video. Though the audience is meant to root against the Sanderson sisters, Midler, Parker, and Najimy's comedic timing and charm see them stealing the spotlight every moment they're on-screen. A middling sequel was released in 2022, though the spooky hilarity of the original Hocus Pocus is what will make the franchise live on.

Director: Griffin Dunne | Runtime: 1h 44m

Cast: Sandra Bullock (Sally Owens), Nicole Kidman (Gillian Owens)

A perennial spooky season favorite and one of the best autumn movies, Practical Magic is cozy, magic fun. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman play sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, two witches who don't use their powers often due to the judgmental small town they live in and a family curse that prevents them from finding love. However, the Owens sisters find themselves having to tap into their magic when they accidentally kill Gillian's abusive boyfriend. Practical Magic was critically panned upon release, but this wasn't uncommon for female-driven films in the '90s. Despite the pundits' naysaying, the movie has become a certified cult classic that is revisited every Halloween, as its story of female bonds and empowerment are what make the movie truly magical.

Director: Jim Henson | Runtime: 1h 41m

Cast: David Bowie (Jareth), Jennifer Connelly (Sarah Willams), Brian Henson (Hoggle)

Famous for its incredible practical puppets and musical numbers, Jim Henson's Labyrinth is an 80s fantasy classic. After discovering her half-brother in possession of a treasured teddy bear, Jennifer Connelly's Sarah makes the mistake of wishing that he could be taken away by goblins. Unfortunately, the Goblin King (Bowie) then shows up and gives Sarah 13 hours to solve his labyrinth and save her sibling. Full of whimsy, nostalgia, and Henson's classic creature designs, Labyrinth remains a classic decades after release.

Director: Guillermo Del Toro | Cast: Sally Hawkins (Eliza Esposito), Michael Shannon (Strickland), Doug Jones (Amphibian Man), Richard Jenkins (Giles)

Runtime: 2h 3m

In 2017, Guillermo Del Toro showed his love for classic Universal Horror movies with his beautifully realized homage to The Creature from the Black Lagoon. The Shape of Water follows the U.S. Government's capture of a creature worshiped in South America as a God. However, when Sally Hawkins' mute cleaner discovers the creature, a strange love story unfolds, and she helps it escape while government officials close in. The movie picked up 13 Oscar nominations, winning Best Picture and Best Director for Del Toro.

Directors: Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass | Cast: Alan Arkin (Schmendrick), Jeff Bridges (Prince Lir), Mia Farrow (Amalthea)

Runtime: 1h 32m

An unsung 80s animation classic, The Last Unicorn follows the story of an equine protagonist - voiced by Mia Farrow - who journeys across a dangerous fantasy land to find out if she is indeed the last of her kind. Along the way, the unicorn gets captured and escapes from a witch, transforms into a human, befriends and fights magical beings, and eventually saves the rest of the unicorns from the hideous Red Bull. The Last Unicorn is rare in that it's one of the best Hulu movies for both children and adults alike. Even without the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia, The Last Unicorn is an epic tale of morality, heroism, love, and sheer magic.