Best Shows On Hulu Right Now: The Surprising Standouts
- 01. Best Shows on Hulu Right Now: The Surprising Standouts
- 02. Top 10 Must-Watch Shows Ranked by Critical Score
- 03. Category Standouts by Genre
- 04. Drama & Prestige Television
- 05. Comedy & Workplace Humor
- 06. Mystery & Procedural
- 07. Top 5 New Releases This Month (May 2026)
- 08. Why These Shows Matter for Educational Values
Best Shows on Hulu Right Now: The Surprising Standouts
The best shows on Hulu right now include Rivals (96% Tomatometer), The Bear (Season 4 out), Only Murders in the Building, Shōgun, Abbott Elementary, Paradise, The Testaments, Wonder Man, High Potential, and Alien: Earth. These titles represent Hulu's strongest award-winning originals and FX-on-Hulu exclusives as of May 2026, with critical acclaim and binge-worthy storytelling across drama, comedy, mystery, and sci-fi genres.
Top 10 Must-Watch Shows Ranked by Critical Score
Hulu's library combines next-day TV catch-up with original programming that has earned multiple Emmy wins and International Emmy Awards. The following table ranks the top shows by Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer and audience Popcornmeter scores from May 2026:
| Show Title | Tomatometer® | Popcornmeter | Genre | Latest Episode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rivals | 96% | 74% | Dramedy | May 29, 2026 |
| Deli Boys | 98% | 83% | Comedy | May 28, 2026 |
| High Potential | 98% | 77% | Procedural | Apr 07, 2026 |
| Dying for Sex | 98% | 77% | Limited Series | 2025 |
| Normal People | 91% | 92% | Drama | 2020 |
| Rick and Morty | 91% | 83% | Animation | May 24, 2026 |
| Wonder Man | 91% | 87% | Marvel/Satire | 2025 |
| Fargo | 93% | 75% | Crime Anthology | 2025 |
| Paradise | 88% | 83% | Sci-Fi Thriller | Mar 30, 2026 |
| The Bear | 97% | 88% | Dramedy | 2025 (S4) |
Category Standouts by Genre
Drama & Prestige Television
Shōgun stands as FX's big-budget masterpiece set in feudal Japan, led by Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga with pay-cable quality that rivals HBO productions. The Handmaid's Tale remains Hulu's signature dystopian drama with Elisabeth Moss as June, now fanning flames of rebellion across its complete streaming library. The Testaments, Margaret Atwood's sequel series, follows Agnes and Daisy at Aunt Lydia's elite prep school in Gilead, with Ann Dowd reprising her Emmy-winning role.
Comedy & Workplace Humor
Abbott Elementary is the mockumentary about an underfunded Philadelphia elementary school that won well-deserved Emmy wins in 2022 and remains the best show on TV for many critics. Only Murders in the Building features Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez investigating murders in their building, with new seasons premiering every late summer like clockwork. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia remains the highest form of escapist humor on TV as the longest-running live-action comedy in American television.
Mystery & Procedural
High Potential stars Kaitlin Olson as Morgan Gillory, a single mother with IQ 160 working as a cleaning lady who becomes a police consultant using powers of observation and deduction. The Rookie has chugged along for eight seasons with Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, consistently ranking as one of the most popular shows on Hulu with well over 100 episodes for binge-watching. Only Murders in the Building features Academy Award winners Christoph Waltz and Renée Zellweger in its latest season.
Top 5 New Releases This Month (May 2026)
- Rivals - British dramedy won International Emmy Award for Drama Series in 2025, starring David Tennant and Alex Hassell
- Wonder Man - MCU's first showbiz satire with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley
- Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair - Four-episode limited series revival with Frankie Muniz and Bryan Cranston
- The Testaments - YA-ish spinoff of The Handmaid's Tale based on Margaret Atwood's novel
- Alien: Earth - Noah Hawley's smart franchise expansion with first human-synthetic hybrid Wendy
Why These Shows Matter for Educational Values
Hulu's award-winning originals demonstrate how streaming media can model critical thinking and ethical decision-making for students. Abbott Elementary showcases educators overcoming resource limitations through collaborative problem-solving, while The Bear illustrates resilience under pressure in a high-stakes professional environment. These series provide culture-aware storytelling that resonates with diverse Latin American communities seeking content balancing educational rigor with meaningful human experiences.
"At its heart, The Lowdown is a story that wants the viewer to care about the truth as much as its main character does. It's fearless and gonzo, easily one of the best new shows of the year."
- Allison Picurro, TV Guide review (9.5/10)
Key concerns and solutions for Best Shows On Hulu Right Now The Surprising Standouts
What are the best new Hulu originals in 2026?
The best new Hulu originals in 2026 include Rivals (International Emmy winner), Wonder Man (Marvel's first showbiz satire), The Testaments (Handmaid's Tale sequel), Alien: Earth (Noah Hawley's franchise expansion), and Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair (limited series revival).
Which Hulu shows have the highest critical ratings?
Deli Boys (98%), High Potential (98%), Dying for Sex (98%), The Bear (97%), and Rivals (96%) have the highest Tomatometer scores on Hulu as of May 2026.
Are FX shows available on Hulu?
Yes, Hulu features FX-on-Hulu exclusives including The Bear, Shōgun, Fargo, Atlanta, Pose, and Only Murders in the Building, representing pay-cable quality from basic cable.
What shows are trending on Hulu this week?
Trending shows this week include Rivals (latest episode May 29), Deli Boys (May 28), Criminal Minds (May 28), The Testaments (May 27), and Rick and Morty (May 24).
Does Hulu have classic TV shows?
Yes, Hulu streams classic series including Scrubs (all nine seasons), ER (300+ episodes), Malcolm in the Middle (original series), King of the Hill (15 years after last season), Futurama (since 1999), and Bob's Burgers.
