Top 10 Best Hulu Original Series

In a short period of time, this on-demand service has started taking over the small screen. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Hulu Original Series.

For this list, we’ll be looking at shows originally programmed on and for Hulu. As such, we’ll be excluding anything that originally aired on another network, such as “The Mindy Project,” which premiered on Fox in 2012 before making the jump to Hulu in 2015.

#10: “Future Man” (2017-)

Original barely scratches the surface when describing this hilarious sci-fi comedy executive produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. “Future Man” is about a video-game obsessed janitor who, after beating a seemingly impossible video game, is recruited by its main characters to help save humanity. The show features an ever-increasing Rolodex of crude verbiage, gross out humor, and violence that, while extremely graphic, is often played for big laughs. There’s no shortage of chemistry between main actors Josh Hutcherson, Eliza Coupe, and Derek Wilson, whose trio of Josh Futterman, Tiger, and Wolf are one of the best that television has to offer. Word to the wise; don’t watch this show with your parents.

#9: “The Wrong Mans” (2013-14)

Co-produced with the help of the BBC, “The Wrong Mans” is a comedic drama from the mind of James Corden, who also serves as one of its leads. Premiering on the BBC Two in the UK and on Hulu in the US within the same month, the premise for this off-beat tale of mistaken identity is simple - a man answers a cell phone call at the site of a car crash and gets tangled up in a web of political intrigue. However, the chemistry between Corden and co-star Mathew Baynton is what serves as its driving force. The two team up for some seriously big laughs and even bigger adventures as they bumble their way through the show’s short but sweet 10 episodes. Binge-worthy? You bet!

#8: “Chance” (2016-17)

Starring Hugh Laurie in his best role since “House” and Ethan Suplee in perhaps his best role period, “Chance” is about a forensic neuropsychiatrist who joins forces with a furniture restorer with a penchant for violence in order to help one of his patients. Based on the novel of the same name, the show is both a psychological thriller and a slow-reveal noir mystery; one that will hook you from the very first scene. Despite having been cancelled after just two seasons, there’re enough twists and turns spread across “Chance”’s 20 episodes to make it worth your while.

#7: “11.22.63” (2016)

If you discovered a portal that allowed you to travel to a specific time in history in order to save someone’s life, would you do it? Such is the premise of this Hulu produced sci-fi thriller based on a Stephen King novel and starring James Franco. “11.22.63” is about an English teacher who is coerced into travelling back to 1960s America in order to prevent an assassin from killing John F. Kennedy. The problem, as Franco’s Jake Epping soon discovers, is that time doesn’t want to be changed; and it will work violently against him the harder he pushes. At only eight episodes, “11.22.63” can, and most likely will, be completed in a single viewing.

#6: “Runaways” (2017-)

You can add another piece to the ever-expanding puzzle that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “Marvel’s Runaways” is about a team of teenage superheroes who must team up in order to fight… their parents? That’s right. The group must simultaneously discover who they are while attempting to stem the flow of their evil parents’ considerable influence over Los Angeles. Stacked with an awesome ensemble cast, a truly unique premise and some seriously sweet action sequences, “Runways” is easily one of the best small screen Marvel series yet!

#5: “Harlots” (2017-)

Who doesn’t love a good period drama? Starring two-time Academy Award nominee Samantha Morton and set in the prostitution-laden world that was 18th century London, “Harlots” focuses on the power struggle between the city’s top brothel owners as they fight to keep their businesses afloat amidst increasing religious condemnation. The series was met with widespread critical acclaim and boasts a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of 2018, which as we all know can serve as the make-or-break stat in regard to whether or not a show gets renewed. Thankfully, “Harlots” did, so we’ll have plenty more to look forward to in the coming years.

#4: “Difficult People” (2015-17)

Are you in dire need of a good laugh? If the answer is yes, then let “Difficult People” be your remedy. A comedy of the darkest persuasion, this Hulu series is about a couple of New York City comedians who pretty much hate everyone they come into contact with; except of course, each other. Leads Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner have so much chemistry they should be legally required to share some with the rest of the world. As they complain and criticize their way through the shows all-too-short three seasons, viewers are treated to some of the best comedic writing in recent memory. Oh, and it’s LOADED with incredible cameos. You’re welcome.

#3: “The Path” (2016-)

Aaron Paul, Michelle Monaghan, and Hugh Dancy headline this Hulu original series about a group of people and their dealings with the fictional Meyerist Movement, a cult-like society that may be harboring a dark secret. The show, which draws heavily from real life religions and cults, is stacked with fantastic performances from its lead actors, not to mention some equally impressive work from its supporting cast. If for nothing else, we’re just glad to see Aaron Paul starring in a gripping drama again, so the fact that it’s been well received by critics is really just a bonus.

#2: “Casual” (2015-)

One of the best comedies on television in the mid-2010s, “Casual” is Hulu’s laugh a minute series executive produced by Academy Award nominated writer and director Jason Reitman. The plot revolves around the misadventures of Valerie, a recently divorced mother of one, her immature younger brother Alex and her teenage daughter, Laura. The dynamic between the three characters is unlike any you’ve ever seen, as they discuss - often awkwardly - sex, love and a plethora of other topics most parents would be too terrified to bring up around their progeny. If you haven’t already, go check out “Casual.” You won’t be disappointed.

#1: “The Handmaid’s Tale” (2017-)

What can we say about “The Handmaid’s Tale” that hasn’t already been said? The series focuses on a dystopian future society where infertility is rampant and those who can bear children are forced to do so by their male rulers. Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name and starring Elisabeth Moss in the role of her career, “The Handmaid’s Tale” has been a major hit with fans and critics alike. The show cleaned up at the Primetime Emmys, winning eight awards before taking home a couple of Golden Globes for Best Television Series – Drama and Best Actress – Television Series Drama for Moss. What were trying to say is: GO WATCH IT!