20 Best TV Shows on Hulu 2026
Browse Hulu picks across comedy, drama, horror, and thriller, from Abbott Elementary and The Dropout to The X-Files, The Americans, and more.
If you’re deciding what to queue up next, this Hulu lineup gives you a strong mix of laughs, suspense, and character-driven drama. You can jump from the sharp workplace humor of Abbott Elementary and Scrubs to the tense storytelling of The Americans, The Mentalist, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. For something moodier, Over the Garden Wall and American Horror Story offer very different takes on mystery and horror, while The Dropout and The Lowdown lean into real-world drama and intrigue. Whether you want a fast binge or a slow-burn series, there’s plenty here to match your night.
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01
Phony
comedy · drama · mystery & thriller
After waking up from a freak car accident, Sonny discovers that his mother has been replaced by an impostor.
Why watch: If you like mystery with a strange setup and a darkly comic edge, Phony may be a good fit. Its mix of comedy, drama, and thriller elements makes it appealing for viewers who want tension without losing the offbeat tone.
Directed by Nick PaleyCast Connie Britton, Sam Nivola, Maliq Johnson, Elijah Fox, Mellany BarrosHuluMore details on IMDb → -
02
The Dropout
Won 1 Emmy Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (2022) · 6 nominations
biography · drama
The story of Elizabeth Holmes, the enigmatic Stanford dropout who founded medical testing start-up Theranos. Lauded as a Steve Jobs for the next tech generation and once worth billions of dollars, the myth crumbled when it was revealed that none of the tech actually worked, putting thousands of people's health in grave danger.
Why watch: If you enjoy true-story drama and business-world fallout, The Dropout is a strong choice. It suits viewers who like biography-driven stories about ambition, pressure, and consequences.
Directed by Michael Showalter, Francesca Gregorini, Erica WatsonCast Amanda Seyfried, Naveen Andrews, Michel Gill, William H. Macy, Elizabeth MarvelHuluMore details on IMDb → -
03
American Horror Story
Won 17 Emmys 101 nominations
drama · horror · sci-fi · thriller
An anthology horror drama series centering on different characters and locations, including a house with a murderous past, an asylum, a witch coven, a freak show, a hotel, a farmhouse in Roanoke, a cult, the apocalypse and a summer camp.
Why watch: If you want an anthology that moves between horror, drama, and suspense, American Horror Story is worth a look. It’s a good pick when you like variety in setting and a darker genre mix.
Directed by Bradley Buecker, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, Jennifer Lynch, John J. Gray, Michael UppendahlCast Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Denis O'Hare, Emma Roberts, Jessica LangeAmazon Prime VideoHuluMore details on IMDb → -
04
Over the Garden Wall
Won 2 Emmys
animation · short · adventure · comedy · drama · family · fantasy · horror · mystery
Two brothers, Wirt and Greg, find themselves lost in the Unknown; a strange forest adrift in time. With the help of a wise old Woodsman and a foul-tempered bluebird named Beatrice, Wirt and Greg must travel across this strange land, in hope of finding their way home. Join them as they encounter surprises and obstacles on their journey through the wood.
Why watch: If you enjoy animated stories with fantasy, mystery, and a little eerie charm, Over the Garden Wall stands out. Its short format also works well if you want something concise but memorable.
Directed by Nate CashCast Elijah Wood, Collin Dean, Melanie Lynskey, Christopher Lloyd, Samuel RameyAmazon Prime VideoHuluDisney PlusMore details on IMDb → -
05
Abbott Elementary
Won 4 Emmys Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2022) · 37 nominations
comedy
In this workplace comedy, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers — and a slightly tone-deaf principal — are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible public servants may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do — even if they don’t love the school district’s less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.
Why watch: If you like workplace comedies with a warm ensemble feel, Abbott Elementary is an easy recommendation. Its school setting and comedy focus make it a solid choice for viewers who want something light but grounded.
Directed by Randall Einhorn, Jennifer Celotta, Jaime Eliezer Karas, Matt Sohn, Claire ScanlonCast Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris PerfettiHuluMaxMore details on IMDb →
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06
Best Medicine
comedy · drama
A brilliant surgeon leaves Boston to become a small-town doctor where he spent childhood summers. Despite his medical skills, his rude manner alienates locals as he battles hidden phobias and struggles with personal connections.
Why watch: If you enjoy comedy-drama about a talented outsider adjusting to a close-knit community, Best Medicine may fit your taste. It’s especially suited to viewers who like character conflict alongside medical-story setup.
Directed by Jaime Eliezer Karas, Jamie Babbit, Todd Holland, Jaffar Mahmood, Jason WinerCast Josh Charles, Abigail Spencer, Josh Segarra, Cree, Annie PottsNetflixHuluMore details on IMDb → -
07
The Lowdown
biography · drama · history
A determined bookstore owner in Tulsa moonlights as an investigative journalist, digging into local corruption. When his reporting uncovers sinister connections, he must protect both his family and the truth.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to journalism stories and local corruption, The Lowdown could be a good match. Its biography, drama, and history elements may appeal to viewers who like investigative pressure with a grounded tone.
Directed by Sterlin Harjo, Macon Blair, Danis GouletCast Ethan Hawke, Keith David, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyle MacLachlanHuluMore details on IMDb → -
08
The Americans
Won 4 Emmys Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2018) · 18 nominations
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Set during the Cold War period in the 1980s, The Americans is the story of Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, two Soviet KGB officers posing as an American married couple in the suburbs of Washington D.C. and their neighbor, Stan Beeman, an FBI Counterintelligence agent.
Why watch: If you like Cold War tension and spy drama, The Americans is an easy pick. It blends crime, drama, mystery, and thriller elements for viewers who want steady suspense and moral complexity.
Directed by Chris Long, Daniel Sackheim, Thomas Schlamme, Daniel Attias, Stefan SchwartzCast Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Keidrich Sellati, Holly Taylor, Noah EmmerichHuluMore details on IMDb → -
09
Furious
crime · drama · thriller
FBI agent Alice Black is on the hunt for a mysterious and calculating female serial killer. Both walk their own paths toward justice, and as their lives start to intertwine, the line between right and wrong begins to blur.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime thrillers built around a cat-and-mouse chase, Furious may be for you. The premise suggests a strong focus on pursuit, justice, and blurred lines between right and wrong.
Directed by Destiny Ekaragha, Karena Evans, Brian KirkCast Emmy Rossum, Lola Petticrew, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Scoot McNairy, Jake LacyHuluMore details on IMDb → -
10
Grey's Anatomy
Won 4 Emmys Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (2007) · 40 nominations
drama · romance
Follows the personal and professional lives of a group of doctors at Seattle’s Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
Why watch: If you prefer long-running medical drama with romance woven in, Grey's Anatomy is a natural choice. It’s a fit for viewers who want ongoing personal and professional storylines.
Directed by Kevin McKidd, Debbie Allen, Rob Corn, Chandra Wilson, Allison Liddi-BrownCast Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Kevin McKidd, Justin ChambersNetflixHuluDisney PlusMore details on IMDb → -
11
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Won 6 Emmys Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (2006) · 25 nominations
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
In the criminal justice system, sexually-based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories.
Why watch: If you like crime procedurals centered on serious investigations, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is a strong option. Its mystery and thriller elements make it a dependable pick for case-driven viewing.
Directed by Jean de Segonzac, David Platt, Peter Leto, Juan José Campanella, Norberto BarbaCast Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Dann Florek, Richard Belzer, Kelli GiddishHuluPeacock PremiumMore details on IMDb → -
12
Survivor
Won 7 Emmys 78 nominations
adventure · game-show · reality-tv
A reality show contest where sixteen or more castaways split between two or more “Tribes” are taken to a remote isolated location and are forced to live off the land with meager supplies for roughly 39 days. Frequent physical challenges are used to pit the tribes against each other for rewards, such as food or luxuries, or for “Immunity”, forcing the other tribe to attend “Tribal Council”, where they must vote off one of their players.
Why watch: If competition, strategy, and reality-TV pressure sound appealing, Survivor is the obvious fit here. It works well for viewers who enjoy social gameplay and elimination-driven tension.
Directed by Michael Simon, Don Roy King, Glenn Weiss, Joe DeMaio, Bill BradyCast Kelly Czarnecki, Jacquie Berg, Lana BussardHuluParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
13
The X-Files
Won 16 Emmys Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (1996) · 62 nominations
adventure · crime · drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
The exploits of FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully who investigate X-Files: marginalized, unsolved cases involving paranormal phenomena. Mulder believes in the existence of aliens and the paranormal while Scully, a skeptic, is assigned to make scientific analyses of Mulder's discoveries that debunk Mulder's work and thus return him to mainstream cases.
Why watch: If you enjoy paranormal investigations with a sci-fi and thriller edge, The X-Files is a classic choice. It’s especially good for viewers who like mystery built around unusual cases.
Directed by Kim Manners, Rob Bowman, David Nutter, Chris Carter, R.W. GoodwinCast Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny, Mitch Pileggi, William B. Davis, Robert PatrickHuluMore details on IMDb → -
14
Gilmore Girls
Won 1 Emmy
comedy · drama
Set in the charming town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, the series follows the captivating lives of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, a mother/daughter pair who have a relationship most people only dream of.
Why watch: If you want a comedy-drama with strong family focus, Gilmore Girls is a dependable pick. Its small-town setting and mother-daughter story make it appealing for lighter, character-based viewing.
Directed by Jamie Babbit, Amy Sherman-Palladino, Chris Long, Lee Shallat Chemel, Kenny OrtegaCast Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Melissa McCarthy, Scott Patterson, Yanic TruesdaleAmazon Prime VideoHuluMore details on IMDb → -
15
NCIS
3 Emmy nominations
action · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, a team of special agents investigates any crime that has any connection to Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position.
Why watch: If you like action-packed crime investigations tied to military cases, NCIS should be high on your list. It’s a good match for viewers who enjoy procedural stories with plenty of variety.
Directed by Dennis Smith, Terrence O'Hara, Tony Wharmby, James Whitmore Jr., Thomas J. WrightCast Sean Murray, David McCallum, Mark Harmon, Brian Dietzen, Rocky CarrollNetflixHuluParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
16
Doc
drama
Dr. Amy Larsen must navigate an unfamiliar world after a brain injury erases the last eight years of her life. She can rely only on her estranged 17-year-old daughter, whom she remembers as a 9-year-old, and a handful of devoted friends, as she struggles to continue practicing medicine, despite having lost nearly a decade of knowledge and experience.
Why watch: If you want a drama built around memory loss and a return to medicine, Doc may interest you. The setup works well for viewers who like emotional stakes and career-focused storytelling.
Directed by Russell Lee Fine, Marisol Adler, Jono Oliver, Nicole Rubio, Rebecca ThomasCast Molly Parker, Omar Metwally, Jon-Michael Ecker, Amirah Vann, Anya BanerjeeNetflixHuluMore details on IMDb → -
17
Tracker
crime · drama
Lone-wolf survivalist Colter Shaw roams the country as a “reward seeker,” using his expert tracking skills to help private citizens and law enforcement solve all manner of mysteries while contending with his own fractured family.
Why watch: If you enjoy mystery stories led by an independent problem-solver, Tracker is a good fit. Its crime and drama mix suits viewers who like a travel-ready case-of-the-week setup.
Directed by Ken Olin, Joel Novoa, Aprill Winney, Jeff T. Thomas, Jon HuertasCast Justin Hartley, Fiona Rene, Abby McEnany, Eric Graise, Chris LeeHuluParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
18
9-1-1
action · drama · thriller
Explore the high-pressure experiences of police officers, paramedics and firefighters who are thrust into the most frightening, shocking and heart-stopping situations. These emergency responders must try to balance saving those who are at their most vulnerable with solving the problems in their own lives.
Why watch: If you like high-stakes emergency stories, 9-1-1 is an easy recommendation. It combines action, drama, and thriller elements for viewers who want nonstop crisis energy.
Directed by Bradley Buecker, John J. Gray, Brenna Malloy, Jennifer Lynch, David GrossmanCast Angela Bassett, Oliver Stark, Aisha Hinds, Kenneth Choi, Jennifer Love HewittHuluDisney PlusMore details on IMDb → -
19
The Mentalist
1 Emmy nomination Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2009)
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Patrick Jane, a former celebrity psychic medium, uses his razor sharp skills of observation and expertise at "reading" people to solve serious crimes with the California Bureau of Investigation.
Why watch: If you enjoy smart crime-solving with an unusual lead, The Mentalist is worth trying. Its mystery and thriller focus fits viewers who like observation-driven investigations.
Directed by Chris Long, Eric Laneuville, John F. Showalter, Charles Beeson, Randy ZiskCast Simon Baker, Robin Tunney, Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman, Amanda RighettiHuluMore details on IMDb → -
20
Scrubs
comedy
J.D. & Turk scrub in together for the first time in a long time–medicine has changed, interns have changed, but their bromance has stood the test of time. Characters new and old navigate the waters of Sacred Heart with laughter, heart and some surprises along the way.
Why watch: If you like comedy built around medicine and longtime friendships, Scrubs is a natural choice. It should appeal to viewers who want a familiar ensemble with humor and heart.
Directed by Randall Keenan Winston, Chris Koch, Zach Braff, Gail Mancuso, Michael SpillerCast Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, Ava Bunn, Jacob DudmanHuluMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This list brings together comedies, crime dramas, thrillers, horror, and a few standout character pieces, so it’s easy to find a show or movie that fits your mood. From long-running favorites like Grey's Anatomy and NCIS to newer titles such as Phony and Furious, the selection gives you plenty of ways to start a binge or pick something quick. Bookmark this page and come back when you need another easy idea. It’s updated regularly, so the options can change as new titles are added.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's new on the Hulu 2026 series?
The newest picks on this list are Phony (2026), Best Medicine (2026), Furious (2026), Scrubs (2026), The Lowdown (2025) and Doc (2025), all streaming on Hulu.
What are the top 10 series on Hulu right now?
Our top 10 right now: Phony (2026), The Dropout (2022), American Horror Story (2011), Over the Garden Wall (2014), Abbott Elementary (2021), Best Medicine (2026), The Lowdown (2025), The Americans (2013), Furious (2026) and Grey's Anatomy (2005), all streaming on Hulu.
Do I need a Hulu subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Hulu. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.