Hulu Originals aren’t just another streaming option-they’re the reason millions stick with the Disney Bundle. While Disney+ has Marvel and Pixar, and ESPN+ covers sports, Hulu is where the grown-up stories live. It’s where you find dark comedies, gripping dramas, and real-world thrillers that don’t fit neatly into a family-friendly box. If you’re wondering what’s actually worth your time on Hulu in 2025, here’s the short list: the shows that still hold up, the new ones breaking the mold, and the ones you might’ve missed.
Only Murders in the Building
Three strangers, one murder, and a podcast obsession. That’s the setup for Only Murders in the Building, and it’s still the best thing Hulu has ever produced. Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez play neighbors in a New York apartment building who turn amateur sleuths after a murder next door. The show doesn’t just lean into its comedy-it uses humor to dig into loneliness, aging, and the way people perform identity in modern cities. Season 4 dropped in late 2024, and it doubled down on character depth without losing its charm. The dialogue snaps. The pacing is tight. And every episode ends with a twist that makes you pause before hitting play on the next one.
The Handmaid’s Tale
If you haven’t watched The Handmaid’s Tale by now, you’re missing one of the most powerful TV dramas of the last decade. Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel, it imagines a theocratic dictatorship in the U.S. where women are stripped of rights and forced into reproductive servitude. It’s not easy viewing, but it’s essential. The show doesn’t just reflect dystopia-it mirrors real-world policies and cultural shifts. Season 6, released in 2024, pushed the rebellion further than ever, with more nuanced resistance and higher stakes. Elisabeth Moss’s performance is the anchor, but the supporting cast-especially Samira Wiley and Ann Dowd-deliver career-defining work. It’s not just a show. It’s a warning.
Reservation Dogs
Forget what you think you know about Native American stories. Reservation Dogs is raw, funny, and unapologetically real. Set in rural Oklahoma, it follows four Indigenous teens who dream of escaping to California. Their plan? Steal money to get there. What unfolds isn’t a crime story-it’s a portrait of grief, community, and finding your place when the world doesn’t make space for you. The show’s creators, including Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, built it with a Native cast and crew, and it shows. The humor isn’t forced. The pain isn’t performative. Season 3, released in 2024, wrapped up the series with a finale that felt like a long exhale after years of holding your breath. It’s the kind of show that changes how you see storytelling on TV.
Shogun
When FX and Hulu teamed up for Shogun, no one expected it to become a global phenomenon. But in 2024, it did. Based on James Clavell’s 1975 novel, it’s a 17th-century Japanese epic about power, loyalty, and cultural clash. The production is staggering-every sword, robe, and temple was built with historical accuracy. The acting? Unmatched. Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Toranaga is a masterclass in stillness and power. Cosmo Jarvis as the English pilot John Blackthorne brings vulnerability to a man lost in a world he can’t understand. The show doesn’t rush. It lets silence speak. And it’s the only show on Hulu where you’ll find yourself Googling feudal Japanese politics after an episode ends.
The Bear
Yes, The Bear is technically an FX show, but it’s streamed exclusively on Hulu in the U.S. as part of the Disney Bundle. That makes it a Hulu Original in practice. The show follows a fine-dining chef who returns to Chicago to run his late brother’s struggling sandwich shop. It’s not about food-it’s about trauma, control, and the people who hold you together when you’re falling apart. Season 3, released in late 2024, took the chaos to new levels: a kitchen fire, a failed fundraiser, and a staff that’s barely holding on. The dialogue moves at lightning speed. The tension is thick enough to cut. And the ending? It leaves you wondering if healing is even possible-or if you just keep going because you have to.
Under the Bridge
This 2024 limited series turned true crime into something deeper than sensationalism. Based on Rebecca Godfrey’s book, it tells the story of a 13-year-old girl’s murder in a small Canadian town and the shocking truth behind who killed her. The show doesn’t just focus on the crime-it examines how class, race, and teenage alienation created the conditions for it. Riley Keough delivers a chilling performance as a teacher drawn into the investigation. The pacing is slow, deliberate, and haunting. By the end, you’re not just asking who did it-you’re asking how we let it happen.
Why Hulu Originals Stand Out in the Disney Bundle
The Disney Bundle gives you Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for one price. But Hulu is the outlier. While Disney+ offers fairy tales and Marvel battles, Hulu gives you stories about real people in messy, complicated situations. It doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. It targets adults who want more than spectacle. That’s why it’s the most underrated part of the bundle.
Disney+ has the brand. ESPN+ has the live games. Hulu has the soul.
It’s the only streamer that lets you watch a show about a grieving chef, a pregnant woman in a dystopia, or four teens stealing a car to escape their reservation-and not feel like you’re being sold something. There’s no product placement. No forced merch tie-ins. Just stories.
What’s New in 2025?
Hulu’s 2025 slate is lean but strong. Three originals are already confirmed:
- Dark Matter-a sci-fi thriller about a woman who wakes up with no memory and a hidden past tied to a corporate conspiracy. Think Black Mirror meets Mr. Robot.
- The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey-a drama starring Samuel L. Jackson as an elderly man with dementia who regains his memory and uncovers a family secret.
- Deadly Class Season 2-returning after a 3-year hiatus, this gritty high school for assassins gets darker and more violent.
These aren’t flashy blockbusters. They’re quiet, intense, character-driven stories. That’s Hulu’s formula-and it’s working.
What’s Missing?
Hulu still lacks variety in genres. You won’t find a good sci-fi epic beyond Dark Matter. No fantasy. No animated series aimed at adults. And while the drama and crime offerings are strong, the comedy side feels thin outside of Only Murders. If you’re looking for something lighthearted, you’ll need to dig deeper.
Also, international content is scarce. Unlike Netflix or Amazon, Hulu doesn’t invest heavily in non-English shows. That’s a missed opportunity.
Should You Subscribe Just for Hulu Originals?
If you only care about Hulu’s originals, the Disney Bundle is still your best bet. Hulu alone costs $14.99/month. The bundle? $16.99. You get Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for $2 more. And if you watch even one of the shows listed here, you’ve already gotten your money’s worth.
But if you’re not into adult dramas or true crime? Skip it. The Disney+ originals are better for families. ESPN+ is only worth it if you follow MMA or soccer. Hulu’s value is in its specific, unapologetic voice.
Final Thoughts
Hulu Originals don’t need to be the biggest. They just need to be the best. And in 2025, they still are. You won’t find more emotionally honest storytelling on any other streamer in the bundle. The shows don’t flinch. They don’t sugarcoat. They don’t chase trends.
They just tell the truth.
Are all Hulu Originals available in the Disney Bundle?
Yes. All Hulu Originals are included in the Disney Bundle, which combines Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ into one subscription. You don’t need to pay for Hulu separately if you have the bundle. The same shows you’d find on a standalone Hulu account are available through the bundle.
Is The Bear really a Hulu Original?
Technically, The Bear is produced by FX, which is owned by Disney. But in the U.S., it streams exclusively on Hulu as part of the Disney Bundle. For viewers, that makes it functionally a Hulu Original. You can’t watch it on Disney+ or any other platform in the U.S.
How often does Hulu release new originals?
Hulu releases new originals in waves-usually one or two major shows per year, with limited series dropping in the fall or spring. Season renewals happen in early summer, and new announcements come mostly during Disney’s investor presentations. There’s no fixed schedule, but 2025 has at least three confirmed originals already.
Can I watch Hulu Originals without the Disney Bundle?
Yes, you can subscribe to Hulu on its own for $14.99/month with ads, or $19.99/month ad-free. But if you want Disney+ or ESPN+, the bundle is cheaper. Most people who watch Hulu Originals also end up using Disney+ for kids’ content or ESPN+ for sports, so the bundle makes more sense financially.
Are Hulu Originals available outside the U.S.?
Most Hulu Originals are not available outside the U.S. due to licensing restrictions. In Canada, the UK, and Australia, many of these shows appear on Disney+ or other local platforms under different names. For example, The Handmaid’s Tale is on Disney+ in the UK, and Only Murders in the Building is on Star (Disney’s international brand). But the full Hulu Original catalog is locked behind U.S. geo-restrictions.