Since its launch, Hulu’s original programming has been an exciting staple of its platform, and throughout 2025 it’s been in an exciting transitional era. As several of Hulu’s most recognizable and long-running titles have either concluded or entered uncertain territory this year, the platform has been forced to rethink what defines its identity in an increasingly competitive landscape of streaming TV.
Rather than retreating, however, Hulu has leaned into experimentation, using change as an opportunity to expand its creative range. For years, the platform has distinguished itself by taking risks other streamers might avoid. The original programming on Hulu often skews to be more character-driven, politically sharp, and socially uncomfortable in order to tell an authentic story rather than watering things down.
Favoring sharp creative voices over broad, algorithm-friendly appeal, Hulu has an interesting approach to content that doesn’t always payoff or guarantee massive hits, but has helped the platform build a reputation. Becoming the home for ambitious storytelling that doesn’t fit neatly into a genre box, the platform is unique. In 2025, that philosophy has remained firmly intact as Hulu has balanced returning favorites with new hits.
Testing audience expectations, Hulu has blended animation revivals, unconventional comedies, prestige dramas, and buzzy reality-based storytelling for a full plate in 2025. Rather than chasing one dominant trend, the streamer spread its bets across formats, tones, and subject matter, allowing very different kinds of shows to coexist within its lineup. Building cultural conversation, Hulu’s brought new hits to the table and shows that are sure to grow.
Some of the platform’s strongest performers in 2025 generated headlines, while others quietly built dedicated audiences through word of mouth. Together, they reflect a platform that values longevity and distinctiveness just as much as immediate buzz. Hulu’s made it clear through the years that it will continue to evolve, and its best shows of 2025 definitely reflect that confident promise.
10
King Of The Hill
A revival of the animated sitcom from Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, King Of The Hill returned to the screen on Hulu in 2025. The show’s original run, from 1997 to 2010, was a massive success, and the revival was an exciting move for the streaming platform. The series follows the everyday life of Hank Hill (Judge) and his family in the fictional Arlen, Texas.
King Of The Hill’s revival is as good as the original, still framing itself as a grounded, character-driven show that stands out from the crowd. Tapping into nostalgia, King Of The Hill appealed to longtime fans and made the original show more interesting for new viewers. Hulu was able to reinforce the platform’s ability to breathe new life into existing IP.
- Release Date
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January 12, 1997
- Network
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FOX, Hulu
- Directors
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Tricia Garcia, Adam Kuhlman, Dominic Polcino, Gary McCarver, Anthony Lioi, Jeff Myers, Allan Jacobsen, Shaun Cashman, Klay Hall, Ken Wong, Ron Rubio, Tony Kluck, Wes Archer, Matt Engstrom, Anthony Chun, John Rice, Michael Dante DiMartino, Monte Young, Brian Sheesley, Julius Wu, Lauren MacMullan, Yvette Kaplan, Steve Robertson, Pat Shinagawa
- Writers
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Jim Dauterive, Kit Boss, Dan McGrath, Paul Lieberstein, Jonathan Collier, Christy Stratton, Etan Cohen, Garland Testa, Norm Hiscock, Johnny Hardwick, Rebecca May, Tony Gama-Lobo, Peter Huyck, Dan Sterling, J.B. Cook, Alan Freedland, Alan R. Cohen, Brad Walsh, Joe Stillman, Jon Vitti, Paul Corrigan, Judah Miller, Murray Miller, Sivert Glarum
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Mike Judge
Hank Hill / Boomhauer (voice)
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Kathy Najimy
Peggy Hill (voice)
9
Deli Boys
Hulu’s original comedy Deli Boys is one of the most underrated shows of 2025. Centered on two Pakistani-American brothers who unexpectedly inherit their father’s struggling convenience store after his death, the series was created by Abdullah Saeed. Blending crime elements, family drama, and sharp humor, the brothers uncover their father’s secret criminal ties as the series unfolds.
Starring Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh, the series also features familiar face Poorna Jagannathan, who viewers may recognize from Netflix’s Never Have I Ever. The entirely different role for Jagannathan, who plays Naveeda “Lucky” as the closest confidant of the boys’ father and the leader of a criminal enterprise, is just one of the many joys of Deli Boys.
- Release Date
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March 6, 2025
- Network
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Hulu
- Writers
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Michelle Nader
8
Chad Powers
A sports comedy that showed off Glen Powell’s comedic strengths, Chad Powers is a series based on a viral sketch starring Eli Manning. The show follows fallen college football star Russ Holliday (Powell), who disguises himself as Chad Powers to start over as a walk-on player for a college team. Expanding on the viral sketch, Chad Powers finds itself building a full narrative.
The series has been a strong performer for Hulu due to Powell’s rising star power and its blend of sports satire and character comedy, further cementing Hulu as a platform capable of turning viral concepts into mainstream hits in the same way of Apple TV’s Ted Lasso. While the series may not be a critical darling, viewers have loved watching Chad Powers.
- Release Date
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September 30, 2025
- Network
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Hulu
- Directors
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Tony Yacenda
- Writers
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Michael Waldron
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Russ Holliday / Chad Powers
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7
The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives
As one of Hulu’s most successful reality TV offerings ever, The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives has been a must-watch series for those who love unscripted shows. Bringing together a group of Mormon influencers who have to navigate their faith in the public eye, The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives has become one of the juiciest shows of the year.
With the series having released its third season in late 2025, the drama between the cast has felt endless with their opportunities on other reality shows like Dancing With The Stars and The Bachelorette. Generating buzz on social platforms, The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives has reinforced Hulu’s name in the reality TV space.
- Release Date
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September 6, 2024
- Network
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Hulu
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Whitney Leavitt
Self – Host
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6
Only Murders In The Building
As one of the most constant shows on the platform, Only Murders In The Building’s blend of mystery and comedy has been charming throughout its years on Hulu. Starring Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short, Only Murders In The Building has long been one of the most buzzed-about shows of the year, especially with the release of its fifth season.
Bringing in star power season after season, Only Murders In The Building uses a classic whodunit structure that’s been modernized for streaming audiences, leaving it a major success for Hulu. The show consistently earns critical acclaim and strong viewership, becoming a signature originals. Its blend of humor and serialized mystery has helped define Hulu’s identity in the prestige comedy-drama space.
- Release Date
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August 31, 2021
- Network
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Hulu
- Showrunner
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John Hoffman
- Directors
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Jamie Babbit, John Hoffman, Cherien Dabis, Chris Koch, Robert Pulcini, Shari Springer Berman, Adam Shankman, Don Scardino, Jesse Peretz, Jessica Yu, Jude Weng, Chris Teague
- Writers
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Ben Smith, Matteo Borghese, Rob Turbovsky, Kristin Newman, Madeleine George, J. J. Philbin, Ben Philippe, Kirker Butler, Jake Schnesel, Peter Swanson, Stephen Markley, Rachel Burger, Kenny Schwartz, Rick Wiener, Valentina Garza, Elaine Ko, Tess Morris, Kim Rosenstock, Sas Goldberg, Thembi Banks
5
Murdaugh: Death In The Family
A crime drama focusing on the rise and fall of the Murdaugh family in South Carolina, Murdaugh: Death In The Family stars Patricia Arquette and Jason Clarke as Alex and Maggie Murdaugh. The series explores the deaths, legal investigations, and corruption tied to Murdaugh, whose crimes captured national attention.
Tapping into sustained public interest in the case, Murdaugh: Death In The Family reinforced Hulu’s reputation as a leading platform for in-depth, responsibly produced true-crime storytelling. While the actual Alex Murdaugh was disapproving of the series, Hulu’s dramatization was a fascinating look into the psyche of the family.
- Release Date
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2025 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Hulu
4
The Lowdown
A Hulu drama series starring Ethan Hawke, The Lowdown is a drama focused on a disheveled journalist, Lee Raybon (Hawke), as he seeks the truth in a dark world. A dark comedy, The Lowdown leans into grounded storytelling as Raybon’s introduced as a “truthstorian” investigating a local family. As their story unfolds, he’s pulled into a mysterious world beyond his wildest dreams.
The Lowdown has been a critical darling and found audience acclaim throughout its first season, and with an emotional finale, it’s possible that the series will return. As an inventive, sharp series that has a specific point of view, The Lowdown has been a hit for Hulu.
- Release Date
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September 23, 2025
- Directors
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Sterlin Harjo
- Writers
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Duffy Boudreau, Scott Teems, Sneha Koorse
3
Dying For Sex
A limited series starring Michelle Williams, Dying For Sex has been an intense series based on a true story. Focusing on a woman diagnosed with terminal cancer, Williams plays Molly Kochan, who leaves her marriage after her diagnosis to explore her sexuality. The show blends humor, vulnerability, and emotional depth throughout its winding first season.
With the subject material candid and the performances strong, Dying For Sex demonstrates Hulu’s unique ability to adapt existing IP, this time from a podcast. Continuing a trend of prestige limited series that attract big talent, critical attention, and emotionally-invested audiences, Dying For Sex has been a massive hit.
- Release Date
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2025 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Hulu
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Michelle Williams
Molly Kochan
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2
Paradise
A drama starring Sterling K. Brown, Paradise is the brainchild of This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman that blends mystery and emotion in a post-apocalyptic story. Following a seemingly idyllic community that’s moved underground after a disaster on earth, Paradise season 1 finds its core characters hiding massively dark secrets as it works through a tragedy.
Using Fogelman’s standard non-linear timeline for its storytelling, Paradise is a complex, character-focused series that moves slowly to spell out its mysteries, but hits the gas once it begins to unravel. Fitting comfortably alongside Hulu’s other high-profile dramas, Paradise reinforces the platform’s good reputation.
- Release Date
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January 26, 2025
- Network
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Hulu
- Directors
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Gandja Monteiro
- Writers
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Jason Wilborn
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Sterling K. Brown
Xavier Collins
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Julianne Nicholson
Samantha ‘Sinatra’ Redmond
1
Alien: Earth
A sci-fi series in the Alien franchise, Alien: Earth is a show that establishes the stakes for the 1979 film. Alien: Earth is the first TV show in the franchise, and while many were skeptical of adding to the long-running lore, the series has been well-received thus far. Created by Noah Hawley, creator of Fargo, Alien: Earth has a unique creative team.
Praised for its stylistic choices, Alien: Earth has been a critical darling and widely enjoyed by viewers for its bold stories and scary moments. Leaning into the horror elements of the film franchise, Alien: Earth appears to have breathed life back into a dying franchise.
- Release Date
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August 12, 2025
- Directors
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Dana Gonzales, Ugla Hauksdóttir, Noah Hawley
- Writers
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Bob DeLaurentis
