Let's be real. Opening the app and trying to browse all tv shows on Hulu is a recipe for a headache. You sit down with your dinner, start scrolling, and suddenly thirty minutes have passed, your food is cold, and you’re still looking at the same thumbnails. It is a massive library. We are talking about thousands of titles ranging from FX prestige dramas to that weird reality show from 2005 you forgot existed.
Hulu is different from Netflix. While Netflix pours billions into "originals" that sometimes feel like they were written by an algorithm, Hulu has basically become the digital home for high-end cable. Because Disney owns the majority of it, you get the entire FX catalog, which is arguably the best run of television in the last twenty years. But then you also get the weird stuff. The "Live TV" tie-ins. The international imports from British and Australian networks that nobody talks about.
It's a lot.
Why Most People Get Hulu’s Catalog Wrong
People think Hulu is just for watching The Handmaid’s Tale or catching up on Grey’s Anatomy. That’s a mistake. Honestly, the real strength of the platform right now isn't even their "Hulu Originals." It is the FX on Hulu partnership. Shows like The Bear and Shōgun have completely changed the brand's identity.
You aren't just looking at a streaming service; you're looking at a graveyard and a greenhouse at the same time. You’ve got legacy hits like ER and NYPD Blue sitting right next to experimental comedies like Reservation Dogs. If you only look at the "Recommended" tab, you are missing about 80% of the value.
The algorithm is notoriously finicky. It tends to show you what is popular right this second—usually whatever reality show just aired on ABC—rather than the deep-cut gems that actually make the subscription worth the ten or fifteen bucks a month.
The FX Powerhouse: The Real Reason to Stay
If we are talking about all tv shows on Hulu, we have to start with FX. When Disney shifted FX content to Hulu, the quality of the library skyrocketed.
The Bear is the obvious example. It’s stressful. It’s loud. It’s brilliant. Jeremy Allen White plays Carmy with this vibrating intensity that makes you want to drink a gallon of water just watching him. But then you have Atlanta. Donald Glover’s surrealist masterpiece is probably the most "art-house" thing on a major streamer. One episode is a straightforward comedy; the next is a literal horror movie about a haunted mansion.
Then there is The Old Man with Jeff Bridges. It’s a spy thriller that actually treats its characters like they are their real age. It doesn't rely on shaky cam and fast cuts; it relies on tension. These aren't just "content." They are actual pieces of television history.
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The Animation Addiction
Hulu is also the secret king of adult animation. Netflix has Bojack, sure. But Hulu has the "Animation Domination" lineup from FOX.
- Bob’s Burgers: The ultimate comfort show. It’s wholesome but weird.
- Futurama: Which they actually revived. Again.
- Solar Opposites: From the Rick and Morty co-creator, but arguably more consistent in its later seasons.
You also have King of the Hill. All of it. If you haven't rewatched the episode where Bobby takes women's self-defense classes in the last year, you aren't living your best life. "That's my purse! I don't know you!" is still a top-tier TV moment.
The Weird World of Hulu Originals
Hulu’s own original programming is hit or miss. It's true. The Handmaid’s Tale put them on the map, but it definitely felt like it overstayed its welcome by a season or two.
However, Only Murders in the Building is a miracle. Who knew Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez would have better chemistry than almost any trio on TV? It’s a cozy mystery that manages to be genuinely funny without being cheesy. It feels like a warm blanket on a rainy Tuesday.
On the flip side, you have things like Nine Perfect Strangers or The Dropout. Hulu has leaned heavily into the "Limited Series based on a True Crime Podcast" trope. Amanda Seyfried was incredible as Elizabeth Holmes, but there was a period in 2022 where it felt like every single show on the homepage was about a tech CEO who lied to people.
Navigating the Licensing Mess
Here is a frustrating truth: all tv shows on Hulu aren't always there to stay.
Because of the weird way streaming rights work, shows pop in and out. You might be halfway through a rewatch of a classic NBC sitcom and—poof—it’s gone because Peacock wanted it back. This is the "Streaming Wars" reality.
Check the "Expiring" section frequently. It’s usually hidden at the bottom of the UI because they don't want to remind you that content is leaving. But if you see a "12 days left" tag on a show you've been meaning to watch, move it to the top of your list.
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International Gems You’re Ignoring
If you want to feel smart at a dinner party, go watch the "International" or "British" categories.
Extraordinary is a British comedy on Hulu about a world where everyone gets a superpower at 18—except the main character. It’s foul-mouthed, hilarious, and much more human than any Marvel movie. Then there’s Letterkenny. It started as a Canadian web series and turned into a cult phenomenon. It’s basically just people talking fast in a barn, and it’s some of the best writing on the platform.
The Reality TV Black Hole
We have to talk about the Kardashians. Love them or hate them, their move from E! to Hulu was a massive deal for the platform's numbers.
Hulu has basically become the "Bravo-lite" of streaming. You have The Bachelor franchise, Vanderpump Rules (via the library), and a mountain of Gordon Ramsay shows. If you need to turn your brain off and watch a man scream at a chef for not knowing how to cook a scallop, Hulu is your mecca.
The "Next Day" airings are the primary selling point for a lot of people. Being able to watch Abbott Elementary the morning after it airs on ABC without needing a cable box is the only reason some people keep their subscription. It’s a utility as much as it is an entertainment hub.
Documentary and True Crime
Hulu’s documentary wing is surprisingly dark. Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence is one of the most harrowing things I’ve ever seen. It’s not "fun" watching, but it’s vital.
They also have a weird obsession with documentaries about their own competitors or cultural scandals. The Fyre Festival doc was a massive hit. The Victoria's Secret exposé was everywhere for a month. They know their audience loves a good "downfall of a wealthy person" story.
How to Actually Use the Search Function
Stop typing in names. The search engine on Hulu is... okay, but not great.
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Instead, try searching for "Studios." Type in "FX" or "Searchlight" or "ABC News." This filters the noise. If you search for "Comedy," you get a mess. If you search for "FX," you get a curated list of high-quality television.
Also, use the "My Stuff" feature aggressively. If you see something that looks even remotely interesting, add it immediately. The algorithm is much better at suggesting things based on what you’ve saved than what you’ve clicked on once by accident.
The Great Hulu+ Live TV Confusion
A lot of people get confused about whether all tv shows on Hulu includes the Live TV stuff.
It doesn't.
If you see a show like Yellowstone and it has a "Lock" icon on it, that’s because you need the Live TV tier (which is way more expensive). It’s a bit of a bait-and-switch in the UI. They want you to see what you’re missing so you’ll upgrade. Stick to the "Included with Subscription" filter if you don't want to get annoyed.
Hidden Costs of the Ad-Tier
Let's talk about the ads. If you are on the cheap plan, some shows are almost unwatchable.
Comedies with a 22-minute runtime can sometimes have three or four ad breaks. It ruins the pacing. If you are watching something like The Bear, which relies on building claustrophobic tension, an ad for a probiotic yogurt in the middle of a kitchen meltdown completely kills the vibe. If you can swing the extra few dollars for the No-Ads plan, it’s the single biggest upgrade you can make to your viewing experience.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Binge
Stop scrolling aimlessly. If you want to actually enjoy the depth of the library, follow this blueprint for your next session.
- Audit your "My Stuff" list: Delete the things you know you're never going to watch. It clutters the algorithm's ability to help you.
- Go to the FX Hub first: Seriously. If you haven't seen The Patient or Fleishman Is in Trouble, start there. It’s the highest "hit rate" category on the service.
- Check the "Expiring" tab once a week: Don't get caught halfway through a series only for it to vanish on the first of the month.
- Use the "Collections" section: Hulu’s editors actually put together decent themed lists like "80s Binge" or "Female Leads" that are better than the AI-generated "Because you watched..." suggestions.
- Try one international show: Start with Extraordinary or The Great. They have a different energy than standard American network TV.
The library is too big to just "wing it." You have to be a little bit intentional, or you'll end up watching Family Guy reruns for the tenth time. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but you're paying for the whole thing—you might as well see what's actually there.