Honestly, the "Hulu scroll" is a trap. You know the one. You sit down with a lukewarm bowl of pasta, open the app, and spend forty-five minutes looking at the same three thumbnails until you give up and watch Grey's Anatomy for the ninth time. It’s a classic move. But if you’re wondering what to stream on Hulu right now—specifically this January 2026—you’re actually hitting a bit of a goldmine if you know where to look.
The thing about Hulu is that it’s become this weird, wonderful hybrid. It’s got the FX prestige stuff that makes you feel smart, the ABC procedurals that feel like a warm hug, and a movie library that currently feels like someone went into a 1995 Blockbuster and just grabbed everything off the "Action" and "Cult Classic" shelves.
The Toxic Chaos of Tell Me Lies Season 3
If you haven't started Tell Me Lies, I don't know whether to envy you or warn you. It is, quite possibly, the most stressful thing on the internet. Season 3 just dropped on January 13, and it’s leaning even harder into the absolute disaster that is Lucy Albright and Stephen DeMarco’s relationship.
Most shows about college romance are kind of... sweet? This is the opposite. It’s a masterclass in gaslighting and bad decisions. Grace Van Patten and Jackson White have this chemistry that makes you want to look away but also keeps you glued to the screen for eight hours straight. The new season jumps back into the spring semester at Baird College, and basically, all the secrets that were festering last season are starting to rot. It’s messy. It’s addictive. It’s perfect "don't-think-just-watch" television.
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Historical Grit in A Thousand Blows
On the complete other end of the spectrum, we have A Thousand Blows. Season 2 premiered on January 9, and if you like Peaky Blinders, you’re probably already watching this. If not, get on it. It’s created by Steven Knight (the Peaky mastermind), and it’s set in the 1880s East End of London.
The show follows Hezekiah and Alec, two best friends from Jamaica who get sucked into the brutal world of illegal Victorian boxing. It’s got that dark, soot-covered aesthetic that Knight is famous for. This season, Stephen Graham is leading the charge, and the addition of Erin Doherty—who played Princess Anne in The Crown—as a gang leader named Mary Carr is just brilliant casting. It’s a lot of mud, a lot of blood, and some of the best period-piece writing you’ll find anywhere.
Why The Beauty is the Show Everyone is Googling
Then there's the Ryan Murphy factor. On January 21, FX’s The Beauty arrives on Hulu, and the premise is wild. Imagine a world where a physical "beauty" is actually a sexually transmitted disease. It makes you look perfect, but there’s a catch—it might eventually kill you.
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Evan Peters is back in the Murphy-verse playing FBI Agent Cooper Madsen, and Rebecca Hall stars alongside him. They’re investigating a conspiracy involving supermodels dying in pretty gruesome ways. It’s based on the comic by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley. It feels like Nip/Tuck met The X-Files and had a very stylish, very dark baby. If you’re looking for what to stream on Hulu that actually gives you something to talk about at the office, this is the one.
The Mid-Month Procedural Fix
Look, sometimes you just want to see a crime solved in 42 minutes. Hulu is basically the king of this right now.
- The Rookie (Season 8): Nathan Fillion’s John Nolan is officially the oldest "rookie" in history at this point, but the show still works. It premiered January 7.
- Will Trent (Season 4): This is the "hidden gem" of the procedural world. Ramon Rodriguez is incredible as the GBI agent with dyslexia and a very sharp suit.
- High Potential: This one has been sticking around the Top 10 for a reason. Kaitlin Olson playing a single mom with a high IQ who helps the police is way more fun than it has any right to be.
Movie Night: The 1995 Obsession
The movie rotation on Hulu this month is bizarrely specific to the mid-90s and early 2000s. It’s like the algorithm realized we all just want to feel like we’re 15 again.
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The Heavy Hitters
If you want something loud, Heat (1995) is back. It’s nearly three hours long, it features the legendary Pacino/De Niro diner scene, and the bank heist remains the gold standard for action filmmaking. Also, James Cameron’s The Abyss is streaming, which is a rare treat given how long that movie was stuck in licensing limbo.
The Weird and the Cult
- Borat (2006) – Still offensive, still hilarious.
- Empire Records (1995) – For when you want to celebrate "Rex Manning Day" in January.
- Idiocracy (2006) – Increasingly feeling like a documentary.
- O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) – The Coen Brothers at their most whimsical.
Reality TV for the Brave (or Bored)
On January 15, Hulu dropped Fear Factor: House of Fear. It’s a reboot, but it feels meaner. It’s less about eating bugs and more about psychological phobias in a controlled environment. If that sounds too intense, Bachelor in Paradise Season 9 also just hit the platform on January 4. It’s essentially the opposite of Fear Factor, though some might argue the emotional stakes are just as terrifying.
What Most People Get Wrong About Hulu
The biggest mistake people make is thinking Hulu is just for "next day" TV. In 2026, the "Hulu Originals" tab is where the actual quality lives. Shows like A Thousand Blows and The Beauty aren't just filler; they are high-budget, prestige dramas that compete with anything on HBO or Netflix.
Also, don't sleep on the "National Geographic" section. Cheetahs Up Close with Bertie Gregory (released Jan 2) is legitimately some of the best nature photography I’ve seen in years. It’s 4K, it’s vibrant, and it’s a great palate cleanser after watching Evan Peters investigate exploding supermodels.
Practical Steps for Your Watchlist
- Check the "Expiring" Tab: Hulu is notorious for dropping great movies at the end of the month without much warning. Check that first.
- Use the "FX on Hulu" Hub: This is where the highest-rated shows live. If you’re lost, start there.
- Bundle if You Can: If you’re paying for Hulu separately, look into the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ bundle. In 2026, the integration is much smoother, and you get access to things like Wonder Man and the NFL playoffs through the same interface.
Go grab your remote. Start with Tell Me Lies if you want to feel frustrated, or A Thousand Blows if you want to feel tough. Either way, stop scrolling and just hit play.