Hulu isn't just a graveyard for old network sitcoms anymore. For a long time, that was the vibe. You’d go there to catch the Modern Family episode you missed on Wednesday night, or maybe binge some Law & Order: SVU while doing laundry. But things shifted. Hard. Now, when people talk about the most popular TV shows Hulu has in its arsenal, they aren't just talking about reruns; they’re talking about cultural heavyweights like The Bear and The Handmaid’s Tale. It’s weird how a platform that started as a joint venture between old-school broadcasters has somehow become the grittier, more "prestige" cousin to Disney+.
Honestly, the variety is a bit overwhelming. You have this strange mix of FX on Hulu grit, Disney-backed high budgets, and that weirdly addictive library of reality TV that keeps people subscribed even when the prestige stuff is between seasons. If you’re looking for what to watch, you’re basically navigating a gold mine that also happens to have a lot of dirt in it.
The FX Factor and Why It Dominates
If you want to understand why the popular TV shows Hulu offers feel different from Netflix, you have to look at the FX partnership. It’s the secret sauce. Shows like Shōgun and The Bear aren't technically "Hulu Originals" in the traditional sense—they come from the FX pipeline—but they live on Hulu. This gives the platform an edge in quality control. While Netflix throws 100 things at a wall to see what sticks, the FX-to-Hulu pipeline feels curated.
Take The Bear. It’s stressful. It’s loud. It’s mostly people screaming "Chef!" in a cramped Chicago kitchen. On paper, it sounds exhausting, but it became a massive hit because it feels real. Jeremy Allen White’s portrayal of Carmy isn't some polished Hollywood version of a chef; it’s a raw look at grief and anxiety. That’s the hallmark of the popular TV shows Hulu prioritizes lately: they aren't afraid to be uncomfortable.
Then there’s Shōgun. This was a massive gamble. A high-budget historical drama primarily in Japanese with subtitles? Ten years ago, that would have stayed in a niche corner of cable. On Hulu, it exploded. It proved that audiences are actually smarter than executives give them credit for. They want depth. They want world-building that doesn't hold their hand.
Comedy Isn't Dead, It Just Moved Here
While everyone else is trying to make the next big fantasy epic, Hulu quietly became the best place for smart comedy. Only Murders in the Building is the perfect example. It’s cozy. It’s got Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez—a trio that shouldn't work but somehow feels like home. It’s the kind of show you watch with a blanket and a cup of tea, which is a specific "vibe" that Hulu has mastered.
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But then you have the weirder stuff. What We Do in the Shadows (another FX transplant) is arguably the funniest show on television. It’s a mockumentary about vampires in Staten Island. It shouldn't have lasted six seasons, yet it did because it’s relentlessly creative.
Hulu also saved Futurama. Again.
Most streamers cancel shows and let them die. Hulu has a habit of picking up "orphaned" shows with dedicated fanbases. It creates a weirdly loyal subscriber base. You stay for the new stuff, but you keep paying because it’s the only place you can watch your comfort shows without jumping through hoops.
The True Crime Obsession
You can't talk about popular TV shows Hulu without mentioning the "Scam-Season" era. The Dropout—the story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos—was a turning point. Amanda Seyfried didn't just play Holmes; she channeled that specific, eerie unblinking stare that became a meme. It tapped into a very specific cultural moment where we were all obsessed with tech grifters.
Hulu leans into this. They know we love watching a train wreck as long as it’s well-produced. Under the Bridge and Candy follow this same blueprint. They take real-world tragedies and turn them into highly stylized limited series. Some people find it exploitative, and that’s a fair critique. However, the viewership numbers don't lie. People are fascinated by the "why" behind suburban horror stories.
The Animation Powerhouse
Everyone knows about The Simpsons and Family Guy, but Hulu’s original animation is starting to punch above its weight. Solar Opposites survived a massive behind-the-scenes casting change and still managed to keep its edge. It’s nihilistic and chaotic, which seems to be the brand for adult animation in the 2020s.
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And we have to talk about The Handmaid’s Tale. It was the first streaming show to win the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series. It put Hulu on the map. While some feel the show has dragged on past its natural expiration date, its impact on the "popular TV shows Hulu" search intent cannot be overstated. It turned the platform from a place for reruns into a destination for "important" television. It changed the game.
Why the Interface Still Bothers Everyone
Let’s be real for a second. Hulu’s app interface is... not great. It’s often criticized for being clunky compared to Netflix or Max. Finding the "Keep Watching" tab sometimes feels like a treasure hunt you didn't sign up for. But here’s the kicker: the content is good enough that people just deal with it.
When you have a library that includes Abbott Elementary (via ABC), The Great, and the entire American Horror Story catalog, users will forgive a messy UI. There’s a certain grit to the experience. It feels like digging through a crate of vinyl records—you might get some dust on your hands, but you’re going to find a gem.
The Reality TV Backbone
While the critics rave about The Bear, a huge chunk of the daily active users are there for one thing: The Kardashians. Or The Bachelor. Or Vanderpump Rules.
Hulu has essentially become the digital DVR for Bravo and ABC. This is a massive part of their strategy. By offering next-day streaming for these massive reality franchises, they ensure that people open the app every single day, not just once a week for a prestige drama. It’s the "bread and butter" strategy. You come for the steak (The Bear), but you stay for the bread (The Bachelor).
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What’s Next for the Platform?
The future of popular TV shows Hulu produces is increasingly tied to the "Hulu on Disney+" merger. For a while, people were worried that Hulu’s edge would be sanded down to fit the family-friendly Disney brand. Fortunately, that hasn't happened. If anything, the integration has just made it easier for people to find these shows.
We’re seeing a shift toward more international co-productions. Extraordinary, a British comedy about a world where everyone has superpowers except the protagonist, is a sleeper hit that more people need to see. It’s cynical, heartfelt, and very "un-Disney."
Making the Most of Your Subscription
If you’re staring at the home screen and don't know where to start, stop scrolling the "Recommended" tab. It’s usually biased toward whatever they’re trying to promote that week. Instead, go to the "Hubs" section and click on FX. That is where 80% of the highest-quality content lives.
Also, don't ignore the films. While this is about TV shows, Hulu has quietly become a powerhouse for indie movies like Palm Springs and Prey.
- Check the "Expiring Soon" tab. Hulu loses licenses for popular network shows frequently. If you see something you’ve meant to watch, prioritize it.
- Use the "My Stuff" feature aggressively. The algorithm is hit-or-miss, so manually saving shows is the only way to keep track of new season drops.
- Explore the "A24" collection. Hulu often has a rotating selection of A24 films and series that aren't advertised on the main banner.
- Adjust your ad settings. If you’re on the ad-supported tier, God bless you, but try to avoid pausing mid-episode, as that often triggers a fresh ad cycle when you hit play.
The landscape of streaming is messy. Prices are going up, and passwords are being cracked down on. But in terms of sheer "bang for your buck" regarding prestige television, Hulu is currently holding the crown. It’s the only place where you can watch a Japanese epic, a chef having a nervous breakdown, and a vampire living in Staten Island all in the same afternoon.