If you’re not watching Hulu in 2026, you’re genuinely missing out. With the Disney+/Hulu/HBO Max bundle now the dominant streaming package for Tier 1 households, millions of people who signed up for Disney content have suddenly found themselves with access to one of the best drama libraries in streaming — including the just-concluded final season of Euphoria, the hotly anticipated Handmaid’s Tale sequel The Testaments (already renewed for Season 2), and the nostalgia-fuelled return of Malcolm in the Middle. Last updated: June 7, 2026.
Here’s our updated guide to the best Hulu shows in 2026 — with honest Pros & Cons for each, so you can decide if it’s worth your precious streaming hours.
⚡ TL;DR — Best Hulu Shows in 2026
- Just concluded: Euphoria Season 3 (May 31 finale; series officially ended).
- Now streaming: The Testaments (Hulu original, renewed for S2 ahead of S1 finale), Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair (limited revival), Hacks Season 5 (final season).
- Best evergreen Hulu picks: The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, The Handmaid’s Tale, Fleabag.
- Best value: Disney+/Hulu/HBO Max bundle in 2026 — three platforms for less than two standalone subscriptions.
In This Article
📺 The Best Hulu Shows to Watch Right Now (June 2026)
1. Euphoria Season 3 — The Final Season (HBO Max via Bundle)
Where to Watch: HBO Max (via Disney+/Hulu/HBO Max Bundle) | Rating: TV-MA | Genre: Teen Drama | Status: Ended May 31, 2026
It took four years, but Rue Bennett’s story is finally complete. Euphoria Season 3 aired earlier in 2026 with a time jump out of high school and into the messy reality of young adulthood: Rue (Zendaya) running from her past, Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) and Nate (Jacob Elordi) apparently married, Jules (Hunter Schafer) suspiciously wealthy, and Maddy (Alexa Demie) carrying serious secrets. The May 31 finale was confirmed by creator Sam Levinson as the show’s official conclusion on the New York Times’ Popcast: “In terms of the story that we set out to tell, this feels like the end to me.”
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Visually stunning as ever | Divisive critical reception at launch |
| Zendaya’s performance is exceptional | The time jump strips away the show’s original identity |
| Fan-favourite characters return for proper closure | Some fans wanted more closure on minor storylines |
| The story finally has a defined endpoint | Four-year wait may have built expectations too high |
Is Euphoria Season 3 worth watching? If you followed Rue’s journey through Seasons 1 and 2, yes — the performances and Zendaya’s final arc justify returning. Now that the series has officially ended, the binge-watching value is locked in: you can experience the entire three-season run start to finish without the multi-year gaps that defined the original viewing experience.
👉 Watch first if you liked: Industry, Tell Me Lies, Skins (UK)
2. The Testaments — Hulu Original (Renewed for Season 2)
Where to Watch: Hulu | Premiere: April 8, 2026 | Genre: Dystopian Drama | Renewed: Yes (Season 2)
Hulu’s biggest swing of the year. The Testaments is the long-awaited sequel series to The Handmaid’s Tale, based on Margaret Atwood’s award-winning follow-up novel. Set in the same Gilead, the story follows two young women — Agnes (pious and dutiful) and Daisy (a new arrival from beyond Gilead’s borders) — as they navigate Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school, where obedience is taught brutally. Breakout star Chase Infiniti leads the cast. Hulu renewed it for Season 2 before the Season 1 finale aired, signalling strong viewership data and platform confidence.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Fresh YA perspective on Gilead | High expectations from Handmaid’s Tale fans |
| Ann Dowd returns as Aunt Lydia | Slower burn than the original series |
| Based on Atwood’s acclaimed novel | Some original cast cameos but it’s not Elisabeth Moss’s show |
| Already renewed for Season 2 — confidence locked in | Best appreciated after watching Handmaid’s Tale first |
3. Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair — Hulu Limited Series
Where to Watch: Hulu | Premiere: April 10, 2026 | Genre: Comedy
Pure, uncut nostalgia. The beloved 2000s family comedy is back, and audience reactions confirm it delivers what fans hoped for: the whole family, older but no wiser, still gloriously chaotic. Frankie Muniz, Jane Kaczmarek, and Bryan Cranston all return.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Original cast fully reunited | Revival risks spoiling the original’s legacy |
| Perfect comfort viewing | Limited series format means it’s over quickly |
| Great for families who grew up watching together | Newer audiences may need context |
4. Hacks Season 5 — The Final Season (HBO Max via Bundle)
Where to Watch: HBO Max | Premiere: April 9, 2026 | Genre: Comedy-Drama | Status: Final season
Jean Smart’s Emmy-magnetic performance as veteran stand-up comedian Deborah Vance has made Hacks one of the most acclaimed comedies of the streaming era. Season 5 is its final season — if the previous four are anything to go by, it’ll go out in spectacular fashion. If you haven’t started, now is the perfect moment to binge all five seasons. The complete arc is one of the most satisfying long-form comedies streaming has produced.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Jean Smart is extraordinary (multiple Emmy wins) | Final season — it’s ending! |
| Sharp, intelligent writing | Takes 2–3 episodes to fully hook you |
| Strong feminist undercurrent without being preachy | Heavy in places despite the comedy |
🔍 Already on Hulu — The Evergreen Essentials
Beyond the new 2026 arrivals, Hulu’s back catalogue has some genuine gems worth mentioning for subscribers new to the platform via the bundle:
- The Bear (Seasons 1–4) — The most intense and acclaimed drama of the past three years. A Chicago chef trying to save his family’s sandwich shop. Season 5 (the final) is now in production. Start immediately.
- Only Murders in the Building (All Seasons) — Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez investigating murders in their Manhattan apartment building. Renewed for Season 6. Warm, witty, and totally addictive.
- The Handmaid’s Tale (All Seasons) — Essential viewing before The Testaments. Elisabeth Moss in one of the most powerful dramatic performances of the decade.
- Fleabag — Two seasons of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s razor-sharp comedy-drama. One of the best shows ever made, full stop.
- Abbott Elementary — The best network sitcom in years, also on Hulu via the ABC pipeline.
💰 Is the Disney+/Hulu/HBO Max Bundle Worth It in 2026?
With Euphoria’s final season and Hacks on HBO Max, The Testaments and Malcolm in the Middle on Hulu, and the full Disney/Pixar/Marvel catalogue on Disney+, the Disney+/Hulu/HBO Max bundle gives you three platforms for less than the price of two separate subscriptions. It remains the single most cost-efficient bundle in streaming for Tier 1 households.
For more 2026 streaming coverage, see our 2026 TV Survival Guide, The Pitt explainer, and our most anticipated movies of 2026 calendar.
Best Hulu Shows 2026 FAQ
Is Euphoria really over after Season 3?
Yes. Creator Sam Levinson confirmed on the New York Times’ Popcast on May 31, 2026 that the third season finale is the show’s official conclusion. He described the addiction-and-consequences arc as ‘fulfilled’ and said the eight-year journey had reached a natural endpoint. Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Hunter Schafer have all moved on to other projects.
What is The Testaments based on?
The Testaments is based on Margaret Atwood’s 2019 novel of the same name, a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale. The book won the Booker Prize. The Hulu series follows the original novel’s two young narrators, Agnes and Daisy, plus an expanded role for Ann Dowd’s Aunt Lydia. Hulu renewed the show for Season 2 before the Season 1 finale aired.
Do I need to watch The Handmaid’s Tale before The Testaments?
It’s strongly recommended but not strictly required. The Testaments references the events of The Handmaid’s Tale and assumes basic familiarity with Gilead, but the show provides enough context for new viewers to follow along. For maximum impact, watching at least Seasons 1–2 of The Handmaid’s Tale first is ideal.
Is Hacks really ending after Season 5?
Yes. HBO Max confirmed Season 5 as the final season, allowing creators Jen Statsky, Paul W. Downs, and Lucia Aniello to bring Deborah Vance and Ava’s story to a planned conclusion. Jean Smart has spoken openly about feeling the story has reached its natural close.
What is the best Hulu show to start with in 2026?
For drama, The Bear remains the strongest start — four seasons of award-winning storytelling. For comedy, Only Murders in the Building is the most accessible long-running option. For something completely new, The Testaments is the most talked-about 2026 premiere. For limited bingeing, Fleabag’s two short seasons remain one of the best uses of six hours on any streaming platform.
