The short answer
The best Hulu shows to watch right now are The Bear, Shōgun, Paradise, The Testaments and Only Murders in the Building. Meanwhile, October brings new episodes of The Lowdown, American Horror Story and Abbott Elementary, so there is plenty to stream this fall.
- Best complete binge: The Bear, which wrapped its fifth and final season in June 2026.
- Best new drama of 2026: The Testaments, the Handmaid’s Tale sequel that Hulu renewed for Season 2.
- Best for October: The Lowdown Season 2 (from October 14) and American Horror Story 13 (finale October 29).
- Coming soon: All’s Fair Season 2 on November 4 and Only Murders in the Building Season 6 on December 8.
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Hulu Premium, no ads
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Hours of The Testaments streamed by May 2026
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Only Murders Season 6 premiere
In this article
Hulu, the Disney-owned streaming service that carries Hulu Originals, FX series and next-day ABC episodes, has quietly built one of the deepest TV libraries in the US. Because so much of that library now also sits inside the Disney+ app, finding the best Hulu shows can feel harder than it should. So we checked what is actually streaming on Hulu in October 2026, verified every premiere date and renewal against official announcements, and ranked the series worth your time.
In short, this guide covers finished series you can binge today, new seasons arriving this month, and the big returns still on the calendar. It also explains what Hulu costs after the September 2026 price increase.
What Are the Best Hulu Shows Right Now?
The best Hulu shows right now mix finished prestige series with fresh 2026 hits. In particular, The Bear and The Handmaid’s Tale are complete, while Paradise, The Testaments and Shōgun all have more seasons on the way. The table below sums up where each one stands today.
| Show | Genre | Seasons on Hulu | Status (October 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bear | Comedy-drama | 5 | Ended; final season premiered June 25, 2026 |
| Shōgun | Historical drama | 1 | Renewed; Season 2 filmed from January 2026 |
| Paradise | Thriller | 2 | Renewed for a final third season |
| The Testaments | Dystopian drama | 1 | Renewed for Season 2 |
| Only Murders in the Building | Comedy mystery | 5 | Season 6 premieres December 8, 2026 |
| The Lowdown | Crime drama | 2 | Season 2 airing weekly from October 14 |
| The Handmaid’s Tale | Dystopian drama | 6 | Ended May 27, 2025 |
| Alien: Earth | Sci-fi horror | 1 | Renewed; no Season 2 date yet |
| American Horror Story | Horror anthology | 13 | Season 13 finale October 29 |
| Abbott Elementary | Sitcom | 6 | Season 6 started October 8 |
Our 10 Top Picks, Ranked
We ranked these picks on writing, rewatch value and how easy they are to start today. As a result, finished or nearly finished series sit near the top, since you can binge them without a cliffhanger wait.
1. The Bear — Best complete binge
The Bear, the FX kitchen drama about chef Carmy Berzatto trying to save his family’s Chicago restaurant, finally has an ending. FX released all eight episodes of the fifth and final season on Hulu on June 25, 2026, so you can now watch the whole story without waiting. If you skipped it because it felt stressful, the payoff makes it worth another try.
- Seasons: 5 (complete)
- Cast: Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Abby Elliott
- Watch if you liked: Succession, Boiling Point
2. Shōgun — Best prestige drama
Shōgun, the Emmy-winning FX adaptation of James Clavell’s novel about power struggles in feudal Japan, remains the most cinematic drama on Hulu. Moreover, FX confirmed that Season 2 is a new story set 10 years after Season 1, with Hiroyuki Sanada and Cosmo Jarvis returning. Filming started in Vancouver in January 2026, but FX has not announced a premiere date.
- Seasons: 1 (10 episodes)
- Status: Season 2 in the works, no date yet
- Watch if you liked: Game of Thrones, The Last Kingdom
3. Paradise — Best twisty thriller
Paradise, Dan Fogelman’s thriller starring Sterling K. Brown as a Secret Service agent inside a hidden city, got even bigger in Season 2. That season premiered on February 23, 2026, and ended on March 30 with the episode “Exodus,” as Xavier left Paradise to search for his wife. Since Hulu has renewed it for a final third season, now is a good time to catch up.
- Seasons: 2
- Cast: Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, Sarah Shahi, James Marsden
- Watch if you liked: Silo, This Is Us
4. The Testaments — Best new Hulu original of 2026
The Testaments, the sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale based on Margaret Atwood’s novel, follows two teens, Agnes and Daisy, at Aunt Lydia’s school for future wives in Gilead. It premiered on April 8, 2026, and Hulu renewed it for Season 2 in May, a week before the Season 1 finale. By then, viewers had streamed more than 45 million hours across Hulu and Disney+, according to Disney.
- Seasons: 1 (10 episodes)
- Cast: Ann Dowd, Chase Infiniti, Lucy Halliday
- Tip: It works on its own, but The Handmaid’s Tale adds context.
5. Only Murders in the Building — Best comfort mystery
Only Murders in the Building, the cozy comedy in which three neighbors start a true-crime podcast, has five seasons ready to stream. Better still, Season 6 moves the trio to the UK under the title “Only Murders in London” and premieres on Hulu on December 8, 2026, with weekly Tuesday episodes. Tina Fey returns, while Meryl Streep, Olivia Colman and David Tennant guest star.
- Seasons: 5 (Season 6 on December 8)
- Cast: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez
- Watch if you liked: Knives Out, Murder, She Wrote
6. The Lowdown — Best crime show this month
The Lowdown, Sterlin Harjo’s FX crime drama, stars Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon, a Tulsa bookseller and self-styled “truthstorian” who digs into local secrets. Season 2 premiered on October 14 with two episodes, and new episodes follow on October 21 and 28. Because the first season is short, you can catch up in a weekend.
- Seasons: 2 (Season 2 airing now)
- Watch if you liked: Reservation Dogs, True Detective
7. The Handmaid’s Tale — Best finished dystopian drama
The Handmaid’s Tale, the Elisabeth Moss drama about June Osborne’s fight against Gilead, ended its six-season run on May 27, 2025. Since The Testaments picks up in the same world, the original series makes an ideal lead-in. However, it is heavy viewing, so pace yourself.
- Seasons: 6 (complete)
- Watch if you liked: Black Mirror, Station Eleven
8. Alien: Earth — Best sci-fi horror
Alien: Earth, Noah Hawley’s FX series that brings the xenomorph to Earth for the first time, premiered on August 12, 2025. FX renewed it for Season 2, and production moves to London in 2026. Still, no premiere date exists yet, so treat Season 1 as a standalone eight-episode watch for now.
- Seasons: 1 (8 episodes)
- Watch if you liked: Alien, Fargo, Severance
9. Abbott Elementary — Best network sitcom
Abbott Elementary, ABC’s mockumentary about underfunded Philadelphia public-school teachers, started Season 6 on October 8, with new episodes on Hulu every week this month. In fact, it is the easiest show here to drop into, because most episodes stand alone.
- Seasons: 6 (airing weekly)
- Watch if you liked: The Office, Parks and Recreation
10. Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair — Best nostalgia pick
Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, the four-episode revival of the 2000s family sitcom, landed on Hulu on April 10, 2026. Here, Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) gets pulled back to his family for Hal and Lois’s 40th anniversary party. Reviews were mixed; Variety called it unnecessary, yet still praised Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek. Even so, at four episodes it makes a cheap nostalgia hit.
- Episodes: 4 (limited series)
- Note: Dewey is now played by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark.
What’s New on Hulu in October 2026?
October on Hulu leans into “Huluween” horror, plus the fall return of ABC and FX favorites. For example, American Horror Story 13 runs through October 29, and Reasonable Doubt, the Hulu legal drama about defense attorney Jax Stewart, returned for Season 4 on October 6.
| Date | Show | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 1–29 | American Horror Story 13 (FX) | Weekly episodes of the horror anthology’s 13th season |
| Oct 5, 12 | It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX) | New episodes of the long-running comedy |
| Oct 6–27 | The Drop: A Snowfall Saga (FX) | Weekly episodes of the Snowfall spinoff set in 1990s LA |
| Oct 6 | Reasonable Doubt, Season 4 | Hulu original legal drama |
| Oct 8 | Abbott Elementary, Season 6 | ABC sitcom, new episodes weekly |
| Oct 12 | Clown Panic | Hulu documentary on the 2016 creepy-clown sightings |
| Oct 14 | The Lowdown, Season 2 (FX) | Two-episode premiere, then weekly |
| Oct 16 | Grey’s Anatomy (S23), 9-1-1 (S10), 9-1-1: Nashville (S2) | ABC dramas, new episodes weekly |
| Oct 20 | Phony, Season 1 | New series |
| Oct 26 | The Mob | New premiere |
Of these, The Drop is the standout new drama. Created by Malcolm Spellman, it follows Wanda Bell (Gail Bean) and Leon Simmons (Isaiah John) as West Coast rap rises out of the crack era. The eight-episode season premiered on September 8 on FX and Hulu, so you can still catch up before the finale.
Which Hulu Shows Are Coming Next?
The next big Hulu premieres are All’s Fair Season 2 on November 4 and Only Murders in the Building Season 6 on December 8. Beyond that, several fan favorites have renewals but no dates yet.
| Show | Expected | What we know |
|---|---|---|
| All’s Fair, Season 2 | November 4, 2026 | Three-episode premiere, then weekly on Wednesdays; Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, Glenn Close return |
| Only Murders in the Building, Season 6 | December 8, 2026 | Retitled “Only Murders in London”; weekly on Tuesdays |
| Paradise, Season 3 | No date | Renewed as the final season |
| The Testaments, Season 2 | No date | Renewed in May 2026 |
| Shōgun, Season 2 | No date | Set 10 years after Season 1 |
| Alien: Earth, Season 2 | No date | Production in London in 2026 |
Best Hulu Shows by Mood and Genre
If you already know your mood, start here. Each pick below comes from the verified list above, so everything is on Hulu in the US today.
Best Hulu shows to binge in a weekend
Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair (four episodes), Alien: Earth (eight episodes) and Shōgun (ten episodes) all finish fast. Meanwhile, The Bear takes longer, but every season is short.
Best Hulu comedy shows
Abbott Elementary, Only Murders in the Building and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia cover gentle, cozy and chaotic humor respectively. Also, The Bear counts as comedy at the Emmys, although it often plays like a drama.
Best Hulu shows for Halloween
American Horror Story 13, Alien: Earth and the Clown Panic documentary make an easy October triple bill. In addition, Hulu’s Huluween slate adds a batch of horror movies this month.
Best crime and mystery shows on Hulu
The Lowdown, Reasonable Doubt, The Drop and Only Murders in the Building cover noir, legal drama, street crime and cozy whodunits. If you prefer true crime, see our guide to the best true crime documentaries on Netflix.
Best Hulu shows for couples
Paradise and Only Murders in the Building work well for two, because both reward guessing out loud. Similarly, The Bear gives you plenty to argue about after each episode.
Pro tip. Many “Hulu” shows from FX, such as The Bear and Shōgun, stream on Disney+ outside the US. So if you are in the UK, Canada or Australia, search Disney+ instead.
How Much Does Hulu Cost in 2026?
Hulu costs $12.49 a month with ads or $21.49 a month without ads, after Disney raised prices on September 23, 2026. Existing subscribers see the new rate on their next bill, according to TVLine.
| Plan | Old price | New price |
|---|---|---|
| Hulu (with ads) | $11.99 | $12.49 |
| Hulu Premium (no ads) | $18.99 | $21.49 |
| Disney+/Hulu bundle (with ads) | $12.99 | $12.99 |
| Disney+/Hulu Premium bundle (no ads) | $19.99 | $21.99 |
Notably, the Disney+/Hulu bundle with ads costs only 50 cents more than Hulu alone. Therefore, unless you want ad-free viewing, the bundle is the better value.
Watch out. If you pay through Apple, Google, Roku or a cable provider, your billing date and price notice may differ. Check your account before you assume the old rate still applies.
Is Hulu Moving Into the Disney+ App?
Yes. In August 2025, Disney said it would retire the standalone Hulu app and fold Hulu fully into Disney+, with a unified app planned for 2026. Even so, a Disney representative told Variety that customers can still buy a Hulu-only plan.
In practice, bundle subscribers already see Hulu shows inside Disney+ through the “Hulu on Disney+” hub. Consequently, every show in this guide works in either app for now.
For more ideas beyond Hulu, try our list of the best movies on Netflix, or read our explainer on HBO’s The Pitt.
Our verdict
Among the best Hulu shows in 2026, The Bear is the safest start, because its story is finally complete. After that, pick Shōgun or Paradise for big drama, The Testaments if you loved The Handmaid’s Tale, and Only Murders in the Building before Season 6 lands on December 8. For something new this month, The Lowdown Season 2 is our top October pick. Finally, choose the $12.99 Disney+/Hulu bundle with ads unless ads truly bother you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one show on Hulu right now?
It depends on your taste, but the biggest new Hulu releases this fall are American Horror Story 13, The Lowdown Season 2 and Abbott Elementary Season 6, while The Bear, Paradise and The Testaments remain the most acclaimed series to binge.
What are the best Hulu shows of all time?
Our picks for the best Hulu shows of all time are The Bear, Shogun, The Handmaid’s Tale, Only Murders in the Building and Paradise. All five are on Hulu in the US today. The Bear and The Handmaid’s Tale have finished their runs, so you can watch the full story start to finish.
Is The Bear over after Season 5?
Yes. FX confirmed that Season 5 is the final season of The Bear. All eight episodes premiered on Hulu on June 25, 2026, so the complete five-season series is now available to stream in the US. Outside the US, The Bear streams on Disney+.
When does Only Murders in the Building Season 6 come out?
Only Murders in the Building Season 6 premieres on Hulu on December 8, 2026, with new episodes weekly on Tuesdays. The season moves Charles, Oliver and Mabel to the UK under the title Only Murders in London, and guest stars include Meryl Streep, Olivia Colman and David Tennant.
Is Euphoria on Hulu?
No. Euphoria is an HBO series, so it streams on HBO Max, not Hulu. You can, however, get HBO Max together with Hulu and Disney+ through the Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max bundle. The same applies to Hacks, which is also an HBO Max show.
How much is Hulu per month in 2026?
Hulu costs $12.49 a month with ads and $21.49 a month without ads in the US. Disney raised both prices on September 23, 2026, for new subscribers, and existing subscribers pay the new rate from their next bill. The Disney+ and Hulu bundle with ads stays at $12.99.
