Hulu Originals to Start With: Must-Watch Series for New Subscribers

If you just signed up for the Disney Bundle and are staring at Hulu’s library like it’s a maze of TV shows you don’t know how to pick from, you’re not alone. There are hundreds of originals, but only a handful actually stick with you. You don’t need to binge 20 series to find your next obsession. You just need the right ones.

Only Murders in the Building

This is the show that turned Hulu into a destination for smart, funny, and deeply human storytelling. Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez play three neighbors in a New York apartment building who become obsessed with a real-life murder in their building - and start a true-crime podcast about it. The chemistry between the three leads is electric. The writing is sharp without being pretentious. And every episode ends with a twist that makes you want to restart the season.

It’s not just a comedy or a mystery. It’s both. And it’s one of the few shows where the humor doesn’t undercut the tension. Season 1 is perfect for newcomers. Season 2 raises the stakes. Season 3? It gets even better. If you only watch one Hulu Original, make it this one.

The Handmaid’s Tale

If you’re looking for something heavy, gripping, and impossible to look away from, this is it. Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel, it’s set in a dystopian future where women are stripped of rights and forced into reproductive servitude. Elisabeth Moss gives a career-defining performance as Offred, a woman trying to survive while holding onto her identity.

It’s not easy to watch. But it’s essential. The show doesn’t rely on shock value - it builds dread slowly, through silence, glances, and the weight of everyday cruelty. It’s been on for five seasons, and each one deepens the world without losing its power. If you’ve ever wondered why people talk about TV as art, this is why.

Little Fires Everywhere

This limited series stars Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington as two women whose lives collide in a quiet Ohio suburb. Witherspoon plays a rule-following, picture-perfect mom. Washington plays a mysterious artist and single mother. Their clash isn’t about drama - it’s about class, race, motherhood, and what it means to belong.

The show is based on Celeste Ng’s novel, and the adaptation is nearly flawless. Every frame feels intentional. Every line of dialogue carries meaning. The ending? It doesn’t tie everything up neatly. It leaves you thinking for days. If you like shows that make you feel something deep and quiet, this one is a gem.

Pen15

It’s hard to describe Pen15 without sounding weird. It’s a comedy about two 13-year-old girls navigating middle school - except the leads are actually 30-something women playing teenagers. Anna Konkle and Maya Erskine, who created the show, use their adult bodies to play kids with astonishing accuracy. The awkwardness is real. The cringe is real. The heartbreak is real.

This isn’t a nostalgic throwback. It’s a brutal, funny, and surprisingly tender look at what it felt like to be a girl in the early 2000s. The dialogue, the fashion, the friendships, the bullying - it’s all painfully accurate. It’s the kind of show you watch alone because you’ll laugh so hard you’ll cry, then immediately feel guilty for laughing.

The Bear

Yes, it’s technically a FX show, but it’s part of the Disney Bundle, so it’s on Hulu. And if you’re not watching it, you’re missing one of the best dramas of the decade. It follows Carmy, a fine-dining chef who returns to Chicago to run his late brother’s chaotic sandwich shop.

The kitchen scenes are shot like war zones. The pressure is real. The yelling is real. But so is the love. Every character feels lived-in. Every episode builds tension like a thriller. And the food? You’ll want to cook after watching. Season 1 is a masterclass in pacing. Season 2 doubles down - and somehow gets even better. It’s not just about cooking. It’s about grief, family, and trying to be better than you were yesterday.

Shogun

Released in 2024, this is Hulu’s most ambitious original to date. Based on James Clavell’s novel, it’s a historical epic set in 17th-century Japan. A British sailor gets shipwrecked and becomes a pawn in a power struggle between rival warlords. It’s Game of Thrones with samurai - but better written, better acted, and more historically grounded.

The production design is staggering. The costumes, the castles, the battles - every detail feels real. The performances are quiet but devastating. Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Toranaga is the standout. He doesn’t raise his voice. He doesn’t need to. His presence alone changes the room. This isn’t just a show. It’s an experience. And it’s the first Hulu Original that feels like a cinematic event.

My Brilliant Friend

This Italian-language series is based on Elena Ferrante’s bestselling novels. It follows two girls, Lila and Elena, growing up in a poor neighborhood in Naples during the 1950s. Their friendship is intense, competitive, and deeply codependent. One is brilliant but reckless. The other is studious but insecure. Together, they navigate poverty, violence, and the limited paths available to women.

It’s slow. It’s quiet. It’s not full of twists. But it’s one of the most emotionally rich shows ever made. The acting is subtle. The camera lingers on faces, hands, and empty streets. You don’t just watch this show - you feel it. If you’ve ever had a friendship that shaped who you became, you’ll recognize it here.

Why These Shows Stand Out

Hulu’s originals aren’t just about quantity. They’re about quality with purpose. Unlike other streamers that churn out content to fill space, Hulu picks stories that demand attention. These shows don’t rely on CGI or celebrity names. They rely on writing, acting, and emotional truth.

Each one of these titles answers a different need:

• You want humor with heart? Only Murders in the Building.
• You want to be shaken? The Handmaid’s Tale.
• You want to feel seen? Pen15.
• You want to be overwhelmed by tension? The Bear.
• You want to be transported? Shogun.
• You want to fall in love with a friendship? My Brilliant Friend.
• You want to think about society and gender? Little Fires Everywhere.

There’s no need to watch them all. But if you start with one, you’ll likely end up watching three.

What to Skip (For Now)

Not everything on Hulu deserves your time. Skip these if you’re just starting out:

• The Path - Slow, preachy, and overly mystical.
• Castle Rock - Tries too hard to be creepy. Feels like a checklist of Stephen King tropes.
• Future Man - Funny at first, but the jokes get repetitive.

These aren’t bad shows. They just don’t have the same emotional pull or narrative focus as the ones listed above. Save them for when you’ve already found your Hulu rhythm.

How to Watch Smart

With the Disney Bundle, you get Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+. That’s a lot. Don’t let it overwhelm you. Here’s how to stay focused:

1. Start with one Hulu Original. Pick one that matches your mood - comedy, drama, or historical epic.
2. Watch the first two episodes. If you’re not hooked by then, move on.
3. Don’t feel guilty about quitting. Streaming isn’t a chore.
4. Use the "Continue Watching" list as a guide, not a to-do list.
5. Check out the "Trending Now" section weekly. It’s curated by real viewers, not algorithms.

The goal isn’t to watch everything. It’s to find the shows that make you say, "I’m glad I didn’t miss this."