Hulu may be the most underrated platform, but it’s full of can’t-miss television. Every streaming service has original content and acquired titles with built-in fanbases, but Hulu is often eclipsed by contemporaries like Netflix, meaning its best series typically fly under the radar. Nonetheless, its most iconic shows have steadily garnered critical and commercial acclaim.

Furthermore, though Hulu’s merger with Disney+ has been the cause of much confusion, the app will remain stagnant for the foreseeable future, allowing new and established subscribers to get their fill of Hulu-exclusive titles. From familiar favorites to decade-defining new releases, Hulu has some of the best hidden gem TV shows currently on the market.

Fargo

Based on the 1996 film of the same name, Fargo is one of the best anthology series of the century. Throughout vastly different time periods across the American Midwest, Fargo is a true noir and has breathed new life into the crime drama genre at large, and its influence can still be felt far and wide.

Normal People

Normal People is an adaptation of Sally Rooney’s 2018 novel, but its heartbreaking story translated perfectly to screen. The chemistry between Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connell (Paul Mescal) was raw realism, and the couple’s devastating narrative journey continues to haunt every member of the show’s cult following.

High Potential

Jessica Perez / ©ABC/Disney/ Courtesy Everett Collection

High Potential may have only premiered in 2024, but the police procedural has quickly become one of the most successful titles on ABC’s roster. Kaitlin Olson plays eponymous “high potential intellectual” Morgan Gillory who, alongside protocol stickler Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata), solves episodic cases with an endearingly quirky— and not always strictly legal— approach to crime solving.

Attack on Titan

In a dystopian future where cannibalistic “Titans” have taken over, the last remnants of humanity devote themselves to rebellion, most pressingly via a militia called the Survey Corps. Beyond being an epoch-making title, Attack on Titan is one of the best anime in modern history, due in no small part to its high-octane action and sweeping score.

The Bear

Helmed by Jeremy Allen White (Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto) and Ayo Edebiri (Sydney “Syd” Adamu), The Bear is undoubtedly one of the most impactful series of the decade. While certainly intriguing, the ensemble cast of unlikely heroes saving a family restaurant is only the hook for a visionary exploration of grief, self-worth, and how to salvage hope in the face of despair.

The Americans

The Americans earned plenty of well-deserved accolades during its original run, but perhaps its greatest achievement is reminding the world how enthralling a well-crafted spy drama can be. The fractured relationship between undercover KGB operatives Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip (Matthew Rhys) is a mirror of the Cold War itself, making an immensely gratifying watch for any history buff.

Alien: Earth

Set two years before the flagship 1979 film, Alien: Earth delves into humanity’s seemingly unending quest for immortality with a brand-new cast of delightfully complex characters. Every episode is filled to the brim with moral quandaries and the lingering discomfort of knowing technology can destroy humanity just as easily as it can save it.

American Horror Story

Arguably Ryan Murphy’s most significant undertaking to date, American Horror Story revolutionized television. The anthology has cast a wide net to bring chills and thrills to the mainstream, be it alien abductions, demonic possessions, or serial killers that will have even the biggest horror fans peeking through their fingers.

Shōgun

Loosely inspired by real-life events, Shōgun follows an intense power struggle set against the backdrop of feudal Japan. With betrayal and paranoia running rampant while samurai and explorers violently clash, there’s enough political intrigue to go around in this historic Emmy-winning series.

Lost

Lauded as one of the best puzzle box mysteries ever created, Lost begins as a cut-and-dry survival thriller and slowly imbues the overarching narrative with its mind-boggling mythos. Whether you spent years theorizing the ending in online forums or simply know it as the “plane crash” show, Lost is a modern classic that has only grown more popular since its 2010 finale.