The Best Movies on Hulu Right Now (October 2020)

Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a period drama set in 18th century France. Marianne is a painter commissioned to paint Heloise’s portrait. Heloise is a reluctant bride, and Marianne must paint her without her knowing.

As they spend more time with one another, their connection grows into a deep but forbidden love. There is something incredibly simplistic about this story, but the film doesn’t rush. In fact, it begs for your patience. From Celine Sciamma, we feel each emotion because the shot sits with each character long enough to see their expressions change moment by moment, until we realize the story is one of the realest cinematic love stories we’ve been involved in, in years.

Best Movies to Watch on Hulu

Drugstore Cowboy (1989)

Gus Van Sant’s underrated Drugstore Cowboy stumbles its way onto Hulu October 1st. Bob Hughes, played by Matt Dillon, leads his family of drug addicted friends, with his wife, Dianne, played by Kelly Lynch, as they feed their habit by robbing drug stores. When one of their friends passes away, Bob seeks a new life, but not before pressures of the past catch up to him.

A mathematician made an incredible discovery early on his career, but his arrogance sent him on a more painful expedition of self-discovery. This drama, inspired by true events sees Russell Crowe at his best.

Classic Movies to Watch on Hulu

Raging Bull (1980)

The story of a boxer that isn’t much about boxing at all. A highly insecure man rises in the ranks in the boxing world but fails to do so in his personal life. He tries to control everyone and everything around him, and we see what happens when insecurity and inability to express feelings take over.

With no awards in sight just yet, this film gets the superlative for best duo. The film follows Zak (played by Zack Gottsagen), a young man with Downs Syndrome, who runs away from his nursing home to chase a dream of attending a professional wrestling school. He meets Tyler (Shia LaBeof), an outlaw on the run, who becomes his trusted ally and coach, and the two embark on a journey of friendship and redemption.

The film goes between perspectives and makes you wonder whether or not Tonya Harding is losing her mind, or a completely misunderstood athlete taken to pressures beyond comprehension. Both seem plausible. But it’s the performances from Margot Robbie and Alison Janney (who plays her mother) that are absolutely incredible.

Written by Rita Kalnejais and directed by Shannon Murphy, comes a coming-of-age tragicomedy that’s received nothing but great reviews. An ill teenager falls in love with a drug-dealer her parents disapprove of, as she finds a lust for life---typical story, not so typical execution, we’re hooked.

House of 1000 corpses is a dark comedy horror movie written, co-scored, and directed by Rob Zombie. It’s his directorial debut. The plot follows a group of teenagers who get kidnapped and tortured by a crazed and psychotic family on Halloween.

Vampire Movies on Hulu

Interview with the Vampire (1994)

Brad Pitt plays Louis, a bicentennial vampire, once an 18th century lord, who recounts his story to biographer Daniel Molloy played by Christian Slater. He tells the reporter of his life worse than death---a life of betrayals, loneliness, and thirst. Comes to Hulu on October 1st.

Slasher Movies on Hulu

When a Stranger Calls (2006)

A less comical version of Scream, and a typical scary movie. A cliche that does what it’s supposed to do...terrify you because it could absolutely happen. A babysitting job gone awry. It wasn’t even close to being a critic’s choice, but was well received by lay audiences. Invited into your home on October 1st.

Florence Pugh came onto the scene strong in 2019 with this wrestling comedy. The movie is inspired by the real wrestling star, Paige, and it follows how she was raised by wrestling fans and went from small time to big time fast.

Starring Julia Garner, who gives a noteworthy performance, The Assistant takes a magnifying glass to the entertainment industry, and how women witness and experience continuous coercion and sexual harassment on a daily basis.

Whether or not the choice to solely focus on the end of Garland’s life brings the late actress any real justice is another conversation, but the performance Zellweger gives makes us more intrigued to revisit Garland’s entire legacy.

It’s a real gut wrencher and it’s coming to Hulu in September .

For the Gen X’ers watching Hulu. Reality Bites may not be making any profound statements but for the love of '90s nostalgia! And this beloved ensemble cast — Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Steve Zahn, and Janeane Garofalo give authentic performances. Ryder, in particular, reveals herself to be a solid talent.

Coming this September, Bella and Edward are back if teen vampires are your thing. Based on the book series from Stephanie Meyer, all five of the memorable Twilight films will be available to stream on Hulu.

Hulu Original Film

Books of Blood (2020)

Way before Clive Barker was best known for the horror movie, Hellraiser, his Books of Blood series of short terrifying spanned six volumes. On October 7th, those stories will culminate into a feature. 

Cult Classics on Hulu

Scream 4 (2011)

On October 8th, the streaming service will give us the fourth installment of Wes Craven’s Scream series. It’s been a long time since Ghostface has wreaked havoc on Woodsboro. Of course when Sidney Prescott comes back home on her book tour, you know the self-help book she wrote to combat her Ghostface trauma, someone had other plans.

Hulu Originals

Bad Hair (2020)

Set to release on October 23rd, Bad Hair, a Hulu Original, follows a young woman who gets a weave in order to succeed in music television in 1989. Her blossoming career comes at a cost when she discovers her hair may have a mind of its own. A horror satire that looks at the image-obsessed industry.

Old Horror Films

Lady in a Cage (1969)

A wealthy, injured woman is trapped in her private elevator during a power outage as her home is ransacked. The violence escalates quite dramatically when all present realize she could be seen as a witness.

This movie takes on a lot and all at once. But it’s worth taking a look at. It’s definitely a daring film that isn’t afraid to change course. Telemarketer Cassius Green finds himself in an alternate reality. His friends organize a protest against corporate oppression, while he gets wealthy. A breakout movie in more ways than one.