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Best Hulu Shows 2026: 10 Series You Can’t Miss This Year

A collage featuring Shogun, Only Murders in the Building, and The Bear, showcasing popular Hulu series across drama, comedy, and culinary storytelling.

Table of Contents

Hulu has officially entered 2026 as a streaming heavyweight by doing what it does best: resurrecting beloved universes and doubling down on prestige drama. While other platforms struggle with identity, Hulu has curated a lineup that moves from high-concept dystopian sequels to the return of iconic sitcom energy. Whether you are chasing the adrenaline of a professional kitchen or the nostalgic comfort of a family comedy, these 10 shows define the pinnacle of streaming right now.

If you are looking for a broader perspective on the current television landscape, our guide to the best shows to stream in 2026 across all platforms provides a complete roadmap for your watchlist.

The 2026 Hulu Power Rankings

Show Title Genre Why It’s Ranking
The Testaments Dystopian Drama The massive Handmaid’s sequel.
Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair Sitcom Revival A rare, perfect nostalgia hit.
The Bear High-Stress Drama Season 4 cements its legacy.
Rivals 80s Business Drama Salacious, sharp, and addictive.
Only Murders in the Building Mystery / Comedy The gold standard for “cozy crime.”
Deli Boys Action / Comedy 2025’s sleeper hit is back bigger.
Tell Me Lies Steamy Drama A masterclass in toxic relationships.
Welcome to Wrexham Docuseries Still the most heartfelt sports show.
Alien: Earth  Sci-Fi Horror FX’s massive Alien prequel.
A Thousand Blows Period Drama Gritty Victorian-era boxing.

1. The Testaments

A dramatic and intense vertical poster for "The Testaments." The image is a split-face composition. On the left is the close-up profile of a woman with warm-toned skin and a dark eye, her face in shadows. On the right, perfectly aligned, is the close-up face of another woman with pale, freckled skin and a striking blue eye, her face illuminated. In the blurred background between them, three fully masked, tactical figures in dark blue gear hold rifles in front of a brick building. The text "THE TESTAMENTS" is in large white letters across the bottom.

Expanding the world of The Handmaid’s Tale, this sequel series is the biggest television event on Hulu in 2026. Set years after the original series, it follows three different women with connections to Gilead, including June’s daughter, Hannah. It offers a fresh, more expansive look at the regime’s inner workings and the cracks beginning to form in its foundation.

2. Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair

An extreme close-up, vertical shot taken from directly above a crowd of six people, all looking straight up at the camera. At the center is Frankie Muniz, his face slightly distorted by the lens, with a woman (Jane Kaczmarek) to his right. Surrounding them are other family members (Bryan Cranston, and the other sons) smiling or with expressive faces. The white text "MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE" is above "Life's Still Unfair" at the bottom center, in a distressed, handwritten-style font. The entire group is against a solid, deep teal background.

The long-awaited revival is finally here. This four-episode event series catches up with the family in a world that hasn’t gotten any easier. It manages to capture the chaotic, grounded energy of the original while acknowledging how the characters have aged. It is a masterclass in how to do a revival right: short, sharp, and incredibly funny.

3. The Bear

A vertically oriented poster for "The Bear" with a deep blue background. Jeremy Allen White, in chef whites with his arms crossed over a gas stove, is positioned at the top center, staring directly down at the camera. Flanking the stove are smaller vignettes of other cast members (Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce) preparing food and interacting, built around an illuminated city skyline that forms part of the table setting. The stove is lit with blue flames, casting a strong glow upward. The white text "THE BEAR" is at the bottom center.

Carmy and the crew return for a fourth season that continues to explore the price of excellence. After the chaotic restaurant launch of the previous years, the focus has shifted toward sustainability—both in the kitchen and in their personal lives. For those who can’t get enough of this high-pressure style, we recommend checking out 3 high-stress drama shows on Hulu to watch and skip.

4. Rivals

A publicity poster for "Rivals." The central figure is David Tennant, standing tall with hands in his pockets in a navy pinstripe waistcoat, looking serious. Behind him stand two other men in suits, arms crossed, matching his look. Seated in the foreground are two women: a woman in a red dress with a striking necklace (looking forward, thoughtful) and a woman in a blue patterned dress with cowboy boots (leaning on her elbow, casual smile). The entire group is on a green lawn in front of a large English country estate house, with the orange glow of twilight on the horizon. A champagne bottle and tennis racket are on the ground nearby. The large white text "RIVALS" is across the top.

If you want something “unbuttoned,” Rivals is your show. Set in the 1980s world of independent television in England, season two brings more polo, more power moves, and more boardroom betrayals. It is stylish, salacious, and far more intelligent than its “guilty pleasure” reputation suggests.

5. Only Murders in the Building

A poster for "Only Murders in the Building." The three main stars are positioned on giant playing cards that recede into an illuminated green and gold building interior. Selena Gomez is seated on the foremost card in a metallic gold dress and pink heels. Steve Martin and Martin Short, in matching blue and grey suits, are peeking around the edges of cards behind her, looking surprised. Martin Short is pulling back a card on the right. The white and red title text "ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING" is across the top center.

Charles, Oliver, and Mabel have become a permanent fixture of our TV habits. This year’s mystery takes them out of their comfort zone but keeps the Arconia at the heart of the story. It remains the perfect “cozy” watch for mystery fans. This is why it consistently tops our list of the best mystery shows on Hulu.

6. Deli Boys

A group cast poster for "Deli Boys." In the center, a woman in red leather pants and a dark turtleneck stands confidently with one hand on her hip, a gun visible tucked into her waistband. Behind her are two men in green aprons: the man on the left is large with a black beard and a pink sweater, and the man on the right has shorter hair. They are all looking at the camera. The background is a brightly lit, cluttered convenience store interior, with refrigerators and products visible. A colorful decorative star hangs from the ceiling. The text "DELI BOYS" is at the bottom in bold, 3D orange letters.

Last year’s sleeper hit has returned for season two with an even bigger cast. Following two brothers who inherit their father’s secret criminal empire, the show balances bumbling comedy with genuine stakes. It’s fast-paced, irreverent, and perfect for fans of workplace comedies with a dark edge.

7. Tell Me Lies

A publicity poster for "Tell Me Lies." In the foreground, a young woman with long blonde hair lies horizontally, head resting on her arms, staring intensely forward. The white text "TELL ME LIES" is centered over her. Behind her, stacked vertically in a receding lineup that emphasizes perspective, are portraits of five other young adults looking in different directions, some directly forward, others to the side. The overall background is a modern, light-filled building interior.

Season three of this steamy drama continues to dissect the toxic, magnetic relationship between Lucy and Stephen during their spring semester. It is a polarizing watch that excels at making you feel the weight of every bad decision the characters make.

8. Welcome to Wrexham

A dynamic, vector-art poster in red, white, black, and green. At the top, stylized portraits of Ryan Reynolds (bearded, yelling) and Rob McElhenney (wearing a baseball cap) have their arms raised with fingers pointed high. Both wear Wrexham scarves. Below them is a stylized red Welsh dragon, a large golden trophy, and two sheep wearing red scarves. The Welsh flag is integrated multiple times. The background suggests a football stadium crowd. The FX logo and "WELCOME TO WREXHAM" text are at the top in a bold, comic-book font.

Season five follows the club as they navigate the pressures of higher-division football. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney remain the stewards, but the heart of the show is still the town of Wrexham itself. It is a rare docuseries that feels genuinely inspiring without being sappy.

9. Alien: Earth

A dramatic, vertical movie poster. The top half is dominated by the close-up, visceral face of a sleek Xenomorph, rendered in dark greens and blacks. Its elongated head has a blue dome and its open mouth exposes multiple rows of sharp, metallic teeth. A single thick stream of glowing, bright green acid is dripping from its jawline directly down to the center of the Earth, which is visible as a globe at the bottom. The Earth glows green where the acid touches it. The white text "ALIEN EARTH" is split across the middle in a clean, space-age font.

Bringing one of the most iconic sci-fi horror franchises to the small screen, Alien: Earth is a massive production and FX’s biggest launch of 2026. Set on Earth decades before the events of the original Alien movie, the series promises high production value, intense atmosphere, and a terrifying look at the birth of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation.

10. A Thousand Blows

A publicity poster for "A Thousand Blows." In the center, a woman in a vivid teal Victorian-era dress and gloved hands is seated on the ledge of an elevated boxing ring. She is looking directly at the camera with a confident expression. Flanking her are two men standing behind the ropes. The man on the left wears a brown waistcoat and white shirt, holding his hands at his side. The man on the right is shirtless, muscular, has his hands wrapped, and holds a fighting stance. The text "A THOUSAND BLOWS" is centered at the top in large white letters. The setting is a rustic, wood-beamed boxing gym.

From the creator of Peaky Blinders, this series explores the illegal world of Victorian-era boxing in London. It is gritty, beautifully shot, and anchored by powerful performances. If you like your period dramas with a lot of dirt under their fingernails, this is a must-watch.

Quick Picks for 2026

Don’t have time for a full series? Try these:

  • The Artful Dodger: A high-energy, fun spin on the Dickens character.

  • Animal Control: Still delivering the best fast-paced workplace comedy outside of a precinct.

  • The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: For when you just need high-octane reality drama.

For more rapid-fire suggestions, check out our quick picks on Hulu for when you don’t know what to watch.

Why Hulu is Essential in 2026

What makes Hulu the winner of 2026 is its ability to handle “legacy” content. Between the Handmaid’s expansion and the Malcolm revival, they have mastered the art of bringing back what people love without ruining the original magic. Combined with their steady stream of FX originals, it’s the most consistent platform for adult-focused storytelling.

Ready to dive in? Grab your snacks or let Swipe’nPop help you pick the perfect series to start tonight.

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About The Author

Zach is a lifelong TV obsessive and lead curator at SwipenPop. With over 10,000 hours of screen time analyzed, Zach specializes in identifying the “vibes” that make or break a show. From dark academia thrillers to high-fantasy epics, his mission is to help you spend less time scrolling through Netflix menus and more time watching your next favorite obsession. When he isn’t deep-diving into the latest streaming releases, Zach is rewatching The Office.
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