Best Thriller Series on Hulu

Hulu delivers a compact yet powerful catalog of thriller series, each packed with tension, intrigue, and high production values. Whether you’re drawn to political dystopias, psychological twists, or chilling true crime, these shows satisfy your craving for high-stakes storytelling.

In this guide, we spotlight ten top-rated thrillers currently streaming on Hulu, enriched with real ratings from IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes. Expect immersive plots, unforgettable characters, and compelling reasons to press “play.”

Key points

• Hulu focuses on quality over quantity, offering thrillers that have earned critical acclaim and loyal fanbases.
• The lineup includes anthologies, limited series, and multi-season dramas, each with strong narratives and production values.
• Many featured shows hold IMDb ratings above 7.5 and Rotten Tomatoes scores over 80%, signaling consistent viewer satisfaction.

What makes a thriller series on Hulu worth binge-watching?

The best Hulu thrillers blend engaging plots with sharp pacing and high emotional stakes. Whether unraveling dark secrets or confronting moral gray areas, they maintain suspense from the opening scene to the final frame. Strong performances, striking visuals, and intelligent scripts keep audiences fully immersed.

Many of these series also reflect real-world anxieties, political unrest, surveillance culture, or family trauma, which adds resonance. You’re not just watching a mystery unfold; you’re watching a reflection of society through a lens of tension and drama. That’s what makes them addictive.

10 Best Thriller Series on Hulu

1. The Handmaid’s Tale (2017–ongoing)

This award-winning dystopian thriller explores a future where a theocratic regime strips women of their rights. Elisabeth Moss delivers a stunning performance as June, a woman resisting a brutal system. With an IMDb rating of 8.4 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 90%, The Handmaid’s Tale is intense, emotional, and hard to look away from.

2. Fargo (2014–ongoing)

Inspired by the Coen brothers’ film, this anthology crime thriller offers dark humor and sharp storytelling. Each season features a new set of morally complex characters caught in criminal chaos. It holds an impressive 8.9 on IMDb and 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, praised for its originality, cinematography, and quirky tension.

3. Little Fires Everywhere (2020)

Based on Celeste Ng’s bestselling novel, this suburban mystery pits two mothers from very different backgrounds against one another. Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington shine in a tale of hidden secrets and escalating tensions. With a 7.6 rating on IMDb and 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, Little Fires Everywhere is both intimate and explosive.

4. The Looming Tower (2018)

This gripping dramatization traces the rivalry between the CIA and FBI leading up to 9/11. Jeff Daniels and Tahar Rahim anchor the series with powerful performances. It boasts a 7.9 rating on IMDb and won an Emmy, delivering a chilling blend of real events and suspenseful drama.

5. Helstrom (2020)

From Marvel comes this supernatural thriller following siblings Daimon and Ana Helstrom as they battle demonic forces and family trauma. While it holds a modest 6.6 on IMDb, fans of darker, atmospheric storytelling will appreciate its slow-burn suspense and eerie visuals.

6. Why Women Kill (2019–ongoing)

This dark comedy-drama thriller explores how three women across different decades deal with betrayal and secrets in their marriages. Created by Marc Cherry (Desperate Housewives), the show cleverly mixes mystery with style. With a 7.5 IMDb rating and strong fan reviews, it’s smart, addictive, and surprisingly fun.

7. Castle Rock (2018–2019)

Set in the eerie universe of Stephen King, this psychological thriller anthology merges elements from his most iconic stories. The town of Castle Rock becomes a playground for secrets, supernatural phenomena, and psychological torment. IMDb gives it a 7.5, and fans of King will love the dark atmosphere and clever references.

8. Saint X (2023–ongoing)

A recent addition to Hulu, Saint X begins with the mysterious death of a young woman at a Caribbean resort. Years later, her sister digs into the case, uncovering a web of secrets and distorted memories. With a 6.7 on IMDb and building buzz, it’s a modern psychological thriller with a haunting core.

9. The Act (2019)

Based on the true story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her mother Dee Dee, this unsettling series explores Munchausen by proxy and its deadly consequences. Patricia Arquette won an Emmy for her chilling portrayal, and Joey King earned widespread praise. With an 8.0 on IMDb and 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Act is both disturbing and captivating.

10. Utopia Falls (2020)

This unique thriller blends sci-fi, hip-hop, and social justice in a futuristic society where art is censored and truth is hidden. A group of teens uncovers a cultural archive that challenges everything they know. While it has a 5.9 on IMDb, its bold premise and striking visuals offer something refreshingly different for curious viewers.

Is The Handmaid’s Tale the most intense thriller on Hulu?

It’s certainly one of the most emotionally intense and critically acclaimed. Its portrayal of a patriarchal dystopia has struck a cultural nerve, delivering powerful performances and themes that resonate deeply. If you’re seeking a series that blends horror, resistance, and human resilience, this is it.

However, intensity can take many forms. If you’re after a more psychological or criminal twist, Fargo or The Act may provide a more suspense-driven thrill. It all depends on your flavor of tension.

Are Hulu thrillers good for binge-watching?

Yes, many of these thrillers are ideal for binging thanks to their cliffhangers, tightly written episodes, and emotionally gripping arcs. Anthologies like Fargo and mini-series such as Little Fires Everywhere deliver satisfying storylines in compact formats.

Even ongoing series like The Handmaid’s Tale build tension across seasons in a way that makes it hard to stop watching. Hulu’s platform also supports autoplay and easy navigation, enhancing the binge-watching experience.

How do Hulu’s thrillers compare to those on Netflix or Prime Video?

Hulu may offer a smaller library, but its thriller collection is impressively curated. Many of its shows, like The Act and The Looming Tower, have earned Emmys and high ratings. Unlike platforms that prioritize quantity, Hulu emphasizes originality and storytelling quality.

If you’re after high-impact thrillers without endless scrolling, Hulu is a top-tier choice. The platform also offers next-day streaming of shows from FX and ABC, keeping the catalog fresh and relevant.

Conclusion

Whether you’re in the mood for dystopian tension, character-driven mysteries, or chilling true crime, Hulu’s thriller catalog delivers. With standout performances, richly layered narratives, and strong critical reception, these shows make Hulu a serious destination for fans of the genre.

From long-running hits like The Handmaid’s Tale to hidden gems like Saint X, there’s a thriller here for every kind of viewer. So dim the lights, grab a blanket, and dive into stories that will keep you guessing until the final scene.