Home Poal9

The 7 Must-Watch Hulu Shows That Defined 2025 (And What's Coming Next)

• minute read
Contents

The landscape of streaming television is constantly shifting, but as of December 2025, Hulu remains a powerhouse, delivering a mix of groundbreaking original content and prestigious licensed series that dominate the cultural conversation. Forget the generic lists of old—this guide is focused exclusively on the most current, critically acclaimed, and buzzworthy shows that have either recently premiered or released a new season in 2025, ensuring your next binge-watch is fresh and relevant. From intense culinary dramas to sweeping historical epics and darkly funny sitcoms, Hulu is currently the home for television that demands your attention.

This curated selection highlights the series that have garnered major awards, sparked intense fan discussion, and pushed creative boundaries, making them essential viewing for any serious television enthusiast this holiday season. We’ve done the deep dive to bring you the latest updates, from season renewals to plot details, ensuring you are watching the absolute best content available right now.

The Critically Acclaimed Titans: Must-Watch 2025 Hulu Originals

Hulu’s reputation for prestige television is built on shows that consistently sweep award ceremonies and maintain a near-perfect critical consensus. These titles are not just popular; they are considered some of the best television produced in the 2020s.

Shōgun: The Epic That Reshaped Period Drama

The historical epic Shōgun, which premiered earlier in 2025, is arguably the most decorated series of the year, cementing its status as a landmark achievement in television. The show, a magnificent adaptation of James Clavell's novel, transports viewers to feudal Japan in the year 1600, focusing on the collision of cultures, political intrigue, and the struggle for power among powerful daimyo.

  • The Critical Consensus: The series achieved widespread critical acclaim for its stunning cinematography, meticulous historical accuracy, and stellar performances, particularly from Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga.
  • Awards Dominance: Shōgun didn't just win awards—it dominated, securing an astounding 18 Emmy Awards and sweeping the major categories at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards.
  • Season 2 Update: Despite the first season concluding the narrative of the original novel, FX and Hulu confirmed a major development: they are actively working with the Estate of James Clavell to "extend the critically acclaimed global hit," signaling a move toward an original second season, a massive update that has fans buzzing about the future of the franchise.

The Bear: Season 4’s Intense Return to the Kitchen

The culinary drama The Bear continues its reign as one of the most stressful, yet deeply rewarding, shows on television. Following Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) and his team as they navigate the high-pressure world of fine dining and personal trauma, the series maintains its signature blend of chaotic energy and genuine heart.

  • 2025 Release: The highly anticipated fourth season of The Bear dropped in its entirety on June 25, 2025, exclusively on Hulu, allowing fans to immediately binge-watch the next chapter of Carmy’s journey.
  • The Drama Continues: Season 4 picked up right after the cliffhanger of the previous installment, delving deeper into the personal and professional lives of Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), exploring the challenges of maintaining a Michelin-star operation while battling personal demons.
  • Future Confirmed: In a testament to its enduring popularity and critical success, the series was renewed for a fifth season even before Season 4 premiered, ensuring the emotional roller coaster of The Bear will continue.

Fresh & Buzzworthy: New Hulu Series You Can Binge Now

Beyond the established hits, Hulu constantly introduces new series that immediately capture attention. These two titles are among the freshest and most talked-about additions to the platform in 2025, offering unique perspectives and compelling storytelling.

Dying for Sex: The Powerful New Limited Series

One of the most significant new FX on Hulu titles of 2025 is the limited series Dying for Sex. This show is a raw, emotional, and surprisingly life-affirming adaptation of the hit podcast of the same name, exploring themes of intimacy, mortality, and self-discovery.

  • The Premise: The series stars the award-winning Michelle Williams as Molly, a woman who, after receiving a terminal diagnosis, decides to leave her marriage and embark on a journey of sexual and personal liberation, documenting her experiences through a podcast.
  • Release Details: All eight episodes of Dying for Sex premiered on Hulu on Friday, April 4, 2025, making it a perfect, self-contained story for a weekend binge. The show is praised for its unflinching look at complex subjects and Williams's transformative performance.
  • Topical Authority: This series contributes significantly to Hulu’s topical authority in prestige drama, tackling sensitive subjects with nuance and a dark sense of humor, much like other successful FX productions.

Such Brave Girls: The Dark Comedy Phenomenon

For viewers who crave a truly unique and brutally honest comedy, the British import Such Brave Girls is a must-see. This sitcom has been hailed by many critics as a spiritual successor to groundbreaking dark comedies like Fleabag, blending laugh-out-loud moments with profound emotional pain.

  • The Story: Created by and starring Kat Sadler, the show is a loosely autobiographical sitcom that follows sisters Josie (Sadler) and Billie, and their single mother, as they navigate dysfunctional relationships, crippling insecurity, and mental health struggles with a distinctly British, cringe-worthy humor.
  • Critical and Audience Love: The series earned an 81% audience approval rating, with reviewers highlighting its stellar writing and properly brutal, properly funny take on depression, suicidal thoughts, and poor mental health. It’s a comedy that is unafraid to go to uncomfortable places.
  • LSI Keywords: The show is a prime example of the "dark comedy" and "autobiographical sitcom" genres that have become highly popular on streaming services, providing a fresh, albeit uncomfortable, viewing experience.

More Essential Binge-Worthy Series on Hulu Right Now

Hulu’s library extends far beyond its newest releases, offering a deep well of established, award-winning content that continues to be updated with new seasons.

Only Murders in the Building

Starring the iconic trio of Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building remains a fan-favorite "cozy mystery" that perfectly balances humor, genuine suspense, and a love letter to New York City. The series follows three true-crime podcast enthusiasts who find themselves wrapped up in a real-life murder mystery in their Upper West Side apartment building, the Arconia.

  • Why It’s Still Relevant: The show’s episodic structure and star power make it consistently one of the most streamed series on the platform. Each season introduces a new murder, keeping the premise fresh and the entity count high with a parade of A-list guest stars.
  • Topical Authority: It is a benchmark for "star-studded comedy" and "whodunit series," proving that traditional mystery formats can thrive in the modern streaming era.

Reservation Dogs

This FX on Hulu comedy is a groundbreaking, critically beloved series that follows the lives of four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma who are dreaming of escaping to California. The show is celebrated for its authentic representation, unique blend of surreal humor, and heartfelt exploration of community and grief.

  • Uniqueness: Reservation Dogs is a masterclass in "coming-of-age comedy" and has been praised for its genuine, non-stereotypical portrayal of Native American life, earning it numerous awards and a dedicated following.
  • Binge Factor: With its concise episodes and compelling character arcs, it is a highly satisfying series for a complete binge-watch.

Under the Banner of Heaven

For those interested in "true crime drama" and "religious thrillers," Under the Banner of Heaven is an essential limited series. Based on the non-fiction book by Jon Krakauer, the series stars Andrew Garfield as a detective whose faith is tested as he investigates the brutal murder of a mother and her child that seems to be connected to a respected Mormon family and the fundamentalist origins of the LDS Church.

  • Impact: The show is a powerful, dark exploration of faith, extremism, and the historical context of the Mormon faith, delivering high-stakes drama and a chilling mystery that makes it a standout "limited series" on Hulu.

Conclusion: Your Ultimate 2025 Binge List

Hulu’s current lineup in December 2025 is exceptionally strong, offering a diverse array of critically acclaimed shows that cater to every taste. Whether you are looking for the historical grandeur and political depth of Shōgun, the high-octane kitchen chaos of The Bear Season 4, or the raw, dark humor of a new hit like Such Brave Girls, the platform has solidified its position as a home for prestige and groundbreaking television. Start your binge-watching journey with one of these top-tier series to ensure you are watching the absolute best content the streaming world has to offer right now.

The 7 Must-Watch Hulu Shows That Defined 2025 (And What's Coming Next)
best shows on hulu
best shows on hulu

Detail Author:

  • Name : Anibal Hodkiewicz
  • Username : lwehner
  • Email : twunsch@yahoo.com
  • Birthdate : 1973-12-17
  • Address : 54156 Reichel Club North Petechester, DE 55233-1448
  • Phone : +13807327959
  • Company : Bradtke and Sons
  • Job : Dentist
  • Bio : Vitae sint libero veritatis nobis vitae nesciunt similique. At deleniti et qui commodi sit quo. Et numquam et et nam autem asperiores. Quam est architecto dolore nostrum.

Socials

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/vdietrich
  • username : vdietrich
  • bio : Ab cupiditate qui totam quidem nihil qui fugiat. Aliquam odio est doloremque voluptas et.
  • followers : 2699
  • following : 483

facebook:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/verda1792
  • username : verda1792
  • bio : Itaque est debitis est non molestias earum. Quos sunt tempore autem voluptate. Fugiat sapiente sed sunt cupiditate. Occaecati nesciunt dolorem voluptatem ut.
  • followers : 4487
  • following : 2901

Random Posts