3 Underrated Hulu Movies to Watch This Weekend (May 16 – 18)

3 Underrated Hulu Movies to Watch This Weekend (May 16 – 18)

3 Underrated Hulu Movies to Watch This Weekend (May 16 – 18)

Looking for something fresh to stream without scrolling for hours? We’ve done the digging for you.

Below are three underrated Hulu movies that flew under most people’s radar but deserve a prime spot in your queue

From a chilling ghost story to a swoony period drama and a sci-fi romance that gives fate a mixtape, these picks prove you don’t have to settle for the same old blockbusters.

Add these underrated Hulu movies to your watch-list, grab some snacks, and press play.


1. Oddity (2024)

Genre: Psychological horror |  Runtime: 1 h 34 m

If you love horror but feel burned out on jump-scare factories, Oddity is the atmospheric shocker you’ve been waiting for. The story follows Darcy (Carolyn Bracken), a woman convinced her twin sister’s murder wasn’t a random crime. When a life-sized wooden golem arrives at her brother-in-law’s remote country house, Darcy’s psychic abilities flare up—and the line between the living and the dead snaps.

Why it’s worth your time

Oddity uses dread instead of gore. Director Damian McCarthy expertly milks tension from a single location and a near-motionless figure.

The result is a slow-burn creeper that sticks with you long after the credits.

It’s a perfect example of how underrated Hulu movies can rival theatrical horror hits in craftsmanship and pure goose-bump power. Turn down the lights, keep the volume up, and prepare to peek through your fingers.


2. Mothering Sunday (2021)

Genre: Period romance / drama |  Runtime: 1 h 44 m

Set in post-WWI England, Mothering Sunday spins a bittersweet tale of forbidden love. Jane Fairchild (Odessa Young) works as a maid for the wealthy Niven family. She’s also secretly involved with Paul Sheringham (Josh O’Connor), their neighbor’s son—who happens to be engaged to someone of his own class. What begins as an illicit spring tryst blossoms into a lifelong ache neither can fully escape.

Why it’s worth your time

This is no frothy costume romance. Director Eva Husson turns Graham Swift’s novel into a sensual, meditative study on class, grief, and the indelible mark of first love. With haunting performances by Young and O’Connor, the film lingers like perfume on vintage lace—proof that underrated Hulu movies can deliver prestige-level storytelling. If you enjoy A Room with a View or Atonement, consider this your next rainy-day obsession.


3. Press Play (2022)

Genre: Sci-fi romance |  Runtime: 1 h 25 m

Imagine Your Name. meets Palm Springs with a dash of indie sweetness. That’s Press Play, a time-loop love story starring Clara Rugaard as Laura and Lewis Pullman as Harrison. After Harrison is killed in a tragic accident, Laura discovers that a mixtape they made together lets her jump back in time to key moments in their relationship. Each rewind offers a chance to rewrite destiny—but at what cost?

Why it’s worth your time

The film leans on genuine chemistry, a killer indie soundtrack, and clever twists on the butterfly-effect trope. While big-budget multiverse movies dominate theaters, this smaller gem reminds us that intimate stakes can feel cosmic too. Among the underrated Hulu movies available, Press Play stands out for delivering big emotion without a single CGI explosion. Plus, Thunderbolts* fans will appreciate seeing Pullman charm his way through board-short romances.


How to Build the Perfect Double (or Triple) Feature

  1. Start with suspense: Cue up Oddity once the sun sets for maximum fright.
  2. Cleanse with romance: Follow with Mothering Sunday to slow your heart rate and savor gorgeous period detail.
  3. End on hope: Wrap the night with Press Play, whose bittersweet optimism makes the perfect palate cleanser.

Mix and match based on mood, but whichever order you choose, you can’t go wrong with these underrated Hulu movies.


Final Thoughts

Horror, historical drama, and time-bending romance may seem worlds apart, yet they share one thing: They’re proof that the Hulu library is deeper than most viewers realize. By venturing beyond the front-page carousel, you’ll uncover more underrated Hulu movies worth bragging to friends about. So take a chance on a new title this weekend—you might just find your next hidden favorite.

Happy streaming!