Best Classic Movies On Hulu

Inception, The Matrix, Parasite, Deadpool, Arrival, Edward Scissorhands, The Fifth Element, and Memories of Murder – Hulu's library is packed to the brim with great modern films and older releases that are on the verge of being deemed classics. The streaming service is not lacking in current content, but one of the appeals of these types of platforms is that they provide access to decades-old movies that might otherwise be forgotten.

Hulu predominantly focuses on movies released after the year 2000, so much older projects are in short supply. That said, there are still a few brilliant oldies on the platformer. What are the best classic movies on Hulu?

Disclaimer: 1975 is the cutoff point, so any movie released after that will not be included.

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1923)

Lon Chaney's influence on the horror genre cannot be understated, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame was the movie that elevated the actor to superstar status. An ambitious adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel, this 1923 classic is a moving tale that captures the source material's devastatingly tragic tone.

As a showcase of one of the silent era's greatest performers, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is an epic with few contemporary equals. After watching this movie, people should try and track down some of Chaney's other classics, particularly 1924's He Who Gets Slapped and 1925's The Phantom of the Opera.

The Quiet Man (1952)

John Ford and John Wayne are mostly known for their Westerns, but both film icons dabbled in other genres. The Quiet Man finds the Duke cast as a romantic lead, a role well out of the actor's comfort zone. Set in the Irish countryside, The Quiet Man is a charming little movie with gorgeous cinematography that rivals Ford's best Westerns.

While the film certainly feels like a product of its time, The Quiet Man still has its charm. It is also a must-watch for people who wish to see a different side of John Wayne.

Shane (1953)

Westerns have become a rare treat in modern cinema, but that wasn't the case prior to the 1960s. Most of these ancient releases have fallen to the wayside, only remembered by genre aficionados who wish to experience the Old West in all of its glory and failures. However, a few movies have stood the test of time, and Shane is one such example.

On the surface, this is a tale about a gunman taking arms to protect a farmer from a slew of gunslingers, but the story goes deeper than that. Shane is about a battle of worlds and the changing of eras; the unintimidating eponymous gunfighter is removed from the towering leading men of classic Hollywood. Jack Palance's Jack Wilson is also one of cinema's greatest villains.

The War Of The Worlds (1953)

H. G. Wells' The War of the Worlds is one of those novels that has always inspired adaptations. Steven Spielberg's 2005 movie did a respectable job bringing this classic to the big screen, while Orson Welles' 1938 radio adaptation infamously convinced a number of people that aliens were genuinely taking over the world.

The first feature film to adapt Wells' story, 1953's The War of the Worlds was a triumphant showcase of cinema's potential to bring to life spectacles that were once restricted to imaginations. The special effects have aged to the point that most of the film's horror elements have been lost, however, The War of the Worlds is still a brilliant adventure film.

Once Upon A Time In The West (1968)

When it comes to Westerns, it is difficult to go wrong with a Sergio Leone movie. Once Upon a Time in the West takes a fantastic roster of actors and casts them against type in a slow-burning and complicated narrative. As one can expect from the director, this 1968 classic is gorgeously filmed and boasts a soundtrack that can match nearly any in the industry's history, including The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

Once Upon a Time in the West is a masterpiece and, consequently, one of the best movies on Hulu, regardless of when it came out.

A Boy Named Charlie Brown (1969)

The first feature-length Peanuts movie, A Boy Named Charlie Brown finds the somber child participating in a spelling bee as he tries to prove his worth to the other children. Effectively animated and cleverly written, A Boy Named Charlie Brown delivers its life lessons with a healthy helping of humor, nuance, and sadness.

1972's Snoopy Come Home is also available on Hulu, so Peanuts fans can plan a double feature. Anyone new to Charlie Brown should also check these movies out.

True Grit (1969)

Eclipsed by 2010's remake by the Coen Brothers, 1969's True Grit is nevertheless a strong late-era Western with one of John Wayne's more memorable performances in the genre. As Rooster, Wayne is hired by a young girl to take out the man responsible for killing her father.

True Grit is a revenge story that rejects the heroics that permeate the majority of classic Westerns, including most films starring Wayne. Rooster is by no means a noble person, as he is depicted as a drunk with a violent streak.

Theatre Of Blood (1973)

Vincent Price was a legend of the B-Movie horror scene, but his films can be quite difficult to track down in this day and age. Theatre of Blood finds the icon in fine (and ghoulish) form as a theatre actor who goes on a murder spree against critics who lambasted his Shakespearean performances.

Over-the-top, strangely comedic, and quite gory in place, Theatre of Blood is a bizarre but highly enjoyable flick that will satisfy horror fans.

The Conversation (1974)

Sandwiched between The Godfather and its sequel, The Conversation is sometimes underappreciated among Francis Ford Coppola's '70s masterpieces. Revolving around a surveillance expert who accidentally records a murder, The Conversation is a captivating thriller that rewards patience.

Gene Hackman delivers a brilliant performance as the lead, and the film's themes hold up well after all these years. The Conversation is Coppola at his best.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

A contender for the definitive B-movie experience, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a nightmarish delight fit for Halloween night or a random Tuesday. Packed with unforgettable tracks and legendary performances by a game cast, Jim Sharman's movie is a joyous celebration of the unusual.

More importantly, this film is irresistibly charming and a whole lot of fun. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a cult classic that has grown so big, the "cult" part is starting to feel inaccurate.

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