Although many people instantly think about Netflix whenever the word "streaming" is mentioned, there is a veritable buffet of streaming services available to content-hungry fans in the modern age. One of the best (and sometimes underrated) offerings is Hulu, a "channel" that has made a name for itself by offering up a collection of great shows and movies. Those that can't find a particular showing on Netflix can often find it on Hulu and the streaming service has done a great job carving out its own niche in the entertainment space.
There are tons of things to watch on Hulu, including some fantastic Sci-Fi series. With so much to choose from on the expansive streaming service, it can be difficult to decide on something to watch. To better help Sci-Fi fans discover their next binge-a-thon, here's a look at some of the best Sci-Fi offerings currently available on the platform.
7 The X-Files
Those craving something Sci-Fi with a bit of horror sprinkled in will definitely want to check out the X-Files. Years back, it was hard to find any Sci-Fi fan that hadn't heard about or seen the iconic series. In the modern age, there are new Sci-Fi fans that are just now starting their viewing journey that have yet to discover this masterful television franchise.
The X-Files masterfully blended the horror and Sci-Fi genres for almost a decade and was even revived for a couple of years thanks to global adoration for its "monster of the week" format. It's definitely one of the most gripping series to ever hit television and a must-watch for anyone that enjoys Science Fiction.
6 Firefly
Much like the X-Files, Firefly enjoyed a massive cult following, with many Science Fiction fans heralding it as one of the best Sci-Fi shows ever created. Unfortunately, it didn't see the same success and was cut agonizingly short much to the chagrin of its dedicated fanbase. The space-faring Joss Whedon series originally aired from September 20th, 2002 to December 20th, 2002, lasting only three months before it was abruptly canceled.
Although it only saw 14 episodes, the series is widely regarded as one of the best Sci-Fi space-themed classics to stem from the early 2000s. Featuring great characters, an interesting storyline, and some engaging episodes, Firefly is a must-watch for Sci-Fi fans but many will find themselves upset by its short runtime.
5 The Handmaid's Tale
Like Netflix, Hulu has its own share of solid original programming. The Handmaid's Tale is, arguably, what helped to put Hulu on the map from an "original programming" standpoint. It's easily one of the best "Sci-Fi" shows crafted in recent years.
The premise showcases a dystopian future in which women's rights have taken a dramatic slide, thanks to the uprising of an ultra-conservative religious society. It's smart, thrilling, emotionally gripping, and features some brilliant acting from an incredibly talented cast.
4 12 Monkeys
Time travel is an interesting and widely-beloved sub-genre of Sci-Fi. 12 Monkeys taps into this trope by offering an engaging series that is loosely based on the 1995 film by the same name. The new series was produced in 2015 and ran to 2018, amassing 47 episodes along the way.
Those looking to binge this sleeper hit will find a thrilling plot that follows James Cole on a journey to travel back to the past (from 2043 to 2015) in order to stop a strange cult-like organization from releasing a deadly virus that will ravage the globe.
3 Hit-Monkey
From 12 Monkeys to just one, this hilarious and action-packed romp through the Marvel Cinematic Universe sees a talented monkey (in a suit!) on a quest to cleanse the Tokyo underworld of its criminal organizations. One the outside, it seems like nothing more than an excuse to watch a well-dressed snow monkey engage in acrobatic Kung-Fu, but there's actually quite a bit of story-based depth to the tale.
With a colorful cast of characters, including a ghostly assassin mentor, Hit-Monkey is much more than it appears from the surface. It's definitely one of the strangest (and most entertaining) Sci-Fi offerings from the MCU.
2 Legion
Another Marvel-inspired offering, Legion is a great glimpse into the X-Men universe, following a mutant that is very unaware of the power that lies within him. Legion dives into the story of David Haller, an individual diagnosed with schizophrenia at a young age. After spending some time in and out of psychiatric facilities, a series of events occurs that shows David that he's suffering from much more than a misdiagnosed mental illness.
Those that enjoy the prospect of the X-Men and mutant powers will definitely enjoy Legion, which showcases a darker side of an already murky Marvel universe.
1 The Orville
What would a list of best Sci-Fi shows be without a smash-hit from the Sci-Fi Comedy sub-genre? There are a lot of quirky (and hilarious) Sci-Fi Comedies to be found on Hulu but one of the absolute best is the The Orville. This fantastic dive into the mind of Seth McFarlane (the creator of Family Guy) sees the iconic show-creator poking fun at (and creating a beloved homage to) the Star Trek series.
The end result is a smart Comedy that features a lot of heartwarming moments, great character designs, intelligent plots, and a lot of laughs. This is a must-watch for those that enjoy Star Trek and are looking for something a bit more Comedic.