Summary
- The best Hulu original comedies offer big laughs and showcase the versatility of the genre, ranging from outlandish satires to shows that balance laughs with intense subject matter.
- Hulu's original comedies feature talented actors and are praised for their performances, with shows like Unprisoned and The Full Monty receiving acclaim for their heartfelt stories and hilarious premises.
- From animated series like Hit-Monkey to live-action comedies like Difficult People, Hulu's original comedies have gained a loyal fanbase and have been recognized for their comedic talent and unique storytelling.
The best Hulu original comedies provide some of the biggest laughs on television. The streaming service has a wide array of shows to offer its subscribers and has won acclaim for its dramas like The Handmaid's Tale, but some of its most popular original content are the comedies. From shows that helped launch the platform like The Mindy Project to the most recent hits like The Bear, the best Hulu original comedies feature some of the funniest shows around.
In both live-action and animated, the Hulu comedies that have struck a chord with audiences and critics showcase just how versatile the genre can be. Some of these series are outlandish satires that never take themselves seriously while others are able to balance the laughs with thoughtful and intense subject matter. They include some of Hulu's best recent shows and many have won some major awards.
25 Unprisoned (2023-)
Unprisoned takes two incredibly talented actors known mostly for their dramatic performances and allows them to embrace their light-hearted side in a sweet family story. Kerry Washington plays a woman who has to adjust to her father (Delroy Lindo) coming back into her life after years in prison. The show tackles some heavy topics at times but it also has a lot of heart as well as laughs. The performances by the two leads are also a highlight with Lindo particularly effective as a man trying to make up for lost time. It has gone under the radar but deserves a watch.
24 History Of The World, Part II (2023)
It took 40 years for the History of the World sequel to happen, but the long wait was worth it. Mel Brooks's comedy History of the World Part I was a hilarious satire that took a look at various moments in history with a silly and clever approach. The long-awaited second part has finally debuted as a series, assembling an A-list group of funny people to explore more untold moments in history. The series maintains Brooks's voice, features callbacks to the original, and makes great use of the talented cast.
23 Full Monty (2023)
Another cult hit that recently became a comedy series is The Full Monty. The original movie was a surprise hit about a group of middle-aged men who form an exotic dance group to earn some money. The hilarious premise made for a charming story, but the series doesn’t revisit that aspect of the story. Instead, it is a return to the blue-collar world and these characters as they continue to struggle while doing their best to keep spirits up. In that way, the show captures the spirit of the movie perfectly. And while it may not be as special as the original, fans will certainly want to check it out.
22 This Fool (2022-)
Hulu comedies can offer a lot of great introductions to new comedic voices as in This Fool. The show is based on the life and standup comedy of creator and star Chris Estrada and follows Julio as he attempts to navigate life in South Central where his heart of gold is not necessarily a good thing. The show is a hilarious look at family and community and the struggles they often cause. Its unsentimental approach to these subjects is refreshing as it simply delivers big laughs. Reviews for it have been strong during its short run.
21 Life & Beth (2022-)
Life & Beth sees the return of Amy Schumer to the acting world and is a great reminder of her immense talent. The show stars Schumer as Beth who is living in fulfilling life with a great job and solid relationship only for memories from her past to force her to confront some things about herself. Schumer gives one of her best performances in a role that showcases her dramatic talents while also taking full advantage of her comedic abilities. She is also backed by a strong ing cast including Michael Cera in a standout role.
20 Hit-Monkey (2021)
There is a wide variety of Hulu animated series that are among the most popular with Hulu subscribers. There are also a number of original Hulu animated programs including the wild comic book adaptation of Hit-Monkey. The series follows a Japanese monkey who teams up with a ghost to become a dangerous new assassin in Tokyo's underworld. The outlandish premise makes for a thrilling, funny, and violent action-adventure. It is the perfect comic book show to dive into for those looking for darker material in the genre.
19 Difficult People (2015-2017)
Starring Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner as two struggling New York comedians with more than a bit of a vicious streak for everyone except each other, Difficult People managed to get a ton of laughs out of its mean and unlikeable main characters. Full of comedic talent from John Mulaney to Martin Short, the show proved all the way back in 2015 that Hulu means business when it comes to comedy.
Hulu renewed the series twice, and, although it came to an end, there were 28 entertaining episodes to stream, which might be the perfect amount considering the constant bitterness of its characters can start to wear a bit thin. Though it is something of an underrated comedy series, it managed to retain plenty of fans since it ended in 2017.
18 Deadbeat (2014-2016)
Although it's definitely one of Hulu's earlier forays into comedy, and it ended in 2016, Deadbeat's interesting premise and unique sense of humor meant it kept a place in the hearts of many comedy fans. The show centers on a jobbing medium, played by Tyler Sabine, and his best friend while they attempt to help ghosts by dealing with their unresolved issues. Whilst this might sound like a formulaic premise, albeit a dark one with the potential to tell plenty of interesting stories, it's actually full of narrative twists and turns. Despite its cancelation, it's not a show that's been forgotten in the years since it still rates as one of Hulu's best comedies.
17 Future Man (2017-2020)
Starring a post-Hunger Games Josh Hutcherson as the lead, Future Man is a hilarious but now sadly forgotten sci-fi comedy that manages to take in all the genre clichés while keeping up an atmosphere of good old-fashioned fun. Produced as a Hulu-exclusive by Seth Rogen's production company, it had all the makings of an underrated comedy gem. Its absurd premise that the video game the main character is addicted to is actually a recruitment tool for time-travelers from the future sets the tone for a show that never really takes itself seriously. With three seasons of hokey fun to enjoy, it's easy to see how Future Man managed to win over so many viewers.
16 All Night (2018)
This teen comedy is set in an overnight lock-in graduation party where the central cast of characters is committed to making all of their wildest dreams come true before they finish high school. All Night may have received a mixed critical response, but it managed to win over plenty of fans thanks to its sheer sense of fun. The show is also propelled along by an endless sense of energy that's needed to make a teen party comedy work, and the fantasy-fulfillment element means there are tons of crowd-pleasing moments. Without doing anything hugely different or new, All Night still managed to find a sizable audience that appreciated its charms.
