In recent years, Hulu has joined many other streaming services by getting into the world of original content. There were plenty of TV series like The Handmaid's Tale and Little Fires Everywhere, which made sense since most people associate Hulu with television.
However, the streaming service also dabbled into releasing original movies. 2020 saw them drop more than usual, releasing seven films under their banner. They range in genre from unique and hilarious comedies to intense drams to twisted horror flicks. When trying to pick out the best one of the bunch to watch, a good place to check is IMDb and the user ratings there.
The Binge (5.1)
Sometimes, having a solid cast isn't enough to put a movie over the hump. That just so happens to be the case with The Binge. It boasts a cast featuring veterans like Vince Vaughn and Nicky Whelan as well as up and coming talents like Skyler Gisondo, Dexter Darden, and Eduardo Franco. The film was digitally released on August 28, 2020.
The Binge is surprisingly similar to The Purge franchise in terms of a premise in one way. It's set in a world where drugs and alcohol are illegal except for one 24-hour period, which is known as "Binge Day." Of course, this is a comedy, unlike The Purge. The movie was met with negative reviews, most suggesting that the concept was fine but the humor is sloppy and disappointing. It holds a 24% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Bad Hair (5.5)
It's always great to see a movie that does well at independent film festivals get the shine that it deserves. It happens each year and in 2020, one of them was Bad Hair. This initially was screened at the Sundance Film Festival before Hulu acquired the rights and distributed it on October 23, 2020.
There was also a limited theater run a week prior. Bad Hair is set in 1989 and follows an aspiring woman who gets a weave to look better for the harsh world of a media career. The twist is that the weave is seemingly possessed, turning this into a horror. The cast is strong, including Elle Lorraine, Jay Pharoah, Lena Waithe, Laverne Cox, Usher Raymond, and more. Despite this IMDb rating, the Rotten Tomatoes score of 64% is pretty good.
Books Of Blood (5.6)
This is another case of Hulu jumping into the world of horror movies. Unlike Bad Hair, Books of Blood is actually an anthology film. Based on the book of the same name by Clive Barker, this is the second adaptation, with the first being 2009's Book of Blood. This iteration also screened at a festival before hitting Hulu.
That came at the 2020 Screamfest Horror Film Festival and then it arrived on Hulu on October 7, just in time for Halloween. There are three separate stories told in Books of Blood. Though reviews weren't great, a lot of notable actors appeared in this including Britt Robertson and Paige Turco. The Rotten Tomatoes rating is 25%.
Run (6.7)
Now, it's time to get into the movies that received much more positive reviews. For example, Run not only scored about a 6.0 on IMDb but it also has an impressive 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. That shouldn't come as a surprise given the work turned in by both Sarah Paulson and Kiera Allen in this intense movie.
Run centers on a sick teenager in a wheelchair who is sheltered by her overbearing mother. She comes to realize that her mom may be lying to her about her life and has to find a way to freedom. Originally slated for a Mother's Day 2020 theatrical run, it was instead pushed back and eventually acquired by Hulu, who released it on November 20.
Happiest Season (6.7)
You'd be hard-pressed to find a Hulu original film that got more buzz than this one. Happiest Season seemingly kickstarted the holiday season, as this Christmas-themed movie was released on Thanksgiving Day. It played on the adoration many have for films centered around Christmas.
Directed and written by Clea DuVall, Happiest Season is unique in that it's a holiday movie focused on a lesbian couple. In it, Harper (Mackenzie Davis) brings her girlfriend Abby (Kristen Stewart) to her family's home for Christmas but must lie about their relationship since she hasn't come out to them. With a supporting cast featuring Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Dan Levy, and more, the 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes makes sense.
Big Time Adolescence (7.0)
Technically, Big Time Adolescence was a 2019 movie. It initially premiered way back in January of that year at the Sundance Film Festival. However, Hulu picked it up and released it for the world to see on March 13, 2020. It became one of the better coming-of-age movies in recent memory.
Pete Davidson seems to be on a roll lately with this, The King of Staten Island, and a part in the upcoming The Suicide Squad. This movie, which scored an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, follows the relationship between an aimless college dropout and an impressionable teen who looks up to him. Griffin Gluck, Sydney Sweeney, and Jon Cryer joined Davidson to round out a strong supporting cast.
Palm Springs (7.4)
The most buzz for a Hulu release this year was easily Palm Springs. Not only was it positively received but it also set a record by selling to Hulu for $17,500,000.69, which was $0.69 more than the previous high, although it ended up reportedly surpassing $22 million when all was said and done.
Palm Springs centers on two strangers at a wedding who are stuck together in an endless time loop, reliving the wedding day over and over. The concept, comedy, and work of the cast were all praised. Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti were wonderful together, while J.K. Simmons steals the show in a supporting part. It's 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating is also tops on this list.