Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo in Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar.
Lionsgate
This week on Hulu sees the fantastic new arrival of Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021). The new comedy from Bridesmaids co-writers Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo seems to have gone under the radar — the pandemic of course didn’t help, sadly leading to the cancellation of the film’s theatrical release. Thankfully, the brilliantly silly film hits Hulu on Friday, featuring Mumolo and Wiig as the titular Barb and Star, best friends who vacay in Florida, only to inadvertently become swept up in a nefarious plot.
Also on Friday comes In a World… (2013), a comedy gem starring Lake Bell, who also writes and directs. The film follows the 30-something daughter of the “king of voiceovers,” her own work shadowed by her famous father. Transport yourself to this intriguing corner of Hollywood in the entertaining screwball satire.
The beginning of July saw a ton of new arrivals, including Beetlejuice (1988), Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), Fargo (1996) and Whip It (2009). Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020) and Questlove’s new documentary, Summer of Soul, also recently landed. For even more, check out the list of best Hulu originals below.
Read more: The 35 best TV shows to watch on Hulu | Everything you need to know to sign up to Hulu
Best Hulu Original movies
Documentary
Hulu
It was only a matter of time before a documentary chronicling the remarkable story of teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg came around. I Am Greta is an intimate look at Thunberg’s one-person school strike for climate action outside the Swedish parliament. We also see a little of her life as a shy student with Asperger’s. The rare footage is in the sure hands of Swedish director Nathan Grossman, following Thunberg’s galvanizing impact from those steps to the rest of the world.
Hulu
On the surface this extraordinary documentary from Bing Liu is a love letter to skateboarding. But scratch a little deeper and you’ll find Minding the Gap’s vast depths. A rich and thoughtful tale of young people growing up in 21st century America, it explores domestic trauma, systemic racism and classism. It resonates beyond the skatepark.
Comedy
Plan B (2021)
Hulu
This road trip comedy covers familiar territory, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. Kuhoo Verma and Victoria Moroles star as odd best friends: one a straight-laced student, the other a slacker who helps the former track down a Plan B pill in conservative small-town South Dakota — within 24 hours of a regrettable first sexual encounter. Following in the footsteps of the fast-paced and fresh Booksmart, Plan B is a witty, bawdy ride that holds nothing back.
Hulu
Palm Springs slots right into the charming indie movie category: Its fresh sci-fi premise acts as a gateway to exploring deeper ideas. Cristin Miloti and Andy Samberg star as Sarah and Nyles, two strangers who meet at a wedding and get up to all sorts, including stumbling into a Groundhog Day time loop. Their only chance of escape seems to be tied to having personal breakthroughs. Very much sticking the landing, Palm Springs should be on your list of viewing destinations.
Hulu
Big Time Adolescence is a coming-of-age movie told with an emphasis on the messiness of growing up. Pete Davidson plays a slacker who befriends 16-year-old Mo. His influence sees Mo try new things, from alcohol to impressing girls at parties. Lessons, as you can expect, are learned. A smart ensemble, including Jon Cryer, is the cherry on the cake bringing together this heartfelt gem.
Romance
Hulu
If you like your Christmas movies with a dash of substance, then Happiest Season is one of the best new gems to slide onto your holiday viewing shelf. Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis star as loving couple Abby and Harper, who encounter a single spanner in their relationship: Harper hasn’t come out to her conservative family yet. Delivering all the warmth of a Hallmark card with none of the cheesiness, and bolstered by a stellar supporting cast including Aubrey Plaza, Alison Brie and Dan Levy, Happiest Season is a smart, modern Christmas movie with emotional punch.
Drama
Nomadland (2020)
Cortesía de TIFF
Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland has been sweeping awards at film festivals and unsurprisingly won best picture, best director and best actress at the Oscars. Zhao’s a true workhorse, directing, editing and writing this contemplative and fascinating drama about a woman (Frances McDormand) who leaves her home to travel around the American West. Get this: Members of the supporting cast are real-life nomads playing fictionalized versions of themselves. See this extraordinary piece of filmmaking from the director who’ll bring her unique lens to Marvel’s Eternals later this year.
Thriller
Hulu
Sarah Paulson’s had a big year, starring in Mrs. America, Ratched and now Run, a thriller from Aneesh Chaganty (check out his excellent directorial debut Searching). In Run, Paulson plays Diane Sherman, a mother looking after her daughter Chloe (Kiera Allen), who uses a wheelchair. But their mother-daughter relationship is more disturbing than it seems. Be captivated by the suspense, mystery and horror as Diane takes helicopter parenting to a new level.
Horror
Hulu
As the great Fleabag once said, “Hair is everything.” Bad Hair might just take that to the next level. The horror satire set in the ’80s follows a young woman who reluctantly agrees to get a weave — but changing her image to please the image-obsessed music industry has its consequences. Absurdly funny and disturbing at the same time, Bad Hair unravels an entertaining fable that reflects on modern life.
Hulu
Zombies, the Australian outback and a school bus of happy-go-lucky children are a mix you can expect to end badly. Little Monsters follows kindergarten teacher Miss Caroline (Lupita Nyong’o) on her gargantuan task: Keep her charges safe and oblivious to the flesh (and echidna) eating monsters. If she pulls it off, she’ll be teacher of the year. With a scene-stealing Josh Gad in tow, Little Monsters is ridiculous fun using a fresh brain to tackle the genre.