Skip to main content

The best ’80s movies on Hulu right now (November 2022)

Tom Hanks faces Zoltar in Big.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Was the 1980s the all-time best decade for movies. Brilliant minds could disagree. What’s not debatable, however, is that Hulu is a great source of movies from the ’80s — it even has a hub dedicated to the decade. The streaming service recently revamped its library lineup from the ’80s, so many of the films that were the best a month ago are now gone. The good news is that most of them have been replaced by films that are even better. These are the best ’80s movies on Hulu right now.

We’ve also curated a guide to the best action movies on Amazon Prime and the best action movies on Netflix if you’re looking for additional recommendations.

Recommended Videos

Big (1988)

Big
73%
7.3/10
pg
104m
Genre
Fantasy, Drama, Comedy, Romance, Family
Stars
Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia
Directed by
Penny Marshall
Watch on Hulu
Josh Baskin just wants to be “big” — but he wasn’t expecting to be transformed into a full-grown adult overnight. Tom Hanks stars as the grown version of Josh in one of the actor’s most beloved roles. The fantasy comedy-drama provided a plethora of memorable moments, none greater than Josh and his boss (Robert Loggia) playing Heart and Soul on a walking piano, a scene frequently imitated and revived by later shows and movies. The moral of the story is of little surprise, but the movie remains surprisingly sweet when compared to most of the heavier films of the current era.

Gandhi (1982)

Gandhi
79%
8.1/10
pg
191m
Genre
Drama, History
Stars
Ben Kingsley, Candice Bergen, Edward Fox
Directed by
Richard Attenborough
Watch on Hulu
This biographical film about Mahatma Gandhi is one of the best in the history of the genre. Ben Kingsley stars in the title role, and his performance would earn him an Academy Award; the film also won Best Picture at the Oscars. Since its release four decades ago, the movie has become a slight lighting rod as some have criticized how accurate the portrayal is of the Indian independence movement leader, who preached nonviolence before meeting a violent ending of his own. Buckle in for Gandhi, as Richard Attenborough’s film clears three hours.

Say Anything... (1989)

Say Anything...
85%
7.3/10
pg-13
100m
Genre
Romance, Comedy, Drama
Stars
John Cusack, Ione Skye, John Mahoney
Directed by
Cameron Crowe
Watch on Hulu
You know that movie scene where a man holds the boombox outside of the window of a woman to get her attention? That’s from this film! John Cusack plays Lloyd Dobler, an average student who is lovestruck by Diane Court (Ione Skye), the class valedictorian. How could the two lovers with such different social backgrounds ever find love? The film is very heartfelt, even if it dives into melodramatic minutiae not tied too directly to the film’s foregrounded romance. Fun fact: Say Anything… marked the directorial debut of Cameron Crowe, who went on to direct Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous, and Vanilla Sky.

The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)

The Muppets Take Manhattan
64%
6.8/10
g
94m
Genre
Romance, Comedy, Family
Stars
Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz
Directed by
Frank Oz
Watch on Hulu

Here’s one for the kids. The Muppets Take Manhattan is the third theatrical filmsin the franchise and the solo directorial debut of Frank Oz, a puppeteer best known for his work as Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back. The G-rated film sees the titular Muppets make the move to, where else, Manhattan, in an attempt to take their show to Broadway. Hilarity ensues. The plot of the movie is largely secondary to the songs and the performances of the puppets, which feel genuine and emotional, despite being bound by felt. The film also continues the tradition of putting Muppets and real-life actors side by side; Muppets Take Manhattan features cameos from Brooke Shields, Liza Minnelli, and Joan Rivers. The movie also marks the debut of the Muppet Babies.

Akira (1988)

Akira
67%
8/10
r
124m
Genre
Animation, Science Fiction, Action
Stars
Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama
Directed by
Katsuhiro Otomo
Watch on Hulu
Akira isn’t widely known, but the 1988 Japanese anime film has had a big influence on the science-fiction genre. The film is set in a dystopian 2019 and follows the leader of a biker gang whose friend develops telekinetic abilities. From there, the story expands greatly as a military complex comes under threat and rebellion is fomented. The movie has been cited as an influence on The Matrix, Kill Bill, and even Stranger Things. The “Akira slide” scene, meanwhile, remains one of the most iconic anime scenes of all-time, heavily duplicated but never matched.
Movie images and data from:
Blair Marnell

Blair Marnell has been an entertainment journalist for over 15 years. His bylines have appeared in Wizard Magazine, Geek Monthly, SYFY Wire, Superhero Hype, Collider, DC Universe, and the official sites for Star Trek and Marvel. He also lends his pop culture expertise to Digital Trends on a variety of TV, movie, and streaming features.

Michileen Martin

Michileen Martin has written about pop culture in general and comics in particular for two decades. His work has appeared in numerous sites including Looper, PopMatters, Popdose, and nerdbastards.com. He probably knows more about the Incredible Hulk than you.

Holden Walter-Warner
Former Digital Trends Contributor

Holden is a writer with a focus on streaming service guides. He has also written content for Screen Rant and FanSided and is eagerly anticipating every Star Wars series set to debut in the coming years.

Christine Persaud

Christine has decades of experience in trade and consumer journalism. While she started her career writing exclusively about tech, she now writes about everything from tech to entertainment, business, lifestyle, and more. An admitted TV junkie (feel free to reach out for recommendations on what to watch!), if she's not working or hanging out with friends and family, she's probably relaxing with a crisp glass of wine while binging her latest TV series obsession. Follow her on Twitter @christinetechCA.

 

 

 

 

The best sci-fi movies on Hulu right now
Sadie Sink in O'Dessa.

Sci-fi fans, is it fair for Hulu to take away all of the Alien and Predator movies for a few months and then trot them back out as if they're fresh additions to the library? Those films should have permanent places among the best sci-fi movies on Hulu, rather than seasonal passes.
Before we eventually readmit some of those films to this roundup, we're throwing the spotlight on a new arrival called O'Dessa, starring Sadie Sink, who was recently cast in the next Spider-Man film. Our other pick for the month is The Prestige, which does veer into science fiction territory in a uniquely entertaining way. You can find these films and the rest of the best sci-fi movies on Hulu below.
If you're curious about what's available in science fiction on other streaming services, we also have guides for the best sci-fi movies on Netflix, as well as the best sci-fi movies on Amazon Prime Video. For more options, check out guides for the best new movies to stream and the best movies on Hulu.

If you're looking for more films to watch, remember that Hulu is part of the Disney Bundle. That includes the basic Hulu subscription (with ads), Disney+, and ESPN+, all for just $17 a month. That's a great deal, and you don't even have to travel to the future for it.

Read more
The best British TV shows on Netflix
Nanette posing with her arms on a chair wearing a uniform on the spaceship in the USS Callister sequel episode in Black Mirror.

When it comes to the best British TV shows on Netflix, they will keep you enthralled from start to finish. Oftentimes, these shows rise up the ranks for the streamer, becoming among the most popular and watched. In March, for example, the Jack Thorne series Adolescence started gaining a lot of attention and leading to conversation, with viewers dissecting the heart-wrenching, gripping, eye-opening story about kids, mental health, and social media. Black Mirror returns in April, too, and fans have been waiting a long time to see the new set of anthology episodes featuring a high-profile cast and the show's first-ever sequel.
Bottom line: the best British shows on Netflix sometimes count among the best shows on Netflix, period. When it comes to which ones are worth checking out, we have you covered with this curated list.
Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new shows to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, best shows on Hulu, best shows on Amazon Prime Video, the best shows on Max, and best shows on Disney+.

Adolescence (2025)

Read more
The best horror movies on Amazon Prime right now
James McAvoy's bloodied killer gritting his teeth trying to get into a room in Speak No Evil.

Amazon Prime Video's growing library has some of the best horror movies to stream. Amazon's platform — and even more counting the optional add-on channels — has enough content for every type of horror fan. That's thanks to its diverse selection, including small-budget features and Hollywood blockbusters. Just as welcome are the many horror subgenres seen in Prime Video's selection, from campy creature features to intense psychological horror.
Going through the Prime Video library might be tiresome, as the sheer number of movies available can easily overwhelm audiences trying to settle on a choice. However, this monthly-updated guide does all the skimming for you. This list highlights recent hits like Speak No Evil and The Menu, all of which audiences can find right now on Amazon Prime Video.
Here are some of the best horror movies on Prime Video you can look forward to streaming.

Want more Prime Video content? Check out the best movies on Prime Video right now. If you don't see anything of note on Amazon Prime, we've also rounded up the best new movies to stream this week, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.

Read more