Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

3 underrated movies on Hulu you need to watch in May 2024

Three cops walks in front of an ambulance.
Vertical Entertainment

What movies have arrived on Hulu this month? All five Die Hard movies, including Die Hard With a Vengeance, are now streaming on Hulu. Other noteworthy movies arriving in May include Where the Crawdads Sing13 Going on 30Big Daddy, and a new Hulu original, Prom Dates.

Hulu’s library is always expanding by the month, which could be daunting if you’re unsure what to watch. Besides the homepage titles, you can find several under-the-radar movies worth your time. Watch these three underrated movies on Hulu, including the first film in the Planet of the Apes reboot trilogy, a delightful dramedy from a two-time Oscar winner, and an ominous thriller.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

A battle from Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
20th Century Studios

The Planet of the Apes reboot trilogy from the 2010s has aged like a fine wone. During their run, the films received critical acclaim but were never seriously considered in the top 10 trilogies of the 21st century. In 2024, the rebooted Apes trilogy is hands-down one of the best of the last 25 years. Matt Reeves’ Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes garner the most attention in the trilogy, and rightfully so. However, if Rupert Wyatt’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes failed, there may have never been a trilogy.

Scientist Will Rodman (James Franco) is tirelessly working to find a cure for his father’s (John Lithgow) Alzheimer’s disease by testing experimental drugs on chimpanzees. When one of the tests goes haywire, Will must shut his program down. However, Will saves one of the chimps, Caesar (Andy Serkis), and raises him like a son. While the drug fails to work for humans, it’s a success for chimpanzees as Caesar becomes highly intelligent. When forced into captivity, the brilliant Caesar starts a revolution that will lead to the downfall of humanity.

Watch Rise of the Planet of the Apes on Hulu.

That Thing You Do! (1996)

The cast of That Thing You Do!
20th Century Studios

When actors win Academy Awards, many capitalize on their critical acclaim by cashing in and taking lucrative roles. After winning two consecutive Oscars back-to-back in 1994 and 1995, Tom Hanks did not collect a paycheck for wearing a cape or leading a live-action franchise. Instead, he wrote and directed his first film, That Thing You Do! In the 1960s, a small-town band from Pennsylvania known as the Wonders are searching for their big break. When Guy Patterson (Tom Everett Scott) joins the band, he increases the tempo of one of their songs, That Thing You Do!

With help from their manager, Mr. White (Hanks), the Wonders catapult into stardom because of their one song. However, the music industry is cut-throat, causing tension among the band members. That Thing You Do! is like a nice blanket: warm and delightful. Yet, the secret of the movie is the titular song. If the song didn’t work, neither would the film. Luckily, the late Adam Schlesinger crafted a believable hit pop song that would have fit perfectly in the 1960s music scene.

Watch That Thing You Do! on Hulu.

To Catch a Killer (2019)

A cope stands with her arms folded in front of people.
Vertical Entertainment

To Catch a Killer is a diamond in the rough. It stems from Vertical Entertainment, a film distributor specializing in smaller independent films. These movies play very well on streaming because of their favorable runtimes, thrilling storylines, and notable actors. To Catch a Killer hits all three checkmarks.

It’s New Year’s Eve in Baltimore when a sniper opens fire on innocent civilians. Local cop Eleanor Falco (Shailene Woodley) arrives on the scene and takes a video of the residents leaving the building to record potential suspects. This resourcefulness attracts the attention of Special Agent Lammark (Ben Mendelsohn), who recruits Falco to help track down the sniper. With a riveting premise and overqualified actors, To Catch a Killer is a deeply satisfying thriller that feels like a throwback to the serial killer movies of the 1990s and 2000s.

Watch To Catch a Killer on Hulu.

Editors' Recommendations

Dan Girolamo
Dan is a passionate and multitalented content creator with experience in pop culture, entertainment, and sports. Throughout…
3 Hulu movies you need to stream this weekend (May 3-5)
The cast of That Thing You Do!

The first weekend in May has arrived, and Hulu fans should be happy to hear that there's a new lineup of movies to enjoy. Like most of the major streamers, Hulu debuts the majority of its library additions on the first of the month. But there will more movies released on Hulu throughout May.

Since the first weekend of May is traditionally timed around the opening of a superhero movie, our first choice this weekend is a comic book film that's celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Our other two picks include Tom Hanks' directorial debut, and a generation-spanning drama that holds up three decades after its release.
The Mask (1994)

Read more
3 underrated Netflix shows you should watch this weekend (May 3-5)
6 people stand on a beach in The 100.

Even as Netflix attempts to wow subscribers with its constant stream of new shows and movies, many are also aware that there's plenty of stuff on Netflix that the service basically buries. The algorithm might recommend it to you, but if the algorithm doesn't, you're not very likely to find it.

If you're looking for some underrated shows that are nonetheless great, then you're in luck. We've pulled together a list of three underrated titles that are all available on Netflix to be watched immediately. While Netflix does host plenty of good stuff, it'll only keep hosting it if you decide to watch it. Here are three shows you should start with this weekend.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Trailer

Read more
3 great free movies you should stream this weekend (May 3-5)
A girl stands on a table above water in Crawl.

The first weekend in May marks the start of the summer movie season. The first big theatrical release of May is The Fall Guy, David Leitch's action comedy with Ryan Gosling in the lead role. If you're looking for a high-profile release at home, however, stream Amazon Prime Video's The Idea of You, starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine.

But watching films in theaters or on services like Prime Video costs money. If you're looking for a cheaper option, stream free movies with ads on FAST services like Tubi and Amazon Freevee. Below are three great free movies to stream this weekend. Our selections include a 1990s sci-fi/horror film, a terrific B-movie featuring killer alligators, and a charming rom-com from 2013.
Event Horizon (1997)

Read more