Best Indie Movies on Hulu | 2021

15 Indie Movies to Stream on Hulu When You Need a Break from Blockbusters

Feeling overwhelmed by blockbusters? You can get your indie film fix on Hulu right now. While the streaming service has plenty of crowd pleasers, it also includes a bevy of excellent independent movies. While they're typically low in budget, these films definitely aren't low in quality. If you love a quiet, slice-of-life movie, you'll find low-key films such as Nomadland and The Skeleton Twins. But there are plenty of high-octane indies, too — put on Parasite for a deliciously dark thriller or play Booksmart for a goofy teen comedy. Ahead, we've rounded up 15 of the best indie movies to watch on Hulu, so get ready to add them to your queue!

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Hateship Loveship

Hailee Steinfeld plays matchmaker with her father (Guy Pearce) and her nanny (Kristen Wiig) in this dramedy that you might not know even existed.

Watch Hateship Loveshipon Hulu.

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Nomadland

In Nomadland, Frances McDormand portrays a nomad named Fern who works odd jobs at Amazon and other establishments as she travels across the country after the 2008 recession. As she hits the road, she discovers and befriends a community of fellow van-dwellers.

Watch Nomadland on Hulu.

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Booksmart

Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein portray BFFs Amy and Molly in Olivia Wilde's directorial debut. Right before graduating high school, the duo cram one epic night of partying after spending years as sheltered overachievers.

Watch Booksmart on Hulu.

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If Beale Street Could Talk

Based on James Baldwin's book of the same name, Barry Jenkins' If Beale Street Could Talk takes us deep into Fonny (Stephan James) and Tish's (Kiki Layne) romance. Things take a turn when the police arrest Fonny for a crime that he didn't commit. On top of the absorbing story, the cinematography is beautiful, and Nicholas Britell's tender score will stay in your head for days.

Watch If Beale Street Could Talk on Hulu.

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Parasite

It's a classic tale of the haves and the have-nots, but things go off the rails in all the right ways. Bong Joon Ho's Parasite will take you for a deep and twisted ride as the impoverished Kims scam their way into working for the wealthy Parks. Things definitely go awry as the Kims will do whatever it takes to keep their secret.

Watch Parasite on Hulu.

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50/50

Life takes a turn for 27-year-old Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who learns that he has tumors on his spine. Given a 50/50 chance of survival, he navigates life after his diagnosis with the help of his friend Kyle (Seth Rogen) and therapist (Anna Kendrick).

Watch 50/50 on Hulu.

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Support the Girls

Regina Hall plays a hardworking manager at a Hooters-style bar called Double Whammies. While usually on top of things, a particularly trying day with terrible customers and her bad boss tests her patience. It's one of former President Obama's favourites!

Watch Support the Girls on Hulu.

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Palm Springs

Two guests at a wedding (Cristin Milioti and Andy Samberg) find themselves reliving the same day over and over again. Driven to existential crises, the pair forms a relationship to bring meaning into their new lives. The Groundhog Day premise has been done quite a few times, but Milioti and Samberg's chemistry in this sci-fi rom-com will keep you delightfully afloat.

Watch Palm Springs on Hulu.

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I, Tonya

I, Tonya paints traces the life of figure skating champion Tonya Harding before she became accused of orchestrating the attack on fellow athlete Nancy Kerrigan. With a gritty soundtrack and plenty of cinematic shots on the rink, the film takes us back to Harding's difficult childhood and turbulent marriage.

Watch I, Tonya on Hulu.

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Sideways

In Alexander Payne's Sideways, buddies Miles (Paul Giamatti) and Jack (Thomas Haden Church) embark on a road trip in California's wine country before Jack gets married. While Miles just wants just good wine, Jack is looking for a fling before tying the knot — and the new woman he encounters is none other than Sandra Oh!

Watch Sideways on Hulu.

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Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Céline Sciamma's French romantic drama takes us back to the 18th century as it captures the affair that unfolds between an aristocrat and an artist commissioned to do her painting. As the story goes, Héloïse does not want to have her portrait for marriage, so the artist Marianne must paint her in secret while acting as her companion.

Watch Portrait of a Lady on Fire on Hulu.

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Shoplifters

In Shoplifters, a chosen family of grifters in Tokyo take in a young child when they find her in the cold. As the drama unfolds, we find the family struggling when their son's arrest risks the family getting exposed to the authorities.

Watch Shoplifters on Hulu.

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Clemency

In Chinonye Chukwu's Clemency, Alfre Woodward portrays Bernadine Williams, a prison warden who has been overseeing executions for years. Her perspective shifts, however, when she befriends death row inmate Anthony Woods (Aldis Hodge).

Watch Clemency on Hulu.

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The Assistant

Ozark's Julia Garner plays Jane, an aspiring producer who lands an assistant job working for one of the biggest names in the film industry. Over the course of one day in her stressful job, she learns that her boss is harassing women and tries to stand up against his misuse of power — only to learn how deep the abuse runs.

Watch The Assistant on Hulu.

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Love & Mercy

The biopic Love & Mercy weaves between the '60s and '80s as it chronicles the life of The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson and his struggle with mental illness. Paul Dano portrays the younger version of Wilson, while John Cusack plays him in his later years.

Watch Love & Mercy on Hulu.

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