5 hidden gems on Hulu (for when you get tired of Netflix) – nj.com

Because of the coronavirus quarantine, millions of people are socially distancing themselves and staying at home in the hopes of flattening the curve. So, while youre doing your part to prevent the continued spread of the virus, why not sit down and find something new to binge-watch?

Hulu, with its colossal streaming library, is available for $5.99 per month, with a premium, commercial-free option available for $11.99 per month.

Considering that the streaming platform has the most extensive, high-quality selection of TV shows among any of its peers, its hard to go wrong with a price tag like that.

If youve already seen Tiger King and youre all caught up on Ozark, consider making the switch from Netflix to Hulu. And if youre still not convinced, here are a few of the best hidden gems you might not have known Hulu was carrying:

1) Better Things

The first two seasons of Better Things are somewhat overshadowed by the specter of co-creator Louis CK and his involvement in its development. But this tale of a divorced actress navigating parenthood and her career as she raises three daughters deserves better than to be trapped in the same conversation as CK. Star Pamela Adlon handles the bulk of the writing and the directing, steering the series into uncomfortable and often painful places. But its those places from which the show is able to pull its deepest (and most cathartic) laughs. Better Things is a comedy, and a great one at that, but its punches land just as hard as any drama on TV. All four seasons are currently available for streaming.

2) Black Sails

Since Game of Thrones ended, fans have found themselves in search of another massive fantasy drama capable of filling the void it left. But as it turns out, the best substitute for the show was airing at the same time. Balancing the same character-driven plotting with all of the political maneuvering of the early seasons of Thrones, Black Sails is a gritty, blood-soaked prequel to Treasure Island that almost nobody watched while it was airing. And thats a shame, because its an intelligent, exciting highlight of fantasy Peak TV. If youre looking for a high-seas adventure story that doesnt overstay its welcome, this is the right choice. All four seasons are currently available for streaming.

3) Nathan For You

Nathan For You is a strange docu-reality comedy starring Nathan Fielder, who is gifted with an almost superhuman ability to endure social discomfort. In the series, Fielder works as a marketing/management consultant, offering struggling companies bizarre strategies to improve their businesses. Among the ideas he generates are creating a genuine viral video of a pig rescuing a baby goat from drowning; sending a group of people on a multi-day hike for a gas station rebate; and selling TVs for $1 to guests willing to crawl through a tiny door and past an alligator. The show is as much social experiment as it is comedy, and yet its hard to find anything anywhere near as uncomfortably funny as this show. All four seasons are currently available for streaming.

4) Terriers

Terriers ran for one season on FX before being cancelled due to virtually nonexistent viewership. This is most likely due to a poor marketing campaign and an even worse title; after all, many apparently thought the series was about dog fighting. Those who tuned in, however, were treated to the raw, crackling chemistry of leads Donal Logue and Michael Raymond-James as unlicensed P.I.'s attempting to uncover a political conspiracy in Ocean Beach, San Diego. The series is unique, thrilling and beautifully written, with a cliffhanger in its last moments that is somehow one of the most perfect endings in the history of TV. All 13 episodes of Terriers are currently available for streaming.

5) The Terror

Even in the age of Peak TV, great horror shows are hard to come by. Thats part of what makes anthology series The Terror so special, with both of its seasons telling gorgeous, self-contained stories that are as profound as they are bone-chilling. Season one follows the crew of Franklins Lost Expedition as they find themselves stranded in a frozen sea, confronted by the cruelty of nature while an elusive menace picks the men off one by one. Season two follows a Japanese-American community haunted by a specter from folklore as they are imprisoned in an internment camp in World War II. Both are excellent, and are currently available for streaming in their entirety.

RELATED COVERAGE ABOUT STREAMING TV SERVICES:

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The best streaming services for binge-watching TV shows while stuck at home

7 classic TV shows you can stream on Hulu to help pass the time

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Joseph Rejent may be reached at jrejent@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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5 hidden gems on Hulu (for when you get tired of Netflix) - nj.com