Did you know that you don't always need a paid Hulu Plus account to access many of the movies they offer? While the streaming site is popular for catching up on TV shows, Hulu also offers a decent library of movies that are free to view...
The Hulu movie selection isn't nearly as robust as Amazon Prime or Netflix, but if you can handle the commercials, you can watch these flicks for zero dollars:
Gosford Park
If you are already suffering from Downton Abbey withdrawal, this drama about the upstairs downstairs drama at an English country estate should help hold you over until Season 4 gets under way.
Supersize Me
This movie made Morgan Spurlock famous. It's a scary documentary that serves as a real eye opener about the power of fast food.
Who's The Caboose
This is a polarizing movie, but if you like comedy, it's worth a shot. It stars Sarah Silverman in a documentary style exploration of the inner workings of Hollywood and the race to fame. There's some notable cameos too, including Marc Maron, David Cross and Kathy Griffin.
A Farewell to Arms
This Ernest Hemingway adaptation was nominated for an Academy Award in 1932. It still stands up today with its raw portrayal of war.
Wasteland
This incredible documentary took over three years to film and the filmmakers patience pays off. They followed artist Vik Muniz from him home in Brooklyn to birthplace in Brazil. While there, they investigate the world's largest garbage dump and learn about art of living along the way.
Anything Goes
If you have ever wondered what Frank Sinatra was like in his prime, this classic is worth a look. He's a mesmerizing performer, even when you're watching on your laptop.
Prairie Love
If "quirky" indie movies are your thing, this Sundance selection from 2010 is definitely worth your time. If off-center movies aren't your thing, you've been warmed.
Soldier Girls
America made history this year when legislation passed that allows women to serve on the frontlines. This 1981 documentary about a female platoon seems more relevant than ever.
Quadrophenia
A British movie to finish off the list. This picture was inspired by the famous Brit band The Who and follows an angtsy teenager named Jimmy as he tries to fight his demons and find his way through London.
Doubt - Sorry! This one's been removed from Hulu.
Meryl Streep is brilliant in this complex drama about a Catholic priest and a suspicious nun. This story is dramatic, yet quiet in its own way. It features an all star cast in addition to Streep including Amy Adams, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Viola Davis.
(Photo Credits: USA Films and Paramount Pictures)
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Gosford Park and Wasteland are terrific. Highly recommend. Vik Muniz is one of my favorite artists.
Gosford Park is fantastic. Wonderful, wonderful recommendation.
new pbs miniseries to air in downton time slot sunday nights at the end of the month.
might be worth a watch. i hear the sets are fantastic.
not so sure about jeremy piven.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/watch-online/previews/mr-selfridge-preview/
I'm considering setting up my new computer in my living room just so I can watch hulu. I almost feel bad for liking it so much!
Gosford Park and Doubt are both very good.
Doubt is no longer available
Quadrophenia is a beautifully shot and acted movie. Anyone who likes The Who, 60's, vintage scooters and Sting (He is in the movie in a pivotal part) should see this. The accents are a bit thick but this does not take away from the story. And the music is from the amazing album as well. This is NOT a musical at all. Rather a movie based on an album.
I believe this version of Anything Goes is actually a television show, the Colgate Comedy Hour, instead of the later Hollywood movie. In any event, Ethel Merman was a force of nature who could easily overpower any fellow actor/singer with her voice and presence. Good for Ol' Blue Eyes that he could hold his own.
I agree with MrsH about Quadrophenia--excellent movie.
You can also stream Amelie for free on Hulu!!!! or at least you could when i watched it a few months ago.
Thanks for the other recommendations AT!
OH! and on Crackle.com you can watch Bottle Rocket (Wes Andersons's first hit) for free. Totally worth it.
@ALynn - you can buy a Roku for $50 and just stream the movies directly through your TV. No monthly fee and no need to drag your computer into the living room.
Roku will only stream Hulu Plus, not the standard Hulu content. Roku is awesome, but not that awesome.
I just did a search and all but one of these is on Netflix, streaming and DVD. Thanks for the list! I am going to start watching!!!
P.S. I have a Roku player. "Doubt" is on Netflix DVD.
Yeah, anyone in the U.S. can stream Hulu for free. *pouts*
Yea, anyone, as long as they live in the god old USA. (more pouts from New Zealand)
@ Sam Clemens - that is sad. I didn't realize that it was limited to Hulu Plus...
It is available already via BitTorrent. Make a donation to PBS and download now guilt free...
sob - not available outside US (e.g. in Europe) - :-(
Cole Porter the second best thing to come from Indiana, after my son in law.
omg gary cooper swoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon.
Quadrophenia is set in Brighton, I think.
I don't view Hulu Plus very often. I thought we paid extra NOT to see commercials. The way it is now, the amount of ads are worse than cable. Am I wrong?
If you own a Roku, you can stream Hulu content for free (and no Hulu Plus account is needed). Download the Plex channel - Plex has a bunch of channels within it, including Hulu and the Daily Show.
I've seen Waste Land before. It's incredible and I highly recommend it. Now I have the urge to watch it again...
Hulu has a lot of great movies for free. The problem is that there's much more on the other end of the spectrum, and if you are merely browsing through a category (e.g. comedies) you may have to spend considerable time to find the gems. Currently also available with no expiration are: To Be or Not To Be; No DIrection Home; Beat the Devil; Charade; The Flaming Lips; Secret Agent; Ken Burns' Baseball; Sabotage; The Lady Vanishes; The 39 Steps; His Girl Friday. More recent flicks tend to have expiration dates: Bottle Rocket is there until April 1st.
I would suggest The Man From Nowhere. This is an awesome crime/action/thriller flick that is also highly rated (5 out of 5 stars) on Hulu with over 100 comments from people exclaiming over this film.
Hulu is US only.
If you don't live in the US you can buy a VPN online.... just sayin'
I got Hulu Plus for only three reasons:
1. The anime shows
2. The Criterion Collection films
3. Misfits
FYI - Hulu is not available outside the USA.
I know this post is about streaming, (and I thank you for it), but when I got mad at netflix for doubling their prices, and at hulu for suddenly not only charging, but making you ALSO watch commercials, I started checking the library for movies and TV series, and found that they have a TON. Granted, you have to pick them up and return them, but in the course of doing errands anyway, that turns out to be very little inconvenience! And NO ADS! Plus, unlike Netflix streaming, you have access to the special features, etc, that are on most DVD's.
I am not a fan of Hulu/Hulu+. I had a Plus account for a few months, but I don't see the point of paying for a service and still having to watch commercials (and the repetitiveness of the commercials was mind-numbing). I cancelled my Hulu+ account and don't miss it at all. I do have Netflix Streaming and DVDs (It's really not that expensive, even after their "price hike") and rent an occasional movie from iTunes. It has been several months since I cancelled my DirecTV account and do not miss it (and the commercials on the cable channels) at all.
Glasseye -- You can keep Frank Sinatra. I LOVE Jeremy Piven.