Top 3 Must-Watch Movies on Hulu This Week: Star Wars, Scorsese & More

Hulu’s May Film Expansion Adds Four Star Wars Movies, a Scorsese Oscar Winner & More

Hulu significantly expanded its film library in May with a mix of classic and contemporary titles. Among the additions are four installments from one of Hollywood’s most iconic franchises, plus a 2006 thriller that finally earned director Martin Scorsese an Oscar and a 2010s crime drama that helped launch the careers of Denis Villeneuve and Taylor Sheridan.

Here are the three best movies newly available on Hulu that you can stream this weekend:

1. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Hulu added four Star Wars films this month: the entire Original Trilogy (Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Episode VI – Return of the Jedi) and the 2016 spin-off Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Of these, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back stands out as the crown jewel. Co-written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, and directed by Irvin Kershner, the film is a masterpiece of sci-fi storytelling—visually stunning, emotionally layered, and narratively daring. It remains one of the greatest sequels ever made, blending wonder, suspense, and mythic adventure in a way few films have matched.

“The Empire Strikes Back is one of the most daring, entrancing and visually striking sci-fi films ever made. It may be the best sequel Hollywood has ever produced.”

2. The Departed (2006)

Martin Scorsese’s 2006 crime thriller The Departed is best known for finally winning the director his long-overdue Oscar in 2007. While not on the same artistic plane as Taxi Driver or Goodfellas, the film is a masterclass in high-energy, morally complex storytelling.

The movie’s frenetic pace, razor-sharp screenplay by William Monahan, and electric performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, and Mark Wahlberg make it a relentless, adrenaline-fueled ride into the heart of corruption. It’s less a slow descent into moral decay and more a high-speed plunge into greed and betrayal.

“The Departed is not a slow spiral into moral depravity but a cannonball dive right into the black heart of corruption and greed. It’s a helluva ride.”

3. Sicario (2015)

Directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Taylor Sheridan, Sicario (2015) is a gripping crime thriller that explores the moral cost of fighting drug cartel violence. The film follows FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) as she becomes entangled in a morally ambiguous mission on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Villeneuve’s deliberate pacing builds unbearable tension, while Benicio del Toro delivers a chilling, enigmatic performance as a shadowy operative. The result is a film that stares unflinchingly into human evil while showcasing Villeneuve’s signature directorial precision and Sheridan’s sharp, dialogue-driven storytelling.

“Sicario is a thriller roiling with intense emotions and unafraid to look human evil in the eye. It is a stunner, and still one of the best cases for Villeneuve’s artistic versatility.”

Why These Movies Stand Out on Hulu

• The Empire Strikes Back: A timeless sci-fi classic that redefined the genre.
• The Departed: A Scorsese masterpiece that finally earned him Oscar recognition.
• Sicario: A modern crime thriller that highlights the talents of Villeneuve and Sheridan.

With these additions, Hulu’s streaming library now offers a deeper dive into some of cinema’s most celebrated works. Whether you’re in the mood for epic sci-fi, gritty crime drama, or morally complex thrillers, these three films are essential viewing.