The best Hulu shows based on real events

If you are a fan of shows and movies based on real-life events, you might be surprised to find out that Hulu has quite a large selection available. From true crime documentaries to major or historical events, they have all of the bases covered. Keep reading for some of the best options to start with before diving deeper into Hulu’s extensive catalog.

The Act

The Act is an Emmy Award-winning series that is sure to tug at your heartstrings. It tells the story of Gypsey Rose and her mother, who manipulated her through Munchausen syndrome by proxy before finally leading to a tragic ending that played out in front of many of us on Court TV. It’s a disturbing but fascinating exploration of control and deceit, as well as the bond between a mother and daughter.

Dopesick

Dopesick is based on Beth Macy's nonfiction book. It takes a hard look at the opioid crisis in America, exploring how one pharmaceutical company, Purdue Pharma, pushed OxyContin into mainstream medical practice and the damage it caused. With its amazing performances by Micheal Keaten and other cast members and chilling depiction of corporate greed, this series is a must-watch.

Pam & Tommy

Pam & Tommy -- Set in the Wild West early days of the Internet, “Pam & Tommy” is based on the incredible true story of the Pamela Anderson (Lily James) and Tommy Lee (Sebastian Stan) sex tape. Stolen from the couple’s home by a disgruntled contractor (Seth Rogen), the video went from underground bootleg-VHS curiosity to full-blown global sensation when it hit the Web in 1997. A love story, crime caper and cautionary tale rolled into one, the eight-part original limited series explores /

Pam & Tommy is a miniseries that retells the infamous saga of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee’s leaked private video that shocked the entertainment world in the 1990s when the internet was just getting started. It takes a nostalgic look at the 90s while exploring issues of privacy, celebrity, and media exploitation that have affected many big names over the past several decades, including the late Princess Diana, making it a very interesting watch.

Under the Banner of Heaven

Under the Banner of Heaven features popular Spider-Man actor Andrew Garfield, and he puts on an amazing performance as Detective Jeb Pyre, who is attempting to solve the murder of Brenda Wright Lafferty and her baby daughter in Salt Lake City. The show delves into themes of faith, power, and corruption in a small, tight-knit religious community.

The Dropout

The Dropout is a series that follows Elizabeth Holmes, who rose to form her own biotech company after dropping out of Stanford. It showcases how hard work and dedication can pay off. However, despite good intentions initially, things spiral out of control, resulting in the downfall of her company and her disgrace. It features Amanda Seyfried delivering an Emmy-winning performance as Holmes, and the show highlights how a good idea can spiral out of control.

Welcome to Chippendales

Welcome to Chippendales -- A sprawling true-crime saga, “Welcome to Chippendales” tells the outrageous story of Somen “Steve” Banerjee, an Indian immigrant who became the unlikely founder of the world’s greatest male-stripping empire—and let nothing stand in his way in the process. Steve (Kumail Nanjiani), Ray (Robin de Jesus), Otis (Quentin Plair), Denise (Juliette Lewis), Nick (Murray Bartlett), Irene (Annaleigh Ashford), Paul (Dan Stevens) and Dorothy (Nicola Peltz Beckham), shown. (Courtesy /

In contrast to The Dropout we just discussed, this series tells the incredible rise of Somen “Steve” Banerjee, an Indian immigrant who founded the famous Chippendales dance, and his ability to turn around what started as a failure. The show explores Banerjee’s entrepreneurial journey, which eventually spirals into a tale of crime, murder, and betrayal in a binge-worthy series.

The Looming Tower

Pulitzer prize winner Lawrence Wright wrote the novel for The Looming Tower. It examines the lead-up to the 9/11 attacks, focusing on the rivalry between the FBI and CIA. While there are many dramatizations, there are also many true events that reveal the missteps that may have contributed to one of the most tragic events in modern history. The series also features themes of power, rivalry, and accountability, portraying how interagency competition compromised national security.

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