9 Classics for Seniors on Hulu Right Now
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September 25, 2023
Nowadays, the highest-grossing movies are Marvel films laden with brightly dressed superheroes and explosions, but things were very different during the period between 1927 and 1969, the “Golden Age of Hollywood.”
At the height of the studio system, which included MGM, Paramount Pictures, and 20th Century Fox, both high-grossing and critically acclaimed films reigned supreme. Unfortunately, if you’re a Hulu subscriber, you may have trouble finding these classic films on the streaming giant’s platform unless you purchase Hulu Legacy, which includes Turner Classic Movies, among other streaming services, for $74.99 a month.
However, if you don’t want to pay extra, there are several classic films available with the standard Hulu package, along with some great options that fall just outside of Hollywood’s Golden Age. We’ve rounded up the best options below.
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‘The Fly’
“The Fly” follows a scientist who turns into a combination of a human and a fly. Based on a 1957 story of the same name, the movie spawned two sequels, “Return of the Fly” in 1959 and “Curse of the Fly” in 1965. Eventually, the original movie was remade and released in 1986, starring Jeff Goldblum.
- Year released: 1958
- Genre: Science Fiction, Horror
- Run time: 1 hour, 36 minutes
- Rating: TV-PG
- Starring: Vincent Price, Patricia Owens, Al Hedison
‘Some Like It Hot’
Two musicians dress as women to escape mafiosos after witnessing them commit a crime. In 2000, the American Film Institute (AFI) named it the funniest movie of the last 100 years. Nominated for six Oscars, “Some Like It Hot” won one for best costume design in a black-and-white movie.
- Year released: 1959
- Genre: Comedy, Romance, Crime
- Run time: 2 hours, 2 minutes
- Rating: TV-PG
- Starring: Tony Curtis, Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon
‘Cleopatra’
Based on the 1957 book “The Life and Times of Cleopatra” by Carlo Maria Franzero, this film is about Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, resisting Rome’s imperialism. With an estimated total budget of $44 million (about $442 million in 2023 dollars), this film was, at the time, the most expensive film that 20th Century Fox had made.
Although “Cleopatra” was 1963’s highest-grossing film, making $57.7 million in the U.S. and Canada, it lost money initially and almost bankrupted the studio. Fortunately, the film was critically acclaimed, with nine nominations and four wins at the 36th Academy Awards.
- Year released: 1963
- Genre: Drama, History
- Run time: 4 hours, 4 minutes
- Rating: G
- Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison
‘Batman’
Based on the TV series of the same name, this campy film was the first full-length theatrical adaptation of the DC Batman comics. Starring Adam West, this film is a campy romp compared to the more serious Batman films released in recent years.
- Year released: 1966
- Genre: Comedy, Superheroes
- Run time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
- Rating: PG
- Starring: Adam West, Cesar Romero, Burt Ward
‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’
This Western Film is about two outlaws on the run. Because the movie won four Oscars and was nominated for two more, the Library of Congress has added “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” to the U.S. National Film Registry for its “cultural, historic, or aesthetic significance.”
- Year released: 1969
- Genre: Comedy, Romance, Action
- Run time: 1 hour, 51 minutes
- Rating: PG
- Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross
‘Paper Moon’
Adapted from the 1971 novel “Addie Pray” by Joe David Brown, this black-and-white film takes place during the Great Depression, starring real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O’Neal. Tatum won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, making her the youngest winner of all time at just 10 years old.
- Year released: 1973
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Run time: 1 hour, 42 minutes
- Rating: PG
- Starring: Tatum O’Neal, Ryan O’Neal, Madeline Kahn
‘Young Frankenstein’
Most people are familiar with Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus,” but you may not be familiar with the parody by director Mel Brooks, with Gene Wilder as the titular character. A spoof of classic horror films, Brooks shot this film in black and white and used scene transitions and opening credits from the 1930s, harkening back to Hollywood’s Golden Age. If you’re in the mood for a laugh, you’ll enjoy “Young Frankenstein,” which has been added to AFI’s list of the 100 funniest American movies.
- Year released: 1974
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 1 hour, 46 minutes
- Rating: TV14
- Starring: Gene Wilder, Cloris Leachman, Peter Boyle
‘Annie Hall’
Directed by and starring Woody Allen, “Annie Hall” features Alvy Singer, played by Allen, a comedian analyzing why his relationship with the titular character, played by Diane Keaton, failed. The movie was nominated for four Academy Awards and won four, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actress for Keaton.
- Year released: 1977
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Run time: 1 hour, 59 m minutes
- Rating: TV14
- Starring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts
‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’
A group of people in San Francisco finds out that emotionless clones are replacing the human race. Shot in black and white in a film noir style, this movie was adapted from the 1954 science-fiction novel “The Body Snatchers.” The familiar term “pod people” comes from this film, referring to the clones.
- Year released: 1978
- Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller
- Run time: 1 hour, 56 minutes
- Rating: PG
- Starring: Leonard Nimoy, Brooke Adams, Donald Sutherland
Conclusion
Although we wish Hulu had more classic films, this list should keep you entertained for the time being. Plus, Hulu is always adding new films to its library, so watch out for new classics as they become available on this streaming platform.